The Collector and Her Steed

Chapter 4

It was just after 9 in the morning when the alarm finally woke Mira up from another dreamless sleep. Sitting up in bed she slowly stretches and lets out a large yawn. The morning sun shimmered through the cream coloured lace curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. This particular morning was still a bit chilly so as soon as Mira got out of her bed she wrapped a warm robe around herself. Heading into the bathroom she brushed her dark hair, easing the tangles out of her collarbone length hair. Glancing over at the window she opens the curtains and looks out to where she saw the figure dart off to the night prior. There was what looked to be a small piece of paper stuck in the grass that wasn't there the day before. Shrugging it off Mira went back to getting herself ready for the day.

After about half an hour she was dressed in black slacks and a loose black lace shirt with her hair falling in loose waves down her shoulders. Heading downstairs she headed through the kitchen to the small yard at the back. Heading out she went over to where she had spotted the piece of paper. Picking it up she noted that it was slightly damp from the frost that lightly covered everything. Opening up the folded piece of paper she read the smudges handwriting which said "Collector of many things, is one of them whiskeys?" Squinting her eyes a bit, she thinks about who would write such a note and wouldn't just ask her themself. Shrugging it off she headed back inside and went to work on decorating the space.

One thing the note got correct was that she was indeed a collector of many things. Slowly she filled the walls and built in shelves with antique photographs, taxidermy pieces, antique bottles, knick knacks, and plenty of other bits and bobs she had collected over the years from antique stores all across Europe and the United States. After her mother passed she was forced to move in with her father, who lived in the states. Once she could afford it she moved back to Romania, but over the roughly ten years she spent in the states she traveled around to different antique stores, slowly growing her collection. Looking over the walls it was clear one of her favourite things to collect were old photographs of couples or families. Her favourites she put up behind the bar, which she had started stocking already with different liquors. Of course she housed all of the alcohol in old decanters she had gathered.

As the day went on the pub area of the building started to look more lived in and welcoming, no longer having blank wooden walls. The wall behind the bar was painted a darker green, which added some much needed difference between the dark wood elsewhere in the room. She mixed in plants throughout the room in order to help bring that green outside of that wall. Each of the tables had glass candle holders, with the ones near the windows having different styles of ash trays. A large mirror behind the bar helped bring more light into the room. As the afternoon sun went down it shone through the windows and cast soft rainbows about the room as it shone through different coloured bottles.

At 5 in the evening there was a sudden ruckus outside as villages poured out of their homes with joyous voices. Looking outside Mira saw a large covered wagon driving through the streets, being pulled by a singular horse. Watching it make its way down the road she gasped as she saw the driver. Sliding on some shoes quickly she ran outside and jogged over towards the cart as it pulled to a stop.

"Duke!" Mira exclaimed as she ran up to the cart, watching the large gentleman settle himself in his usual manner of hanging outside of the cart.

"Ah Mira! It's a pleasant surprise to see you in this village, are you just passing through or did you finally get that pub you always wanted." Duke spoke, looking down at the woman as he pulled out a cigar and lit it.

Pointing behind her at her pub, Mira had a huge grin on her face, "I finally built my pub, I just moved in a couple of days ago. I'm just finishing up decorating the pub area."

"Oh that's splendid Mira, I do tend to spend more time in this village than elsewhere so we'll be able to see one another more often. I'm sure you'd love to show me some of the antiques you've collected since I last saw you." Pausing Duke looked around at the crowd of people now forming. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some business to start doing. Wouldn't want a riot to start over people not being able to get their supplies." He chuckled and reached behind him, grabbing a small parcel. "This is for you my dear, I was going to give it to you earlier but I believe now that you're in this town it's a better time for you to receive it." Taking the parcel from his hands Mira smiles up at him brightly. "I'll be sure to come back and both you more once the crowd dies down. I'm sure you've got lots of stories to tell since we haven't seen each other in a few years. I'll see you later Duke!" She gives him a wink and a curtsy before turning and walking off back towards the pub.