Barmaid's secret

Return

Waking up I still feel unsettled by that smile, but I try to suppress it since it will be my first day back at work. Out of excitement, I wash my face and hands like I used to, get dressed, eat some meat, and then leave the house.

As I walk to the dungeon I think about if that man is still locked up. What has he said? Can I keep his mouth shut on the matter? Again stressing out is not good so I hurry up to get this day over with.

As I have the view of the dungeon in sight I see a carriage outside and Partam is sitting with the carriage driver curious about the situation "What's going on why are you there?"

"You remember know the guy who caused a scene at the tavern last night?"

Concerned now I press forward "Yes how could I forget"

"Well come to find out he a wanted fugitive as he's committed assault, theft, disturbing the peace and that's just the good charges" he jokingly says

"So what happens now"

"If anything since he escaped for so long he'll probably be executed for his list of crimes"

I begin to feel a sense of relief "Well after what he did he deserves it"

Partam nods as the door to the upper building opens Dernali comes out with some papers. As I think to myself Dernali was stuck to her chair and never moved from it. As I think this she hands the papers over to the driver and thanks him. As the carriage leaves Dernali questions "How's Sigla?"

"She fine why do you ask?" Asking out of curiosity

"You two are together right?"

"How do you know?"

"You have Lundgren to thank for that as he's seen how you two act with each other"

"So he gossips about us."

"Yes and no he says other things too" She starts to head back inside before turning back at me "Today's your first day back you should hurry" she goes in shutting the door. With her words, I rush inside dawn my breastplate get my mace, and follow my usual route.

The day continues as it is almost back to being peaceful as I like it. Finishing up my day I head to the tavern with Lundgren and Ernval. Sitting at our spot Sigla comes over "So what happened to the man that touched me yesterday" She has nervousness written all over her face"

"Don't worry Lundgren explains "He's apparently committed other crimes and may be put to death if not imprisoned for the rest of his life"

She breathes a sigh of relief "That's good to hear realizing she's showing relief toward the death of someone she backtracks "I meant that he couldn't harm others, not his death"

We laugh as Sigla gets flustered "We know how you are"

"Oh yeah," she pouts "So same as you always have right" as she insults our choice of foods. Not displeased by this we agree causing her to laugh.
"OK I will be back soon" She runs off to place our order and help the other customers.

"So Lundgren I hear you talk about my life"

Having been found out "Well It's entertaining to watch as you never acted like this up till you got drunk and told Sigla you liked her"

"And what was I like before then to you"

"Well you were more closed off as sure you came here with us but you never really talked about your past" Seeing my distress at this "I know you have your reasons so I'm not going to pry but up until recently nothing really changed over the years since you moved here" before he could finish his grievances the food and ale comes.

"What are you talking about" she picks up on some tension

"Nothing that important just life" I divert the attention

"So nothing really so you're just talking about work then" She nods at this understanding. She places the orders down "If you need anything you know what to do" she takes off.

"If you want to talk Ernval and me are here" he gets embarrassed I chuckle at his words making him worse

"I'm sorry thank you really," I think of how to keep this from getting too awkward "Right now let's worry about the food getting cold" We turn our attention to our orders and see Ernval has finished his not wanting to be outdone we hurry up with our food. As the night goes on we stumble out of the tavern as we do on some Sometimes I split off and head home. Once I get home I quickly change clothes and lay down. My last thoughts end up being about what Lundgren said.

After waking up I repeat my day how it used to be. That when after we had our usual fun at the tavern and we lifted I decided to share some of my life with them some of the stories I didn't even tell Sigla. "Well that explains some things" Ernval notes

"It's late so I'm going home" After we said our goodbyes I returned home feeling lighter than I used to.

As a few days pass continuing on I desire to be with Sigla again, but don't know what her thoughts on the subject. As I go into work Partam had returned from the escort. Listening to what he said it seems nothing to worry about as he only wanted to stay long enough to see the criminal taken to the prison he's going to stay in till he's given his sentence. Having heard good news today I work hoping for time to pass faster so that by the time we're done for the first time, I feel bored.

Having entered the tavern we tell Sigla the news as Lundgren and Ernval the exact relief we feel hearing it. With that concern out we continued with the day more happier than we were.