Calathus

Chapter 2 - A Sarcastic Drink

Dedicated to mizmouse for giving my story a chance. Thank you! 

2.

A Sarcastic Drink

Sianna had forgotten about the wounds on her arm until the icy wind nicked at her exposed skin. She shielded herself from the cold with her other arm and thanked the Saints the walk to the tavern was a short one. Six out of the twelve turns there was snow while the other half held ice or hail for them. Jabel was either white or blue, depending on the season.

It was a small town with a couple hundred residents which meant most people knew each other. There were only a dozen soldiers, the Leitnant included, stationed in the town which meant some of the townspeople worked in the barracks since there isn't enough personnel to keep it properly running.

That was how Sianna first met the villagers when she was sent to Jabel. The head cook was the brother of the tavern owner. The at times mischievous kids and teens that waxed the armor pieces and cleaned out chamber pots were the children of the merchants and grocers. The girls that cleaned the barracks and washed the linens were young mothers abandoned by their once lovers.

Sianna hugged her injured arm a little tighter, careful to avoid her chainmail pressing onto her flesh.

"How is the arm?" Aldermeck asked.

Sianna shrugged. "It's alright. I will treat it once we get to the tavern."

She smiled and turned to her Rhokin. "Deneck."

He faced her. "Yes, ser?"

"Have the barrack preparations been made?"

"Yes, ser. All was set accordingly. I checked on it myself before delivering the raven's letters to you today."

Aldermeck nodded.

Sianna looked ahead. The Leitnant was expecting company, the only time "preparations" were made to the barracks. Someone not too important since it wasn't the tower room that had been prepped.

She sighed and concentrated on her steps. The snow was starting to melt during the day, but it would freeze at night, forming ice on the exposed stone pathways. Sianna had slipped on it during her patrol that morning and Tiel had a good laugh. He also had a good fist to his face.

The tavern came into view. It was the only building that stood alone amidst the town's central area, and it was also the biggest, doubling as an inn. It was made of stone bricks with a wooden sign reading Nix's Head over the entrance. They entered and the warm air brought by two giant fireplaces washed over Sianna.

"Meryl, me girl!" boomed a baritone voice behind the bar. It was the tavern owner, Neil. He smiled at them, round cheeks blossoming out his face. "And Sianna, me girlie! Come in!"

Though it was only early in the afternoon, the tavern was half packed by men slipping in for a quick drink by a warm fire. Sianna and Aldermeck weaved through the tables heading toward the back where the bar was located. Deneck stayed behind and sat at a table occupied by someone he apparently knew.

"Neil," Aldermeck said as she leaned on the wooden bar. "We are off for this day. Serve us what you will. I shall pay for it all."

Neil laughed, the sound filling the whole room and then hollered at one of the serving girls to bring the good pitchers.

"Off, ser?" Sianna asked. "I still have duties to attend to. Tiel—"

"Tiel can handle it on his own" Aldermeck said. "And don't stand so stiffly. You're here to drink!"