ThirstyForEarl

  The chatter begins to rise to a loud hum in the dimly lit tavern. The low, dancing embers of the candles threaten to burn the sleeves of a stumbling drunk. A lone, hooded figure sits at the counter silently staring into a mug as though they were lost in thought. Noticing their odd behavior, the brawny barkeep scratches his beard as he ponders. He then picks up a clean gss and starts wiping it down with a rag as he approaches.

  “Something troublin’ you?” he raises an eyebrow.

  The figure does not respond, simply picking up the mug and downing its contents.

  The barkeep shrugs his shoulders, brows wrinkling in dissatisfaction. “Come on, amuse me. I’m cleanin’ a gss, ready to hear your story.”

  The figure reaches into its cloak and pulls out a wanted poster; on it, a drawing of a young woman with long hair and slightly narrow eyes. “I’m looking for someone,” he responds ftly.

  Putting down the gss, he leans in scratching at his beard. He hums as he examines the poster, “I ain’t see no one like that ‘round here. I’ve heard a lot of rumors about ‘er though.”

  The man finally lifts his head, removing his hood, revealing an unkempt, overgrown undercut. His hair is nearly bck, with his bangs brushing against his eyelids. The barkeep crosses his arms and chuckles with amusement. “You got quite a look there, boy, with that eyepatch n all.”

  “We’re not talking about me,” he taps on the poster impatiently, gring with his piercing blue eye, “Tell me about these rumors.”

  The barkeep lets out a hearty ugh. “Well, Eyepatch, don’t you get straight to the point,” he leans in close, and Eyepatch follows suit. “I hear she’s got some kinda witchy powers that’s got ‘er on the run from everyone. She’s got a huge price on ‘er head, so you ain’t the only one chasin ‘er. ‘parently she’s been spotted in a buncha odd, nobody towns.”

  Eyepatch rolls up the poster and puts it back in his cloak. “Thanks for the help,” he nods, getting up to leave. He tosses a few copper coins on the counter, then motions to the man next to him, adding, “By the way, you should use nterns instead of candles. Genius over there just caught himself on fire.”

  The barkeep gnces over to see a man frantically patting at his sleeve as the crowd around him roars with ughter. The barkeep joins in with the crowd, “I ain’t usin’ nterns cuz of fools like ‘im! Makes my job much more intersestin’.”

  From the corner of his eye, Eyepatch sees a shady, slender man anxiously pushing through the crowd and out the door. Pulling up his hood, he throws his sack over his shoulder and follows him out. The dirt road is more like a river of mud, and the clouds float zily across the sky, blocking the light of the moon. The only light comes from the mps lining the streets. He watches as the man disappears into an alley. Quickly and quietly, he pursues him. As he rounds the corner, the man jumps at him, knife in hand, shakily pointing it at him.

  Eyepatch raises his brows as he holds his hands up in mock defeat. “This again? I thought you learned your lesson.” He then swiftly disarms the man, pins him to the wall, and holds the knife to his throat.

  “Long time, no see Leverett. How’s life?”

  Fidgety and avoiding eye contact, Leverett holds his hands up, “Not so good right now.”

  “Been up to anything shady tely?” Briefly, he lightly taps the knife on Leverett’s nose in a mocking manner before returning it to its original position.

  Leverett chuckles nervously. “No, no. Of course not. You know me. I changed. Turned over a new leaf. Just like you.” He gesticutes with his hands as he talks, but generally keeps them in a surrendered pose.

  Rolling his one eye, he continues. “Bite your tongue. You’re nothing like me.”

  “Come on, Zev, my man. I’m a w-abiding citizen now.” He gives a cheeky grin and nods.

  “Why’d you leave in such a hurry then? I know you’re a dimwit, but this is a new level of stupid.” Zev’s tone becomes harsher as he presses the knife more firmly against his skin.

  Beads of sweat start to appear on Leverett’s forehead as he stares at the knife, his hands begin to tremble.“I saw you and I- I got scared, alright? Wherever you are, it always spells trouble for me.”

  “Only when you’re breaking the w. Enough chit chat. I’m not here to throw you back in prison. I need information.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll help. But first, can you move the knife?” He gives a slight gesture and shrugs towards Zev and the knife.

  He bites his lip, then rolls his eye before removing the knife. Leverett straightens up and smooths out his clothes. “Thank you.”

  “Alright, lowlife. I need to know where the thieves’ guild is.”

  Leverett’s fearful facade quickly drops as he returns to his usual self. “Okay first off, that’s offensive. I could do without the name calling. Secondly, I live by a code of honor, I’m not ratting anyone out.” He makes his statement in a matter-of-fact tone and crosses his arms.

  “You always sell out for the right price,” Zev tosses him a silver coin.

  Leverett catches it and shoves it into his pocket. “Right you are my friend.” He points at him and winks. “You’ve gotten shady, I like it. Also lovin’ the new look. I’ll take you there myself for a little extra.” He rubs his fingers together.

  Zev pces the knife on his fingers, making him lower his hand, “Don’t push it.”

  “Okay!” Leverett cps his hands together, “Let’s get a move on then, I don’t like staying out too te. Too many lowlifes around here.”

  Leverett leads him down a few alleys to the back of an average, unmarked building. He walks up to the wall and knocks. A muffled voice responds through slurred words. “Whad’s der passhword?”

  “We have a password?” Leverett cocks his head and shrugs at Zev who returns a simple, unamused look.

  After a few seconds, they finally hear a response. “Ha! Jus’ pullin’ your leg!”

  Part of the wall suddenly swings inwards, and the two enter. They walk past a guard, who could barely stand, with an empty mug dangling from his fingertips; his breath and clothes reeking of a sour, bitter smell. They proceed down a small set of stairs and enter what looks to be a tavern; the room is filled with obnoxiously loud conversations and shouts of profanity. Zev unconsciously rests his hand on the hilt of the sword hidden under his cloak as he examines the room, carefully taking note of the people who might pose a threat. He wrinkles his nose with disgust as he watches some men stumble around, mugs full of beer, clearly not on their first nor st round. Another group of brutes brawl with the onlookers shouting and pcing bets. Every thug in sight bore a variety of weapons, causing the hairs on Zev’s neck to stand on end. A rge, brawny man emerges from the crowd. Stepping forward, he pces his hand on Zev’s chest.

  “I ain’t seen you ‘round here before,” he grunts, giving him a light shove.

  Leverett jumps forward, slightly getting between them, “Don’t worry, he’s with me.”

  “All the more reason to worry,” he pushes Leverett back, “State your business.”

  Zev reaches into his cloak and pulls out the poster, keeping his gaze even with the brute, “I want information. Know anything about her whereabouts?”

  Scratching at his rge stomach, he squints at the poster. He leans back, crossing his arms. “I might know a thing or two. Depends on who's askin’. We don’t like to rat out one of our own.”

  “She’s not one of you,” his tone becomes slightly irate as he puts the poster away.

  “You a friend of hers?”

  Zev’s gaze lowers momentarily, a frown creeping at the edges of his mouth. He quickly attempts to regain his composure. “Something like that.”

  “Well since you’re gettin’ all defensive ‘n such, I can believe that. Why you wanna know where she’s at?”

  “I’m the one looking for information. Are you going to tell me what you know or not?”

  Pcing a hand on his chin, he looks up as he responds. “She likes to talk a lot, ‘specially when she’s all nervous ‘n such. A real trusting gal. Worries me a bit. Told me a lot about where she’s from. Why you wanna find her so bad?”

  Zev stiffens slightly at some of the information. “You know that’s not what I’m looking for. If I tell you why I want to find her, will you help me?”

  Narrowing his eyes, he pces his fists on his hips and leans forward. “Depends on what your answer is.”

  Desperation sneaks into his tone as he speaks. “You’ve met her already, so you know she’s na?ve and completely helpless on her own. She’ll trust just about anyone, and that’s dangerous. I need to get to her before someone else does.”

  “You want to protect her?”

  Zev is quiet for a moment, “Will you help me?”

  “Sure thing.” He leans back, removing his fists from his hips.

  “Tell me everything you know. How did you meet her? Where is she now?”

  “Well, as a man who likes to sell… other wears, I like to travel off the beaten path, if you know what I mean. After shakin’ down a few travelin’ merchants a town over, I was headin’ back here through the woods. That’s when I came across your gal, stumblin’ through all panicky like. The way she was stompin’ through would make her easy to track. So I gave her some tips.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “She’s travelin’ by the Celestial Tunnel.”

  “What’s the Celestial Tunnel?”

  “It’s a secret path of safe houses across the country. It could lead her to the other side of the world if she knows the right people. I sent her off to Fallhaven. It’s about a week’s journey onby foot. There’s an inn run by a man named Caraway. He can help you.”

  Realizing his voice and posture were revealing more emotion than he would like, Zev straightens out and clears his throat before evening his tone. “As thanks for the information, I’ll be sure not to expose your guild’s base. One st question, though. Why did you help her?”

  He rolls his eyes at the sorry attempt at a threat. “She ain’t done nothin’ wrong. She’s on the run cuz of those damn Matremiles in the Capital. It ain’t right that Mother’s Temple runs things ‘round here. I always hated those worshippers. Good for nothin’ scum. Anyways, I hope you find the gal. Keep her safe.”

  “Thanks again. I’ll be on my way then,” Zev bows slightly before turning to leave.

  Leverett pats the rge man on his back, “Thanks, brother. Always lookin’ out for people.”

  The man grabs Leverett by the colr of his shirt and shakes him roughly, “I ain’t want these idiots knowin’ we’re reted. And if you bring a stranger in here again, I’m gonna bash your head in.”

  Zev steps outside and makes his way down the street, the air becoming crisp with a slight breeze, reminding him that he is far from home. The mplight was fading, making the road harder to see. He steps into a puddle and sighs with frustration as he tries to shake the muddy water off of his boot. Just then, a drop hits his hand. A warning of the coming rain. He sighs again, his frustration growing.

  “Probably best if I turn in for the night,” he mutters.

  He makes his way down the road towards the town’s inn. As soon as he steps inside, it begins to pour again. The innkeeper gres at him from behind her desk.

  “No rooms. We’re full,” she spits.

  He looks around at the dozens of buckets catching the water that drips from the ceiling. “I highly doubt that.”

  “I don’t want you trekking mud in here. That’s just more work for me,” she scowls.

  Approaching her desk, he tosses a gold coin to her. She nearly falls out of her chair as she desperately fumbles to catch it. “I only ask for one night, then I’ll be on my way.”

  She examines the gold coin closely, then bites it; nodding her head approvingly, she tosses a key to him. “Up the stairs, second door on your left. You better leave a tip before you leave.”

  Zev raises his brows in amusement. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he bows slightly sarcastically.

  As soon as he makes it into his room, he locks the door and drops his stuff on the floor. He trudges over to the bed and colpses onto it, falling asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.