The tense atmosphere in the tavern's private room had long since evaporated.
In its place were the rich aroma of ale, piping-hot roast meat, the fresh fragrance of fruit and vegetables, and the noise and joy of old friends reunited.
"Come on, don't just stand there. Sit down and talk."
Keith warmly welcomed the two of them to the table.
With a broad wave of his hand, he ordered several more large tankards of ale topped with white foam, along with more food to go with it.
Cui Ciyou also raised a hand. "Since you're old friends of Paul..."
Halfway through, he seemed to remember something.
He paused, then smiled.
"Since you're old friends of my good friend Paul, you're not strangers to us."
"Let's eat and drink while we talk."
"Alice, Sylphy..."
Alice and Sylphy were still somewhat upset.
But at Cui Ciyou's prompting, they sat down again.
Alice stayed pressed close to Cui Ciyou's left side, like a little beast guarding its master.
Sylphy, meanwhile, received some reassurance from Cui Ciyou.
Much calmer now, she claimed the seat on his right.
The look Sylphy gave Elinalise still held a trace of hostility, along with something complicated that defied explanation.
"Speaking of which, Keith, how did you end up traveling with this 'Hero of Fittoa'?"
"Speaking of which, Keith..."
Elinalise unceremoniously filled herself a large tankard of ale, the foam almost spilling over the rim.
After taking a hefty swig, she asked Keith curiously:
"How did you end up traveling with our famous 'Hero of Fittoa'?"
That question was exactly what Keith had been waiting for.
He immediately launched into a vivid account of the "legendary tale" of their meeting.
In Keith's telling, he was no longer a gambler caught cheating.
Instead, he was a wise man whom the