CHAPTER 151: NO SUCH THING AS COINCIDENCE

Rhane noticed something halfway into the contest. His vision was getting blurry, and he only saw in double. It wasn’t normal; drinking had never been an issue to him. Though it wasn’t something he indulged in quite often, during his time at sea, every man was tested most nights to see their ability to hold liquor.

And Rhane had always been above average when it came to that. Being drunk with two empty jars wasn’t anything above; it hit the bottom of the sea to hell.

Rhane tried to shake off the dizziness by stretching his body, but the moment the wine got close to his lips, he felt weaker and just wanted to lay down and rest.

Could it be the wound? Had it gotten so bad that it was now affecting his vision? Rhane glanced at his stomach, he wasn’t bleeding. He’d been careful enough to wrap the injury so Jenna wouldn’t see it.

Something just didn’t feel right. And it began when a new barrel was rolled in for him. Rhane hadn’t suspected that act until now, he remembered the little trick the two Percys had performed to get him to meet Jenna.

Though cleanly done, it was the same thing that happened when one servant suddenly toppled over his feet and crashed into nobody else’s but Rhane’s barrel.

No such thing as coincidence, only perfect planning. Rhane had always moved along with that mind, and his instinct never lied to him. He would have stalled to get to the root of it, but then he’d have been removed from the contest too.

A loud crash pierced through the cheering noise of the people, and everyone turned.

Rhane didn’t notice that all eyes were on him, his eyes dilated as he searched his hand for the glass he’d been drinking with.

"Where is..." Rhane slurred. He tried to push his body up, but an invisible weight pressed him down. Almost like he had a rock tied to his waist, and he was dropped in the middle of an ocean.

"Seems like one of the men can’t handle his liquor," the moderator grinned, rubbing his palms together. "Two jars and glasses are breaking."

Gerald bucked in mock laughter. "Real men are tested with ale and not deer." He raised an empty glass and turned it over his head.

"This is nothing to us."

The crowd cheered Gerald as he grabbed his third jar, feeling like he held an advantage and would be called as winner anytime soon. He chugged the drink down with speed.

Hart, who was yet to finish his second jar, sipped his wine slowly with a frown on his face. "Drinking isn’t something I enjoy doing," he lamented to himself. His eyes shifted from Gerald to Rhane.

"I feel sleepy already." The young man cried, taking another sip from his wine.

Rhane tried to reach for a new drinking glass, but he fell over, crashing on the empty jars.

"Rhane!" Jenna gasped from where she sat, using her hand to cover her mouth.

Rhane shook his head again forcefully. When he stood straight, he saw Jenna’s worried look, with her hands on her chest.

"Master..." Rhane could barely hear himself. Whatever it was that was slipped into his drink was working very fast.

"Seems like we are about to have a winner." The moderator added, "Young man, are you going to give up?" The man leaned closer with a mocking smile, taunting Rhane in his situation.

Rhane groaned. He wanted to give up. He wanted to let it all go, that was how he felt. What his body wanted... but his body also wanted Jenna. His mind, his entire veins.

Struggling to stand, Rhane waved at the moderator to come closer.

"A true man!" The moderator cheered, "he doesn’t wish to announce his defeat but a silent whisper to save his pride."

The young man walked cautiously to Rhane, then leaned in. "Say it to me."

Rhane mumbled something.

"What? Speak a little louder," the man replied.

This time Rhane closed his eyes and sighed. With a tired voice he said, "Shut up and bring me a new glass."

"He said shut up and— wait... what?"

Rhane took the moment of confusion to push the man aside. Grabbing a fresh jar filled with his own wine, he walked over to Gerald’s table and placed it with force.

"W-what?!" Gerald moved back, afraid of getting hit by Rhane. "Are you ready to give up now, brother? I can forgive you and act like—"

Rhane moved his eyes lazily away from Gerald’s face, grabbing his goblet. Rhane downed the remaining drink in it.

The crowd gasped, some pointing fingers at Rhane and cursing him.

"It’s fine everyone... it’s fine... I can always get another glass. Liquor doesn’t forget its master... not even when you try to mimic me." Gerald boasted. Seeing that everyone was giving him attention, he reached forward and grabbed Rhane’s jar.

"And I can drink his own too, just to help my brother." He took a quick gulp from Rhane’s jar and threw his hand up.

The cheering got even louder as everyone in the room now supported Gerald.

With a tired smile, Rhane grabbed the filled two jars from Gerald’s table, then staggered back to his own chair.

Hart began to feel dizzy when he finished his second jar. As he stood up to take the next, he fell over on his table.

"What is going on? Is he— he is knocked out!" The moderator informed. "One man is out! Leaving us with the two brothers! Isn’t this getting better?"

Rhane poured his own glass to the brim. He wasn’t getting better, but it was better to fall with Gerald since misery enjoyed company and an audience. Rhane knew he needed to hold on for a little while. Gerald was weaker, and with a jar of whatever was in that wine, he would be passing out soon.

What could keep him awake while he still focused on drinking so he didn’t get kicked out? Rhane saw from the corner of his eyes Jenna biting her lips. He nodded to himself, of course Jenna could keep him awake all night, but at the moment he needed a painful reminder...

Pain! Rhane shuffled his hand on the table, picking a broken piece of glass. He brought it down to his stomach. Picking up the liquor and placing it on his lips, Rhane inhaled deeply. The moment the liquid touched his lips, he pierced open his wound and hissed.

Bolts of pain shot through Rhane’s stomach up to his eyes, and he flinched, but he didn’t drop his cup. The pain had really kept him awake for a second, it was working, but he didn’t know for how long.

Rhane didn’t need to bask in pain the whole day. All he needed was for Gerald to finish the full jar of spiked ale.

Cutting himself deeper when he almost closed his eyes, Rhane sucked in a deep breath. He pushed the drink up to his mouth and took more sips. When his eyes fell on Jenna, he gave her a reassuring nod but looked away immediately. He didn’t want her seeing that he was in immense agony.

"This is getting intense, none of the brothers is willing to back down," the referee tried to bring more cheers to Gerald. "Oh, it seems Gerald is making a move to take another jar."

On his words, Gerald stood up with a grin. He raised the empty jar and turned it over. "Going over to..." he slurred. "Get more... going over to... I will drink more... I... let me go over... eee..."

With a soft thud, Gerald fell with his forehead. Even in his deep slumber, he winced. Silence followed the fall, everyone held their breath, waiting for Gerald to stand up and make them cheer.

"Is Gerald trying to give us a good laugh?" The man asked, walking over to Gerald, "You can stand now—"

Gerald’s snore interrupted the man, it was loud enough for everyone to hear that the man had fallen asleep.

The moderator stood up slowly, his eyes shaking as they fell on Rhane’s face. Rhane sat relaxed, one hand on his stomach and the other around the wine glass he was sipping with a relaxed expression.

"We— we have... a winner."

Outside, the clouds darkened, and the sky rumbled. It was going to rain soon.