Delighting the Drunkard

Timestamp: Orb - Empire of Salos capital - Docks

Alcuin - You have arrived in Orb the capital of the Salos Empire, almost a week ago. The tensions between the Empire and the Kingdom of Torja are at an all time high. The Empire's new naval fleet threatens to disrupt the commercial stranglehold Torja has on Helias.

You have secured your passage unto Arcadia in one of the ships leaving next week. You have registered with the proper authorities your documents and bonds. It is important that you are allowed some form of authority when you undertake your duties in a foreign realm. Although you have been told that you will need to report to Duke Stoneshade, Salos is willing for recognise your claim to most of your bonds.
You have settled yourself into a nearby Inn and let it been known that you are going to go to Ostiarium and Arcadia and that you are open to commissions.

Alcuin perched himself on a stool in the inn, he looked over to the innkeeper. He was in a conversation with some customer. The bounty hunter's patience was wearing thin, he was thirsty, so thirsty he was angry. Impatiently he pounded his fist against the bar. "Excuse me," he said in a frustrated manner. The barkeep approached.

"Yes sir, what is it?" groaned the innkeeper.

"An apple cider please."

"Four copper then." Alcuin nodded and placed an assortment of coins upon the bar, the innkeeper sniffed his nose at the bounty hunter as he piled the coins together. Then he drew a large bottle of cider from below the bar, pouring it carefully into a wooden tankard. He slid it to Alcuin.

"Thank you very much." Quickly he guzzled the sweet cider down his parched throat, it was a smooth satisfying experience.

"Someone's enjoying 'emselves," commented a nearby patron.

Alcuin threw the tankard down, it let out a mighty thud as it touched the bar. "Do you enjoy watching overs eat or drink?" Alcuin asked the patron.

"No, no sir."

"Then why'd you need to comment on my drinking? Were you never taught it's an awfully bad habit to stare at strangers?" Alcuin was now standing in front of the patron, he was shaking nervously.

"I swears it sir I meant no harm - I'm just a man that says what he sees."

"Come with me," Alcuin grabbed the man by the back of his collar. He dragged him to the bar and forced him onto the adjacent stool. "What will you be having?" Alcuin asked with a smile.

"The same as yourself sir," answered the man flabbergasted.

"Two of the same as before!" Alcuin placed the eight copper coins on the bar before the innkeeper had even made it to the bar to take the order.

"You're that bounty hunter aren't ya sir?"

"Indeed I am. Why?"

"No reason sir, I just like to sit and listen. Listenings a good 'obby," the man's rural accent was probably exacerbated by the amount of alcohol he had drank.

"I like to listen too. Except I make it a habit to hide the fact that I am listening."

"Ah very wise sir, very wise."

"Here you go," the innkeeper placed another two tankards of the delicious cider before them. The eavesdropper's eyes lit up.

"You enjoy it," said Alcuin.

"So you're off to the New World?"

"I am, I take it you heard that too." The man nodded gently. "Why is there someone over there that you want caught? Maybe even want dead?"

"Me sir, never sir. I'm not the kind of man to go make enemies, I'm not stupid either to ever lend money to anyone. Anyone who's after money ain't planning to give it back to yer!"

"That's probably for the best," Alcuin said before taking a sip. "Anyway you enjoy that I better get some things ready, if for some reason I ever come back here the next round is on you." Alcuin patted the man on his back and let out a hearty chuckle.