Quenthel - Turn 43

In their hunt for rumours, the Quenthel and Dantrag wander over to one of the largest buildings situated within the outer wall outside of which hangs the sign of a mug of ale and a pair of dice.

Within the building, the two find a sawdust and spittle inn but on a grand scale. It holds a very long bar situated against one wall and many tables and benches fill the main area, various individuals sitting and standing quaffing from huge mugs. There are a few broken tables and chairs piled up in one corner.

Dantrag is the first at the bar and is greeted by a very ample-bossomed woman. Whilst her face is not much to look at, he finds it hard to draw his attention away from what wobbles before him.

Gripping the handles of two mugs in one hand, she hits the taps of several barrels and then runs them underneath the flowing ale. Soon she has delivered a mug of ale for the two and charges them a ¼ guilder.

Quenthel asks her about places that lie off to the East and she informs the chieftain that there is the Village of Lavert about 35 miles away and beyond that the Forest of Hillion.

"If you want a good but expensive time," she adds, "you want to try the town of Kathen that lies over a hundred miles to the East on the edge of the Coray Sea."

Dantrag is about to ask for further information when a large hand comes to rest on his shoulder.

"You just spilled my ale," bellows the voice of a tall and heavily built man. Dantrag looks bemused for a second as he has been nowhere near the man and Quenthel comments, "No he hasn't."

The man takes a mug of ale and pours down the front of Dantrag's trews whilst staring him in the face, "He has now!"

"Come now," says Quenthel, stepping between the man and Dantrag, "cease this stupidity and let me buy you a drink."

"Do you hide behind your ugly woman!" bellows the man at Dantrag, pushing Quenthel to one side.

It does not look like they are going to be able to walk away and so Quenthel draws forth her sword. As she does so, the man grabs a hold of the wrist of her weapon hand and twists so that she is forced to drop the weapon.

Reacting swiftly, she cracks a foot into the man's knee and he stumbles against the bar. Grabbing this advantage, she, hammers a fist into the man's stomach and then another into his face.

"Insult me will you!" Quenthel declares before the wind rushes out of her as a fist connects with her own stomach.

A bloody tooth leaves her mouth to land in someone's drink as another anvil-like fist hits her jaw and sends her reeling. She regains her senses enough to dodge beneath another blow and then starts to bob and weave.

Using her speed, she keeps popping in punches until the annoyed brute charges to try and grapple her to the floor.

Dantrag puts a foot out, Quenthel side-steps at the last minute and the head of the man crashes into the bar. Quenthel then raises a fist and brings it down onto the back of the man's head, his body going limp.

A cheer goes up and Quenthel finds herself being bought drinks from left, right and centre.

The concussed brute is led outside by a couple of the patrons, followed a short distance behind by Dantrag with a gleam in his eye.

Quenthel is just finishing her fourth ale when Dantrag returns, a sly grin on his face. He runs a finger across his throat and says, "Poor man! Terrible shaving accident!"