* * *
Earlier that sun’s cycle...
Fracas stood, grabbed his long bow from the tavern’s table, and said, “Sinew... Parry... It’s time we left,” he insisted. “We must return to the Breakneck.”
Parry grabbed a barmaid, whirled her around, sat her on his lap, and replied, “A few moments more, my friend.” He twirled his finger in her long brown hair and whispered into her ear.
She giggled, stroked his blond goatee, and told him, “I can’t till mi shift’s over.”
Sinew smoothed his hand over his shaven head and lifted his mug as he barked, “Another!”
“No! You’re already drunk,” Fracas told him as he swung his bow, knocking the mug from the smaller man’s grasp. “Let’s go while you can still walk.”
“I’m not drunk,” Sinew insisted, swaying on the bench and stared at his throbbing knuckles. “Phraggs! That hurt!”
Fracas threw up his hands and uttered, “Fine!” He stomped to the exit, paused, and looked back to see if his two friends were watching. They weren’t so he stepped outside. He would show them. Fracas cleared his throat and shouted, “High Guards! To arms!”
Parry stood, dumping the barmaid to the floor, drew his sword, searched the tavern, and asked, “Where’s my blade needed?”
Sinew barely got to his feet and slurred, “I have your back.” He twisted his thin black mustache, reached for his weapon, and fell drunk to the floor.
“Get up!” Parry shouted. “Our enemy is upon us!” He nudged the smaller man with his foot as he yelled, “Get up!”
Sinew moaned, rolled over, and started snoring.
Fracas walked back into the tavern, laughing and said, “You’re the elite of the High Guards? It’s a wonder the Fletching Kingdom hasn’t fallen.”
Parry’s eyes flashed with rage as he exclaimed, “What the Crell?!” He charged the bowman ready to strike and shouted, “Why you dirty Borough Rat!”
“Now old friend...” Fracas started and then fled, running around the tavern with an ox of a man pursuing him. “I was trying to prove my point.”
Parry finally cornered him and then asked, “Do you think this was funny?”
Fracas took a moment, considering his answer and replied, “Yes.”
Parry raised his sword as a grin appeared on his face and then he said, “You’re right.” He lowered the rapier and told him, “Come my friend, let’s get Sinew and return to the Breakneck. There shall be time for women another sun’s cycle.”
Beauty And The Beast: The Classic Fantasy Fairy Tale With A Twist Page 11
