A Fresh Start

Writers: Kaysea, Mikel
Date Posted: 30th April 2007

Characters: Bhervehan
Description: Bhervehan hires some new help around the Tavern
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 3, day 26 of Turn 4

She pulled open the door to the Tavern, and encouraged the children to enter before her. Tiredness and exhaustion showed on all of their faces, as she ushered them to a small table just inside the doorway. "Now be still and be quiet." she admonished quietly a gentle smile on her face.

She turned and walked across to the bar, unaware of the glances from the few folk who were already there for the evening. There was a hulk of a man behind the bar, whom she assumed to be the Tavern keeper; he had a friendly countenance which she hoped boded well for herself, and her children.

"Excuse me?" she asked, her voice surely sounding as tired as she was feeling.

Bhervehan looked up from the glassware he was cleaning, looking up he saw the woman and children. He was happy to note that the children did as their mother said and took seats around the table nearest the door. The woman, near gray from fatigue approached the bar.

"How may I help you," he asked "I have travelled far today. My children also. I know this will sound strange, but...do you have work? I can turn my hand to anything." Misara felt like a fool, travelling so far and not knowing exactly what she would do when she arrived. To have the children in tow made it even worse, but she couldn't have left them behind, not even until she was secure in herself. It was bad enough having Treast no longer with her. She looked imploringly at the Tavern keeper.

"Depends," he asked. "What can you do?"

"Cook, clean, wash." His question gave her a small ray of hope to cling to.
She knew she could probably get work in the Hall, but would prefer somewhere smaller, more like home. "I have even served before..in a Tavern such as this." Her head turned for a moment, to make sure the children were still sitting at the table and noticed little Teurra had fallen asleep in Fonnet's lap. Caslea was sitting back, her arm draped around Fonnet's shoulder as if protecting him from the world.

"I do have need for someone to help with the rooms upstairs," he said.
"Cleaning, laundering and the like. For work in the kitchen I would have to check with my cook, but I think she is staffed for now."

"Cleaning and preparing rooms? I could do that!" his offer gave her a start, she wasn't expecting to gain work so easily. "Im...I'm ever so grateful." The tiredness that filled her eyes only moments ago, was suddenly replaced by grateful tears. "I'm sorry..." she swiped at her eyes, "It's been a long, hard day." she felt about her skirts, looking for the small pouch that lay hidden within the folds. "Is there a chance of some food, for the children?" she asked. Now that she was to have work she could spend the measily few marks she still had, and feed her children a decent meal.

"First meal is on me," he said. "Who knows, you may not like our food."
Turning to one of the serving girls who returned a short while later with a tray piled high with breakfast food.

"I..I." Misara stuttered, stunned at his generosity. "Thank you." she took the tray from the serving girl, "I'll make sure they're quiet." she turned towards the table where her children sat, all almost asleep. Then stopped, and turned around. "Misara." she said, "My name - Misara."

"Do you have a place to stay?" Bhervehan asked.

"No..I was going to see if I could organise that next," she looked down at the children, "I needed to make sure of work, and then somewhere for the children to rest." She took the tray over to the table and after depositing it, shook the younger children awake. Caslea was half awake, but Fonnet and Tuerra just slept on, turning closer together, arms entwined.

"Well, I tell you what, why don't you bundle them off in an empty room upstairs. You look like you can use a bit of sleep yourself. Tomorrow is soon enough to look for a place, and I am sure I can spare the room for a couple of days, until you get settled. I need the room by the next rest day, or I will have to charge you some for it, but we can get by until then."

"You're too generous." Misara felt a buring sensation behind her eyes for the second time, and had to take a few deep breaths to allay a release of emotions, time for that later. "I can pay, I have marks." she let her hand fall to the small pouch, "Please," she looked in entreaty, "I don't want you to think I am here for your charity."

"You never asked for any charity dear girl," he replied. "And trust me, while a Tavern my be a place to relax, that is only for the customers.
You will work, and work hard. Until you find your own place to live I will deduct the cost of room and board from your salary."

She felt relief, and also exhaustion finally wash over her. Her emotions had been at odds and evens the last few days, but none more so, than then and there. She choked back a sob, brushing the tear that escaped her eye.
Tunring back tot he children, she went over and lifted Tuerra in her arms.
Fonnet rolled again and snuggled into Caslea's side. The older girl sitting there chewing sleepily on a crust of the fresh bread.

"Where should I go?" Misara asked. "I may as well take them to our room, and they can eat when they wake." In truth she wanted nothing more herself, right now, than to curl up on the cot next to them.

"Go eat with your young, I will have my daughter, Winda, come and get you when we've decided on the room for you."

"Thank you." Misara nodded and smiled in thanks, before turning back to her children. Caslea had managed to wake Fonnet but Tuerra was still sleeping and probably wouldn't wake now, until a lot later.

She settled herself down on the small bench, and adjusted Tuerra in her arms, before taking a small pice of bread and chewing it slowly, thoughtfully. Had she done the right thing? She could have found work anywhere along the road, but the Vintner Hall had been her destination and she had been loathe to stop anywhere else.

She was lost in her thoughts until Caslea nudged her back into the present, "Mam..." the child spoke quietly, but urgently and nodded to her side.

A short while later, Winda approached the small family. "Misara?"

"Yes?" Misara looked up to see a young girl at her side.

"How do you, do? I am Winda, Bhervehan's daughter."

"Oh.." Misara "Sorry." she gave a half smile. "I'm lost in my own little world here. I guess it's tiredness catching up with me."

"Well then," Winda replied with a smile, "let's get you and your's settled.
Can I help you carry one?"

"Oh, thank you." Misara stood up carefully, and place Tuerra in Winda's arms. "She's a little lighter than Fonnet." she explained, and turned to pick up the boy who had slipped further down and now rested his head in Caslea's lap. "Come on sweetling." Misara nodded to Caslea, let's away and get you to bed for a while."

Misara turned back to Winda, "I think we're ready." she smiled tiredly.

"Let's go. It will be crowded, but we gave you the room at the end of the hall, it will be quietest."

"Thank you. Your father, he has been very generous; and you, so kind to someone you don't know."

"My father's philosphy," she answered, "has been that there are no strangers, only friends he has not yet met."

Misara gave a tired laugh, "I like that. It shows an openness to new things." and she needed someone like that to give her the fresh start she needed, for herself and the children.

Last updated on the April 30th 2007

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A Fresh Start