Star Eater

Chapter 438:

Arthur's Point of View

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"Mordred?" Mara's voice came in hazily. "Did you enjoy your time at the banquet?"

"Mara." I called out to her.

"Were you looking for me?" It felt like I was back in my old cloak. "Mordred?!" Her touch was something I had missed.

The sound of the fireplace, mixed with Mara's scent, and her touch... What was this memory? Everything was soft. Soon, the sound of rain could be heard tapping on her window. It merely mixed in with the sound of her breathing. I felt her hand in mine.

"Mordred..." She whispered into my lips.

Arthur's Point of View

Dwarven Coast/Harbor City

My eyes snapped open, before I immediately hissed and narrowed them to a squint. "Oh, my head." I groaned out. "Someone, anyone, just kill me." Increasing some of my energy, I felt the pain lessen, but I didn't want to go overboard. "What happened?" Moving from the bed felt difficult as it felt like something was draped across me, but I ignored it.

Standing from the bed, I realized something. I was naked. Annoyed, I saw some of my clothes on the floor of what appeared to be an Inn. Maybe a tavern? Either way, it didn't matter. Getting dressed was easy enough, but my head was still throbbing. Increasing my energy again didn't seem to help, which was odd. Perhaps the poison mixed with alcohol wasn't the best idea I've ever had.

Leaving the room revealed that we were indeed in a tavern of sorts. I looked over the railing and saw many people downstairs eating. Most were Lestrania, but there were a few Dwarves. However, one thing that surprised me was that many were stealing glances at me and avoiding my gaze like the plague. The whole place seemed nervous.

Ignoring them for the moment, I eventually took a seat and mumbled to myself. "What did I do last night?" Covering my eyes with my hands, I rubbed my face to try and wake up. "Why do I have such a horrible headache?!" The table and chairs were smaller than I would've preferred.

To my surprise, I got an answer. "What didn't you do!?" Peeking out from behind my fingers, there was a Dwarven waitress, or whatever they were called here. "Drank us dry and made it probably the most memorable night of our lives for those who were present."

"I'm not a heavy drinker." I replied.

She chuckled at that. "Could've fooled me! I gotta wait for the next shipment to come in, as do any other establishments. By the gods, I thought your stomach was bottomless."

With a sigh, I laid my head on the table. "I will pay for whatever I might've had. I'm sorry if it affected your business."

"You don't need to be!" Her tone was cheerful. "It was the least we could do, and none of us want to be reimbursed. This was a celebration, and it was certainly one to remember." Then she placed a mug down before she filled it with water. "Here," She even set down the entire pitcher. "This'll probably help. You gotta be thirsty after last night."

Drinking the cup, I took the pitcher and filled it once more. "Thanks, but it would've been better if I drank this last night. Help with my hangover."

Chuckling at that, she slapped my shoulder playfully. "I wasn't referring to a hangover. Figured you'd need to be rehydrated after your incredibly long session last night. Sounded intense." I furrowed my brows at that as I looked at her. "Can I get you something to eat? Maybe some lamb stew?"

I nodded. "And some bread."

"Coming right up."

As soon as she left, Kheri slid onto the chair across from me. "Are you insane?!" She asked in a hushed tone but was clearly upset about something.

Holding up my hand for her to calm down, I kept my head on the table. "Sure. Why not?"

"Arthur!" Her tone was agitated.

Lifting my head up, I looked at her. "Okay, what's this about?" I asked as I took another chug of water.

"Do you know nothing about decorum!?" She demanded as she leaned in. "I know you both have needs, but there is a thing called discretion, Arthur!" Kheri chastised, angrily.

Groaning as she was getting louder, I sighed. "What the actual fuck are you talking about, Kheri? I just woke up and don't feel like playing twenty questions. Plus, I have a really bad headache for some reason. Like there's this itching in the back of my sku-"

"This isn't a game! Have you lost your mind!?" She cut me off before gesturing to me. "I know you can block sounds, and she can use magic! Why would the two of you let something like this be so well known!? Do you know how bad this looks?!"

"Slow down." I told her. "Take a breath and relax." She just stared at me, and one of her eyes twitched. "Or don't. Look, I'm gonna be honest... I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kheri's gaze intensified as she spoke in her hushed tone. "You're telling me you don't remember anything about last night?"

I gestured lazily. "There was the conga line. I might remember breaking into song and perhaps even sobbing uncontrollably once or twice..." Then I shrugged. "That's about it." Moving the cup to my lips, I paused as something felt missing, and the itch at the back of my skull intensified. "Do you-"

Leaning in further, she cut me off. "You don't remember hauling the Priestess off to your room, giggling like a bunch of newlyweds?"