"Maken haste, Cyrus. We'ren almost there."
"H'aanit, please...I'm...so tired..."
H'aanit stopped running and turned to stare at her lover, who was doubled over and trying to catch his breath. They had only been running for about a mile, and that wasn't far at all. She really needed to help Cyrus get into better physical shape.
"Ah...hah...my dear, you don't have to rush. I'm sure your master will be waiting in Stoneguard for you to arrive." Cyrus said, smiling as he took H'aanit's hand. "And I believe we've lost the others-Oh, Linde caught up with us." H'aanit chuckled as her partner came trotting up behind them. She meowed and rubbed up against Cyrus' legs, causing him to smile brightly as he ran his hand through her fur.
"I guesseth thee ist right. I can see the stairs leading to town from here. We shoulde be there soon." H'aanit said.
Suddenly, screams pierced the air and both H'aanit and Cyrus jerked their heads in the direction of the sound, which seemed to be coming from a bit up the road. They glanced at each other before breaking into a run, with Linde close behind. They quickly came upon two people being set upon by a huge tiger. Cursing, H'aanit pulled out her bow and nocked an arrow, while Cyrus whipped out a spellbook.
However, before either of them could act, the tiger was struck from behind with a precisely shot arrow, and it immediately collapsed, dead. H'aanit and Cyrus blinked at each other, confused, until Hagen suddenly appeared and ran up to them, barking excitedly.
"Hagen! If thou art here, then..." H'aanit said as she pet his head, and she smiled as she was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"What ho, H'aanit!"
Relief welled up inside of H'aanit as she watched Z'aanta stride up to her, grinning from ear to ear. It really did work, defeating Redeye. Her master was back to normal, thank the gods. Z'aanit stopped in front of her and gave her a once-over, before barking out a hearty laugh.
"Don't tellen me thou'st grown again!" he said, continuing to laugh as H'aanit rolled her eyes.
"Not in height, but if thou speakest in experience, then yes."
Cyrus watched silently as H'aanit and her master bantered back and forth, and he couldn't help but smile fondly at his lover. She was giving the older man a good lecturing for worrying her, but the smile on her face betrayed her true feelings. Cyrus knew that she was happy that Z'aanta was back to normal, and he was happy that she was happy.
"H'aanit, thanke thee. Thou'st done me proud."
H'aanit let out a yelp in protest as Z'aanta hoisted her into his arms, and Cyrus couldn't help but laugh as she struggled to free herself, her face flushing with embarrassment. Z'aanta's laughter joined his, and after he made sure the couple that had been attacked was alright, he finally turned his gaze upon Cyrus.
"Werein art thine manners, girl? Aren you going to introduceth me to thine friend?" Z'aanta said, glancing at H'aanit with an eyebrow raised. H'aanit blinked; she had almost forgotten that Cyrus was here too. Her face flushed a deeper shade of red, and she cleared her throat as she walked over so that she was standing at Cyrus' side.
"Er, master, this ist Cyrus Albright. He ist a scholar and a professor at the Royal Academy in Atlasdam." H'aanit said, "Cyrus, this ist my master, Z'aanta."
"A pleasure to finally meet you, sir." Cyrus said, smiling as he held out his hand, "H'aanit has told me so much about you! I can most definitely see where she learned her mastery of the bow." Z'aanta gave Cyrus a once-over and then barked out a laugh as he took his hand and gave it a firm shake.
"Goodeth to meeten thee too, Cyrus. And no needeth to callen me sir. It makeths me feelen old."
"I will keep that in mind, sir-Ahem, Z'aanta."
"So how didst you endeth up traveling together-"
"Hey guys! We finally caught up to you!"
Z'aanta was interrupted when Tressa came running up to H'aanit and Cyrus, with the rest of the group not far behind. Z'aanta turned to H'aanit, who just shrugged.
"I foundeth many new companions on my journey. 'Tis a long tale, mayhaps we should head to the tavern and I shall tell you all about it." she said, and her eyes narrowed when Z'aanta's eyes lit up at the word 'tavern.'
"That soundeth like a great idea, my dear prentice. Letten us go!" he said, and after a brief introduction to the rest of the group, they all headed into Stoneguard and made a beeline for the tavern. H'aanit hoped that she wouldn't regret suggesting the tavern as a meeting place.
"Oh wow! You killed a dragon with your bare hands?!"
"He ist lying, Tressa."
"My prentice, you woundeth me." Z'aanta said, pouting as H'aanit rolled her eyes and the rest of the table laughed. The tavern was loud and lively this night, mostly due to their full table listening to Z'aanta's very exaggerated hunting stories. H'aanit felt more relaxed than she had in a very long time. Now that her master was back to normal, it was like a giant weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Cyrus, doest thou needeth a refill?" H'aanit asked when Z'aanta's had finished telling his latest story and the table split off into mini conversations.
"Ah, yes, I'd like another. Thank you." Cyrus said, proceeding to down the last mouthful of ale. H'aanit nodded and took the empty mug, her hand brushing his on the way, and a smile of adoration crossed his face.
"Aye, I shall be back shortly." she said, and she headed up to speak to the barkeep. Cyrus watched her go for a moment, and when he turned back to the table, he found that Z'aanta was staring at him over the rim of his mug as he took a drink. Cyrus tilted his head at him, confused, and watched as Z'aanta set his mug down and crossed his arms over his chest.
"So," he began, a sly smile crossing his face as he leaned back in his chair, "How longeth hath thee and my prentice been in love with each other?"
Cyrus stared at Z'aanta for a moment, before his face flushed a bright red and he cleared his throat to try and remove the lump that had formed there. Gods, how was he able to correctly come up with that conclusion without being told directly?
"W-Well, I cannot speak for H'aanit, but, ah, I've loved her for a good while now, even before I knew what exactly it was I was feeling for her." Cyrus said, rubbing his neck as he averted his gaze. Z'aanta laughed and slapped a friendly hand on Cyrus' arm.
"Really now? Whatten ist it that you seeth in her?" he asked, raising a curious eyebrow as he took a swig of his drink. Cyrus took note that Primrose and Ophilia were not-so-subtly listening in on the conversation, and he tried to ignore them as he looked Z'aanta in the eye.
"Well, where do I even start?" Cyrus began, earning a chuckle from Z'aanta. "H'aanit is an incredible woman. She is strong in many ways, be it physically or in character. She is loyal, honest, caring, selfless. She can be stubborn at times, but for all the right reasons, so I cannot honestly call that a fault. And she is the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen-"
"I thinke I getten the picture." Z'aanit interrupted, and Cyrus laughed sheepishly as he fiddled with his sleeves.
"Ah, sorry, I got a little carried away."
"Here, Cyrus." he looked up to see that H'aanit had returned, and she set a full mug of ale in front of him, and another in front of Z'aanta. "I am going to maketh sure that Linde and Hagen haveth enough water. I willst be back." The two men offered their thanks as H'aanit left again, and they both took long swigs before Z'aanta spoke again.
"'Tis funny," he started, earning a quizzical look from Cyrus. "You'ren not the kind of person that I woulde hath guessed that my prentice woulde bringeth home to me."
"Oh?" Cyrus asked, "Why is that?"
"She hath always heldeth physical strength in high regard. I predicted that she'd endeth up with someone a bit more muscular than thee."
"Well, she must see something good in me." Cyrus said as he shrugged, "I was actually afraid that she would never feel the same way about me as I did her. It was quite surprising."
"My prentice ist no fool, Cyrus." Z'aanta said, his tone turning oddly serious. "H'aanit hast never been interested in finding a partner before you. So thee needeth not worry about being goode enough, for she woulde only chooseth the best person for her."
"O-Oh," Cyrus stammered, embarrassed, "Well, I...thank you." He had been a bit nervous to finally meet H'aanit's father figure, but Z'aanta had turned out to be surprisingly accepting of the fact that he was dating his adoptive daughter.
Z'aanta chuckled as he tugged at his beard. "Thou doest not needeth to thanke me. H'aanit ist a smart woman, and can taken care of herself. If thou steppeth out of line, she wilst be sure to deal swift justice. And if she doth not, I wilst." Cyrus gulped as Z'aanta's voice took on a slightly threatening tone. Ah, this was more of what he expected from him. But, he also noticed the humor in the older man's eyes, and Cyrus just smiled and nodded.
"I am well aware, my good man. I have no intention of ever hurting her in any way. I care far too much for her." Cyrus said, and Z'aanta laughed.
"Good, good. 'Tis all I can asketh of thee." Z'aanta clinked his mug against Cyrus'. "Letten us getteth another rounde, eh?"
"Indeed." Cyrus said, noting that his mug was empty. He then jumped a bit in surprise when a full mug was slammed down in front of him.
"Y'all in for a drinking contest?" Alfyn said a bit louder than necessary as he grinned, looking back and forth between Z'aanta and Cyrus.
"Aye, sounds like a grande time!" Z'aanta said, and Cyrus nodded in agreement as they both stood and followed Alfyn to a seperate table with the other men. This was turning out to be a rather interesting night.
"Ugh, I'm done."
"Shucks, Therion, you're always the first out!"
H'aanit chuckled as Therion pouted at Alfyn, his flushed face and half-lidded eyes betraying his drunken status. He shrugged and moved to sit in between Tressa and Primrose at their table.
"Alfyn better not pass out this time. I'm not carrying him back to the inn again." Therion grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest as Ophilia giggled.
"I'd be more worried about Cyrus tonight." Primrose said, earning a confused look from H'aanit. "It seems that your master has quite the influence on him."
H'aanit turned her attention to the contest table, her eyes narrowed as she watched Z'aanta sling his arm over Cyrus' shoulders as he laughed. She had never seen Cyrus truly drunk before, as he was very good at pacing himself. But, her master could be a notoriously bad influence sometimes, especially in a tavern setting like this one.
"Cyrus, thou muste keepeth up! Downeth this mug and start on another!" Z'aanta said, nudging Cyrus' mug with his own.
"Ah, I don't usually drink this quickly..." Cyrus said, a dusting of pink present on his cheeks, "Perhaps I should slow down."
"Nay! Thou cannot win a contest of drinking without, well, drinking! Keepeth up with me, at least." Z'aanta said, glancing over at Olberic and Alfyn, who were downing their drinks at a concerning rate. "Those two are liketh bottomless pits. Wheren doest it all goeth?"
"I've asked myself that many times before." Cyrus said, laughing as he finished off his mug. "It is settled then, I will do my best to keep up with you."
"Aye! That's a good lad!" Z'aanta said, pushing a full mug at Cyrus.
"Ah, yes! Well, 'bottoms up', as they say!"
H'aanit watched as the two men clinked their mugs together and drained the contents quickly. She wondered if she should step in and stop them. This...could end in disaster.
"Oh, don't worry about them, H'aanit." Primrose said, waving her hand nonchalantly. "They will be fine. If they truly start to get out of hand, we can intervene." H'aanit nodded slowly and let herself relax.
"Z'aanta is really cool, H'aanit!" Tressa said, "I bet it's been a blast being his apprentice!"
"Aye, he ist a great teacher, if a bit irresponsable at times."
"I'm surprised at how well he and Cyrus are getting along." Primrose chimed in. "Fathers usually tend to be a bit more wary about the men that their daughters bring home."
"I fear that they getteth along too well. My master tends to be a bad influence when alcohol ist involved, and Cyrus can be a bit clueless at times." H'aanit said, glancing over at the contest table, where the occupants all burst out laughing, with Olberic and Z'aanta's voices being the loudest.
"That's an understatement. Cyrus is laughably clueless. But you're not much better, H'aanit." Primrose said, laughing as she took a drink, "Watching you both try and court each other was rather painful at times." The rest of the women giggled as H'aanit pursed her lips, and even Therion let out a chuckle.
"Thou doest not needeth reminden me everyday…" H'aanit grumbled. Her attention was suddenly pulled to the contest table, when Cyrus shot up out of his chair, the movement almost knocking it to the ground.
"My focus is unparalleled!" he exclaimed, and he proceeded to lift a full mug of ale to his lips and down the contents with a few deep swigs. The rest of the men at the table cheered and followed suit, wasting no time in grabbing full mugs and repeating the process.
"Oh dear, they are getting quite rowdy, aren't they?" Ophilia said, trying to hide her amused smile behind her mug. H'aanit's eyes widened as she watched Cyrus' antics. Well, this was certainly a new side of him that she had not seen before.
"Good luck dealing with that later." Therion said, winking at H'aanit. She narrowed her eyes at him, and Primrose chuckled with amusement.
"Oh, he'll probably be fine...Maybe." she said, ignoring the heated look that H'aanit shot her. "Therion, do be a dear and get us another round, will you?" Therion nodded in response and cleared the empty mugs from the table, before heading up to the bar. H'aanit watched him go, until her attention was pulled away when Cyrus' voice hit her ears.
"Oh my! My face is so warm! How fascinating!" H'aanit turned to see Cyrus holding his cheeks with both hands, his lips turned up in a goofy smile as he pushed on his face. The expressions he was making caused H'aanit to laugh until she snorted, and the other women at her table laughed as well.
"Ha! It seemeth that thee ist amusing to our table of ladies." Z'aanta said, not seeming to notice the glare that H'aanit was shooting him.
"Who?" Cyrus asked, blinking in confusion as he tilted his head.
"Shucks, Cyrus, don't tell me you've forgotten half of our friends?" Alfyn asked, taking a drink of ale as he leaned back in his chair, splashing some of the liquid on his shirt.
"I thought I was just here with you-Oh!" Cyrus started, as he turned to look at the table where H'aanit and the others sat. When his eyes locked with hers, the rest of what he was going to say was swallowed up in a gasp. He stared at her with wide eyes for a moment, before he leaned over and whispered something to Z'aanta. H'aanit watched as a sly grin crossed her master's face, and he whispered something back.
"Ah, yes!" Cyrus said as he pulled back, and he quickly jumped to his feet. H'aanit watched as he moved in her direction, seemingly unable to walk in a straight line as he stumbled awkwardly in his attempt to get to her.
"My dear," he said, pausing to let out a giggle and steady himself, "I could not help but notice how absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful you are." H'aanit blinked at him, confused, and she felt her cheeks heat up as he took her hand in his. "I must ask, are you perchance, romantically available?"
H'aanit just stared at him, not knowing how to respond to this. He must have drank way beyond his limit of alcohol tolerance in order to forget that they were together. H'aanit was going to have some stern words with Z'aanta about getting her lover so gods damn drunk. She opened her mouth to finally respond, but Primrose beat her to it.
"Ah, I am sorry, but she is, in fact, spoken for." the dancer said. Cyrus gasped and recoiled backwards dramatically, an absolutely devastated look crossing his face.
"O-Oh, I see…" he stammered out, stumbling off to the side. Unfortunately, Therion had picked that moment to return with more drinks, carrying four mugs, two in each hand. Cyrus crashed right into the theif, whose quick reflexes saved him from spilling the drinks as he lifted up his arms. Cyrus wrapped his own around Therion as he buried his face into his shoulder.
"Cyrus, what the hell?" Therion asked, an annoyed look crossing his face. Primrose and Tressa moved quickly to take the mugs from him before they could spill, but left him to try and pry Cyrus off of him on his own.
"Oh, Therion! My life is ruined!" Cyrus exclaimed, his voice muffled a bit against Therion's shoulder. H'aanit just stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you talking about? Get off me!" Therion growled as he tried to shove Cyrus away. He only succeeded in causing Cyrus to tighten his grip.
"It is truly the worst thing that could ever happen to me!" Cyrus continued, sniffing as he rubbed his face on the thief's shoulder. H'aanit raised an eyebrow. Was he...crying? "The most beautiful woman that I've ever seen is taken! How will I go on?" He gestured at H'aanit with one arm, and Therion stared at Cyrus as if he was the dumbest person in Orsterra. The rest of the men at the table burst out laughing, with Z'aanta laughing the loudest. Primrose and Tressa also dissolved into a fit of giggles, and Ophilia only barely managed to hold back her own amusement.
"Oh my gods…" Therion mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, she's taken...by you, you idiot." He finally succeeded in prying Cyrus' hands from his arms and pushed him back towards H'aanit, who stood up in time to catch her drunk-ass lover before he could fall over and hurt himself.
"R-Really?" Cyrus said, looking up at H'aanit with a look of absolute joy on his flushed face, and that was enough to make her blush with embarrassment.
"Yes, dear. We hath been together foren awhile now." H'aanit said, and Cyrus laughed as he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Oh how the gods have blessed me so!" Cyrus exclaimed, gazing lovingly into H'aanit's eyes as his tears of sorrow turned into tears of joy. "Never in my 30 years of life have I seen a more beautiful woman! One of unparalleled strength and courage and-Whoops!" Cyrus' gushing was interrupted when his grip on H'aanit loosened and he fell to the floor on his back.
"Cyrus! Ist thou alright?" H'aanit asked, frowning with worry as she quickly knelt down next to him.
"Hmm...Is the ceiling supposed to be spinning like that? What an interesting phenomenon!" Cyrus said, laughing as he raised an arm above him and waved it about, as if he was tracing invisible lines above him. H'aanit sighed and shook her head.
"Gods help me…" H'aanit mumbled, staring down at her lover, unamused. She glanced over at the contest table to see how the other men were fairing. She saw that Alfyn's head was resting on the table; he was passed out cold, and Therion was arguing with Tressa about who was going to carry him to the inn this time. Olberic and Z'aanta had their arms around each other's shoulders, and they were both laughing hysterically. H'aanit then looked up at the bar, where the barkeep was watching them with an annoyed look on his face. It was probably time to call it a night.
"Take care of Cyrus, H'aanit." Primrose said, "We will handle the rest of these drunkards." H'aanit watched as Ophilia went to speak with Olberic and Z'aanta, while Tressa and Therion teamed up to deal with the incapacitated Alfyn.
"Aye. Good luck." H'aanit said, smiling when Primrose laughed and went to help Ophilia. H'aanit then looked back to the floor, where Cyrus was gazing up at her with half-lidded eyes.
"Come now, letten us go back to the inn." she said, as she bent down and lifted Cyrus into her arms. He laughed and flailed a bit, causing H'aanit to stumble forward and drop him back on the ground.
"Cyrus!" H'aanit said, her face scrunching up with annoyance.
"Ah, oops, sorry, my dear. I'm just having so much fun!" Cyrus protested, crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly. H'aanit glared at him and tried three more times to pick him up, only to repeat the same result.
"This ist ridiculous." H'aanit growled, and Cyrus dissolved into giggles again. She suddenly grabbed him by the waist, hoisted him over her shoulder, and held his legs under his knees in a vice grip. He yelped in surprise when she stood up, and he wrapped his arms around her torso from behind.
"Mmmmm, my dear, you're so strong...I do love it so." Cyrus mumbled, and H'aanit felt him rub his face against her back. She rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the smile that crossed her face. H'aanit bid farewell to the others and headed outside.
"Thou ist an incredibly disastrous drunk, Cyrus." H'aanit said, pausing to wake up Linde, who had fallen asleep against the outside wall of the tavern. She meowed and tilted her head at Cyrus, who laughed and reached out to try and pet her, but he kept missing.
"Oh, I do think you're overreacting, darling." Cyrus mused. He started lazily tracing his fingers over H'aanit's abs over her shirt, and she shivered slightly as her face flushed.
"Thou forgotten that we were together." H'aanit said, and Cyrus just laughed, and H'aanit felt him shake his head against her back.
"Well, it is not surprising to me in the least. I am still flabbergasted that the most beautiful person in Orsterra chose me of all people as a partner! I am so, so lucky."
"I could sayeth the same about thee."
"Oh, H'aanit...H'aanit," Cyrus mumbled, tightening his grip on her. "Please, ask me why I love you so much!"
"Why doest thou loven me so much?"
"I am so glad you asked!" Cyrus said excitedly, and H'aanit couldn't hold back her laughter, "Because if I had to write it down, I fear that there isn't enough stationary in the world to hold everything! Although, verbalizing it may take weeks, even months to truly-"
"Well then, thou best starteth now, foren I'm putting thee to bed as soon as we getten to the inn." H'aanit heard Cyrus gasp and he mumbled incoherently to himself.
"Oh dear...well, I better start with the best things then…"
H'aanit just shook her head as she listened to Cyrus ramble on while she walked. He started by gushing about how amazing she smelled all the time, 'like a forest of pine trees just after a spot of rain.' He was definitely exaggerating, for she felt that most of the time she smelled like sweat, due to the large amount of physical activity she did during the day.
Next he proceeded to tell her that the exact moment that he realized that he was in love with her was when she delivered the killing blow to the dragon that had been guarding the herb-of-grace in Stillsnow. H'aanit couldn't help but wonder if Cyrus was actually just gods damn crazy, or was dropped on his head too many times as a child.
Cyrus then went off on a tangent about how adorable Linde was. He began throwing out random facts about snow leopards, like how some snow leopards have home ranges of up to 1,000 square kilometers, and that they have light green or gray eyes, which is unusual for big cats.
After what seemed like an eternity, H'aanit finally reached the inn, and she quickly made her way up the stairs, ignoring the stares from the innkeeper on the way.
"...And did you know that snow leopards have large paws that help them walk on top of the snow. What amazing creatures they are!" Cyrus was saying as H'aanit entered the room that the men were sharing. She just chuckled as she approached one of the beds.
"I agree, dear. Now, 'tis time for bed." H'aanit said, and she went to pull Cyrus from her shoulder, but he wrapped his arms tightly around her torso, stopping her.
"Cyrus-"
"But H'aanit, I'm not ready to leave your side. My nights are incredibly lonely without you!" he whined, his face rubbing against her back. H'aanit rolled her eyes and tugged harder on his legs.
"Thou ist being stubborn. We wilst seeth each other in the morn." H'aanit said, but her words did not seem to sway Cyrus. She struggled a bit longer, trying to loosen his hold on her, when he finally let go. Unfortunately, she had been pulling hard at that exact moment, so she ended up flinging him roughly onto the bed, and she stumbled onto it after him.
"Hehe, got you!" Cyrus said, as he quickly wrapped his arms around H'aanit and pulled her close, so that he could nuzzle his face against her neck. H'aanit's face flushed as she tried wiggling free of his grasp.
"Cyrus, letten me go-" she protested, but was silenced when Cyrus' lips covered hers in a sloppy, drunken kiss. Her eyes went wide for a moment, but they slowly slipped shut as she chuckled and returned the kiss. Well, she had certainly fallen in love with a most interesting man, but she would not have it any other way. When they finally pulled away, Cyrus was gazing at H'aanit with a look of complete adoration, and it took her breath away.
"You are so...intoxicating, H'aanit." Cyrus whispered, lethargically brushing a few strands of hair out of her face.
"That mayhaps be the ale talking."
"Oh no. If I am drunk on anything, my darling, it is your love." H'aanit flushed a bright red as his fingers gently caressed her cheeks. "I fear that it takes all of the willpower that I have not to spend all of my time and energy kissing those sweet lips of yours, and telling you how much you really mean to me."
"Cyrus…" H'aanit breathed, her eyes widening as she reached up to cup his face. She kissed him again, soft and tender, and she smiled against his lips when he sighed contently.
"I love you, H'aanit. So, so much more than words can say..." Cyrus said when they parted, his eyes gazing lovingly into her own. Slowly, his eyelids finally slipped shut, and soon he was snoring softly as he drifted off to sleep.
"I loveth you too, Cyrus." H'aanit said, watching as a bright smile crossed his sleeping face. She chuckled and shook her head, and was finally able to slip out of his grasp. She removed Cyrus' coat and boots, and tucked him into bed. She placed a last kiss on his forehead, when the door to the room was flown open.
"Gods, finally." Therion was saying as he and Tressa dragged Alfyn into the room. They tossed the inebriated apothecary onto a bed, and Therion threw himself onto another.
"Hey, H'aanit!" Tressa said, "I'm glad you two made it here without any issues."
"Aye, none that were not caused by Cyrus, anyway." H'aanit said as she brushed Cyrus' hair from his face. Tressa laughed, and Ophilia and Primrose entered the room, struggling to support Olberic.
"Curse these gods damn legs of mine. Why won't they cooperate?" Olberic was muttering to himself, and Primrose rolled her eyes as she and Ophilia deposited him on the last bed.
"It's the alcohol, dear Olberic. Get some sleep." Primrose said, and after a bit of incoherent mumbling, he did just that.
"Gods, it's like babysitting a bunch of man children." Primrose said, sighing deeply. Ophilia giggled, and then turned to H'aanit.
"H'aanit, your master went to stay with Natalia. Hagen was with him, so he probably made it there safely." she said, "He said he would stop by here in the morning."
"Aye, thanke thee."
"Well, goodnight Therion. Do make sure the rest of these idiots don't die in their sleep, would you?" Primrose said as she made for the door.
"Yeah, no promises there," Therion said, waving his hand as he rolled over, "Goodnight."
With that, the women returned to their own room, and they all fell asleep rather quickly, exhausted by the night's activities.
As usual, H'aanit was the first to wake in the morning, and she decided to take a stroll about town with Linde before breakfast. When she returned to the inn, the aftermath of the night before was beginning to surface.
"Ugh...my head…" H'aanit chuckled when she saw Alfyn sitting at a table, his head resting on Primrose's shoulder, while she rubbed his back gently. Olberic sat opposite of them, his head resting in his hands as he massaged his temples. Ophilia sat next to him, her eyes looking droopy and her face scrunched up. She looked uncomfortable.
"Good morning, H'aanit." Primrose said when the huntress sat down.
"'Morning. Ophilia, ist thou alright?" H'aanit asked as she grabbed a piece of bread from the basket on the table.
"Our resident cleric is actually hungover." Primrose said with a grin, and Ophilia pouted at her. H'aanit blinked in surprise. Ophilia was normally pretty good at watching her alcohol intake. Gods, her master really did have a bad influence on everyone.
"Ah, good morning you two." H'aanit turned around as Primrose spoke to find Tressa and Therion descending the stairs.
"Morning!" Tressa said happily, a contrast to the slight miserable atmosphere in the room. Therion rolled his eyes and looked at H'aanit.
"You might want to go check up on Cyrus. I don't think he's doing too well." he said, and H'aanit nodded as she stood up.
"Good luck." she heard Primrose call after her as she ascended the stairs. H'aanit hoped that Cyrus wasn't in too bad of shape; they were supposed to start heading towards Grandport today, as they didn't want Tressa to be late for the Merchants' Fair.
H'aanit slowly entered the room and quietly closed the door behind her. It was dark, so she opened the curtains, letting in the bright sunlight. As soon as she did, a loud groan was heard coming from Cyrus' bed, and H'aanit turned to see Cyrus roll over and pull the blankets over his head.
"'Morning, love." H'aanit said, moving to sit down on the edge of the bed. Cyrus groaned again as he slowly rolled over onto his back, his eyes squinted, as if the light was painful.
"Oh gods," Cyrus said, reaching up to cover his face with his hands. "W-What in Aelfric's name happened last night? I feel like I took a few dosen blunt force blows to the head."
"Thou doest not remember?" H'aanit asked, raising an amused eyebrow.
"Well…" Cyrus said, groaning as he pushed himself into a sitting position, "The last thing I remember is...agreeing to keep up with Z'aanta in our drinking contest...Everything after that is just a blur." H'aanit just chuckled and Cyrus looked at her, confused.
"This ist what happened afterward…" H'aanit said, and she retold the events of the night. When she was done, Cyrus' face had turned pink and he looked mortified.
"I...I am never drinking again." he said, getting out of bed with H'aanit's help. "How incredibly embarrassing."
"To be fair, the other men didst not faireth any better." H'aanit said as they headed downstairs.
"I guess that makes me feel a bit better. Ah, I'm sorry you had to deal with me in so sorry of a condition, my dear." Cyrus said, and H'aanit just laughed.
"'Tis alright. Thou was rather cute, actually." she said, and Cyrus blushed.
"Oh dear, you are far too forgiving of me."
"T'was a bit annoying to deal with thee at the time, but now I can looketh back on it and laugh." H'aanit took Cyrus' hand and gave it a squeeze. "Do tryest to be more careful in the future, though."
"Oh, don't worry, I will." Cyrus said, stealing a quick kiss from her lips as they joined the others. After treating the hungover with plenty of food and water, the group gathered their belongings and were ready to move on by midday.
"Ah, H'aanit! Here you are!"
"'Tis about time you madeth it here, master." H'aanit said, looking up from loading her quiver as Z'aanta entered the inn.
"Aye! I couldst not misseth seeing my prentice off!"
"What aren your plans?"
"Well," Z'aanta pulled at his beard, "I thinke I wilst stayeth with Natalia foren a few more days, and then head back to S'warkii with Hagen. I assumeth that thee still hast things to taken care of?"
"Yes." H'aanit said with a nod. "Some of my companions still have business to taken care of, and I wilst be by theren sides until they are done. Cyrus actually has business in Duskbarrow."
"Does he now? That ist not too far from S'warkii. Be sureth to stoppen in and seeth your old master when thou ist done with your quest."
"I will."
"Good day, Z'aanta!" Cyrus said as he approached, smiling brightly. H'aanit was relieved to see that he looked to be in much better shape than he had been in when he awoke in the morning.
"Ho, Cyrus. I heardeth that thee hast buisness in Duskbarrow. Thou musteth stoppen by S'warkii whilst in the Woodlands. I would liken to getten to know thee better."
"Oh, of course!" Cyrus said excitedly, "I will be sure to do just that!"
When everyone was gathered at the inn and ready to depart, H'aanit bid farewell to Z'aanta and they parted ways once more. As she left Stoneguard for the third time, the second with Cyrus' hand clasped in hers, she felt refreshed and ready to take on whatever life was going to throw at her next.
"And we're off again." Cyrus said, smiling at H'aanit. "I do believe I will miss adventuring with everyone once this is all over. Won't you, H'aanit?"
"Aye. I hath madeth many good friends on this journey." she said, nodding, "It hast been fun, between the peril and misfortune."
"Indeed. I do hope finding 'From The Far Reaches Of Hell' proves to be relatively painless."
"T'will probably be fine. I willst be by thine side to protect thee, after all." H'aanit said, and Cyrus laughed and squeezed her hand.
"Of course! You've pulled me out of some pretty perilous situations already, what's one more?"
H'aanit rolled her eyes as they continued to banter back and forth, heading off to their next adventure. She knew that, no matter what was waiting for them, she would always be right by Cyrus' side, and he by hers.
Drunk Cyrus was incredibly fun to write and is easily one of my favorite parts of this entire fic lmao Thanks for reading!