96 BEaST OF INFORMATION (1/2)
The stale air of the bar combined with a pungent mixture of salt air, wet dog, and regurgitated ale. Arei wrinkled his nose as he adjusted the cuffs of the blouse he'd borrowed from Orion. ”I'll not be sticking it to anyone from this place tonight... come to think of it, I'd much rather share quarters with the horses.”
Orion grunted as the smells assaulted his nostrils. ”Couldn't fault you there.” He said as he made his way to the bar. His eyes roamed around the inebriated faces of the patrons as he weaved his way through the dim candlelit room.
Arei leaned against the bar beside Orion. ”So what's the plan, then?” He asked nodding his head slightly to the bar wench as she handed him a large pint of ale and gave a large gap-toothed grin. He tried to fight down the repulsion as he smiled back at her.
Orion shrugged a massive shoulder as he guzzled down half the ale in one long drag. He gulped down several large gulps holding his index finger up at Arei. Once the pint was empty save from foam he slammed it down on the wooden bar and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, letting out a long growl. ”Find the oldest, drunkest sailor here and... get him drunker... there's only one thing more talkative than a woman after sex, and that a drunk sailor.”
Arei laughed arching his brows mischievously, ”Sure you don't want to increase those odds and take a drunk sailor to bed?”
Orion snarled his upper lip as the door opened again bringing with it a breeze carrying the same pungent smell as when they walked in. ”I'll have to agree with you on the standards of mates here tonight.”
”Suit yourself...” Arei said as he finished his drink and tapped it on the bar top to get the wench's attention. ”Three more, Dear, and keep them coming.” He watched as the woman filled the pints and slid them back to him. Taking them he turned to Orion holding two of the three mugs out to him. ”So who will be the lucky recipient of free drinks tonight?”
Orion nodded toward a lone older man by the open windows. ”Him over there... Looks lonely and the bit of fresh air from those will be nice.” He nodded toward the open windows as he took both the other mugs. He led the way to the man's table setting the drinks down on the table as he asked, ”Mind if we join you?”
The old man sized them both up for a few seconds longer than needed before nodding and kicking out the two chairs opposite him. ”Ye boi's ain't from 'round here are ye?” The old man asked in busted Latin indicative of a lifetime on the seas.
”No Sir we are not.” Arei answered in his velvet, soothing voice as he settled into the chair and pushed the extra mug toward the old sailor.
”We were thinking maybe you would be the one to talk to about these parts... We're... hunting in the area.” Orion said sticking as close to the truth as he could.
Drunk as he was the old man studied them with wise, keen eyes. ”Boi's comin' 'round here lookin' like yuns surely ain't hunting fer nuthin' I'd be knowin' 'bout.” He nodded and took the drink. ”But I thanks ye for the ale.”
Arei and Orion exchanged glances as Orion began to speak but Arei cut him off. ”Then could you be kind enough to... advice us of areas to avoid.”
”Humm...” The old man mumbled as he rubbed his stubbly chin still looking Orion and Arei over as if there was something more just below the surface to see. ”Yea, I kin do 'dat. Me throat's a bit parched still, though.”
Orion lifted his large hand for the barmaid to bring more ale as Arei nodded and leaned in. ”What's the word on the seas? What areas should we avoid.”
The old man waited patiently to reply, watching as the barmaid made her way over to their table and sat the full mugs down. He grabbed one and began greedily drinking down the amber liquid. When he finished that one Orion pushed his untouched mug toward the old man and he accepted it at once. Finally finishing over half of the third mug, the old man wiped his stubbled chin and sighed in contentment. ”Been a good while since I've had enough coin in me pockets to get good and drunk, ye boi's keep'em coming and I'll tell ye what you ask to know... and what ye not be askin'.” He replied with a nod. ”Big, strappin' boi's like yuns, aren't in these parts lookin' for a simple hunt. Da beast ye be huntin' be something far more than most men ever wanna see by chance, save aside go lookin' fer.” He narrowed his eyes when the two large men exchanged looks. ”What's ye names?”