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Mest leaned back in his chair.
- As you said yourself, I’m tattered, dirty and wet - he thought for a moment as he scratched his face - Although some of the dirt may have come off with the rain, and the other part when I came in.
Hobb shook his head amiably and began to wipe the next cup. A rag is to a good bartender what a sword is to a warrior. It is indispensable and you always have to caress something with it. It's kind of an unspoken rule.
- Besides, I'm hungry, thirsty, and I haven't slept in a bed for ages. Especially with both my eyes closed. I may have forgotten how to do it, it would be interesting to see how it goes.
Hobb put down his rag and walked around the counter.
- Look at me, what kind of friend I am... just wiping here like lives depend on it, leaving you soaking wet. Give me your cloak and waistcoat, please, I'll hang them up over there by the fireplace – he nodded to the end of the counter – Then I'll pour you a big bowl of stew, so you don't starve to death.
- Thank you, but don't bother with the food, I'll eat later. Otherwise I'll fall asleep on the counter and you'll listen to me snoring instead of talking, so I'll just have a drink for now. Although I'd rather wait for your distillate to settle a bit, so it doesn't get into a quarrel with the next one. I must confess, I've grown tired of drinking.
- You? Don’t be joking. But I won't argue, I'll just pour you a drink a little later. Now give me that filthy thing.
Mest undressed to a shirt and handed over his clothes. Hobb sniffled conspicuously when he returned.
- They smell like something died in them.
- That's the important thing. If I can still smell it, I know I'm alive.
- And what I know is that it's time to take a bath and wash your clothes, though I already feel sorry for that stream...
His eyes caught Mest's right arm. His hand was covered with a rough, thick glove, and from wrist to elbow he wore an ornate leather forearm guard, tightly fastened with strong straps and buckles. The centre of its plate was covered with a curious inscription of curved letters.
- Is your right arm injured again?
Mest closed and spread his fingers a few times.
- Such is my luck. But I can still swing a sword with it. You see? It moves. No worries.
- Hmm... and what's this writing on it? I don't really recognize the language.
- It's just a quote.
- Ooh... and what does it mean?
- Now that's a secret.
The rag waved again in resignation. Hobb tilted his head to the side.
- And did you get a new one besides...?
The right side of Mest's face was scarred with deep claw marks.
- No... at least I think not. This one is a good thing to have anyway, it lends a masculine charm. Just like a mysterious aura does.
A man sitting at a nearby table tried to rise from his chair, a little unsteadily. He yelled at the counter in a rough, inarticulate voice, in a tone that is the unmistakable trademark of jerks.
- Hobb, aren't you worried about my clothes too? I think I vomited on them a bit... Or maybe I'm not cultured enough for you?
- I see your head's not in the mug and you've got a mouth on you! Please shut up, Jasu, and keep drinking.
Jasu mumbled something incomprehensible, then sank back into his drink.
- Don't mind him, Mest. He's young and drunk and in a bad mood. And he's as dumb as a mule. But he's not a bad kid.
- Currently I don't give a damn about anything.
A more sober speech was heard from another table.
- Our dear leader! Could we steal your attention for a moment? Be so kind give us a nice big pile of everything, would you? Don't make me list it all one by one, you know what we need.
- You see now, Mest? I should have just sent them home - Hobb shook his finger - You can't have a decent conversation like that. Well, please excuse me for a minute, I'll serve them, otherwise they won’t leave us be.
He began to fill bowls and jugs, which he then placed on a large wooden board. He lifted almost two tables' worth of food and drink on his shoulder and started towards the host of guests.
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