LITMIR.BIZ

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‘Actually, we’ve been invited to dine at the inn tonight, as Hava and Hatu’s guests.’

      ‘That’s kind of them,’ said Declan. He smiled broadly. ‘So, if you’d please heat up some water for me, I’ll be as clean as that new inn!’

      She laughed, one of the few times he’d heard a sound of genuine amusement from her since the murder of her father. ‘I’ll do that.’ And off she went.

      Declan continued to put things away and wished Jusan was there to help, but he was down at Ratigan’s new freight yard arranging for a wagon to ship more swords south to Baron Dumarch. The order had surprised the young smith, for the baron had his own weapons smith in his keep. Still, it was a good order and would settle all of Declan’s costs for the coming half-year, perhaps longer. For a moment Declan wondered if there was enough trade coming his way to take on another smith. Jusan was now a journeyman, and they didn’t have a proper apprentice … perhaps it was time.

      He finished up just as Jusan appeared at the door. Declan said, ‘So, are we set?’

      Jusan nodded. ‘Ratigan’s fellow … ah, Randal? I don’t know why I have a problem remembering names.’

      Declan frowned. It was something about Jusan that annoyed him – one of the few things – that he seemed almost unable to remember names of people until he’d met them several times.

      Jusan said, ‘Anyway, we have a wagon ready to leave the day after tomorrow.’

      ‘Not tomorrow?’ asked Declan.

      ‘No,’ said Jusan. ‘Seems Ratigan had only two in the yard, both due to leave at first light, and … Randal said there were more wagons bringing up goods from Marquenet late today, and as they’ve just made the trip and back, he’s going to rest the horses for a day before they make it again, so they’ll be free the day after.’

      Clapping Jusan on the shoulder, Declan said, ‘Business is good all over, it seems.’ Jusan smiled at that. ‘It’s time to bring in an apprentice, I’m thinking.’

      Jusan paused, then nodded. ‘I wouldn’t say no to an extra pair of hands to do the work around here.’

      ‘Well, you were a poor apprentice,’ Declan said jokingly, ‘but perhaps you can train up a better one.’

      ‘Funny,’ said Jusan, showing he didn’t think so.

      ‘I’ll spend a bit of time in the city when I get there and ask Gildy if he or the other smiths have a boy who’s ready to train. If not, we’ll ask around here.’

      ‘Jacob Berry’s son, Callum, seems a likely lad. He turns up now and again and asks questions.’

      Declan said, ‘Curious type, then?’

      ‘A bit scrawny.’

      ‘So were you when you first arrived,’ said Declan, amused. ‘Solid work and good food will put some muscle on him.’

      Jusan nodded. ‘When you get back, then.’

      ‘If I haven’t found a more likely boy, we’ll have a word with Callum Berry. Now, I’m off for a bath and Gwen and I are going to eat at the inn.’

      ‘It’s open then,’ said Jusan with a satisfied nod. ‘I’ll tell Millie we’re on our own.’

      ‘Where is she?’

      ‘Down at the market, I think,’ said Jusan. Millie had been the other barmaid at the inn when it had burned down and had been terrified to the point of refusing to leave the house Declan and Gwen shared with Jusan and her. She was slowly recovering, and her being at the market alone was a good sign that healing was under way.

      ‘That’s good,’ said Declan. ‘Now, finish closing up: I’m off for a hot bath.’

      Jusan smiled and started on the work while Declan walked briskly towards the house, as if truly eager for a bath. Then Jusan realized Declan would be alone with Gwen for a while and chuckled softly. Two young couples sharing close quarters had put a strain on privacy, so the journeyman smith decided he’d take some time organizing the smithy and wait until Millie returned from the market before entering the house.

      THE COMMON ROOM WAS BUSY. Word had spread that the Inn of the Three Stars was again open and many townspeople had decided to stop in and see how the repairs had turned out.

      Hatu was learning quickly that working behind the bar was a great deal more demanding than he had anticipated, for while a few folks had just dropped in to look around and then departed, many decided to have at least one ale before heading home.

      Gwen and Declan entered the chaotic common room and Gwen had taken one look before motioning Declan to take a seat, then hurrying over to Hava’s side. The new proprietors of the inn appeared overwhelmed, and Gwen saved Hava from dropping a large platter of food on the floor. A quick consultation ended with Hava handing the tray to Gwen, who turned and carried it to a corner table where four men waited to be served, while Hava disappeared back into the kitchen.

      Declan observed the commotion and saw his wife enter the kitchen. He waited a minute, then rose and worked his way through the growing crowd as more people entered and finally got behind the bar next to Hatu. ‘Lend a hand?’ he asked.

      Hatu looked at him with gratitude. ‘Where did they all come from?’

      Declan chuckled. ‘We should have expected this.’ Without another word to Hatu, he turned to three men clamouring for attention and took their orders. Within a few minutes the pace at which drink orders were filled increased noticeably. After the demand for service died down, Hatu exclaimed, ‘Thank you!’ He grinned. ‘I’d still be swamped had you not joined in.’

      Declan smiled. ‘I came here so often courting Gwen, I often lent a hand behind the bar. So, you’ve never tended a bar before?’

      ‘No,’ said Hatu with a rueful tone, drying his hands on a bar rag. ‘I thought it would be simple. I’ve not frequented many taverns, and I’ve never seen one this crowded.’

      ‘They get like this once in a while in a big town,’ said Declan as he started piling up empty mugs next to a big wash pan, sunk into a counter behind where they stood. ‘Today, it was curiosity. You may see a bit of a rush tomorrow when those who couldn’t come tonight decide to see how it is, but it’ll die down. Once in a while, if a large trading company – eight, ten wagons with teamsters and helpers – or a company of soldiers comes through, it will get very busy, but most days you’ll be bored. Still, even when Leon owned it, as run-down as it was, it was the most popular inn with the local folk. With all the talk of your opening, people have started calling the road outside “Three Stars Road”. That’s a thing, right?’

      Hatu looked amazed and nodded slightly. ‘Indeed.’

      Without thinking, Declan started washing mugs and stacking them on a draining board. Hatu realized he was just standing there and took his rag and began wiping down the bar just as another group entered the tavern, and pushed their way through the crowd to order drinks. Hatu turned to Declan and said, ‘I think we’ll be eating late tonight.’

      Declan laughed.

      MORE THAN TWO HOURS WENT by before the majority of townspeople departed, leaving the four friends alone in the common room with only the two strangers who had arrived earlier quietly occupying a table in the corner. Declan and Hatu had marked them earlier in the evening and both had seen them quietly observe everyone who entered and departed. Neither spoke of it.

      As they cleared the empty tables and piled up plates, bowls, and mugs, Hatu looked at the mess and reckoned he’d be cleaning for a couple of hours after his guests left.

      Gwen and Hava entered from the kitchen carrying plates of bread, fruit, a bit of sliced pork, and a sliver of cheese. Setting them down on the table, Hava said, ‘I need to go to market early tomorrow. We have barely enough for the four of us!’ She sighed. ‘Is it always like this?’ she asked Gwen, her tone somewhere between amusement

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