e&tg 19

[rone]

I tried not to be rude to Tinita as i threw my pack and my axe on my back and rushed out.  Kohasadi scrambled to his feet as soon as he heard me slam the door.  He tilted his head as he looked at me.

"Don't ask," i told him.  "Just don't fucking ask.  You know what i really shouldn't have right now?  A drink.  So let's go get one."

He rubbed his head against me.  Oh gods he was so cute.  I felt a little better.  I patted his head and sighed.  "Thanks, buddy."

We made our way straight to The Ashen Tongue.  I ducked inside the door and asked the entrance hallway, "Hosea, is that stable around the corner still abandoned?"

A voice from somewhere in the poorly lit hallway said, "Ya, mon."

"Could you ask Gialarçi or someone to run some water that way?"

"Sure, mon."

"Thanks, Hosea.  Thrown anyone out lately?"

A sigh permeated the air.  "Been a while.  Now quit talkin' to me, or you'll give me away."

I laughed.  "Take care."  I left and led Kohasadi to the stable, which had been abandoned (except for the occasional squatter who would quickly be ejected) for a few years.  The trough had just been filled with water via a small canal that came through the wall from the beerhouse, and Kohasadi headed for it.  He dipped his beak, then tilted his head back to swallow.  Watching him drink felt very educational.  When he was done, he lay down in the corner.  I asked him, "Are you hungry?"  He shook his head.  I said goodbye and left.

I walked into the Tongue and sat at the bar.  A bard — an orc-blood, wow, don't see that every day — entertained the patrons with drumming and what i assumed was Orcish poetry.  I hailed a bartender and said, "One Abyssal."  He returned quickly with a flagon filled with black liquid.  I was about to take a drink when someone said, "Excuse me, sir?"

I turned and and saw a kid, maybe all of 14.  "Yeah, what's up?"

"Is it, um, is it true that there's actually the blood of Abyssal creatures in the Abyssal Ale?"  Ha, oh, that legend still had legs.

"Well, kid, i could bore you with an explanation of the solera method they use to keep the proportions correct and other such technical stuff, but the short answer is, yes, but in such a low quantity that it's practically undetectable."  I took a big drink and smacked my lips.  "Why, you'd have to drink 20 Ales before it started to show the effects... uh..."  I set my flagon down.  "Guhhhhh..."  I stood up, grabbed my throat and started making choking noises.  I looked at the kid and he'd turned three shades paler.  "Nnnnam zuktag ilo, nam zuk— kkkkhhhh..."  I stretched my hands out at him.  "JOIN ME IN THE ETERNAL PIT OF TORMENT, YOUNG ONE.  COME NOW—"

The kid screamed and ran out of the bar.  A few people had turned to look at the spectacle, but quickly lost interest once the kid left.  I chuckled and sat down again.  A voice behind me said, "Really, Ele.  I don't know why i tolerate your chasing my customers away."