Tavern Archive #1

Lliliean followed behind them , her own mind wandering to Drake. She pushed those thoughts far from her mind though, they saddened her of late and seemed to trigger visions of Schi.

"I'd be happy." She smiled and grabbed a chair at the table. "THe wound isn't horrible or anything, but no, it couldn't be fully fixed, Jak has been very kind in allowing me to stay here, even if it meant I ran out of coins from paying for my room." She flexed her hand at the thought, she had been helping in the stable to cover what her coin no longer could.

Merri nodded at the comment. Jak was a kind man. Shrewd in business but with a heart of gold and probably a bit of a weakness for beauty. If Jak hadn't started writing a ballad inspired by Lliliean, Merri would be very surprised.

"Still," Merri said gently, "the wound may be able to be healed. But it may require a visit to somewhere more..." she shared a glance with Teele, "somewhere stronger in the Spectra," she said gently, "And probably someone trained in its use."

She was a little cautious in bringing this up because not everyone viewed such healings the same way. Some viewed them as the highest of the healing arts. Others viewed the use of Spectra as nothing more than witchcraft. She had no idea what Lliliean might think of the idea.

Jaron had been able to barter his way into a room and free meals from the man who had been playing the lute earlier. As it turned out, his name was Jak and he was the innkeeper. The large Derian fellow was called Garus and he saw to the well being of the Tavern and Jak. Jaron had wondered what could have caused a strong Derian man to leave the ice lands, but Jaron knew them to be an extremely loyal type of people.

The only requirement of Jaron's stay at the tavern was that he would play his lute when larger crowds gathered and every night when the fire was lit for as long as he stayed. It was the type of deal he had grown used to. The lute had earned him more than a few free meals in his travels.

Outside, the rain of the previous night had slowed to little more than a light but steady drizzle. It calmed Jaron's nerves as he took his look in his hands and sat on the hearth. Crowds were gathering, the fire had been lit. It was time for him to earn his keep. He played around a bit with the sound of the strings, trying to decide the right song. Sometimes that made all the difference between a happy crowd and an angry crowd. He finally settled on an upbeat tune that was well known throughout many lands. He himself knew it as the Bloody Drunkards, but in Raytha it was called Bugger Off.

When Jaron finally dove into the bouncy tune, he was rewarded with many of the occupants clapping in time to the beat of the song. A slow smile spread across his face as he belted out the first few lines of the song.


When the crowd dove into the next part of the song there were many different versions being spouted off, but none were less crude that the first lines had been. Jaron couldn't help but laugh a little as some of the tavern's female occupants turned a disdainful eye towards him. They would have their song as well. The night was still very young and Jaron had much left to play in him.

Teele had traded significant glances with Merri as she mentioned healing by Spectra. The idea was controversial, especially in Raytha, where the arts were practiced less. Elsewhere, in the Elder realms, such things were very common.

The slight tenseness of the moment was relieved when a bouncy, upbeat tune sprang from a lute in the hands of a man near the fire. Teele recognized the tune, but couldn't quite place it until he started singing. A wide smile broke out across Teele's face, and he heard a couple voices begin to sing.

Across the room, Reede's eyes brightened, and he moved to the fire, his strong, deep voice leading the second verse. Behind the bar, Jak was grinning and clapping along, and soon came out with his own lute and joined them at the fire, singing in a harmony part that nearly split Reede's side with laughter.

The moment was utterly captured by a man at the fire who struck up a familiar tune. As soon as he launched into the introduction Merri started to laugh though a spike of pain pierced her heart.

Her father had sung the song to annoy his mother, who couldn't help laughing as she socked him in the arm. That never kept him from singing all the verses, whether he was chasing his wife through the house while she yelled at him and laughed or whether he was singing lustily with his friends.

Merri couldn't help clapping with the infectious beat, watching as Jak and Reede got into the song as well. On the second verse the common room became a cacophony of different lyrics but nobody seemed to care, all singing at the tops of their voices.

Llieliean had considered the idea Merri presented, but she was happy to have the battle scar, her third, and she hoped they grew. She realized it was odd of her, but she loved the battle and sorely wished she could have been there at Merri's side when she did reach her homeland. "Worry not, I wear it proudly." She said with a wave of the hand and a smile.

Jaron's song reached her and she laughed before she could stop herself, she had the song in her youth and later from Il-Lior's mouth, and thought of it often when Dawn appeared, the bloody brunt bird. She too sang along when Jak broke intoo the second verse, even standing up and dancing along to the melody. She felt light, very light indeed, happy even. The gang was all back, or most of them...push the thought away Llilie...

Jak was, as he had promised, as quick as a flash, returning after only a few minutes with a glass of his finest red wine. Astrid thanked him and took her drink to an empty table near one of the windows, where she leaned back in her seat and watched the increasing activity in the tavern.

People, while utterly confusing to interact with, were, she found, fascinating to watch. Faces often told stories that were completely at odds with the words coming out of their mouths, and sometimes they just told you little things about people you might not otherwise have noticed. Of course, there was always exceptions and some people kept their thoughts and feelings visible, for everyone to see.

Like Merri and Teele, for instance, now coming into the tavern, with fingers entwined and faces aglow. Anyone who didn't notice that they were in love was a blind fool; it almost shone about them like an aura. Still, Teele took the time to notice Astrid's presence and waved. She smiled and returned the gesture, feeling a little bit more uplifted.

The ethereal looking woman, Liliean something, speaking with them, she was more a little more difficult to read, but there was a trace of regret about her eyes soon erased by a smile of relief.

There were only a couple of other faces Astrid recognised, such as Orim, who always seemed in good cheer but might simply be long practiced at hiding his thoughts. Still, even the faces Astrid didn't know were interesting.

And then there were those that had a presence that just commanded attention, like the tall, dark figure striding into the tavern. Astrid's eyes flickered towards him, and might have paid no more heed had he not turned and looked directly at her.

Dane. She'd only spoken to him for a few minutes, several days ago, but he hadn't seemed uncomfortable or exasperated or even indifferent to her presence, nor any of the reactions she was used to. Rather, she had had the strange and wholly unfamiliar feeling that he had understood her.

She was taken aback as he smiled at her and raised a hand, and was a fraction behind in smiling in return.

Flushing a little, Astrid took a sip of her wine, and was saved from having to decipher her suddenly confused emotions by the breaking out of a familiar tune at the other side of the tavern. A chorus of voices, most out of tune, quickly joined in with the words and Astrid found herself laughing along with several other patrons.

Yes, as she had thought before, somehow, in the Jester's Lute she was able to forget about her loneliness and her shyness and simply enjoy herself.

Alexandra smiled as she saw the people in the tavern singing and dancing to the odd tune. Though looking around she noticed the woman named Nadala sitting alone at a table, apparently still very upset. With a couple deep breaths to work up her courage she stood and walked over to the table. "Hi... you look like you could use some um... company." Looking back at the men who seem to bother her she added, "the non-flirting kind of company."

Zain was laughing along with the others at the odd song. I think I've chosed the right place to come to, he thought to himself. Looking around he spotted a helf-elf woman sitting alone. She had large green eyes that seem to sparkle when she laughed. With one more quick shot of liquid courage, Zain stood up and walked over to her. "Hello there, is this seat taken?" he asked as he motioned to the seat beside her.

Nadala, watched the man who had called himself Rhue from across the Tavern. He sat alone at the bar now something clenched within his hand. He held it out and examined it a sombre look in his eyes. Nadala’s eyes fell upon his outstretched palm. There were small clay figurines upon them. Nadala froze she’d seen those before. Before she had a chance to get up and ask about them a woman approached her.

"Hi... you look like you could use some um... company." Looking back at the men who seem to bother her she added, "the non-flirting kind of company."

Nadala gave her a lazy look that was hardly friendly. “Do I look like the type who likes company,” she said crisply. “And if they were indeed flirting it fell upon deaf ears.”

The song eventually turned into a cacophony of different words and voices; most of them laughed rather than actually sung by the end of it. Jak's harmonizing to the outrageous lyrics had half the room in stitches. Teele himself laughed, but sobered slightly when he saw Merri's eyes. The laughter there was genuine, but there was also a deep sadness behind it...something there that lay uncomforted. Under the table, Teele caught hold of her hand once again and squeezed it.

Jak was occupied with the other two singers, and so Garum lumbered up; the plates looking rather small in his big rough hands. He set them in front of them, bowed fractionally at the waist, and lumbered back off. Teele smiled after him; wondering exactly why he was here, and why he stayed with Jak.

Teele had been thinking much too deeply about Merri to even realize his hunger. He was ravenous, but ate slowly, as he usually did. He could never keep his eyes off Merri for long; always exchanging glances, smiles, and brief touches with her.

The song eventually died down, though many were still laughing hysterically. Jak re-tuned his lute, preparing for the next selection.

Mason stepped into the tavern and stood by the door scanning the room. He Spotted Reede by the fire singing along to two lute players. He scanned the room and caught sight of Nadala, his archery teacher was glaring at a woman as though she was ready to slit her throat. Mason decided it was easier to speak with Reede before bringing Nadala to join them. There was important business to be spoken of. He walked over to the man and hailed him.

“Reede might you take some time out to speak to me about your betrothal?” has asked.

"Well, um... it's that you look upset and sad people shouldn't have to spend time alone," said Alexandra as she stared down at the floor. "If... if I bothered you then please accept my apologies."

Reede had finally gotten over his bouts of laughter and flopped into a chair near the fire with Jarom and Jak as they prepared for the next song. He was now in high spirits, and even the familiar dwarf approaching him couldn't dim them. It was Mason; a member of the same guild whose laws had forced him into marrying Nadala. His suspicions were confirmed when the dwarf stepped up to him.

“Reede might you take some time out to speak to me about your betrothal?” has asked.

Reede kept his smile. Well, it was bound to happen eventually.

"Sure." He said, rising. The dwarf led him to one of the empty tables and they sat down.

"Garum!" Reede called out. The massive man turned to him. "Would you bring an ale for my dwarven friend?" The Derian nodded and came a few minutes later with the dwarf's drink.

"So, Mason, what's on your mind?" Reede asked.

"Well, um... it's that you look upset and sad people shouldn't have to spend time alone," said Alexandra as she stared down at the floor. "If... if I bothered you then please accept my apologies." The woman said.

Nadala rolled her eyes and stood up, “I don‘t know how you get all that from me sitting here, I‘m not sad and I‘m certainly not upset.” Nadala frowned and looked about the room wanting to leave the woman who was openly pointing out her mood. She spotted mason and snarled. “What‘s he doing here?”

Lliliean sat down whenthe music ended and tried to regain her breath. She couldn't remember the last time she had danced, or if she had at all. It didn't matter, she was at home, again.

Needing some fresh air, and rememberinf her bargain, she went to the stables and began to groom the members' horses. Some were familiar and allowed her to brush them with little firght. Others were disgusted at the thought, one even tried to kick her, it was surprised when she delivered a swift pluck to its nose. "Now, I am quite nice, but I will not do what you won't." The horse looked into her eyes as if he understood. He fought her none after that.

"Oh, is he a friend of yours? Maybe inviting him over will make you feel better... it's worth a try at least." Alexandra looked over and smiled at the large human and sat at a table with the dwarf. "Since you've already talked to that man," she said as she pointed to Reede, "So I guess the dwarf must be Mason."

Nadala glared at the woman, "It's none of your business who and what any of them are to me."

She stood up and walked away from the table.

*****


"So, Mason, what's on your mind?" Reede asked.

Mason caught sight of Nadala moving towards him and beaconed for her to sit. She sat quietly refusing to look at either of them.

“Good timing Nadala,” he said.

“On whose behalf,” she growled.

He let out a laugh then turned to Reede, “you‘ll have your hands full with this young lady. Anyway lets not forget business. I have organised a small ceremony for you both while you were away. No doubt the pair of you are a little to busy to worry about such formalities. Tomorrow the pair of yer will wed here, the guild will be present. A fore warning to you,” he snapped his gaze to Nadala. “A marriage offered by red century is final and a woman being offered has little say in the matter. Nor does a man. I think saving your life, Reede has earned your gratitude and your hand. Wouldn‘t you say Reede.”

“Please,” Nadala snapped hitting the table with a balled fist. “It was nothing I couldn‘t have resolved myself.”

Nadala apparently had noticed Mason, and came over to investigate. Mason then proceeded to explain that there was to be an actual ceremony tomorrow, and a big one, by the sounds of it. He also took care to mention that neither of them had any say in the matter. Reede sighed, his smile gone.

"As she says, I apparently have her hand, but not her gratitude. If there's no way to undo this, then what's done is apparently done." He fell silent for a moment.

"Mason, would you mind if I had a few words with Nadala in private?"

"Mason, would you mind if I had a few words with Nadala in private?" Reede asked.

“Of course lad as well as I may have the same privilege with you after,” he left the table and wandered over to the fire.

Nadala glared at Reede and stood up, “I have nothing to say to you.” she suddenly felt faint as though the room was spinning she shook her head and sat again staring at the table. Her face flushed with rage.

Reede caught her hand as she stood.

"Sit down." He said.

"I know you don't like this, but we're in it together. I think its best if we try and figure out a way to make it work." He paused.

"We can't go on letting this make us miserable. We have lives to live, and if we have to live them near one another, fine. But if nothing else, help me make this bearable for you." Another pause.

"I can't help it that you hate me, but let me try to help."

"I can't help it that you hate me, but let me try to help."

“I don‘t h…” she clenched her teeth as her body shook, tears sprang to her eyes. “I can‘t hate you. I can everyone else…Why can‘t I hate you?”

She pulled her hand away from his and hurried outside pressing herself against the wall. She needed some escape, the guild was to big. She couldn’t ignore what they commanded even Reede knew that. She pulled a large emerald broach from her coin purse and held it tightly feeling the metal dig into her skin she sunk to the ground clutching it.

“Geo,” the word was softly spoken full of loss. “What do I do…”

“I don‘t h…” she clenched her teeth as her body shook, tears sprang to her eyes. “I can‘t hate you. I can everyone else…Why can‘t I hate you?”

She tore her hand away from him and fled, the words ringing in Reede's ears, and the pain shredding his heart. Pain? Why pain? He had felt it; seen it in her eyes. And desperately, he realized, he didn't want to see it there. He wanted her to be happy; he wanted...

No...no that wasn't what he wanted. Was it? Did he want her to love him? Did he want to love her?

He stared after her for a long moment, then bit his lip and looked down at the table. He felt a lump rising in his throat. Never had he felt so torn between two things.

"Garum." He called to the big man, his voice almost cracking. He wanted a drink; wanted something to turn to. To hide in. But no. He'd be running from it, not facing it. The big man turned to him

"...could you get me some tea?" He asked. The man nodded and turned away. Reede sighed again, staring down into the wood of the table.

Lliliean had worked her way down one side of the stalls and decided this was as goood a time as ever to rest. or run, something other than work with these horses. She took off her over tunic and folded it into Mist's stall before walking out into the night air. It chilled her through her formfitting, black, under tunic and flowing pants, this was enjoyable. Near the Tavern door, she noticed Nadala.

The woman always looked as if her world were crashing round her and Lliliean always wanted to help her, but she knew the woman was volatile, unapproachable even. Still, Lliliean felt the woman needed help, she just wasn't sure how to approach her with it.

She strided over to the bench by the door and pulled out Mellanor, this seemed a god time to polish the blade. Thinking aloud, or as she hoped it seemed, Lliliean commented, "love is one of the most fickle forces in the world, it can both create and destroy life, but it will always brighten your day." Those hade been her mother's favorite words whenever she had an argument with Garreth, Lliliean's father.

When Merri felt Teele’s hand reach for hers and squeeze her fingers she realized how much the song had brought back memories. She half-expected to hear Evandros’s pleasant baritone joining in with the men at the hearth and it tore at her that she would never hear it again.

She managed a smile at Teele, pushing the memories back under whatever armor-plating that was helping her to function just as Garum brought the food. Lliliean had excused herself and eased out the door.

The dishes steamed and gave off beautifully tempting smells. Merri ate delicately but quickly as was her habit, keeping a constant contact with Teele through glances, smiles, and her knee pressed against his under the table, sending a warm current through her.

It was too loud to speak anyway, or even hear yourself think for that matter. The tavern’s common room was rollicking with the song. When it ended the crowd was still energized and Merri reflected that the bard of that evening had chosen the exact right song for his audience.

It seemed to be Jak’s turn to choose a song next as he tuned his lute to a new key. Merri caught Teele’s eye again, reflecting that she could take little more of this. She needed to eat, certainly, but she also needed some peace and some time just with him.

A lot of time alone with him.

Doubtless the longing was written all over her face, she thought ruefully, and smiled at him before following a bite of bread with a little of the red wine she had ordered. After the rain and the cold she finally felt warmed through and stronger.