Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 211: Higher's issues

In a dimly lit corner of the bustling tavern, a burly man named Garvin sat with a tankard of ale in one hand, his other arm wrapped possessively around a young woman perched on his knee. The room buzzed with the chatter of patrons and the occasional clink of glass, but Garvin's laughter cut above it all—a rough, throaty sound, half-drowned by the foam spilling over his cup as he drank deeply. 

It was a time of celebration for him as his last job went well and provided him with 8 silverii, enough to go forward for at least three months if he used it sparingly, unfortunately, Garvin was many thing but parsimonious was not one of them.

The woman on his lap, a local night girl with dark curls tumbling over her bare shoulders, giggled as Garvin's hand traced a path along her waist. She leaned into him, her laughter soft and feigned, her fingers dancing along the edge of his collar. Garvin's grip tightened around her, his hand slipping lower with a crude grin as he whispered something that made her laugh again, tilting her head back to meet his gaze.

Garvin lifted his tankard, taking a long, unhurried gulp as the ale sloshed over the edges, the foam dripping into his scruffy beard. He chuckled, entirely at ease, but his companion's smile began to wane. Her gaze had drifted over his shoulder, and her laughter faltered, eyes widening as she caught sight of something, or rather someone, behind him.

Noticing the change, Garvin looked up, frowning slightly. He followed her gaze before slowly turning, only to find himself face-to-face with Ravinius. Cloaked in dark, finely tailored attire, Ravinius stood with an unsettling stillness, his presence imposing even in the crowded tavern. His steely gaze lingered on the girl just long enough to make his meaning clear, and without a word, she slipped from Garvin's lap, her face pale as she backed away before disappearing into the crowd.@@novelbin@@