Nights at Beaumont's Inn were generally busy. The barmaids would run back and forth, trying to serve a seemingly endless stream of patrons and where the occasional troublemaker would be thrown out into the street to drunkenly stumble home.
Located in the heart of commercial Damocles and a decent enough place to find a decent ale and maybe some company for the night. Tonight though, there was an air of tension and fear; rumors had been circulating of an invasion from Eisenheim and terrible demonic attacks that left many a man dead. While people usually only filtered in and out, Old Gertel, Abir, Deadrick, and the owner, Beaumont himself, shared a drink together every night for the past five years. It was something to look forward to at the end of a long work day, a drink with friends before the return to home life with children and wives.
"They're takin' girls right out of their beds! Harvestin' their souls fer some evil ritual!" Old Gertel was loud and shrill as usual, always paranoid about this or that. Once he was started, it was impossible for him to calm down.
Abir dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "Bollocks! Like any demon is going to be running around freely with men like that about." he said gesturing to the inquisitor sitting at the bar; the man's skin appeared to be made of stone and the color was almost obsidian, "What do you think he is?" he wondered.
Deadrick took one quick glance in the inquisitor's direction, turned back to his beer, and shrugged, "Dunno, had no idea the king hired statues." He laughed to himself and took a generous swig from his tankard.
"Quiet! What in the hells is wrong with you? He'll hear!" Gertel hissed, he was terrified of the stone man, but then he was terrified of most things.
"He's...probably right. Last thing I think any of us wants is to have a chat with an inquisitor, least of all that one." Beaumont said.
"Why? What'd he do?" Abir asked, risking another glance at the man.
"How about publicly beheaded two nobles and arrested a Jarl's wife?" Beaumont said, he was nervous that this man was here at all as he was well known for his rather brutal displays in the city square.
Abir's eyes went wide and he let out a slow whistle, "That was him?"
Beaumont took a sip of ale, "Yup, watched him do it with my own eyes. Some fancy beorns from out in the fields, hauled them here without so much as a trial and-" He made a dramatic chopping motion into his hand, "cut their heads clean off."
Gertel gasped dramatically while the rest frowned.
"What a bastard." Deadrick muttered into his cup as he took another gulp.
"You better believe it." Beaumont said as he recollected that day, "looked damned proud of himself too. Like he was playing a game."
Old Gertel was looking increasingly uncomfortable, "Well, can't say it's been fun..." he excused himself, tossed a few coppers onto the counter, and hurriedly made for the exit. Being this close to someone with the authority to behead him should he get the urge was a bit too much for the jumpy old man.
The rest of the men shrugged, Gertel was always the first to leave, seemed like everything spooked him these days.
"Does he seem alright to you?" Beaumont asked, "he's never been quite all there, but doesn't he seem on edge?"
Abir shrugged, "Don't read too much into it Beau, the old man's just getting on in years; my father started to act all sorts of strange as he came up on the end." He took a sip of ale.
He heard the heavy thud of booted feet walking up behind him and he turned to see the stone inquisitor.
Beaumont forced a smile though a practiced eye could still see the nervousness there, "And how was everything today sir?" he asked with faux concern
The inquisitor shrugged, "Acceptable I suppose." He tossed a couple silvers onto the bar counter and simply nodded as a farewell before marching out into the night. Beaumont collected the coins eagerly.
"Well I guess there's a bright side to having the Inquisition's finest in your establishment." Deadrick motioned to glinting silver pieces, then he waved his mug at Beaumont, "Oh, and fill me up when you get the chance?" He asked patronizingly, there was barely anyone else in the inn, Beaumont had even sent the barmaids home already.
Beaumont scoffed but complied, sliding the refilled tankard to the already rather drunk Deadrick, "Your last one mate, I won't have your woman giving me another earful." Deadrick chuckled as he continued to imbibe.
Abir looked around, "Speaking of which...just where the hells is everyone Beau? Ain't this the busy hour?"
Beaumont sighed, "Frankly, I'm surprised you all showed up, I mean, between the werewolf den that got cleaned out down the street and talk of Imperial spies around every corner? It's a wonder that I have customers at all." He frowned.
"I heard about the werewolves, can't believe the Guard let a whole den go undetected for Beryllus knows how long." Abir took another sip, "Makes you wonder what else they're missing, you know?"
By now, Deadrick was passed out on the table. Beaumont helped himself to the coppers he was owed and shook the man violently.
"Deadrick." No response, "Deadrick you lazy ass, get up and go home or I swear I'll have the Guard drag you out."
Deadrick snorted and sat up, "Oh. Sorry Beau, here..." he fished around in his pockets and placed some coppers on the counter.
"Don't worry about it son, it's on the house." Beaumont replied, Abir was trying not to laugh.
"Well thank you." He slurred, he pushed himself away from the table and stumbled out the door.
Abir and Beaumont watched him leave and when the door finally shut, Abir let out the laugh he'd been stifling, "You're a better man than me. I figure if he's going to be so damn stupid, might as well make a few extra bits."
"Ah, he's alright. Just needs to hit the drink a bit less."
"Whatever you say." Abir finished off the last of his beverage and got up, "Well my friend, I think it's time for me to head home too." He payed for his drinks and said his goodbyes, "You be careful, things seem to have gotten dangerous everywhere."
Beaumont nodded, "You too, get home safe." Abir waved once more and walked out into the night.
The bartender leaned up against the wall and finished his ale before returning to work, wishing the slow nights he'd been experiencing would just end and that business would finally turn around.
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