Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Part 2

The door to the tavern creaked open as the half-demon pushed it aside.

Hazy smoke and the scent of stale beer greeted him.

To Evan’s left, a long wooden counter stretched, behind which shelves towered with variously shaped bottles and barrels.

A man with a pockmarked face, creased with deep wrinkles, stood behind the counter, pouring beer into a tankard.

As the half-demon entered the tavern, the man briefly raised his head, giving him a bewildered look. Then he turned away, paying no further attention to the newcomer.

At the rough wooden tables sat grim figures, silently drinking from their tankards.

The walls were adorned with dusty paintings and coats of arms, reflecting a gloomy light from the few candles.

No voice rose louder than a quiet murmur, and no one clinked glasses with their neighbors.

Evan immediately sensed the oppressive atmosphere.

Some gazes met the half-demon’s, but only for a fraction of a second.

Apparently, even the hard-drinking rogues of this city were wary of pursuers.

Evan found a free seat in the farthest corner of the tavern. From there, he had a good view of the guests and could detect dangers early.

Some faces seemed familiar to him, mostly from wanted posters.

Roger Vidalgo, a slave trader from Liszk in Cardíz. His face adorned every major city, and his name spread fear and terror, not only in the Kingdom of Brunen.

His shaved head with the long scar from his skull to behind his right ear practically screamed criminal and was considered his trademark.

Just like the tattoo-covered, muscular upper arms and the angular face of Jorg de Vries, a simple thug, one might think, but he was known as an extremely brutal mercenary who loved to torture his victims before death.

Rodrik “Stonefist” Grimgar, a black-bearded dwarf, his face scarred with countless scars and his hands full of cuts, was known for beating his enemies to death with his bare fists.

Almost half of the guests had a dark past, Evan knew, but the fact that they dared to gather in the capital of Brunen he found extremely daring.

But whoever wanted to make big deals had to take every risk.

A lady in a tight corset and long, curly red hair approached his table, fists on her hips.

She had an athletic build, radiant blue eyes expressing adventure and curiosity, and full lips that played with a sensual smile.

Her ample bosom, barely held by the tightly laced corset, pressed seductively forward, suggesting that she knew how to skillfully use it in her profession.

The beige shirt she wore under the corset stretched over her chest and provided a revealing view of her cleavage through the low neckline. The long skirt, however, almost reaching the floor, covered her legs and gave her a certain elegance in this dreary environment.

“What’ll it be?” she asked in a husky voice.

Evan looked out from under his hood.

His piercing red eyes brought a smile to the barmaid’s face.

“You scoundrel, daring to show up here,” she said softly, so as not to attract attention.

“Good to see you, Lydia. I heard you’ve settled here,” Evan replied.

“How long has it been since I last saw your ugly mug?” the youthful woman asked, adjusting a chair.

She leaned on the table with one forearm and slid onto the chair, positioning her hips so she could spring up and intervene at any moment if there was trouble with one of the guests.

“It’s been too long,” Evan replied without looking her in the eye. “A lot has happened since then.”

“Well, I’m curious to hear what you have to say. I can guess why you’re here anyway,” Lydia said, briefly surveying the tavern. “But he’s still in a meeting.”

“I can wait. I’ve been on the road for months; a few minutes won’t make a difference. Maybe you could bring me a mead?”

Lydia looked sharply at him and replied in a rough voice, “Do I look like your damn servant?”

The two fell silent for a moment, then the barmaid laughed. “But of course, I’ll bring you your mead. You’re impossible to fool. No expression on your face. You almost look like a dead man!”

She jumped up from the chair and winked amusedly at the half-demon.

In response to a guest’s “Can I get another beer?” she raised her fist and bared her teeth. “Shut it! Coming right up!”

Evan sighed. He detested such establishments, feeling confined and constantly watched.

Usually, the scrutinizing glances were always directed at him. In this case, however, everyone seemed to mind their own business. It reassured him only slightly.

After a short while, Lydia sat back down on her chair and placed a wooden tankard of golden mead on the table in front of the half-demon.

“Enjoy it, it’s on the house,” she said, smiling.

Despite her rough demeanor, Evan knew her inner core. Her warm and caring nature.

“Thank you. I need this right now,” he replied, smiling.

That seemed to be enough payment for the barmaid.

“Well, I know how to make you happy,” she replied ambiguously, winking.

The half-demon almost choked on his first sip of mead and looked at her with wide eyes.

“As I see it,” he coughed and wiped the mead from his chin with the back of his hand, “you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”

“Why would I have lost it?” she asked, tilting her head to the side and looking at him intently.

“Well, the last time we met, you were heading towards the coast. You’re far from the sea now, instead you’ve settled in the slums of Rabensberg.”

“Sometimes things just turn out differently,” Lydia sighed, putting on a serious face. “But the pay is good, and I’ve made a name for myself. Usually, the guests leave me alone. Occasionally, strangers come by, but I know how to etch my name into their thick skulls. You know me.”

“I do. So far, you’ve always managed fine on your own. But I thought you’d settle in a small port town or a village. Enjoy the peace, after all the hustle and bustle.”

Lydia waved it off. “Oh, you don’t know me well enough! – That life’s not for me. I tried it, really, but I got bored quickly. I’m well placed here. Don’t look at me like that; you don’t need to worry about me, worry more about those who come at me the wrong way.”

A forced smile flashed on Evan’s face for a brief moment.

“I will say a prayer for these poor souls,” he retorted cheekily.

His gaze wandered to a door behind the counter, which opened.

A slender man with thinning hair emerged from the back room.

“It seems he can receive me now,” Evan said with a melancholic voice, turning back to Lydia. “Thank you. It was nice seeing you again.”

She nodded with a friendly smile. But her eyes betrayed her concern. “Likewise, let it not be the last time.”

“Surely not,” the half-demon replied. With one gulp, he downed the mead from his tankard, briefly grimacing.

With brisk steps, he hurried past the guests and tables and entered the back room.

Darkness enveloped him like a thick cloak. Only a faint light, filtering through a small opening from the street, illuminated the scene.

The room was empty, save for a massive desk and an old, rickety chair in front of it. That’s how it seemed to Evan at first.

As a candle flickered on the desk, it cast a gentle light on a figure on the other side of the desk.

A stout figure, with a round face and a bald head, appeared before the half-demon.

If one had covered the person in green paint, they could have been mistaken for an oversized toad at first glance.

It was Vaclav Riszko, the warlord whose name spread fear and terror throughout Brunen.

He wore a silk shirt with wide sleeves. His gaze was probing and suspicious.

“Have you lost weight?” Evan asked, looking at him seriously, although the remark was sarcastic.

His counterpart scrutinized the half-demon. His gaze exuded calm, but also skepticism.

“Evan Dhorne, you dog. I didn’t expect to see you so soon,” quacked Vaclav Riszko.

“You’re surprised?” Evan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“No, not really. Unlike some of the other failures, you’ve always been reliable,” Vaclav Riszko replied, breaking into loud laughter. “Sit down, my friend, sit down.”

Evan took a seat on the shaky chair, placing his travel sack beside him and looking around the sparse room. “You have it nice here. I see you still receive your guests in the dark.”

Vaclav clicked his tongue. “It’s better if as few people as possible know my face.”

“And here I thought you wanted to do your visitors a favor,” the half-demon retorted with a smirk.

“If I had your face, I wouldn’t be flapping my mouth,” the warlord replied.

The two fell silent, exchanging angry glances. Then Vaclav’s expression turned into a malicious grin.

Evan sighed. He didn’t like being associated with people like Vaclav Riszko. But he had ears and eyes everywhere. That occasionally worked to his advantage.

His network of spies had proven extremely useful. Although it often happened that he received false information. But he could never have advanced his list so far without them.

“But tell me, what exactly happened at Haren Castle?” the warlord began, scratching his scaly forehead. White flakes cascaded onto his desk. “I can hardly imagine they let you in there.”

“Well, as mentioned earlier, a demon had taken up residence there. I made short work of it,” Evan replied.

“That was to be expected of you. The lord must have been very grateful.”

“Not really. His wife found her death through the demon.”

Vaclav widened his eyes and wrinkled his nose. “That’s what you call bad luck. It wouldn’t have hurt to be in the good graces of a lord. You could have been my gateway to higher societies.”

“Of course, that’s all you care about,” Evan groaned.

His counterpart leaned back in his chair and grimaced. “Stop pretending like I’m the only one following my base instincts. Look at what’s happening in the streets. People are starving, robbing each other, murdering, plundering, looting. Each of us wants to survive. The authorities of the realm don’t care what happens here as long as the rabble stays behind the walls and doesn’t become their problem.”

“But the difference is, you don’t have to starve.”

“But my hunger for influence also benefits others. Don’t forget where you’d be without me. I also feed your hunger for revenge.”

“Now you’re exaggerating,” Evan shook his head disparagingly.

Vaclav leaned forward a bit. “It’s true. Just like a calf hangs on its mother’s teat, you are dependent on me. Without my network, you’d just be scratching your head at the name Rowan.”

Evan remained silent and averted his gaze.

Vaclav, on the other hand, closed his eyes and sighed softly. “That’s exactly it. Be that as it may. You’ve done me a great service by taking out Kinan. I don’t like it when someone interferes with my business. For that, I have fresh information about Rowan for you.”

“Out with it!” the half-demon spat.

“Easy, easy, we’re not on the run. Don’t look at me like that, your eyes scare me. Rowan and his people are indeed in Brunen. I heard that firsthand.”

“How reliable is your source?” Evan tried to conceal his excitement as he waited for Vaclav to spill the beans. But the warlord knew the half-demon and his hunger for information about Rowan.

“I vouch for them. Although maybe I wouldn’t go that far. But listen, apparently he’s on the run from the Guild.”

“I doubt that.”

“Why do you doubt that? – Ah, forget it. Do you want him or not?”

“Of course I want him.”

Evan narrowed his eyes seriously. “But I need to make sure the information is correct. I can’t afford to chase after a figment of imagination, not again.”

“Hey, hey,” Vaclav spluttered, “that wasn’t my fault. You know my people try everything to help you. But this Rowan is like a ghost.”

“Vaclav,” the half-demon paused briefly before continuing, “Are you really sure Rowan is in Brunen? – Where exactly is he?”

“I don’t know that yet, but this time I trust my contact. Should he want to fool us, then I’ll cut open his belly myself, stretch his intestines onto a cart, and drag him through the entire city. How does that sound?”

!

“Horrible. But I won’t meddle in that. If the information is wrong, then…”

“What then?” The warlord’s face darkened. “Are you threatening me? Outside are a dozen of the most wanted men in the kingdom. They all work for me and stand loyally by my side. Even you can’t defeat them all. One wrong move, and your entrails will be scattered on the ground.”

“All right, let’s leave it at that,” Evan shook his head irritably and sat up.

“Do you not trust me?” Vaclav asked, half horrified, half laughing. Then his expression turned serious again. “We’re not done yet. Sit back down.”

“What else is there?” Evan asked, annoyed, and reluctantly sat back down on the creaky wooden chair.

“There’s actually one more thing. Another assignment.”

“I’m not interested. Brunen is vast, I need more information. But until then, you can scratch me off your list,” Evan retorted angrily.

“Listen. You’ll like this one. Because with this assignment, you’ll find out for yourself if Rowan is in Brunen and maybe even his exact location. Because as I heard, some of his people are here in Rabensberg.”

“What? – And you’re just telling me now?” Evan blurted out excitedly.

“You were about to leave without letting me finish, so don’t get so worked up. My client informed me that you should meet him tonight at midnight in the cathedral.”

“Wait, a client wants to meet with me personally? – That’s never happened before, you’re usually so careful about discretion.”

“Well my friend, I’m making an exception for you.”

Evan looked Vaclav deep in the eyes. “He pays well, doesn’t he?”

“Oh man, of course, as if I’m acting out of charity. But I’m fine with it, I don’t have to try any harder.”

“But there’s a problem,” the half-demon remarked, crossing his arms and clicking his tongue disdainfully. “I wouldn’t know how to get to the cathedral.”

“Oh, stop with your old story!”

“Vaclav, I’m a half-demon, I can’t just stroll through the quarters of the capital as I please, have you forgotten?”

The Warlord rolled his eyes with a groan. “Of course not. But it’s not any different for me. My name is known in every city, from north to south and west to east. Do I hide in the dark cellar because of that?”

“Apparently,” Evan exclaimed, looking around the dark room demonstratively.

“Oh, that’s just for show. Different clothes, a bit of makeup, and you can stroll peacefully in the marketplace.”

“Stroll? – Are you seriously trying to convince me that you stroll?”

“No, but I could. It would be foolish to go out like that without my protection. There are surely hundreds of people who want to see my head roll. But you, my friend, you’re a clean slate. Or rather, everyone you’ve angered already has no head,” Vaclav replied, chuckling amusedly and continued, “Anyway, you’ll think of something. Be there on time, I’m sure it will be worth it for you.”

“And what is the assignment about?”

“How should I know?”

“You didn’t ask about it?”

“It clearly stated that I should tell you the meeting point and time, nothing more.”

“You really only think about the money,” Evan snorted and slumped into the chair, which ominously creaked.

“Indeed. After all, I was paid in advance. So move your half-demon ass there already.” Vaclav leaned back as well, but his back met the soft, velvety fabric of his luxurious chair.

“I don’t like this at all,” Evan said softly. He was mainly speaking to himself, but his counterpart stirred in his chair. “I couldn’t care less. You’re always so eager for information about Rowan, and now that it’s right in front of your nose and you just have to grab it, you’re backing out?”

“That has nothing to do with it. But whatever, my words don’t interest you anyway. I’ll be there, but if it’s a trick, there will be consequences. Vaclav, I’m serious.”

“I can tell when a man is serious. It’s much harder to tell with women.”

Evan shook his head meaningfully.

“Oh, before I forget, I don’t want to let you leave empty-handed.” Vaclav pulled open the top drawer of his desk and took out a small, jingling cloth bag.

He placed it in front of Evan, who furrowed his brow in surprise.

“Don’t look like that. I may be greedy, but everyone should be rewarded for good work. And now get your ass out of here, I can’t stand to see your ugly mug anymore, and besides, I have customers to attend to,” Vaclav gestured emphatically with his hand.

Evan reached for the cloth bag, stowed it away with a malevolent look in his pocket, and rose from his seat. He paused briefly as he threw his travel bag over his shoulder. “Oh, Vaclav?”

“Yes?”

“Screw you.”

As Evan turned away and closed the door behind him, the Warlord laughed as he fell into his chair.

“By the gods, what a misfit,” he chuckled amusedly.

But even a man as rich and influential as Vaclav Riszko was aware that one should not joke with someone like Evan. He had assigned him countless tasks.

Sometimes it was about eliminating an unwelcome adversary who hindered his business, sometimes about hunting down bandits, but it always came down to someone’s life being in danger, and Evan Dhorne, the half-demon, had never failed.

In the tavern, the barmaid Lydia heard the half-demon coming out of the dark room.

She set two mugs of beer in front of guests and walked over to him.

“You don’t look really thrilled,” she remarked, squinting her eyes questioningly.

“You know how he is,” Evan sighed. “I’m getting tired of it. The last few assignments hardly got me any further.”

“Maybe it’s time to look for other sources,” Lydia replied. “Vaclav’s sources seem to be drying up at least.”

“Without him, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. I’ll finish one more assignment.”

“It’s your decision. Are you supposed to do someone else’s bidding again?”

Evan hesitated briefly, then shrugged. “Hardly. The client wants to meet with me personally.”

“I don’t like that at all,” cursed Lydia, who now leaned back against the counter. “Vaclav is a bastard, not to be trusted.”

“I know,” Evan replied. “But everyone here is financed by him, including us.”

“If you want,” the barmaid began, “I’ll accompany you. Like in the old days, that sounds tempting. The two of us against the rest of the world.”

“That does sound tempting, but I think it’s better if I don’t involve you in this. We’ve experienced a lot together, but everything has to come to an end at some point,” the half-demon said ruefully.

“Forget it slowly. It’s not your fault. What happened back then couldn’t have been foreseen,” Lydia considered briefly whether she should put her hand on Evan’s shoulder, but she knew that such gestures didn’t mean much to him, and it also felt forced for her, so she refrained from doing so.

“But I could have anticipated it, that’s the terrible thing. The three of us were a good team, but now it’s best if I stay alone, then I can’t disappoint anyone,” Evan looked thoughtfully into his friend’s eyes.

She recognized the pain within him. The pain he had always carried within him and which he usually tried to hide, but Lydia recognized early on that the half-demon had a broken heart, and the less he talked about it, the more she realized how much it tore him apart inside.

“Listen, what happened between you and Dúval can’t be undone, but you don’t have to carry your guilt with you forever. Let go of it, look ahead. When I met you, you had a list full of strange names and you didn’t know where to start next. Now focus on your next task, then hopefully you’ll find closure,” Lydia said, looking encouragingly into his eyes. “That’s what you’ve been fighting for all these years, and I’ve always supported you.”

“I’m very grateful for that,” Evan replied with a slight smile.

A loud male voice echoed in the pub. “What mountain goat do you have to screw to get a beer around here!?”

After these words, Lydia straightened up and responded with a furious voice to the crowd. “Shut your mouth or I’ll come and beat you to a pulp! – Your beer is coming soon!”

She turned back to Evan, and her angry expression had completely disappeared from her face. “I have to get to work, but do me a favor and take care of yourself.”

“I will,” promised the half-demon.

“Good, because I can’t protect you.” Lydia winked at him one last time before she disappeared into the crowd of guests, yelling and with a raised fist.

Evan watched her for a moment before he put two coins on the counter and left the tavern.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

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