Chapter 10 – Women, Wenches, and Daddy’s Girl
Walking on dry land! It was such a warm day that the first thing I wanted to do was find the soft grass beneath a tree and rest in it’s shade. After a quiet nap, I began to feel restless, almost uncomfortable. As if I were unwelcome. So up and wandering again, this time eastward, I eventually found myself standing in front of a tavern with a sign over the entrance ‘Nose Poke Inn’ All good tavern owners choose a name that brings in the curious. So I felt obliging and entered for a mid-day meal.
Inside, it was dark and there was a slow, cool breeze from the street. On finding my seat, a serving wench playfully sat on the bench next to me and asked with a wink what I would like to have. I was a little uneasy and flushed at the spice of her greeting. A request tumbled out of my mouth that seemed to ask what she would recommend for a mid-day meal. At that, she stood up and said “For a sailing lad just in from the sea? Mm-m-mmm. How about a tall of sweet tea… some roast boar… and a fresh knuckle of bread?”
I replied, “That sounds good, what will it cost me?”
As she passed into the kitchen at the back of the room she said “That’ll be six flukes and a kiss.” Then she was gone.
In a few moments there was a tall of tea in front of me. I asked “I am not sure of the customs here. Could you better explain how you wished to be paid?”
The serving girl’s red hair framed her face and startling green eyes as she answered. “Make no claims on me for the sake of my name and I will answer.”
Away she rushed again. On her return with the rest of my meal, I asked “I have not heard of this custom. Please sit and talk of it with me?” Before going very far she returned to the table and took a seat across from me with a subtle smirk on her face.
“Good woman, I am called Gwynn. Please explain.”
“Since I am not repulsed by your look, what shall we talk about?”.
“Good woman, you are a fresh bouquet of flowers before my weary eyes. Would you tell me of the customs of Ladesh?”
“You may call me Tempyra.” I remember thinking that this would be many hours in a short night.
Over the shoulder of Tempyra, the other bar maid was straining to hear our conversation. Then she whispered to another fellow, who ducked quickly out the back of the inn. She then dutifully continued her work, while continuing to watch the two of us.
The other bar maid brought us another drink. Tempyra and I talked for more than an hour. Then, as I’m drifting off to sleep, I hear “Daddy, no!”.
The next thing I feel is stinky water lapping at me. And I’m staked out on the marsh outside of Ladesh. Tied down again!
“Why am I set out to die?” All I hear back is swamp sounds.
Louder, “Why?”
From the tower on the outer wall of Ladesh, …
more to come…
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