Bab 14: Old friend
After washing himself, Thomas and Bron joined him, wearing some casual clothes.
Bron was openly excited. As expected going to eat out is not something common.
"Where do you want to eat? I know no good place."
"I know one. A friend of mine runs it. Her name is Diana, a nice women, running the honeycomb around the Guild street."
"Diana? An old flame maybe?", Leo teased.
"Not really, cheeky brat. We were colleges once. After disbanding, we kept contact, and she settled down here."
They spoke on their way to the Honeycomb, which was as he heard a Inn and restaurant in one.
The mentioning of colleges peaked Leo's interest.
"What was your work relationship? As Adventurers?"
"No, when I was part of the mercenary group. It is a longer story. In short, I was young, these group took me in and helped me. Over time, I got to know some of my fellow man, or women, better. After disbanding, I work here as a smith.
She came later, sorting her things out and opening her Inn."
Leo stopped bothering him, as he noticed this topic is not something Thomas wants to talk about.
'What kind of story does this old bear has?', he wondered.
Not bothering for the moment, they began to chat. Until they arrived at the Inn, they talked about this and that.
Arriving, Leo saw the Inn. Walking past it many times, he never went inside.
"You will like it, she is a fantastic cook.", Thomas said.
"She's cooking? I thought she runs it."
"She is the owner, yes, but her passion was always cooking. Her son is running the counter, helping out. He is not on good terms with Sam, so we rarely come here."
He wasted no more words, going in, followed by Bron and Leo.
"Welcome to the Honeycomb.", they were greeted.
At the counter not far, a tall, handsome youth was working. He had short, blond hair and a wide stature. He wore a west, complimenting his look.
"Oh, welcome Mr. Thomas. Ma already asked when you would visit again. Should I get her?", he asked friendly.
'Even if his relation with Sam is bad, he seems to get along with old man.', Leo thought.
"Not necessary, I would like to meet her after eating a bit. My little friend here," he nodded towards Leo," will pay. Else I would have taken more time."
"Taking advantage of him?" the guy joked. He turned to Leo:
"I know he wouldn't do that. Probably a special occasion?"
"My first pay, and I promised to invite him and Bron. Sam was unavailable sadly."
Leo probed, interested why this guy has a feud with Sam.
"Aaalright, we take a seat for now. Come Bron, we search for a meal already."
Thomas quickly realized Leo's intention, opening some space for them.
"Can you give us a menu Keith?"
Sighing , Keith handed over a folded card, turning and winking Leo to him.
Leo followed, curious to hear the reason.
Keith turned over to him, gave him a chair and sat down on another one.
Leo copied his action, staring at him.
"Why are you out to get me agitated? Thomas must have told you I cannot get along with Sam.", he asked.
"Just curious. I think of Sam as a honest, nice person and what he could have done to deserve hate.", he replied honest.
"As you are a friend of Thomas, I will explain. We may meet more often in the future.
You see, not too long ago I was sometimes out there with Sam, Leah and Henry. We were on some missions together, at least when Ma could employ another helper.
So, we went on a mission together, supposed to be a easy one. Just clear a new Goblin den, cutting their ears and done.
So we went there, all high and confident. After fighting there against them, we were unprepared.
The den was a bandit hideout before, and they left some toys there.
We so fought against a lot of these green shits, and they had weapons and a Hobgoblin leading them."
Leo listened attentive. The reason for the feud seemed not so small as snatching a girl or some loot.
Keith carried on:
"At one point, we were ready to escape. We managed to kill the Hobgoblin, and the Goblins would quickly after disperse. We had sustained some damage, and thought that was enough.
What we didn't expect was another group of Goblins, who were out hunting.
So we fought again, and then, Sam did something outrageous. He unleashed a spell, filled with his element.
At that time, he had no proper training, and his control was nearly non-existing.
I was fighting next to him, and received some of the force behind that attack."
Keith unintentional laid his hand on his chest, taking some deep breaths.
His face got paler over time, and began panting.
"Is everything ok? If it's too much, I apologize.", Leo said worried.
This is clearly not normal, and he has gotten lasting damage from that time.
'Let's not push him. I have no right to do so.' He was somewhat ashamed.
Without knowing anything prior, other than that Sam is a good guy, he wanted information. That was not considering his opponents feelings or situation.
"No, just a moment.", Keith said, stabilizing his breathing.
"Leah and Henry were fortunate enough to be far away. And that Sam's Energy was lacking.
But it was still so powerful that it pushed me away, down a hill and into the bushes."
Here Keith opened his west, lifted the brown shirt underneath and showed Leo his chest.
He was shocked.
A big mark, on the left next to the heart, was there. It healed not perfect, showing a lack of proper treatment.
"How?" asked Leo dejected.
'A wound like that must be fatal, even in this world.'
"When I fell, my chest was pierced by a branch which laid at an pretty bad angle. It punctured my lung and broke some ribs.
I lost a lot of blood and suffered an infection afterwards. I only survived thanks to Ma and Thomas.
They spent a lot of money on medicine and potions, making quite some depts."
"But that wasn't his attempt, to hurt you like that." Leo stammered.
"I know, but his reckless move still was the reason. I don't hate him per se, but I don't want him in my sight. Understand my point.", He asked serious.
Leo only nodded awkwardly. He did not expect a reason like that, something so lasting.
Keith showed then a kind smile, lifting the shadows covering his eyes.
"Now that that's cleared, please look over the menu."
He brought him back, seating him besides Thomas.
He left then again, talking to another guest who came in.
"He told you?", Thomas asked careful.
"Yes. I... I don't know how to react to that. He has a point in being angry, but also Sam did it to help.
But what about you?", Leo questioned him. "He said you got in debt together with his mother to save him."
Thomas smiled, putting down the menu and replying:
"I would do it anytime again. Not for anyone, but for those near me, sure."
He paused. Thinking back to that time.
"I owe her at least this much."
Leo couldn't hear that last part. But from the peaceful expression he could tell he regret nothing.
"Your order?" Keith came back, as if nothing happened between them.
"I take the Chicken with vegetables, Bron a sausage with mashed potatoes and some asparagus. Leo?"
"Same as Mr. Thomas, please." As he could not even read the menu, he just ordered Thomas choice.
"Coming right up." He left for the kitchen.
"So, who is the owner of that Inn, except your old acquaintance?", Leo asked.
Even Bron who was quiet the whole time wanted to know and listened.
"Huh, nothing much anyway.
As said, we were on a team in a mercenary group, me as a body magic vanguard and she as support magician. A great one at that. We did missions together, laughed and shared good as bad times.
After I retired due to family, I left, and the team disbanded shortly after.
Diana, her name, was always a great support for me. I had feelings for her, won't deny it, but that was a long time ago.", he said. From his voice Leo saw that he wasn't the least bit bitter about that past. Also he did not want to dig even deeper. His curiosity mostly satisfied.
"Here is your order" came a announcement. But not from Keith, as they thought, but from a pretty, somewhat aged female with apron and bandana. Her eyes glistened and her smile was bright. The short shoulder length, blond hair turning in a beautiful silver-grey.
Thomas closed his eyes, smiling, He shook his head and said:
"And I wanted to surprise you. It's been quite some time, Diana."
She also smiled, showing some teeth.
"Too long. Great to see you alive and kicking."
"I won't leave my bones till I repay you, as promised."
He watched her, affection still in his eyes, despite his comment.
'He has no feelings, no shit.' Leo could only shake his head inwardly.
"And I said, you have no promise to keep, as your dept is paid thrice."
They laughed, more from glee than happiness.
Thomas then stood up, walked over to her and opened his arms.
She fell into his hug, and began to shed some tears.
"I'm so glad to see you again, Thomas.", she said with a shaking voice.
Her hands cramping, holding him tight.
"Me too.", he replied silent. 'Damn good to see you..."
They stood there for a moment. Even Keith came back, watching his mother from the counter, showing a content expression.
He walked over, holding a plate in his hand. Placing it down, he said to Diana:
"Ma, how about you eat with them. I handle the kitchen in the moment."
Diana nodded, leaving Thomas's embrace. Together the four sat down, enjoying a healthy meal.
Thomas and Diana began to talk about some time as mercenaries, Leo about his first day as a combat partner and Bron how he worked in the smithy. They laughed at Leo's story how often he had to eat mud thanks to Sophie's techniques, were thrilled by Thomas's story how they slew a giant lizard together with the soldiers of a noble.
Even Bron presented a little brooch, crude but pretty. They complimented him, as he was getting proficient in terms of forging and detailed craftsmanship.
Long after the meal was eaten, they talked about this and that.
Leo thought that Diana was a open person, who freely expressed her emotions.
But maybe only because of Thomas.
'Every time Thomas is talking, her eyes show that glistening again. I bet my shield she likes him.
Why can they not be together?', but after a second thought:
'Why do I even try to intervene. It's their life, not mine. Uninvited help from an outsider can be more harmful than helpful.'
Leo felt he had to step back, leaving this topic for the two.
'Maybe in the future.'
"Here is your bill." Keith chose the moment before they were to depart.
'The total is 32 copper, not including Ma's share, of course."
"Can't you make it cheaper for them, After all he is my dear old friend. And Leonardo is paying" She pleaded.
Keith remained firm.
"You already gave them bigger portions as you heard they were here. Let them at least pay the normal price."
"He is right, Ms. Diana."
Leo handed Keith a silver coin from his pouch. He received it, took his own and changed it to 18 copper. "Your change."
'So one silver is equivalent to 50 copper more or less. Noted.'
Thomas and Diana stood in front of each other.
"Till next time, I won't be away that long. Okay?", Thomas said, already hugging her for goodbye.
"Sure, just stay healthy and visit soon. Keith likes to see you more often, too." She whispered to him.
Then they left, a good evening ending with a long overdue reunion.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone