The Wolves of Bellrose

Chapter Two

As the sun shone down on the thawing earth, mist rising from the hard-packed dirt path in the centre of the small town, Alouette entered the first tavern she came across. This time she was dressed more demurely in a loose fitting dress that was the fashion for peasant women who had been married. Although, she still wore men's trousers beneath the dress, so she could cut away the skirt of her dress to run or fight if need be. She also had a woolly shawl thrown across her shoulders to help fight off the bracing chill of the morning.

As she opened the door, using more force than usual as the cold made the leather hinges stiff. A tired barkeep looked up as she took in the mess of broken furniture and hoped to God that the mess was not the fault of her two rogue boys. She made her way carefully over to the bar, avoiding broken cups, chairs and tables, and with each step she took, the dread in her stomach deepened.

"Goodness me, my dear, who could have caused so much damage to your livelihood?" Alouette asked carefully, covering her mouth in astonishment.

"Some terrible men last night. They were bloody good fighters even when they could barely stand. Bloody bastards," the barkeep muttered the last bit then looked up. " 'Scuse the language lady."

"Oh I agree completely with you. Would happen to know where those two troublemakers went after they left here? Someone needs to teach them a lesson and Ive half a mind to call the Lords men down from his manor to track them down." She sniffed, pulling her shawl tighter around her.

"I believe I heard them howling a bawdy song on their way down to the brothel, a couple lanes over. Someone needs to teach them a lesson. I heard they wrecked two other taverns last night as well and left one of the taverns with the tavern keepers wife. Unbelievable it is." He said, shaking his head and continuing to wipe down the badly stained bar top.

"Oh my, that is horrible. I hope they get sent to do penance for the troubles they have caused you and others. Its unacceptable." She shook her head, unable to believe the idiots she had recruited.

"Anyway, what brings you here today, Lady?"

"Oh, I was just strolling through the town when I saw that your sign was broken and though I should let you know, but clearly you have other issues on your mind, so I will leave you be, and I will see to it that those men are taught a lesson. Good day, sir." And with that she turned and left the tavern barely keeping the scowl from her face. As she stomped onward, toward the less reputable part of town, Aldert joined her side, his long legs easily matching her pace.

"The two other taverns in this town are completely destroyed. I cannot believe those two. Theyre like children, except theyre spending our money," he said, shaking his head angrily.

"Oh I know. I saw the destruction wrought in just one tavern and it was truly appalling. Im going to kick both of their stupid behinds when I find them. The barkeep I spoke to said they were last seen heading toward the brothel. Go get a bucket of water for me please Aldert." Aldert nodded and peeled off in the direction of the town well as Alouette continued straight, following the trail of desperate men. With each step she took, her anger and disgust built.

The path she strode upon turned to mud, sucking at the bottom of her boots and soaking the hem of her dress with its unpleasantness. The smell of piss and desperation hung thick in the air while filthy men slept in equally filthy side alleys, almost looking dead. One man looked as though he actually might be dead. Women with sores and warts emerged from dilapidated buildings, dark bruises and dirt marking their pale, marred skin and dead, tired eyes staring out from beneath lowered brows.

After walking past several more houses, Alouette spotted the sign claiming the brothel building and entered with a snort of disgust. The room stunk of opium, filth and spilled ale. Women and men both were passed out in alcoves of the main room, however none of them were Bertrad and Andros, so Alouette sighed and continued her search through the private rooms in the back of the brothel, where she saw some truly terrible things, until she finally found them right in the back of the private rooms, a naked girl each between them, all four of them passed out cold. Alouette stood there, hands on hips, completely unimpressed, until finally Aldert found them, looking perhaps slightly paler than usual. Alouette jerked her chin at them and Aldert poured the water on them.