Author's note: Check my profile for information concerning chapter updates or up and coming stories. This update went up earlier than usual due to my next update being a little slower (as I am busy with study). I thought I would give you something to go on until I can catch up on some writing. Enjoy.
BAR BRAWL
Working shifts in the Distillery was a long and arduous job, especially when many adventurers had recently returned from the Highlands, but Mur'ne didn't mind, in fact he found a pleasant satisfaction of doing what he could to help the brave heroes of the Alliance. A blazing brazier lit up the entire entrance hall with dancing shards of glowing colour; red, orange and yellow mingling together to showcase their magnificence.
While watching the flames, Mur'ne couldn't help but notice a young human woman sitting alone in a darkened corner. She wore finely cut robes which matched perfectly with the brazier's flames while her tangled, brown hair hung down to her shoulders like vines from a great tree. Mur'ne was staring, he knew it, but he could not help himself, she was beautiful and it wasn't often that girls like her would enter a place like Thunderbrew.
The woman was reading from a leather-bounded tome and every so often muttered something under her breath which seemed to delight the dancing flames, who burned ever brighter. She looked up and her gaze met Mur'ne's oh crap he thought she's noticed, quickly Mur'ne you dunce, wipe that goofy look off your face and stop staring. Mur'ne immediately stopped smirking and looked at the floor, a bar stool, anything to draw his attention from the woman but he couldn't help looking up at her every so often, she giggled and smiled at him before returning to her book.
Mur'ne cursed under his breath than let out a groan while collapsing in a crumpled mess over the nearby counter. He began banging his forehead continuously berating himself as he did so
"Stupid, stupid, stupid. Now she's laughing at you. Argh." Suddenly several new customers entered the Distillery and Mur'ne was glad for the distraction, he raced behind the bar and began to take orders.
Hours passed by quickly as Mur'ne toiled away behind the bar but time still had not diminished the lively atmosphere, men, elves, dwarfs, gnomes even a few draenei were dancing, drinking and sharing their tales as vigorously as before. Mur'ne couldn't help noticing that the women in the corner hadn't moved in the past four hours. Screw this he thought I'm gonna go talk to her, what's the worst that could happen? Mur'ne quickly mixed together one of his trademark cocktails, which had become somewhat famous, then made his way over to the far side of the Distillery.
As he approached the table, the woman looked up from her reading and began to watch him intently which slightly unsettled Mur'ne but he powered through his nerves and spoke confidently
"Excuse me miss, I hope I am not bothering you but I thought I would bring this over, think of it as a promotional item. Enjoy." As he set the glass down in front of her the girl brushed her hair out of her face and tucked it behind an ear, Mur'ne noticed, now that he was closer, that her eyes were dark brown just like her hair.
"Oh aren't you just the sweetest thing." She said with a smile and a pleasant tone while she picked up the glass. Mur'ne blushed slightly but managed to conceal it from the young woman. However, even before he had introduced himself, Khardran stepped in
"Mur'ne. Stop goofin off and get back ta work." Mur'ne turned to Khardran, who no longer wore the tribal headdress, and threw back a sharp retort
"I am working Khardran, isn't it obvious I'm taking this young lady's order?" Khardran wasn't fazed by this and simply repeated himself more bluntly
"Bar. Work. Now. Savvy?" Mur'ne tried to stare down Khardran but he eventually gave up, knowing there was no swaying him. Letting out a great sigh, Mur'ne began to walk back to the bar when the young woman began to speak
"Khardran, why do you always insist on interfering with play-time?" The woman's voice sounded innocent but cold in tone, like a little girl who had been possessed by a demon, in all sense of the word Mur'ne was uncomfortable.
"I made a pledge ta protect this boy from bad influences Aeterna; I know what yer can do ta men." Aeterna's eyes met Khardran's gaze but she seemed to have a pleading look on her face
"But…" She whimpered "But he's such a cutie! C'mon just one quick round out back, I promise I won't break him…. Too much." At this last line a wicked grin came across her face as she looked at Mur'ne, making him yelp like an injured pup. Khardran stood emotionless, unmoved by the pleas of this strange young woman.
"Fine." Aeterna sighed "I'll go." She turned to face Mur'ne and stroked his head a little which sent shivers through his entire body "I'll be seeing you later sweetie." Aeterna made her way to the exit, laughing as she walked, sending chills through the spines of all within earshot. The confrontation between Aeterna and Khardran had severely dampened the mood of the whole Distillery which seemed to annoy Khardran
"Bloody witch! Yer better watch ya self around her boy, she's an azalea that one, poison wrapped in beauty with a sprinkling of pure evil ta top it off. C'mon I'll fetch yer a drink, looks like ya could do with one." Mur'ne hadn't realised but he was still shivering from when Aeterna touched him, he tried to shake it off but the thought of it unnerved him.
Khardran sat Mur'ne down at an unoccupied bench then proceeded to fetch two, very strong ale's.
"Get that down ya lad, trust me, it helps." Mur'ne gratefully accepted the jug of Thunderbrew Lager and greedily gulped down the sweet beverage. The atmosphere seemed to return to normal as a live band began to play, The Gryphon's performing their hit single Hotel Loch Modan. They were Khardran's favourite band and one of the most famous in Khaz Modan.
"On a cold snowy highway, snowflakes in my beard
Warm smell of the peacebloom, blowing in on the air"
Mur'ne sighed deeply while resting his head in his hands. Khardran noticed this and began to investigate the problem
"I know that look, what seems ta be the problem master Dawnrunner?"
"Oh the usual" replied Mur'ne as he casually sipped from his brew "sense of entrapment, a yearning for adventure, love life non-existent…" Suddenly, Mur'ne bashed his head onto the table-top and murmured "My life sucks." Khardran burst into laughter at Mur'ne's pathetic comments.
"Boy ya have yer whole life ahead of ya; yer'll battle, drink, love and laugh many times before ya die. So hold ya whining finish yer drink and bloody sing with me." When Khardran had finished Mur'ne downed his drink and joined in the sing-along with Khardran and the crowd
"Welcome to the Hotel Loch Modan
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place)
Such a sturdy base
It never snows at the Hotel Loch Modan
Any time of year (Any time of year)
The sun is shining here."
Unnoticed by the crowd, two gnomes had broken into an argument and began to fight in the middle of the entrance-hall while the rest of the drunken occupants started yelling
"BAR FIGHT!" Bar stools, fists and all manner of crockery was spilled violently through the air like a hurricane tearing through a beach house. The once peaceful bar denizens were now occupying themselves with destruction and chaos.
"A'ight Mur'ne" Khardran said with a widening grin "time for the most rewardin part of this job… Security." Khardran burst into action, throwing powerful punches into unsuspecting brawlers, screaming rather ironically
"NO FIGHTING IN THE BAR!" Mur'ne began to join in the fight, using his elven grace and strength to overpower opponents and throw them out of the Distillery. However, there were so many people in the bar that their sheer numbers were beginning to overwhelm him, he tried to call for Khardran but the noise of the crowd drowned out his pleas.
Two hulking figures dressed in dark purple and black robes, shrouded in hoods, descended upon him with daggers in hand, Mur'ne was unprepared for an armed battle, so he desperately sought a weapon or a way to escape. Is this the end he thought so much for 'my whole life ahead of me' Khardran you lying basta…. Without warning a blur shot through the shadows, lightning quick, and easily disarmed Mur'ne's assailants with two elegant movements. Finally the 'shadow spirit' kicked the hooded figures sending them careering into several other brawlers. Mur'ne was in shock, so much so that he didn't even react when the shadowy figure seized his hand and began to guide him out into the night.