Tree of Eternity

Chapter Two

Dreavyn sat on a rickety bench at an equally rickety table outside of Mistress Matisha's tavern. She always visited this tavern on her trips to the Dock District. Mistress Matisha always had kind words for a young boy and "Dre" was no exception. The docks were busy this afternoon. Many of the fishermen had just gotten back into port and were transferring all the fish they had caught from their boats to carts and wagons.

It had been a couple of weeks since she had last snuck out of the manor house. She had been afraid the boy that had followed her from the tattoo shop would find her again. Cautiously, while keeping her eye out for the boy, she had quickly walked to the tavern. Having not seen him, she relaxed with a mug of ale and what she thought was lamb meat on a stick. At least, she hoped it was lamb meat. She was sure the hawkers in South Market sold rat meat, and probably even dog. She just hoped the dog had not been anyone's pet.

While Dreavyn was busy eating, a man sat down beside her. He was a large muscular man with an eye patch covering his left eye. His hair was short and receding and he had a scar beside his ear going down his neck.

"You lookin' for work?" he asked with a grunt.

"Nope," Dreavyn said, trying to make her voice sound more gruff.

"My friend there thinks you're an orphan. Orphans always be needin' work," he pointed over at a group of men a few tables over. Not just a group of men; amongst them was the boy from the tattoo shop. He was staring right at her.

"Yeah, I'm an orphan," Dreavyn said quietly. "But I don't need no work."

"How 'bout a mug or two of ale? Come sit with us."

Dreavyn peered up at the man and realized it was probably best not to cross him. "Yeah, I've got time for a mug." She followed him over to the table and sat down in a chair between the boy and the man with the eye patch. The other men stared down their noses at her.

"Who's this?" one of the men asked. "He ain't who ye were talkin' 'bout hiring, is he?"

"I never did get yer name?"

"It's Dre," her voice made a squeak and she cleared her throat. She had never before talked to anyone but Mistress Matisha, the tattooist, and a few different hawkers to buy some meat. Well, and the boy. But she had never spoken to these types of men before. Her heart pounded in her chest as she forced herself to speak clearer, "It's Dre."

"Well Dre, this here is Andi and Bill. The boy there is Bryce, and my name be Marrk."

"Hi," Dreavyn glanced at each of them except the boy, Bryce.

"Hey girl! We need a pitcher of ale and another mug 'ere!" Marrk's voice boomed beside Dreavyn, making her jump.

The men began talking to each other and Dreavyn sat not knowing what to do. She had realized she left her own mug of ale at the other table when Marrk had requested a new one, so she did not have anything to hold to occupy herself. She took a chance and glanced at the boy, Bryce. He was staring right at her.

"Hi," Bryce said. "How's your tattoo healin'?"

"Fine, thank you," she said and almost choked. She had spoken with her normal voice. She cleared her throat and said, "you got any?"

"Nope. Can't afford myself anything like that. Whatchu get anyway?"

She looked up at him trying to hide her worry. Then turned away when a girl sauntered to the table with a full pitcher and clean mug. Marrk smiled at the girl and flicked her a coin, then poured a round of ale.

"Bottoms up!" he shouted. They all began to drink. Dreavyn took a couple sips and made to put her mug down when she realized they were all chugging their drinks, including the boy. She took a few more gulps and set her cup down just before the men and boy slammed their mugs to the table.

"You not thirsty?" Bryce asked. His brown hair fell into his face and he smirked.

"Just takin' 'er easy."

"Right, well, these men will think yer rude if you don't keep up with them, so ye shouldn't take 'er easy so much." He winked.

Dreavyn smiled faintly and took another sip of her ale.

"So you ain't takin' the job?" one of the men asked. Andi, she thought.

"Nope," Dreavyn said as she picked her mug up again. She took a few more sips but pretended they were gulps.

"That's more like it," Bryce said quietly, nudging her in the ribs with his elbow. Then he spoke louder, "Why aren't ya takin' the job?"

"Don't need it," she answered just loud enough for Bryce to hear.

"What's that, boy? Speak up," Bill said, pounding his fist on the table.

"Um," Dreavyn took a gulp of her drink. "I don't need it."

"Ahh," Andi laughed. "To good for us, are ya?"

Dreavyn frowned, "Oh no, uh, nope, that's not what I mean at all." Her heart was pounding again and she wanted to ditch her mug of ale and run, but she dug her fingernails into her leg and tried to smile up at the men.

"They know that," Bryce laughed and clinked his mug against Andi's. "He's buggin' ya. And doin' a good job it seems."

Dreavyn hid a sigh behind her hand by pretending to cough. She picked up her mug to take another sip when Bryce yelled, "Bottoms up!"

They all began to chug their ale again and Dreavyn had no choice but to follow suit. She drank the last half of her ale quickly and slammed her mug down on the table. Well, she tried to slam it down. Compared to the others, she had set it down. She had also still finished last even though her mug had been half empty. Bryce grinned at her while Marrk filled up her mug again.

"Are ya sure ya wanna pass up this job?" Bryce grinned at her. He pushed his fingers back through his brown lanky hair, messing it up. Dreavyn turned away and tried to focus on Marrk. He seemed to be the nicest of them and he asked the least questions of her.

Four mugs later Dreavyn stood up announcing she must go. The shadows were already getting long and she was not feeling very well. Bellowing their goodbyes, the men all clapped her back and shook her hand. Bryce just smirked at her. Dreavyn slowly walked away down the street. She did not want them to see her stumble. But as soon as they were out of sight, she began to run. Or rather, quickly shuffle.

By the time she made it back to the wall the sun had set and the only lights were coming from windows. She all but fell over the wall and slithered through the window. Once she had bathed and changed she was feeling much better, but she still felt it was a bad idea to go to dinner, so she told a servant she was not feeling well and she would just have some broth and tea in her room.