Nonetheless, it was worth an attempt. Tomas knew that if they told Gharland what had happened, he would do something about it. The man was cold and sometimes cruel, but he would not stand for unruly behaviour within his company.
“They were going to…” Rilan gasped. He took another swig of his beer.
“Rilan, it’s alright. We stopped anything from happening,” Tomas said.
“I shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.”
“You went out for a piss, it’s not your fault.”
“I shouldn’t have needed your help. I feel pathetic.”
Tomas patted his friend on the back as Rilan lowered his head once again. “There is no shame in getting help from those around you.”
“We all need a little help sometimes,” Landry added.
Rilan nodded. His conscience said one thing, his emotions said another. Tomas knew of that internal battle and could see it in Rilan’s face.
“We need to look out for each other, otherwise none of us will make it. Just like we agreed when we were conscripted. Just like we agreed when we signed on with Gharland,” Tomas said.
Landry leant forward. “How about I give you two some lessons on how to use those?” he said, nodding at the sheathed swords they had placed on the tabletop. “Every night after we set up camp, we can run through some practice drills, like my master-at-arms did with me when I was growing up.”
Tomas and Rilan looked to each other with intrigue in their eyes. It was a good idea.
“Aye. I like the sound of that,” Rilan said with a little more confidence in his tone.
“I don’t see why not? We can learn to properly defend ourselves,” Tomas added.
“If you had seen Tomas fight in the battle at Barrowtown, you’d know he’s a lost cause already, though,” Rilan murmured with a smirk.
Tomas elbowed Rilan and took a sip of his drink.
Landry sat back with a smile. “Alright, starting tonight, we will practice.”
The barmaid arrived back with three bowls of steaming rabbit stew, mixed with herbs, green beans, mushrooms, onions, and cabbage.
“My lady, you are a champion,” Landry announced. “My stomach has been grumbling so much, I thought it had taken on a life of its own.”
The barmaid grinned. “Enjoy, boys.” She refilled their tankards, glancing back at Tomas with a gorgeous smile. “Second round is on the house.”
“That’s very generous of you,” Tomas thanked.
“Oi, barmaid, get over here,” Ref shouted across the room, licking his cracked lips.
The girl turned and glared at them, then sat down at the table beside Tomas. “I’m Hila, by the way.”
Tomas couldn’t help but smirk at Hila’s purposeful ignorance towards Ref and Styna. It seems she had taken onboard what Tomas had said to her.
“I’m Tomas, this is Rilan, and that there is Landry.”
They all shook the barmaid’s hand politely, making sure to avoid eye contact with the grimacing Ref and Styna from across the room.
“Eat up, boys.”
The three began to feast on their hot stew. The warmth of the meal was the best part, after riding for so long in the bitter cold. It was enough to make them forget about the blistering snow and chilly winds outside.
Tomas picked out the chunks of rabbit meat from his meal with his spoon, handing them over to Rilan and Landry’s bowls for them to eat. He would not eat the meat, but still did not want it to go to waste.
“Not a fan of meat, are you?” Hila said.
“Actually, I don’t eat it at all, funny enough,” Tomas said.
“Out-of-towners are always so strange!” Hila laughed.
Tomas practically inhaled the rest of the broth. The herbs added some tang to the flavour, while the vegetables were crunchy and sweet.
Landry spread some butter onto the warm, crispy bread slices, handing one to Tomas and Rilan. Hila watched them eat with a delighted smile.
“It’s delicious,” Rilan said with his cheeks full of food.
“Thanks, I just cooked it up fresh this morning.”
It felt good for Tomas to have a full stomach. They’d rationed their supplies over the trip, meaning that every meal had been a small meal the last several days.
“How long have you worked her for, Hila?” Tomas said.
“My father owns the Pickled Kraken. I’ve worked for him since I was a little girl.”
Tomas saw an older, balding man in an apron helping work the floor; he guessed it was Hila’s father.
“What’s it like?”
Hila shrugged, scrunching up her face. “Truth be told, I’d rather be out exploring the world, not freezing away in this dump. But I won’t be leaving Winterglade any time soon. Father needs my help as he gets older. His bones hurt more than they used to, especially in these colder months.”
Tomas nodded. He heard a lot of himself within Hila. The urge to be free, to run. To explore.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to leave your home,” he said. “I used to feel the same way, about wanting to run and never return. Fight as a knight in some king’s magnificent army, or adventure across the kingdoms with a caravan of entertainers. But the truth of it is far less glorious.”
“The world’s a dangerous place,” Rilan added.
“Don’t be so hasty to forego the comforts you already have. Sometimes, the greenest pastures are the ones you already sow.”
Hila listened intently and considered Tomas’s words.
Tomas did not know what he wanted anymore. Once, he thought he did. But it was as if the last several weeks had taught him more than he had learned his whole life. His view of the world was not as pristine as it once was. He felt as if pulling the reins on his dreams was the right thing to do in order to stay alive and stay safe in this twisted existence.
Tomas took another
