It had been a few hours since my brother and I had been drinking, and I had sobered up some. So I suggested we walk, not telling him what I really had in mind. He had told me that 'Fresh air may do me some good,' to which I took on the chin and headed outside.

As we walk outside, I noticed that Andrew took one of his hands to shield his now, squinting eyes from the sun, "I think I have suddenly remembered why I prefer the darkness within a brewery."

I nodded and then sniffed the air, "True, but just smell that fresh air, perfect for a hangover." I took the trail to our left, which was through the trees, just so the sun did not hurt my little brother's dainty eyes. I chuckle to myself.

"Maybe when you actually have one, but when you are sober...", Andrew called, as he chased after me along the trail.

"True, I would much rather be inside," I smile at him as he caught up to me. "So, are there any girls currently on your mind?"

"Aside from last night, no, not in the way you are insinuating," he smirked at me. "How many ladies have you got on your mind?"

"None. Though if I had to get married to someone, I would not mind it being Catherine Belmonte," I laughed at the prospect of marriage.

Andrew laughed along with me, "That is who you would choose? Is she not too bubbly or seem too desperate?" He was almost laughing uncontrollably now, but managed to say, "If you were to wed her, I would happily give you money."

I laughed, "Well, thank you, brother, I would also give you money as well... if you were to get married at all." We continued to walk until I see the alehouse, and I stopped to face Andrew, "Brother, I think that the time has come for us to spend some of our money."

"Money? For what? I do not want to marry some young girl," He stood there, dumbstruck until he realised I had walked off. "Now this is how you end a walk," he nodded and followed me inside.

As we walk into the alehouse I smelt the fresh brew. The air in this establishment was always stale from smoke. It looked quite rickety, like it was either built hurriedly overnight, or it was over 100 years old and needed to be redecorated. Either way, I liked it, I thought it did not need to change since it was an alehouse after all. Raucous laughter and outbursts could be heard from the large table to our right. I guessed they had been here since at least lunch. To our left, a man sat alone at a table close by. He was sprawled across the table, sleeping, his mug laying on its side with its contents dripping on the floor. "Now this is home," I exclaimed to my brother over the noise.

"Indeed it is, brother," he agreed and headed toward the bar in front of us. I followed him. He rested his elbow on the bar and I heard him yell over the noise to the barkeep, "Two pints of ale and two cigars."

"You know me well, brother," I patted him on the back. I turned to the side of the room with the unconscious drunk and looked at the empty tables. Which one? I walked over to the table on the far side of the room and took a seat. The chairs were wooden and wobbly, so not the most comfortable.

I watch Andrew as he handed the barkeep a few coins when he received our order. He nodded to the barkeep as he carried the pints and cigars over to our table. After he placed them down, he sat while taking one of the cigars and lighting it with the candle centred on the table. Then took a long puff and looked down at his trousers. He seemed to brush his hand over them, "I look unkempt, I should have changed before our walk." he stated, moving his hand up to stroke his chin back and forth, "Possibly shaved, too."

"Ah, you are fine, brother," I told him before I lit my own cigar as well, and took a deep inhale of one end. "You are fine, at least you are still looking good."

He leaned back in his seat and exhaled, "Yes, well, I know that. Still, clean attire would simply enhance perfection."

"True, that is very true," I nodded, it would have. "Have you ever thought of one day settling down?"

He laughed, exhaling more smoke, "Settling, brother?" I looked around to see what he is staring at and see a group of wenches at the far side of the bar. He had his eyes set upon one of his regulars. Often when we frequent here, I find Andrew ending his night with her. He sighed, "What will settling get me besides irritation and incessant nagging? When both I get from mother already."

I laughed, "That is too true, brother."

He turned his head back to me and narrowed his eyes. He was thinking hard about something, I wondered what it was. I did not have to wait long to find out. "I suspect that you are not really asking, as you knew my answer. I guess you are asking yourself indirectly, perhaps thinking that settling may not be as bad as I say," as he finished his sentence he noticed me getting a little uneasy, so I took a large gulp of ale to hide my face. He, also, took a gulp of his own ale.

I looked into my drink and swirled it around. Trying to hide my face in my mug, I said, "What? Of course not, brother."

He narrowed his eyes further and furrowed his brows. If he were to narrow his eyes any more, they would be closed. I am sure that he could barely see through his intertwined lashes now. He had been thinking for a while before he swallowed the last of his ale, and lifted his mug in gesture, "Another?"

"You may have another, but I will be stopping for today. I have already drunk enough," I placed my mug down and smoked my cigar.

He shot me a quizzical look. Then he rested his cigar on the ashtray, before turning and walking over to the barkeep for another pint. I watched him as he leaned on the bar, waiting for his drink. I noticed as he turned and watch the group of wenches once more. I looked over at them myself, I recognised some of the faces. One or two from my own experiences, but most were from Andrew's. Then I saw which wench he could not take his eyes off. I do not know her, she is rather pretty though! She cannot be more than 14 or 15, I thought

Andrew grabbed his newly refilled mug and came back to our table in the corner. He placed his mug down, picked up his cigar and relit it on the candle.

As he did so, the alehouse door swung open and in walked Aiden Hennicker, who ran a hand through his hair as he stepped inside. It went a little quiet, men staring at him as he walked over to the bar. Not Andrew or I, we had not even noticed, too deep in conversation. Even if we had we would only know him by name and reputation. Never been formally introduced. Aiden got a drink, then walked toward our corner and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. He was only one table from us and could easily listen to our conversation.

I turned to Andrew, smiling, "So who is that girl who peaked your interest just now?" I nodded my head toward the wenches.

He smiled confidently at me, "Not quite sure, but am planning to find out."

"Ahh, my brother is finally growing up." I smiled and patted him on the back.

"Growing up?", he looked at me, surprised. "I do recall a certain somebody leaving early last night. That same somebody has just refused a second drink this eve," he teased.

"Why can't your brother be a little sober, I do not want to be like the Weatherby's father now, he is a mess," I laughed while taking a puff of my cigar. The cup stopped at Aiden lips when he heard the Weatherby name, and now he listened more intently at this point.

"Heaven forbid," Andrew laughed. "Now though, if you're going to open an alehouse, you have to sample the product." He raised his mug before taking another gulp and looking over at the girls once more.

"That is true," I nodded. "It is not like I would ever be abusive to my kids, if I were to have any. Actually, now that I think about it, the Weatherby sisters may need 'comfort.' If you know what I mean, brother." I laughed, thinking about the possibility of bedding a Weatherby sister. However, my thoughts were cut short by an unwarranted interruption.