“Oh tea’s a plenty; it’s quite the brew.”

‘it’s true’ ‘it’s true’ ‘it’s true’

“The flagan’s full; filled to the brim”

‘On a whim’ ‘on a whim’ ‘on a whim’

“Drink to the bottom; till it’s dry”

‘Oh my!’ ‘Oh my!’

“Call out the the barmaid; for another try”

The bar patrons sang the Chorus with fervor and it nearly drowned out Nick’s words.

“Say again?” Zach called out over the noise.

“I have a guest room you can spend the night in, it’s in one of the wings of the Halvin castle.” Nick said.

“Oh thanks, but I wouldn’t want to impose, a commoner like me doesn’t deserve to sleep in a royal castle.” Zach said, “I can just get a room here.”

“No no I insist, you slept in a murky dungeon because of my mistake, it’s only fair for me to offer a nice and warm room to you.” Nick said, “I’ll have no other way, come come. We should get going.”

Nick slid from the booth and dropped two grimps onto the table for his payment. Zach gathered up his leftovers; tucking them away in his satchel he did the same as Nick, “have a nice evening!” The tavern owner called out to them as they left.

As they walked towards the castle, Nick looked over to Zach, “if you don’t mind me asking, how did you get to where you are now?”

“Like how’d I get to be a blacksmith?” Zach asked and Nick nodded.

“Well I was orphaned as a baby and grew up on the streets, I had to steal if I wanted to eat and at an early age I had to learn to take a beating. At about 8 I found out that I had a talent for fixing things so I started a small business of fixing the other kids' trinkets. It kept me fed up until 14 when I was caught stealing some scrap metal, I was given the choice of paying a fine or helping out around the town. I couldn’t come up with the money so I had to make the choice. By then fixing carpenter tools was child’s play, so I quickly became known for my talent.

I was 18 when I ran into Lieutenant Avner Seax, he was very impressed with my craftsmanship on his Syth so he used his monthly payment from the capital guard to get me a small shack, it wasn’t much but it got me off the streets. I slowly began to build my blacksmith shop from that shack.” Zach said.

“Oh wow, you had it bad didn’t you?” Nick asked.

“Not as much as you may think, but times were tough.” Zach said.

“I can’t even remember the last time I missed a meal, I feel so bad about the conditions in the streets right now. I wish I could do something, but don’t know where to begin.” Nick said.

“One random act of kindness, every day. Begin with that.” Zach said as he opened his satchel and handed his leftovers to a beggar on the side of the street. 

They were silent the rest of the way to the castle. 

In the morning Zach awoke to the sound of the door being knocked on. He slid from the sheets and quickly got dressed, “Come” Zach said, expecting a servant. 

He jumped as he saw a man in his late 30’s with a clean tunic and breeches, with the pelt of a fox draped around his shoulders. A nobleman.

“Oh, my apologies, my lord! I didn’t realize you were the one knocking.” Zach said as he bowed.

“Zach I presume, don’t mind the formalities. You are a guest in my home.” The person Zach could only guess as being Nick’s father. 

“Thank you my lor-, thank you.” Zach said, catching himself. 

“I expect you to join us for breakfast?” Nick’s father said.

I’d be glad to, uh… I didn't catch your name sir.” Zach said.

“Oh, Morgan. Morgan halvin.” Morgan said. 

“Thank you, Morgan. I’ll be there,”Zach said.

When Morgan left Zach sat down on the bed and pondered if he would be allowed to go back to his home, chuckling to himself he packed his bag and exited his room, leaving it cleaner then when he got there.