Leif shook the tavern with laughter, watching as the man pushed his way through the now crowded streets.
"Not just any floor mind me, you chucked the lad into the damn puddle!"
He was struck with laughter again, then slapped Erik on his back mane, who now seemed to regret throwing the man out of the tavern.
"You're a riot Erik, and the best damn companion a dwarf could eva' ask fer. Now lets go check out what the hell is happenin' outside."
He gazed out of the tavern door. It was the typical hodge podge of things on a military marching parade. People gathered by the streets, children hoisted on their father's shoulders, officers attempting to put up their proudest battle face, and last but not least, the ones who do all the dirty work but seldom get credit for it, the soldiers. Marching, thinking if they will last another year.
"Poor bastards." Leif muttered. "Alright, come Erik. Looks to me like they plan to head to the town center."
They started down with the crowd to the town center. Children circled around Erik, giggling and poking at his mane.
"Now now kids, he dun't bite what I dun't have me rifle pointed at, but try not to piss 'im off either. He can swallow a horse if he tried."
"Really mister Dwarf?" A young girl inquired.
"Mmhmm...."
Erik knew that start off for a sentence all too well.
Another painfully detailed and half true story.
"Why, this one time back in Strangletorn Vale we-."
"To keep such an outlandish monster with you! We'll see what happens once it goes ballistic and mauls someone to death!"
It was the same man Leif beat senseless, who kept pace behind them. Now in the safety of a crowd and young onlookers, he was attempting to regain his pride by insulting Leif once more. Leif turned his head to face his.
"Thats what your lovely sister said about my Dwarven hand cannon. But she wadn't complaining a moment after."
"You.. you.." The man kept quiet, then put his head down in shame.
"Oh I got him good Erik... I got him good." Leif tilted his face forward, only to collide into the person in front of him. He fell back to the floor.
"Gah, sorry about that.. er.." It was an attractive young lady. When she turned, Leif was struck to the bone with emotion. Her eyes showed sorrow, regret, neglect, enough to make the most battle hardened war veteran drop down and cry.
"I, uh.." His voice was extremely raspy. He took a second or two to gather himself back up. "You.. Oh come now. Put on a smile lass! Show the men out there something worth fighting for!"
|