Hello all! This is something I have been working on recently and although I only have six chapters written so far, I would like to know what you think. I am posting this first chapter and depending on the feedback I get I will post the rest of what I have written so far one chapter at a time, once a week. I hope you enjoy it!
The Question
The stooped, old man shuffled into the inn, took a seat by the fireplace, and called for the barmaid. The barmaid came over carrying a tankard of ale, put it on the table to his right, said "Here you go Jacob," and left to take care of another table.
He watched her carry a tray of drinks to a nearby table; her hips swaying gently as she walked, and fought the man in himself. With every step she took, the battle became that much harder.
Jacob first met Caitlyn when she was a small child no more than eight. Even then she was beautiful. He watched her grow up into an even more beautiful woman with long chestnut hair and piercing blue eyes he was sure could see right through a man and know all of his secrets. Caitlyn's beauty was the kind that could cleanse a man's soul.
His thoughts were interrupted when he overheard one of the men ask Caitlyn when she was going to settle down and get married.
"Give me a man who can read my heart and I'll consider it," came her reply.
The entire table burst into laughter. "You ask for the impossible. No man knows what lies in a woman's heart. Not even a woman knows for sure."
Caitlyn shrugged and left the men to their ale. Walking to where the old man sat, hood pulled up over his face, sipping ale. "Any more stories tonight?" she asked knowing the answer already.
"All in good time, my dear, all in good time."
The inn was full again tonight. It never failed to amaze Caitlyn that so many came to hear the old man's stories night after night. After eleven years, she had heard all of them and the townsfolk all had their favorites. After everyone but Caitlyn had been seated and all had a drink in their hand, the old man cleared his throat, and waited for everyone to quiet down. Caitlyn found her seat and he began the telling of the story. Tonight's tale was familiar to all: a gallant young man fighting for glory and the favor of a beautiful young woman.
After he had finished the story and everyone went back to their own conversations, he motioned for Caitlyn to come over.
"Need another ale, Old One?"
"No, but I must speak with you privately," he whispered, his tone serious.
"Can it wait until closing?"
"Yes. But...do not forget."
Feeling uneasy, Caitlyn busied herself with the other customers all the while thinking about what the old man could possibly want to talk to her privately about. He had never asked to talk to her alone, not even when he brought the news of her parents' death the day they met eleven years ago. She had learned that her parents were dead and the inn belonged to her while surrounded by many of the same townsfolk she was serving tonight. What could be so important that it had to be discussed privately? The sound of breaking dishes pushed the thought from her mind as she rushed over to clean the mess.
After the last customer had gone upstairs to bed, Caitlyn walked over to the old man's table. He looked up as she approached and could see the nervousness in her eyes. Those eyes. It pained him more than she would ever know to see anything but happiness shining in those eyes. She sat down and stared at him for a long moment before she spoke.
"What is it that you wanted to tell me, Old One?"
"Nothing. I wanted to ask you something."
"Well, what is it?" she asked after a moment.
He took a deep breath and sighed before speaking again. "I need you to go on a journey with me. Have you been practicing your swordplay?"
"Yes. Everyday, but what has that got to do with anything? Why do you need me to go with you? Surely there are others... more able... men?" she asked, shocked to hear the panic in her own voice.
"There may be others but you are the one I trust and the one with the most right to accompany me. I will not lie to you. The journey could prove dangerous although it may be more dangerous to stay. I would like -"
"What are you talking about," Caitlyn interrupted, "more dangerous to stay?"
Jacob looked at her and sighed. "I know that I haven't told you much and for fear of being overheard, that story will have to wait until we are free of this place but I promise I will tell you everything. I would like to leave at dawn the day after tomorrow. Will you come with me?"
"I don't know. I need to think about it. You haven't given me much to go on and the day after tomorrow doesn't give me much time to do anything with the inn, or to decide. I wish you would tell me more!" she bellowed.
"If you decide to accompany me, I will be waiting outside of town. About three miles outside of town to the north there is a little known, rarely used path, do you know it?" Caitlyn nodded. "Take that path until you come to a clearing. Wait there for me. We will leave from there at dawn the day after tomorrow." With that he got up and left the inn.
Caitlyn watched him walk away from the inn, her thoughts buzzing as she barred the door behind him. She finished cleaning and went to her room.
Caitlyn lay in bed for hours trying to sleep and failing. Getting up she walked to the armor that once belonged to her mother. If the journey was going to be dangerous she was going to need new armor. She crawled back into bed wondering where she was going to find someone to fit her with a new breastplate in such a short time.
As sleep finally found her, singing its soft lullaby, she gave up on finding an answer and slowly drifted off.
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