Marachius Ainsley

Troubles At The Bar

Marachius stood next to the bar and worked on his cup of coffee. There was a good crowd and everyone seemed to be in fine spirits. He recognized a few of the people there, but not more than to nod as they passed on the street.

“Sorry you have to wait.”

Marachius looked back to the bar and the young lady now standing behind it. She was removing mugs from her tray and putting them in a wash basin behind.

“That’s okay, Tabitha,” he replied. “Gives me a chance to people watch.”

“Well, they’ve got someone coming in to help out. As soon as she gets here, I can leave.”

“That’s fine. That’ll give me time to finish my coffee.”

“Just holler out if you need a refresh,” Tabitha said. She put some fresh mugs of ale on her tray and carefully picked it up. “I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

Marc watched as Tabitha moved back into the room and carried the drinks over to a table. The three men sitting at the table were having a good time as they loudly talked and laughed together. As the waitress started putting the drinks on the table, the men talked to her. Marc couldn’t hear what they were saying because of all the noise. Tabitha kept smiling as she responded to them. 

As she turned to walk away, one of the men reached out and grabbed Tabitha’s arm and pulled her back. Tabitha lost her balance and suddenly found herself sitting on the man’s lap. Her smile faltered briefly as she tried to pull away from the customer. Marachius put his coffee cup back on the bar and immediately walked over to the table.

“Everything okay?” Marc asked, looking directly at Tabitha. But she never had a chance to answer.

“She’s fine,” the man that had pulled on Tabitha’s arm responded.

“Mind you own business,” one of the other men added.

“I wasn’t asking you,” Marachius replied to the men. Then he looked back at Tabitha.

“I’m fine,” Tabitha said, trying to sound fine. She tried to stand up, but the man pulled her down again. 

“You’re not ready to leave yet, are you?”

“Sir, I have other customers.”

“Let them find their own waitress. I’ve got mine.”

“Not anymore,” Marachius said. Reaching forward, the paladin reached for the hand that was holding onto Tabitha’s arm. He wrapped his fingers around the man’s thumb and yanked back hard. The man yelped in pain and let go of Tabitha’s arm. Marc offered his other hand to Tabitha and she took it, pulling herself back to her feet. Marc then let go of the man’s thumb and stepped in front of the waitress.

“You peasant! Do you know who I am?” the man roared.

Marachius smirked momentarily. Before he could respond the bartender, a big man in a leather apron, came barreling into the room carrying a small wooden club.

“What’s going on?” the big man asked rather loudly.

“This man assaulted my friend,” one of the men at the table said, gesturing to his friend who was now cradling his hand.

“That so?” the bartender asked, turning to look at Marachius.

“No,” Tabitha interjected. “These men have had enough to drink.”

“Oh? Good enough for me,” the big man said. Then he turned to the table. “Bill is due now. Pay up and be on your way.”

“You’re kicking us out? Over her?” the man who was cradling his hand asked in surprise.

“Sure am.”

“But we’re the customers!” one of the others protested. 

“You were. Now you’re not. Thanks for coming by. Pay up and leave,” the bartender added, flexing one of his hands while he looked at them.

“Fine. This place was going to the dogs anyways.” The three men stood up and dropped some coins on the table before the stomped off, muttering.

“You going to be okay?” The bartender asked, looking at Tabitha.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

“Good. Go ahead and straighten up and then start counting out for the night. And you,” he added, turning to look at Marachius. “Next time let us take care of things.”

“Yes, sir,” Marachius answered with a nod. “I apologize.”

“No harm done. You walking Tabi home?”

“If she wants me to.”

“Good. She should be ready in a little bit. Go finish your drink.”

Marachius nodded again and started walking back to the bar. The bartender slapped Marc on the shoulder as he passed the paladin to go back to the bar. Marc finished his cup of coffee and then another cup while he waited. Eventually, Tabitha came back to the bar.

“Are you ready?”

“Sure,” Marachius answered. He reaching into his pocket and pulled out a few coins. He placed them on the bar next to his empty coffee cup and waved at the bartended, who nodded in return.

“Where are we off to?” the paladin asked.

“Have you been to the gardens?”

“Can’t say that I have.”

“Well then you’re in for a treat.”

“Lead the way,” Marachius said with a smile. The young lady took Marachius’ hand and they started walking towards the keep. They talked quietly as they walked along the path. They were so absorbed in their conversation that neither noticed the sounds of footsteps quickly coming up from behind them. Suddenly, stars appeared in front of  Marachius’ eyes and he felt a searing pain in his head.

The paladin fell to his knees and brought his hands up to the back of his head. Next to him, he could see Tabitha being held back by a man. But before he could focus on that, he was struck again in the shoulder and knocked to the ground. 

“This is what you get for not knowing your place,” a voice called through the haze of Marachius’ pain.

Marachius tried to cover his head as two men started kicking the paladin. He could tell that somebody was talking, but he couldn’t make out what was being said. Then another pain shot through him, this time starting in his arm. He heard a loud whistling sound and yelling and then, finally, he passed out.

———

Marachius started to open his eyes and let out a groan. His head was pounding and the bright lights did nothing to improve that. 

“You okay, soldier?”

Marachius followed the voice. His eyes adjusted to the light and he was able to focus a little better.

“Nara?”

“Yeah. How’re you feeling?”

“Like I got run over by an elek.”

“Sounds about right. What do you remember?”

“I’d left the bar with Tabitha.” Then he stopped and quickly glanced around the room, immediately regretting it. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah, she’s fine. Upset, but not hurt. What else do you remember?”

“I think I was knocked down and then was getting kicked or something?”

“Yeah, that about sums it up.”

Marachius started to lift his hands to his head and noticed that his left arm felt a lot heavier than normal. And as soon as he moved that arm, a new pain stabbed into him. “What happened?”

“Three guys jumped you near the keep. Knocked you down and kicked you some. Looks like a broken arm and a concussion.”

“They didn’t hurt Tabitha, did they?”

“No. She’s worked up, but no physical harm. Seems that some guards happened to be nearby and heard her scream. They came running, found you on the ground with them stomping on you, and immediately arrested the bunch. Then they brought you here to get patched up.”

“How long have I been out?”

“A few hours,” Nara answered, patting Marc on the leg. “Leiana and Lorn walked your friend back home. I got the first shift to stay here with you. Lucky us, you weren’t out that long.”

“What about the guys who jumped me?”

“They’re locked up for now. Your friend said she recognized them. Can you explain what happened?”

“I don’t know. There were a couple of guys got worked up in the bar earlier,” Marc started. He raised his right hand to his face and rubbed his forehead a little bit.

“You do something?”

“Made one guy let go of Tabitha, but nothing serious.”

“Fair enough. Well, the doctors want you to rest a little bit longer before they’ll let you go anywhere. Kiernan should be by in just a little bit. You need anything?”

“No,” Marachius replied. “Once my head stops pounding, maybe I can do something about my arm.”

“No rush, soldier. We’re not going anywhere right this moment. Rest up for now.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Marc said, a slight smirk sliding over his face before he closed his eyes and relaxed on the bed.