I am full. This tavern is hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with one another. The crowd is local, militiamen from the village for the most part. 

From the loud laughing , to the recumbent light of eventide that will soon be starlit black, the tavern soaks in the ambiance of this good evening.

The chubby man is Lloyd, the owner of the tavern. I was told he has a waitress but she went out before I entered. 

"Boss. I am back!" A familiar female voice echoes. 

I continue drinking. It seems the waitress has returned. She is serving another table. I can only see her from her back. She has dark orange coloured hair that covers neck. Her butt is nicely shaped. 

I reserve my compliment I actually see her face. 

Lloyd walks to the table behind her to take order. When he returns, she fondle his waitress' butt.

"Nnaah! You bastard, what the hell are you doing?!! You trying to take advantage of me……eh, Hiro?"

Her screaming turns me towards her. 

"Bella?" 

The waitress is Bella. 

"You are that woman!" Ivanna point at her in shock.

It has been over a month since she left Abram. I never expect to meet her here. I stand up facing her.

Tears flow on her cheeks.  She rests her head on my chest . 

"I thought I will never see you again." 

I embrace her.

"Do you work here?" I whisper to her ear.

She straightens her back and look straight at my eyes.

"Mm. It's been a month a so. I also live in this tavern."

I observe the entire tavern, it is full with people with men sitting on every chair available. Most of them are militiamen from plebeian origin based on their shabby equipments. There are two knights. 

"It seems you are doing a good business."

Hearing that, Bella's expression changes. She smirks and laments,

"What business? They are all militia, with no money to spend. They sit here for hours, buying only a bottle of cheap ale."

"Are you fine?" I speak in hushed voice. 

Bella glances at Lloyd who is occupied with a customer and says,

"That pig owner pays me very cheap. I survive using the remaining money given by you. That pig owner often grabs my butt, fondles my boobs. I bear with it I desperately need a place to stay...oh, don't worry. I haven't slept with anyone since I left Abram."

I caress her cheek, "What's your plan now?"

"He gropes and pays me next to nothing. It could be worse. But I got not many options." She smiles painfully.

"Should I talk to him to sort this out?"

"No. No. That will make things worse. But that's really sweet of you. I'll be fine "

Still caressing her cheek, I says, "Beautiful girl like you don't deserve this."

She chuckles, "You think I am pretty, do you?"

From the window, I could see the evening is leaving us, as she is here, I am worried.

"By the way, why are you here?" Bella asks.

"Of course, to help you guys to fight tonight." Ivanna's answer surprises Bella.

I ask, "Tonight, what about you?"

"Well, the coward owner hides himself in the cellar. Me.. I go to the church. At least, I could help with children and wounded men."

"We were told all men, all male villagers fight." Ivanna probes.

"Owen may be the worst man here." Bella laments.

"You .. will be fighting tonight? Good. Sorry. I didn't think of that earlier." She put her palms on my chest.

She pushes me and continues working, "Sorry, Lloyd is looking at us." She says.

I approach a group of men at the corner of the tavern, who are gloomy.

"I couldn't forget the look of that fearsome creatures no matter how many I destroyed, no many hours I slept."

The man beside him laments angrily,

"I can't believe it. At the time like this, Lloyd charges us for the drink. He chases profit while we put our life in the line!"

"Here we are defending the village and Lloyd doesn't have the decency to offer any help."

I stand next to their table and interjects,

"Why don't you force Lloyd fight tonight?"

They look at, then look at each other before laughing.

"Hei, mate. Are you new here? That pig fight? We say him holding sword once. He'd better do what he does best, treating free drink to us."

"Instead, that pig expect us to pay. Who got money? Nobody is working now. Everyone is trying to survive. All taverns in the village had closed and go fighting except Lloyd."

It seems Bella's boss is extremely problematic.

I leave them and approach Lloyd who is wiping a arranging bottles at the rack.

He is aware of me.

"Hello there, pal. Have we ever met before?" He tells me sarcastically. Perhaps he reminds me of what I did with Bella. Is he jealous?

He stands up and glance at the people at the corner.

"They are useless. They got no money. They are bad for business."

"But at least they put their life on the line." I cannot let this pig insult them.

"Brave words. Brave words. We'll see when night comes." Lloyd retorts.

"So, you seem to be outsiders. My name is Lloyd, by the way."

"I also will be fighting tonight. Those guys also fight. Why don't you treat them ale for free?" I boldly propose. Lloyd turns furious.

"Why should I? They might have no coin but I am not going to give them drinks for free!"

I sigh and turn towards the customers who are at every part of the tavern. I shout as loud as I can.

"Good evening gentlemen. My name is Hiro. Hiro... I am new here and I will join the fight tonight. Drink. Because whatever you drink today will be on me!"

They seem puzzled.

"I am Hiro and I will pay for your drinks tonight!"

"Woohoo!!"

"Thanks, pal!"

"Yeaaa. Thanks, brother!"

"We will remember you, Hiro!"

Everyone is cheering. Some even come and shake hands and hug me.

"It's fine. Just enjoy yourselves before the fight tonight!" I say to the ones who come to me.

"Are you mad?" Lloyd hit the wall.

Ivanna comes and put a small pouch into his hand.

"10 gold coins. Should be enough for the cheap ales." She says that and retreats immediately as if avoiding an annoying guy. 

Lloyd instantly check the content and then grins.

"Thank you, Mister Hiro."

Before Lloyd could turn away, I grab his wrist.

"Where are you when other men are fighting?"

He pushes my hand away 

"Why? When that creatures attack, I lock myself in the cellar. Just wait until dawn. What's the point of getting us killed? If that makes me a coward, then call me coward. I don't care!"

Maybe it's time to bluff. I give cue to Irijina, Sekrit and Clementine. The three girls and me surround him.

"I am commanded by Mayor Murdock and Viscount Brian Haddock to kill any men who does not join the fight tonight."

Confronting my serious intimidation, he turns pale,

"Fine. Fine. I will go tonight!" 

We back off once he says that.

"You better be true to your words. Otherwise, will come and kill you tomorrow."

"Fine. Fine. I'll go." I reluctantly nod and walk away.

"I guess I need to close early today " Lloyd tells himself.

"Bella, I need to leave early. Close the shop for me!" He rudely barks and exit the tavern.

Bella approaches me happily.

"I saw you get the bastard Lloyd to join the militia. It's about time he does something to help out. I guess... This kind of putting me in charge...hehe.."

She then glances around.

"Thanks again for staying in Redcliffe."

I tease her,

"I don't do this for free, you know. You need to pay me with something."

"You silly. You know I have no money...I see you naughty boy.."

She chuckles again. 

Ivanna looks annoyed and Mabel watch us passionately like watching a movie. 

Bella holds my shoulders.

"You survive tonight, I give you a kiss."

I smile. 

"That's a deal then."

"Please survive, all of you." Bella begs.