Blow by Demelza Carlton

Author:Demelza Carlton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lost Plot Press
Published: 2018-01-23T05:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-ONE

While his men stayed offshore, Rudolf rowed a fishing boat he'd borrowed into Uig. Lord Lewis had waxed lyrical about the mead in the Uig tavern, and it seemed like the most logical place to ask for information on Myroy Isle.

No archers arrived to greet him. He'd changed from Viken furs to Isla wool, so no one gave him a second glance as he strode up the beach into the town. The tavern was right where Lewis had said it would be, though nowhere near as full. Only something terrible could keep men from drinking. And Rudolf was here to learn what.

He ordered a jug of mead, and paid with coin he hadn't used since he'd left Isla. For a moment, he wished Lewis was here to share the drink like he'd promised he one day would. One day would come, when the war was over, Rudolf swore.

"Is it always so quiet here?" Rudolf asked the tavern keeper.

The man jerked his chin at the jug. "Once you've tasted that, you'll be singing soon enough."

Rudolf hastened to pour himself a drink and compliment the man on it, though Rudolf never tasted a drop. "I mean, I heard word in port that something terrible had happened in the Southern Isles. Some said there was war."

"When there's war, things get burned and men die. Do you see any dying men here?" The tavern keeper peered into Rudolf's face. "I didn't catch your name."

"Rudolf," he offered, pouring a second cup of mead. "Lately come from – "

"Wulf, you're finally here! I thought you'd never come, and I'd die waiting!" an elderly voice cackled, as a heavy hand with the weight of the world behind it thumped down on Rudolf's shoulder. "Get my friend Wulf another jug, for he's promised me a battle!" The smell of strong spirits engulfed Rudolf as the oldtimer gave his cheek a sloppy kiss.

The man kept up a monologue that sounded more nonsense than words, never letting go of Rudolf, until he had the second jug of mead in his hand. His grip turned to steel as his words became clear. "Come, Wulf, I have your oath!" Surprisingly strong fingers dug into Rudolf's shoulder as he was all but dragged outside by the oldtimer.

"This way, Wulf!"

Back to the beach, then along the shore until the fishing boats retreated behind a tumble of rocks. Still the oldtimer led him on.

"Did you bring your chess set, Wulf?" Blue eyes seemed to see into his soul.

How did this oldtimer know? "I did," Rudolf admitted, extracting the board from the bag of belongings he'd brought along. A couple of spare tunics, and his chess set.

The oldtimer's hands set up the pieces with an easy familiarity Rudolf recognised.

"Now, shall we play, boy?" the man demanded.

"Lord Lewis – " Rudolf began, not daring to believe he was right until the man confirmed it.

"Hush, Wulf. You're here to play, not tell tales about better men than you or me! The birds in the trees have ears, you know.

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