Mount Larshen - The Monster Tamer.

Faced with the man's aggressive tone, Ewan refrained from saying anything. He did not want to provoke a fight in the middle of the street, especially with Pavas and Fusain in the immediate vicinity, and had therefore chosen to follow Géandre Perthuis silently when the latter had beckoned him to come with him.

The small group had then found itself in front of one of the city's pubs, and Fusain tied up outside, Géandre, the woman accompanying him, Ewan and Pavas had entered to settle at a table.

Immediately, the man with the long black braid had ordered a drink, as had the woman beside him, while Ewan had settled for a glass of water for Pavas.

"Well, what do you want, Géandre?" Asked Ewan, suspicious.

"I would rather know what you want," answered Géandre curtly while tapping his fingers on the table.

Around his neck, Ewan could see that the tablets had increased in size and were much more numerous, proof that Géandre had acquired new monsters since the last time the two men had crossed paths, two years ago.

"Have you come again to steal my contract or what?" Said Géandre with a threatening tone.

"I don't know anything about your current contract, and I'm just a visitor," Ewan defended himself.

"Do you seriously think I'll believe you?!" Geander snarled, slamming his fist on the table, which startled Pavas.

"I don't care if you believe me, but even if I were after your contract, nothing would stop me," retorted Ewan.

After all, the queries were open to anyone, all the time, and the reward went to whoever completed it first. Ewan didn't care about implied principles like 'don't take on a request already taken by another', or 'don't interfere with someone else's hunt'. These were rules that were not written on paper or stone, and therefore had no value to him. He did what he wanted, within the law, and according to his own desires. It didn't matter to him if it pissed off other people.

"You really think you can do anything, don't you?" Géandre growled.

"Unless it's a nominative request, yes," Ewan replied nonchalantly.

That was the only kind of request he couldn't touch. When a person or group was designated and recruited directly, the work in question could only be completed by the individuals involved; from start to finish. Other than that, Ewan was free to covet any reward.

The monster tamer grinned as he bared his teeth, the knuckles of his fist still resting on the table whitening with the pressure exerted.

"Don't fuck with me... You piece of-"

He was interrupted by a hand plastered against his mouth, and turning the glance then the head towards his right, saw that it was his travelling companion who had just forced him to keep silent. He was about to violently disengage himself when the young woman with the spear hardened her look and pointed with the other hand to the girl sitting in front of them. The monster trainer understood the message, and calmed down, but not without sending a murderous look towards Ewan.

The spearwoman then took back her glass and resumed drinking in silence, which made the young man understand that Géandre had found someone who could not only put up with his bad temper, but also appease him when necessary. He hoped that this change would prevent them from falling back into the same situation as two years ago, and was even reassured that a table separated them, otherwise he was sure that the man would have already come to blows.

The monster trainer slumped back in his chair, and while crossing his arms, gave Ewan a nasty look.

"That jerk stole a giant snake I was about to take down," he said, sniffing loudly. Then, glancing at Pavas, he added, "Little girl, don't get dishonest like your father, huh."

"He's not my father," Pavas replied innocently.

"All the more reason not to be like that jerk then, taking what doesn't belong to you! replied Géandre.

"Don't teach him stuff that nobody values but you," argued Ewan.

"It's because you're the scum of the earth that you say that," said Géandre aggressively. "People who grow up without parents really have no morals."

He took in the ribs an elbow from the young woman besides him, but didn't lose his aggression.

"If you stick your nose in my contract again, you're not going to get away with a few bruises this time," threatened Géandre.

"If you're going to fight me again, I hope you're prepared to break a finger or two..." Threatened back Ewan.

He didn't like being picked on, let alone threatened so openly. Two years ago, he had hunted the same creature as this guy, who had been claiming ever since that the young hunter had stolen his prey and the reward that went with it. He was the kind of person who would hold a grudge for something that didn't even matter, and who acted petty when more direct approaches didn't work.

Géandre wiggled his jaw, still displeased. However, he also knew how to have the last word.

"Whether it's you or your buddy from the military academy, you're all opportunists. As soon as the wind changes, you run with your tail between your legs like the big cowards you are!" Taunted Géandre.

This time, Ewan was the one to hit the table with his fist, or rather, the tip of his dagger.

The two men looked at each other, the tension having suddenly risen a notch.

"By the way, didn't he run away with you?" Asked Géandre. "I have accounts to settle with him."

Ewan withdrew his fist and dagger from the table and began to stand up, beckoning Pavas to follow him.

"Hey where are you going?!"

"If that's all you had to say, I have things to do." Ewan replied curtly.

"Hey! Stay away from my Behemoth, got it?!" Géandre exclaimed, drawing the eyes of all the customers present on him.

Ewan didn't answer anything and hurried out, not caring the least about the disgruntled and resentful man behind him.

"This guy...." Géandre growled through his teeth. "He's going to pay for this."