It didn't take them long before they made it to the common area where the group could relax and enjoy some food and drink.
Five adventurers were sitting in the middle of the room. Three humans and two dwarves.
"Hello! Grab any seat you want, and I'll be there in a moment," The barkeep said to Quinus and the group.
The group of adventurers stopped talking when they heard the barkeep addressing someone else. They looked towards Quinus and his group as they entered the tavern.
Quinus and the others found an empty table, sat down, and waited for the barkeep to come and take their orders.
The adventurers started to whisper among themselves, before they turned to Quinus and one of the dwarves asked, "Haven't seen you guys before? Are you a new adventurer's party that's come into town?"
"We're not really an adventure party, but we were hired to deal with the Goblins... I'm Quin Valen... And the rest of my group is George, Dalia, Rya, and Percy," Quinus answered with a half-truth.
"Oh? You come in to help cull the goblins?" Another dwarf asked.
"Yes, but we are in need of another recruit... Sadly, it seems like a bunch of adventurers have gone through the wringer. They don't seem too enthusiastic to go back to hunting the Goblins," Quinus said out loud as he was making up a believable story, just in case one of his uncle's spies was around.
"You're preaching to the choir," One of the human adventurers replied. "We've been stuck doing small jobs around the city ever since they showed up... Anyways, good luck with finding a sixth member. We always seem to fail to keep members in our party," The human warrior said.
Quinus looks at the five adventurers and notices how worn they look.
"Looks like you have gone through a lot yourselves," Quinus mentioned.
"We've been fighting goblins ever since the horde started spawning from the Tomb of the Horde. We lost a few friends along the way... Once we lost Gray... We haven't gone goblin hunting ever since," The human warrior said with a sad tone.
"Sorry to hear that... We, too, have gone through our fair share of casualties. It seems the more we kill, the more they spawn. But at least it seems they are slowing down," Quinus said with a solemn tone.
"Yeah, it seems their numbers have dropped about five days ago. I wonder if Prince Quinus pulled it off and stopped the Labyrinth," The dwarf wondered out loud.
"Yeah, I thought the kingdom was throwing away the future ruler. Who would have thought he could stop the Goblin hordes and find the Dungeon Core... Maybe he is worthy of the throne? That's if he's alive," The human archer said.
"Aye! And you thought it was going to be easy to find the dungeon core! Hah! How many times did we go into the labyrinth hoping to find fame and fortune, only to get some of our party slaughtered because the army of goblins came at us like a wave of water... We didn't stand a chance," The Dwarf swordsman muttered.
The archer just sighed and said, "I didn't think they would spawn that fast and that many. I'm surprised we're still alive after all this time."
"It's not fair to blame him, Grim... The goblins used to be weaker before the Dungeon Core awoke. I would have never imagined being driven back every time we tried to go deeper into the labyrinth... No matter how many times we tried, they never lessened in number," The Human Warrior mentioned.
"That's true, Jax. But it doesn't mean I'm not scared to go back there... I'm just happy the goblins are not coming into the city as often anymore. But if you want to go goblin hunting again, then count me out," Grim said.
"Well, I'm sure things should go back to normal soon. My condolences to your fallen comrades," Quinus said while bowing his head to the adventurers.
"There's no need to apologize, Sir... We were all in the wrong place at the wrong time... It's the life of an Adventurer... We take risks and hope that we can live to see another day," The human Archer said.
The barkeep walked over to Quinus' group and asked, "Alright, what can I get for you all?"
"What's the house special? And do you have any cold beer or ale?" Quinus asked.
"The special is roast pork and root vegetables. We also have Dwarven Ale on tap and a selection of wines. We also have some local mead if you want something a little sweeter," The barkeep answered.
"We'll take the special," Quinus said.
"Alright! I'll be back in a second," The barkeep replied and walked away.
The adventurer's party returns to talking with themselves, leaving Quinus' party alone as the barkeep comes back with a tray of roast pork and vegetables.
"Here's dinner for five. Now, can I get you all something to drink with that?" The dwarf bartender asked.
'God, the food looks so good right now!? I hope it tastes even better than it looks.' Rya thought as she wanted to drool.
"Can I get a beer, please? Thanks," Dalia says.
"Sure thing. What would you like to drink, sir?" The bartender asked the ranger.
"I'll have water, please," Percy replied.
"Got it... And what will the rest of you be drinking?" The dwarf asked as he looked at Rya.
"I can go for an ale, as well?" Rya asked, causing Quinus to look at her with surprise.
"I didn't know you liked ale. I thought dark el- I mean, I thought you were a wine fan," Quinus asked with a hint of amusement.
"Hmm? Well, I do enjoy wine from time to time... But I prefer a quality beer... Is there a problem with that?" Rya asked while tilting her head.
"No... But be careful with dwarven ale... It's usually stronger than other races' beers," Quinus warned her.
"Pfft... I think I can handle one mug of ale, Quin. Besides, I don't plan on getting drunk or anything. I'll just have one drink and stick to water the rest of the night," Rya said, trying not to sound offended.
"Hahaha, she's a keeper if you ask me? Got to love a woman who's not afraid of a proper ale! And you got two of them! Now, do you two want water or ale?" The barkeep asked.
"Ale, please. Thank you," Sir George said.
"Yeah, I'll grab one as well," Quinus said with a smirk.
'Really, Quin? Does he think I can't handle a bit of beer? Come on, man! It's just an ale... He's acting like this is my first time or something... But I do wish it were an IPA... God... I miss IPAs!... Whatever! It's a beer, and that's all that matters,' Rya thought to herself.
They all started digging into their meals, except for Sir George, who was savoring his.
"Mmmm! This is amazing!" Rya said.
"You got that right! I never had meat this good before," Dalia said as her cheeks were full of roasted pork.
"It's been a while since I've eaten anything besides rations for most of the week. I can't remember the last time I had a real meal," Sir George said.
"You know we had a good meal at the mansion in Kishin, right?" Quinus said with an amused look.
"Fine! It was a week ago!... I don't know why His High- I mean... I don't know why... Q-Quin... takes things so literally," Sir George corrected himself, "And you too shouldn't stuff your faces like that... It's undignified," said the Retainer, who glared at Rya and Dalia.
"Aww, come on. We're not barbarians, you know?" Rya said with a chuckle.
"Yeah! I'm keeping my mouth closed while I'm chewing," said the wolfkin as she stuffed her mouth.
Sir George could only sigh and shake his head.
With that, the barkeep came by with the drinks.
"Well, here you go. I hope you like it!" The barkeep said as he placed the mugs in the middle of the table.
'About time! I'm so thirsty!' Rya thought while she grabbed a big stein that had some foam dripping down the sides.
She lifted the mug to her lips and took a quick sip.
Rya never was the biggest ale fan back on Earth, but she did enjoy it from time to time. And with not having any beer in over a few weeks. She found herself enjoying the taste more than she usually did.
'Mmmm! This is the best-tasting beer I've ever had in my life! I can feel my stomach getting warm.' Rya thought to herself as she had a smile on her face.
Quinus glanced over at Rya and saw her smiling from ear to ear.
"What's gotten into you? You seem pretty happy about something?" Quinus asked as he took a swig of his beer.
"Ugh! Mmmmmmm! This is some damn good beer!" Rya said with a grin as she took another gulp of her ale.
"Just pace yourself, okay? I don't need you puking all over the tavern." Quinus warned.
"Don't worry, Quin. I'm full of food now, so I shouldn't feel buzzed anytime soon... And this stuff is making my belly feel nice and warm!" Rya told him as she started taking a bigger gulp of her beer.
As soon as Rya took the third gulp of her ale, she felt a warm sensation flow through her body. It was so pleasant, and it made her lightheaded.
'Oh shit! What in the world?! I think I'm getting buzzed!? But my stomach should be full, and the beer is not that strong!... I think?... Agh! I haven't drunk half my glass, and I'm feeling drunk! Hold on!... Is it because my body's smaller?... Yeah, that's gotta be it. I should probably slow down. I don't wanna get shitfaced, 'Rya thought as she stopped drinking and placed the mug down.
"Hey! Why is Alpha smiling so much?" Dalia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"What? Oh! Nothing really... I just feel relaxed! *Hic* Oh!? Hehe!... Guys, I think I might be a bit tipsy, hehe! *Hic*" Rya said as she started giggling out of nowhere.
The alcohol was starting to hit her hard, and her worries about drinking too much were quickly replaced with a giddy feeling. She looked at her mug and began to drink more.
'Hehe!... This ale is amazing!... I feel like I'm floating... Everything is spinning. Hehe! *Hic* Aw!... I don't have any more beer!... Did someone drink from my glass?' Rya thought as her face started turning red.