With keen eyes and ears, Cale had hidden himself on a high roof in the center of town and listened attentively to the conversations below him. Night had fallen, and the empty streets of this morning were filled with people -drunk people. Since the place was so far away from civilization, people seemed to ignore all the rules of society and did whatever they wanted. Dozens of them sat on the streets with beer glasses in their hands, shouting through the neighborhood, while others engaged in illegal gambling in some corners, and women who sold their bodies had gathered in an alley.

  Pretty much everything that was forbidden in Bellator could be found here - much to Julius Venlan's dismay.

  After spending the whole day walking around the city and its surroundings, they realized that there were no kidnapped children here. So Julius made it his mission to gather information from the residents and mingled with society, which seemed to annoy him quite a bit after several hours. Cale watched him with amusement as Julius repeatedly rejected the same woman while hurrying after two men. While Julius actively moved through the city, Cale stayed put to try his luck. He had overheard hundreds of different conversations, some of which were so abstruse and derogatory that he constantly wondered if he was really still in Sylve.

  When Julius approached Cale's hiding place relatively quickly and obviously looked at the dark spot on the roof, Cale realized he had found something. Like a fish, he slid down the roof to the edge and jumped to the ground before coming around the corner and waiting with his arms crossed for Julius to fight his way to the alley.

  "Judging by the look on your face, you've discovered something", Cale announced quietly as Julius came to a stop beside him and gasped for air.

  "Not exactly."

  "Not exactly?", Cale repeated questioningly.

  "I haven't heard anything about the children, but I ran into two mine workers who were talking about their work. Apparently, they've recently started transporting extremely valuable gemstones."

  "That doesn't sound too bad. Where did these workers go?"

  "They are here, on the main street. They just turned into one of the taverns. We could wait and try to find out exactly where they work."

  "Or we could save ourselves a few days and just ask them."

  "What?"

  "If this lead turns out to be a dead end, then we've wasted our time unnecessarily. So we should probably find out as quickly as possible whether these men are useful or not."

  "And how do you plan to do that?", Julius retorted, sitting up straight, only to watch Cale stretch out his hand with a diabolical grin on his face.

  "Give me all your money."

  "Are you trying to rob me?"

  "We still have enough in the room", Cale explained, and after a few moments, the advisor seemed to comply with his request. He threw his coat aside and loosened the small pouch at his hip, in which he carried some money.

  "What are you going to do with it?"

  "We're both going to have some fun tonight."

  "Somehow, I don't like that statement", Julius said suspiciously as he placed the bag in his hand.

  Cale clutched it contentedly and tied it to his hip before loosening his dark coat and tousling his short blond hair. Cale's stature and sword, which he had previously tried to hide, were now clearly visible. But he would use his striking appearance as a weapon tonight.

  "Take off your cloak, it will only attract unnecessary attention in the tavern."

  "You really want to talk to them? I don't know if that's such a good idea. They looked like they had already been drinking."

  "All the better, drunk people give you the best information. Just follow my lead."

  "If you say so", Julius said hesitantly, also taking off his disguise.

  Like Cale, he carried it over one arm and followed him back to the street. After a few discreet hints, Cale headed for a fairly busy tavern, its open doors and windows carrying the smell of food and beer into the streets. Bright lights and loud voices indicated that the place must be quite lively, but that didn't bother Cale in the least.

  "Good evening, everyone", Cale called out impressively as he stepped through the door and was immediately greeted by dozens of men who raised their glasses almost simultaneously and welcomed Cale appropriately. "Well, it looks like things are really happening here. Is there a reason to celebrate?"

  "Do you need a reason to drink, young man?", one of the strangers shouted back amusedly, downing his glass as if there were no tomorrow. Meanwhile, Julius stepped next to Cale and scanned the room before spotting the mine workers.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Back left, the table right behind the waitress", Julius whispered inconspicuously to Cale, his words almost lost in the noise.

  "That's the right attitude, my friend!", Cale replied loudly, pointing to the laughing man before continuing on his way with a half-hearted wave.

  The tavern was easily three times the size of 'Reibonlake', but in terms of lack of space, the two were neck and neck. The room was so warmed up by all the people that Cale immediately felt hot, and the smell of alcohol clung to his clothes. He squeezed through the rows and pretended to be a man looking for a free seat. He even deliberately paused for a moment so that his presence would really be noticed as he turned to the side and looked into the interior. When he turned back, his gaze met that of the miner, who was just enjoying his first glass of beer. With a broad grin on his face, he approached the table, which the man himself also noticed.

  "Good evening, gentlemen. Are the seats next to you still free?", Cale announced himself in an exaggeratedly friendly voice.

  "Certainly, my friend", the man replied with whom Cale had already made eye contact.

  "Wonderful, wonderful. You're a lifesaver. This is Julius and my name is Zod, nice to meet you!"

  "The pleasure is all ours. I hope you're a good drinker!", the other man interjected as Cale and Julius sat down opposite each other so they could see each other's faces. "My name is Avan and this is my little brother Zeron."

  "You're brothers? You don't look like it at all!", Cale exclaimed in surprise, causing the two strangers to burst out laughing. Cale's statement was partly serious, as they really didn't look alike.

  "We hear that a lot. What about you, are you brothers?"

  "I'm afraid I have to disappoint you, no", Cale announced amusedly. "But we are partners for life and death."

  "That sounds good!", Avan agreed, raising his glass, which made Cale glance contentedly at Julius, who had distanced himself somewhat from the conversation. At that moment, a waitress with a very generous breasts appeared, bringing a tray of food and then turning her attention to the new guests.

  "What can I get you?"

  "I'll have the same as the gentlemen to my right, and bring beer for the whole table", Cale ordered, causing the other men to look at him in surprise.

  "Very gladly, sir", the woman confirmed and disappeared a moment later, before Zeron, the man sitting right next to Cale, slapped him on the back and pulled him close.

  "You know how to make friends, kid."

  "Don't let me down, I'm ready to drink a lot today!", Cale announced, and a moment later he felt Julius kick him on the knee. He seemed to dislike the fact that Cale was drinking for the second time today, but he had no idea how much Cale really planned to consume today. He deliberately concealed the fact that he was using zero magic to prevent himself from getting drunk.

  "Is there something to celebrate?"

  "We've been wandering around the world for several weeks, you can't imagine what it's like to have real food and a roof over your head again."

  "Must have been on the road for quite a while", Zeron replied, letting go of Cale, drinking the glass in two gulps, and turning his attention to his food.

  "For months, yes."

  "You're from Frignez, right?"

  "I am, yes", Cale lied, leaning back, folding his hands behind his head, and watching the brothers next to him begin to eat. "I left my home at the beginning of the year to travel the world. Somewhere on the way to Altona, I don't even remember where it was, I picked up Julius and brought him along."

  "Hoho! A healer from Frignez and an Altona, you don't see that every day", Avan replied with his mouth full. "Are you a healer?"

  "Everyone in Frignez learns healing magic, but not all of us automatically become healers. Personally, I'm just bad at it and gave up at some point."

  "Better that way, it's pointless to chase after some wishful dreams", Avan replied and swallowed a large piece of his meat.

  "What about you, are you from around here?"

  "Avan and I live a little north of here, in a place called Leszeben."

  "Leszeben? Ah, that rings a bell. That place is pretty close to the city of Palien."

  "That's right. Well-informed, I see."

  "We're on our way to the capital, so I had to memorize the map a little", Cale instinctively made up, while Julius's heart almost slipped into his pants. "Is it a place worth visiting?"

  "Not really, it's just a working town where hardly anyone else lives except mine workers. So I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you're trying to find women."

  "I see", Cale replied with a grin on his face, sliding a little closer and continuing in a quiet but clear voice. "So you're looking for a partner."

  "That's right."

  "Seems like you haven't been very successful."

  "There are hardly any single women living in that part of the country. Most of them are married to mine workers and moved here because of that."

  "Sounds like a disaster, how can anyone live like that!"

  "I wonder that too. It's depressing!", the younger brother complained, banging his cutlery angrily on the table. "I keep saying we're going to rot here."

  "Calm down, it's not that bad. We're healthy, we have jobs and a house."

  "Don't assume that I'll be happy with this situation forever. I'm 30, it's about time, otherwise I'll end up like you."

  "Are you looking for trouble?"

  "Your drinks", the waitress said almost simultaneously, placing four large glasses on the table with practiced ease before pushing them toward each person. "Your food will be here in a moment."

  "Thanks", Cale replied, reaching for his glass before turning to the men. "Well then, to the women!"

  "To the women!", Avan and Zeron shouted loudly so that everyone in the tavern could hear.

  Some strangers also raised their glasses and repeated the toast before turning their attention to their beer.

  Julius, on the other hand, drank reluctantly from his glass, while Cale emptied his entire glass in one gulp and slammed it down on the table. He looked expectantly at the brothers, who felt challenged by the gesture and also drank their beer faster than they had received it.

  "Respect, my friend. Respect. Healers are not as harmless as I thought."

  "Hohoho, don't underestimate me, my friends. In my homeland, I am undisputedly the heaviest drinker of them all!"

  "Well, I only believe that when I see it!", Avan exclaimed, raising his hand as another waitress approached the table with food for Cale and Julius. He immediately ordered another round of drinks, which made Julius turn pale. "Enjoy your meal, you two."

  "You too", Cale quickly replied, cutting off a large piece of meat with his knife before spearing it and putting it in his mouth. With his mouth full, he glanced at the advisor, who was used to people behaving completely differently. Cale discreetly nodded to him to make it clear that he hadn't lost his mind.

  "Is your friend mute?", Zeron asked, so Cale turned to him and swallowed his food.

  "Julius? No. He's just exhausted and probably wants to kill me for dragging him here."

  "Come on, don't be weak, my friend. The night is still young!", Avan exclaimed, nudging Julius's shoulder in amusement. Julius responded with an embarrassed laugh and glared at Cale.

  "That's what I'm saying", Cale replied, using his expression against him, as Zeron had also noticed it. "I think he needs a few more beers before he'll start talking."