Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

Two days ago, in the giant treehouse of the lizardman tribe, Evand and Roshke finally managed to subdue three unruly lizardman brothers. Looking at the three bound hand and foot, their mouths stuffed with rags, Evand couldn't help but feel annoyed: "You really wanted me to take action, didn't you? You should have just confessed earlier!"

Roshke breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his brow. Getting help this time had been much more difficult than expected. The three lizardmen were as slippery as eels, leaping and bounding through the tribe. If it weren't for Evand and his excellent teamwork, they wouldn't have been able to subdue the three despite their agility. Without Evand, they might not have been able to catch them at all.

The two were on their way to Priestess Selye's room when they were stopped by Duo, the lizardman leader bound like a dumpling. "The priestess isn't here," Duo mumbled, his voice tinged with grievance, like a wronged woman who had been abandoned. They were just doing their duty, and the chieftain's wife not only didn't remember their names, but they had also been beaten up by another lizardman she had brought. They were heartbroken.

Evand and Roshke were dumbfounded. They'd been busy all this time, only to find the priest wasn't home? This was incredibly unlucky! They exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. They couldn't just stay here waiting like idiots, could they? Evand suggested they go back to the Spear Tavern and wait for Selye to return. Roshke sighed and could only agree. After all, returning to his original world was the most important thing; everything else could wait.

On the way back to the tavern, both men were somewhat silent. Evand was still angry about the lizardman brothers' stubborn resistance, while Roshke was pondering how to find a way home as quickly as possible. The setting sun cast golden rays through the dense forest, bathing everything in a warm hue. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, as if whispering secrets.

Back at the tavern, Snow was busy greeting customers. Seeing Evand and Roshke return, he greeted them warmly. "How did it go? Was everything settled?" he asked with concern.

Evans shook his head and briefly recounted what had happened, but he omitted the part about Moko, replacing it with something else. Snow listened with a helpless expression. "It seems we can only wait for Selye to return," he said, "but don't worry too much, he should be back soon, although I also don't think he's a good person."

Snow poured them two glasses of mead and told them to rest for a bit. Evand took the glass, drank it all in one gulp, and felt a little relieved of his frustration. He looked up at the window; night had fallen, and the stars twinkled like diamonds scattered on a black curtain, shimmering with a mesmerizing light.

“I wonder when Selye will be back,” he muttered to himself.

“Be patient,” Roshke patted him on the shoulder, “everything will be alright.”

Evand nodded. He knew Roshke was right, but the anxiety in his heart still lingered. He got up and walked to the window, gazing at the dark forest in the distance, his heart filled with confusion. He didn't know what to do next, nor how to help Roshke find his way home.

Night had fallen, and the tavern had long since emptied, leaving only Snow and bartender Witt busy behind the bar. Evand and Roshke sat in a corner, silently sipping their mead, each lost in their own thoughts.

The two men downed their mead in one gulp. While it was said they were drinking together, it was more like Evand was enjoying himself alone, while Roshke sat quietly to the side, as if waiting for something. Afterwards, Evand intended to take Roshke back to the barn to rest, but the thought of its simple environment made him uneasy. Although Roshke insisted he didn't mind and enjoyed the feeling of being close to nature, Evand still felt bad.

Back at the table, Evand rested his chin on his hand, his brow furrowed. He pondered the matter repeatedly, finally deciding not to let Roshke continue living in the barn. However, all the rooms in the tavern were full, except… his own. He knew Snow wouldn't easily agree to let Roshke stay in his room, after all, it was his only private space.

Thinking of this, Evand got up and found Snow. He stammered out his purpose and asked Snow to allow Roshke to stay in his room temporarily. Snow did not agree immediately, but looked Evand up and down and asked meaningfully, "Are you sure you want to do this? That's your own room. If something happens while you're living with someone else, I won't be responsible."

Evand quickly assured him that he would keep a close eye on Roshke and would absolutely not let him cause trouble. He even swore that he would bear all the consequences if anything went wrong. Seeing Evand's insistence, Snow finally relented and agreed to Evand's request.

With Snow's permission, Evand was relieved and rushed to the barn to take Roshke back to his room. Roshke was initially hesitant, but seeing the sincerity in Evand's eyes, he eventually accepted his kindness.

Evand's room was small, containing only a simple bed, a table, and a chair. Some of Evand's personal belongings were displayed, such as books, maps, and a few trinkets. Roshke looked around, filled with curiosity about the room.

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you," Evan said somewhat apologetically. "My room is rather simple."

“No,” Roshke smiled. “I think it’s great, very cozy.”

Evand tidied the bed and then said to Roshke, "You rest first, I'm going out for a bit."

Roshke nodded and lay down on the bed. Evand quietly closed the door and left the room. He went to the backyard of the tavern, looked up at the night sky, and saw countless stars, like diamonds scattered on a black curtain, shimmering with a mesmerizing light.

He took a deep breath, silently praying that Roshke would be comfortable here and that he could find a way to help Roshke return to his original world as soon as possible. A gentle night breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness and a glimmer of hope.

When Evand returned to the room, Roshke was already asleep. He tiptoed to the bedside, looked at Roshke's peaceful sleeping face, and felt a sense of peace. He gently covered Roshke with the blanket, then sat down in the chair by the table, quietly watching over Roshke's sleep.

Outside the window, night deepened, and moonlight streamed into the room, casting soft shadows on the floor. The room was silent except for Roshke's even breathing, like a soothing lullaby that gradually lulled Evand into drowsiness.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep. In his dream, he saw Roshke return to his world, a happy smile on his face.

Evand was fast asleep, his breathing even and deep. After a while, as if sensing something, Roshke slowly opened his eyes. He quietly sat up in bed and, in the dim moonlight, gazed silently at Evand, who was sleeping in the chair. Roshke's eyes were filled with tenderness. He sighed softly and whispered, "You're such a kind little angel."

He had never imagined that he would meet such a kind person as Evand in this strange world. Not only did Evand help him, a complete stranger, but he even offered him his own bed. A gentle smile appeared on Roshke's lips. He carefully picked Evand up and gently placed him back on the bed. Then, he lay down as well, pulling the blanket over both of them.

"Goodnight, my little angel," Roshke whispered in Evand's ear, then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows on the floor. The room was quiet and cozy, with only the even breathing of the two people weaving together into a tranquil nocturne.

The next morning, when Evand woke up, he found himself in bed, covered with a warm blanket. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and turned to look beside him, only to find that Roshke was no longer in bed. Evand quickly got up and looked around, but Roshke was nowhere to be seen.

“Roshke?” Evand called softly.

“I’m here,” Roshke’s voice came from outside the door.

Evans hurried to the door, opened it, and saw Roshke standing in the hallway, holding a steaming cup of honey water.

“You’re awake,” Roshke said with a smile. “I’ve prepared some honey water for you, have some.”

Evand took the honey water, took a sip, and felt warm all over. "Thank you, Roshke," he said gratefully, "You're so thoughtful."

Roshke smiled and said, "You're welcome. It's what I should do."

The two returned to their room together, sat at the table, and chatted while drinking honey water. Evan asked Roshke how he slept last night, and Roshke replied with a smile that he slept very well and had a wonderful dream in which he returned to his own world.

Hearing this, Evan felt a surge of relief. He knew it was only a matter of time before Roshke returned to his original world. He believed that as long as they continued their efforts, they would definitely find a way to help Roshke go home.

Looking at the honey water Roshke handed him, Evand said happily, "I was thinking of letting you stay at the tavern for a few more days to get to know everyone, but I didn't expect you to take the initiative to greet everyone this morning and even brought me honey water. You're so thoughtful!" He thought Roshke had already chatted with the other people in the tavern, which was why he got up so early.

Seeing Evand's happy expression, Roshke was reluctant to interrupt his enthusiasm, but he still told the truth: "Actually, I didn't chat with anyone else this morning. I just asked Boss Snow for a glass of honey water after I got up."

Evand's smile vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of disappointment in his eyes. Seeing this, Roshke quickly comforted him, "Don't be sad, I'll find some time to talk to everyone."

"Hmm." Evand nodded, feeling slightly better.

The two began discussing how to return to Roshke's original world. When the bracelet in his hand was mentioned, Roshke's brow furrowed deeply. "In my original tribe, there was a holy water that could remove the curse, but now..."

Upon hearing the words "temple" and "holy water," Evand suddenly thought of the temple atop the mountain in the Minotaur tribe's mountaintop. He remembered something similar there. "I remember now!" he exclaimed excitedly, "There's a temple on the mountaintop in the Minotaur tribe's mountaintop too! Maybe they have something there that can break the curse!"

Roshke's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Really? That's great!"

While excited, Evand smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, "However, I'm not very popular with the Minotaur tribe..." He had had some conflicts with the Minotaur tribe before, and going there now would probably cause unnecessary trouble.

“It’s alright,” Roshke reassured him. “We can sneak over, or ask a minotaur you know for help.”

Evand thought for a moment and said, "I have a friend in the Minotaur tribe; perhaps I can ask him for help." He was referring to Tarn; although the two had had some friction, Evand believed Tarn would be willing to help him.

Roshke nodded in agreement. He knew that the rest was up to Evand. After all, there was conflict between the Minotaur and Lizardman tribes, and if he showed up rashly, it could escalate the conflict. So he decided to stay in the tavern and wait for news.

Evand looked at Roshke and said firmly, "Don't worry, I will definitely find a way to get you there!"

Roshke patted Evand on the shoulder and encouraged him, "I believe in you."

After breakfast, Evand set off for the Minotaur tribe. He decided to first find Tarn to see if he could get his help. Along the way, Evand was filled with trepidation; he wasn't sure if Tarn would agree to his request, nor was he sure if the mission would succeed.

After traversing dense jungles and climbing steep slopes, Evand finally arrived at the entrance to the minotaur tribe. He took a deep breath and stepped into the village. The minotaurs in the tribe cast strange glances at Evand, some even showing hostility. Evand tried his best to remain calm; he knew he had to be careful and avoid causing any conflict.

He found Tarn's place and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Tarn's voice came from inside the house.

“It’s me, Alvind.”

The door opened, and Tarn appeared in the doorway. Seeing Evand, a look of surprise crossed his face. "What brings you here?"

Evans quickly explained, "I have something important to discuss with you."

Tarn hesitated for a moment, but ultimately let Evand into the house.