In a tavern that should have been noisy, the silence was deafening.

  ?Zaek liked to imagine that a place filled with people would make it hard to hear your own thoughts—but tonight, there was no such luxury.

  ?It was cold. The lights were dim. The bar was nearly empty.

  ?At least the beer tasted good.

  ?“Damn, it’s really cold out there...” Zaek muttered, rubbing his hands together for warmth.

  ?“What did you expect, coming this far north?” the bartender grunted. He was a round-faced man, shaking a drink behind the counter.

  ?“You think I came here because I wanted to?”

  Zaek raised an eyebrow. “I wish that were the case. More importantly, where is everyone?”

  ?“They’re hiding. Said a giant came down from the mountain. Already killed two men. That’s what I heard, at least.”

  ?“Two?” Zaek’s brow furrowed. The letter said no casualties yet... I was too slow. “Well. That’s why I’m here.”

  ?“You? Are you out of your mind, old man?” the bartender scoffed. “This isn’t something a normal human can handle. You should wait for the army—or a hero. Maybe they’ll show up someday. Maybe.”

  ?“Maybe, huh? You don’t sound confident.”

  ?“How could I be? Last time something like this happened, no one came. They promised us help. Said they’d send a hero—Lucien Viremont, son of Sylas. Never showed up, even though this is his own land... Thank the Aether the giant left. After eating a few of us, it probably got bored and climbed back up.”

  ?“He didn’t come, huh…” Zaek murmured, eyes narrowing. I wonder if Sylas even knew.

  ?“I’m telling you,” the bartender said, shaking his head, “you should go back the way you came.”

  ?“Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the drink.”

  ?Just as Zaek took another sip, the tavern door opened with a burst of cold wind.

  ?A tall man stepped inside—muscular, with white streaks in his hair betraying his age. He stomped the snow from his boots and approached the counter.

  ?“Damn, it’s freezing out there. Give me the best drink you’ve got.” He tossed a few silver coins onto the bar, then turned and caught sight of Zaek.

  ?“...Huh?”

  ?Zaek looked at him sideways, raising an eyebrow.

  ?“You!” the man shouted suddenly. “Zaek! Hahaha! You goddamn old dog—what are you doing here?!”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  ?Zaek blinked, then laughed. “Vahram! That should be my line! What are you doing here?”

  ?“You two know each other?” the bartender asked, confused.

  ?“Of course we do,” Zaek said. “He’s like my troublesome brother—I always end up in trouble whenever I see him.”

  ?“And he’s like my lazy brother—always pushing the job onto me.”

  ?“You bastard—what did you say? Lazy?!” Zaek grabbed Vahram by the collar.

  ?“Troublesome, say it again?” Vahram retaliated, grabbing him back.

  ?They glared at each other for a beat—then both smirked and let go at the same time.

  ?“Young man! Bring us the whole bottle,” Vahram shouted, raising a hand. “We’re gonna need more today!”

  ?The bartender sighed and brought it over.

  ?GLUK GLUK GLUK

  ?“Uwahhh… now that’s good stuff,” Zaek groaned in satisfaction. “After all the piss I drank up north, I lost faith in northern drinks—but this? This is the real deal.”

  ?“Wahahaha. If you’d been drinking what that old maniac drinks, you’d be dead already.”

  ?“You drank it?”

  ?“Hell no! That stuff looks like poison.”

  ?“Damn, I drank that…”

  ?“Don’t lie. Viremont surely has better drinks, right?”

  ?Zaek gave him a sharp look. “You’re joking, right?”

  ?“Not at all. His daughter keeps the good wine hidden. Not sharing it at all…”

  ?“Brother…” Vahram reached out and patted his shoulder solemnly. “We’re nearly at the end of the road… and you—you can't have a proper wine at this time. I’ll drink the best in your name.”

  ?“Bastard.”

  ?They both laughed—then slowed, the mood shifting.

  ?“So, why are you here?” Zaek asked, eyeing the armor beneath Vahram’s travel cloak.

  ?“I was about to ask the same. Why’d they send us? That Viremont kid should be nearby.”

  ?“His brother lost his wife. They’re trying to be thoughtful. If not, they’d have sent him and me.”

  ?“Does this job really need the two of us?”

  ?“Not sure. The giant might be a warrior or something. Or maybe they just didn’t want us sitting idle.”

  ?“I hate fighting giants. They’re too damn big.”

  ?“You hate everything you can’t blow away.”

  ?“You’re damn right.”

  ?The bartender, who had been listening in quiet disbelief, finally interrupted.

  ?“Wait… are you saying…?”

  ?“Yes,” Zaek said, grinning. “We’re the heroes you’ve been waiting for. Congratulations.”

  ?“You’re… joking, right?”

  ?Vahram turned to him. “What’s your name?”

  ?“M-me?"

  ?“I said—what’s your name?”

  ?“B-Bodr…”

  ?“Well then, Bodr—I’m Vahram Kaelgrin. This is my friend, Zaek Evarard. Hero of Kaelgrin. Hero of Evarard. Got a problem?”

  ?Bodr froze. Then his eyes widened in shock.

  ?“Y-you… you’re really… I-I’m sorry for my rudeness!” He bowed quickly, flustered.

  ?“It’s fine,” Vahram said. “Just bring another bottle. This one’s done.”

  ?“I-I will! Right away!”

  ?As Bodr scrambled away, Vahram sighed.

  ?“See that, Zaek? People don’t even recognize us anymore…”

  ?“Don’t blame him. Sounds like the guy was abandoned last time.”

  ?“By who?”

  ?Zaek’s eyes narrowed. “Lucien.”

  ?“Lucien? You sure?”

  ?“Said they were promised help, and it never came.”

  ?“That bastard… he just left them?!”

  ?“I don’t know. But I intend to find out.”

  ?“I still can’t believe you sided with them. You should’ve gone with the king.”

  ?“I didn’t side with anyone. I just took a student.”

  ?“Is that all? After Rael?”

  ?“After Rael.”

  ?“She must be something special, then.”

  ?“Who knows,” Zaek muttered, smirking as he took another sip.

  ?“I never thought I’d see that face on you again.”

  ?“What face?”

  ?“The face of a proud master. You must be proud of her. I’m curious now.”

  ?“Don’t talk nonsense.”

  ?“Don’t blush now, Father—or should I say, Grandfather?”

  ?“Shut up.”

  ?“Hahahahaha! He’s blushing, I knew it!”

  ?And with that, they started bickering again, playfully throwing punches—until their fight tipped chairs and knocked over tables, turning the tavern upside down.

  ?Bodr returned with the bottle—only to freeze in the doorway, staring at the chaos in disbelief.

  ?I even brought the most expensive one…

  Here