Mest looked around the room. There was an assortment of merry companies seated everywhere, only Jasu was drinking alone at his table, shrouded in a timeless, gloomy mood. As he swept his fingers across the flame of the candle before him, gloomy shadows floated over his face.
Mest watched him for a few moments longer, then sighed deeply. He turned to the fireplace and raised his hand to the fire. As the warmth began to seep into his body, his muscles gradually relaxed. His soaked shirt and pants slowly dried. For a little while, he listened to the waving noise of the room. The rain pounded on the windows and the wind seemed to pick up. A low whistling came through the cracks in the window panes.
He hummed to himself.
- It's good here, damn it. It would be nice to settle down... At least for a little while – he said quietly to the logs crackling in the fire. As his gaze wandered among the flames, his thoughts drifted away, lost in a haze of distant memories and dreams that grew vaguer with the passing of time. He smiled faintly, and shook his head – Look at me, I've wandered off and I'm talking to myself again... It's no use getting stuck in a past that never happened. In my future, the paths lead in other directions – he dug deep into his bag, and after some rummaging, placed a small wooden box on the counter – At least these didn't get soaked...
It had two compartments. In one of them, wide, thin, dark green leaves lay carefully unfolded on top of each other, and in the other, small plant crumbs were piled up. He placed a leaf in his palm, and after spreading a heap of smaller pieces in the middle, he carefully began to roll it into a cylinder. Hobb placed a couple of empty dishes behind the counter - Don't you want to sit closer to the fireplace? You can hardly feel the warmth here.
- It will be fine here, thank you. You know I dry easily.
- Just don't get my counter all steamy in your haste.
The bartender watched his friend's fiddling suspiciously.
- What's this?
- This? It's instead of a pipe. There's a lot of trouble with that. At least you don't have to stuff this one, just roll it.
He put his masterpiece in his mouth. He held two fingers up to the end of it, as if to poke it, but his hand suddenly stopped. He glanced back at the revelers and lowered his hand with a bitter look on his face. He lit the tip of the cylinder on a candle and took a long drag. As he leaned back, he blew the silky grey smoke to the ceiling with a sigh of relief.
In the background, someone fell off his chair and became a laughing stock.
- I see you are still very cautious. You're right to be - Hobb leaned on the counter - Did you come up with this?
- I'd like to boast that I did... but no. I've only seen it from others, not around here of course. Anyway, the tobacco blend in it is unique, it’s my own mixture. I call it... – he floated a mystical hand gesture into the tense pause – "the leaf"... Apt, isn’t it?
- I've never seen anything like it before. I always learn something new when you pass by. And what about that nice pipe that was hanging out of your mouth last time? Still got it?
- That worn twig? - Mest knocked a little ash off the end of the leaf - I've got that too. I fiddle with it when I'm not too lazy to clean it, or when I've got the time. So almost never.
- You might have time right now.
- Actually, I do. But I'm lazy now.
The rag was once again back in Hobb's hand to continue its never-ending ministrations. Mest contemplated the slowly glowing embers.
- Much has changed around here. There's a great abundance here now - he nodded towards the hall - I see people even have time to binge. I don't even remember most of them - he smiled - And unless my ears deceive me, this is a "town" now, and you're... "our leader"?
Hobb proudly put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest.
- Well, you see, I became the leader of the neighbourhood here. Unofficially, of course, It’s not put on paper, I don't have a separate residence, nor do anyone has to be granted an audience to see me. It's just that the locals want me to run our little community and I'll run it as best I can. I seem to have gained authority in their eyes. They listen to me on important things, even the new ones... – he spread his arms – Besides, I'm the most important person in here – he laughed cheerfully – I'm the barman!
Mest grinned. He shook a finger at his friend.
- I always suspected that you'd take things in hand here one day. You know the world, you take a common sense approach to things, and you are a good man. You deserve this. I'm glad you finally settled down.
- Don't say that or I’ll get emotional... But thanks Mest, it's really nice to hear that from you. I'm just sorry you can't stay here. You deserve a quiet life, at least for a little while.
Mest sighed.
- Not my style. Anyway, don't be so sorry, old man, you'd soon get tired of me.
Hobb smiled and nodded his head.
- That might be so... but I wouldn't mind. Anyway, we really can't complain, we've got a good thing going. Since the border opened to the west and north, there's been a lot more people passing through. We've also paved the roads nicely to make the wagons roll more comfortably. When traders come we sell them what we have, they buy it, then sell what they have – he explained as he tapped one of the smaller barrels – Now the land is excellent, as you can see, so fortunately we have plenty to sell, and plenty for ourselves as well. Besides, there was more than one who came and did not continue his journey, but settled down, some with their families. Experienced and competent blacksmiths, farmers, carpenters, and so on. They came since you were here, that's why you don't remember many of them. They have all contributed a lot to the life we have today. Such a place is rare, but you know that better than anyone.
- There's no doubt about that. And where are the old ones?
Hobb hummed with some bitterness.
- They come here, too, but rarely. You see... we were a small community, but since the hustle and bustle has increased, many have moved to the surrounding villages. They were used to the quiet life before... The world passes us by – Hobb pondered as he watched the flames in the fireplace – It wasn't bad in the old days, the small community. It was like family – a big sigh left his chest, then he shrugged his shoulders – Anyway, we get on very well with our new neighbours to the west. For one thing, there are roads from them to more populated regions, and what's more, although it's quite a long way away, you can get to Adern by that route. You've probably been there many times, it's a nice, big city, so at least we're not just dependent on that damn Belor. That's why the traffic has picked up. And most importantly, life there is the same as here. When it's day then it's daytime, people are working, building their lives, and at night it's nighttime and everybody's resting. On the other hand, there's the northern border, beyond which we're surrounded by quiet, peaceful countryside like ours, and in the south it's the same deserted landscapes as before, nothing else.
Mest hummed and blew the smoke. He tapped the ash off the leaf.
- That sounds very idyllic. I remember the roads opening up not long before I was last here. Your inn had just been finished.
- Exactly. Since then, although it's still hard to believe that I can honestly say this, everything has just gotten better here - he returned from the small barrel and put a full pint on the counter - You see, we even have plenty of beer. Don't worry, you've already had that spirit settle in you twice. Drink up!
- Thank you - Mest dug deep into the small leather purse strapped to his belt, from which it took an unreasonably long time to pull his hand, considering its size. He looked disappointedly at the single, worn, dirty silver coin in his palm – Unfortunately, this is all I have. As a matter of fact, I was hoping to sell some things around here – he handed Hobb the money – Here.
- Don’t be kidding, we're friends. You're my guest every day while you're here. After all we've been through together and all you've done for us, you think I'll ask you for money? What kind of man do you think I am?
- A good man - Mest put his hand on his chest – I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
He raised the mug and did not put it down until he had drunk all its contents. Those sitting at nearby tables listened curiously to the rhythmic, loud gulping. When he was done, he gently placed the empty mug on the counter.
- I needed that, I thought I was going to be parched from thirst. Thank you.
- Ready for another one?
- Bring it on!
He drank the next one more slowly, so as to at least give his tongue a chance to savour the flavours. He stroked his stubbled chin thoughtfully.
- I'm glad to hear you're doing well... but there is something you haven't told me, and it's vital. How do you defend yourselves?
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