Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Companions - by Scott Flynn

Broson is sitting at the table to his left at the end is Zabova, across is the Brecht proctor, James, newly met. Everyone at the table had a lot to drink. The Brecht is clearly drunk, as is Zabova. It is very late, and the common room at the Crummy Crab is nearly empty.

    James slouches in his chair which is facing Zabova. He is balancing the chair in front of him on its back legs by pushing the edge of the seat with his foot. The waitress approaches with his pitcher of wine and sets it on the table. The chair clatters noisily to the ground.

    "Thank you, my dear," says James, his accentless Aniurian betraying his foreign background. He fills his cup, closes his eyes, and passes his hand over his cup. The cup frosts then condensation forms.

    "The climate here is dreadful," he says, "I am surprised not everyone is malarial from living in this swamp of a midden heap… Typical of a warrior of Haelyn. So self-righteous, 'I'm right! End of debate'. Just like the missionaries. I mean… he has the ring. They don't exactly hand out Imperial Signets to anyone." He continues a conversation from earlier in the night.

    "She has wisdom. I have traveled along with her. She is a brave and dangerous warrior and has survived when others have not. You may want to heed her counsel." The Vos woman thought quietly for a moment then continues.

    "After all, have you seen any of his so-called 'connections'? Can we say, for sure, those men we saw him with are imperial officers?"

    The drunken proctor rolls his eyes and shrugs, "Still, the ring though?"

    Broson deftly pockets his personal snifter, while the proctor sets up the chair again. He starts balancing it.

    Broson rises, "Anyone can steal a ring. " He reaches down to the table and sets a golden object spinning. He turns and mounts the stairs. Off to bed.

    The object slows, it is obviously a ring. When it settles, the two remaining companions see the imperial signet on it.

    As Broson closes the door to his room, he hears the chair clatter to the floor again.

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