User blog:Mauller/Absolution 018

Absolution, Chapter:018


A small trail of light encroached upon the darkness of the command tent from its entrance. It had taken all night to return, so the young inquisitor Major had not slept. He had no time for sleep, thoughts raced in his mind about his predicament.

On one side was possible demotion to office work, on the other was a mission to take up a position in Lescatie.

‘Old bastards, always getting in the way… well, not you of course, you have always been helpful.’

Alec continued his mutterings while staring at the tent flap. He could feel Brianna's anxiety through the canvas, she had been waiting to enter for a while now. He knew it was like her to worry about him, but his foul mood had perpetuated the camp. His appearance from the dark surprised the men who were on watch. More so due to his black attire and the strong smell of blood that lingered around him.

He did not believe in reprimanding them for this misgiving. Considering he instigated it himself. Yet the men had ways of instilling fear within themselves.

‘Bri… Liuetenant, just… come in and get it over with.’

On que, the white haired young woman opened the canvas and walked into the tent. Her pinkish eyes had always fascinated him. She had always been a lithe girl, but only a fool takes appearances for granted. She was stronger than any boy back home, even besting the smith’s son on occasion.

It often meant she was excluded by the other children back home. And was the main reason why the pair became friends in the first place.

For as pretty as she was, most of the boys felt intimidated about her being able to beat them at the games they played. And the girls were no better, many had a jealous streak because of her appearance. Not that they were any less pretty in their own ways. Brianna’s unique appearance made her stand out. And it still does to this day, for good and bad reasons.

‘Alec… I mean.’ She clicked her heels together and saluted by placing her fist against her chest. ‘Major Duskhelm! Sir!’

Alec winced on the inside, although he still appeared irritated. ‘Yes lieutenant? Do you have anything to report?’

‘Yes sir, Our “Guest” is becoming more agitated and unmanageable. So we have kept her restrained for the time being. The men are also… talking sir.’

‘Talking?’

‘Yes sir, about your… sudden appearance in the night.’

The inquisition Major sighed then stood. His subordinate remained in place while looking forwards. She was unaware that she was staring Alec in the eye, even if he could see her as clear as day. The thought of how beautiful she was came up more than before, but he pushed it down.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And? Lieutenant?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well sir, unexplained leave of…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yes, yes, I know all of the rules. And I left to clear my head, I have had a lot on my mind.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The stern mask on Brianna’s face wavered as her eyes darted in his general direction. A slight tap on one side of his desk drew her gaze. It appeared that she could not see him as her eyes continued to search in the gloom.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Look.’ Her eyes returned to his the moment he spoke. ‘I have been thinking a lot. And believe it may be for the best to… stay in Lescatie for a while.’

<p class="MsoNormal">They both stood staring at one another. The only hint that his old friend could now see him being the small smile that appeared.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Very well Major, although if you are to go hunting again in the night then I would advise against it. I have received reports that a crazed man killed fifteen people in a nearby town. So I have stepped up patrols of the camp.’

<p class="MsoNormal">If only she knew.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So as to help resolve this situation, I thought it best if we detoured to the town along the way.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘No.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Although the descriptions are vague, the inn keeper and barmaid were said to be two of the survivors. Although a few people had fled before the incident occurred.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I said no.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What sir? But there is a killer on the loose? Do you want that sort of man to be free!?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘He is none of our concern Lieutenant, our mission was to retrieve the package and escort it to Lescatie. We will not compromise this mission on a whim.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Alec could feel the frustration within his friend, she had always been unquestionable and pure in her intentions. But he could tell how much she wanted to hit him at this moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘That is all Lieutenant.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘But Ale…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Lieutenant.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Brianna’s knuckles cracked while she held her fists clenched. It was an old habit and the sound often brought her back to her senses. She looked at Alec and her face softened, he always thought she was gorgeous. But it strained his heart whenever she gave him that disappointed look.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Very well, I will step up patrols and prepare the camp for departure. Sir.’ With a more forceful salute she clicked her heels together then departed the tent. Leaving Alec to his solemn silence once more.

<p class="MsoNormal">The inquisition major sat and rested his face in his palms. ‘I have not seen her in years, yet I treat her like this… if only I could tell you Bri.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Then why not tell her? It only means weaving her into our little web of darkness, what is one more person to the cause?’ A familiar female voice called out to him across the room. ‘Oh don’t be like that Alec, I know you can hear me. You can’t keep ignoring me forever.’

<p class="MsoNormal">He did not need to look, the darkness was her domain. She lived within it and fed upon it. And for years she had always rubbed him the wrong way.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I know you are using it, for the last time, stop using her voice and appearance.’

<p class="MsoNormal">A sigh came from beyond his hands. ‘Very well, but what would she say if she knew how close you are to your “childhood friend” I don’t think she would be too pleased.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The desk shook as Alec hammered his fists against it. His men would have run and never looked back with the glare he gave this woman. But her eyes curled in amusement as she waved from the corner.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hello Alec, now will you listen to me once more?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I told you to stop using her voice and face…’ his own knuckles cracked. Her disguise tugged at another hole left in his heart, one he continued to run away from. But no matter how far he ran the darkness was always there.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh hush now, that is no way to speak to me. I told you before how rare it is for someone to be capable of seeing… okay, okay, I will stop using her appearance.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The teenage girl with golden ringlets stepped forwards from the shadows. But with each step her body flowed and changed, a black ink running over her skin as though it were alive. When she finally stopped in front of Alecs desk and loomed down at him, the piercing darkness of her hair and eyes burnt itself into his mind.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Now will you listen?’

<p class="MsoNormal">He did not want to, but he nodded, earning a smile from the fair skinned woman. He had earnt her ire in the past for commenting on her bust. Or rather the small amount of it. But the mind searing black toga that she wore accentuated her feminine curves.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Good, now there is something I want you to do. But first, you need to head to Lescatie and follow the supreme paladin’s instruction.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Alec deflated, letting go of the tension that had built in his body. Hearing this left him with only one choice now.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And what if I don’t go?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well, remember what I said, don’t you think that little Ana would be disappointed to find out about your childhood friend?’ The woman smiled and faded into the shadows. It was an odd sight to see, considering how her pure darkness stood out. Even in a pitch black room she was visible as if she were standing in daylight.

<p class="MsoNormal">The black fire and magic of hers, it was as if it was seen with the mind more than the eye.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Major Duskhelm sir! The men are ready to tear down and depart.’ The familiar voice of Alec’s warrant officer brought him back to reality. It appeared that the man had opened the tent flap, blinding Alec for a moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yes, very good.’ His underling saluted then returned the tent to its darkness once more. So to clear his mind of current event, Alec stood and began packing his files.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘But don’t forget Alec, you are mine in the end.’ He felt something hugging his back till he turned to check what was there.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Damned woman.’ But he saw nothing but the darkened tent when he turned. ‘Then I guess I will be staying in Lescatie for a time.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Just pray to whatever being you believe in Nyx, because I won’t forgive you again.’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">Fenrir sat in his cage, the bars still iced over from his previous outburst. The angel stood on the other side of the bars, a knowing smile on his face as he watched the giant wolf man.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘We have her you know, she has been captive for the past week.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Leather gloves creaked as Fenrir’s fists clenched, his heavy breaths forming a new layer of frost over everything it touched.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘If you do anything to her, I will do more than you did to me. How could you let yourself stoop this low after what happened?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The angels smile faded as his eyes hardened. ‘The old gods had it coming for a long time, those who died deserved what was coming to them.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Without hesitation the wolf man launched himself at the bars, his fangs bared and waiting to taste the angel’s throat. Yet the chain only allowed him to grab the bars. ‘And yet you let our peoples be subjugated! To have their own past and futures taken away from them!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘The old gods were making us weak!’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘The old gods treated us like family! Yet here you are! Still hiding behind masks and lurking in the shadows… you always wanted the old ways to vanish. You always wanted your Ragnarok.’ The wolf man moved away from the bars and spread his arms wide. ‘Well, you won, you got your Ragnarok. Yet here you are, still working your way around in the dirt like the worm you are.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The angels face contorted. ‘Silence! I won’t have any of this from you! The one who helped bring about Ragnarok!’

<p class="MsoNormal">The old wolf man started to chuckle. For a long time he never though he could laugh again, but this moment brought a grin as he watched the angels confusion. ‘I was trying to protect our people, oh gods. You will never learn, if you hadn’t interfered then they would have survived.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Fenrir sighed then returned to his seat. The angel continued to watch him, although he appeared deeper in thought than before. ‘If you just accepted what you had, instead of trying to take everything for yourself. You would have realised that you had a family that cared about you, now drop that silly disguise Loki. I know it is you.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Loki took a step back, the magic of his disguise already fading in his moment of shock. ‘But, how?’

<p class="MsoNormal">The wolf man looked up at him with a smile. ‘Who else would remember what I did? The last angel from that time died Aeons ago. And there are only a few others being left from then, but even now I am starting to feel my age. So please Loki, if you have any of your old compassion left, don’t do something reckless and end up with the last of my kin stuck in the middle of it.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The old god frowned then began to walk away. His raven hair flowing behind him as he approached the isolation wards exit. But before he turned the last corner he leant against a wall and hammered his fist into it. ‘Damn it! Why… just, why?’ He held his chest as the pain within began growing. ‘I just wanted to be useful… to show them all that I could help.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Why did you abandon me father? …Why did you send Thor to his death?’

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">When Edda opened the doors, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I could not believe my nose either, the smell was atrocious. I looked at the Angel and she had covered her face with the mouth guard of a helmet. She still appeared to be smiling, but the way her eyes watered told me some of the smell was still getting through.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well, here is lescatie, or rather… the slums at least.’ We walked out into the street, they were paved in stone and had gulley’s running down either side. Which appeared to be where the smell was coming from. ‘Oh don’t worry, it just happens to be cleaning day, they flush the drains out once a month. It often churns up some nasty things… urgh actually, lets hurry, I think my feathers are going to wilt.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Edda hooked her arm around mine and dragged me along. A few people eyed us but none seemed to care. Regardless of how different Edda appeared. I guess people try to stay out of trouble with the rich. Now where did that come from?

<p class="MsoNormal">I shook my head and Edda hurried us down the packed street. The road was not wide and the Hawkers and Criers stalls only made room for three to pass at once. But we made it to a larger boulevard at the end.

<p class="MsoNormal">And that was what changed my idea of this place.

<p class="MsoNormal">The boulevard was large enough to accommodate twenty or more people walking side by side. And that was not including the grassed area down it centre. A few people appeared to be taking refuge under the trees while others sat and ate. And children were playing in the fountains that were dotted along the grassed area.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Huh, see? Now this is the real Lescatie, a place where people can come and feel safe. Where people can make their dreams come alive. Or that is what they say at least, you still have the slums.’ Edda shrugged when I looked at her before she carried on walking me along the roadway.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So where are we going?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘To the southern barracks, didn’t you say something about meeting Mersé there?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well, kind of.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The angel smiled. ‘Good, because if you thought things were bad when you arrived, Mersé is a whole other set of problems.’ Edda started laughing while digging her elbow into my side. ‘Oh she will have fun with you if you say the wrong thing.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Oh great, so Malachi set me up twice. But I have nowhere else to turn and no other leads, so what else do I do?

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Hey, cheer up there Martin. I am sure thing will go well, she is an understanding sort if you catch her just right. But you see those walls up ahead in that clearing. That’s the southern barracks.’

<p class="MsoNormal">We made it to the end of the boulevard and walked into a large clearing. And at the centre of the clearing appeared to be a castle. The Barracks walls stood as tall as the cities and had just as many battlements. The clearing surrounding the barracks was paved in ornate patterns, a few soldiers appeared to be performing drills in one area while groups of merchans had setup stall in another.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Wow… this place is huge, I never imagined something this large could be inside a city. It never looked that big from the distance.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Edda chuckled and pulled me along, the groups of people who were gathered around the merchants stalls cleared as we approached. They seemed to have an understanding as to what someone in armour meant when approaching this place. The angel just kept smiling when I looked at her and before I realised we arrived at the barracks entranceway.

<p class="MsoNormal">A few banners hung from either side of it in various colours. All with their own unique symbols that I did not recognise.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Those are the banners of the regiments that are housed here. They often raise and lower them depending on whose home. The smaller ones are the major mercenary groups who also take residence here. It appears that the marauders are still out, but Mersé is in by the looks of it. She is important enough to have her own banner you see.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The angel pointed to a silver banner that had a serpent on its front. ‘Any reason for the symbol?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Edda shrugged. ‘A lot of the time the troops pic their own symbols, same for those important enough to have their own banner. But Mersé didn’t care and was stuck with that one, it annoys her but she likes it enough to keep it. Kind of like being lumbered with a nickname that your squad has given you. It is all in the fun of things.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The guards at the gate nodded as Edda passed, although they gave me a few choice looks as we passed. A few scowled when Edda hugged me to her side and the people behind started nattering.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Don’t worry about them. Some people can’t help being jealous little crettins.’ She chuckled and walked me through the wall. We were greeted by a large courtyard that was full of people training. On one side the ring of metal sounded out along with a wave of heat. It appeared that they did everything in this place from smithing to training. I was also sure I could smell ammonia from a tannery.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘So where is this…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Get your foot out you good for nothing slackers! Jenkins! Stop tickling Arthur and get your fist into those ribs! I want to see blood sweat and tears! Or are none of you man enough to cry in pain?!’

<p class="MsoNormal">I did not need to ask in the end, off to the far end of the courtyard amongst a crowd of scuffling men stood a woman. At first I had mistaken her for a man with long silver hair from the boots and waistcoat she was wearing. But the moment she turned it was obvious that I was mistaken.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well there you go Mart that would be Mersé, right firecracker she is. Well I best be leaving now, got stuff to do, so see you around good looking!’ With a final grin and firm pat on the bottom, Edda went her own way across the courtyard. It appeared that she was heading towards a group of winged women who had been glaring daggers at me then entire time.

<p class="MsoNormal">I just felt glad that their attention was off me now that she was approaching them.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Well I best go and talk with her, the day can’t get any worse.’ So I walked across the courtyard towards my first step in rescuing Valis.

<p class="MsoNormal">The soldiers ignored me as I went about my own business. Mersé herself gave me a casual glance before she returned to barking orders and walking amongst the crowd. It made it more difficult as the men shifted and changed partners while fighting. If anything I imagined it helped them improve their battle awareness. On the odd occasion I would have ended up with a fist or two in the side, but a lucky dodge or five helped.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What do you want? You have been following me like a stray cat for the past fifteen minutes. If you have something to say, then spit it out!’ She turned and we ended up face to face. I had not noticed it from the distance but she was a very attractive woman with her green eyes. Or rather I should say eye as her right eye was covered in a silken red cloth. Most likely an old battle wound.

<p class="MsoNormal">Looking down was a slight mistake, although she was dressed in male clothing her red tie was nestle between her cleavage. ‘I erm… was wanting to…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Come on! Spit it out boy! And you lot! Stop gawping and get back to it before I put you through the wringer myself!’ the sounds of scuffling returned in the background, I had not noticed that the soldiers had stopped. A few of the female soldier’s scowled when I saw them, but the glare Mersé was giving did not compare.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Sorry! Malachi sent me!’ With that said, the soldiers around me stopped in place. It felt as though time itself froze.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘What was that?’ Malachi had told me a few things about Mersé. One was that she hated people looking down on her for being a woman. Two was that she was a strong fighter and trained the new recruits. Three was to never get on the wrong side of her. The others were a little more personal, but she seemed to have a bad drinking habbit.

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked around, the soldiers could smell new meat and the look in their eyes was predatory. It reminded me of Valis when we first met.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I said Malachi sent me he said…’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘For the last time! Go tell that bastard that he can pay his own Tab! I’m paying nothing!’

<p class="MsoNormal">I had little time to react, before I realised her fist was travelling past my face. She seemed as surprised as I felt when I noticed I had dodged backwards. But the grin and the glint in her eye told me that this was just the beginning.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh ho! So the bear didn’t just send a cub to provoke me this time? I think I will have some fun for once.’ The glint remained and for the first time I noticed a faint glow. Was it doing that already? But the way she is side stepping does seem normal.

<p class="MsoNormal">The soldiers had moved back and were forming a ring around us. The light footed side steps Mersé was making seemed unreal, it almost looked as though she were dancing in the air.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Come on then! Have at it!’

<p class="MsoNormal">I had to jump to the side and roll to avoid the straight left she made towards my face. If I had blinked I dared to think of what state I would have been left in. But my moment of reprieve did not last, her movement had carried towards the ring where she kicked off the chest of a soldier, sending her towards me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I didn’t come here for this!’ With another jump and roll I managed to land a kick at her thigh, causing her to stumble when she landed.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Ooh, you just earnt yourself a world of pain.’ The glow in her eye appeared to be growing along with the speed of her movements. Her feet were almost a blur now and the world span before I realised I was moving. And the pain in my side exploded a few moments after I landed.

<p class="MsoNormal">After a spate of coughing I spotted her running towards me, but her movements had slowed to a normal pace. Or had the world around us slowed? The fire I felt before started burning in my core, as much as I hated conflict I felt no other way out. So when her foot came kicking towards me I punched it as hard as I could.

<p class="MsoNormal">I thought I knew pain, but this took the crown. And the sound was unbelievable unless you heard it.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">Mersé was rolling in laughter, her office was well furnished for a soldier. ‘Oh boy, so you’re telling me he sent you through the old forest to get here? And that he would hire you if you made it?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yes…’

<p class="MsoNormal">Her jovial laughter was nice on the ears, she had a nice voice compared to how gruff she made herself sound in public. But it still hurt my spirits, not as much as my hand was hurting. They had managed to mend the bones and set my fingers. The rest of the damage could heal on its own, or so Mersé said.

<p class="MsoNormal">The one thing that made this feel better was the fact that she came off as bad as me.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh that is brilliant, so, you need a place to setup before that old bastard comes back?’ It was nice to see her smile, although seeing the cast over her right foot amused me more. But having my arm in a sling had its own difficulties. She felt that we could heal stronger on our own rather than having the wizards do it.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Yes, well if I can’t stay here. And I don’t have any…’ She held up a hand and frowned, her brow then ruffled in thought. A few seconds later she grabbed a slip of paper and started writing.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I tell you what, the owner down the Pub we frequent owes me a favour, take this to him. And what is that look for? Do you think I am fobbing you off to some drab dive? Antonio’s is not like that, guy keeps it all ship shape. Do you think I would drink in some crap hole?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked her up and down and shook my head. The clothes she was wearing, although more sturdy than most, were as fine as any nobles. Wait, why would I know that? Although the stitching around her collar has a nice flair to it, the tailor is quite the master.

<p class="MsoNormal">Mersé cleared her throat and I looked up at her face, she looked a little annoyed so I took the paper and smiled. ‘Oh, sorry, just admiring your clothes. You look good in them… I mean! They look good on you, some master seam work on them.’

<p class="MsoNormal">The white haired woman grinned and before I could move away she grabbed my nose and held a letter opener to my cheek.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, so a little perv hey? Well that is the nicest excuse I have heard for being caught looking at my tits.’ She then ran the letter opener across the stubble on my cheek while smiling. ‘Just because I wear something that makes me look nice, don’t think I am some lady. If I had it my own way I would beat you all down while naked, but commander said that would cause too much commotion. So instead he has me wearing this as a uniform, so don’t get me wrong just because my shirt shows an annoying amount of cleavage.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Sorry, just the embroidery and stitching is nice…’ I smiled and Mersé looked confused before bursting into laugher and sitting back in her chair again. I started breathing the moment she let go and removed the knife from my cheek.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh lord mother! You crack me up, well, you already cracked my foot.’ She grinned then slapped the table. ‘Best twaddle off then! …What was your name again?’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, Martin, sorry.’

<p class="MsoNormal">She smiled and held her hand towards me and I shook it. ‘Mersé, I can see interesting things happening. Just make sure you keep that door open if I get too hammered and need to crash.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘I… well, okay.’ With a final shake I pocketed the note, picked up my bag and walked to the door of her office.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh and Martin!’ I turned to face her while halfway out the door. ‘That was some good fighting there, who taught you?’

<p class="MsoNormal">I shrugged and grinned. ‘Just a natural I guess.’ And before she could reply I left her room. It amused me since I was sure I heard her shouting something about her foot and my arse. The crash I heard from inside her room left me a touch worried, but the moment I opened her door a crack a book flew at the gap. Along with Mersé screaming that she would strangle me with my own intestines if I entered the room.

<p style="text-align: center;"> *****

<p class="MsoNormal">It was dusk by the time I left the barracks, the paved area surrounding it was empty apart from the odd patrol. So I followed the sketched map down the east boulevard until I found myself outside a large white building. The sound of many cheerful voices could be heard from inside and an enticing smell was wafting across the periphery.

<p class="MsoNormal">My stomach rumbled and I felt into my bag. ‘Ah, I ran out of food a day or two ago…’ I sighed and started walking forwards, but had the urge to jump to the side.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘And stay out you damn drunk!’ A man erupted through the double doors of the building and landed in the street. He just missed me but I still ended up on my backside. It was already cold and the paving stones were not helping.

<p class="MsoNormal">In the entrance a large man stood, I would almost think he were a double of Malachi if not for his fair hair and olive skin. ‘Oh, sorry there lad.’ He stepped out, kicked the man in the side then helped me to my feet. ‘Didn’t mean any trouble, if you looking to come in you are more than welcome.’

<p class="MsoNormal">Before I knew it he was talking to me about the history of this establishment and pushing me through the doors. From the smell of beer and the apron he was wearing, I could only assume he was the owner.

<p class="MsoNormal">The inside of the place surprised me, for as gruff as its clientele looked, everything was well kept. As we walked along the large man squeezed something that was burning in someone’s hand. It confused me more when he said “no smoking” to them. But the well-dressed customer did not look pleased as he stood and left.

<p class="MsoNormal">The olive skinned man parked me on a stool then went behind the bar. ‘So lad, what can I do for you? The Stout is local and made by a friend of mine, although the port has just come in fresh. But if that does not take your fancy there is always Cider, apples grown local.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Oh, no, are you the owner?’ The man smiled and nodded. So I picked the note from Mersé out of my pocket and placed it on the bar.

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Aye, Antonio is the name. And what’s that there? Letter for me?’ I nodded and he picked it up. After a few rubs of his chin and a sly grin he turned and started pouring a drink. ‘Here lad, one on me. And don’t worry about a place to stay for the night, you can have the apartment up top. Usually empty since no one worth their weight in gold would rent it off me.’

<p class="MsoNormal">‘Erm… why is that?’

<p class="MsoNormal">Antonio grinned and burst into laughter. ‘Oh just tales lad, Tales of a beauty that turns up in the night and steals men’s souls.’

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