[The Drunken Fish] Challenging A Priest

by **Vann** on April 8th, 2014, 5:31 am

20th Day of Spring, 514 AV

Vann and Father Manowar locked eyes across the bar, each had just finished their third mug of ale. The ex-sailor was owner of The Drunken Fish, the inn in which Vann had been staying for several seasons. The two men got along well, which earned Vann a certain level of respect from some of the lesser patrons. No one wanted to get on Father Manowar's bad side; a beating from the generously girthed man had been likened to getting trampled by a herd of wild horses.

"So Vann, why aren't you down by the slag heap?"

Manowar's question was a fair one. The majority of the town was gathered by the perpetually burning monument of Sunberth. There was drinking, gambling, dancing, embracing and everything else one would expect from a party in the lawless town. Manowar needed to stay at his inn to protect it; with everyone out of their homes the thieves would be having a field day. But why wasn't Vann there?

"Why, to keep you company, of course!"

Vann answered without skipping a beat, but Manowar was not satisfied. Still, Vann's reasons were his own and it was not in his nature to pry. He merely nodded his head and refilled each of their mugs. In truth, Vann just wasn't interested in the festivities. He wasn't about to risk the throng of drunken chaos only to be rewarded with a knife to his back, or worse. He was confident nothing of major consequence would happen, and stories of the night would be freely shared all the same. No, it was right not to go;

If you want to stay alive in Sunberth, you have to pick your battles.

It was with this thought in mind that Vann quickly drained his recently filled mug of ale, exhaling in satisfaction as the drink left his lips. There were far more benefits in spending an evening with the owner of an inn than with a bunch of drunks.

"Father my friend! Tonight, we drink!"

by **Vann** on April 8th, 2014, 10:12 am

"Sho you shee, it ishn't actshually a shafe haven, it'sh a prishon! Thoshe knightsh are shcum I tellsh ya! Shcum!"

Manowar nodded seriously at Vann's words as he struggled not to laugh. The young man's conversation had recently become accompanied by large, sweeping hand gestures; when coupled with his slurred speech, it was a hilarious performance. The two men were well into the double-digits of drinks, but Manowar hardly seemed affected by the alcohol. It was the type of functional inebriation one only saw in the old and experienced drunks of their generation. Vann, on the other hand, was well beyond handling his drink.

"Alright Vann, I think it'd be for the best if you retired to your room now.

A look of sheer terror spread over Vann's face at the prospect. The night was still young, and he was fine! As if to prove the point he spent a chime wrestling himself from his chair into a shaky standing position. Immediately, the world began to spin in front of Vann's eyes.

"Oi Fajsha, there'sh shometin wrong with your wallsh. They're shpinning! You shood... you shood probly get that fixsht."

Vann began to zigzag across the room, his destination was the door. Three times he almost lost his balance and fell; three times he saved himself with a lucky grab at a nearby table or chair. His antics drew a raised eyebrow from Manowar and the general attention of the few others left in The Drunken Fish.

"Vann! Where are you going at this hour?"

The large man's question rustled a clumsy spin from Vann, who was now clutching at his hat as if it were to give him balance. As he swayed gently from side-to-side, he seemed to consider something for a long moment before spreading his arms in a wide, dramatic gesture.

"Who knowsh!? Anyshing can happen! It'sh an advenshure!

With that, he stumbled out of the inn and into the night. The world was his for the taking! He was invincible! This was going to be the best night of his life!

by **Vann** on April 8th, 2014, 1:06 pm

21st Day of Spring

Pain. Nothing but pain. Vann's eyes snapped open and the action was accompanied my a long, drawn-out groan. More pain.

That was far too loud.
Where am I?
What is this?
Huh?

Closer inspection, not that Vann could get much closer, revealed that he was on the ground... no, he was on the floor! Light was pouring in through the window, illuminating the room, his room.

What... how did I get back here?

Vann remembered next to nothing of the previous night. He remembered drinking with Father Manowar to a certain point, then everything just went blank. With a grunt of effort he pushed himself into a seating position. That was a bad idea. Vann's head began to spin, and he ran his hand through his hair to -

Where's my hat!

In a panic, Vann's eyes frantically darted left and right; they immediately settled on a wide-brimmed, black leather hat laying just to the side of where he was sleeping. Vann exhaled in relief, he would have been furious if he'd lost his hat. The distress caused Vann to momentarily forget about the pounding in his head, which now returned to him in a rush. His stomach lurched and he very nearly gagged.

It was several chimes before Vann was able to muster the strength needed to stand. The hornets between his ears weren't exactly a great help, what with their relentless buzzing and painful stings. All the same, Vann was able to take a quick inventory of his possessions. Miraculously, everything was where it should be.

Thank Ovek for that.

Reluctantly, Vann straightened himself out and started his trek through the upper levels of The Drunken Fish. His destination was, of course, the taproom on the first floor. He had to find Father Manowar and try to fill in the gaps in his memory. With each step a shockwave reverberated in his skull, and the throng of activity in the building made for a delightful symphony of noise that Vann decided was immeasurably too noisy.

Finally, after a particularly awkward decent down a flight of stairs, the bar came into view. As always, Manowar stood behind it. When the heavyset man noticed Vann he grinned a knowing smile. Slowly, Vann navigated the busy room; they were in the middle of serving lunch; and took a seat at the bar.

"MORNING VANN! DID YOU SLEEP WELL?"

Manowar's bellow was like a punch to the face. Vann felt like his head might explode at any moment. The older man began to chuckle as he stepped away for a few ticks. When he returned, he sat down a large plate laden with bacon, eggs, sausage and toasted bread in front of the hungover youth. Vann nodded his thanks before setting into the meal with gusto. The bacon was well friend and egg yolk was delicious when scooped up with the bread. Manowar stood polishing glasses while his young friend ate, occasionally taking a sip from his mug of ale. When Vann first saw the action, he almost choked on a mouthful of toast.

How is he still drinking!?!

Within a few chimes there was nothing left on the plate; Vann had devoured it all. Manowar collected the empty dish and wandered off to put it somewhere, presumably to be washed. Getting a good meal did wonders for Vann's recovery; the pounding in his head had reduced to a dull ache. He was sipping at a mug of water when Manowar returned.

"So tell me Father, what happened last night?"

by **Vann** on April 8th, 2014, 3:17 pm

Vann sat with his head downcast. One of his hands was on the bar and the other was massaging his temples. The movement served two purposes; first, to sooth his headache, which was starting to return; second, to attempt to hide his embarrassment. If what Manowar had told Vann was true, then his 'adventure' ended less than half a chime out of The Drunken Fish. Apparently he took two steps before losing consciousness and tumbling to the ground. Manowar had to drag him up to his room, where he was left sprawled awkwardly on the floor. He could only be thankful that very few people would have seen, what with everyone off at the slag heap.

Speaking of which,
"So Father, how'd the festivities go last night? What's the damage?"

Vann abandoned his shameful position and looked up at Manowar as he spoke. The older man, who was chuckling until a moment ago, was in the process of emptying his mug of ale. The thought of alcohol made Vann feel sick to his stomach, though he hoped it didn't show on his face. He never wanted to get so drunk again, and he promised himself that he wouldn't. Not that he hadn't made the promise before, but he thought that for sure he would keep it this time around.

"A few murders, a few thefts, chances are a few children were conceived too, and most stores will be closed for a number of days while they try to get their stock back in order: Pretty standard really."

Vann nodded his head in satisfaction, he'd assumed as much. A sudden knock on the bar demanded his attention, so he turned his eyes towards the noise. Manowar had planted two mugs of ale on the bar, one for him and one for Vann. A low groan echoed through the taproom of The Drunken Fish, and Father Manowar's laughter followed it.

by **Zandelia** on May 15th, 2014, 6:03 pm

Vann :

Notes :

Any problems with my grade? Please me at any time. Keep Writing!

Solo [The Drunken Fish] Challenging A Priest