‘Fair is the speech of the Elder Children of Eryn Lasgalen.’ said Pio, smiling warmly at the two. ‘And fairer yet the presence with which they grace this Inn.’
She came round from the bar, drying her hands, wet from wiping up the spills of the guests clumsy in their eagerness to be off with pints of ale and glasses of wine. A stray curl escaped the circlet she wore to bind back her hair, and she pushed it back unconsciously. ‘Most welcome are you! My name is Piosenniel, Pio if you prefer, the erstwhile Innkeeper for this moment.’
Pio led them to a table to one side of the bar, a place which would afford them some privacy. ‘Tarondo, Luinien, is it not?’ She bade them sit and sat down herself with them. She called a serving girl to the table, asking her to bring a platter of dried fruits and winter apples, some warm mushroom pasties, and bowls of the rich vegetable soup the cook had just made for her. ‘Oh, and a small basket of crusty, warm bread if you please, Elanor. A pitcher of the Winter Ale, two mugs, and a small glass of wine for me.’
She poured the ale for Tarondo and Luinien, then raised her glass to them in salute. Pio leaned back in her chair, enjoying the warmth of the wine as it coursed down her throat. There were many questions she wished to ask, but held her tongue, knowing that it was best to let guests speak in their own time.
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Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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