An Absurd Morning

After taking Abel around every sentry post, Gavin checked the time. It was already 8:40 in the morning.

He had spent a little longer chatting with his people than he had expected.

It hardly mattered. Even now, only a handful of people around camp had gotten up.

Gavin didn't mind. He had brought the drinks for everyone, so he had to accept that they would sleep in.

The council speaker, on the other hand, had risen much earlier than the rest.

Gavin knew the old man had dodged drinks last night. He hadn't been anywhere near blackout drunk; he had simply wanted to avoid being pressed into negotiating at the table.

So, just as Gavin and Abel finished their rounds, they saw the speaker emerge from the ranger cabin and wander through camp with six or seven soldiers.

Even from a distance, Gavin could see that the speaker looked grim.

Abel saw it too. He leaned toward Gavin with an amused smile and whispered,

"Boss, I don't think the speaker likes what you did to his men last night. Ha!"

"Ha! Maybe not. But whether he likes it doesn't matter. I do."

With that blunt reply, Gavin led Abel toward the speaker.

While they were still some distance away, Gavin raised his beer bottle and called out,

"Aha! Salior, my good friend! Congratulations on finally crawling out of last night's hangover!"

Gavin walked up as he spoke, even high-fiving the speaker's guards along the way.

He had talked one-on-one with most of the New York Council members at the party last night. Even the fellows accompanying the speaker could now be called his drinking buddies.

Seeing Gavin greet his soldiers so warmly, the speaker drew a displeased breath. He patted Gavin lightly on the shoulder and said,

"Gavin, I think