Lyssa’s Tale Chapter Three Part One

Chapter Three: Stonebridge

The traveling had left us weary and exhausted. It had taken just over a month to get to Stonebridge. There were times that it seemed Toeryn never slept. If I ended up sleeping in my saddle, he would lead my horse at a slow pace so not to disturb me. I grew to dislike riding each day. None more so than the first week when my muscles protested.

As we approached the city of Stonebridge, I grew more excited. Toeryn relaxed more, knowing that we would soon have a bed to rest in, a hot meal and bath. Even though it was dark it gave us hope. Torches lit the tall stone guard towers, from the distance we sat at, I could see the armor of the guards who paced along the wall.

“I’m going to do good by us this time, Ana,” he said. “Going to find a proper job.”

“What about until you do find something?” I asked, cynically. “Are we going to pickpockets or beg on the streets?”

“Actually that may not be a bad idea,” Toeryn said, losing himself in his planning. For that moment I regretted opening my mouth in the first place.

We approached the gates, only to find them lock. Toeryn told me to remain where I was with the horse while he went to see about getting in the city. When he returned me to a few moments later, he explained that they locked the gates at sundown, and don’t open again until sun up. So we had breakfast on the side of the road, watching the sun rise above the horizon.

A few hours later, the gates opened. Toeryn and I led our horses down the cobblestone street. A simple looking man went around extinguishing the kerosene lamps that line the roads. He glanced at us for a just a moment, offering a nod in our direction. Toeryn returned the nods and I smiled at him, bidding him a good morning. In the center of the huge city, was the tallest tower I had ever seen. Just next to the tower, was a huge stone bridge with sweeping arches that crossed the Messewan river. Out of the several spires that were noticeable from where I stood, the one on the tower stood the highest. It was far from a plain spire, the detail was perfected right down to the tiniest little creature in the sculptured base. The other buildings, houses and shops, had beautiful stonework and stucco, with overlapping gables and deep brown timber that stood out against the gray of the stones. The shutters began to open as people woke, and shops opened for daily business. They revealed clear glass windows, with wooden lattice framework.

Knights in white and gold patrolled the streets. Toeryn studied their movements carefully as we moved along the stone road. Men in tall hats, and spectacles sitting on their noses, walked pass us fitted pants with bright blue waistcoats, shined shoes and double breasted morning coats. One of the men carried a fashionable can with him. They each said good morning to us as we passed. The streets were quiet as traveled, the hooves of the horses clapping behind us against the stones. No one paid much attention to us.

Eventually, we found an inn on the other side of the River Messewan. The Rusty Pigeon. It wasn’t the most appealing place, but it was adequate until we could find something better. The inn keeper looked like someone who hadn’t seen sleep in weeks. His face was pock-marked, and scarred. A large red puffy scar ran over his left eye, which a milky white color. His other eye, was a sharp green that gave you the feeling it seen more than what most thought. He passed us the key to our room with a suspicious gaze and warned us that any funny business would get us tossed out to the streets. Toeryn and I didn’t pay attention to how the room looked, we were both too tired to care. The moment our heads hit the pillow we were asleep.

Some time later I awoke and found myself alone in the room. On the small table Toeryn had left me several copper coins and note.

Ana,

I will return later. Going to seek out work. Get yourself some food and wait for me to come back. Don’t wonder on your own just yet.

-T

I scooped up the coins and went down to the common room. Patrons had arrived throughout the day, the room was loud and reeked of fish. I carefully moved to the bar, feeling the eyes of some of the patrons on me.

“What can I ye?” The inn keeper asked me. His accent thick and deep, almost like he was growling at me.

“Bread and stew please,” I replied, setting down a few coins on the counter. “And a glass of water.”

Sweeping the coins into his pocket, he got my food and returned it quickly. I ate in silence for the first few moments, watching the inn keeper clean glasses, wipe the counter and get more drinks for the patrons.

“What’s your name?” The inn keeper asked me in his gruff voice.

“Lyssa,” I replied slurping some of the stew into my mouth. It was watered down, luke warm and mostly consisted of broth, but it tasted good nonetheless. “Yours?”

“Daven,” he told me with a sickly smile. Several of his teeth had been knocked out, the rest were stained yellow. Daven looked intimidating, but was nice enough and told me funny stories about patrons who frequented the tavern, or who rented a room for him.

Several hours had passed when Toeryn had returned. He sat next to me at the counter and smiled winningly. My gut warned me he had something up his sleeve.

“C’mon, lets go upstairs and talk,” he told me. I stood and waved farewell to Daven, before climbing the steps to our room.

Once we were inside, Toeryn closed the door behind him. The grin never left his face. I sat on my bed. The rough fabric of the wool blanket grazed my skin, causing it to itch. It was then I realized how poor looking the room was, the hard wooden floor with its threadbare rug, Two poorly made beds that gave off a slightly stale smell. Even the table and chairs, looked like they had seen better days. There were no decorations in the room to make it feel homey at all.

“I’ve got a plan,” Toeryn said excitedly, pacing the floor. “And I have you to thank for it baby sister.”

“Why does this make me feel uncomfortable?” I asked rhetorically. Toeryn paused to look at me for a moment before he began pacing the room again.

“Finding honest work is going to be tough. It could be weeks before I actually found something worthwhile.” he began. I leaned back on my elbows on my bed watching him. “I figure while we are waiting for that ship to arrive, we could obtain money in other ways.”

“How?” I asked. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to that.

“Cutting purse strings,” he said bluntly.

“Are you mad? Have you lost your damned mind?” I interrogated, not attempting to hide the disgust in my eyes. “Or did you just forget what we dealt with in Tel’thurian?”

“Ana, we can do this,” Toeryn continued, as if he didn’t even hear my words. “It will be simple and we won’t get caught. No one will know, except you and me.”

“Toeryn you are going to get us both locked up,” I stated. “or worse.”

It took several hours, and a lot of convincing on Toeryn part to get me to agree to this plan of his. We were to go into town every day, stake out a few people, and distract them long enough for one of us to steal their coin pouch. For the most part, Toeryn would be the one to grab, I was to distract them. We were to start the next morning, after the markets had been set up. Toeryn has spent the afternoon watching the patrolmen and where they spent most of their time and also finding out where the most people were so we would be less likely to be caught. It was easy to lose someone in a crowd. That night we talked ourselves to sleep by devising plans for the distractions. I didn’t feel much more confident than I had when he first laid this plan on me.

September 28, 2009 | Categories: Lyssa's Tale, Writing | Tags: prose | Leave A Comment »

Lyssa’s Tale Chapter Two Part Three

I woke the next morning to find Toeryn passed out in the bed next to mine. I hadn’t heard him come in. The room at all. Sliding from the bed, I shivered slightly as my feet touched the cold wooden floor. I made my bed and dressed quickly in the still too big clothes. Toeryn had left his clothes on the floor, I picked them up and folded them neatly. My eyes spotted a red stain on his shirt, shaking it out to examine it better. The rusty brown color told me immediately what it was.

“Toeryn?” I said shaking him awake. He didn’t respond immediately, so I shook him more violently, my voice filling with panic. “Toeryn!”

It took several attempts to wake him, but he finally did.

“What Ana?” He mumbled. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s blood on your shirt,” I cried “Are you hurt? What happened last night?”

“Nothing happened,” He lied, rolling over. “I’m not hurt, I had a job moving some meat is all.”

I eyed him suspiciously, I could tell he was lying to me. “Oh, okay.” I said unconvincingly.

We lived in the inn for several months, Toeryn always paying for the room weeks in advance. I badgered him about getting a place of our own, but all for nothing. Toeryn left every night and didn’t return until I was well off in my reverie. Every time I approached him about what he did he would tell me it was menial jobs that required hard labor and not something for a girl to do.

“It’s not fair Toeryn!” I shouted at him one evening. “I want to help too! I’m sick of being stuck in the inn all day long.”

“Then go out.” he told me flatly.

And I would just that. The next morning I dressed quickly, tucking my hair underneath a newsboy cap. Toeryn eyed me curiously for a moment.

“I’m going to need some money,” I said softly.

“What for?” He asked.

“Food, some clothing that fits.” I said in return.

“Alright then,” he said pulling out a medium-sized pouch.

Toeryn counted out five gold coin. My eyes widened at the amount, noting my expression he just smiled and placed them into a small brown pouch.

“Don’t lose it,” he told me firmly, handing the pouch to me. “Get what you need and don’t spend it all, Ana. Promise.”

“No,” I replied. “I can’t promise that I won’t spend it all. But I will see about a way for me to earn my own.”

I bolted out of the inn, excited to spend a day in the square. Everywhere the colors were bright and stood out against the thick gray walls. The sun was shining, the cobble shone with wetness from the melted snow. It was cold, but not bitterly so. I weaved my way down the roads looking at all the stands, looking for one in particular. It wasn’t there like it had been when we first arrived. Perhaps he moved on. I continued on through the square, looking at the items that each merchant had, purchasing a few trinkets, then located the tailors. The tailor had clothing sitting out on tables, carefully I looked through them.

Later that evening I returned to the inn with my coin purse containing only a few coppers. I had disposed of the ill-fitting clothes and wore my newer ones back to the inn. Not even stopping to say hello to the innkeeper and Meg, I bounded up the steps two at a time, eager to get into the bedroom and hide my goodies.

A year had passed since we had been there and living in the inn. Several murders of high positioned aristocrats were targeted The city officials couldn’t find who had done it and that’s when the Knights of Stonebridge showed up from Halde to investigate. There had been a series of murder that were all too much alike, and in a small city like this, they were hardly unnoticeable. I had been working with Meg and keeping the inn tidy, her father, paid me two silver and five coppers every other week. Toeryn had told me that he was working with Bertoline down at the docks, unloading ships and cargo. Each night he came home with a full coin purse.

The knights of Stonebridge, were a marvelous sight to see, they wore cloaks that hung to their thighs, a crisp clean white with gold trimming along the edges, in the center was large castle tower with a sword pointed down. The armor was gold colored breast plate with white leather and cloth underneath. The well made leather leggings and boots were white, with only the slightest traces of dirt on then from travel. Golden helms sat on their heads with white plumes, their riveted shields also contained the tower and sword emblem and a fine looking blade hung sheathed on their left hip. They were very intimidating to watch, their faces hardened as they milled about asking questions, or speaking to city officials. Toeryn seemed ill at ease with the presence of the Knights, yet each night he continued to go out and each morning would come home with a new coin pouch of money.

“Who do you thinkable be next?” I head one merchant say to another. I was leaning against a wall in one of the alleys listening to the merchants chat about what was going on. Some were fearing for their lives as it seemed to be going down from the richest.

“Dunno, but I heard that it might be Vens and his lot.” Another relied. Vens. That name sounded familiar to me, Toeryn had been talking about him recently and then it occurred to me that Toeryn might know something about the murders. I moved from my perch and ran back to the inn to seek him out. When I arrived I seen several of the knights struggling with Bertoline, he jerked and bucked trying to get free. There was another knight sitting on horse back, his expression was stoic, not a single speck of anger or rage as his men carted Bertoline off.

“Tell them nothing!” He screamed at my brother. Toeryn stood there with a somber look on his face, his eyes saddened even more when they fell upon me.

“Take him into custody as well,” The man on the horse instructed. “And gently if you please.”

“Lyssa run!” Toeryn screamed at me. It took a moment for it to register who he was talking about. “Run!”

I stared at Toeryn in disbelief, then looked to the knight on horse back as if weighing my options. His eyes seemed gentle, friendly even. I didn’t know what to do, and going with instinct I turned, running down an alley way. The knight seemed to know what my decision was, I could hear him sigh and set his horse off after me. Behind me Toeryn screamed in anger as he was hauled off. I knew I was in trouble when the hooves grew louder and louder. Within seconds I was lifted by a strong arm and set into the saddle. I trembled with fear as the knight held me between his arms, clinging to the saddle horn as tightly as possible while he slowed the beast to slow canter.

“You’re Lyssa?” He asked me softly. I shook my head, keeping my eyes closed. Fear had gripped the core of my being. “I am Sywyn Wennemein, a knight to the city of Stonebridge. I will not harm you, you have my word.”

“I-I didn’t do anything,” I stammered “I don’t k-know what is going on.”

“That is what we are going to find out little one,” Sywyn said calmly. “You have nothing to fear.”

We continued at a gentle pace to the garrison where Sywyn was stationed. He slid gingerly off his horse and tied the reins to the hitching post. I assumed he knew I wouldn’t run as he didn’t even face as he did so. I looked down to the ground and waited. I was too terrified to jump down. After a moment he offered me assistance in getting down off the horse. Carefully, he led me into the building and a small room with tables and chairs.

“Wait here, I’ll get you some water,” Sywyn told me, before he left the room.

Below me I could hear the sounds of two men screaming. I could only assume one of them was my brother. When Sywyn returned he had brought with him a pitcher of water and a small stoneware cup.

“What’s going on?” I asked him shakily. Watching him pour the water into the cup.

“I’m going to ask you some questions and if you tell me the truth, you will be released,” he replied. His voice was firm but calming all at the same time. I was thankful I got the nice knight. “Mind you, little one, I will know if you are lying to me.”

“Alright,” I gulped. Sywyn passed me the glass of water and I drank deeply from it.

“Lyssa, where does your brother go at night?” Sywyn asked me calmly.

“Don’t know,” I replied. “Toeryn doesn’t tell me anything. Just that he’s going to work. Though he did tell me once that he worked at the docks unloading cargo. Another time he said he was working for a butcher.”

Sywyn inclined his head once, pursing his lips together for a moment. “And how does he know Bertoline?”

“Again, I don’t know. We met Bertoline when we first arrive in Tel’thurian,” I said. I felt compelled to tell him the truth, he seemed to believe me for what it was worth at face value. Toeryn asked Bertoline if he knew anyone who had some work to be done.”

I drank some more water, my head was spinning with the events that had been taking place. Suddenly, I was exhausted and sighed deeply as I studied the knight in front of me. His black hair was pulled back into a neat pony tail at the nape of his neck. Sywyn’s eyes were a hazel green color that was unfamiliar to me, they gave off the feeling of having seen too much in his life time But not once did they lose that friendly disposition.

Once I had answered all of Sywyn’s questions, he took me back to the main hall. There were other men there, each one eyed me suspiciously. I walked with my head down almost afraid to meet eyes with any of them. Guilty by association was enough for most of the guards.

“What is going on with her brother?” Sywyn asked firmly.

“He is still being questioned, Sir.” One of the guards said.

“Very well,” Sywyn said with a nod. “See to it that Miss Lyssa here has a place to rest until he is free or otherwise. If any of you lay a harmful finger her in any way, I will take it as a personal offense. Do my make myself clear?”

“Yes sir!” The guards said in unison.

Sywyn looked at me with a warm smile. “My men will take good care of you. if you need anything, ask for them to locate me.” I nodded but said nothing.

Emotional exhaustion had set in as I was lead into the bunk room. The guard who took me there, motioned to a bed. There I collapsed, forgetting what was going on and falling asleep almost the second my head hit the pillow. Some time later I heard voices in the doorway.

“How long has she been asleep?” A male voice said, I recognized it as Sywyn’s voice.

“About six hours, Sir,” another said. “Poor thing’s exhausted.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Sywyn agreed. “Given what she’s been through, she’s handling it quite well for someone so young.”

The voices faded as I fell into a deep slumber again. I didn’t stir again until morning, feeling eyes upon me. While my eyes focused, I inhaled deeply. The smell of toast and hot tea filled my nose and forced my stomach to growl loudly.

“Good morning Lyssa,” the voice said. It was Sywyn again. “I thought I would have breakfast with you, while we wait for your brother to finish with the inquisitor.”

I rubbed my eyes and stared at Sywyn. He set the tray down on the bed as I sat up. At first I thought it was a dream, but then remembered all that happened the night before.

“What’s going on with Toeryn?” I asked groggily.

“He has told us what Bertoline had done,” Sywyn explained, pouring two cups of tea. “He claimed that Bertoline had threatened your life if he didn’t help.”

I began to slowly eat the thick slice of toast. It was coated with butter and strawberry jam. I was half way through the my second piece when the door flew open. My brother, Toeryn stood there, his eyes wild with rage. He stormed forward and pulled me from the bed, not even giving me time to say goodbye to Sywyn.

“What did you tell him?!” Toeryn screamed at me, as he dragged me down the road.

“Nothing!” I exclaimed, wincing as he gripped my arm tighter.

“Ana, I swear to God if you told them anything that will get us killed, I will personally beat you into the afterlife.” He growled at me.

“I don’t think the One would like you swearing against him,” I retorted smartly.

His hand was so fast I didn’t even have time to dodge it. It connected with my jaw, whipping my head to the side. I cried out in pain, the blood rushing to the area, setting every nerve ending on fire. It only took a moment for his hand print to appear on my face. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I didn’t let them spill. It was the first time that I openly showed resentment towards my brother. I glared hatefully at him as I spit blood from my mouth.

“Smart me again Ana,” Toeryn scolded. “And it will be worse.”

I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to press any more buttons. Both of our nerves had been set on edge from the previous night. We walked the rest of the way to the inn in silence.

“Pack your things,” Toeryn told me as we entered the inn. “We’re leaving.”

“Where are we going?” I asked quickly.

“Away from here, away from those guards,” he told me as he began to throw things messily into a knapsack. I carefully began to put my possession into a bag.

“Only take what you need, Ana,” he said. “I’ll buy you more when we get to Stonebridge.”

As I continued to pack my stuff, he came over to help me, stuffing things into the bag. The necklace that Bertoline gave me, hung from my neck. With a quick motion, Toeryn snapped the chain and threw it across the room.

“Have you lost your mind?!” I screamed at him. “I like that necklace.”

“Ana, Bertoline gave that to you right?” He asked.

“Yes, he did.” I replied. “So what?”

“He got it off a rich dead girl,” he told her. “He is going to hang for what he did, made me do.”

I stared at him, confusion gripping my face.

“He killed those people, robbed them,” he replied. I couldn’t tell if he was lying to me or not. “he told me he would hurt you, Ana. If I didn’t help him commit these crimes, there’s no saying what would have happened. I didn’t want to do it, but to protect you, I did. I would steal what I could from them, and he.”

Toeryn broke, tears fell from his eyes. I studied him for a moment, as I continued to pack my belongings. He leaned forward on his hands and sobbed into them, before he sat back up again. Taking deep breaths he furiously began to finish packing.

“Hurry up,” he demanded. “I’m gonna find us horses.”

When he returned, we loaded the horses, settled our tab with the inn and left. Night had settled when we left. The horses moved at a steady pace along the road. I pulled my traveling cloak around my shoulders as we rode on. The cold air had a faint woody smell to it from the fires that burn in the houses of Tel’thurian. It made me long to go back, and into the warm bed I was leaving behind. I had grown familiar with the inn we lived in and wondered if we would do the same when we got to Stonebridge.

“How long will it take us to get to Stonebridge?” I asked Toeryn when we slowed to a lazy canter.

“About a month.,” he replied without even looking in my direction. I thought it was maybe because he didn’t want me to see the fear in his eyes of not knowing what we were going to do. Or the fear that the guards could very well come after us. In truth, the fear would be mirrored in my eyes as well. Not knowing what either of us would do. It was a thought that would haunt me for the entirety of our journey.

I looked back and saw a knight sitting on a horse, his expression, though distorted by the moonlight was sad. He raised his hand somberly and waved. I bowed my head knowing that it wouldn’t be the last time I experienced trouble, just as the knight knew that it wouldn’t be the last time he seen me. It was just a matter of time until we met again.

September 21, 2009 | Categories: Lyssa's Tale, Writing | Tags: prose | Leave A Comment »

Lyssa’s Tale Chapter Two Part Two

“Bertoline,” The lanky man replied excitedly. “Bert, c’mon mate you have got to remember.”

Toeryn smiled and laughed, hugging him as best he could with me on his back. “It’d be hard to forget, old friend!”

Bertoline looked between Toeryn and me, his expression curious. He then looked around for something or someone. “Where’s the Missus?” He asked softly, not wanting to offend.

“There isn’t one, Bert,” Toeryn started to explain. “Lyssa is my kid sister. Our parents died a while back and I finally decided it was time to move her away from the family lands.”

“Toeryn!” I exclaimed, appalled that he openly lied about Mother being dead. “That’s not–”

“Lyssa,” Toeryn said firmly. “I know you don’t want to believe the truth, but you must accept it.”

I fell silent, stewing on how the anger I held. Tears well up in my eyes and once more I hide my face in Toeryn’s shoulder. Bertoline must have portrayed it as me accepting the so called reality, when really I was upset with Toeryn lying.

“Say, Bert,” Toeryn said. “Do you know where I might be able to find some work?”

“Hmm,” Bertoline said. I peeked up to look at him; he was thoughtfully stroking his chin. “I think I might know a few people. But you’ll have to come alone. Can you get rid of her?”

“Well I can’t get rid of her, but I can make sure she is in bed for the night.” Toeryn said. I seriously considered biting Toeryn at that point, but rolled my eyes and rested my head on my shoulders. “Lyssa is a big girl; she’s able to take care of herself, for just a few hours. Can’t you, Lyssa?”

“Yes, I can,” I said smartly. “I’ve been on my own before.”

Bertoline laughed softly, mussing my hair. “She’s got fire, in them eyes of her.”

I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but Toeryn seemed to understand. “That she does. Listen would you like to join her and me for supper at The Empty Barrel?”

“That would be splendid, my good friend,” Bertoline said with a sly smile. “And as a show of good faith, I’ll buy a round of drinks. What would you like miss Lyssa?”

I glared at him and said nothing; there was something about him that made me feel ill. Perhaps it was just my imagination working overtime, but I knew he couldn’t be trusted. Everything about Bertoline screamed caution, and Toeryn seemed to be blind to this.

“I’ll tell you what, Toeryn,” Bertoline began, “You and miss Lyssa go ahead, I have to pick something up and I will meet you at the inn.”

“Alright then, see you in a few.” Toeryn agreed with an equally sly smile. Bertoline moved along the streets, blending into the crowd. Toeryn and I continued our way down the street and to the inn before he set me down.

“Lyssa,” he said taking my hand and leading me up the steps. “You must be on your best behavior, no smart comments, nothing that gives our story away.”

I woke the next morning to find Toeryn passed out in the bed next to mine. I hadn’t heard him come in. The room at all. Sliding from the bed, I shivered slightly as my feet touched the cold wooden floor. I made my bed and dressed quickly in the still too big clothes. Toeryn had left his clothes on the floor, I picked them up and folded them neatly. My eyes spotted a red stain on his shirt, shaking it out to examine it better. The rusty brown color told me immediately what it was.

“Toeryn?” I said shaking him awake. He didn’t respond immediately, so I shook him more violently, my voice filling with panic. “Toeryn!”

It took several attempts to wake him, but he finally did.

“What Ana?” He mumbled. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s blood on your shirt,” I cried “Are you hurt? What happened last night?”

“Nothing happened,” He lied, rolling over. “I’m not hurt, I had a job moving some meat is all.”

I eyed him suspiciously, I could tell he was lying to me. “Oh, okay.” I said unconvincingly.

We lived in the inn for several months, Toeryn always paying for the room weeks in advance. I badgered him about getting a place of our own, but all for nothing. Toeryn left every night and didn’t return until I was well off in my reverie. Every time I approached him about what he did he would tell me it was menial jobs that required hard labor and not something for a girl to do.

“It’s not fair Toeryn!” I shouted at him one evening. “I want to help too! I’m sick of being stuck in the inn all day long.”

“Then go out.” he told me flatly.

And I would just that. The next morning I dressed quickly, tucking my hair underneath a newsboy cap. Toeryn eyed me curiously for a moment.

“I’m going to need some money,” I said softly.

“What for?” He asked.

“Food, some clothing that fits.” I said in return.

“Alright then,” he said pulling out a medium-sized pouch.

Toeryn counted out five gold coin. My eyes widened at the amount, noting my expression he just smiled and placed them into a small brown pouch.

“Don’t lose it,” he told me firmly, handing the pouch to me. “Get what you need and don’t spend it all, Ana. Promise.”

“No,” I replied. “I can’t promise that I won’t spend it all. But I will see about a way for me to earn my own.”

I bolted out of the inn, excited to spend a day in the square. Everywhere the colors were bright and stood out against the thick gray walls. The sun was shining, the cobble shone with wetness from the melted snow. It was cold, but not bitterly so. I weaved my way down the roads looking at all the stands, looking for one in particular. It wasn’t there like it had been when we first arrived. Perhaps he moved on. I continued on through the square, looking at the items that each merchant had, purchasing a few trinkets, then located the tailors. The tailor had clothing sitting out on tables, carefully I looked through them.

Later that evening I returned to the inn with my coin purse containing only a few coppers. I had disposed of the ill-fitting clothes and wore my newer ones back to the inn. Not even stopping to say hello to the innkeeper and Meg, I bounded up the steps two at a time, eager to get into the bedroom and hide my goodies.

A year had passed since we had been there and living in the inn. Several murders of high positioned aristocrats were targeted The city officials couldn’t find who had done it and that’s when the Knights of Stonebridge showed up from Halde to investigate. There had been a series of murder that were all too much alike, and in a small city like this, they were hardly unnoticeable. I had been working with Meg and keeping the inn tidy, her father, paid me two silver and five coppers every other week. Toeryn had told me that he was working with Bertoline down at the docks, unloading ships and cargo. Each night he came home with a full coin purse

“You lied to him and told him our parents were dead!” I said in a loud whisper. “Why did you do that?”

“We have to pretend Mother is dead to protect her,” he told me. “Do you want Grandmother to hurt Mother?”

“No.” I said shaking my head. “But I don’t like lying about it.”

“It will be alright,” Toeryn said comfortingly. “Bert will take care of us, he’ll get me some work and we’ll have a place of our own in no time. I promise.”

I should have realized then that was the start of many broken promises that Toeryn made me. The inn was common at best, tables scattered throughout the common room, and a bar right in the center. Stew and bread as well as ale and other liquors filled the air. Toeryn picked out a table near the bar, as I climbed into the chair; I realized that none of the chairs matched. It added to simplicity of The Empty Barrel. Bertoline returned a quarter of an hour later. In his hands, he carried a small wrapped object, as Bert sat down he placed the small item in front of me.

“A truce, miss Lyssa,” he said to me as I eyed the object suspiciously. His voice, oily as he spoke. “I will do anything to get a little girl to smile.”

I opened the small package and giggled happily. It was a little iced cake in the shape of a fairy. What caught my attention the most was the jeweled charm that was sitting on the top of the cake. It was a tiny crystal in the shape of a blooming rosebud. The light of the candle reflected off the many facets, making it sparkle. Carefully I picked it up and examined it.

“Bert, you shouldn’t have done that,” Toeryn said. “You’ll have her spoiled in no time.”

“It was nothing, I swear,” Bertoline chuckled, as he produced another small package. “Miss Lyssa, in this one is a bracelet in which the charm can go on.”

“Thank you very much,” I said softly as I opened the box, removed the plain silver link bracelet and placed the charm on it. I looked up and made a huge effort to smile at him. I still didn’t trust him.

“Ah, you’re most welcome,” he said with an oily smile that churned my stomach. “Anything for a petite lass like yourself.”

That night after Toeryn left me in the care of the inn keeper’s daughter, Meg. She was a nice lady. Her eyes were slanted upwards slightly and were the clearest blue I had ever seen. Long blond hair fell pass her waist in a waterfall of curls. Meg’s skin was warm, rich, peaches and cream tone. She dressed in a simple brown dress and white waist apron.

“Well miss, what would you like to do tonight?” She asked me, after she finished brush my hair. I had just gotten out of the bath; the cotton night gown was warm against my skin. Meg had helped me with my hair, even getting a pair of scissors to straighten the jagged edges my hair was left in from when I had cut it myself. “There ya go miss, now you don’t look too much like a boy.”

“Can we play Wari?” I asked, looking in a small hand mirror at my hair. It was up to my chin and shortened more in the back. She had taken the front of my hair and cut a fringe. I shrugged a bit; there wasn’t much I could do about my hair, except wait for it to grow back.

Wari was a counting game I used to play with the staff in the kitchen back in Meadow Brook. The object was to take color stones, or baubles and move them, one by one, around a wooden board that had six small cups and two reservoirs. The person to fill their reservoir first won. It was an easy game that kept us occupied for hours on end.

While Meg was out of the room, I moved over to the window and looked out over the main square. Some where in the street there was arguing, a cat screeching, and a few dogs barking. Just below me were a woman and a man. She giggled as the man pressed her against the wall and kissed her bosom. Blushing I moved away from the window, pulling the shutters closed as I did.

September 14, 2009 | Categories: Lyssa's Tale, Writing | Tags: prose | Leave A Comment »