Page 97 of Whispers of the Elderoak

He led her through the crowds and outside to a long table where everyone was already seated with a drink in hand.

“Ava!” shouted Jorrar as he held up his pint, his arm around Kai. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“He’s already drunk,” whispered Raine as she sat down in an empty seat next to Kai, Raine sitting on the other side of her. “Slow down, old man,” Raine said, leaning over Ava and Kai. “You gotta let me catch up.”

Jorrar chuckled, taking another sip. On the other side of the table sat Thorne, Quinn, Fanya and Casimir. She was surprised to see Thorne out casually with the group, wondering if this was typical for him.

“It’s nice to see you again, Ava,” said Fanya enthusiastically from across the table.

Ava smiled. “You too.”

Thorne scrutinized her over his mug of ale and she fidgeted at his intense assessment. “You look well rested. How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thanks to Kai.” She turned to him and smiled. “Thanks again.”

He squeezed her arm gently and nodded.

A barmaid arrived with two pints, setting them in front of Ava and Raine and as she was about to take a sip, a tall brooding Orc winked at Raine.

Raine leaned in. “See him?” Ava nodded. “That’s who I’m going home with tonight.”

She stifled a laugh and whispered harshly. “We haven’t even been here five minutes and you’re already lusting after a stranger and yet you gave me shit about this morning.”

“What happened this morning?” Quinn asked.

“Oh,” Raine answered. “Well, Ava and I were?—”

Ava pinched his leg under the table. “Nothing. Nothing happened.”

“You’re violent.” Raine rubbed his leg.

Quinn started laughing and Ava gave her a half smile. Turning away she met eyes with Casimir who was looking at her with almost no expression save for a hint of amusement in his eyes. He knew exactly what they were talking about.

Ava looked away and took a sip of her drink, almost choking immediately. “What is this?” She gasped, looking at Raine.

“It’s ale, dear.”

She shook her head as she noticed the others laughing at her. “That’snotale.”

“It’s made right here,” explained Thorne across from her. “It’s the owner’s specialty.”

“It’s a tad dark,” said Fanya apologetically. “And a bit strong.”

“I’ll say,” Ava replied. She took another sip, wincing, but swallowed it. She didn’t want to offend the owner.

Kai leaned in. “You don’t have to drink that.”

“Are you sure?” she whispered. “I don’t want to upset anyone.”

Kai nodded and then waved to the closest bar maiden. She approached, and he whispered something in her ear before she disappeared. The woman returned within minutes and set down a new pint of drink in front of Ava, smiling brightly as she disappeared before Ava even had a chance to thank her.

“I’ll take that.” Raine grabbed her first pint, sloshing it on the table, and took a swig, somehow already finished with his own.

Ava tried a sip of the new drink and smiled as she swallowed the sweet taste. “What is that?” she asked Kai.

“Honeyed mead,” he replied. “I don’t like that other stuff either.”

“Thanks, it’s delicious.”

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