Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: Closing circle Chapter 213: Closing circle Garvin sat in a shadowy corner of a bustling tavern, nursing a small drink and slowly coming to terms with his newfound wealth.

He was a rich man now, something that felt both exhilarating and dangerously surreal.

He was down-to-earth enough to realize that walking around with a fortune in silver could easily turn deadly if he wasn’t careful.

Carrying enough money to buy a fine war-horse and live comfortably for years wasn’t wise in a place like this, so he’d already taken steps to safeguard his fortune.

The night before, he’d secured a private room and hidden most of his silver in a spot only he knew, a small, carefully dug hole behind a loose floorboard under his bed.

The tavern was warm and filled with the smell of roasting meat, ale, and the low hum of chatter.

He sat back, letting his nerves finally ease a bit as he glanced around the room.

A young woman, her hair pulled back and eyes sharp with the kind of curiosity that was common in taverns, approached his table, smiling softly.

“What’ll it be tonight, sir?” Garvin fished out a silver coin from his pouch and dropped it on the counter with a satisfying clink.

“Something good to eat, and something to drink,” he said, his voice steady.

The girl’s eyes widened briefly at the sight of a full silver piece before her fingers swept it up.

She leaned in a little closer, her hand drifting down to rest lightly on his arm.

“Of course,” she murmured, her voice dropping to a lower tone.

“And… is there anything else you’d like tonight, sir?” Her fingers traced his arm lightly, suggestively.

Garvin’s mouth quirked up in a half-smile as he shook his head, enjoying the moment but careful not to give too much away.

“Just food and drink, lass.

That’ll be more than enough for me.” ”Suit yourself” she answered in an acid tone.

Garvin watched the girl as she took his coin and walked back to fetch his order, a faint smile playing on his lips.

She was cute, no doubt about it, and in other circumstances, he might have enjoyed her company.

But now that he had real wealth, his mind was moving in a different direction entirely.  He imagined buying a small property somewhere-maybe a modest home with a bit of land.

Something that was his, where he could find stability and security for the first time in his life.

Yet there was also something keeping him on edge.

He could feel the paranoia growing within him.

He couldn’t risk anyone discovering the extent of his wealth.

The girl might be charming, but he wasn’t about to bring anyone into the room he was renting .  As he waited for his food, he kept one hand close to his pouch, his gaze occasionally scanning the room, eyeing everyone with cautious suspicion.

He was no stranger to rough company, but with this much silver, he understood that he’d have to keep a sharp lookout at all times.

The girl returned soon with a plate of hot stew and a sturdy cup filled to the brim with dark ale.

She set them down in front of Garvin with a small smile, and he nodded his thanks, lifting the cup to his lips and taking a long drink.

The ale was strong and smooth, warming his throat as it went down.

He dug into the stew, savoring the hearty flavor as he let his eyes wander around the inn.

Across the room, a group of patrons was hunched over a small table, rolling dice and laughing raucously with each win or loss.

The clink of coins was audible over the hum of conversations, and Garvin’s fingers instinctively twitched toward his pouch.

A game of dice was tempting, but he knew better.

One should never flash money openly, especially in places like this where strangers became too interested too quickly.

He continued eating, his thoughts turning inward.

For the first time, he considered his future in earnest.

He could see himself buying land, maybe even starting a small farm if he could find the right place.

Garvin gripped his ale tighter, I’ve gotta get out of this city… sooner, the better.

Can’t risk anyone from the palace recognizing me, he thought, his eyes scanning the inn for anyone watching him too closely, his face was after all watched by servants and guards, and the court must had sent any men they had in search of them.  He took another bite of his food, trying to ignore the creeping sense of dread.

And it’s not just the palace guards I need to worry about.

If I were them…He glanced around, If I were Ravinius, I’d be cleaning up loose ends, making sure no one can talk.

Taking that silver meant I was making my own choice-to get out before they could make that choice for me, there would be no happy ending there….

When he accepted the silver, he’d done so with the full understanding that it meant running.

It had been a risk worth taking-but only if he could make it out of the city safely.

Leaving tonight would be ideal, but he realized he had a problem: he’d need a horse, and it was far too late to buy one now.

The stables would be locked tight, and trying to purchase a horse at this hour would only draw unwanted attention.

That meant he’d have to wait until morning, stay one more night within these walls, vulnerable and uneasy.

Grimacing, he took another swig of ale, hating the feeling of being trapped, even temporarily.  When he accepted the silver, he’d done so with the full understanding that it meant running.

It had been a risk worth taking-but only if he could make it out of the city safely.

Grimacing, he took another swig of ale, hating the feeling of being trapped, even temporarily.  Garvin shifted in his seat, the murmur of the tavern suddenly feeling too quiet.

Maybe they’ve already paid someone to finish me off, he thought, eyes narrowing as he scanned the room.

The group of patrons rolling dice seemed to be glancing his way, laughter too forced, too staged.

And that young man in the corner-he’d been throwing just a bit too many fleeting looks, just enough for Garvin to notice.

So this is it, huh?, he looked down at his stew as he realized what he was doing , destined to spend every day wondering who’s lurking behind me, watching every shadow for a blade.

What kind of life is that?” With a sudden resolve, he made his choice and raised his hand, signaling for the girl.

When she came over, he set down another silver on the counter, letting it land with a heavy clink.

“I want the drinks to keep coming,” he said, his voice loud enough to reach the ears of any patron interested in his table a little to much.  The girl’s eyes flicked to the silver, her smile widening.

“They’ll keep coming,” she promised, pocketing the coin and giving him an approving nod.

Garvin leaned back in his chair, lifting his cup as if in salute to whoever might be watching him.

“To the rest of this cursed night, then,” he muttered to himself, taking a long drink.

——- Five cups in, Garvin was a mess of swaying limbs and unsteady steps.

He rose from his seat, only to immediately lose his footing and crash to the floor, drawing a round of laughter from the patrons.

Drunk and indignant, he slurred out, “Shut upf- !” but it only fueled their amusement.

Grumbling, he reached for a nearby chair, dragging himself up with a barely steady hand and stumbling toward the door.

He lurched out into the night air, his steps erratic as he staggered down the road, nearly falling more than once.

To any passerby, he was just another fool who’d had one too many.

Yet, for anyone sharp enough to notice, there was something calculated beneath his stumbling.

Every time he tripped, he fell with his face angled back, eyes darting over his shoulder to check for anyone trailing him.

When he veered too far to one side, he turned it into a staggered pivot, giving himself a quick glimpse of the shadows behind.

And with every glance, he hoped he was the only one who knew how much he was looking back.

Someone was following him…

He hadn’t been able to catch the figure’s face, but there was no doubt in his mind-someone was following.

His mind scrambled through the possibilities.

Could just be a thief thinking I’m an easy mark with this drunk act, he thought and hoped.

But then there was the other option…

Thinking fast, Garvin suddenly swayed to the left, lurching hard as if the drink had finally gotten the best of him.

His coin pouch slipped from his belt, tumbling to the ground with a clink as silver coins spilled onto the cobbled street, glittering under the streetlight.

Garvin leaned down to look at the scattered coins.

For a few long seconds, he swayed over them, his expression blank, before letting out a loose chuckle and waving his hand in dismissal.

He stumbled on, leaving the coins where they lay, hoping his follower would take the bait.

He did not and kept walking forward.

Garvin felt a trickle of sweat run down his temple despite the chill in the night air.

His heart drummed faster, and he knew he needed to act.

He staggered forward, turning sharply into a narrow, dimly lit street.

That was it,  He thought as the knowledge he was right did not please him one bit.

Once out of sight, he pressed himself against the wall, breathing shallowly as he slipped his dagger from its sheath, its blade cold in his hand.

He steadied his grip, the handle firm against his palm as he listened to the approaching footsteps, his hands trembling and his mind overworking.

Seconds ticked by, each one lengthening as the sound grew closer, boots scuffing against the cobblestones.

When a shadow began to emerge from the corner, Garvin moved like lightning and lunched forward.