| Chapter Ten - A lone traveller? |
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The interior was not what I expected. I anticipated a busy, smoke filled tap-room, filled with lively conversation, rowdy singing and a
sawdust covered floor. An empty, dimly lit room stretched out before me. It had neatly arranged tables, and a floor which recently
appeared to have recieved an overdue but now frequently applied coat of polish. I felt a slight tinge of guilt at the trail of wet
footprints I left in my wake as I approached the bar. A small, worn, brass bell sat near the well maintained pumps, which I rang for
service. A light cheerful chime sounded from within, which echoed around the empty room. If the captain had been here, then there was
absolutely no sign of him now. A small fire crackled in the corner, which was odd, given that the large, ornate fireplace on the
opposite wall remained unused. It seemed that the establishment must have a had a shortage of patrons of late. The tap room was of a
typical, traditional design, with dark, wood panelled walls adorned with sketches of maritime vessels and paintings of shady looking
personages.
"What can I be doing for yer on this fine evening me dearie?" enquired a cheerful voice, snapping me out of my observations. I turned to witness the friendliest and most welcoming smile I have ever seen before or since. It belonged to the short, curvy, silver haired lady before me. She was approaching the later stages of her life but the kind disposition and mischevious glint in her eye lit up her features and they bellied her years. I imparted a tale of being a weary traveller, making my way up the cornish and devon coast with an eventual destination of Bristol, where I was to set sail and begin a new life on foreign shores. "The simplest lie serves best" my father always said, and this tale was not so far from the truth if the captains plans came to fruition - it would be easy to bend to my needs. I enquired after a room, possibly for a few days if any work was available. "You sit down over there luvvie and I'll bring you something to warm you up. You havent been eating properly 'ave you, theres nothing of you!" she light heartedly chided me. She had an easy yet persuading manner which suggested that she was used to be obeyed by her flock. "And take this with you, this'll warm your cockles" she winked, pulling a cloudy pint into a tankard and pushing it towards me. Returning her smile with a thank you, I gratefully did as I was told, seating myself next to the warm fire. I dubiously sipped at my pint, and was pleasantly surprised by the fruity yet bitter taste it provided. It was indeed a most warming brew and banished the chill which had seeped into me from the coastal winds on my amble from the ship. The barmaid, as I assumed she was, disappeared into the warm glow of the kitchens and emerged a few minutes later, carrying a steaming bowl of lamb casserole with two fluffy dumplings added for good measure. It was a most generous helping. "We've plenty left over, business has been slow since all the squit started" she offered by way of an explanation. "My name's Annie by the way, me and my husband run his place. You tuck into that and I'll go prepare your room." The casserole was delicious and I already found myself hoping that we could stay here a while so that I could sample more of the excellent homemade fare. I found myself becoming lost in my thoughts in the time prior to Annie's return. The quiet of the Inn and the growing unrest of the conditions outside began to leave me in a increasingly bleak frame of mind. My spirits where beginning to mirror the forlorn, weather beaten exterior of the building in which I sat. My meal finished, I retrieved my father's writings from amongst my belongings and began to peruse the now well thumbed pages. It was comforting to hear my father's words issuing forth from the pages and that, coupled with the satisfying brew I steadily drained as I read, helped settle my mind and focus my musings. So engrossed was I in my pondering, I failed to notice a newcomer enter the vicinity. He now occupied the opposite corner to myself and was clearly studying me intently over the brim of his tankard, whilst making a poor fist of concealing his actions. He was dressed entirely in black clothing, and his apperance was weather-worn and well travelled. He had clearly ridden here at speed and it was not the first instance of him having undertaken such work. The wicked looking curved sword at his hip and callusses on his hands suggested that he was adept at dealing with any obsructions he might encounter while going about his business. My discomfort rising, Annie thankfully returned. "Rooms ready luv, follow me and I'll take you there.". Suddenly realising how tired I was after the day's endeavours, I assented, shouldered my pack once more and hastily finished my drink. As I left the tap-room, I flashed a glance at the new patron, attempting to hide this behind a theatrical yawn. He put his hand to his wide brimmed hat and nodded slowly and deliberately to me, cooly watching me exit the room. It appeared we both knew the game we were playing. I followed Annie through a succession of dimly lit corridors until we eventually arrived at an aged, black painted door, which showed signs of having been recently repaired. "Had a bit of trouble with a guest last week." she murmurred, handing me a candle and beckoning me to enter the room. I thanked her, bid her goodnight and entered. I closed the door and turned to survey my surroundings. They were basic but comfortable quarters. A welcoming looking bed was positioned in the corner by the door, with a desk and mirror on the opposite wall below a window which looked out onto the now roiling waters outside. A small washstand and deep chair completed the room's furnishings. I slumped into the chair and continued my study in the flickering candlelight. Not ten minutes later, my attention was captured by a gentle tapping at the door. I rose slowly, walking cautiously toward it, the floorboards softly creaking under my weight. On the way, I paused briefly to pick up the loaded pistol that lay on the desk. I cocked it slowly and quietly, aiming at what I estimated would be chest height of the the potential assailant on the other side of the door and turned the handle... |
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