Tavern Lights

 

“-I tell you, they're even turning the lights on earlier outside this place.”

“Hm, maybe...” the younger man said. “It has been awfully cloudy though lately, the evenings could just seem darker 'cause of that.”

“Yeah, it's been awfully cloudy lately...” the other man gave in a dissatisfied tone, and got up to go use the restroom.

“Don't mind him,” the younger man's friend at the table said. “These apocalypse theories come around every once in a while, but look: we're all still here.”

“Anyway,” he continued, changing the subject. “How are you and Lisa getting along? I heard you finally moved in together! That's gotta be fun” he gave his friend a knowing grin.

The younger man grinned back. “Yeah, it's been pretty great. We've been in the new house almost a couple weeks now, and it's amazing the little things that come up -you wouldn't expect- but I'm crazy about it you know?” He was quick to add the qualifier. “I really am in a good place right now, with her, and, and all.”

Their older companion across the table grinned too. “I'll say it once: she's not too bad on the eyes that's for sure”

“You been eyeing my woman Glenn? I don't think she'd go for the older model in this case.”

“Aw, no! I was talkin about the house! Great bones, that one's got.” they all laughed, and they took another drink through the chuckles.

“What about you?” the younger friend poked back. “Any sweet women-folk in your life Glenn?” The medium-aged fellow joined in. “Oh, I think he's seen more than his fair share, hasn't he?” He gave Glenn a wry look.

“Now now, I'd say I've been fair in all my dealings. True, I have known a few beauties. Why, there was this one girl, way back, I'm pretty sure her name was Mary-belle...she had these black boots that were just huge. They went all the way up-

“What about lately Glenn,” his friend cut in. “Anyone special lately?”

The older man thought a bit. “Naw, I guess no-one lately. Maybe I am too old, but then again, with the women around these parts...now wait a minute. There was that one, I guess, now I guess that did happen.” He looked up at his companions, brow still slightly furrowed in remembrance. “About twelve days ago, in the afternoon. She came in the shop, and it was a slow day, so we naturally got to talking. Now that I think of it I can't remember if she even said why she came in.

“It was the afternoon, and I wasn't too busy, but was working on some of my own projects. This woman comes in, she was absolutely gorgeous, looking back on it.” “What was she wearing?” interjected the friend. “Some sort of blue dress, I think. The memory is a little fuzzy, like a dream.” He trailed off, looking at his glass. “Maybe it's just the beer. Anyway, this woman comes in, and she didn't ask about anything in particular, but she seemed fascinated by the shop. She did ask me about my work, the smithying and shaping. She really wanted to know about the materials, and how I felt about working with them. It was an odd conversation, but at the time I don't remember thinking much of it. She was just so warm and friendly with me that I felt really comfortable. Of course I had a slight suspicion, and kept my eyes open for an ambush, shoplifters, or a sudden turn in her demeanor. Nothing happened though, and afterwards I found nothing gone from the shop. I don't know what her purpose was, or if she was some sort of witch, but she must not have intended me any harm.”

“And you haven't seen her again?”

“I went to the door immediately after she left, thinking I might see which way she went, but there was no sign of her in the street. The more I think of it, the more I think she must have been some kind of witch...her eyes were this entrancing blue...like the color of the lake on a still day.”

Just then their other friend returned from the restroom, and the talk shifted again. At a nearby table however, a different set of ears had already heard enough. Riannath hadn't intended to overhear the conversation, but was sitting alone, and in a place where the sound from their table seemed to naturally carry. She had perked up at old Glenn's story of the mysterious visitor at his shop. It matched uncannily with the reports from the rangers. Villagers in the valleys would sometimes report strangely wondrous items that could not be found when next looked for, but this was the first story she had heard of a whole person behaving like that. Riannath knew where Glenn's blacksmith shop was, and decided to put together a patrol for the local woodlands. If this woman, or more like her, were in the metro area, perhaps Riannath's team could find a trace of them. Rumors in the villages were never without some base in reality, and if these stories did have any truth to them, there was a potential concern for the stability of society. She liked to stay ahead of this sort of thing. The Commandant finished her drink and went to pay, briefly stopping by the table with the four friends on the way.

After she was gone, the older friend, who had been in the restroom, turned to Glenn and said in a low voice. “You can't be telling stories like that out in public man. You see the kind of attention it attracts?”

Glenn shrugged him off. “Relax Hearl, she was off-duty. Plus, if she really had a problem with us, do you think we'd still be here drinking?”

“I guess you're right, but still, old pal, just be careful.”

“Come on man, lighten up a bit...”

“Aw, you don't know anything...”

“Did you see the boots on her though?”