Barmaid's secret

Surprise

As I sit thinking about what's happened through the night. Small pattering sounds can be heard smacking my hovel with a syncing sound of my finger against the table. I take a large gulp of water from the clay cup I'm holding before pouring more into it. I let out a sigh finished another cup got up and headed to bed. As I lay I slowly drift off and dream.

"Come on Yorn go talk to her" Lundgren shakes me drunk. One of my closest friends always seems a bit scrawny but is rather muscular. His short brown hair with the position of a guard has a handful of women in this town wanting his favor. "If you don't go then I will" he jokingly says though knowing him he might be serious. Thinking about it I don't understand how he isn't married. I stroke my chin thinking of his words before switching to the thought of shaving the stubble I grew.

"Ah don't listen to that boy" I turn to the other side seeing my other close friend Ernval. A rather stout man sporting a beard that I think comes from his Dwarven ancestry. Just like any dwarf, he has a love of the forge.

"Yes, I know" I finally let out after giving their words some thought "But when is the best time" I take a sip of ale in front of me. As I look around taking the full view of the tavern. I see some patrons being rowdy at the center cheering and shouting as they play drinking games. A bard stands by the fireplace telling the tale of lost heroes and great adventures as drunks listen with a lost look on their faces. The barmaids zoom around as the barkeep Cranth a very large man with a beard that rivals Ernval watches with sharp eyes as he works behind a counter pouring stew into wooden bowls, ale into cups, and even for the more wealthy patrons cooked meats. As I watch everything go on one person in the room catches my eye Sigla. From the 5 years I've lived here and what information I could find on her she was born in Beurna, a small village that was destroyed along with the Kingdom of Wathreh around 15 years ago. As I recall this my father's face pops into mind souring the mood, but both her parents died and Cranth took her in so she worked for the board.

"Hey, now your chance" Lundgren snaps me out of my thoughts. Looking up I see Sigla taking off her apron and placing it on one of the hooks behind the counter. She speaks to Cranth a little before heading to the hall that leads to multiple rooms that Cranth rents out. Some of the customers got a bit grabby and touched one of the other barmaids, Cranth who usually remains behind the counter walked to the men and started berating them as those around cheered and shouted trying to spark a fight. Lundgren starts to shove at me "Go there may never be a better chance again"

"Ok ok," I reassure him as I get up a follow along the wall trying to remain out of view of Cranth. As I go slightly stumbling I think about Sigla. Her long blonde hair, slightly pointy ears from some distant elf lineage, slender frame, those beautiful dark green eyes. As I picture her I pick up the pace with excitement. As the noise echoes in the hall passing a few of the doors before reaching the door Sigla has been seen leaving and entering the most. Feeling overwhelmed by this before remembering Lundgren's words I find the resolve and open it. I force it open quickly with the intent to profess my interest in her or at least have a memory of her. I got the latter her slender body is what I imagined with a bit of muscle from constant work, but with one exception as Sigla shouted at me quickly getting dressed. I catch a glimpse of something I probably shouldn't have as my smile turns into complete shock. Where there was supposed to be a sheath for a sword was the opposite with two boulders.

Having realized that I saw Sigla dashing over before I could reach using Her left hand to sling me into the room and with the right slam the door. Before I could speak "Please don't tell" she begged. Taking notice that I started to regain my composure she asked again "Don't tell please" now tearing up

Emotions swirling I try to comfort her "there there calm down" I awkwardly hug and pat Sigla. After a minute of the crying turned to sniffle I finally asked the major question "What's up with this" as I gestured to her.

She takes a deep breath, stands up, walks to a table with chairs, grabs them, and brings the chairs to me. After setting them up she sat down and patted the chair cushion for me to sit down so I did. "Well" she starts with that soft voice of hers "I was born in a small village called Beurna. When I was 6 the kingdom it belonged to went to war with the Drebtre empire. From what I was told much later the empire wanted to add the small kingdom to itself but they refused so war broke out." She starts to get sad "This led to where all men were conscripted into the army my father was one of them. After some months the empire was winning with the little resistance our kingdom could put up. Word spread that any males that were found to belong to Wathreh would be executed with no questions this led to many mother and mine to try and hide our genders as girls to save us. Many died from what my mother said. As my mother was afraid for my safety we went on the run. Going from town to town we eventually make it to this town" she gestured around us "Since Cranth is a family friend we hoped he'd take us in which he did. My mother worked here as I lived an ok life as I had to learn to be a girl that only my mother and Cranth knew the truth. When I turned 16 my mother fell ill and passed the next year" She starts to cry a bit again but continues "Cranth said I didn't have to work and I could stay but I wanted to so I could pay him back" after the long story she reiterated her words "so I beg you keep my secret please"

After a minute I scratch my head after taking all that information in. I stand up "Can you give me tomorrow to give a better answer" She nods and I let myself out as I exit the hall Cranth sees me and heads off down the hall ignoring me. I see Lundgren and Ernval, but they can tell something has happened, and no matter what questions they ask I remain quiet worried I might spill everything. Having realized this they let me be, so I head home and drink water to sober up.