The
next evening, Strom went into a tavern much like the one that Crom had lived in
for an entire week. Strom took his seat
at a bench and yelled out, “Barkeep!
Send me what’s good!”
“Aye! Lord
Strom. How is my favorite customer?”
replied the barkeep dutifully.
“Keep your mouth shut and my glass full and you will
earn what’s coming. Otherwise, our
relationship is strictly business for you and pleasure for me. Run along now.”
The same drunkard that had harassed Crom the night
before took a seat to the left of Strom and said to him, “Well if it isn’t Lord
Strom. My name is Farnham. How’s the
revolution, brother?” Strom said
nothing, so Farnham continued, “Not in a speaking mood, eh? Well let me tell you somethin’, if a man
refuses to communicate it must be because a woman holds his tongue. If she holds his tongue, she also holds his
heart. Am I right, brothers?” he said addressing the entire tavern which
gave an enthusiastic, “Blessed be the grip of women!” the drunk had a way of
getting other drunks to rally together.
He continued where he left off, “You see? We all know each o’er here. Let me tell you this brother, women are the
most priceless thing a man can have. Well
that, and the love of his peers, right brothers?”
“A woman’s love is all I need!” shouted the crowd, in
unison again.
“Aye, and a glass filled to the rim. Anyway. . .wha? Yeah, let me tell you this, do not let a
woman go. Do whatever you got to do to
save her love for your own. You hear me
brother?”
Strom broke his silence with this reply,
“Unfortunately, I do.” Strom grabbed
Farnham by the throat and slammed his head against the hard wood of the
table. The drunk struggled but could not
get loose. Strom picked up his battle
axe and decapitated the drunk and said, “Barkeep!”
“Yes, Lord Strom?”
“Give everybody a drink, courtesy of my short friend
here.” The crowd cheered and continued
their various conversations. Strom left
the tavern after the round of drinks was complete and never had a drink
again. There was bitter wisdom in what
the drunk had told him.
###
More Greatest Evil
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