"Do you really remember the Death Wars?" Kyros asked Amethyst, who had already had a little too much to drink.
"Of course I remember them, I'm an elf, remember? That was only 500 years ago," she responded with a smile blazing across her drunk red cheeks.
"So you remember Uul-Nishar?"
"Well, yes," she paused for a second and tilted her head in thought. "I was a kid back then, but I'm from the Southern Isles, we were never attacked there."
Kyros looked as if he was going to ask more about the infamous necromancer, but I cut him off before he could.
"Hey, enough talk of necromancy tonight, I've had enough for today."
"Oh let them have their fun, undead did make this feast possible tonight, right?" said our party's healer, John Lightsworth, between a massive gulp of ale.
He was right, after our quest today we wouldn't have to worry about gold for a while. Not only were we awarded the 270 gold coins for completing the quest, but the three skeleton archers we defeated earlier were carrying valuable loot.
"Hey, Amethyst," she looked towards me, "did you find out how much those gems are worth?"
"Of course I did, Draven, that's easy for an awoken crystal mage like me!" She replied smugly, her smile almost reaching her long ears that were poking through her dark brown hair.
She really could be a know-it-all sometimes, but it was well deserved. She was incredibly smart, and probably one of the most powerful crystal mages in the city, maybe even the guild.
She reached into the small leather bag she was keeping on the table and pulled out three gems, two large rubies and a sapphire inlaid in a silver ring.
"The rubies should be worth about 300 gold coins each, and the ring could go for 500."
"I'll cheer for that!" exclaimed John, who was raising his massive wooden mug for a toast. Amethyst and I joined in letting out cheers and laughter as we celebrated our successful quest. Even Kyros, who was shrouded in his black hood like always, showed a hint of joy in his expression.
"And to more quests in the future!" I continued proudly with my drink raised to the ceiling.
John suddenly grew quiet, and he looked down with regret. Something was wrong; knowing him, he's never sad with a mug of ale in his hand.
"I'm sorry," he said, looking back towards me, "this is the end of adventuring for me."
I took a second to think. Sure, he was a little older, but not old enough to be retiring. He was still a great party member. Not only was he a powerful healer, a luminary priest, but he was also wise and never lost his cool in the heat of battle.
"What are you talking about, John?"
"My wife is sick, she is bedridden with fever, and not even my healing can cure her ailment. She can't take care of our daughter like this. They mean everything to me. I need to care for them."
A small tear formed under his eyes and rolled down his cheek to a graying beard. I have never seen him this way before. He was always the one to keep it together in the toughest moments of a battle.
"There must be some way we can help. We are a party, remember?"
He let out a small chuckle before replying. "Thank you, Draven. I know you mean well, but this is my responsibility."
I nodded. I understood what he meant. He was truly a great man.
"Another round over here!" John suddenly yelled to the bartender. "Don't let me ruin the mood, we're celebrating tonight."
Again, we raised our mugs to toast, laughter, and stories of our past adventures filled the pub again. Amethyst was a little too excited when the bartender arrived with more ale.
The party lasted for hours until nightfall, when our bellies were too full of meat and ale to continue. John and I talked of our memories and of his family. Kyros had snuck out sometime earlier, like he always does; he was a shadow most of the time, and Amethyst had passed out drunk on the table after blabbering about being the most powerful mage in the Elvish Empire.
"Well, I'd better get her home."
"For being so strong, she can't hold her liquor at all," John joked. "I will truly miss being a member of this party."
"Where are we ever going to find another healer like you?"
"You're all strong adventurers, you will find a healer far more powerful than me to join your party," John said as he looked down at Amethyst. I notice the small brown bag with the jewels we looted earlier and grab the silver ring out of it.
It was gorgeous, a small silver ring with intricate details and patterns that surrounded a glistening sapphire. How did a couple of skeleton archers get their hands on this?
"500 gold coins should help you out, right?"
I handed John the ring. He took it and admired the artistry of the jewelry.
"Sapphire, huh? My wife's favorite. Thank you, Draven." He gave me a sad smile. "I hope our paths meet again. This is not goodbye."
I gave him a nod in agreement. He took one last gulp of his ale before heading to the exit of the pub.
"Until later, party leader." John Lightsworth opened the door and departed for the moonlit streets.
"Until later," I responded to myself.
I grab Amethyst by her shoulder and gently shake her awake, "Come on, magnificent mage," I say sarcastically. "Time to get you home."