You arrived with the trade caravan in time for the Mid-Winter Festival. The weather in the valley was comfortable compared to the winter storms that raged around the mountains.
The bag of coins you earned was enough to get you space in a nice public house, and to afford food and drink for a while. You wanted to enjoy the Festival and maybe find some companionship. At first you continued to enjoy being with Aladan, Caranar, and Malwen. Elves approach to making love is different than those of humans.
While with them, you never sensed any jealousy or competition. Only a desire to share themselves with you and to have you share yourself with them.
The first night of the Festival, Aladan, Caranar, and Malwen had you join them to be their fourth for dancing, eating, and drinking. Later, you asked Aladan if he minded you dancing with the others. He smiled, kissed you softly and reminded you that they each offered only what they were willing to share. If you were not comfortable sharing, they would understand and go elsewhere. You then reminded him that you accepted their offer in the spirit in which it was given.
By the end of the fourth night, you not only shared your body with each of them, but you also learned some of what pleasured each one. So, by the end of the week, when you asked if all four of you could share each other together, they happily smiled and hugged.
You knew you enjoyed watching Malwen sucking and being entered by both Aladan and her mate Caranar, but you never thought that you would get just as much enjoyment watching Caranar and Aladan giving pleasure to each other. Watching their thin bodies move against each other, and their long flowing hair was something exciting to see. Especially as you were pleasuring Malwen at the same time.
You lost track of the days and nights with the elves.
Then the Festival ended. You found that Master Tanner and the rest of the Craftown caravan were going to stay until Spring, when the roads and passes would be easier to travel. The elves were leaving. Aladan came to you, “Milady Scout, we need to return home now. The Festival is over. Human towns are welcoming places during festivals, but when the celebrations end, their fears and prejudices return to the surface.”
You kissed and hugged him. “I understand. I wish could accompany you, but I will wait until the men of Craftown, leave, so I can protect them again.”
As a parting gift, he handed you a small metal star on a length of cord. “This is an Elf Star, the symbol of our people. If you encounter others of my kind, show it to them and they will know that you are a friend.”
You placed it around your neck and under your tunic. “Thank you. I graciously accept your token. I hope I encounter you and your people often.”
After hugging you again, he grabbed his pack, joined his friends, and you watched them leave the valley.
The first night afterwards, was not as empty as you thought.
Even though you slept alone, you dreamed of the elf band moving silently through the snowy woods, feeling the cold and the wet as they traveled.
In the morning you woke, warm and dry, but still felt as if you had been traveling through the wild country.
The next evening you are sitting in the common room of the public house, sipping a mug of ale and eating a bowl of stew, when you hear a drunken man loudly telling his tablemates, “Yeh, she was the one wif all o’ them Pooftas.”
There are half a dozen of them, drunk and laughing. “I wonder if they fucked her or if she fucked them?” At that point they are all making rude gestures and comments about a woman thrusting into a bent over man.
You try to ignore it, but they are getting louder and more drunk. Shaking your head, walk over to the large keg and ask the Mistress of the house, in your most formal and polite tone, “Madam, do you have a peacekeeper for your establishment?”
“No, but theres times whens I wish I did, ‘speclly whens thems local boys gets rowdy.”
You slowly nod. “Do I have your permission to eject these men from your establishment?” you ask with a sad smile.
“Ooo that would be a kindness, ‘specially If you can do it wifout breaking thin’s.” she says.
You nod as you pick up a large bung starter and walk to their table. The heavy wooden mallet is well used and smooth to the touch as you carry it.
“Aww Here she comes now.” one says in a mock scared tone.
“Comes or cums.” another responds laughing into his tankard.
You hold the bung starter in your hand, slowly smacking its head into your other hand. “Good Sirs, the Mistress of the House has informed me that it is time that you left for the night.”
The loudest one looks at the mallet in your hand and asks, “Did ya’ use that to bugger the pooftas?”
“Aw bet she did.” another responds.
You sigh for a moment and ask nicely once more. “Good sirs. Will you kindly get up from your table and leave for the night? Or do I need to assist you?”
“What if we’re no’ done yet?” he asks.
“If you do not leave nicely, then I am empowered to assist you.”
You pound the large mallet on the thick wooden table. It echoes through the room.
The shock of your strike has a couple of them up and running to the door. But of course, the loudest of them has to show his bravery against you. You know how this ends. You have handled too many drunks.
“You fink that just because was wif them pooftas, that you is somefing special. I’m gonna show you what a real man can do.”
He tries to hit you with his tankard, but you anticipated it, smacking it out of his hand with the bung starter. Then you jab him hard in the midsection causing him to double over. You feel the solid thump of wood against flesh with your thrust, as you force all the air out of his lungs.
There are footsteps behind you, moving fast. Turning you hit another one on the side of the head, knocking him to the floor.
All of the others scattered. You place the large mallet on the table, grab each man by their neck and hold them.
“You need to apologize the Mistress of the house for being loud and rude. And I do not appreciate you referring to my friends with slurs. In the future, you will refer those who are not human with proper terms. If I hear you using terms such as “pooftas,” “stunties”, or the like, I will use lye soap and a wash rag to clean the dirty words from your mouth. Do you understand?”
Continuing to hold each one by the throat you drag them to the Mistress of the house. “What do you wish to say to her?” you ask as you release them and they are on their knees.
“Mistress, we is sorry, tha’ we was rude an’ loud.” the one said.
“Yes Ma’am, won’t do it again.” said the other still holding his head.
She smiles at you. “Ok. You boys go home. Do better, an’ you can come back.”
They get up and leave. You place the bung starter against the large keg.
“Was that good enough for you?” you ask
She nods and hands you a wash rag. “Tha’ was fine. Clean up th’ table, and ya’ has a job if ya’ wants it.”
“I have worked as a peacekeeper before. What are you offering?” you ask
“Ya can stay wifout havin’ to pay. Durin’ th’ day, I can use a hand in th’ kitchen, settin’ up th’ common room. Durin’ mealtimes, ya’ sit by th’ keg and keep th’ peace. Meals will be free, if ya’ help me make ’em. Ale or stronger ya’ got to pay for, but cider an’ water are free. If ya’ brake anyfing, ya’ pay to replace it. At end of th’ week, I pay ya’ a coin from th’ profits.” she says holding out her hand. “I’m Annie”
Thinking it over, it seems like a good deal. Your pack is already here, and you could use a warm job during the rest of winter.
“If I agree, can I move from the large, shared room I was in, to a smaller private room? And if I want to leave and return to guarding travelers and merchants, will you have a hold against me?” You ask, waiting to take her hand.
“That seems fair. Festival ended and we has empty rooms. Pick a smaller one, and it’s yours. An’ time comes, ya’ want back on th’ road. Ya’ be free an’ clear.”
You shake her hand as you both smile broadly. “It’s a deal.”
Taking the rag over to the table, you wipe it clean, gather the plates and mugs, and throw them into the wash tub. Your own tankard is still half full, but your stew is cold. “Can I get more stew?” you ask, moving your bowl and mug to the small table near the keg.
“Ya’ can serve ya’ self. Th’ pot ’s on the stove.” she says.
Emptying your tankard, you carry both into the kitchen. A large iron pot is sitting on a large stone and iron stove. The heat from it fills the room. You ladle some stew into your bowl, then look for the cellar door. As you open it, you feel to cold air through your leather leggings. There is a keg for cider that is already tapped and you fill your mug. There is also a barrel of winter apples. You grab one. The last fruit you had that wasn’t dried or sugared was from Aladan when he shared elvish travel rations.
Once you are seated back in the common room, you look around as you finish your meal. The few guests in the room are just talking amongst themselves and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Once the room is emptied for the night, you help lock up. Annie shows you a small room that is near the kitchen and on the ground floor. “These was th’ scullery’s room, when we had one. I fink you’ll like it. Its warm in th’ winter because of th’ kitchen, near th’ lower privy, an’ you can react if we gets trouble in th’ night.”
You look it over. It’s small but comfortable. It is far better than life on the road, this time of year. “I will take it. Do you have a scullery? I had not noticed one.”
She nods “Me kids helps out. Me girl an’ boy. I sents ’em off to bed for now. I’ll introduce ya’ in the morn.”
You yawn and stretch. It has been a busy evening and you are tired. After moving your items to the small room, you check the locks, make sure the coals are banked in both the fireplace and stove, then set a bucket of water near the fireplace as a precaution.
Your sleep is light but good. That same kind of sleep you used to get while on patrol. Eventually you will fall into more restful patterns.
Annie’s children are young but helpful, probably seen 10 or 12 years each. The boy, Lee, appeared to be younger than the girl, Mary, but it was hard to tell. They both look like younger versions of their mother.
To help earn your keep and maintain your skills, you chop firewood daily. The children are amazed how you split logs with a single blow. You show them that it isn’t arm strength alone, but leverage and movement of your body.
“Axe calluses are the same as sword calluses. Never forget that.” you remember the master of arms teaching you when you were a recruit. “Never let your hands get soft, you never know when you’ll need to fight.” You show them how to best wield the axe, a staff, a sword, and shoot a bow. They quickly improve with your lessons.
Apparently, the word went out that you were the peacekeeper for Annie’s Public House.
Most of the time things are quiet. Once the weather outside of the valley moderated a bit, travelers arrive more often. Veterans recognize you as one of their own, and nod or throw you a coin from time to time. Even wearing only your scout leathers and tunic, you still look like a soldier.
No, the troublemakers are typically younger men who try to prove their manhood. Especially after a few pints.
They see you, in your shapely leathers, looking attractive without trying to. Others notice Mary, wearing a comfortable dress, serving and cleaning up, as Lee helps her.
Some men try to proposition you or Mary, which you kindly refuse and remind them that Mary is Annie’s child and under your protection.
Sometimes someone tries to grab you, Mary, or even Lee. But using either a quarter staff or the bung starter, you are able to knock them down and put them out the door with minimal damage to furniture or disturbance to the other patrons.
(Come back for Part 2. If you enjoyed this; Clap, Highlight, and Comment. I you really enjoy my writings, Follow and Subscribe.)
No comments:
Post a Comment