Ananiel

The cobblestone streets dulled the atmosphere as the sky got progressively more cloudy. An artistic scenery of white, grey and blue smeared unique patterns and shapes in the sky across the horizon. Sometimes I wonder what being could paint such wondrous, ever changing art. Contrasting against the imaginary, childish scenery past the window. I sighed, breaking the monotonous flow of thought as I saw the tavern signboard up ahead.

A homey atmosphere flowed around the tavern as the many tables and chairs were empty, except with a few folks eating an early lunch. I found the Drunkard easily in his usual bar stool chair at the corner of the tavern beside a varnished dark wood wall. The scent of blood no longer. Approaching closer, I sat tensely in the chair next to him. I saw his eyes come back to life as he rubbed his shoulder. Turning his head towards me, a slight smirk lifted from his lips.

“Hello, lad”

He greeted me with a rather strained voice.

“Hello…”

I muttered rather quietly, still lost in thought. Noticing this, the Drunkard took a sip from his drink and pondered for a moment.

“Well? It seems you got a lot on your head. Ask away and I’ll try my best to help ya out or maybe you need a drink?”

I blink twice and faced the Drunkard

“You know, maybe I do need a drink”

Chuckling, I placed the emblem on the bar table.

“So, what do you know of the Watchers?”

Holding his drink up to his chin, he responded,

“Well, they are very prominent in the war”

Chugging the rest of his drink and slamming it on the table, the Drunkard leaned forward and waved at Glynda.

“How ‘bout it, after we drink a bit more I can tell you more”

After a few moments, Glynda arrived with drinks. A yeasty scent wafted over the lightly coloured liquid as it foamed around the transparent glass mugs. Taking a sip, the taste hit sharply on the tongue. A light fizz bubbled gently, and warmth lingered in the stomach. Taking a couple more sips, the world started swaying when the Drunkard spoke up,

“During my time in the war, I fought in the frontlines with a great shield and a dainty spear. People fell left and right…Every day was hell… Unnecessary deaths and torment…”

Shaking his head, he took a gulp of beer and slammed his drink to the table. I flinched as the Drunkard lingered in an air of melancholy. Refocusing on the subject, he continued.

“Besides that, the Watchers, very valuable organization. During the war, They acted as messengers, providing knowledge of our families while we were out there. We were kept sane because of them…”

An awkward silence filled the space. The Drunkard gazed at his mug with longing eyes, lost in a daydream, he continued his recollection.

“I had many compatriots and companions… So many with sons and daughters…”

He raised the mug and gulped down a good portion of his drink. Puckering his lips, his face flushed slightly. Taking a breath, he started rambling. His ramblings recounted his time at war…

“I was a young soldier back then, diluted in the idea of heroism. An escape from my own troubles. No matter what difficulties we faced, we could overcome them together. At least that’s what I thought…They were good men, played a lot of blackjack with ‘em”

Intrigued, I lightly sipped at my drink and responded

“So, what happened to your companions?”

Scratching his head, he finished his drink and leaned towards the table.

“I do not know… Back then, we were sent on a mission to secure a key position that could turn the war around. Under Lieutenant Cornelius’ orders, we went to the main Aroca supply site but we weren’t told nothin’ about it ”

Out of curiosity, I propped my legs onto the wooden stool and leaned forward, resting my arms on the table.

“Were there many guards at the supply site?”

“Yes, there were many. Too many to count. They even had a mage on site. It was devastating…”

Halfway through my drink, I turned to him and watched him hiccup and mutter.

“Pah, What could I have done…”

He propped his hand on his face and sighed, waving for another drink. After a few seconds, Glynda arrived with a mug full of beer. She brought a stool over and patiently awaited the Drunkard’s story. Noticing this, he took a light sip of the drink and let his thoughts trail.

“It is truly evil for a man to send his soldiers to death on a dime. Why did he do that? What should we have done? I couldn’t run nor cower under some table.”

Glynda leaned on the table and swung her legs to the bar stool. Intrigued, she asked

“So what did ya do then?”

The Drunkard rested his elbows on the table and sighed

“I had to go, even if we backed out now it was too late. Our overconfidence made us believe we would succeed. But after getting flanked and cornered. We were massacred one by one. I somehow broke free. Didn’t look back. Too scared to see the faces of my companions again…”

I was almost done with my drink when the Drunkard took a break from his story. He had already finished 2 drinks. Impressed, I took my time to think. I was stuck between an indecisiveness to talk and a drunken haze that fell upon me. At a certain point, Glynda left to tend to other customers as the tavern was getting busy. Noticing this, I pushed the emblem towards the drunkard,

“So then, what connections do you have with the Watchers?”

Rubbing his forehead, he took another gulp of beer. Clearly intoxicated and tired from all the talking.

“As a soldier, we always can reach out to them. Their work nowadays consists of research and … information distribution. Like a local librarian except hidden in the dark. Actually, my son, a local librarians is part of the Watchers”

Intrigued, I leaned forward, my eyebrows furrowed in curiosity, and I pressed on,

“How many people are part of the Watchers?”

He took a moment to think and cleared his throat

“The Pastor at the north chapel, the blacksmith towards the east, me, and my son to the south. His name is Otto, and there are a few more who reside here. There are many more out there beyond the city but I wouldn’t know them.”

Taking a time to think, I leaned back, let my legs swing in the air

“So what do you do then?”

In an awkward silence the Drunkard finished his third drink and leaned towards me.

“Ah well… I study dreams and share my research at times.”

My eyes widen as I finish my drink. Fiddling my fingers, I have a realization. Why is he drinking and not researching? Taking the initiative I ask.

“So why are you day-drinking?”

Facing back at the Drunkard, I tensed my face with concern. He leans on his left arm and faced towards me,

“It's to forget. Got too much on me plate. Your too much of a lad to understand anyways..”

He glanced at the 3 mugs on the table, as if debating if he should request another. Shaking his head, he stands up to leave.

“Thanks for listening. By the way, I’m Edgar Frontier. You might run into my work.”

Reaching out for a handshake, I responded accordingly. Edgar turned to leave. Before leaving, he turned back around and added

“I will be gone for the next few days. Go see my Son if ya want. He’s at the library south of the city. He’s a good kid, just be patient with him.”

I was left with 4 empty glass mugs on a table at a shaded corner of the bar-side table. Sighing, I hear Glynda walking towards my location. I requested some corn bread and ate quietly.

“It will be 6 tin coins”

I handed a copper coin and turned to leave, waving a farewell gesture and exiting the tavern. Bouncing my hand against the wind, I found myself daydreaming. Reminiscing on Edgar’s life, How does he live off of researching Dreams. Why did he even research dreams? To remember something?...