Memory of a Simpler Time

Writers: Paula, Suzee
Date Posted: 20th November 2012

Characters: Corowal, Dinalee
Description: The Lord Holder remembers a simpler time in his life
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 10, day 17 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: Sarban, Corofel

Corowal's table was full of parcels and he was handing them a
message-Runner one by one.

"This goes to my mother in Coral Bay hold, this is for Corofel in
Amber Hills hold," that particular packet was large one. "This is for
the Lord Holder of Topaz Sea hold," a thick letter sealed with a
signet. "This goes to holder Luter, in Green Acre and these two goes
to Green Valley Tavern. Receiver's names are on the top," of these
packages, one was again a large one.

"Quite a lot, and to far away too," The Runner noted.

"Yes, I know. Some of them you can drop off to the Riverboat Captain.
The standard fee, I presume?"

The Runner nodded and marks exchanged owner. Corowal watched him pack
them away to his bag. The bigger ones weren't fitting in, so he ended
up carrying them in his arms. "Safe journey," Corowal wished when the
man left. He just hoped the parcels would be delivered safely and in
time. Especially the ones to the Tavern. If it didn't arrive in time,
Dinalee would come to demand her support. Not that he minded paying
her, but keeping it from Sarban and Felyna, well, that was tricky
sometimes. He always used his personal funds so it never showed in the
hold's records.

Ah, Dinalee, there was one very sprited woman. A fond smile appeared
to his face when he remember her....

~~~flashback begins~~~

A resounding smack sounded through the ambient voices in the tavern
followed by a moment of silence then a roar of laughter from a table
near the door.

Brown haired, buxom and saucy, Dinalee stood with a pitcher of ale and
a hand on her hip while one of the customers at the table grinned up
at her. "Buying ale doesn't give you the right to touch me." Blue eyes
flashed at the offender, she shook a finger and spun in a whirl of
skirts toward another table nearby.

"What will you have mister?"

"Can I have an ale, without a slap, please?" Corowal asked. He managed
to keep his face straight but the merry twinkle in his eyes betrayed
his amusement. Amusement mixed with admiration.

She couldn't help but smile at the comeback. But her mind was sharp
and came back immediately with "And are you sure wouldn't like the
slap?" Her head tilted to the side bouncing her brown curls. "Hmmm,"
she mused as she tilted her pitcher over his glass.

Corowal seemed to consider her words. "Depends what else comes with
it," he finally said, cocking his eyebrow at her.

Her hand planted on her hip and she cocked her head the other
direction. "I'm not on the menu as those fellas just found out. That
is unless all ya want is some conversation. That I can do."

"Conversation will do fine, especially if you're as quick with your
wit as you're with your palm," Corowal replied. He had always enjoyed
the company of smart women.

"Alright," she smiled and glanced around the room to see if anyone
needed anything before taking a seat opposite the rather nice looking
man. "What brings you here this evening then?"

"I'm in training to become a Steward, so I'm taking part of the trade
negotiations going on here," Corowal said with gesture towards the
main hold.

"Ah," she smiled. "There's a good plan." Since families seemed to
follow the same craft she asked the follow up question. "Do you have
Steward's in your family then?"

Corowal almost replied, no, but thought a better of it. He sometimes
had hard time remember who his real father was. He had been too young
to remember him when he died. He shrugged, "probably and Lord Holders
too." His mother made more fuss about his Blood than he did himself.

"Well, la dee da," she said with a twinkle in her eyes. "I ain't never
seen no blood before. Or if I did I didn't know about it." Their
little tavern didn't have the best location or the best clientele.
They were out of the way and on the outskirts of town. The funny thing
was, he didn't look different from anyone else in the room.

"I tell you a secret," Corowal leaned forward and whispered to her
ear: "We are no different than rest. Some might even say we're worse."

She laughed and sat back in her chair. "I like you! Ya got a name? I'm
Dinalee, my folks run the Tavern."

"Corowal," he grinned impishly. "Can I offer you a drink?"

She chuckled and rose to grab another mug off the bar before setting
it in front of the man with a pointed look at the half full pitcher of
ale. She slid into the seat opposite him again. "You offer, you pour."

"As you wish, milady," Corowal replied and poured her a glass.

She grinned and accepted the drink with a nod. "So what is it brings
you to stay in this out of the way place Corowal?" She leaned forward
on the table. "We sure aren't on the main road."

"I want to explore, to see what's beyond the main hall's walls and
behind the next hill," Corowal replied.
"You never know what you find," his eyes shone with sheer joy if being
alive and having an adventure.

She smiled, catching his passion for his vision. "No, you never know,"
she agreed. "I'm willing to bet you're the sort who will find
something wonderful."

"Like you?" that was obvious flirting.

"Could be," she sparkled back at him.

~~~end flashback~~~

Corowal shook his head at the memory. That had been a beginning of
beautiful relationship. Now, he was Lord Holder and married, he had no
more time for pretty tavern wenches. Sad, really. He picked up his pen
and gave him a mental shake. He had work to do and Sarban would arrive
shortly.

Last updated on the January 21st 2013

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Memory of a Simpler Time