Entering a tavern with a crowd as thick as the winter greenery would be a challenge any folk would have to encounter, and yet as I enter among the group of friends leading into a number of five with myself taking the rear, the wave of rowdy patrons and the sounds of bard-music assails me from all ends of the Amberwood Tavern. For the first time in my life at the age of 17, I have ascended into manhood where my band of merry travelers and adventurers buys me my first round of mead.

“Let’s find a table near the side, a bit o’ ways from the entrance.” I recall Hallder, the Party-leader of my merry band of adventuring friends, spoke up. The size of her being matched than of your larger set of barbarians, her red hair graced by the beauty of blue eyes and freckles was a sight most would beg to see here in the low-lands of Zetreygal. With a circular shield on her back written in old runic language ‘’Aegis of Uthara’’ would proudly reveal to me her heritage and upbringing, though alongside it, was the axe she had always bore during combat and sparring, I recall upon our more recent encounter with a group of Jackle-fur, how she swung without hesitation, a hardened handle cut out and carved to from sacred wood to form  the handle of Singred-thar. The ferocious war-cry in her voice as she fiercely swung to sever the heads of the twisted Human-turned Jackal-rabbit, blood splattered across the twin wolve-design that the ax-head carried, leaving me to etch in the very fabric of my thoughts, the stained-red image of combat and how I too would like to aspire for that same vigor and war-cry Halder released.

The passion in my eyes continued to burn brightly with the popping of tender wood engulfed in a nearby flame sparking to arouse my attention, looking into the flames stirred what subtle stories my imagination would stir in my waking gaze, I am allured by the tale shared by Randul after we’ve taken our seat, finally; time where my arse could finally rest from horse and saddle and my legs can ease up for a time.

“You should’ve seen the wide honkers on tha’ lass! Hallder!”
My head turned to face Randul, where my ears first picked up to listen in on the story.
“Aye! Ya’ heard rightly-so! Kiddo!!”
He lowered his hands,  leaning his chair back as if he was to fall right out of it.
“Had to think twice if I wanted ta’ court tha’ woman, or simply spend tha’ time ta’, fer a’ one night stand!”
My eyes shot wide in response though no words came to mouth, the feelings were lost in the gaze as I felt myself wanting to hear more, alas; before one could continue, Hallder had put a pause to the man’s colorful and not-so-overly dramatic tale with a single palm extending out across the table and toward the older wizard’s face.

“As much as I’d like to hear ye’ speak more, Randul; but the kid just recently turned, don’t be filling his head with any nonsense and drivel!” 

With a heavy sigh protruding from Hallder’s lips, she rose from his chair without a second thought, the back of leg bumping into the back stone ledge that connects the fireplace to the rest of the tavern floor.

“Hold tight, I’ll grab us some drinks.”

Looking back as Hallder departs to grab our table ale, I recall how often she dots us all as if we’re her children, but to an extent I can see where she is the mother of the group, and Randul being either the uncle who is always full of funny stories, or a grandfather due to the color of his hair and beard.
‘’The moment should always remain Gold, and never below its true value!’’
I recall Randul saying, meaning that if the mood is truly something you’d like to keep, then treasure it for life, and never de-value, or bring demeaning to it. Silver and Copper have their value too, but in a merchant’s way of thinking, all things have their value but some things are more treasureable than others.

Randul, a man who always had your back when you’re down or feeling lonely, but also someone who is quick with coin and with women; or so he claims, had been a merchant before joining Hallder’s party. Before selling rare minerals to old artifacts on the side of the road as a wandering-street merchant, he shared a story with us on his academic tales, how he had learned of the elements and of nature itself and how you can bend and mix the two. 

“Is it true that you can bend and mix magic?”
I had asked this of him earlier during the time of our party being only a group of three.
“It is, but it will take a studious figure to handle the understanding of both worlds well, but you’re lucky that you have me!” 
The look on Hallder’s face was questionable, but she didn't mind the man tagging along, given the fact that they were familiar with one another!
“Oooh? I see.”
The look of surprise I had was a facade, but I had to give the man some credit! Otherwise He’ll continue to press me later on in our travels, and there were moments where even I had been taken back by surprise and not so on purpose.

With white wizard hat and a large ancient staff we’ve accepted Randul of the Charismatic has joined our merry band of misfits around the middle of 640 King’s Calendar, middle of last year really! And this was no easy feat given the challenges of what we had faced before and after their joining, but their joining has made things easier for us to handle travel and troubles.

“So what do you think, Charl? Do you believe me?!” 

Randul with his grey eyes looking to the party member that sat just to his right, softly elbow Charlotte who had been sitting with their eyes closed and nursing a cup of their own tea  and saucer in hand, slowly begins opening her left eye, her calm and composed demeanor spoke to me of how elegantly foreign she was from the establishment she has found herself in and the party she has been traveling with. How her long luxurious blonde hair sways down to her back hip, to the soft winter blue hues of her eyes. To me, she struck me as a noblewoman, a princess from the land of Deygrin, their structure and culture was far superior than those here in the Low-lands, though it is said that their rules are far more strict  than our own.

“Would you like the bitter truth, would you prefer the most honest of lies?”

She spoke gently and soft, but with enough tone in her voice that requested respect of their privacy and peace, not one of demand.

Randul stifled a laugh, I could see a small tear drop of cold sweat forming from his forehead.
“H-haha.. I would like it if you were honest with me all the time!”

Understanding Randul’s sense of humor and how flirtatious he can be with other women, it would be hard finding a way to sneak in a joke with Charlotte, how serious she is and strict but well deserving of anyone who has earned their place and seat at the table of the most authoritative personnel; it would indeed be Charlotte Lymbridge. With her tea and saucer gently placed on the table before her and in a still quietness that would force even Randul to fridge hesitantly in his seat for a second. Charlotte finally spoke, her expression plain, complimented by the soft pale of her skintone.

“To be frank, Randul.” 
She did not sigh but in her tone held firm knowing of disappointment.
“It would be helpful if you had used your charm to bring us something of value to the party than to squander our moments away with you constantly flirting with every bartender and Innkeeper we ever stay at”
Her eyes quickly opened, her gaze sharper than any knife I had ever seen, fixed upon Raundel only to see him nearly falling out of his chair!
“If you HADN’T FLIRTED WITH THE INNKEEPER’S DAUGHTER WE WERE STAYING AT, TWO VILLAGES AGO! WE WOULDN’T HAVE TO TAKE THIS LONG ROUTE TO GET THE DAMNED STONE WE NEED TO FINISH THIS LIGHT-FORSAKEN QUEST!”
My eyes shot wide as I was thrown off guard by the outburst, Randul’s chair nearly sent him flying into the floor behind, if it hadn’t been for Hallder quickly catching him. Clearly he too was surprised that the calm and composed Charlotte had burst out toward Randul, the fury of the collected mind holds no limit.

“Come now, you know it wasn’t something he could have known.”
Hallder spoke as she lowered three mugs of mead for Randul, her and myself.
“And besides, this would do us well to gain some more information on the whereabouts of this cavern.”
Charlotte kept her gaze upon Randul who was fixing himself in his seat, gathering his bearings before clearing his throat.
“It was a mistake! I… must admit, I wasn’t aware… But you must forgive me, Charlotte, it was three moons ago.”
“Two! Moons again! TWO!!”
She held up a finger pointing toward the wizard, she looked up to Hallder.
“We can’t keep forgiving him of his actions, he either needs to get himself and his flirtatious actions under control, or I’ll drag him to the priests and have them FIX IT!”

The flare from Charlotte's nose nearly sent shivers down my spine as her fury nearly quieted the whole lower half of the tavern music. Alas, the music does not stop for anyone and I know well that the bantering of others would not cease if one party had a brawl in the other wing of the establishment.

“Come now, Charlotte; you know he’s a good guy and is fun to have around, besides; hasn’t he blessed the rapier you have now?”

Hallder, who has always been a master at arms, was quick to notice the blade that Charlotte had kept at her side since our last run into danger. Though like Hallder who is better with heavy weapons and shields for her body type and Randul who is more of a man for staves and wands. Charlotte has as more finer built, others in the Low-lands call them petite, or nimble; but where she is held from, her culture is more skilled with Rapiers, or ‘’Fencing’’, blades as she taught me a little of that understanding.

“Why, yes.”

Her expression softens to a more gentle gaze when looking at Hallder, or myself.

“He has done that and ever since then, I’ve not parted from the blade… But THAT will not excuse him for his mischievous deeds! Ugh! I can’t even!”

Randul was seen rubbing the back of his neck, making light of the comment as Hallder and I too, laughed it off, but we knew the gravity of the situation and how it has gotten us into a few troubles.

“We’ll stop by a priest and see if Baron can help us… Though, where is Baron anyway?”

Hallder, Randul and I looked around the crowd around our table for the Bastard-wielding swordsman in our party, but never had I ever seen a man his height disappear so quickly.

“He said he had to drain the lizard… So uncouth.”

Charlotte spoke, a sigh parting from her lips as she composed herself, recentering in her seat.

“Rather quick of him to depart the moment we entered.”

I spoke up as I looked toward Hallder, my eyes searching her in hope that she might know something the rest of us do not.
“He might be outside… Oh, I hope he’s not causing any trouble.”

Recalling a timbering man who had a heavy black fur cloak draping over his shoulders and a large bastard sword complimenting the ruggish wear he always wore, would send any men who knew nothing of the North into hiding, but having Baron in our group has brought closure to me and a side that I knew I had never experienced in all the years of growing as an orphan.
If I had to announce on some sort of document to give to any higher power, it would be that this party is my family, Hallder being the mother, Randul the Uncle, or Grandfather; Charlotte, the sister, or Aunt, and Baron the father who had often taught me how be a proper man, even though gambling with a knife can come with a cost, both ways. 

“Did you call?” 

A large man whose hair is as black as a raven’s coat of feathers and a goatee as smooth as a Free Hat Rider, emerges from the thick of the tavern crowd, his voice baritone and warm voiced over the group, loud enough to where we would notice and the others around are unbothered.

“Ah! There you are! Baron!” 

Hallder smiled, outstretched her left arm to welcome the man to sit next to her and Randul.

“Had to take a piss? Aye?”

At one end of the table, Baron took his place, resting his bastard blade against the woodwork of the longtable.

“Aye, ran into an old friend the moment we entered and had to release what I drank earlier.”

“Well good to have you back, I’ve noticed you already paid for your own drink!”

Hallder’s eyes, the tankard in Baron’s right hand as the frothy substance filled to the top gave away the insight of what he most preferred. 

“The Tavern keep gave me a decent price, so got it half-off”

“That’s good!”

Hallder slapped the man on the shoulder with a large thud, congratulating him! With Hallder rising from her seat, the others would soon follow, my eyes lift from Baron only to fall upon the rest. 

“Here’s to the new kiddo that has reached a new growth spurt and chapter in his life!” 

With their eyes looking at me, I too took my stand as we all raised our mugs and tea cups to the ceiling!

“To you, Allen! Happy Birthday!”

With the ending warm and full of cheer, we celebrate the coming of my Birth-year and date!

THE END!