Better Time Just Got Worse

When the brat hit the floor, it was a moment of bliss for Tarmen. Not only was it fantastic to see him get some just deserts, as well as losing his ledger to some witless buffoon, but that first blow should have been the start of a glorious night.
Instead, they immediately left and those gathered did little to stop them. Looking around, he could see none of those gathered had that special madness in their eyes, the lust for combat. Indeed, they were simply curious about the holy woman and already were gossiping in their own groups. Just that sight killed any desire he had to stop the men and he begrudgingly watched them leave.
The other Mercenary he had seen gave him a quick salute, one he returned in kind. There again was that infuriatingly respectful resolve, he bet she was only there to keep the peace if need be. She probably would have tried to stop him if he had tried any "excessive" violence.
All of the anticipation that had been building suddenly had no release and it truly soured Tarmen's mood. For the first time in..... well, he didn't really have any kind of reference for this feeling, but he found himself truly longing to be home. A brawl there would have started the moment the thug had started talking.
Returning to his table, his companion gave him an perplexed look.
"Why didn'ya start swingin', if you were so hungry for a brawl?"
Grabbing his mug, he turned it over in his hand as he thought.
"No point, if you're the only one swingin'."
With his night thoroughly ruined, he couldn't get himself to relax again. He wished he could leave the town limits, go hunt something, or just wander. He silently cursed himself for signing away that freedom.
"I'm turnin' in, thanks for the drinks."
On his way back, he considered finding the thugs and venting. Could even have the lordling in his debt by getting the book. It almost sounded like a plan, but he was honestly too tired at this point. The fight would just be business, no fun, and he really didn't feel like dressing wounds in the small hours when he had to attend whatever meeting the morning had waiting for him.