It was not Hiram who first met the man's ire, but Tennin. The rotund Essyrni man had lost some weight since Aurora had seem him last, and put on not a little muscle. It seemed lifting heavy loads, and working for a living had hardened the man, but his new found wealth kept him soft around his middle. He stormed out, wearing expensive Essyrn style garb mixed with sturdy Adelan boots, and what appeared to be Connlaothian arm guards.
"What's all this yelling about," Tennin asked the man, as a crowd began to gather. "You have issue with Mr. Carter?" At first the man seemed shocked by the appearance of Tennin, and the way he rested his hand on his belted falchion. His wife arriving at his side, soon had his anger stoked again and he waved a fist at Tennin.
"Tell that Master of yours to come out here," he spat at the Essyrni man that called Hiram friend, "my fists have something to say to his face."
Calling Hiram his master immediately made the proud Essyrni angry, and Tennin began to draw his large blade forth. "Tennin," Hiram called from the door to the museum. He appeared there with a glass of wine in his hand. "Don't be too hasty now. If something were to happen to you, I fear I would not survives your wives' ire." He chuckled at his word as he walked out to meet his friend, "those two women scare me more than the slithering demons that burrow beneath the sands." Hiram placed a hand on his friends shoulder, and handed him the now empty wine glass. Tennin did not wilt completely at the mention of his wives', but his anger was subdued enough that he took the glass silently and stepped aside.
Hiram did not come armed with more than a boot knife, hidden from view, but promptly rolled up his sleeves. Most of his cowardice had been burned off by the Essyrni sun, and the wine in his veins was enough to make him brave. He still had his wits about him though, and could asses that this man was more bravado than might. "If there is an issue that needs settling with fists, then I am at your service," he turned to the crowd, "there will be no charges filed here," he called. "We settle this as men, and both of us will leave alive." He turned back to his accuser and smiled grimly to the man, "does this suit your," he looked him over more closely, "Adelan pride?"
"Aye," the man confirmed, pushing his wife aside as he stepped forward. He didn't wait for Hiram to say he was ready, he simply raised his hands and took a swing at Hiram. All his traveling with mercenaries, and plundering ruins, had not left Hirma without plenty of opportunities to learn to fight. He easily deflected the blow, and brought his open hand to a chop in the mans throat. That one contact was enough to end the fight. The larger man fell to his knees, gasping for breath, as his wife rushed up to him. She was foreign alright, but her Serenian heritage was plainly visible, and her blue hair was nowhere near red.
"I am looking for a foreign woman," Hiram said loudly for everyone to hear, "red hair, green eyes, pale skin, and a bust," he gestured to show how large Aurora's breasts were, "that most men would lust for. The name she gave me was Hebera Henry. If you find her, I will pay you one thousand gold suns. That's Serenian currency. The largest gold coins in the land. One thousand, for Hebera Henry." He turned to Tennin, retrieved his glass from his friend, and went inside, oblivious to the fact that Aurora, or Hebera as he knew her, was so close by.
