If Evangeline thought the walk to the sparring grounds was treacherous, then the stumble to Sunset Tavern was a journey across the continent of Aagora. She had prayed that Fletcher or Vance would have appeared randomly to simply pick her up and carry her to the Tavern, as they certainly had the capability to do so, but fortune was not in her favor. 

However, Evangeline knew that her path to Sunset Tavern would be a long one, so she left quite early, before the sun fell but dark enough so she wouldn’t be in the midst of a crowd full of judgemental eyes. 

As she passed by the familiar outline of the fortune teller’s tent, she soon became curious. The lady, Fantasia perhaps, did mention some particularly intriguing things at their meeting. Evangeline then thought back to the potions on the shelf. She criticised herself for even thinking in the idea of magic … it would be selfish and possibly dangerous to even consider a potion for healing her ankle. Yet, a small part of her was curious; what if she could possibly heal her ankle a bit earlier than predicted?

Evangeline turned her head away from the tent and continued to hobble towards the tavern, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of glaring eyes amongst her back. She turned her head, searching for the source of the unnerving feeling. 

“I’m going mad,” Evangeline groaned, trying to keep her balance as she stumbled over an uneven crick in the pathway. She tried to regain her her balance as soon as possible, and by a mere moment of luck, she was able to find her footing. Letting out a breath of relief, Evangeline looked forward, sensing a buzz coming from a few hundred yards away. Focusing her eyes in the darkness, she could make out a building that radiated different colored lights. She could see people starting to surround and walk towards the building, like moths to a flame. 

Evangeline finally managed to stumble her way to the tavern entrance. There were a few stray people outside the tavern, but the loud crowd noise and music inside signified life and drinking … lots of drinking. 

After being in a moment of thought, Evangeline’s eyes sparkled as she limped her way through the open door. As she managed to make her way through the tavern, she could feel eyes on her. After a moment of searching around, Evangeline heard her name called from the left of her. Searching for a moment amongst the congested bundle of people. 

After a second, Evangeline’s vision latched onto another dark, brown pair of eyes that belonged to, whom she recognized as, Vance. Then appeared another issue, as she realized that the table they sat themself along the wall, through countless amounts of rows of tables. That would mean one thing and one thing only … Evangeline would have to traverse acros the crowds while attempting to not knock anyone or anything over. 

“There’s no way … “ Evangeline groaned as she examined the situation. And as if Vance could sense her dread, he managed to get up and maunever his way through the crowd. It became apparent that Vance stood out from the other people; he had a much larger stature, and it made other patrons look like dwarves.

“You guys seriously picked the most hard to reach spot for someone who is on crutches? What is this blasphemy you asswhats?” Evangeline snapped, bearing her smaller canines in attempt to appear menacing. However, the enermousous reaction she expected was nothing more than a chuckle and smirk. 

“It wasn’t intentional, I swear. Well, it wasn’t for me at least. Chief over there,” the two glanced over to Fletcher who was drinking a glass of beer. He apparently felt the gaze and nodded his head, giving a grunt in response. Evangeline turned her eyes back to Vance as she huffed and decided on an idea.

She used her crutches and went back over to the front of the tavern, near the coat racks, and stopped. She then motioned for Vance to come over, and he followed her instruction without, seemingly, a second thought.

“Hold my hand real quick. I am going to get off these damned things.”

“You’re doing what? Evangeline, you’re going to be in pain if you walk on that foot.”

“Sue me, I rather be in pain than cause a scene with this bloody things. The pain can’t be that much more painful than having to hobble the whole way here with these crutches digging into my under arms that whole damned way.”

Evangeline placed her left hand into Vance’s now outstretched hand, and she took the right crutch out from under her right arm and tossed it to the wall. Immediately, her casted foot went to the floor, and a spurt of pain ran up her ankle. She had to clench her teeth and ignore the sudden pain. After a moment, it went away, but she knew it would be there after every step. 

“Now, hold my right hand.” Vance let go of Evangeline’s left hand, as she stabled herself on the crutch, and went to her other side and laid out his hand. She placed her right hand, delicately, in his as she lifted the crutch from under her arm and placed it along side the wall with the other one.

She let out a little breath and looked towards Vance who stared at her hand. Evangeline tilted her head, noticing how warm Vance’s touch was. His hand, in itself, was rough with calluses all over it. Likely from the years of fighting, but his touch was gentle, attempting to be safe and stable. 

“Thank you, that’s all I needed. If you excuse me I need to order some drinks.”

“Are you sure you don’t need me to aid you?”

“While that would be nice,” Evangeline said, taking her hand away from Vance’s. Her brown-haired braids swung around as she let out a warm smile, “I can do this myself. Each step without those things is a step closer to healing.”

“Well, technically it would only be hurting it more.” Vance chuckled, lifting an eyebrow in attempt to make his point. Evangeline, in response, swatted at him, lightly hitting his arm while wearing a frown. 

She then turned her head and slowly started to walk further into the tavern, near the bar. Each step in the direction of the bar was agony. Her ankle constantly radiated pain, and she couldn’t lift each step very high with the idea that the higher it went up, the more pain it would produce falling back down. Evangeline also couldn’t just drag her boot across the floor as it would turn her ankle at an unusual angle, leaving more pain to wound up in the injury.

She tried to keep her strides long in her left leg, and after what seemed like hours, she finally got to the bar which had only a few unoccupied seats left. Much to her excitement, she could see Leona working the bar, making a few drinks and talking with occupants.

Evangeline moved the stool back and pushed her hands on the bar table, proceeding to lift herself onto the stool. Vance, still following Evangeline, took another unoccupied stool to her right. 

As Leona was still attending to a few of the first arriving occupants, she caught a glance at Evangeline and gave her a wink, mouthing the word “hi” in the process. Evangeline’s pupils dilated at the wink, and a warm, fuzzy feeling entered her stomach. She tried to keep the giddyness down, but she couldn’t help but let out an excited smile. 

“What’s this I see?” Vance asked, nudging Evangeline softly in the ribs. Evangeline noticed him glancing at Leona and letting out a low whistle before looking back to Evangeline. “Is that someone you fancy? Didn’t know you liked gi—”

“What are you talking about, Vance?” Evangeline said nervously, nudging him sharply in the ribs as payback. He let out a gasp as the air from him lungs left, and it was like music to Evangeline’s ears. She let out a hum as her eyes quickly caught Leona coming in their direction. 

“Sweet pea, I see you’re back! What can I get you as well as this eye candy?”

“Wha-what?” Evangeline sputtered, looking from Leona to Vance. Vance, himself, let out a little laugh and flipped a small piece of hair out of his face.

“Flattered, Miss bartender. You’re quite the prize yourself.”

“Okay, Vance,” Evangeline laughed nervously, trying to stir the conversation away from the direction of flirting. Not that she was jealous or anything, but she thought it was quite uncomfortable … to herself at least. “How about a scotch on the rocks, please?”

“Why yes, miss knight.” Leona said, flashing her white, gapped-teeth again. Evangeline felt her stomach pivot, and she couldn’t help but be flattered at that damned smile. “You want a tab?”

“I would think that might be a good idea. I am here on business, so it might be awhile.”

Leona nodded her head in Evangeline’s direction, and Vance let out a snicker, spinning on the stool to look at Evangeline. He let a hum and leant in closer to the flustered knight,

“So, do you fancy the bartender? She’s quite the looker. Can’t imagine she’s from here as her complexion is a bit more suited for Ustudzdi, and her accent certainly is a bit more looser, unique even.” 

“I don’t fancy anyone, you — prick!” 

“By the blush in your face, I suspect that statement to be nothing more than a fib.” Vance sneers as the two’s eyes look back to Leona who delivers Evangeline her drink in a clear glass. Evangeline thanks her with a smile and lowers her head, attempting to hide the heat that is spreading across her face. 

Leona walked away and Evangeline took a little sip of her drink, trying to ignore the sadistic glare from Vance. 

“Let’s go meet with Fletcher, shall we?” Evangeline mumbled as she gets up from her stool, feeling the agonizing pain in her foot as soon as it touches the floor. She let out a curse, but feigns feeling normal in attempt to leave the situation.

Evangeline winced her way back to Fletcher’s table as he is reading a book while having a his half empty beer glass next to him. He looks up, adjusting his reading glasses before motioning for Evangeline to take a seat at one of the three unoccupied spots. 

She quickly took a spot next to him; he was along the wall while she was towards the floor. Across from Evangeline, Vance took his spot, a drink, assumingly from before he met with Evangeline, sitting in front of him. 

“A reader? Wouldn’t peg you as one of those,” Vance noted, letting out a cheeky smile at the remark. Fletcher, in response, closed his book and put it on the table whilst taking off his reading spectacles as well.

“I enjoy works of history, actually. I’ve always pondered what happened before us, before there were kingdoms and people were people, no tyranny nor caste system.”

“Careful what you say,” Joked Vance as he took a sip of his drink. It was dark, nearly pitch black, so Evangeline couldn’t quite make out what it was. Her eyes turned back to Vance as he strummed his hands against the table, “watchful eyes are always looking”. 

Evangeline took a small sip in response to that. Even if Fletcher was a man of power within the Colossicus military, King Ragnar wouldn’t hesitate to … dispose of someone. It didn’t matter what he did; if deemed a threat to his empire, then he would not hesitate to take a life. That’s one thing that Evangeline had picked up during her life in Colossicus, people were disposable. One mistake, fool King Ragnar once. Two mistakes, and lives were suddenly missing. 

“Besides, we are here to drink and discuss – things. Not to read books and ponder the meaning of,” Vance put his fingers up as air quotes, “life”.

Fletcher scoffed slightly and took a drink out of his cup. It was starting to get on the lower side of occupacity, and Fletcher was bound to get a refill soon. 

“Besides that,” Evangeline butted in, leaning back in her chair slighlty and stressing her arms behind her. She was careful not to hit anyone as it was crowded in the tavern. She then brought her hands back down onto the table, “do we not have topics to discuss. Some rather, intriguing, topics.” 

“Perhaps, the wedding?” Vance hinted, the light in his eyes dimming ever so slightly. However, he covered up the dismay that plagued the lines on his face and slight frown he held. He shook his head and threw his hand into his hair, ruffling it up. Evangeline could see, hypothetically, how this would woo women, but she felt more or less disinterested. “Ah, yes, the wedding.”

The three at the table suddenly grew quiet. Not much information about the wedding information had been spread about to even the higher officials. It had only been a five or so days since the announcement at the ball, and things had been moving both fast and slow in Evangeline’s world. On one hand, she had been trapped in between studies and watching spars. She couldn’t participate, and that killed her on the inside.

Even then, Evangeline had gotten no news on the wedding. Whenever she tried to bring the topic up to Anastasia, things would get quiet, and a new topic would typically be brought up. The king had also mentioned nothing to Evangeline, and she was starting to panic on the inside that she may not be going with Anastasia with the wedding or to wherever she goes. 

“Has anyone heard anything about it? Perhaps where it will be taking place and when? Or the plans after?” 

“I am afraid not,” Evangeline stated, bringing a little frown to her face. Her eyebrows became sullen, and the dimples she typically wore disappeared. 

“What I have heard is nothing but rumors. I think it is taking place within the next six months.” Fletcher commented, and Evangeline had a sinking feeling in her stomach. It was like an anchor falling to the sea floor after landing at a bay. 

“It will be a unification of two kingdoms. Do you think the lands will be connected?” Evangeline questioned aloud, and the two men looked to her. Fletcher remained quiet, putting a finger to his temple, seemingly lost in a bit of thought. Vance, too, remained quiet. While typically being happy go-lucky, the topic was a bit more on the more serious of side of things. There were so many ideas that went into this marriage, almost too many ideas running through the flood gates. “I mean, it would make sense. The more resources; I am just unsure how they would combine the kingdoms.”

“Perhaps there would be two sectors? Maybe one for the main royalty and militia training whereas the other for agriculture. I know Colossicus has particularly well saturated soils for crops.” Vance pointed out, taking a sip of his concoction.