CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: SPLENDID! YOU’RE A GOOD SPORT

"Ah! My Lord!" Gavril boomed, pointing at the table with the broadest grin imaginable, a drumstick dangling from one hand. "You finally join us! We were just talking about the proper way to celebrate a successful day’s work. And of course, discussing the matter of women!"

Meical’s eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest crease forming between his brows. "Do any of you ever speak without sounding like children?" he muttered, his voice carrying easily over the others.

Niko, another one of Meical’s men, slammed down his goblet of fruit wine with a clink. "Master, with all respect, we were debating who among us has the finest taste in women! And it’s clearly me. Did you see the barmaid in Carvena? She practically tried to melt into my arms!"

Borin, the slow, lumbering giant of the group, laughed in response, the sound so loud it shook the table slightly. "Indeed! And anyone who denies it is lying, Master! One must enjoy life. And the women, naturally."

Sebastian stepped in, voice clipped but firm. "Men." he said, raising a hand "remember who sits at this table. Our master is married. He has a wife. If the madame were to hear of your antics, I assure you, you would not like the consequences."

The men froze briefly, exchanging sheepish grins.

"Furthermore.." Sebastian continued, glancing at Meical "he is already at odds with his spouse. Master enraged his wife, so he’s left him for now. The least you can do is not encourage him to go chasing after a woman."

Gavril groaned, swatting the air dramatically. "Ah, but Master, we were merely talking. Surely a few jokes won’t send him to an early grave?"

Sebastian shot him a sharp look. "Master or not, he does not need encouragement in that department. You forget yourselves during times like this.."

Borin’s laugh rumbled at the reminder, but even he leaned slightly back, aware of the subtle weight in Sebastian’s tone.

Meical pinched the bridge of his nose and gave a small, dry sigh. "Just focus on the food. And behave yourselves, at least for the next hour."

Gavril leaned back in mock offense. "An hour, my lord? Only an hour of restraint? You wound us!"

The table, despite Sebastian’s interventions, remained alive with chatter. Niko reached for a slice of cake and grinned at Meical.

"Master, you must at least taste this. The baker outdid himself today."

Meical allowed himself a faint, brief smile. "I am capable of judging for myself, thank you." He reached for the roasted pork, the crisp skin crackling under his knife, and took a careful bite.

The flavors grounded him, the richness, the warmth, the simplicity of the act itself a reprieve from the tension in Lucine.

Tarek leaned toward Meical, smirking. "Even you, my lord, could relax a bit. One sip of this fruit wine..."

"Do not.." Sebastian interrupted smoothly, placing a hand lightly on the bottle, "encourage him. Remember what I said. You forget at your peril."

Luka snorted, grinning. "Sebastian is always the voice of doom.." he whispered to Meical, "but he’s right. We shouldn’t push it."

"Yes.." Meical said dryly, setting down his cup "because the consequences are not worth a laugh."

Despite the chaos, the men continued to eat, laugh, and chatter, though now with small glances toward Sebastian to gauge whether they were pushing too far.

Gavril recounted an exaggerated tale of a barmaid in Carvena, his booming voice filling the room, while Niko clinked his glass against Borin’s in celebration.

Meical allowed himself a small smirk at the sight. Their humor grated at him, yes, but their loyalty was unquestionable.

Sebastian’s presence kept them tethered, preventing the conversation from spiraling too far into irreverence.

And Meical, for now, could focus on the simple act of eating, each bite a grounding ritual amid the storm of his mind.

The feast itself was impressive, Lucine-style beef soup, tender and richly spiced, fragrant rice; roasted pork with golden, crackling skin; bowls of fresh fruit glistening under candlelight; delicate, lightly iced cakes and deep ruby fruit wine poured generously into goblets.

Even Borin, who normally forgot all manners in his laughter, paused long enough to savor a piece of meat. "Master." he said, voice still deep but quieter, "this is exquisite. Truly worthy of your table."

Meical nodded faintly, turning to Sebastian. "See that they behave, and keep them in check. Let them enjoy themselves, but not at the cost of sense. It hard handling a party of drunks.."

Sebastian inclined his head, eyes scanning the table for signs of mischief. "As you wish, my lord."

Hours passed with wine, laughter, and food. Meical allowed himself the rare moment of ease, observing his men and Sebastian in equal measure.

Gavril’s boisterous antics, Niko’s drinking contests, Tarek’s sly teasing, Borin’s booming laughter, and Luka’s eager chatte, all balanced by Sebastian’s measured, careful reminders, created a strange harmony in the restaurant.

For today, at least, there were no spies, no threats, no scheming in Lucine. There was only food, camaraderie, and the quiet understanding that Meical’s presence commanded respect.

The wine warmed his chest, the roast filled his stomach, and the laughter of men, ridiculous, brash, and unabashedly alive, provided a rare, grounding moment.

Even as the last of the cakes disappeared and the wine ran low, Sebastian continued to keep a watchful eye, gently nudging the men when necessary, reminding them of the Master’s patience and his temper. Gavril grumbled under his breath, Tarek rolled his eyes, but all complied, knowing Sebastian’s authority rivaled even Meical’s own.

Finally, Meical leaned back, resting one hand over the table, eyes scanning his men with measured approval. They were insufferable, loud, and absurd but they were his men.

And in that room, in that fleeting moment, he allowed himself a small, private acknowledgment: for all the chaos, for all the jokes, for all the loud proclamations of lust and wine, he would not trade their loyalty for the world.

And today, at least, that was enough.

The carriages rolled to a stop outside a stout, timbered inn. Fifteen of them spilling into the cobblestones, boots clattering against stone. Laughter echoed from Gavril, Borin, and Niko as they stretched and jostled one another, oblivious to the tension that always clung to their master.

"Finally.." Gavril muttered, plopping down on a low step. "A proper roof, and a bed to lie on. Couldn’t ask for more."

"Keep it down.." Sebastian said sharply. "Master is present, and I’d rather not see you on the innkeeper’s bad side."

The innkeeper appeared in the doorway, hands on his hips, his eyes bright with greed. "Ah! Travelers! Fifteen of you? That’ll be three hundred silvers for the night. Finest rooms, comfortable beds, worth every coin."

Niko whistled. "Three hundred?! For what? A roof and a bed?"

"Ah, but it’s a fine roof.." the innkeeper replied, rubbing his fingers together. "Fine wood, fine beds, fine blankets. Worth every silver, I assure you."

"Oi, oi, now wait a moment.." came a smooth, deliberate voice. Artty stepped forward, tall and lean, his tone clipped yet playful, every word carrying a subtle authority. "Three hundred silvers, innkeeper? That’s a touch ambitious, wouldn’t you say? Even a duke might balk at that."

The innkeeper blinked. "Sir... but for the gentleman..."

"Now, now.." Artty interrupted, accent rolling naturally, "let’s not be daft. Two hundred silvers, and I’ll include breakfast tomorrow, proper pastries, tea, the works. Not a penny more. That’s reasonable, yes?"

The innkeeper hesitated, then finally nodded. "Two hundred... for the gentleman and his men. Very well."

Artty smiled "Splendid, you’re a good sport.."

The innkeeper lips twitched but was quickly replaced with a smile when Sebastian placed a pouch on the desk.

The innkeeper excused himself to quickly count the money and then returned to show them their rooms.

Most were placed upstairs, two to a room, while Artty and Sebastian were placed upstairs with Meical.

Meical was alone while Artty and Sebastian shared a room.

Meical sighed as he leaned into the bed. "So far so good.." he thought to himself.

He missed the feeling of having Kaizar next him, they probably would have been having small talks by now.

He liked those small talks.

"Its been a long week.."

He hoped Kaizar would forgive him this time. Immediately he was done with his business in Lucine, he would head to Abdel-shafi.

He knew that was the only place, Kaizar would run away to, at least for the time being.