* * *
The inn was less than a hundred yards away, a small fact Aiden remembered from his youth. He even recalled counting out the steps at one point to win a wager with Pacian, though the exact number escaped him now. As he approached it, however, he heard the sounds of distant voices, raised in argument, both of them quite familiar. Groaning inwardly, he changed direction and headed over to the western end of town, walking faster.
The sounds grew louder as he approached the Savidge household, an old timber-worker's cottage that had seen better days. Half a dozen locals were peering out of their windows nearby, trying to find out more of what was going on. The shouted words were alarmingly loud and punctuated by the sounds of smashing crockery. Aiden stopped just outside the front door, wondering whether or not it was safe to open.
The words being hurled back and forth like weapons were harsh, and not unfamiliar. Pacian's father had never forgiven his son for the death of his wife, and the resentment brewing within the man often exploded into a terrible display of the less appealing aspects of human nature. Pace had taken a good deal of abuse over the years, probably out of a sense of guilt, but tonight, he was dishing out as good as he was getting and it was just making the whole situation worse.
“Do you want me to show you how to throw plates, 'cause you're terrible at it, you drunken bastard!” Pacian taunted, loud enough to be heard through the thick wooden door. The sound of a plate smashing into the door itself led Aiden to the conclusion that leaving it closed for the time being was a prudent course of action.
“You shouldn't have come back here, you wretch,” his father spat, “You're nothing but trouble, and you'll bring a curse down on this town!”
“Oh don't worry, I'm leaving,” Pacian assured him, “I just wanted to drop in and say hello before you drink yourself to death.” Pace burst through the door and slammed it behind him. A small crowd of people had gathered around to find out what all the commotion was.
“That whole family was always trouble if you ask me,” he overheard a large woman say. “Pity about his wife though, she was a lovely lass, though I can't imagine what she ever saw in a man like Bryce.”
“Aye, and that son of theirs is a chip off the old block,” someone else replied sagely. Aiden was only just within earshot of these comments, and although he found their comments tasteless and invasive he wasn't about to take sides in this fight.
Nellise emerged from the crowd and beckoned Pacian to her side where they talked in whispers for a time. Aiden didn't feel the need to eavesdrop, so he decided to head over to the inn and drown his sorrows, and speak with his friend about this eventful evening later.
The Sleeping Bear was a creatively titled inn that mostly catered to merchants and the occasional passing traveller, however the roads had been practically deserted of late, leaving most of the rooms vacant. The fire in the hearth burned brightly and the food was good, which proved to be of some small comfort to Aiden as he headed inside for the evening.
Perhaps an hour later, after Aiden had morosely eaten half a roast chicken, Pacian slumped down in the chair next to him. The two friends exchanged a tired glance, saying nothing, for they didn't need to speak to convey what they were feeling at that moment. They were both emotionally exhausted and needed nothing more than quiet company for the evening. Nellise joined them at the fireplace a little while later, sitting next to Pacian in silence, while Sayana came over to sit on Aiden's lap, something that managed to distract him from his troubles quite effectively.
“I see you two have become quite friendly,” Nellise remarked softly, a faint smile on her lips.
“Yes, it came as something of a surprise to me,” Aiden replied dryly.
“Why is everyone acting so strangely tonight?” Sayana asked without warning, causing a number of exchanged glances to be passed around.
“Sy has many fine qualities,” Aiden drawled a moment later, “but I think it's her non-sequiturs that I find really attractive.”
“It would seem that both of these young gentlemen have family issues,” Nellise said in reply to Sayana's question, smiling briefly at Aiden's cunning remark.
“Yes, and if it wasn't for Nel's advice,” Pacian added accusingly, “we would have had a quiet evening by the fireplace instead of horrible confrontations with certain people.”
“I still stand by what I said,” Nellise said stubbornly, looking pointedly at each man. “In my experience, a lack of communication is the basis for all interpersonal conflict.”
“Maybe, but I'm never going to speak to my old man again after tonight, so I don't see the problem being fixed, ever,” Pacian said bitterly.
“Never is a long time, Pace,” Nellise counselled. “See how you feel in a few years, okay?” Pacian shrugged, then a few moments later, slowly stood up and stretched.
“This wasn't the best of days, and tomorrow isn't going to be any easier, so I'm going to bed,” he stated tiredly. “I'll see you all out front first thing.” Aiden mumbled a quick 'goodnight' as Pacian turned and sauntered off towards his room. After he'd gone, Sayana stood up and took Aiden by the hand, easing him out of the chair and slowly leading him towards their own room.
“I guess we're off to bed as well,” Aiden remarked, looking back over his shoulder to see Nellise, who seemed to be blushing as they walked away. Despite her apparent eagerness, Sayana had something else in mind when they climbed into bed that evening. She apparently sensed Aiden's dour mood, and offered nothing more than her company for the night.
Lying there in her arms, his mind dwelled on the events of the day for some time before he became sleepy. The last thing he remembered thinking, was that if the dragon appeared in his dreams that night, he was going to give it a swift kick in the head before it ate him.