Chapter 52: Night out

Peace and calmth. Those were the two attributes ruling the front of the lord's mansion. Crickets chirped, the moon was high and the pleasant warmth of a spring that tried to mimic summer just a little bit too well pleasantly covered the area.

Various mammals grazed the borders of the forest.

A sweet rabbit here, a peaceful deer there, they would have probably stayed and inspected more of this garden and its buffet of roses and other delicious plants, weren't it for the hallowing laughter.

"I did not expect that! Did you see his face?"

Cutting through the night like a knife spreading butter the deer flicked its ears up, judging the character of the unknown noise. It sidestepped on the spot, thinking it might have the chance to remain, but as soon as Craigh came into sight, it dashed, along with his bellowing words.

"You made him pay for our beer and called him a pig in his own house, now this is a lady I love serving!" the ginger bear announced, accompanied by a most approving cheer of the rest of the knights.

Flattered, albeit a bit concerned, Izaya glanced over his shoulders.

They had barely just left the mansion, Craigh should really keep his voice down at least until they had set some distance between them and the upset lord.

Shaking his head in a similarly disapproving manner Shizuo met Izaya's eyes.

They seemed to share the same idea as their lips curled into a smile nonetheless.

What an evening.

Had someone told Izaya two days ago that he would be fine sitting at a lord's mansion tongue twisting his words in a way that would benefit them all he would have laughed at the sheer absurdity.

But now?

Izaya felt a bit drained, and he knew by the weight sitting on his chest that he was nowhere near cured, but he felt good.

Fatigued maybe and a bit dizzy, but overall fine.

"Shizuo, may I?" Izaya questioned, nodding towards Shizuo's arm. Upon rising from their chairs Izaya had felt a short spike of confidence that his body was well enough to be left alone.

But facing the uneven road ahead plastered with cobblestone leading into the center of the nearby village he found himself more unsteady than he thought.

Cheers and laughter filled the nightly air and Shizuo shifted just a tad closer.

"Are you feeling okay?" it was a whisper barely audible to even Izaya.

The support requested was of course immediately provided, paired with a soft graze of concern spreading across Shizuo's expression.

Shizuo was incredibly warm compared to Izaya's body. It was as much supporting as it was comforting.

"A bit dizzy, but I think that's actually the wine." Izaya whispered back with mild amusement and Shizuo mirrored his expression paired with relief.

"Don't tell me you are drunk from a single glass?" It was a joke obviously, as they were both aware where the dizziness was coming from, but it was a most welcome deception.

"What if I were?" Izaya joked. It was just then, that the dim light of the inn not too far from them missed illuminating a particularly uneven cobblestone on the ground.

Izaya had not seen it, distracted by Shizuo as he was, and the second he did he already stumbled.

Quick reactions and even gentler arms immediately caught Izaya in his fall and sneaked around his body like a petal blossoming towards the sky.

Izaya wanted to laugh the action off, wanted to apologize for being so clumsy, but somehow his words got stuck in his throat when he gazed at Shizuo.

He was awfully silent. His arms had circled his waist and Izaya perhaps was a tiny little bit tipsy, because he suddenly wished they would touch him more.

A sharp whistle, louder than expected from a single mouth tore through the moment and Craigh laughed with a cheshire smile.

"My king, are you sure you don't want to stay in your bedroom?" Appearing more startled than offended, Shizuo finally moved and pulled Izaya up to his own feet.

"Shut your trap, Craigh-" he announced with a shake of head and smile on his lips as he continued his stride.

Laughter followed by the rest of the knights and Izaya couldn't help but snort as well.

In a way his slip up had somehow acted in favor of his act as the queen, how would he be able to complain about that?

Within a hot moment the door to the inn burst open. A tired fire crackled in the corner and an abundant amount of tables and chairs were left vacant.

Polishing a glass at the counter the innkeeper seemed mildly surprised about the entry of such motivated customers at this hour.

"Owner, a round of beer for all of us, if you may," Craigh announced as soon as he made eye contact with the old man. Live springing to his eyes the innkeeper wearing a beard longer than his wife's hair reached below the counter before chugging out a set of generous mugs. "Knights in our lands? What leads you here?" he questioned, while signing for his wife to fetch a fresh barrel from behind.

"We are going to rid your land of the curse," Alaric announced while walking towards the table standing closest to the fireplace.

Spare wood was placed next to the open fire and he quickly nodded towards the busy wife fumbling with her set of duties before aiding her in feeding the flames.

An appreciative nod was given by her and a smile cast from the owner.

Cackling, the old man proceeded to hand Alaric the first mug of beer and nodded repeatedly, "Ambitious and young, nothing I dislike."

Craigh was next to take his seat and speak with more volume than a mating bear. "Please, you could do the same, surely. A bit of training here, an armor there," he shrugged and the owner laughed approvingly.

"No, no, you flatter me, scoundrel," a quick jab was flicked to Craigh's shoulder before the old man showed a pleased grin, "But I ain't going to lie and say I don't like it." Grasping another mug filled with beer he heartily brought it to the table with a bit more force than intended.

A few droplets spilled, but the mood did not.

"This one is on the house," the owner announced with a satisfied grin, but Alaric was quick to wave him off.

Pausing in the midst of his sip he quickly shook his head.

"No need, Lord Hebaron is paying," he winked and utmost surprise called to the owner's expression before his laughter bellowed through the cozy inn. "In that case let me bring my best wine too!" It was only then that he noticed not only well fought knights but a woman had entered his inn as well.

Taking his seat at the same table Alaric and Craigh had chosen, he quickly met her eyes before executing a slightly crooked bow. "Pardon, I didn't see they brought a lady as refined as yourself with them," he fumbled with his words, trying to seem as polite as he knew to be. "Would you fancy a glass of homemade strawberry wine perhaps?"

Pulling the chair next to Izaya away, it was Shizuo who sat down.

A short glance was exchanged and Izaya smiled gallantly.

"I would love to."

"If it's not a bother I would love to try it as well," Carlyle called from one table across and the owner snorted. "Can't handle liquor my friend?"

Mug after mug was placed down in front of the other knights by the owner's wife and Carlyle politely declined the mug she was trying to serve him.

"Not as well as the rest of us," he admitted and the owner nodded.

"And you?" his old eyes had darted to Crispin who was sitting furthest from the mass of motivated knights. His arms were crossed, his attitude as cold and stiff as back at the fire and he shortly shook his head.

"Only a sober knight is a good knight."

Izaya had expected as much from Crispin, but it seemed the owner wasn't quite having the excuse.

Before Crispin knew it a heartily slap to his back unlocked his arms and a mug filled with beer was shoved into his hands anyway.

"I like your attitude! But a good bit of fun here or there doesn't hurt!" the owner announced, and the rest of the knights laughed.

The way Crispin stared at the mug, lost like a kitten in the woods was just a tad too hilarious to simply ignore.

Being the serious character of a man he was, there was no way he would reject an offer made of pure goodwill.

Looking towards his brother, Karazam chuckled. "Now that you have it, it would be rude to turn him down."

A long drawn out sigh followed and Crispin gave in, taking a sip from the beer.

Lothar wasn't sitting far from Izaya's table and he could see him shake his head for a few seconds. Why he wasn't sure, but somehow he had a feeling he would find out later.

"So? What do you think about the curse?"

With laughter and jokes traveling down and above inside the lively inn, Izaya hadn't expected such a serious topic all of a sudden.

But the knights did it seemed.

Having received his own mug despite having tried to turn it down, Shizuo took a small sip. Even the innkeeper seemed to have noticed the shift of air and politely withdrew back to the counter.

"You know I only believe what I can touch and see," Shizuo announced and Craigh nodded, obviously matching his idea of the so-called curse.

"Want me to lend an ear to the villagers?" Alaric suggested and Crispin snorted. "And receive complaints about a flirty knight?"

Short laughter followed from all knights present and Alaric jumped to his feet in playful offense. "Hey, I'm just chivalrous."

"And I'm the queen." Craigh snorted, calling mischief to Chester's face. "Dresses would suit you as well as a bear," he pointed out.

"Really, you want to see me in one? No problem, I'm sure the lady would lend me some." Craigh laughed and raised the mug towards Izaya in a quick toast.

Karazam seemed to be the only one slightly disturbed by the excretion of prudery in front of the queen. "Everyone, please, the lady is still here-" he quickly called to order, but his words drowned in the busy rustling of chairs and cheers.

Meeting Izaya's gaze he showed an apologetic sigh and Izaya snorted, "I don't mind," he said, then raised his voice loud enough to be heard, "But I'm afraid to tell you they will probably tear."

Laughter followed from all sides and Craigh showed a devastated smile, "Dang it and there goes your chance to see my mesmerizing beauty."

Even the owner joined the laughter at this point and Shizuo shook his head in similar amusement.

But the topic of the evening had still not reached a proper conclusion.

"The idea was a good one. As long as we don't know the real reason for the villager's disappearance it will be good to have our eyes and ears everywhere," Shizuo announced and overall approval reflected in his knight's expressions.

"As you command!" Craigh announced with a quick toast and this time even Crispin raised his mug with a quick polite nod.

Unexpected music suddenly resounded from the counter and the knights turned to face the innkeeper's wife. A lute was resting in her arms and a vibrant melody full of life and peace filled the warm space.

As if on cue the front door opened and Alaric chugged down his entire mug in one go before pushing himself off the table.

"Now this is my kind of tavern," he announced and Izaya followed his gaze.

A few local ladies, probably curious about who was causing such a scene in the middle of the night, had entered the tavern and Alaric was quicker by their side than the owner asking for their choice of drinks.

Within a second the women's expressions were marked with flattered laughter and the owner approached Izaya.

"Your wine, my lady," he announced curtly while placing a glass filled with the desired strawberry wine onto the table. Izaya nodded politely and grasped the treat with both hands.

He obviously didn't know who they were.

Of course, how would he guess? Shizuo was no fan of wearing the kingdom's emblem and showing off status. And as far as the owner was concerned Izaya was a noble lady being protected by a few knights. "Thank you," he quickly appreciated the owner's effort to bring him his specialized drink and took a small sip.

It actually tasted good.

Smooth.

Sweet.

In a way that seemed similar to Shinra's medicine but in all the right ways. Made his chest feel warm too.

Speeding up just slightly the background music of the lute transformed into one capable of dancing too and Izaya spotted Alaric as he gently pulled the shyest girl of the room to her feet.

Slight hints of embarrassment, but overall joy decorated her expression and Izaya somehow found himself thinking about Mairu.

Dancing was one of the capabilities every lady had to practice at some point, and while Kururi had been the essence of elegance in every move, Mairu had been anything but that. She excelled in every other physical action but when it came to dancing her confidence fleeted.

It had taken hours and days of practice for her to manage a simple dance.

… a dance she probably didn't need anymore.

Noticing that Izaya's expression had somehow slipped into a somber one Shizuo leaned just a little bit closer.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." The answer came as quick as it was hated, and Izaya realized his mistake as soon as he faced the soured expression on Shizuo's face. Right. He was probably worried about his body. About his sickness. He probably thought he was feeling unwell. Sighing softly Izaya leaned closer with a faint whisper on his lips. "I used to teach my sisters how to dance."

His gaze turned to the newly arrived ladies and Alaric, trying to dance with all of them at the same time Shizuo blinked.

"To this song?"

Izaya nodded and Shizuo hummed.

He could see it.

The longing gaze in Izaya's eyes.

Shizuo didn't really know what got into him, but before he knew it he had chugged down his mug of beer and risen to his feet.

A hand was offered, and Izaya blinked at what was undeniably an invitation for a dance.

to be continued~