17- Around the Fire Pt.3

A few interactions later, and the dwarf was busting out jokes over the camp fire. It was the first time in such a long time that Servus 132-X laughed. The beastman tried his best not to laugh, but the story was too funny, that it would be a crime not to at least snicker.

" 'Ere's a better one!" the dwarf declared as he wiped the tears from his eyes, " An elf, a knight, and a dwarf went inside a tavern. The knight, flamboyant as he wus, asked for them finest wine. He wus given them the finest Redvyne from Etelport! The elf, prudent as he was asked for them cheap ale. He was given the cheapest one, made from the tavern. The dwarf, looked at them both, and asked for a glass of water."

" W-water?" the beastman asked in disbelief.

" Ya! Water, " the dwarf cleared his throat while also trying to stifle a laugh. " So the barkeep asked--"

" You are being too loud, slave!" A knight spat as he approached them.

" Good evenin', ser knight!" Greeted the dwarf, trying to smile at him.

" Shut your trap, slave!" The knight suddenly dropped his trousers and urinated on the campfire. " Remember this you pieces of shit! Once a slave, always a slave," he spat on the ground and laughed.

Servus 132-X rose from his seat as the arrogant knight turned his back on them. It was the dwarf's quick reflexes that was able to stop the angry Servus 132-X from getting into another fight.

" Keep it down, lad," he gripped Servus 132-X arm tightly. " It's not worth starting another--"

Suddenly, the quenched flame began to light ablaze as another knight approached them. It was one of the guards shifted at the gate. His face was finally, revealed by the fire he casted.

" I apologize for that knight's bad behavior," Tristam emerged from the dark path. " Please do not see us knights as that." He pointed at the staggering knight.

The slaves stared at him and nodded quietly.

Tristam scratched his head as he tried to look for words to say. The knight wanted to defend their honorable order, but with the recent incident he knows it's a tough sell. He looked defeated as he went back to his post, leaving a tired smile on his face.

" I-I pity him," the beastman suspired. "H-he looked like a good man."

" Ya! That lad seems to be," the dwarf nodded in agreement. " If this wus only a different time and place, we could've drank with them, but alas!

There was silence once more. Unfortunately, the mood changed after the audacious knights ruined their fun moment and dampened the fire with his urine.

The elf stood first and took their bowls away. " I will wash this now. It's getting late, you should take a rest." The dwarf read her gestures.

" Don't worry, las! We shall sleep soon."

" M-maybe I should h-help her," the beastman said. " O-or maybe not…"

" Make up your mind, lad!"

It took a few awkward moments before the hesitant beastman finally decided to leave them to help the elf.

" Gee, that lad had doe-eyes on the elf lass," the dwarf smirked.

Servus 132-X smiled in agreement.

"Ahem," the dwarf cleared his throat. " So tell me, lad, what's next?"

" What do you mean?"

" After ya buy yar freedom. What are ya to do next?"

" I don't know yet. Maybe, travel the world and find a place to call my very own."

" Such a dream ya have there, lad," the dwarf smiled. " Travel the world, huh? Indeed, there are so much you need to see other than this barren mine."

" Have you traveled the world?" Servus 132-X asked the dwarf.

" Ya, I did. From the deepest of the forests of the East 'till the dunes of the Southeastern Front. I have fought many wars with the Principalia. But that is a story for another day! Right now, it's all about travel!"

Servus 132-X nodded. " Tell me, what's the most beautiful place you have ever seen?"

The dwarf stroked his chin while clicking his tongue, trying to choose the best one. " Tsk! Lad, Ya just gave me a hard time there. If I were to choose, it would be the Eastend mountains, my people's kingdom."

" Eastend Mountains…"

" Yes, it's a beautiful place! Trees big enough to challenge the sky, brooks with water so clear, that it rivals the looking glasses of the elven kingdoms," the dwarf paused as tears-welled in his eyes. " Then, there's the castle of the dwarven kings, Sun-borne. The palace built inbetween the twin mountains Noraya and Fersaya. That marvelous structure glows as the sun rises in the mountains' foot."

" If ever we make it out here alive, can you take me there?" Servus 132-X.

" Alas! Lad…" the dwarf bit his lip, " ...yeah, maybe someday!"

" Yes, someday." Servus 132-X can only hope for it.

The night grew deeper and the time of Obscuros has reached the Soaring. Servus 132-X, finally decided to go back to their newly constructed camp and rest.

He cozied himself on the bed issued to them by Lord Prestonheim. It was still a hard bed made of wood with no cushion on it, but at least it wasn't infested with fleas or stunk of pee and excrement.

He tossed and turned in the bed for a while, until he finally succumbed to sleep.

" Adlaw-on."

Servus 132-X immediately opened his eyes. " It's her again!" He said to himself.

" Adlaw-on."

The voice sounded near, and enticed him to go outside.

" Adlaw-on."

He wished he could have just ignored her call, but there was something about this deity that he sensed to be different from the others he encountered across his previous lifetimes.

Dragging his body from the brink of sleep, he rose up from his bed and followed the sound of her voice. He went outside of his tent and saw the lady sitting on his seat by the campfire.

He went to approach the mysterious lady, who hopelessly stared at the glowing embers of the burnt wood. She poked it with a stick as if looking she's for something.

Servus 132-X approached her cautiously, as he tried his best to stop himself from being too welcoming from what he suspected as a deity.

" Ah! You finally came!" Her sweet voice could easily melt a mortal's heart--but not this mortal! Not Servus 132-X.

" What do you need of me this time?" the slave sternly asked.

" Sit down beside me," the mysterious lady tapped on the stump beside her. " There are things we need to talk about."

" Again?"

The lady smiled to him, not offering an answer to the question he raised.