As Mikumbi reached the tavern, he stopped outside the entrance to take a look at the surroundings. The buildings weren't in good shape, the roads had potholes, there also seemed to be a lot of women standing around, some young, some old, some pretty ones and some not so pretty. The women's trade seemed to be of a more personal and carnal nature.

  “Hmmm, this looks like a nice place to settle down and raise a family,” Mikumbi thought sarcastically.

  He entered the tavern majestically with his head held high. The tavern was deceptively large on the inside. It had all the typical things that taverns have, wooden tables and stools, a bar stand, pretty serving wenches. The tavern attracted a lot of ne'er do wells like thieves, cutthroats, the odd pirate. Still what was overwhelming was the number of foreign warriors that had gathered in the place, no doubt looking to be hired as mercenaries to fight in the ongoing war.

  "All these fighting men and vagabonds... And not a drop of blood or a dead body on the floor of this place... Impressive," thought the sorcerer.

  When Mikumbi reached the bar stand, he was met by the tavern owner, a tall, chocolate skinned, well-built man with a stern-looking face that had a few scars and one eye.

  “What will it be?” said the barkeep in a surprisingly pleasant tone.

  “What have you got?”

  “Let's see, I've got some locally brewed Pombe, Tembo and Máwá. Some Nilote Maziwa Pombe, I've also got some recently teleported rum from the Carawak Empire.”

  Mikumbi shook his head. “None of the teleported stuff. It messes with my connection to the universe. Just bring me a calabash of pombe.”

  “As you wish, have a seat and one of my barmaids will bring it to you shortly,” said the barkeep.

  Mikumbi dashed a couple of silver coins on the stand then walked to his table and sat down. He waited for his drink and the two bodyguards... and waited... and waited some more.

  “There you go, bwana,” said the pretty tavern wench as she handed him the large jug of pombe and a cup.

  “Thanks and here's something for your troubles,” said Mikumbi as he handed her a silver coin.

  Still no sign of the bodyguards. Mikumbi poured some alcohol into his cup.

  “I know you!” said a voice as Mikumbi was about to take his first swig. “You're that Mikumbi wizard guy aren't ya?”

  Mikumbi put down his cup and his eyes locked on to a tall, young athletically built man wearing strange shiny gemstones around his wrist and neck.

  “It's true, you are rather tall for a pygmy aren't you?” said the young man.

  Mikumbi rolled his eyes and started to drink his well-deserved beverage. The young man didn't read the gesture at all. He kept on talking and asking random questions about Mikumbi's exploits. It was like looking at a mix of a screaming fan and an over-excitable puppy. This was to be expected of course. The deeds and exploits of the wizard warrior were well known throughout the continent of Ikwubara. That's why many people would hire his services, whether rich or poor (mainly rich), whether monarch, noble or commoner (mostly nobles). Most times the wizard didn't mind his fan base asking him questions about himself, at times he would enjoy it. There were also a few times that his exploits would attract negative attention as well. Usually from other young buck fighters wanting to prove themselves. Big mistake. Or wannabe 'sorcerers' wanting to see if his magic was real. An even bigger mistake. Right now though, he only wanted to be by himself and his pombe... and the pretty serving wench.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “I also dabble in magic,” said the young man with a devilish grin.

  “Arcaenetics isn't magic, boy” replied Mikumbi. “Now bugger off, I'm tired, hungry, thirsty and I've got business to attend to.”

  The young man was shocked not only by the sorcerer's words and tone but also by the statement 'Arcaenetics isn't magic.'

  “Not magic,” the young man scoffed. “I'll show you.”

  The gemstones on the young man's wrists started to glow. The energy within the crystals mixed with the wielder's life force and partially altered his genetic structure. Both of his hands quickly gathered energy then there was a sudden eruption of 'magic'. One of his hands blazed with the element of fire, the other hand was enveloped in small icicles and cold mist. This was the power of arcaenetics – Tiny, oval-shaped crystals that allowed ordinary humans to wield powerful magical abilities like controlling the elements, teleporting, healing, shapeshifting, scanning a person's genetic make up and a whole myriad of wonders by altering the user's genetic code. The possibilities of arcaenetics were huge for both good and ill.

  The onlookers watched on, excited. Finally, it looked like there was going to be a brawl they thought. Some of the ne'er do wells were even placing bets.

  “NO FIGHTING IN THIS BAR,” shouted the barkeep.

  “Relax. I'm just showing Mikumbi my magic power,” said the young man in a cocky tone. “What do you think?”

  “I think somebody's going to get hurt,” replied the sorcerer.

  “Of course not. I've got complete con--” the wannabe tripped and fell.

  As he fell, he accidentally shot out two powerful blasts of magic, one from each hand. One of the paths of the projectiles was the barkeep and the other projectile's path was the tavern wench that served Mikumbi.

  “ENOUGH!” Mikumbi shouted as he waved and twirled his hand around his head.

  The magic blasts, the pyro inches away from the barmaid's face and the cryo inches away from the barkeep stopped and were drawn away from them and into the glowing right hand of Mikumbi. Everyone in the tavern looked at the spectacle in shock and awe, then stared at the short 'demon' with glowing yellowy-green eyes, holding elemental bolts in his hand like they were toys. The wizard warrior picked up his spear and said something in a strange language. His spear tip glowed with neon yellowy-green energy. He placed his right hand that was still holding the elemental blasts on the spear blade.

  “Store,” Mikumbi said in a calm, authoritative tone.

  The 'magicks' drained from his hand and into his spear until there was no trace. The wannabe looked at the wizard with a mix of awe and frightened eyes.

  “Please forgive me, bwana Mikumbi. I didn't mean to use those blasts. I didn't m---” the young man was knocked on his arse by a powerful punch. Looming over the wannabe was the large, solidly built and very angry barkeep.

  “Forgive? You should be so fucking lucky,” said the barkeep. “You're lucky that I don't beat the black off your skin.”

  The cheers and roars of laughter from the crowd of ne'er do wells and warriors filled the tavern as the barkeep kicked the downed opponent's chest. Nothing like a good brawl to break the monotony of waiting and get the blood pumping.

  The tavern door opened revealing two large, well built, dark-skinned men wearing a mix of Swahili garb, chainmail and other pieces of armour while armed with spears and scimitars. They kinda looked like Nilotes only beefier... Most likely Nilotic admixed Bantus or vice versa. Both armoured men scanned the tavern then their eyes locked on Mikumbi.

  “I think I see my escorts,” said Mikumbi then sipped his drink.

  The escorts walked up to Mikumbi.

  “The Sultan will see you now. Come,” said one of the bodyguards.

  “Finally. I was getting bored,” said Mikumbi.

  Mikumbi picked up his stuff and went with the bodyguards. As he was about to leave he turned to the barkeep and said. “Don't be too rough with the boy. He's young as we all were once upon a time.” Then left the premises.

  “Don't worry bwana wizard. I won't be too rough on the boy... Much!” The barkeep said while cracking his knuckles with a sinister grin.

  Fear flooded the young wannabe's face. “Father please, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, Father. Father NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

  No animals were hurt as Mikumbi left the tavern. The same can't be said for a certain clumsy wannabe.