After the ceremony was over, the four, ironically, were kicked out of the castle rather unceremoniously. They had the castle healers heal some of Alric and Cherry's wounds, and they sent the four of them on their way. In a daze, they kept walking and walking around the city until they reached the Similing Solari.
The four of them went inside despite it being quite empty. It was only the middle of the day after all. All that action only happened in the first half of the day; it was barely even noon. They sat down, and a barmaid came to take their orders. Cherry wordlessly held his hands up and showed four fingers. Seeing that they looked like shit, the barmaid just nodded and went to the bar.
The four of them sat in silence, letting the situation settle. A legendary hero on their side. Nearly condemned to death. A debt of 100,000 gold. What a way to start the day.
"Well, at least we're in the king's employ now, right, Alric? That counts as being a knight, doesn't it?" Cherry broke the silence and nudged Alric.
Alric's face twisted in anger at Cherry's words. Suddenly, he stood up and punched Cherry, knocking him from his seat. The bar's bouncer approached, but Cherry quickly gave a thumbs-up from the ground, signaling things were under control, so the bouncer walked away.
Cherry lay on the floor, blood coming out of his mouth. If there's anything he deserved getting today, it was this. Alric felt like he simmered down a little bit. He wanted to punch Cherry more, but that would probably kill him.
"I'm sorry I tricked you."
"Do you think sorry is enough!? What would have happened to me if we had succeeded in that heist? Would I have still been able to become a knight?"
"Yes, you would! I would have Lando take you under his wing!"
"Lando? You're kidding?"
Cherry raised his eyebrow in confusion, Eos handing him a napkin for his bloodied face, "He's a capable knight. Sure, he's lazy and takes bribes, but when things count, he's good for it."
"What do you need that money for anyway? Why would you steal royalty?"
"Because nobody at the palace blinks at 20,000 missing from their vault!"
"What about the doors that you busted through?"
"Lando had the doors covered!" Cherry insisted.
"If you need to punch me, get it over with! We've got to clear this massive debt together. Are we on the same page?"
Alric settled back into his seat, visibly calmer. Elfie turned away, resting her hand on her chin in thought, while Eos simply nodded with composure.
"Good, we're in agreement. First things first, we need rest! I propose that all of us come back to the Smiling Solari tomorrow night, refreshed and with a clear head. Then we can discuss our next steps, how about it?"
The three nodded in agreement. Then their drinks came, in a small glass that doesn't scream tavern but rather a fancy bar.
"You look like you need this—the strongest we've got. On the house." The barmaid winked.
Cherry picked up the drink and sniffed it. He retched, having an expression of utter disgust. He raised his glass, and the other three did the same. They tipped their glasses together and downed the drink. They smashed the glass back down to the table, and Alric's actually shattered.
The drink tasted absolutely disgusting. It was a sharp, hot bitterness as if they had drunk fire. Three of them had a sick expression, except Eos, who remained unfazed.
Then, unceremoniously, he got up from his chair and left the table.
"See you."
Elfie nodded at that and did the same, walking away without so much as a word, only a wave, where she didn't even look back.
Cherry and Alric were the two remaining, and the tension built up again.
"Alric, bucko, listen-"
"Save it. Cherry, save it. I haven't forgiven you yet, but for now we'll have to make do and work together."
He extended a hand, and Cherry quickly took it with a grateful expression on his face. With a bow, he took his leave and settled the bill with the barmaid.
Then it was Alric alone. He couldn't bring himself to stand up. Maybe it was the tiredness from his journey, the fact that he can wield a legendary sword, or just the alcohol.
What would the knights and the nuns say to him right about now? Rosaline would probably beat him to an inch of his life now, a 100,000 gold debt? He'll get strung up for even 100 in debt. Hector would probably laugh at him for being in debt and pat him on the back to keep fighting. The more he imagined the warmth back home, the more he couldn't help but cry. Maybe Lilianne was right, maybe she was on to something about him being over his head. He can't even become a knight normally.
"Did the table do something to you?"
A familiar voice rang. He looked up. Sunny, not in uniform, smiled brightly, giving Alric a brief escape from his thoughts. He chuckled and replied.
"Table did nothing wrong. Just thinking about things."
Sunny pulled out an empty chair, sat down across from Alric, and crossed her arms, studying him.
Hmmmm, that's not good. Only the smart should think. If people like me try, it'll probably lead to trouble."
Ouch. That struck a chord. "Are you smart, Alric?"
He scratched the back of his head, "I've been told I'm the opposite."
"Then let's stick to our strengths! I have a bright smile, that's why I'm a barmaid. You seem strong, so you can be an adventurer or a knight, even! leave the thinking to the thinkers!"
Alric nodded and laughed. He didn't know if those were the words he needed to hear, but seeing her Sunny smile was enough. She was right about that being bright.
Sunny held out her fist, "To our strengths!"
Alric smiled and returned the fist bump. "To our strengths!"
"Sunny! Are you changed yet? Hurry up so I can go home!" A different barmaid called from the back.
"Oh! I have to go, don't be a stranger, Al! I'll see you around!
Alric waved before seeing her scamper to the back. He decided to get up from the chair and immediately fell back down. It was the alcohol after all. He stumbled up until he was good and picked up Sunbringer. Seemed like the news of a new hero hadn't spread too far yet.
With his legendary greatsword at his back, he stumbled out of the Smiling Solari back to his lodgings. Drunk and alone in an unknown city with a new destiny thrust upon him? A new low for Alric, but it's only up from here!