Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

(This chapter has been adapted a lot, since even a small change can cause a chain reaction. So, the previous settings will affect the later developments, which is necessary. I hope you like this setting.)

As the sun set, its orange-red afterglow spilled onto the tavern's windowpanes, filtering through the hazy glass and casting warm shadows inside. Evan sat alone at the bar, elbows propped on the table, chin resting in his hands, his face clouded with worry.

Hakan was carrying beer barrels from the cellar when he saw Evan's pained expression and stopped, his rough brows furrowing.

"Hey kid, what's wrong?" he asked in a deep voice. "I've been getting the feeling you're always a bit down lately."

Hearing this, Evand looked up, his eyes dull and lifeless. He took a deep breath, as if making a great decision, before answering, "Hakan, I... what should I do?"

“What do you mean, what to do?” Hakan put down the beer barrel and sat down in the chair opposite Evand.

Evand paused, then whispered, "The relationship between the Minotaur tribe and the Lizard tribe is getting worse and worse. I've heard that the conflict between them has escalated recently, and it's reached the point where war could break out at any moment." He looked up at Hakan with a pained expression. "I'm really scared... If this continues, war will break out sooner or later."

Hakan's expression instantly turned serious. He remained silent for a moment before asking, "How did you know about this?"

“I…I heard it from Tarn,” Evand bit his lip, seemingly hesitant to reveal more, “He said the leader of the Minotaur tribe, you are Axel’s father, has begun to stir up trouble among the people, fanning the flames, and is preparing to declare war on the Lizardmen.”

Hakan frowned, his face etched with worry. The air around them grew still, broken only by the occasional sound of footsteps outside. After a long silence, Hakan finally spoke, his voice heavy: "I know about this. To be honest, I've been aware of the conflict between the two tribes for a long time."

“Then what should we do?” Evand asked urgently. “We must stop the war, mustn’t we? I mean, we’re all friends, we shouldn’t be killing each other…”

“You make a good point, lad,” Hakan nodded, his gaze softening. “But some things are beyond our control. The conflict between the two tribes has existed for a long time, but this time it’s just that this incident is on a much larger scale. We small fry can hardly influence the course of the situation.”

Evand's eyes widened, his face filled with disappointment. But Hakan reached out and patted him on the shoulder reassuringly. "However, that doesn't mean we'll just sit and wait. I'll do everything I can to try and persuade the leaders on both sides to ease the tensions. Don't give up hope, kid. Maybe one day, peace will return."

Evan nodded, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. Hakan stood up, picked up the beer keg again, and prepared to continue working. "Alright," he said softly, "let's not dwell on these unhappy things anymore. Here, it's on you tonight."

Evans smiled slightly and took the beer glass Hakan offered. The sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and night had quietly fallen.

A glass tapped lightly on the table, its crisp sound breaking the momentary silence in the tavern. Just as Evan was about to respond to Hakan's offer, Old Man Snow suddenly appeared behind Hakan.

"Ahem." Snow coughed lightly, a slightly serious expression on his face. He turned slightly to the side so he could look at both Evand and Hakan. "Looks like I've disturbed you."

Evans jumped in surprise, quickly putting down his beer glass and shifting uncomfortably. "D-Dad, what are you doing here?" he stammered, realizing that Snow had probably already noticed his odd behavior.

“Of course I’m here,” Snow said casually. “This is my tavern, after all. But you two are a bit of a surprise.” His single eye scanned the surroundings before settling on Evand. “Evand, I remember you’ve been looking rather down lately. What happened?”

In fact, Snow already knew what they were discussing, but he wanted Evand to tell him in person. After all, this guy didn't come to his "father" first, but instead went to a red dragon, so Snow was definitely a little upset.

Evand bit his lip, hesitating for a moment. Hakan spoke up to help him out: "It's about the conflict between the Minotaur tribe and the Lizard tribe, old friend." He then briefly recounted the whole story.

Snow nodded thoughtfully, his serious expression seeming to deepen. Although he was still a little disappointed, he let it go seeing Evand's expression.

“I understand,” he said thoughtfully. “It is indeed a worrying matter. Although we are just a small tavern, if a war between tribes were to break out at any moment, we would probably not be spared.”

“What should we do, Dad?” Evans asked anxiously. “We can’t just stand by and do nothing!”

Snow took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I know this is difficult, but we must be careful. You both see, the two sides are like a raging powder keg; the slightest misstep could send the whole situation spiraling out of control.” He waved to the two men. “However, you don’t have to despair completely. As long as there’s a glimmer of hope, we must strive to grasp it.”

“I’ll try to persuade the leaders of the Minotaur tribe and see if I can convince them to change their stance,” Hakan said. “After all, Axel’s father is more likely to listen to my advice.” He pounded his chest. “Let me fight for peace in the tribe!”

"Heh, you're so old, yet you still say such childish things... And do you think I don't know what you mean? In the current situation, violence won't solve the problem."

"Cough cough... Snow, what nonsense are you talking about? What do you mean by violence? I would never use violence, I just want to have a good talk with the other party... How could I use violence?"

“It would be best if it were as you said…” Snow then ignored Hakan and turned to Evand. “Evand, you’re the only one who can solve this problem right now. Both sides have been in contact with you, and both have your ‘friends’ within the last two weeks. So perhaps you could try to find someone you know on either side and see if they have a solution to this problem?”

Seeing that the matter seemed to have been resolved, Hakan and Snow left.

Evan took a small sip of his rye beer, the bitter malty aroma filling his mouth. Although Snow and the others had already left, he was still immersed in the conversation, pondering his father's advice.

Snow was right; cooperation between the two parties was essential to resolving this potential conflict. As an outsider who had contact with members of both tribes, he was the best candidate to act as a mediator.

Thinking of this, Evand frowned. He and Nexus of the lizard tribe weren't exactly inseparable... cough cough, it seemed they were rather inseparable; their feelings for each other couldn't be defined as ordinary friendship.

The stubborn Minotaur Axel is completely different from the former, constantly targeting Evand. Fortunately, his son Tarn will definitely help Evand, especially since Tarn had mentioned this to Evand before.

In other words, he had some connection with both leaders.

Evans took a deep breath, tilted his head back, and downed the rye in his glass in one gulp. Yes, he was determined to go see Nexus first thing tomorrow morning.

Thinking of this, Evand yawned, feeling a bit tired. He stood up, carefully tiptoeing, trying not to make too much noise. After all, there were still some drunkards sound asleep in the tavern at this hour, and he didn't want to cause trouble.

Evans tiptoed up the stairs to his room. The small house was near the top of the tavern, with a vast starry sky visible through the window. He opened the window, and a cool night breeze rushed in, washing away the day's fatigue.

Evans took a deep breath and gazed at the bright full moon in the night sky. He silently prayed that tomorrow's journey would go smoothly before crawling into bed and quickly falling asleep.

The next morning, Evand got up very early. He quickly tidied himself up and set off alone for the lizard tribe.

The dense forest was filled with towering trees, birds chirping in the branches, and the occasional rustling of wild animals moving through the undergrowth. This was a scene all too familiar to Evand.

Suddenly, unfamiliar shouts rang out in the distance, and several lizard warriors appeared on the forest path, spears in hand, their expressions wary. Upon seeing Evand, they seemed to relax somewhat, but still kept a watchful eye on him, questioning him in their lizard language about who he was and what he was doing there.

“Easy, easy.” Evand quickly raised his hands, revealing a gentle smile. “I am Evand, a friend of Chief Nexus. I need to see him; I have some urgent matters to discuss.”

The lizard warriors looked at each other, then finally parted to make way. Evand nodded to them, carefully made his way through the crowd, and continued towards the tribe.

Soon, Evand arrived at the familiar lizard tribe. It was a black swamp, but the surrounding trees grew very lushly. Apart from a slight stench of swamp gas, it wasn't too bad. In the distance, several small lizard children were playing around, searching for landmines.

"Hey, it's Evand!" The lizard shop owner nearby waved excitedly. "You've finally arrived. The chieftain is waiting for you!"

Evand paused slightly, then nodded and quickened his pace towards the chieftain's residence. It seemed Nexus had been prepared all along; this truly surprised him. Could it be that the old man had foreseen this whole turn of events?

Evans tiptoed to Nexus's door, his heart pounding and his breathing becoming erratic.

Evans was somewhat confused about his current feelings, which came as a complete surprise.

Evand swallowed hard and knocked gently on the door. "Nexus? It's me, Evand." He lowered his voice, careful not to disturb anyone.

“Come in, darling.” Nexus’s magnetic voice came from the room, and Evans felt a shiver run down his spine. He took a deep breath and then pushed the door open.

A few candles burned in Nexus's room, their dim light creating a unique atmosphere. He sat upright at his desk, his yellow-green snake-like eyes gleaming in the candlelight. Evand was unconsciously mesmerized, his cheeks flushing red from the heat of those eyes.

“What are you looking at, you little wolf cub?” Nexus chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over Evand, sending chills down Evand’s spine. “Come here, sit down and let’s talk.”

Evand nodded, moving his feet somewhat stiffly. Nexus seemed to have anticipated his arrival, having placed a chair with a soft velvet cushion next to his desk.

“Sit.” Nexus gestured to the chair, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Evand had no choice but to sit down obediently, legs together, hands resting properly on his knees. Nexus's gaze was fixed intently on him, and Evand felt his body heat up, instinctively tightening his legs. (???)

“Um…I came here…” Evand swallowed, wanting to explain, but Nexus interrupted him.

“I know why you’re here.” Nexus smiled faintly, his eyes sharp and predatory. “You’ve come seeking my ‘assistance,’ haven’t you?”