Mest settled back on his chair and with careful attention began to roll another leaf. He took his time, making his friend wait, who was tapping his finger patiently on the counter. When he finished his masterpiece, he leaned back comfortably and took a deep drag. With a pensive look, he watched the smoke slowly billow across the ceiling, as if he were looking at the windswept clouds floating in the sky. He sighed deeply, as one at peace with life.117Please respect copyright.PENANATQW9wpCOfv
- I just wandered around... As I told Anne, we’ll catch up on such things later on when it’s the three of us.
Hobb continued tapping on the counter with a disgruntled expression. Mest rolled his eyes.
- Come on, what do you expect from me, old man? You want me to summarize years in a few minutes? I'll tell you when we’ll have more time and peace.
- I’m beginning to understand how your pipe feels... but all right, have it your way. Speaking of which, you're staying with us for a while now, aren't you?
- A few days at the most, two or three.117Please respect copyright.PENANAbPF3UxHpwS
- So little?
- You know I can't stay in one place for too long.
Hobb hummed to himself.
- I know, I know... Still, I was hoping you'd stay longer. But even a few days is more than nothing. I know you're not the chatty type, but you're gonna have to get used to talking now, at least till you are here. I could do with a little nostalgia, and six years is a long time, I’m eager to hear your stories. Hold on a second.
Hobb tapped a pint each for the two young men who were about to lean against the counter, probably mercenaries escorting a merchant by the look of them. Although on other days he was as happy to chat with the passers-by as he was with the locals, this time he didn't want to give them time to get comfortable near the barrels rather than their tables. He wanted to talk to his friend undisturbed, so after serving them quickly, he returned to Mest.
- So what did you bring in that big bag of yours? If I may know, of course.
Mest took on a bitter expression.
- Mostly dirt. And, you know, the usual stuff you need for everyday survival. Stinky torn clothes, worn out rags, rotten food, stale water... What might have some value are a few withered plants. Everything else I have either long since used up or sold. Not everyone is as generous as you when it comes to food and shelter, especially not to vagrants like me. If I wanted to be sour on life, but we both know that even my bones are made of good faith, I would say that some of them even charge more than usual, as a tacit hint on that I have to pay for their silence as well besides their goods. So even if I get a few pieces of silver, I'll soon have only spiderwebs in my purse.
Hobb waved through the assorted bottles and dishes.
- As I said, as long as you're here, you can sleep, eat and drink as much as you like, you're my guest – he grinned slyly at Mest - It's worth staying a few more days!
Jasu leaned on his desk and tried to get up again. He certainly trusted its four legs more than his own two.
- I overheard here with half an ear that the rag-tag stink bug doesn't have to pay - his voice gave the impression of having swallowed a rusty rasp, along with the cast iron pot it was still scratching from the inside - Why do I have to pay? Can’t I not pay? - he finally managed to straighten up. Only then did it become apparent that he was actually quite a handsome lad. Although he did not have a robust physique, his wiry muscles showed that they had been trained by decent work. He was somewhere in his mid-twenties. Raising his bare, angular face and spreading his hands, he turned around as if addressing the whole folk of the village – Why do I... - he hiccupped - Why do we have to pay?
- Shut up Jasu, Hobb hosts whoever he wants! This is his inn - came a voice from a table, which was followed by a few "yes" and "come on man" from several others.
- You really wanna do this again? - said someone from another table - Take out your anger on a stranger? Have you lost all sense? 117Please respect copyright.PENANASYGxsdUPNb
Anne's voice came from nearby.
- Jasu, you know I'm as sorry as everyone else here for what happened, but please don't be a rude jerk. Especially not to him.
It's possible that Jasu deliberately ignored everything he heard, although it could also be so that it simply didn't reach his consciousness. Either way, he was not moved.
- Why shouldn't this pile of dirt have to pay?
Mest continued to sit unconcerned, his back to the whole scene, while he sipped his now umpteenth pint of free drink surprisingly loudly, humming and grunting in contentment from time to time. Unlike his friend, Hobb's patience was wearing thin rapidly, which his stiff neck and shoulders made obvious even to the uncertain. He slammed angrily on the counter, which crackled with restrained pain under his iron fist. It was then that it really showed that he still had strength matching even three well-trained mercenaries’.
- You never know when to shut your mouth, Jasu - he frowned - So I'll tell you. Now. While I'm asking you nicely. You have no idea who you are messing with, and believe me it's better if it stays that way - after he took a few deep breaths, his voice softened slightly - Jasu... Haven't we got enough trouble already? Don't you have enough problems? Does it help if you get in fight with strangers?
Jasu opened his mouth and held up his index finger as if wanting to reply with an intelligent comment. He looked at Hobb. He put his finger down, closed his mouth, and sank back into the gloomy darkness of his table.
- I’m sorry, Mest, it's not like him - sighed Hobb.
- Mmhm - his friend acknowledged, as he savoured the leaf hanging from his mouth.
- I'm not saying he's never been a jerk, but he's not a bad kid. He's got a big heart and he's honest, he just had it tough lately. To top it all off, he got into quarrel with some weird fellow shortly before you arrived, and it has been poking his self-esteem ever since.
- Is that so? Well tell me, what happened?
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