Tavern of the Spear: Desire for Pleasure

(The plot of this chapter has been changed. After all, in the previous mountain climbing episode, Evand and Tarn did more than just climb the mountain; they also had a relationship at night. If you've seen my previous Easter eggs, you'll know that. So, the plot has been changed a bit. Originally, Roshke and Evand went up the mountain alone, but I changed it to the three of them going together. I hope you understand.)

Tarn was actually quite pleased to see Evand come to see him. Although he knew Evand had come specifically to ask for a favor, rather than to visit him directly, he was still very happy. He brought out a stool from the tidy room, had Evand sit down, and then asked bluntly, "So, what brings you here?"

Evand nodded awkwardly, looking at Tarn with some embarrassment. He knew Tarn had always considered him his most trusted partner, and he hadn't visited him in a long time. Coming to see him this time, especially over something involving a lizardman, made him feel truly guilty.

Tarn didn't seem to notice Evand's expression. He turned and went into the kitchen, returning a while later with a steaming glass of milk. Tarn's face was still sweating. "Have some milk first," he said gently. "Take your time, no rush."

Evan took the milk and sipped it slowly. The milk was at the perfect temperature and had a rich, creamy aroma, so it must have been very fresh. He silently thanked Tarn for his thoughtfulness, but at the same time, he became even more hesitant, unsure whether he should tell him the whole story.

Although Tarn had been trying to resolve the conflict between the Tauren and Lizardman tribes, the consequences of bringing a Lizardman directly to the Tauren temple were unimaginable. Evand couldn't fathom how Tarn would react, let alone how the other Tauren would view the situation.

He struggled internally for a long time, but finally decided to tell Tarn the truth. After all, to help Roshke return to his world, he had to try everything possible. "Tarn," he took a deep breath and said slowly, "I've come to ask you for a favor..."

He told Tarn everything about Roshke, as well as about the temple and the holy water. As he spoke, he observed Tarn's reaction, fearing that he would fly into a rage.

After listening to Evand's story, Tarn remained silent for a long time. His brow was furrowed, as if he were deep in thought. The room was quiet except for the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace.

“So,” Tarn finally broke the silence, “you want me to take you and a lizardman sneaking into our tribe’s temple?”

Evans nodded nervously. He knew the request was a bit much, but he had no other choice. “I know this is difficult for you,” he said softly, “but Roshke is a really good man; he just wants to go back to his own world…”

Tarn sighed. He understood Evand's predicament and Roshke's situation. He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the rolling mountains outside, lost in thought.

“This matter is very risky,” he said slowly. “If it is discovered by other tribesmen, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Evand's heart sank; he knew Tarn was right. If things were exposed, not only would he and Roshke be in danger, but Tarn would also be implicated.

“But,” Tarn turned around, looking firmly at Evand, “I believe in you, and I believe in Roshke. I will help you.”

Evans looked up in surprise, unable to believe his ears. "Really? Tarn, thank you!"

“However,” Tarn added, “we must be careful not to let anyone find out.”

“I understand,” Evand nodded solemnly, “I will cooperate with you.”

Tarn walked to the table, picked up a map, and spread it out in front of Evand. "This is a map of our tribal temple," he said, pointing to a location on the map. "I will take you in from here tomorrow night."

Evans studied the map carefully, memorizing the route. He knew this operation concerned Roshke's fate, and also his friendship with Tarn. He would do everything in his power to ensure the operation's success.

Evans excitedly hugged Tarn tightly, his joy overflowing. "Tarn, thank you! Thank you so much!"

Tarn gently patted Evand on the back and said with a smile, "It's only right for friends to help each other. Besides, I also want to see the trustworthy lizardman Evand spoke of. I imagine he must be very handsome and very brave." He paused, then smiled mysteriously and whispered in Evand's ear, "But, for something so dangerous, you have to do something, right? No compensation at all?"

Evand then realized that he had been so caught up in his joy that he had forgotten about this. He scratched his head awkwardly, momentarily speechless. He should indeed give Tarn some compensation, but he really didn't have anything of value on him.

Seeing Evand's embarrassed expression, Tarn couldn't help but laugh. He hugged Evand again and said gently, "Silly boy, fighting alongside a loyal friend like you is the best way to repay me. Forget about compensation, I was just joking." He released Evand, a sly glint in his eyes, "However, if you really want to repay me..." He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, whetting Evand's appetite.

"What?" Evand asked immediately.

"After this is all over, come hiking with me, but only after we've resolved the conflict," Tarn suggested with a smile. "How about... a date?"

Evand was taken aback at first, then readily agreed, "Sure! No problem!" He was completely immersed in joy, unaware that he had also promised Nexus a date after things were over. What should he do then?

After saying goodbye to Tarn, Evand hummed a little tune all the way back to the Spear Tavern. He couldn't wait to tell Roshke the good news.

"Roshke! Good news!" Evand shouted as he entered the room.

Roshke was sitting by the window, his fingers constantly touching the cursed bracelet, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. Hearing Evand's voice, he quickly turned around. "How is it? Is there a way?" he asked anxiously.

Evand excitedly told Roshke that Tarn had agreed to help, and described in detail their planned route and timeline.

After hearing this, Roshke smiled with relief. "Evand, thank you! You're truly my angel, and I think your friend Tarn feels the same way!"

“Of course,” Evand said with a smile, “we’re best friends!”

The following day, Evand and Roshke prepared for their upcoming mission. They carefully studied the map provided by Tarn and repeatedly practiced the route into the temple. At the same time, they tried to avoid contact with other members of the Minotaur tribe in the tavern to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion.

Night fell, the stars twinkled, and moonlight bathed the roof of the Spear Tavern, creating an atmosphere of exceptional tranquility and peace. Evand and Roshke quietly left the tavern and headed towards the Minotaur tribe.

Night fell, and everything around them seemed mysterious and unpredictable. They moved cautiously through the dense jungle, trying not to make a sound.

Finally, they arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Minotaur tribe lived. Following Tarn's instructions, they found the hidden entrance marked on the map.

Tarn was already waiting there. He nodded to Evand and Roshke, signaling them to follow.

The three of them walked along a winding path toward the temple at the top of the mountain. They remained highly vigilant the entire way, fearing they might be discovered by the patrolling minotaurs.

The night wind howled, and the leaves rustled, as if adding a touch of tension to their adventure.

The three avoided the minotaur guards' patrol routes and finally arrived at the mountaintop temple. Moonlight, like water, poured down, reflecting on the lake's surface, creating a shimmering, breathtaking scene. Looking at the view before him, Roshke exclaimed, "The scenery here is truly beautiful, so much like my hometown. Especially this temple, it's exactly the same as the temple in my tribe."

Looking at the beautiful night view, Evand recalled his first hike here with Tarn. The scenery was just as captivating then, only today he had Roshke with him. Hearing Roshke's words, Tarn raised an eyebrow, asking with a hint of skepticism, "Really? How similar?" As the son of a minotaur chieftain, he had to be vigilant, especially since the other party was a lizardman. Although Roshke was Evand's friend, he still had to consider Evand's safety; he didn't want his friend to be deceived.

Evand asked curiously, "Roshke, really? Does your tribe also have temples with magical barriers at night that are inaccessible?"

Upon hearing the words "magic barrier," Roshke immediately shook his head: "No, our tribe's temple doesn't have a magic barrier." He suddenly realized that since there was a magic barrier here at night, it meant they couldn't enter the temple tonight.

“That’s right,” Tarn explained from the side, “The temple is protected by a barrier at night, and you can only enter during the day.”

“Looks like we’ll have to spend the night on the mountain.” Roshke shrugged helplessly.

“Don’t worry,” Tarn pointed to a clearing not far away, “there are some tent materials left by our people there. You can rest there first.” The Minotaur tribe has a tradition of leaving some tent-building materials on the mountaintop to make it easier for those tribesmen who are not fully prepared.

The three arrived at the open space and, sure enough, saw some tent frames, canvas, and daily necessities, even a campfire specially set up to prevent fires. Evand was about to start setting up the tents when Tarn stopped him.

“Evand, you’re not a nanny, you don’t have to do everything?” Tarn said with a smile. “Last time you said I carried everything myself, but this time let this guest set up the tent. After all, he’s the one going home, not you.”

Evand hesitated for a moment, looked at Tarn's determined eyes, then at Roshke, and helplessly shrugged, indicating that he also wanted to help.

Roshke said nothing; he knew Tarn remained wary of him. He keenly sensed Tarn's hostility. Perhaps it was because Tarn perceived a special affection for Evand and saw him as a potential rival, which amused him inwardly. After all, the other was a young minotaur, so such thoughts were understandable. He smiled, took the materials Evand handed him, and began skillfully setting up the tent. He had once been a warrior of the lizardman tribe, so wilderness survival skills were naturally second nature to him.

Tarn watched Roshke's movements with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected this lizardman to be so skilled; it seemed he was indeed no ordinary character.

As night deepened, the temperature on the mountaintop plummeted, and a cold wind howled. Evand, Tarn, and Roshke sat around the campfire, the flickering flames illuminating their slightly weary faces.