In the morning Renir was deeply, unpleasantly, surprised to wake and find Wen’s unsightly face peering down at him.
He started and scuttled back, to find that he was sleeping on the floor. He looked around and found the others looking down at him.
“Glad you’re awake, Renir. Feel rested?”
Renir took a moment to take stock. His feet were frozen — he had taken his boots off to go to sleep. His mouth felt like someone else had vomited in it. It was not a pleasant feeling. Then his head began to pound like he had the worst hangover in the history of drinking. Spikes of pain drove into his head, and he found that he was dribbling. He groaned and lay back on the floor.
“No,” said Renir, turning his pounding head to look at the rest his friends, and the alien body on the floor by his feet, “my head feels like an arena full of blood.”
“You were drugged. This,” Wen said, kicking the body with a calloused toe, “was to be our murderer.”
“What happened?”
“I can only surmise that your drink was poisoned. I didn’t drink or eat. Luckily, I came back in time. But it is irrelevant. If the Protectorate can find us here, there is no more time to dally. We ride now.”
Renir nodded. He pushed himself to his feet. He waited for the nausea to pass, then kicked the Bear in the ribs.
After some explaining, and a few shaky starts, they packed and made their way to the bar. There were a couple of fishermen milling about, expecting their breakfast. They all looked slightly bemused, waiting for the owner to turn up.
None of the men thought to tell them he was no doubt already dead, probably dumped in his own cellar.
They strode outside, loaded up their horses, and were on their way before Dow breached the sea. When they were well clear of the village, Renir leant over Thud’s side and vomited heartily.
“I don’t suppose there’s time for breakfast?” said Bourninund with a grin. “We’ve got some green cheese left, and a hunk of greener bread…”
Renir spat the taste clear of his mouth. “I’d rather kiss you.”
“Not with that mouth, thanks,” Bourninund replied.
“I think we’ll all get along better on this journey if you two avoid the temptation to become romantically inclined,” said Drun.
Shorn and Wen laughed together.
Renir grumbled the rest of the day, but, he thought, if Wen could laugh, perhaps there was hope for him yet.