The Legendary Mage (Alavin) novel Chapter 16

“I’ll heat food up. Care to join me for supper? There’s meat tonight,” Alavin offered, untying a wild fowl from his belt, an unexpected catch from his training in the backwoods. He didn’t ask about the maiden’s identity or purpose. He had an understanding with the old man. Silence was their pact, for eight years, it had been so.

The old man barely lifted his eyelids, offering no response.

After washing and changing into clean clothes, Alavin kindled the fire, prepared some vegetables, and stewed the wild fowl. The warm, inviting aroma filled the humble storeroom.

"Smells good, doesn't it? Old man, have some. Let it be our midnight feast," Alavin called to the old man.

The old man paid no heed, continuing to lounge lopsidedly where he lay.

"I'll eat first, then I'll leave some for you." Alavin was truly famished, and he started to eat without further ado.

But after just a short while, the old man propped himself up and wandered into the storeroom.

Alavin shrugged and carried on eating. "I'll be stepping out for a bit, so don't go locking up in a hurry, eh?"

He planned to sneak out at midnight to pluck the Viper's Berry before anyone from Botanic Haven got to it first.

Before long, the old man emerged from somewhere with a large, dark jug and sat down at the wooden table. "Fetch two cups," he ordered.

"Are we drinking?" Alavin raised an eyebrow, slightly puzzled, but he fetched two cups all the same, along with a plate of pickled vegetables. They weren't fine ingredients, just leftover roots from his cooking that he'd washed and soaked in a brine jar. Sometimes, when he was too tired or busy, he'd just grab some pickled roots to gnaw on with some bread for a simple meal.

The old man uncorked the jug, and the pungent aroma of strong liquor filled the storeroom. He poured himself a cup and filled one for Alavin, too.

"Something troubling you?" Alavin asked, eyeing the clear and fragrant liquid in his cup with even greater curiosity. What was so special about tonight?

The old man lifted his cup and drained it in one go, tilting his head back and letting out a long sigh before topping up his drink.

Alavin swirled the cup, taking a big gulp, and immediately, the fiery spice filled his mouth, burning its way down his throat and into his belly. There was a searing heat in his chest.

"Hoo, that's a strong brew," Alavin grimaced, for he had never drunk before. He hastily ate a few bites of the pickled vegetables to quell the burning sensation.