A waitress came out with my food, a lamb stew and some bread and water to wash it down. The smell was heavenly. I haven’t had the opportunity to hunt animals as part of my diet. The main reason being, I have no idea how to flay, butcher and get the meat without cutting myself. 

I kept the hood on and picked up the wooden spoon and helped myself to the stew. Mmm… how much I’ve missed this taste. Back at the association, my master would make lamb stew for me and another apprentice, and we would talk about various things. Now those are just memories.

While enjoying my meal, the door to the tavern burst open and in walks a few men clad in dark cloaks, all wet from the sudden downpour. All of them settled down two tables away from mine, they were four people. They lowered their hoods and people around them that had been keeping an eye on them since they entered audibly gasped.

I sat close to the bar side, and the two people that had been drinking quietly whispered amongst themselves.

“Isn’t that him?” he whispered as quietly as he could. “The one they call the tyrant of the northern castle?”

“Shh!” the other shushed. “If he hears you… you are dead”

“We should get out of here I do not want to lose my life tonight”

Both drank their beer in a hurry and left as soon as they could. I was a little disappointed and I wanted to hear more of what they had to say. I had no idea who this man was, but I had heard about the Tyrant of the North.

In the Empire, there were talks that the Tyrant was the biggest backbone of the kingdom but that he hadn’t done much to change the ways of their king, letting the king be the bad guy while he dealt with the kingdom's military talk with Yexirean Empire.

However, it didn’t concern me as I was busy trying to find a stabilizer for my curse, but now I wished I knew so I could avoid any accidental encounters. 

While stealing glances, I could tell from his side profile how terrifying of a man he must be. His silver locks prevented me from being able to clearly see his face. 

Out of nowhere, while the men were being served their meal, five masked people who had been dining until a while ago suddenly got up from their seats and charged straight at them. The waitress screamed in shock and let the food tray in her hand fall to the ground and the seated men got up from their seats as well and drew their swords.