“Lost human in search of refill?” I inquired with a hopeful smile.

“Get it somewhere else,” the beastman replied, crossing his arms and scowling, “I don’t serve humans.”

I faltered for a moment, unsure if I should push the issue. I didn't want to start a conflict, but I also a little drunk and wanted another mug of cider. Plus, I have to admit that it pricked my pride to be treated so poorly for no reason.

We stared at each other for a moment, neither of us speaking, but neither of us backing down. Honestly, it was really awkward.

Thankfully, my rescue from the uncomfortable standoff arrived in the form of a friendly arm wrapping around my shoulders.

“Well, lookie who I found,” Vargas said with a lopsided grin. “How’d you end up all the way down here?”

I gave him a grateful smile, “I was just taking a look around. I stopped to get a refill from this lovely gentleman here, but I don’t believe he is inclined to grant my request. I get the impression that he doesn’t like me all that much. A shame for him, though. I’m delightful.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” the beastman from the fire groaned, “Just give me the damn cup and shut up.”

He snatched the cup from my hand and filled it with some of the warm liquid steaming over the fire. He held it out impatiently, waiting for me to take it back. There was undisguised aggression in his movements, but I got the impression it was all for show.

I graciously accepted the cup and bowed formally, “Thank you, kind sir. I appreciate your hospitality and generosity.”

A chorus of laughter erupted from behind me, coming from the three female beastmen sitting by the fire.

“We’ll take care of him from here, Vargas,” one of them assured him through her laughter, “Nico won’t trouble him too much with us here. The human can be our entertainment for the night.”

“Not like I was worried or anything,” Vargas answered dismissively, “He’s a big boy. But take good care of him anyway. He once carried me up every stair in the Palace when I was too drunk to walk.”

As Vargas wandered off, the woman who'd said they’d take care of me asked, “What’s your name, kiddo?”

“Kiddo?” I echoed, “No one’s called me that in… ever, actually. Name’s Evan.”

I considered my options before hesitantly offering my hand. I was raised to kiss the hands of ladies, not shake them, but somehow I didn’t think this was the time and place for such things.

“Well, you look like a kid to me,” she replied, accepting my hand in her rough, calloused ones, “but maybe it’s a sign I’m gettin’ old. I’m Mara. This is my mate Juniper and her sister Jaslynn. And Nico there is my sister’s cub, so we’re all family here.”

Upon closer inspection, I could understand how I might have looked like a kid to her. At first glance, she appeared to be in her late twenties, but the fine lines around her eyes when she smiled gave her away. She was probably old enough to be my mother.

The other two looked about the same age, both of them offering me firm handshakes. I was taken aback by the strength in all three of their grips. There was nothing delicate about these ladies at all. In fact, I was pretty sure any one of them could beat me in a spar without using their animal forms. It was a rather novel concept, such powerful, warrior-like women.

We fell into an easy conversation that lasted for multiple movements. I didn’t have any further issues with getting my cup refilled, as Nico warmed up to me a bit after Mara scolded him for being rude.

Initially, he'd remained silent and glaring, only deigning to acknowledge me when I asked for more cider. But after being told he looked like a cub eating a lemon, he put away his attitude and joined the conversation.

Unfortunately, once Nico decided he didn’t hate me, he jumped from one extreme to the other. One refill, two refills, three refills, four. It wasn’t long before I was completely, utterly, and hopelessly drunk.

“You see ladies,” I slurred, swaying in place, “Can I call you ‘ladies’? You guys just say females. Is that what I’m supposed to say? Well, you see females, ladies, what… what was I saying? Right! The thing with being a Royal is that it’s a Royal pain in the ass. Oops, I’m not supposed to say ass in front of ladies. Oh no, I did it again.”

Clearly, I’d had far too much cider to carry on a proper conversation, but I certainly wasn’t going to let that stop me. Not that anyone else was stopping me either. I suppose this was what Mara had meant when she said I’d be their entertainment.

I giggled like a fool, “But it’s okay, right? ‘Cause you’re not ladies, you’re female beastmen. Oh! I know! I’ll call you beastladies. That’s perfect! Also… you’re… stronger than regular ladies. Jaslynn, your arms are so big. Can I touch them?”

I didn’t give her a chance to respond, instantly wrapping both hands around her bicep, “Wow. They’re bigger than mine. You're so strong! That’s amazing. You’re amazing!”

All three beastladies smiled indulgently and laughed, so clearly I hadn’t done anything too offensive.

Nico was laughing too. He was better looking when he smiled. As he refilled my mug once more, I thought to myself that he should smile more often. Then again, he probably smiled a lot more when there weren’t any humans around. I felt a sense of drunken pride that I’d somewhat won him over.

I was also starting to think that he was getting me drunk on purpose, but that was fine by me. We were working towards a common goal, after all.

“Did you know they breed us?” I asked, suddenly feeling serious, “Royals. They breed us. Breed us like Gods damned livestock.”

Their smiles faded a bit at that revelation. Or, at least, I think they did. Since everything was spinning, I couldn’t really see their expressions all that well. But in the presence of such a rapt audience, I felt the urgent, irresistible need to air my grievances.

“I don’t know what the big deal is, really. The–hic–golden-eyed heir will be born no matter what. Don’t know why I gotta do my duty all the time. That’s what they call it. ‘Doing one’s duty.’ Kinda ruins the fun, if you ask me. Not that I found any fun in it anyway.”

In hindsight, this was where I should have stopped. Up until now, I hadn't said anything that could get me in trouble. But I was drunk, not just on the cider, but on the giddy sense of freedom that came with finally getting out of the city. So instead of shutting up, I just kept going.

“Can I tell you guys a secret?” I asked in a whisper that was anything but quiet, “I didn’t want to do my duty. At least–hic–not with ladies. But I had to, ‘cause it’s the rules. But I really really didn’t want to. So, I stopped. I got really good at chess that way. Made some nice lady friends who like playing chess too. They didn't wanna do their duties either, so we pretended we were doing them. And then Falyn saved me by taking me away. You know him, right? He's the one who married that Andrian guy. He’s so nice. He let me be his personal knight. Elantro helped too. He let me leave. Did you know he’s my cousin? He’ll be King someday. I’m ‘sposed to call him–hic–Your Highness, but I don’t, cause he’s my cousin who adores me. Don’t tell him about the duties thing, though. He’d be really sad that I lied.”

I looked up at my drinking companion through bleary eyes and smiled, “The Beastlands are gonna be sooo much better. No more duties, no more being stuck in the city, no more bullshit. Wait! Someone drank my cider. Oh… it was me, wasn’t it? I drank my cider. It's really tasty. I should have some more. Nico, good sir?”

As I held my cup out for another refill, my gaze slowly drifted toward the edge of the firelight, where someone was standing, just beyond its reach. For a moment, my vision cleared and I saw Sir Wilson’s face in the shadows, watching me with a betrayed expression.

When our eyes met, he looked more startled than I. He stared at me wide-eyed for a moment before taking a few steps back. I opened my mouth to call out to him, but he turned and ran before I could make a sound.

Well, shit.