"All of the men must really like her," Slash whispers.
Another patron turns around to Sodina and smiles. "She is popular; all the ladies want to be her, and the men want to be with her. She continues to bring in lots of money in the guild because of her hunting and killing skills. She is a bloodthirsty warrior, always traveling on quests to be the best in the land. I hear that she is loyal but will only give her loyalty to those who are worthy. She travels with groups but will never stay with one group too long."
Sodina smiles, hearing Bridget's story. She admires that she is more than her looks.
"I wonder if she will join us," she cheerfully states.
"Me too, my love," answers Slash, taking a chug of his beer.
"I doubt it," the barkeeper butts in as he wipes the counter clean. "You two are outsiders. This is an Adventurers' tavern, so new faces are usually stuck with weaker quests or tasks like watching some minor nobles or protecting caravans full of vegetables from foreign lands."
"What is that on her back, my love?" Sodina questions, and Slash looks over in Bridget's direction.
Draped over Bridget's back is a large cloak of dragon scales woven in silk.
Chadwick looks over at Slash and says matter-of-factly, "That cloak provides protection from enemies and untrained men. The dragon scales are from a rare dragon that can sense danger from afar."
"So, you're telling me those scales are alive?!" Slash's eyes widen in amazement.
"Yes, in a way… The scales act as a defense and may take on the emotions of the individual wearing them."
Slash looks slightly puzzled but also curious as to how a woman like this exists.
Sodina leans over to Slash, trying to hide the pain in her eyes. Her right arm violently shakes as she grips it with her left hand, steadying the shaking.
"I am feeling weak, love. I need to get some rest soon." Sodina closed her eyes and let out a single tear before laying her head on her husband's shoulder.
Slash waves down the perky young waitress.
"I think I will try the dragon meat," he says. "We don't have much money. Do you need help with the dishes tonight?"
"You're that desperate, eh?" The waitress looks at Slash suggestively, "What else would you offer for some food?"
Chadwick hushes her. "We are a small staff, so you can wash the dishes for a piece of dragon meat. That meat isn't cheap, you know."
"Okay, boss, one slab of dragon meat with a free glass of our red wine coming right up for this handsome man!" The young lady winks as she walks back toward the kitchen.
Why do I have to have this handsome face that makes women want to flirt with me? Slash thinks. Washing dishes is pretty bad, but I guess it could be worse.
Slash looks over back at Bridget, who is now eating a leg of lamb with a huge fork, considering how to approach her.
Maybe I should have Sodina do it since they are both ladies. Slash glances at his wife, snoring lightly at his side. But then what type of man would I be if I was not confident asking this beautiful unknown woman to help us or give us a lead to find something to heal Sodina?
Slash continues to stare at the scene around the tavern. Individuals are enjoying themselves with wine, drinking their troubles away.
The rain that pelted the roof earlier transitions into a light drizzle as the evening starts to set in.
Sodina wakes up after an hour of resting on Slash's shoulder and shoots up immediately.
"I can't believe I slept that long! Why didn't you wake me up? Is my lamb's meat stale?"
"No, darling, everything is okay," Slash says. "You were so tired I did not want to wake you. Your meal should be here any minute."
Sodina relaxes and smooths down her hair and dress, her eyes still filled with sleep.
"My love, I'm going to try to talk to that Bridget lady and see if she knows anything." Slash rubs her gently on the head.
Sodina nods at him. "Okay, just be careful not to get your pocket picked. The tables are very close together."
Slash kisses her cheek before he stands up, headed for the end of the bar, leaving his sword with Sodina. Her food arrives and she digs in, watching her husband walk down to where Bridget is sitting.
Bridget is talking to Chadwick about the local news attention elsewhere.
"Hello, Bridget." He clears his throat. "My name is Slash. I'm a traveler. I wanted a moment of your time."
Bridget stops talking as a small smile graces her face with delight.
"You must be a kindhearted man for the scales on the back of my cloak to not stand up."
Slash did not take time to notice the scales continued to lie flat, though still as beautiful as ever, protecting Bridget with pride.
"You were very courageous to come at me from behind, knowing that I could chop you down in an instant. You left your sword with your companion, knowing full well that you have no way of defending yourself." Bridget continues to stare at the bar, not turning toward Slash.
The whole tavern falls silent as they look from Slash back to Bridget.
Slash stands there, confident, awaiting an answer. No sweat hits his eyebrows as he stares at the back of her cloak.
Bridget turns around with a gleeful smile and squeals, "I like you!" Every man in the bar stares at Slash with sternness and awe.
Bridget, who is taller than Slash by a foot, leans over and hugs him, her enormous breasts hitting his face.
"He touched them!" a patron says, looking at Slash with jealous envy.
Slash yells, "Please, Bridget! I'm married!" His muffled scream can only be heard by a few people near the bar as Bridget grips him tightly.
Sodina blushes, knowing that her husband would never cheat on her and just laughs.
Bridget looks down at Slash 's beet-red face, tucked in her bosom.
"Oh, you're married." Bridget frowns and loosens her grip on Slash letting him go. "I apologize. And to your wife as well."
"Many thanks," Slash says, trying not to look at her assets.
"I can tell you're a kind man by how you approached me." Bridget smiles. "I watched as you interacted with people since I came in. You are a ray of light in this dark city, and I was automatically drawn to you.
"I will give you my loyalty still, even though I want to provide you with so much more." Bridget winks, leans down, and gives Slash a big kiss on the cheek.
Blushing, Slash can't take any more attention from the other patrons and sits down next to her at the bar.
"I guess my husband is still out there." Bridget sighs. "Maybe I will find him on our travels."
Slash looks at Bridget with confusion. "Our travels?"
"Yes," Bridget states. "I want to join you on whatever journey you are planning. Your meals and your inns are on me as well."
All the patrons in the tavern, still staring in awe, start to go back to their activities.
"Does it ever get tiring being the center of attention?" Slash inquires Bridget as she wipes the lamb oil off her mouth.
"Sometimes, I would rather not be the pun of many jokes of jealous women or viewed as some mountain men want to conquer. All the men around here are boys wishing they could ride this wagon, or so they say. I'm a mare that can't be tamed unless it is by one who claims my heart. Only one man can handle all this excitement and bounciness."
Bridget starts to sway back and forth, intentionally causing her bosoms to bounce with glee.
Slash replies, "I understand, indeed. We are grateful for your assistance. Let me get back to Sodina."