Roosting at Home

Posted on 09 Sep 2020 @ 12:08am by Mage Kalian Winter

691 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Prologue
Location: The Raven's Roost Tavern

It was a typical evening at the Raven's Roost Tavern. The savory aroma of Cook's stew, the low wood fire in the hearth, and the sweet earthy scent of fermented beverages, welcomed everyone who walked in the door. Kalian and the other server Dilana – a pretty second cousin on his mother's side from the alienage – had to gesture and raise their voices to be heard over the steady background hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter as they delivered fresh drinks and food, and collected empty tankards, bowls, and plates.

Unlike the taverns in the wharf district that catered to sailors and strangers passing through, the Raven's Roost was located near the local guild houses and the residential district, so the Raven's patrons tended to be locals, or visitors to Jader with local connections. And lately, some of their patrons had been accosted by a thief after leaving.

Kalian's brother-in-law was busy at the bar with a couple of large warrior type friends of his, who usually worked security for caravans headed to Orzammar and back. They were chatting about how to catch the mugger.

Ben waved him over, and Kalian hurried over, hoping to be included. "Kalian. Ask Tessa where she hid that bottle of Nevarran whiskey." He gestured toward the back then spoke into Kalian's ear. "The good one."

Kalian headed to the rear of the tavern and knocked softly on the door of his father Armin's room, then opened. Inside, Armin sat in his wheeled chair with Kalian's four-year-old niece Iris in his lap, reading to her from Tethras' latest installment of Hard in Hightown. His sister occupied the corner chair holding Kalian's baby nephew. She'd stepped away to feed him, but now Gabriel was asleep.

"Ben can't find a certain bottle of whiskey." Kalian yawned hugely. "Nevarran."

Tessa leveled a disapproving frown at him as she got to her feet. "How late were you out last night?"

Kalian looked at their father for backup, but Iris was tugging on his beard. "Read Gan-papa," she demanded. "Maysie's my favorite."

"That depends on what you mean by late," Kailan answered his sister, and even though experience told him his sister was immune, he gave her his most charming and apologetic smile. "Some refugees needed help. And, uh," Kalian cleared his throat. "I'm going to need to borrow a little coin.

Tessa shifted the sleeping baby to one side and shook his coin pouch. "Empty. Maker's Breath Kalian." It was a measure of how well she knew her brother that she didn't accuse him of gambling or drinking his money away.

Iris muttered, "Maker's Breath," and Armin, who had resumed reading softly, coughed. Tessa glared at Kalian as though he was responsible for his niece's swearing. He probably was partly responsible.

"You know Ben and I can't pay you more than anyone else. It's not like you'll go hungry or without a roof to sleep under," said Tessa, and sighed. "The floor in the common room could use a good thorough cleaning tonight after closing. I was going to offer a bit extra to Dilana, but-"

"No." Kalian shook his head. "I want to help Ben do something about that thief that's been stalking our customers. I can catch him."

Armin stopped reading. He and Tessa stared at Kalian. Even Iris went quiet, taking in the serious expressions on all three adult faces.

"And then what, little brother," asked Tessa, calmly but with an edge to her tone. "What if someone sees you? What if a templar sees you?"

Armin shook his head. "She's right. I'm sorry, son."

"People see what they expect to see," said Kalian reasonably, but decided not to argue. It was so frustrating, having skills he couldn't openly use.

Tessa kissed her daughter on the forehead, and headed back into the tavern's common room, still holding the baby. Kalian followed her just in time to see a pretty Chantry sister walk in through the front door with a large, sketchy-looking man.

The entire tavern went quiet, and Kalian heard a customer to his right hiss, "That's him, the one that robbed me."

 

RSS Feed