Wyrda: Father of Dragons (Eragon Book 5)

Chapter 3: Salador

              The "Lions Den" was filled with a refreshing gust of chilly air as a new patron stepped into Feinster's tavern. The establishment was bustling with men, both at the bar and seated at the tables, indulging in food and drink after a long day's labor. Laughter echoed through the air, accompanied by the raucous tales of daring adventures and ancient heroes. Salador, a regular at the tavern, relished in the enchanting stories and the remarkable feats they described. He also caught wind of various rumors circulating about the city, including whispers about the governor's private life and the whereabouts of Eragon Shadeslayer. It had been a year since Eragon had departed Alagaesia, and rumors suggested the existence of a new dragon city hidden somewhere in the untamed wilderness. The atmosphere within the tavern was dimly lit, with the flickering glow of candles on the tables and a few torches adorning the brick walls. Salador glanced up from his half-hearted meal, his appetite waning as his attention shifted towards the women present in the tavern. His gaze settled on a woman with lustrous blonde hair and captivating green eyes, who sat at the far end of the establishment. Thoughts of how to approach her swirled in his mind, as he battled his own shyness and desire to engage with her. His heart raced, fearing the sting of rejection and the subsequent mockery that often followed. However, before he could gather the courage to make a move, the woman noticed his gaze and bestowed upon him a warm smile. Salador's face lit up in response, and he raised his cup in a gesture of camaraderie, signaling the barman to serve her a drink. If a direct approach seemed daunting, he resolved to at least be courteous and polite. A few moments passed and the barman gave the woman the drink as she smiled at Salador in acknowledgment. Then, as he saw this, a tall muscular man walked towards Salador and said with a heavy voice .

"What's the big idea, huh? I catch you staring at my girl, grinning like a Cheshire cat, and even buying her drinks? Who do you think you are, some kind of Casanova who can just waltz in and snatch people's partners away? Well, let me enlighten you, my friend. I'm about to wipe that smile right off your face. Once I'm through with you, you won't be able to muster a grin ever again," he threatened, his voice dripping with venom. In a swift and forceful motion, he swiftly pulled Salador towards the wall, leaving him utterly taken aback. The element of surprise was on his side as he prepared to unleash his fury upon Salador's face, his fist poised to strike. The tension in the room was palpable, the atmosphere charged with a mix of anger and anticipation.

      Salador's instincts kicked in as he swiftly blocked the incoming blow, causing the attacker to collide with the wall, emitting a pained groan. Determined to defend himself, Salador aimed a punch at the taller man's stomach, only to realize that his opponent was a seasoned soldier. Undeterred, he unleashed a rapid succession of punches, managing to land one on the man's face before receiving a forceful kick to his leg. The sound of Salador's anguish filled the air, drawing the attention of a growing crowd that began to gather around them, offering both encouragement and advice on how to proceed.Amidst the commotion, a woman's desperate pleas for them to stop could be heard, but the man's anger had reached its boiling point. Salador's heart sank as he witnessed the man retrieve a knife from a nearby table, his intentions becoming alarmingly clear. Closing in on Salador, the man launched a series of swift attacks, managing to slice Salador's hand as he delivered a powerful punch to his face, leaving a bruised eye and causing Salador's vision to momentarily falter. It became evident that the man possessed a formidable skill with the knife, but the pain from the cut only fueled Salador's fury.

 In a surge of adrenaline, Salador seized a nearby chair and unleashed all his strength, smashing it forcefully against the man. The impact caught the assailant off guard, causing him to stagger backwards in surprise. A satisfying crack echoed through the air as one of the man's bones snapped, eliciting a cry of agony. However, the man's retaliation was swift as he forcefully pushed Salador to the ground. Both men crashed to the floor, the weight of the man bearing down on Salador, while the knife hovered dangerously close to his body. Blood from the man's broken nose dripped onto Salador, intensifying the urgency of the life-or-death struggle. With every ounce of strength he possessed, Salador fought to prevent the descending knife, using both hands to resist its deadly trajectory and delivering small, desperate kicks in an attempt to incapacitate his assailant.