Aniyana - songs of love and death (a high fantasy)

Chapter 4 - Aniyana, The Inn, & The Men Within

"The food is okay, but I would prefer tasting your loving, girly girl." The grizzled old merchant gave Aniyana a toothy grin and tried to slip his hand up her skirt, again.

She deftly slid out of the way and gave one of her standard remarks, grinning at the man's companions. "You couldn't handle the flavor, old man." The raucous laughter of his friends followed her through the maze of tables into the kitchen where Bala cooked more bread in the oven and a thick meaty stew (her specialty) at the hearth.

"I heard the laughter" a smile broke out on her broad face. "Someone try to get you to visit the barn again?"

"Yes. It was that same old merchant from Brenzefelt." She plopped the money she'd just collected into her purse for counting out later, filled another glass of ale and grabbed a thick cut of bread. "He's all talk. One time, his hand actually got under my skirt, and he panicked. Before I could even yell at him, he was apologizing to me but looking at Goro standing guard by the door."

Bala exploded with laughter. "That man may not speak much, but he's good for two things. Grooming horses, and guarding this inn."

"I've been meaning to ask you, Bala. How did he come to work here?"

The woman's grin slid away. "I don't tell other peoples' stories, Ani. I won't tell yours, and I don't tell his. If he wants you to know, he'll tell you."

Aniyana felt a blush creep into her cheeks. "I didn't mean to pry, Bala. I was just curious."

"I know, honey." Bala smiled softly. "But curiosity kills a lot of folks." She thrust a steaming bowl of stew and another glass of ale into Ani's not so empty hands and pushed her lightly through the door. "Now get this to that man in the green cloak before he faints from starvation. And see if he wants that satchel taken to his room for the night while he eats."

Aniyana wove her way back through the tables, glancing at each table as she passed to see if anyone needed her. The past few weeks had made Aniyana into a favorite at the Inn. She no longer spilled ale or dropped meals as she darted from table to table, shouting over the happy din of customers talking and laughing; and she could finally remember exactly who ordered what: all while she exchanged witty remarks with the sometimes bawdy customers like the old merchant. 

She plopped the ale and extra bread in front of a young man who was finishing his meal and scooped up the 2 shard he held out to her in payment as she wriggled her way into the corner by the door. The man in the green cloak looked up from the papers that were strewn in front of him as she placed his meal and ale on the table. "That's 3 shard, sir. If you want your bag taken to your room, Goro will take them for you." He was impeccably dressed. His black shirt was made of high quality felt, thick and perfect for fall weather traveling, and was tucked into his dark green, form-fitting leather breeches which disappeared into the top of sturdy black riding boots. His straight dark hair was pulled back and tied with a black silk ribbon, hanging to just past his shoulders.

He slowly pulled the 3 roughly triangular shards of copper from his purse and held them out to Ani. She held her hand out and he gripped it in his subtly calloused fingers, leaving the coins sandwiched between their palms. He had the hands of someone who did only one kind of work with his hands. Swordplay, Ani thought, not knowing how she knew. "What are you doing here, Forest Girl?" He asked softly, his dark eyes glistening in the lantern light.

"I don't know what you're talking about." This was the strangest invitation to the barn she'd ever had.

"And I've never known a Forest Girl to work in a bay-side Inn before." He grinned.

"I really don't know what you mean." Aniyana said, glancing behind her to where Goro stood, waiting for her signal to come to her aid.

"Come now." He persisted. "I've traded with your people before. I know Forest Folk when I see them. Even in this dimly lit place I can see your features, your skin..."