Bad Blood

I settled more solidly in my seat. A server would approach me soon. They would ask for what I thirsted for, and I would ask if I could work off a meal. Some said no. Then I would have to go hungry.

It was something I was used to. Motion from across the tavern caught my eye. I turned my head slightly to get a better look at the two men who were approaching me. They looked like they were experienced in battle. Not actual soldiers, or knights.

The type that held their own in a fight. Mercenaries? Cocky stride led me to believe that they were probably mercenaries. I dropped my hand down to the hilt of my blade. A fight in such tight quarters was unfavorable with a long sword, but if a fight broke out I wouldn't have a choice.

The men noticed my slight shift in posture, and reacted accordingly. They also dropped their hands to their weapons. Ready for a fight. I wasn't the only one who had noticed the men's change in attitude when they saw me. The man behind the bar had a scowl on his face as he made his way around the bar.

He was probably the owner of this tavern. They reached my table.

"So," the short skinny one slapped his free hand on the table, "You're that worthless swordsman."

"I'd be careful of what words you use," I stood slowly as I gripped my sword properly.

"You took a job from our party a while back," he sneered angrily in a way that reminded me of a rat, "A job worth a hundred gold pieces."

"I made a better offer," I was as ready as I could be for anything he could pull.

"Two weeks room, and board," he sneered angrily, "To do a job my whole party was supposed to do. Almost nothing for a high paying job."

"Like I said," I tensed slowly, "I made the better offer."

"You worthless," he started to draw his dagger.

"That's enough of that," the tavern owner pushed himself between me, and them, "Highly disrespectful to draw your weapons in my tavern."

"Get out of our way," the little sneering man tightened his grip on his dagger.

"Be careful of who you're threatening," the tavern owner frowned as the sound of several blades singing free of their sheaths, "Some men have good sway with those who have strong blades."

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