Terathil. Located at the very center of South Terath. It is an ever-expanding city made of fine cut stone. Its location was picked due to the flatness of its terrain. Terathil is built in rings. The initial ring being the oldest in the city, it is also the location of the royal palace, which rests at the very center of the city. The royal palace can be seen all throughout the city.

Since the location is optimal, the city is built outwards in rings. Each ring in Terathil is capable of housing more people, as it is expanded outward. Presently there are twelve rings. Terathil houses over two million residents. The city is built in rings for fortification purposes as well. In case of invasion, an invading army would have to breach quite a few walls in order to reach the Royal Palace.

Outside of Terathil there are a massive amount of farms. Since the city is over ten thousand years old and does not expand outward very often, the farmers can safely produce and sell their wares for the city. Farmland stretches around Terathil for as far as the eye can see. There are four entrances in total.

Bwoire’s group traveled a long dirt road to get to Terathil. The other Swordsmen groups opted to stay a day longer. Tycondris on the other hand was traveling with the General. Anarion gazed upon Terathil as they approached, it brought back distant memories of his childhood. It was in this city that Aenos raised him.

“What are you all going to do when you return to the city?” asked Falcon. Amma replied “I’m going to return to my parents. I have not seen my mom or dad for about five years, my dad didn’t come to pick me up at the academy because someone had plans for us.” Amma looked at Bwoire with a sinister glare.

Ithilious said “I’m probably going to do the same, our parents will be happy to see us. I don’t think I’m ready to begin the bachelor life yet.” Anarion said. “I don’t have a place to return to.” Falcon sighed “Same with me, having no parents I have never had an attachment to this city.”

Amma spoke up “You two could stay with us.” Ithilious shook his head “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Bwoire chimed in “There are plenty of places to rent and buy. I’ll recommend you both to a real estate agent.” Falcon said, “I think I would prefer to rent.” Bwoire looked at Anarion. “I’ll probably buy a place.”

Bwoire nodded his head, thinking it a wise choice to buy a house. “We probably won’t get another assignment until April. You can spend some time with your family or whatever you want to do as long as you continue to train.” Amma asked Bwoire “What are you going to do.” Bwoire laughed “While of course, I’ll be staying with a few girlfriends. The four of you have been cock blocking me for the last year and a half.”

Everyone stopped walking and looked at Bwoire. Amma looked disgusted “So that’s where Ithilious is getting this from. You are supposed to be a good influence on my brother. If he becomes like you he will end up with penicillin-resistant gonorrhea or countless love children.” Ithilious looked at Bwoire with admiration. He bowed to Bwoire and asked ‘Please teach me your ways!”

Bwoire laughed. “Well, now my young student. There are several factors that contribute to my success with women. Aside from my good looks and natural charm, everyone want’s a piece of the only wood gir in the city.” Falcon asked “You are the only wood gir in the city? How do you know that?”

Bwoire looked at Falcon “My people are a slave race. It’s a long story, but over one thousand years ago my father managed to flee Girdania with my brother and I with him. Of course, we were only babies. He was rather lucky to escape, if more of our kind escaped it would be big news.”

Everyone looked at Bwoire seriously. “You’ve never told us that,” said Amma. Bwoire laughed “It’s pretty common knowledge actually.” Ithilious said “So I’m not a wood gir. I think I have all the other things you mentioned down. I’m good looking and charming.” Anarion and Falcon looked at Ithilious and replied “You are not charming, you creep most women out when you flirt with them.”

This news was a massive shock to Ithilious. He went to his knees and bowed down to Bwoire again. “Please teach me your ways.” Amma kicked him. “You’re disgusting,” her tone was harsh. Bwoire laughed “We should probably get to the city before it gets dark. Maybe I’ll show you a thing or two then.” Amma was ready to punch Bwoire. She didn’t want her brother to become a man whore.

After another two hours of traveling down the road, they made it into the city. The gate guards gave them no issues because they were swordsmen, even though Anarion was wearing his old Ghee the Katarn at his side was a clear indicator. They stopped at a tavern. “Let’s stay here tonight,” said Bwoire. Amma said “I’m going to return home. I’ll tell mom you would rather have anonymous sex with skanky women then see her.”

Ithilious made a brushing motion with his hand. “Tell her whatever you want, tonight is my night.” Amma sighed, then left. Bwoire commented “You seem confident, but you are still new to the game.” He followed up with “Anarion and Falcon have a good chance though.” Anarion sighed “Sorry I don’t want to be a man whore.” Falcon nodded in agreement “I’m a one-woman man” he said.”

Bwoire took this opportunity to tease Anarion “I know exactly why you don’t want to be a man whore.” Anarion’s face turned slightly red. “It’s because of A..m...m..a,” he said her name slowly. Anarions face turned slightly red “Shut up you pointy-eared bastard.” he said out loud. Bwoire and Ithilious laughed in unison. Falcon placed his hand on Anarion’s shoulder “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Anarion glared at Falcon “You can shut up too.” he said in a quiet voice. The sky was getting darker. “As much fun as it is to tease Anarion, we should get in before it fills up,” said Bwoire. They entered the tavern, all four of them paid for a room. It was quiet so far, however, the night had just begun.

They took a table towards the back of the tavern. The tavern was well lit. The exterior showed its make, it was made from brick, the roof had black tiles. Inside the bottom end of the wall was wooden, the top part was brick but painted white. The tavern was massive, it had about eighty tables. A servant came over, she looked to be in her mid-twenties. She had a very voluptuous figure, her barmaid clothing showing a lot of cleavage. She had medium-length curled auburn hair.

“Bwoire, it’s good to see you again!” she said in a cheery voice. “It’s good to see you again Veronica.” Bwoire followed up with “Four pints of Strongboar ale.” he said. She replied with a smile ‘Coming right up.” Strongboar ale was locally made, it was quite popular in Terathil.

“Don’t tell me you’ve slept with her?” asked Ithilious. Bwoire laughed. “What gave it away?” A deep admiration grew in Ithilious’s eyes. Anarion and Falcon sat there, completely disinterested. Ithilious looked at them and asked “What’s wrong with you two. You could easily get a woman here.” Anarion and Falcon replied with “No thanks, I’m not interested in an STD.”

Bwoire laughed. “Oh, that’s right. You humans can get those.” Ithilious glared at Bwoire “You mean you can’t? Are you fucking kidding me!” Veronica returned with the ale. Bwoire took a sip and said “My race was created by the high gir. To make us perfect slaves they created us with the intention to be as disease resistant as possible. The only way I could die is in battle.”

Ithilious sighed. “This isn’t fair.” Bwoire took a swig from his pint and laughed out loud again. Anarion and Falcon casually drank their ale, completely disinterested in the entire conversation. The tavern started to fill up. Bwoire said to Ithilious “I’ll show you the ropes tonight.”

Ithilious slammed down his ale and said “Thank you!” Bwoire got up and motioned Ithilious to follow him. Anarion and Falcon decided to strike up a conversation. “I’ll bet you ten gold he gets a woman pregnant,” said Falcon. Anarion looked seriously at Falcon “I’ll bet you twenty gold his dick rots off.” Falcon took a sip. “Okay, we’ll make it a twenty gold bet. If he impregnates some random floozy I win, if his dick falls off you win.”

Anarion nodded “It’s a deal.” they both shook hands. Across the way, Bwoire was doing as he promised, he was showing him how to become a man whore. Falcon looked at Anarion “I don’t understand him. There is no fulfillment in random sex with strangers.” Anarion had a serious look on his face “I could understand it might be fun, but the potential consequences are too great.” Falcon cleared his throat “Speaking of women, what’s going on between you and Amma?”

Anarion’s face turned red. “That’s complicated. I’m far too sober to talk about that.” Falcon laughed. “So let’s have a few drinks then.” Anarion looked trepidatious. Regardless Falcon ordered more drinks right after Anarion finished his. Two hours passed. Bwoire and Ithilious were still flirting with random women. Falcon continued his effort to get Anarion to spill the beans.

Finally, he said, “She said she loves me.” Falcon yelled with excitement. Anarion said, “Keep it down will you.” Falcon holding a drink said, “That’s great news!” Anarion said “Not really.” Falcon looked confused. “Don’t you feel the same? Am I missing something?” Anarion was quite intoxicated, he said “I never said that. I don’t know how I feel about her.”

Falcon laughed, he was quite intoxicated as well. “You love her,” he said in a taunting voice. Anarion glared at Falcon “Didn’t I just tell you I don’t know how I feel about her.” Falcon laughed again. “It’s written all over your face. Especially when she’s around.” Anarions forehead hit the table. “Shut up, no it’s not,” he said in a quiet tone.

Falcon looked at Anarion, despite the fact that his forehead was on the table his face and ears were beat red. “You’re blushing Anarion, you can’t hide it from me.” Anarion said, “I’m not blushing, I’m drunk dumbass.” Falcon laughed again. “If I loved a woman I think I’d look the same way you do.” Anarion simply said, “Shut up, I told you I don’t know how I feel about her.” Falcon said “You can say that as much as you want. I know the truth.”

Bwoire and Ithilious were heading upstairs with two women. “Oh wow, he’s actually going to do it,” said Falcon excitedly. The woman Ithilious was with had long black hair and a nice figure. The woman Bwoire was with was drop-dead gorgeous. She had medium length red hair and pony tails, she had curves in all the right places.

Anarion said “Good for him. I’ll put an extra five gold on the bet.” his face was still on the table. Twenty minutes passed, the woman Ithilious was with came walking down the stairs with a disappointed look on her face. Falcon laughed “As expected.” Falcon looked at Anarion, he passed out. “Good grief, this guy is no fun.” Falcon shook Anarion awake. Anarion put what he owed on the table and went upstairs to go to sleep.

Falcon stayed and drank for a while. Taking in the atmosphere. A few women flirted with him, but he kindly rejected them. Eventually, he went to his own room. It was hard to fall asleep even though he was drunk, the noises coming from Bwoire’s room were too loud.