The Red Feather Tavern

The Red Feather Tavern, Rustonia, the capital of Vorland, 1438 ATC

There was a fireplace just next to the bar, a homey atmosphere of grey stone and wooden panels, all covered with lanterns. All the while there was a quiet contained fire as they felt that their ears were lovingly serenaded by the strumming of the guitar, and a happy flute. Not exactly balanced music, but it was relaxing as a few patrons milled around and drank and talked. Quite peaceful for Rustonia's most popular gathering place.

"I'll march over hills, I'll fly over the vale. I'll sing through wind, and grind through the grail. I'll wear my bones, my armor torn, I'll weather the cries if hate and scorn..." A bard sung as Venser watched beneath a black hood.

The handsome bearded man sat with his hands stretched before the fire. The frost clinging to his tunic had nearly melted away. The handsome bearded man rubbed his hands together, turning to blink at the woman to his right.

"What are you on about, exactly Marvella?"

The woman sitting beside him was slender with fair skin, chesnut hair, pink lips, and strange purple eyes. She wore a dark grey combat uniform, with fur lining under the leather bracers and on the both shoulders. As well as a noticeable pair of earrings consisting of white round with its orange border with silver chain on the sides.

"That new commander..." Marvella Fullbuster snorted raising a tankard to her lips. "Hmphf. Walks around the castle like a preening rooster."

Venser shrugged, rubbing his arms beneath his black wool clock and hood that he wrapped himself in at the moment.

"Seems to be doing an okay job to me. It's quite interesting you know all of them up there on the hill well. I mean, you're friends King Rian of Vorland and I'm friends with God Queen Y'vonne of Pryldahn. How about that?" He said watching the bedlam of patrons chatting, coughing, and murmuring across rustic confines of The Red Feather, a strumming guitar brought unnecessary harmony to the dull moment.

"King Rian trusts him, and the capital is safer compared to the countryside.''

Marvella snorted. "I could do his job blindfolded. If I were a part of the actual army rather than a local protector with a contract for hunting renegades."

Venser's eyebrow rose to the ceiling. "Oh really?"

"Bashed in plenty of bandit skulls, Panther People, and a few renegades and an assassins or two who have tried to kill the royal family.''

''And don't forget the multiple bounties that are available. I swear, just about everyone whose anyways wants at least one person dead... Hence why you have a ton of them running around." The handsome bearded man commented eying Marvella's tankard of grapefruit beer. As much as he loved to drink, Venser decided it was best he not have any until Bonneville's Brigade was dealt with.

''As a protector of Montpelier, I am suppose to stay there or around it. Protect Montpelier. It's all in the title Ven... You act as if you got your own skull smashed in lately.''

"Ahem... And I'll have you know that I've smashed the skulls myself! I used to be a mercenary, still am at times!''

"Oh yeah?"

"Recently, as a matter of fact!"

"I thought you were nothing more than a ditzy good looking bartender who told tall tales of adventure to other worlds and somehow wooed my adoptive sister."

''Well, that too! I've knocked out plenty of bounties on the side. Common criminals who pillage and rape for fun."

''Then that makes two of us. But must I remind you Bonneville's Brigade are professional soldiers? Teamed up with the Panther People... Both running their own war operation out of a trade town called Muldoon.''

"Look." Venser gestured. "I never said I hunted bounties alone."

"Oh really?"

"That's right." He nodded. "Things are done these days in numbers. You could call me something of... An advanced socialite! Like you after what I saw when we went before the King's court. Yeah, I mean, I am a friend of God Queen Y'vonne and I've fucked a Queen or two in my time. And look at me, ya know? Bartender business man.... Man of many talents and skills!"

Marvella scoffed. "I think you're saying too much Ven... You hurt your head again, didn't you?

"Yeah. I did. In quite an epic naval battle..." Venser adjusted his hood, his emerald eyes glistened before the flames.

''The two of us make for brave, fearsome warriors. Don't we? A ditzy bartender mercenary and a well known protector of Vorland."

"Indeed, I can't wait to hear that story." Marvella nodded. "Roughest, toughest pair of ass-kickers in the land."

A barmaid wandered by, carrying a tray full of bread rolls.

"All of them have taken over the town of Muldoon, and the armies are on their way but if we could sneak in, rescue Alex and Asher and the townspeople, and assassinate Commander Bonneville everyone should scatter." Marvella said, before letting out a sigh. ''No, with the Panther People involve it would be an absolute bloodbath.''

"You're talking as if I weren't listening to the Royal Court just a few minutes ago." Venser said with a sigh, picking up his own tankard and chugging his water.

“How are your folks doin’?” Asked a passing barmaid. There were ranges of grunts of thanks to chippy sounds of gratitude as she passed each pint from one customer to the next, all through the bar stand and all with great skill.

"Some more water please." Venser said handing her his empty tankard, and she nodded and walked away.

''I have a crazy idea... That just might work. All of them are warriors, so I go in, waving a white flag, and challenge Commander Bonneville to a duel, and claim that if I win, everyone goes free and alive.''

''And if you lose, Venser?''

''Er… Well I guess, the Panther People still see Commander Bonneville as a tough warrior with honor. And he's a coward if he refuses.''

Marvella scoffed. "Not only do they have Alex and Asher, but dozens of families and hostage. It's not going to be as easy as you think and the army has already been deployed so-"

"So easy. You teleport us there and we figure out what to do from there before the army gets there. I mean, you have that ring of yours that lets you make portals..." He said gesturing to the crown shaped ring with an ornate purple gem embedded in it.

"Its mainly for focus, Venser. And we are going to be dealing with many enemies. So, we could easily simply find out where Rik Bonneville is, and then teleport and assassinate him and teleport out. But with the two of us we won't be able to liberate the town so easily."

"Exactly! Which is why I walk up with the white flag, challenge The Rik, kill him, and then the rest wither disperse or follow me!"

Marvella rubbed her temples. "It's crazy but I'll let you give it a try..."

"Or you can think about it as a distraction if the hostages aren't that well guarded. And you create a portal big enough for all of them and then leave all of the mercenaries and Panther People to me!"

He grabbed his new tankard of water and chugged it, setting it down with a slam.

"We have an early day tomorrow. So, how about we rent a room and get down to business Marvella?"

"Business?"

"Sex! Come on, it's a tradition for adventurers when they stop for the night they pair up in their rooms for sex."

"You made that up!"

"I did. So what, Marvella?"

Marvella gave him an amused smile and chuckled, shaking her hear and standing up, grabbing her short spear and walking away, and Venser watched her wide hips and her rear teeter back and forth in front of him.

"Let's go then you big bad pervert. This may be the last night you get any. It's bad enough you always refuse to wear protection..."

"You know I don't like protection. I'll be fine tomorrow!" Venser ejaculated glancing down at his crimson and turquoise tunic, his bright red boots, and black cloak and hood. Zero armor whatsoever.