Aurora Magazine 2019

Trove’s words. He wasn’t wrong.

“Technically, he’s right. It was more than one time. You almost got us killed a few times,” came Luther’s response, mirror - ing my own thoughts. And that’s when the shouting started. “Why wouldn’t I be angry? You drank all of my ale and then faked your death for three years!” I turned to the shouting, to see a five-foot five human, with pale skin, shouting at some Go - liath, who was attempting to get as far from her as he could. She had golden hair that was gathered up in a ponytail and piercing green eyes that expressed her fury well. She threw back her tan - kard of recently purchased, tavern ale, chugged the whole thing, and then chucked the mug at the goliath. He fell out of his chair, stunned, and then pulled out a knife, a crazed look on his face as he stood up. “Look, I’m trying my best to be polite here, despite the circumstances, but if you move that knife a centimeter closer to me, I will tear you apart. Choose your next action wisely.” I looked on in complete amusement as the goliath, who towered over the woman, shrunk back in horror. “But, you ju-” She slammed her hand down on the table. “But nothing! You let me believe you were dead for three whole years! Then you show up out of the blue when I’m on an important quest to destroy some powerful weapon, drink my ale, and act as if you haven’t been gone for all this time. I have half a mind to kick your ass anyway!” I sat up straighter in my seat, completely engulfed into the scene unfolding in the middle of the tavern. The goliath looked taken aback for only a moment, before he seemed to gain his courage. “Oh, come on. You’re like half my size, girl. What’re you going to do?” Complete and utter silence fell over the normally boister - ous and upbeat tavern. Everyone had their eyes glued to the pair as a thick tension filled the air. The moments that followed made me feel bad for the guy, but he pretty much deserved everything that happened to him at this point. He practically asked for it. 74