231 Drunk and Stressed (2/2)

Since Jack was the most open he had ever been, both Rydel and Maynard, who were secretly letting Jack drink by himself, felt it was time to start talking. ”So, Jack, what's up? What's got you so down in the dumps?” asked Maynard.

”I… don't want to talk about it,” griped Jack. ”Daruun is stupid, he may know everything but he stupid…”

Everyone around the table chuckled, except for Lina who knew nothing of this person that Jack was mentioning. ”Who's Daruun, Big Bro?”

”He's a snarky god who thinks he knows everything. He's a big help but he's stupid. If he was smarter, than he would be more specific about the hardships we'll be facing.” Again Jack lifted the bottle to his lips and proceeded to his mouth clean. ”At least this time I know what to do to get us in Trodar and to save it.”

The hunter's eyes almost rocketed out of his skull as he stared at the intoxicated Jack. ”What do we have to? And when are we leaving?”

”We'll split up,” stated Jack as he lifted a finger high in the air in a know-it-all fashion. ”But things will be different. Maynard, Mara, and Little Lina are going to Prachten. Everyone else is coming with me to Limneer. That way we can save Trodar.”

Jack paused, as if he had no clue everyone else was on the edge of their seats waiting for him to continue. Suddenly, Jack leaned into the table and looked around while putting a finger to his lips. He whispered, ”There's this secret army… Limneer partnered with Sandros and they plan to invade real soon. But that's not al… Prachten's getting help from Churstin. Maynard and Maura are going there to learn about the secret supply line while the rest of us find evidence of the secret army. But don't tell anyone… It's a secret.”

It was hard for others to take this seriously from the overly animated Jack. But they understood well enough that it was a drastic situation that could be very dangerous.

Maynard gave Jack a little nudge. ”Hey, ya know, if I go with ya guys we should be able to handle the army much better.”

”No!” Vigorously, Jack shook his head. ”Can't do that. Daruun said you need to go to Churstin... I mean Prachten. The rest of us will be real sneaky and find the secret army in. Then I can tell Tralon and we can stop them.”

”When are we leaving, Jack?” Rydel was the only one not struggling to smile. He had a laser-like focus as he stared into Jack's eyes as if forcing him to be sober for a moment.

Jack blinked. ”Tomorrow morning.”

”Do we need to prepare any special supplies?”

”No,” replied Jack while returning to his intoxicated self. ”We just need to be real sneaky. Once we find evidence then all we have to do is slow them down, we don't have to defeat them. But it's still really dangerous. If we aren't careful… we could…”

A hard slap resounded off of Jack's back, straightening him up and startling him. With a sharp smile Rydel added, ”Oh, we'll stop them. That you can be sure of.”

While under the influence, Jack was unable to realize just how determined Rydel was but the others all noticed a fiery passion streak through the hunter's eyes as he mentioned that.

Maynard sighed, ”If that's how you want to do it, then I guess I won't complain… I'll take good care of your wife and your little sister, Jack.”

”Thanks, Maynard! I knew I could count on you!”

Without another word, Jack finished the second bottle and motioned for them to pass him a third. The more alcohol that entered his system, the more slurred and blurry he got during their conversations.

The rest of the party sadly couldn't get much more information out of him, at least not anything reliable.

Most of the day was spent in the inn as Jack almost drunk himself into unconsciousness. By the time dinner rolled around Jack was barely able to lift his head.

Eliza eyed Jack and was about to stand when Daliea spoke up, ”Let me help you.”

Daliea rushed to Jack and threw one arm over his shoulder and one of his arms over hers. Without any difficulty she lugged him away from the table toward his room on the second floor.

Everyone was surprised to see her step up like that but they did nothing in response. They knew well that Daliea wouldn't take advantage and was just genuinely helping.