A visit home

A Visit Home

 

Sand swirled around his boots as the man stepped into the Tavern’s welcome coolness, closing the door on the scorching wind behind him.  Chestnut hair flew as he tossed his hood back to survey the Tavern’s occupants with olive-green eyes that held a glint of amusement.

To his left lounged a group of sailors, obviously well into their cups, while scattered about the tables and booths were a collection of misfits, yet both clearly formed an enclosing half-circle around a back booth.  Before him, warming themselves by the fireplace, was a small squad of soldiers from the Port who obviously thought themselves above their fellow patrons.  

A wicked smile lit his face as his eyes settled on the tawny-haired minstrel seated on the heath.  “Ah, minstrel,” he called.  “Have you a song for this weary traveler?”

“Indeed, I do, King of Thieves,” the minstrel told him with a mischievous gleam in her own olive-green eyes. “Would you care to hear it, your liege?”

The man laughed, “But of course, fair minstrel.  I’m in the need of a good song.”

“Then seat thyself, elder brother,” Came the voice of the man seated in the encircled booth. “while our sister entertains us with her harp.”

With a slight bow, the man moved to join his brother in his booth.

“A soldier asked me not long ago who I was.  He did not care for my answer.”  She seemed to finger the strings absently.  “Perhaps you may find my answer more amusing than he…”

You wish to know about me—

Let me tell you of my siblings first

There’s four of them you see

Each different as night and day

There’s the eldest of us all

The rogue, the King of Thieves

Fletcher he be called by name

And of course, the youngest

Mari, just turn fifteen

Clay, the second oldest

He’s a ship’s captain

A loyal spy for his king

Then there’s young Seth

A most mischievous brat

Following our brother’s steps

But what about me—

You ask with eyes all agleam

I’m middle child Mara

A minstrel, a teller of tales

Playing for bed and board

There you have it, my friends

That’s all there is to me

I’m  just a simple minstrel

In a family of spies and thieves…

 

“Mara, Mara,” the traveler laughed as she finished the song. “There is nothing simple about you, my girl.”

The barkeeper rapped the bar top with the knuckles of his left hand as his icy blue eyes glared at the soldiers.  “Best you lot clear out this night…Tis family business,” he added when one of the soldiers opened his mouth to protest. “and none of yourn.”

A glance at the sailors revealed their readiness to help the barkeep with the removal, as well as the eagerness of the misfits. The soldiers stood and moved towards the door, the traveler’s voice raising behind them as he spoke with his brother.

“How fares thee, Clay?”

“Well, my brother. As soon as my ship came in I sot thee to find ye gone.”

“Ah, like you my business sometimes requires me to travel.” the king of thieves dropped his formal language and relaxed.  “Though yours more than mine.”

“True enough. And speaking of business...” Clay pulled out a scroll and handed it to his brother. “Knowing your mistrust of electronic messages I had them put it in hard copy.”

Fletcher, the king of the Empire’s underground, accepted the scroll and held it firmly in his hands. “He agreed?”

Clay laughed. “He was relieved.”

His brother’s eyes went to him.

“He thought you wanted his job.”

“Hell,no.”

“Well, congratulations, brother. You are now officially the emperor’s spy master.”