In which Fred Maximillian and Clive share a drink together at the tavern.

Sometimes we all need a little time away.

The contents of this chapter are loosely based on a series of comment threads from May 3rd, 2004.

"There are too many pets around here."

"Pets?" Fred Maximillian looked up from his mug at the Budehuc tavern and cast his drinking companion a curious look. "I'm not sure I follow…?"

Clive leaned against his hand and stared down into his own drink. "I was outside meditating earlier. I sensed something moving nearby and instinctively raised my gun and fired—"

"Excellent reflexes, Sir Clive!" Fred raised his mug in applause. "Of course, I expected no less from a marksman of your caliber!"

"No, I missed. Intentionally. It was just a bird, but it got me thinking…" The gunner groaned and rubbed his forehead, "I can't believe I'm even saying this, but maybe I need to be a little more careful with my gun. It got me wondering—what if I accidentally shot someone's pet?"

The Maximillian Knight frowned and leaned back in his chair. It was true that things around the castle as of late were increasingly busy, but nothing about the gunner suggested he was anything less than careful. "I'm not sure I follow, Sir Clive?"

"I keep seeing kids with pets around the place. That mage Rody has been walking around the grounds with a kitten. Then there's that Cecile girl. I think she likes dogs. I'm pretty sure it would upset her if I shot one. Not that I care though," he grumbled to himself, "Or maybe I do - she seems sweet enough...ugh." Clive ran a hand through his blond hair and drained the remainder of his drink. "I guess I'll have to leave Storm behind for a while...just until my tense nature calms. I'm sure that Storm will understand."

"Storm?"

"My gun," Clive replied a-matter-of-factly. "I hate to do it, but if I'm getting itchy, it probably isn't a good idea to be running off shooting everything in sight."

Fred mused to himself as he studied the bubbles at the surface of his own drink. His knowledge surrounding firearms was scant at best. The Maximillian Knights had little involvement with the secretive Howling Voice Guild and its gunners. Something told him that Clive's personification of his weapon may be more than simple affection judging by the man's tone of voice, but it didn't feel appropriate to pry.

"I understand, the noise of the castle can be stressful sometimes," Fred answered after a pause. "If you'd like, there is a small field next to the lake, beyond the ranch that is very quiet. I could take you there if you wanted? Maybe you simply need to find a new, peaceful place to meditate?"

"Maybe…" Clive sighed again. "Say, you're a Maximillian Knight, right? How's the old man doing?"

"My grandfather? Er...well…" Fred felt himself sweat. The family pressure to find a suitor for him was mounting, and every new letter that arrived in the mail left Fred feeling clammy with anxiety. He wasn't sure how they managed to track him down at Budehuc, yet as soon as they learned where he was residing, the letters started again. Each correspondence from his mother was increasingly aggressive. "Settling down" wasn't exactly on his bucket list, especially when "producing an heir" was tied to that checklist item. Of course the esteemed Maximillian family line was important, but...

"Eh. No matter." Clive set his mug down and sighed. "Say, I might be heading out on a trip soon. You want to come? Nothing big. I need to gather supplies and was planning on making my way to a place called Vinay del Zexay. The castle master mentioned it was the closest city."

"Vinay del Zexay?!" a chipper voice suddenly rang out from the tavern doorway. Cecile stood in the threshold, a handful of letters in her arms. "I was planning on making a trip there too! May I accompany you?"

Fred cast the pile of letters a wary glance. "Lady Cecile, I would be delighted if you came with us. I'm sure you agree, Sir Clive?"

The gunner grunted but didn't object.

"Oh, that would be wonderful!" Cecile flustered with excitement and set the letters down in front of Fred. "This mail is for you, Sir Fred! Please let me know as soon as you plan to depart, and I'll get ready. I hear Zexen Forest this time of year is really pretty!"

"T...thank you, Lady Cecile…" Fred weakly stacked the letters in a small pile. Each envelope had the exact same return address and familiar crested wax seal. Undoubtedly more pressure from home over his unattached status…he could already hear the chiding sound of his mother's voice ringing in his head.

Cecile swept an arm up into a salute. "You're welcome! I'm looking forward to traveling with you both!" She sprang out the door as quickly as she arrived.

Clive leaned his cheek against his palm, slightly turning inwards to hide a grin. "Heh. What was that about a peaceful place for meditation again?"

Fred sighed and looked away from his growing stack of mail. Maybe some meditation would do them both good.