Fire and Steel (GxG)

III

~*~
Stepping foot in the tavern I approached the small round table where Luthan and Rosalind sat. The lumber building was cosy to say the least, taxidermy animal heads were mounted on the walls along side the Vessarvian banners. There was a small bar to the front of the building and stairs that lead to the sleeping chambers. A balcony rimmed the inner walls of the second floor and the whole establishment smelt of mead and smoke. Greeting me Luthan pulled out a chair for me to sit at. "The family was grateful to receive their daughters ashes." he told me."And how much did they pay?" I asked finishing my ale. "15 gold. I told them to keep the rest for a proper burial." he responded. Nodding I looked around at the crowd that was beginning to spill into the establishment.

The more crowded the building got the more anxious I became. I wasn't a fan of large crowds. They create an atmosphere of density. When things are dense, mobility becomes difficult and it becomes suffocating, you feel trapped. "You said we will have to stop at a few places before we reach our destination?" Rosalind's voice snapped me out of my train of thought and my eyes fell on hers. "yes, we will have to stop at Blackpire on our route to Pran. I need to fill up on a few supply's." I told her. "And we will need to get you a stead of your own.' My brother chimed in. "Poor Brandy can't carry us both the whole way." Rosalind frowned "But I really don't have the coin for a mount, not after paying you"

Luthan chucked " I figured as much, so we'll have to pick up a few jobs while we are in  Blackpire, we'll split the payment evenly." closing my eyes I zoned out of their conversation and tuned into our surroundings, the room was full of chatter and if you hadn't  became attuned to it the voices would be indistinguishable.

To the left of us there was a group of common folk that complained about their spouses not putting out, Three tables down a bar maid was flirting with an older man, probably in hopes of getting a tip. To the right some farmers were chatting about the prosperity of the crops and well being of their livestock, They say this harvest will be the best yet and another man gushed about how proud he was of his son that has gone to work In the Kings guard. I frowned at that. proud? your son is going to fight for the same man that massacred our people and burned our homes and you are proud.

Sighing I stood. "where do you think you're going?" Luthan questioned. I was about to tell him I just needed some air when I heard something that caught my attention."That's her isn't it?" It was barely louder than a whisper and it  came from a group of men that sat near the bar. "To get another drink."  I excused myself from the table. Rosalind gave me a curious look while Luthan continued his chatter and I begun making my way towards the front of the room.

I stood just in earshot of the group. Leaning up against the bar I called the inn keep over and ordered a shot of whisky and a tankard of mead. Throwing my head back I downed the shot, feeling  the liquid burn its way down my throat allowing me enough time to look over at the men without seeming suspicious. There was 5 of them, A larger man with a full beard that wore a  dirty beige cap over his head, Another that was tall and well built, his skin was sun kissed and his long hair was bleached blond by the sun. The third was a shorter pot bellied man with balding hair that wore a mattered fox felt over his shoulder and the other two looked like brothers, both with the same unkempt mid length brunette hair and hooded chocolate eyes.  Their clothes where filthy and made of cheap fabrics. I could only assume they were apart of the local peasantry. "what nonsense are ya talkin' now, Yurick ?" the pot bellied man asked. "no, for real! don't look now but she looks exactly like her." the larger man which I now knew was called Yurick pulled a piece of parchment from his satchel. His companions turned to look at Rosalind and my heartbeat quickened. I gripped my tankard hard and continued to listen "I told you not to look!" he scolded. They continued to gossip now lowering their voices. "she can't be can she?" one of the brothers asked.