AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Behind the tavern was a narrow passageway that contained a few rotting wooden crates, some moldy netting, and several broken chairs and stools. I didn’t immediately see Little John, but finally spotted a pile of what looked like rags between the legs of the chairs and stools. Moving the debris aside, I found a man that I would never describe as little. He was a small hill among the wreckage, and I wondered how he had fit.
He was lying face down, so I couldn’t see his features, and I prayed this was the John I had been searching for. A loud snore erupted from the strange man, and I tilted my head to look at the sky and curse Ranos the God of Humor. I could just imagine the little imp having a good laugh at my expense.
“Hey, you,” I called loudly, using my foot to push him.
He didn’t move, and the snoring continued. I sighed knowing that a little nudge and loud speaking wasn’t going to rouse this drunkard. Looking around, I tried to find something that could help and spotted just the thing a few feet away. A bucket. My steps rushed toward it, and I found it full of liquid that looked like water. After I sniffed it to be sure, I discovered that it was indeed water, so I hauled it back, my muscles sore and stiff from the dragging I had done yesterday.
Once I was by the sleeping man again, I hefted the bucket and carefully aimed it at his head. If anything, it would help eliminate the smell. Water doused him and he spluttered, rising to his feet much faster than any drunk man I’d witnessed being woken the same way, which was exactly two now.
“What the right hell?” he roared from his full mountainous height, and I started to rethink my methods
“Uh, hello,” I said sheepishly, gaining his full attention.
“Oi, what’d you do that for?” he asked, and I belatedly realized I was still holding the bucket.
“Y-your grandmother sent me,” I stuttered, feeling absolutely puny next to his bulk.
His beefy hands lifted and rubbed his eyes. Then he squinted at me with hazel-colored eyes that were still hazy from the drink and sleep. “Tell her I’m not interested,” he growled looking me up and down as a sneer curled his lips.
“Huh?”
“You’re too small, girl. I’d break you. I don’t have the patience for gentleness.” He shook his head like a dog, whipping water in every direction.
I gasped then choked. Did he think his grandmother had sent me as a possible suitor? What sort of mission was this?
“That’s not—” I managed to get out between coughs.
“Look, you're nice looking, alright. A bit skinny and narrow but someone will want you,” he offered, managing to compliment and insult me.
“Shut it,” I snapped, slicing my hand through the air, silencing his next words. “I’m not here for any of what you’re going on about. Epione sent me to find you because she said you would be able to answer my questions about the… Bruralians.”
His glazed eyes suddenly sharpened, and he looked at me, assessing my cloak, my clothes, my boots, then my face. He squinted, trying to make it out within the hood's shadow but the passageway was dark which helped to hide me.
“Who are you?” he asked suspiciously.
“Not here,” I hissed looking around us. “Is there somewhere private we could go?”
He blinked repeatedly, obviously surprised that someone his grandmother sent his way wasn’t interested in him romantically.Who had she sent me to?
After he was done blinking and wrapping his head around the realization that I wasn’t there for what he had initially thought, he nodded then gestured for me to follow him. He led me around the building in the opposite direction of the tavern. For a second, I paused, wondering if this was really a good idea. Following a stranger I didn’t know, just going off the word of his grandmother. My father would be so upset, as would Will, but I needed information to protect him and myself.
Little John ducked around a corner, and I approached it cautiously, wondering if that was the instance the tables would turn and I’d be attacked. My fingers itched for my bow. Instead, I grasped the little dagger I had tucked away in my boot and pulled it free. My father had taught me to always be prepared. An archer could run out of arrows and would have to rely on another weapon.
Careful steps took me around the corner slowly, and I saw that John was waiting for me halfway down the alleyway. His now sharp eyes spotted the dagger in my hand, and he grinned before giving me an appreciative nod. I kept the weapon in my hand as I approached him, intending to follow him further, but he surprised me by turning and ducking into a doorway that was situated behind him.
I walked after him and realized a second later that we were inside another tavern. John had left me and was making his way to a table tucked in the corner, motioning for the barkeeper to send over a drink. Flabbergasted, I watched him, we had just left a tavern that he was still recovering from. Also, this wasn’t exactly private. What was he thinking?
Nervous, I adjusted my hood, making sure that my hair and face were hidden before I continued, hiding my dagger up my sleeve. It made me feel better knowing it was close at hand. As I approached the table, John kicked the chair across from him, scooting it back far enough for me to sit.What a gentleman.
“Now, what do you want to know?” he asked, then sucked on his teeth like he was trying to remove something from between them.
Disgusted with his manners I did my best to ignore them, and instead, concentrate on his question.Where should I start?
“As you must know, a Bruralian delegation arrived a few days ago,” I began, and with just a short sentence his whole demeanor changed. He seemed to swell in the seat, becoming impossibly bigger. A shadow that spoke of many dark things entered his eyes.
“Aye.” He nodded, then pounded the table with his fist, startling everyone in the room.
The barmaid bustled up to him with a large tankard that was full to the brim, set it down in front of him, then scurried away without a word. John grabbed the handle, lifted it to his lips and drank. After he’d drained it of half the liquid, he set it back down with a clank, gesturing for me to continue.
