Chapter 9
Mermaid's Tale Tavern
1642 - SUMMER IN DUNNEDIN
It was a warm eve and the sun had not yet set as Starrling made her way nervously into the village of Dunnedin. She alternated between whispering encouraging words and chiding herself for being such a child about this. The walk was not a short one by normal standards but Starrling was used to traveling great distances at a quick pace.
She entered the village along one of the main roads and walked down towards the docks; the sea always intrigued her, having been landlocked most of her life. Imagining what life might be like across the way to the mainland thrilled her but the smell of fish and scavenger birds caused her nose to tickle so she turned from the sea and had a look about. All around her, the village seemed to be almost sleeping, save for a few wandering souls and the
lights coming from a nearby tavern. She'd only visited a very few taverns in her sheltered life but found herself drawn to the door. Above her, the mermaid sign squeaked a bit in the breeze but inside… ah, inside she was flooded with warmth and good cheer. People were scattered about enjoying drinks and friendly conversation. Conversation! This is what I have missed so dearly, she thought excitedly as she closed the door snugly behind her. Standing just inside the door for a moment her artist's eye studied the scene before her. Warm hearth, the mermaid above the bar, men to flirt with, interesting décor, women to chat with, Oh! Calum is always so wise! She approached the bar and her inexperience made her uncertain as to what to do. She watched others and tried her best to mimic certain manners.
A most handsome rogue of a man standing behind the bar greeted her with a warm and open smile. "I bid ye welcome t'the Mermaid's Tale." He wiped the bar in front of her and flicked the towel back onto his shoulder, directing his enchanting gaze her way. "Wot be yer pleasure, lass?"
"Ale….if ye please?" So unsure of herself in these strange surroundings, her cheeks burned with a modesty she was unaccustomed to in her village at the Tor. With a quick nod, he moved off to fill a tankard for her.
"That'll be tuppence when yer ready, m'lady," he placed the full tankard in front of her and moved back down the bar to fill other orders. Starrling dug into the leather pouch at her belt and came up with the coins. She hesitated, looked up at the tender and reached for another coin to give him as, oh dragh! what was that called again? Aye, a tip. Smiling proudly, she placed the three coins on the bar and moved towards the hearth, her ale
in hand.
So many different people from various walks of life inhabited this tavern, even if only temporarily. Her eyes darted about as she sipped the wonderful ale. It had been so long since she'd been in a crowd. So many faces, so many accents, laughter, color and movement. Her head swirled and a grin stretched across her face as she took it all in. This was indeed to be a new and wondrous beginning.
Chapter 10
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