~This will be the last excerpt from Bound by War. The female having final meal with Torin and Laken is called Veri. She is a Ne Reynian warrior who is friends with Torin.
Torin led Veri to the sitting area and offered her a glass of Akdova. He picked up a tall bottle that held a pale golden liquid. “It’s good.”
He poured it into a glass as he explained it was a popular Tah’Narian drink. “It has a light and delicate taste. Here.”
“Thank you,” Veri said taking the glass. “Mmm, this is nice. Not overpowering.” She snickered as she sat down in an overstuffed chair. Torin sat on the couch across from her. “Not like Blishue bloodwine, huh?”
“Excuse me? Blood… what?” Laken yelled from the kitchen.
“Bloodwine,” Veri called back.
Laken joined them in the sitting area with his glass of Akdova. “Final meal will be ready shortly. Okay, so, I’m almost scared to ask, but what is Blishue bloodwine?”
“A full-bodied alcoholic drink. It’s often used to celebrate victories.” Torin sipped his Akdova. “Bloodwine is highly intoxicating, to the point that most non-Blishues are incapable of tolerating it.”
“Oh, really?” Laken scowled at Torin as he sat down.
“As with many Blishue foods and beverages, it’s not for the faint of heart,” Veri said.
Now Laken scowled at Veri. “Oh, really?”
Veri pointed at Torin. “That one had a flask of it, and one night he shared it with me and Dossi. This was when he was still able to meet with the resistance. Trust me when I tell you that small flask was enough to get me, Dossi, and Torin stinking drunk.”
“You and Dossi were drunk. I, being a Blishue, was merely buzzed.” Torin sniffed.
Veri crossed her arms over her chest. “Uh-huh. You couldn’t figure out how to unzip your pants so you could piss.”
“At least I still remembered how to walk, unlike you two,” Torin pointed out.
“It was a great night,” Veri sighed dreamily. “There was much laughter.”
“There was,” Torin agreed.
Laken glanced at the two of them. “Not sure I should ask this, but hey, why not, right? What’s bloodwine made of?”
“Ah, that’s a closely guarded Blishue secret.” Torin’s smile was slightly evil. “But I will tell you it has fermented blood and sugar.”
Laken crinkled his nose. “Holy shit, it seriously has blood in it?”
“Of course.”
“Of course he says. Blood from what? Or who? And also? Gross.”
“I can answer that!” Veri jumped in before Torin could open his mouth. “He’s going to tell you that it’s the blood of his enemies.”
Torin nodded.
“Oh, good grief.” Laken sat his drink down. “Yeah, I think I’ll stick to non-bloody drinks.”
“Except for the taste, bloodwine isn’t that bad,” Veri said.
“Just so you know, that makes absolutely no sense.” Then Laken pursed his lips. “Except in connection with anything Blishue, then yeah, I guess it does make sense.”
Veri laughed again. “Very true.”
