Trestles of the Night

The Fate of Valeran

Another lonely night spent. One glass after another being emptied. Another night spent seeing just how the bottom of the bottle could sound as it landed on the ground. Despite the look of the crowd, Lord Valeran seemed to never be bothered much. To them he was another noble in the wrong spot, but word was out to leave him be. Any man who would spend so much to drink without end night after night, surely was one to be left to his fate. For nothing they could do would make his suffering any worse.

Another night come and gone. Each one ending with the same barmaid smiling as she cleared his table. At first he thought nothing of her. A simple worker slaving away while attempting to survive as the rest of these people in the southern ward. But as of late, each night her smile seemed to be the only thing that stuck through the drunken blur his memories would be of each night. The drinks were cheap and did the job, although the memories were silver lined by the woman's kind demeanor.

While Lord Valeran stumbled home, the same man would watch over him, ensuring his safe return. Night after night, until the city turned from dingy housing into immaculate buildings. Upon reaching lantern lit streets it was simply a single turn until he reached the gate to his home. Often times the man would help the unconscious Lord off of his lawn and into the foyer.

Each morning he would awake upon a couch in the living room with his wife Tabitha stroking his hair with the same glossy look upon her eyes. "I am glad you have returned safe." She would say each time without fail, while never asking of what he had done. Though the smell of drink was heavy on him, she allowed him to do as he pleased to ease his mind. But as time passed, the memories of the warm smile would come to the forefront of his thoughts more and more often each day.

This continued with time, although the amount drank would lessen. For each visit Lord Valeran would often be caught up in watching the barmaid  work tirelessly. He noticed that she would reserve her smile for some, and show a sharp eye to others. Upon one night she had her arm grabbed but quickly after another man was already twisting back the perpetrator's arm with surprising force. The man pulled him out of the bar and at that point Valeran realized that this man was here every single night. Often simply eating and watching the crowd. Perhaps he was a man of protection for this establishment, yet just as quickly as you would see him, he could vanish right before you. He had an uncanny ability to blend in.

Lord Valeran smiled at the thought of being able to disappear in plain sight. His first sober genuine smile in months. Just as he stood up to leave the barmaid's tray was knocked from her hands and drink poured all over him. A few of the bar patrons laughed and Lord Valeran did his best to not turn red from embarrassment. She grabbed a towel and swiftly began to wipe the excess drink from his clothing.

"Do forgive me my Lord. I hadn't seen you were quick to leave!" She tried to sound sorry and was met with his hand upon hers, stopping it in place.

Working up the courage in his gut he looked her in the eyes and smiled. "It is I who should apologize. I did not take notice of your swiftness on this night. But should you still want to apologize I shall ask on your name to forgive you."

All those who heard whistled and clapped at his quick response to her. As it raised a bit of notice she leaned close and covered her mouth to whisper into his ear. "My name is Margaret dear Lord."

His heart skipped a beat as he heard her say dear. He looked to her and tried to contain his composure. although her face was turning redder by the second. "I thank you." And he turned with a gesture to everyone else  "And a drink for all! I am sorry to have interrupted your night of fun!"

The surrounding crowd cheered and she nodded after taking his money. She hurriedly rushed off to begin making the drinks and Valeran walked to the door. As he turned back one last time to see mugs raised in salute to him, he saw Margaret looking at him. That warm smile accompanied by the red of her cheeks melted his heart in an instant. He drank an offered shot from someone and headed off into the night whistling. Something in him had changed. He felt warmth across his chest. The feeling of hope.