"Barkeep! I need a drink. It's been a long day." Said a short, elderly man who approached the bar.
It wasn't a fancy bar, he thought to himself. But it was hardly a dive. There was a large, rock lined fireplace which roared with a well kept fire and the floors were very clean. He had visited Dras Leona four times now, once as an invader but the rest as visitor. He was a member of the Varden and he laid siege to this city, killed and watched his friends be killed.
He thought back to the new clean, bright streets he walked down. He thought of the flowers that dotted many windows, the laughs of children playing in the streets and the sound of women giggling as they gossiped beside the many fountains. Yes, he thought. It was worth it. Though as he thought on it, a sense of exhaustion, unlike any he had felt in all his life, caused him to yawn.
"I don't serve vermin like you, Svern" Said the barkeep in an unusually deep voice.
Jumping to his feet, Svern drew his sword. "How do you know my name? I've never visited this bar before. If you seek revenge, you may try to earn it, however it won't be easy!" He looked into the eyes of the bar tender to see what he could discern from the man. His posture didn't indicate an aggressive attitude and his eyes backed this up. In fact, his eyes were not the least bit threatening. They were twinkling with amusement. He looked the man over again; he was about the same age with a crooked nose, green eyes and pure white hair. Then he noticed a ring on the man's index finger of his right hand.
Sheathing his sword he sat down with a humph. He was always tired at his age, but he was very tired today. And this exchange alone had drained him of the rest of his energy. "So you magic fearing bastard, it's you. I haven't seen you since after the siege of Belatona. I was sure you would have been cut down at Dras Leona or Urû'baen while you were too busy scanning the soldiers in front of you for wizards. I looked for you, you know. I couldn't find you."
"I'm surprised you recognized me Svern. I haven't heard of you since Belatona either after that night watch we had. Here, try this. It's some of my best Ale. I sold some just yesterday to Lord Redbeard."
Taking hold of the cup, Svern sampled the ale. It was hardy, dark and had an after taste of nuts. He could tell why the earl had wanted this. In fact, he thought. This is some of the best Ale, I've ever had. It's even better than that sweet Elf wine. "I've had better." He said, grumpily. Then looked up at his old friend and seeing the disappointment on his face laughed. He hadn't laughed as hard or as true in years. Soon they were both laughing.
After what seemed like too long, their laughter subsided and they looked at each other. "So Svern, I see many new scars on you. It would seem you haven't had peace after the wars. What's your story?"
And so they sat and drank and Svern recounted his last 50 years. Gaining energy from the ale, conversation and laughs, Svern talked of how he had fought alongside Roran Stronghammer in the siege of Urû'baen. He recounted the tale of how Roran was able to take down Lord Barst when not even the Queen of the Elves was able, nor the dwarves, nor largest of the Kull. He had even followed Roran to Carvahall. There he had helped raise the castle that now watches over his village and provides refuge in times of strife to all of Palancar Valley.
At this, Bartson interjected "You never enjoyed war Svern, I know that. However, you weren't really made for anything else from what I learned about you. Are you really telling me that you became a farmer?" A look of incredulity was evident on his face.
"Ha! No, you have the gist of me. I grew bored. I built walls, I helped to found new villages, but I was bored. I went to Stronghammer's keep and asked if there was something more…interesting to do. He laughed and shook his head. And told me that if I really wanted something interesting to do, that he was sending a group into the spine to begin negotiations with the Urgals. "
The look of incredulity grew to downright disbelief. "Are you telling me you met with the Urgals and lived? I know we fought with them in the Varden, but once animals, always animals, eh? I thought Nasuada was only using them to fight Galbatorix. Are you telling me there is still peace?"
"Isn't that the funniest thing though? I thought the same. I thought it was an alliance of convenience. But no, Roran was commanded by Nasuada to negotiate on her behalf. I went with him to one of their villages and met with Nar Garzhvog. We shared drink, an odd drink they have, stories, histories and Roran invited them to visit Carvahall if ever they need anything. They offered the same. Then came the weirdest of things. Apparently Roran wrestled an urgal back in the varden. Gar zvargogh wanted to know how an Urgal was bested by a mere human and challenged him to fight. All in peace, of course. And can you believe it! Roran laughed. But stranger still, he accepted! Of course he wasn't tasked with wrestling a Kull, but one of the Nar Garzhvog's sons. He told me after the fight that it was easier than his last with an urgal. I watched and it didn't look easy! ."
"Well, what did you do after your expedition to the Urgals?" Asked Bartman. He looked extremely interested now and somewhat doubtful still.
"Nothing too interesting for a while. Roran impressed me that day. He truly did. I asked to be taken on as a soldier in his realm. He turned me down. Apparently he doesn't take soldiers. But he did give me a piece of land and told me that he would call on me if he needed me. You were right though. I was given everything I needed to become a farmer, to have peace, and I was so very bored. After nearly a decade I gave up on the trade and decided to become an explorer. Learning of the Urgals and their culture was some of the most exciting times of my life, after the time with the Varden of course and I decided to become an explorer." He paused here and drained the last of the cup. He looked at the empty bottom, sad.
"Well, I did just that. I explored. I visited almost every city in the Kingdom. I created puzzles with the elves in Ellesméra and I mined in the Beors with the Dwarves. Did you know the dwarves found these trees made of rocks? I spent a full year trying to dislodge this rather tedious set of twigs from the granite. Once I finished, there was such a celebration. Apparently I was the first human to mine in their forest of trees. "
"However, by this time I was starting to get tired. I was on my way from Tronjheim to Ilirea where I had hoped to find retirement, maybe open an Inn and serve good food and ale until the end of my days."
"It is a good life. I've done that very thing since the end of the Varden." Interupted Bartman.
"Oh, I am sure it is. Today I truly wish I had the chance. But it wasn't meant to be. On my way to Ilirea, I came across a small band of elves. They were escorting Arya Shadeslayer! The Queen of the Elves! They were on their way from Tronjeim to Ilirea themselves. Apparently they were holding meetings with King Orik to determine how best to test dwarves who may be matches for the dragon eggs she was ferrying. The dwarven city is huge, you see. It's hard to know who is there at any time! Anyways, she offered me a place in her group and I eagerly accepted. She wanted all races present at every testing and was impressed with my stories of meeting the Urgals. I spent the better part of my life escorting eggs to all races. I watched 5 of the dragon eggs hatch when they found their riders." Bartman noticed that Svern's eyes were glistening and he recalled the moments.
"You have to be kidding me. I am starting to not believe you Svern. Your tales, are amazing, to say the least. If you had served with the Elven Queen, unearthed trees with the most experienced of dwarven miners and visited the Urgals with Roran Stronghammer, earl of Carvahal, why, per say, are you here? In my lowly bar. "
"I have become old my friend. I could no longer keep up with the elves. I could no longer keep the endless pace. I chose to give up my place when we finished our last testing in Illiria two months ago. I always liked Dras Leona. I've been here thrice now. Lord Redbeard and his sons have been nothing but a gift to this city. I was hoping to live near the lake and do nothing but sit, think and enjoy my peace. I joined a caravan as a guard on their way to Dras Leona." At this, Svern's eyes grew dark. His whole face became shadowed and older. If anything, weariness seemed to almost overwhelm him for a moment and he slumped visibly in his chair.
Concerned, Bartman grabbed hold of his friend, thinking Svern may be fainting. In a deadly quiet whisper, Svern continued. "It was horrible Bart. They all died. In this land of peace, I had not seen blood in decades. But, just a few days ago, I saw close to one hundred men, woman and children slaughtered. The whole caravan. I don't know how I escaped. I suppose it was from tricks I learned from the Elves and the dwarves. I was able to slew four of the attacker. They had wards and I worked harder than I did in all my life to get past them. I was able to pound and hack my way past their wards and cut them down. I was able to create a hole large enough in their ranks to make my escape. I turned to see if I could save anyone and I watched as the last of the caravan guards were cut down. The last standing, a large burly man with a brown beard was cut from head to groin. His two halves falling to the ground at eerily separate times. Thump…Thump. The man who cut him, he had terrible strength. His eyes glowed with magic. I sped away on my horse. I pushed the horse till he died two days ago. I've run on foot since then with very few moments of rest. I ran until I arrived here. "
Bartman was horrified. There had not been armed bands of men in Aleguaesia in decades. Queen Nasuada had created peace with all the city states and the urgals were happy with their games. The garrisons of the cities grew bored and fat, for there weren't even large enough bands of bandits and outlaws to warrant their attentions. Here Svern could not be lieing. If there were men with arms, there is evil afoot in Aleguaesia again. Half escorting, half carrying Svern, he brought him to his bed covered him with blankets. "Sleep Svern. I wish you told me sooner so I could have let you sleep. I will find you help and secure you a meeting with Lord Redbeard."
Nodding his thanks, Svern fell quickly to sleep.