A Little History

Writers: Kaysea, Mikel
Date Posted: 10th August 2007

Characters: Bhervehan, Misara
Description: Bhervehan learns a little more about his new Tavern worker
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 4

Her arms were elbow deep in the hot, soapy water. Her hair hung limply down her forehead, thick strands clung damply to her throat where they had escaped the knot she had twisted on top of her head. She was lost in thought, as her arms lifted the mass of linen, scrubbed it back and forth ten times along the washboard, before plunging it back into the suds.

Bhervehan stepped out of the back door for a breath of fresh air. Seeing Misara at work, he walked over to her. "Good morning, Misara."

"Oh! I was lost there for a moment." she smiled over the soapy fumes. "You're taking a break?" she asked, her routine not stopping for a moment.

"There is a certain point in the brewing process," he answered, "when the air gets a bit thick."

"I think I prefer the thickened air in here, than the brewing process." she laughed, "At least in here, my pores get a good cleaning as well." she took a swipe across her face with the towel that hung from her belt.

"Aye, but as in most things," he said, "you must get through the rough parts to reach the reward at the end."

"You men and your brew's." She shook her head, "Treast was exactly the same, always adding something different to the brewing process to change or alter the flavour. I was always half drunk on the fumes..."

"Treast?"

She dropped her gaze, looking down at the murky, sudsy water that her arms disappeared into. "My husband.." she answered quietly.

"Oh?"

"He's not - he died..." she answered, still not meeting Bhervehan's enquiring look. She inhaled deeply, and pasted a smile on her face, "He was just like you though, always experimenting with different brews." she said, lifting her head, as she began scrubbing the linen again.

"Oh, I am sorry," the Tavern Master said, softly. "I did not know."

"It's okay, you weren't to know, I never did tell you." she replied, "But I did tell you the truth, I've had experience working in a Tavern before, Treast and I ran it together, before... before he died."

"I did not doubt you," he said. Then, with a smile he added "and you will not always be chin deep in wash water."

"I don't mind." she answered quietly. "Gives me time to think."

"How long have you been out here this morning?"

"A candlemark or so. I changed the cots that needed changing, and then came down and started the laundry, why?" she pushed another stray hair out of the way, and glanced up at him, then thoughts of the children popped into her head, "The children? Have they been disturbing you? Or the guests?" she asked, her face creasing into a frown.

"Certainly not," he said quickly. "But if you are going to get down, we don't want you thinking alone too long."

"Down?" she looked up again, "No, not down, not now." she shook her head, and a small, brief smile crossed her lips, but didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm the happiest I have been in a long time, being here." she said quietly, "And time alone doesn't hurt, but I do appreciate your company, and your consideration."

The Tavern Master laid a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Just remember, and you should know as well as any, you are never alone in a tavern."

She nodded, "I know." She looked up at Bhervehan and gave him a genuine smile this time, "It feels good to be back in this situation though, you know? I feel like I've come home."

"I am glad to hear that."

"You may not be given time, you don't want me becoming to 'at home' I may start treating you the way I did Treast." she said with a brighter smile. "I could be a real harridan - given the chance."

Bhervehan chuckled. "Nah, you'd never treat your boss that way."

"Boss? No probably not. I just have to keep reminding myself that you are my boss." she smiled, "Same job, different man - very different."

"That's me. Different."

"Oh you!" she flapped a wet hand towards him, "Different is good, in this case." She mused, it really was. She couldn't see anyone taking advantage of Bhervehan the way they had with Treast - conning the way Treast had been conned on a few occasions. And Bhervehan being set-upon by anyone - she just couldn't see it happening. Though to be fair, Bhervehan had less distance to travel with the takings each sevenday, than Treast had.

Looking at the woman one more time, Bhervehan smiled, "well, I've got to get back to it. Have a good day."

"You too." she answered, then turned back to the washing, her thoughts once again on the comparisons between the life she had left behind, and that which lay ahead of her now.

Last updated on the August 11th 2007

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A Little History