Post by Julien Byzantir on Mar 21, 2015 19:32:08 GMT
"Another round for the table!" Julien's voice boomed over the steady chatter of pub and was met with a rousing cheer from the guard settled around him. His grin was impish as he met the eyes of the pretty young bar maid serving them, his eyebrows quirked into a teasing expression at her obvious annoyance, and her even more obvious attempt to hide that annoyance. The tavern was busy, every table filled with patrons, the chorus of laughter and voices made loud with ale and other spirits creating a heady thrum of noise. He was sure he was winning no love from the server, who was forced to deal with his rather demanding table, while losing out on the extra coin she could be getting from serving other patrons. He was not bothered by it, she would be suitably compensated at the end of the night when it came time for him to settle the tab, and with coin, not just the joy of learning she'd served the prince (an honor he held in high regard, even if no one else did.)
Outside of Byzantir, he was not as readily recognizable as his brother. Many who didn't spend day in and day out in the shadow of the royal family would probably not be able to point out the second in line for the throne. Still, there was no denying that he was a person of import. When he entered the pub, his air of command and self importance was not easily missed, and combined with the half dozen men at arms accompanying him bearing the Byzantir crest, even the slowest among the tavern's denizens were able to gather that there was likely more to the boisterous young man than they would suspect at first glance. Which probably played an important part in stopping the owner from throwing their lot out into the streets. His behavior was hardly what many would expect from a prince, though anyone who had spent anytime around the younger Byzantir brother would argue that it was exactly the kind of behavior that was normal.
Julien had a reputation, especially among those of the noble class. He made no secret of his love of ale and women, and it was not uncommon to find him among his friends in the Kings guard at any number of taverns in the capital. After being sent for a rather boring stint in Arana by his father, Julien was taking full advantage of being free of his royal duties. Not that there had not been lovely distractions in the northern territory of the kingdom, but it still felt like a small backwater compared to the more populous places in the realm, and not one that he was likely to visit of his own accord often. Rather than make straight for the capital, Julien, much to the dismay of the more senior of his guards, chose to make a stop in Itia on the way home. What the city lacked in polish and culture, it more than made up for with beautiful women and top class taverns. Two of his biggest vices. And while the king would undoubtedly be unimpressed with his unplanned detour, Julien had never had much trouble in getting back into his fathers good graces.
He emptied his tankard in one final gulp, his normally sharp blue eyes a little more vacant than they usually were. "Alas, I am parched and without a drink! Am I to be allowed to die of thirst?" he called out loudly, his tone joking, despite his words. His call was answered as the server placed a full pint in front of him, rather more forcibly than required, sloshing amber liquid over the sides and onto the table. He met her steely eyes with a charming smile "Ahh, my prayers have been answered. My lady, what ever would I do without you?" He said. He took her hand in his and pressed his lips lightly to the back of her hand. "You are a ray of light in this world. Thank you my dear." He let her hand drop as her cheeks flamed pink. There was little in the world as lovely as a woman's flushed cheeks. She muttered a replay, brushing off his statements and heading back to the bar to grab the drinks for the rest of his table.
Julien took a deep drink of his fresh ale with a smile. "What?" he asked, catching the disproving eye of his head guard, who's full tankard had scarcely been touched all evening. "Vincent, you look as sour as a lemon, just say what you want to say, and be done with it" the prince spoke flippantly
"I think perhaps it is time to call an end to the night's festivities your highness." He gestured around the table to the five other men sitting there, all of whom seemed to be in a various levels of inebriation. "Your guard is more apt to cause you harm than protect you."
"Please, Vincent, we are among some of the best trained men in Escar. Why I once saw Phillip disarm three men after consuming his weight in ale. And you! Why your dour face alone would keep any who wish us harm at bay. Stop worrying and enjoy yourself. " He took another long pull of ale "It's only a matter of time until we are back in Byzantir, and I suggest you enjoy the time here." He said as his eyes met those of the pretty barmaid again as she delivered tankards to the rest of his crew and grinned. "I know I intend to"
