#escarossa

The moment Estarossa used his magic to assess him, it was clear. The man’s power level was significantly higher than any other human he had ever encountered. He didn’t seem like much, and even outwardly, despite his tall frame and broad shoulders, nearly as large as his own. Surely to other humans he was intimidating, particularly with the very carved muscle that was occasionally revealed as they flexed while he wiped a glass. This one was unusual, no doubt, and Estarossa immediately put up his guard as he slid into a stool.

“Welcome, sir,” he said again. “Can I get you something?”

“Your best ale, please,” Estarossa replied.

The bartender at once went to work and he looked around, nearly letting go a shout when he spied the enormous axe that hung on the wall. “What in the hell is that?” he asked.

A glass was placed on the counter in front of him with a chuckle. “That is Rhitta, the divine axe. It was gifted to me many years ago.”

“A divine… axe?” Estarossa laughed as he took up his drink. Humans were so interesting! “And what makes an axe so divine? Was it forged by the goddesses?”

The bartender chuckled in response. “Don’t be silly, everyone knows the goddess clan is just a myth. No, the origins of Rhitta remain a mystery to even myself. But I hold it for safekeeping nonetheless.”

He smiled, and Estarossa regarded him curiously over the rim of his glass as he took a long drink. The ale was sweet and delicious, but now the bartender had his full attention. “How does one become chosen for such a task?” he asked curiously.

“Ah, I cannot divulge all my secrets.” The bartender wagged a finger playfully. “But this is something I do not take lightly. You understand, of course.”

“Of course,” he answered cheerfully. “May I have your name?”

“Escanor, if it pleases you.”

“Escanor.” He said the word slowly, as if tasting it. It seemed full of power, just like him and the soul he would be dining on when he pulled it from his body. “An unusual name for an unusual man.”

The bartender laughed. “Am I that unusual?”

Estarossa shrugged and placed his mug on the counter. “You work in an empty tavern in a forgotten town and yet have a… what did you call it? A divine axe? Which hangs on your wall as decoration.” He smiled as he pressed a finger to his lips. “Yes, I’d say that’s unusual.”

Escanor seemed to consider this a moment. “All right then. And what of yourself? You are here in an empty tavern in a forgotten town wearing gauntlets and metal boots, as if coming from battle. That is unusual as well.”

Now it was Estarossa’s turn to laugh. “I never claimed to be otherwise,” he said with a smirk.

He had intended to tease a bit, but then the bartender gave him a wink before going back to wiping glasses. Estarossa stared at him in shock. Why would he wink like that? Didn’t he find him frightening at all? “Do you not get many soldiers in?” he asked tightly.

Escanor shrugged without looking up. “Business has slowed, unfortunately. The business with the Holy Knights took many of my patrons from their homes. And now there are fresh rumors that strange things are moving through Britannia.”

Estarossa narrowed his eyes. “Strange things?”

“Yes. Nightmares, the people say. Although I don’t believe in such nonsense.” Escanor looked up and leaned an elbow on the counter. “What brings you in this evening?”

Estarossa shifted in his chair. “My brother and I have business nearby. But he went on an errand that was taking too long, so I thought I’d pass the time with a drink or two.”

“A fine plan. May I ask what business?”

“Personal, actually,” he replied. “We have some things to review with our eldest brother. Family matters, you understand.”

Escanor nodded. “I do. I was the middle brother in my family, and it can be difficult dealing with such personal things.”

Estarossa grinned. “I’m the middle child too! What a coincidence.”

“Then your drink is on the house,” Escanor replied cheerfully. “There is little love for middle children.”

He gave another disarming smile as Estarossa stared at him. The bartender turned to move away so he said quickly, “Will you join me, then? So I don’t have to drink alone?”

Escanor hesitated for a moment before looking over his shoulder. “Certainly,” he replied. “Although I don’t usually indulge when I’m working.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” Escanor said coyly.

He gave a small smile as Escanor poured himself a drink. Then he filled another, offering Estarossa the second. Quickly he drained the rest of his ale and lifted the fresh mug. “To brothers,” he said.

“To brothers!” Escanor agreed.

Their glasses clinked and both men drank deeply. Estarossa placed his down with a thunk and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “What is the name of the bar again?”

“My Sweet Gluttony,” Escanor replied.

“An unusual name for an unusual tavern with its unusual bartender!” Estarossa laughed. “How did you come by it?”

To his utter delight, Escanor blushed, his cheeks and ears tinged with the most delightful bit of redness. “It is a nickname for my love,” he answered shyly.

“Your love?” Estarossa prodded.

“Yes. The most divine woman who ever lived,” he sighed.

Estarossa snorted. “Divine women and divine axes. You are full of grace, Escanor.”

“I’ll drink to that,” he laughed.

They finished their ales, and as Escanor refilled both Estarossa leaned his elbow on the bar, propping his chin in his hand as he watched him. Not only was Escanor unusual, but he was interesting, and pleasant to speak with, and when he worked the clothes on his body drew tight in a way that caught his attention delightfully. “Are you married, then?” he asked.

“Oh no, not at all,” Escanor replied. His eyes went a bit wistful as he took a sip in thought. “I have not seen my love for more than a decade. Not that it would matter…”

His voice trailed off, and Estarossa leaned forward. “Why wouldn’t it matter?”

“She doesn’t know how I feel, you see,” Escanor said with a deep sigh. “I could never catch her attention, not in all the years we worked alongside one another. Her eye always went to another. I fear my chance is gone forever. But she was... glorious. Beautiful, smart, kind. I did love her.”

“She sounds like all the rest,” he replied with a wrinkled nose. “What did you do when you told her how you felt?”

“Oh! I couldn’t, I mean...” Escanor stammered. 

He rubbed the back of his neck as Estarossa huffed. How could anyone see his obvious affection and not return it? Escanor was such a lovely man! “Women. What do you expect from such a foul race?”

Escanor raised his brows. “What are you saying?”

“Women! Devious, heartless creatures, who flitter between men like bees among the flowers.” Estarossa waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve tried them myself. Not a fan.”

He took another drink as Escanor laughed. “Unfortunately I don’t see an alternative.”

Their eyes connected, and whether it was from the ale or the sudden seriousness behind Escanor’s gaze, Estarossa felt a warm buzzing inside his body. “Well, you could… consider others.”

He gave a sly grin and licked his lips. Silently he laughed as the realization dawned plain on Escanor’s face, and then his heart began to pound when the man slowly dragged his eyes up and down his form. “Others,” Escanor breathed. “No, I can’t say I have thought of that before… but…”

“But?”

Escanor looked at him pointedly. “I suppose there could be exceptions.”

Slowly Estarossa grinned. He lifted his ale to finish the rest, watching Escanor over his glass, who watched him back as he drained his own in turn. They both placed their empty mugs on the wood at the same time, and Estarossa gave him a hooded gaze as he carefully removed his gauntlets.

He laid them on the bar, and then stood to lean over the counter. Escanor’s eyes went a bit larger, but he remained still, and Estarossa could hear his breathing catch. “There are always exceptions, Escanor,” he replied. He lifted a hand and wiped away a wayward bit of foam from his mustache with his thumb. “Rules were made to be broken, after all.”

Escanor visibly swallowed. “Would you like to see the rest of the tavern? There are some rooms in the back that you might like.”