Markus laughed before finishing off his drink. “Won’t stop me.” He winked.
Markus had always been the one coming up with schemes. Plans. Pranks. In fact, it was he who suggested Evren join the Royal Hunters after his injury. Evren pushed back at first, not caring enough to spend his days looking for Enchantresses. Not wanting to give them an ounce of his time after what they’d done to his leg. But without any other options, he accepted the position offered by King Roman, and almost a year later, Markus was finally able to join him.
The shillings being offered for a single Enchantress were life changing. Two hundred shillings a head. That kind of coin would let Evren and Markus embark on a new journey. A new life.A dream they both had since they were young boys. To travel. See all the world had to offer. To leave the responsibilities donned upon them from birth and pave their own way.
“Time for some tonics.” Markus took a quick sip of ale before standing and opening the wooden box that contained the vials.
“Let me.” Evren stood and grabbed the box from Markus to distribute them. He rubbed the small glass vial between his thumb before passing them out.
With every vial handed to the men, they met him with a precise, “Thank you, Captain Fletcher.” His stomach dropped each time.Captain, captain.A constant reminder of who he no longer was.
As he settled back into his booth with Markus, the two of them raised their vials in a sort of cheers before tossing back the ruby liquid. The taste of the tonic was just as awful as he remembered, so he chugged several large gulps of ale to chase it down.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Markus gestured to the pint in Evren’s hand.
He hadn’t always had a problem with the drink, but after his injury he found himself relying on an escape more and more frequently. It had gotten out of hand a few months back and he found himself being dragged to his uncle’s estate to recover. It had taken six long days for the slew of ale to leave his system. One hundred and forty four tortuous hours of vomiting, and cold sweats. He thought, surely, this would convince him to never lift a tankard again. And yet, his mind seemed to forget completely the hell he went through to get the ale out of his body. The moment he walked past the Blackwind Tavern, all hope was lost as he downed ale after ale.
Evren ignored Markus, his eyes roaming the tavern instead. Black iron lanterns skirted along the walls, giving the room a soft amber glow. Several tables and booths were placed across the floor, rounded wooden tops all the same. Each of the recruits were still there, celebrating and toasting each other as if they were doing some sort of good for Teravie.
Perhaps they were. Evren had witnessed firsthand how powerful Enchantresses could be. His leg ached again at the memory. He held in a shudder remembering the look of fear each woman wore as he dragged them to the king and instead focused on his friend.
“I’m fine,” Evren finally said, taking another sip of his ale. “I can manage just one.” The lie felt sour in his mouth, but he didn’t need Markus to worry about him. Not tonight, not ever. He didn’t face Markus again as he tipped the pint to his lips and drank it in its entirety.
* * *
Admittedly,Evren had one too many drinks. Once he had the sip of the first, he couldn’t stop. Didn’t want to. He waited until Markus left for his room at the Lonely Seabird Inn before he ordered another ale. Then another. And another.
“You okay?” Markus asked, popping his head out of his adjacent room, likely hearing Evren stumble up the stairs.
Evren tripped on the last step but righted himself before Markus could make a move toward him. “Fine,” Evren mumbled, before slamming his door shut.
Evren awoke the next morning with a soreness behind his eyes and disappointment lining his stomach. He knew better than to drink the day before a hunt. He knew better than to drinkat all,but he couldn’t help it. The way the ale soothed the constant itch of worry under his skin was addicting. He would never tell Markus, but he couldn’t remember the last time he went without a drink. And the shame of it only drew him to drink more.
After washing, Evren changed into his dark brown pants, matching linen shirt, and heavy gray wool cloak. He ran his fingers over the grizzly badge pinned to his chest before fastening the clasp at his neck. Not quite the same crest he wore as a royal guard, but a sense of pride filled him, anyway.
He’d taken matters into his hands after his injury and was determined to make a new life. His mind flashed briefly to training with his uncle throughout his childhood. How pride had filled him then, too, when he learned what he’d inherit. Of the role he would play for his country.
Now the thought made him sick. The last thing he wanted was to be rooted in Teravie, stuck on a makeshift throne overseeing the Trinity Forest.
All he had to do was find one more Enchantress, and he’d be free of the burden.
“I’m headed toward Copenspire this morning,” Markus said as they ate their breakfast back at the Blackwind Tavern. “You were right about that storm. It’s closing in and best to get through the forest before the snow starts. You should come with me, more likely to find one of them if we work together.”
“Maybe,” Evren said and took another bite of his porridge. “But I have to go to see my uncle sooner than later. I'll just catch up with you after.”
“Oh shite,” Markus groaned, running a hand down his face. “I forgot about that”
“Yeah, it’s about time.” Evren didn’t hate his uncle. But hedidhate that he didn’t have any heirs. So, the next in line for the Lord of the Jade Guild fell to him. He didn’t want the title anymore. Didn’t want the responsibility to look after an entire region of Teravie when he hardly felt adequate to take care of himself.
The thought of spending his life trapped in the forest where he grew up devastated him.
They finished their porridge in silence, the occasional slurping and clatter of utensils filling the space.
Markus pushed his bowl to the side and leaned back in his seat. “Well, fine. Meet me in Copenspire when the storm passes, I bet if there’s Enchantresses hiding, it’s gotta be near there. I’ve heard rumors of them fleeing to the mountains.”
Evren nodded his agreement. He would gladly meet Markus in Copenspire, just after he confronted his uncle to let him know he wouldn’t be taking over the Jade Guild any time soon as planned. Or ever.
“And if you need anything, Ev–”
