Post by Olyvar Rowman on Jun 26, 2018 23:46:09 GMT 1
Olyvar smiled as he squeezed through among the crowd gathered for the tourney. He always liked crowded place, where you can move unnoticed and disappear in the crowd. He headed for the marketplace, but it was not trade that he had in his mind though. With all the nobles gathered here, Olyvar wanted to know what was happening and he knew exactly who to talk about it. He entered the foul-smelling tavern, The Drunken Calf next to the market place. When Barth, the owner saw him, he walked up and hugged him,
"Olyvar! How are you, you old rat? You came hoping to get some of the breadcrumbs that will fall from the table?"
"A man has to eat, Barth. You know this very well yourself."
Then he turned and gave a hug to Ralf.
"How are you lad? Haven't you gotten sick of following this old fool around yet?"
"Not yet Barth, but one of these days I will. How are you?"
"I'm not dead yet, so I guess well enough." Said Barth laughing.
"I brought you something that may help with that. At least temporally." said Olyvar and produced a bottle of strong distilled alcohol.
"Oh, you know me too well, Olyvar!"
"So how are things around here Barth? Are our noble lords at each others' throats yet?" Asked Olyvar.
"Ha! I see, the bottle was not free." Barth said smiling.
"Is anything ever free?"
"I guess not. Did you hear? Ser Daven Blackwood took a wrong turn in the woods and fell on some blades"
"Of course I heard. Do you know what happened?"
"Ah! I wish! I would get rich knowing that!"
"Or killed!" Remarked Ralf.
"Well, yes, one of the two." laughed Barth.
The three men continued their discussion for some time. Once Olyvar realised that he couldn't learn anything more from Barth, he excused himself.
"There are more places I need to be today Barth"
"What happened? Cannot stand the smell any more?" Said Barth smiling.
"Well... Have you ever thought of cleaning in here?"
"I have, but I dismissed the thought."
Olyvar looked Barth judgingly.
"Anyway, I need to go. Don't drink it all in one go."
"No promises!"
As they were exiting the tavern, Olyver turned to Ralf
"You see? This is never a waste of time."
"I swear, one day the stench in there will kill me."
"Quit whining, it's a small price to pay. Come, we have a couple more people to see."