The Black Reef Tavern fell silent.
The Mercenaries were stunned by Annan's words. The Guards were even more shaken.
They knew Annan was someone important, but they had no idea he was that important.
Damn it... Good things really never happened to him!
Annan sensed the Guard Captain wavering and pressed on. "What's your name?"
“Us...”
"How much do you earn a month?"
One of the Mercenaries watching called out, "That fat— ahem... Their Lord is stingy as hell. He only pays them fifteen Silver Coins a week!"
Annan looked at the Guard Captain with pity. "Is a job that pays sixty Silver Coins a month worth dying for?"
"Now turn around, go outside, and tell the men who sent you in here to die that a bunch of drunks are fighting in the Tavern. I'm just watching."
"Go on."
"I'm loyal to—"
Annan cut him off. "I'm Annan Reeves, Lord of Free City. Someone will come speak to you shortly."
"My loyalty is yours..."
Captain Us finally lowered his head, though he had never held it very high.
The Guards released the Tavern owner, saluted Annan, and walked out without looking back, as though they had made up their minds.
A Mercenary by the door glanced around, then suddenly lunged at the man beside him with a roar. "Don't fucking think the Guards showing up will save you!"
The Mercenary took a punch to the face and staggered, but played along and swung back. "I should be saying that to you!"
The Mercenaries started brawling again, shoving each other into the door and blocking the view from outside.
They shouted behind the door to keep up the act—or perhaps the fight had turned real. Around Annan, though, all was quiet.
The Mercenaries gazed at him with eyes shining like