A Few Marks Lighter

Writers: AL, Ames
Date Posted: 24th February 2013

Characters: Zathris, Shyow
Description: Zathris visits the tavern and leaves with a lighter coin purse
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 12, day 21 of Turn 6

Zathris

Zathris moved into the tavern and gazed around the main room. Not
much had really changed since he'd last been there - and it had been a
while. Physically, the tables and chairs were the same. The decor
had remained untouched and the food had probably not changed either.
Despite the similarities, there were some things that weren't the
same. There were new faces among the familiar. The biggest
difference, though, was there was no sight of one familiar face in
particular. Zandreu had left - some time ago - and to be honest,
Zathris hadn't visited the Tavern as much. He'd gone there to chat
with his friend as much as to get breaks away from the Hold.

That day, however, he'd decided to revisit his old haunt and he paused
a moment to take in the scene, to note those similarities and the
differences, before he moved over to the table he'd occupied most of
the time when he was a regular customer.

Shyow didn't immediately place the face with the man, having not spent
much time anywhere near Amber Hills for fear of getting herself in
trouble there. She much preferred to keep a low profile.

"Good day, sir," she said as she sidled up to his table, her outfit of
choice today showing off her cleavage rather nicely. "What can I get
for ya?"

The smile she received had no hint of desire. It was simply sincerely
polite. "Just stew and bread with a pint of ale." It was a simple,
but the Tavern had always had a particularly good stew. If the
cleavage made an impression, he certainly didn't show it.

Showy sauntered away, going to the back to place his order. She
returned only moments later with the mug in her hand. As she
approached she noted his clothes, his bearing, his manner. _This_ man
had some wealth to him. She just knew it. Perhaps she'd be able to
_earn_ a few extra marks her favorite way.

"Here ya go," she said, setting the mug down. "One pint of ale. The
bread and stew are being warmed up and shall be out in a matter of
moments."

"Thank you lass." Zathris lifted the mug in salute to Shyow, then
took a swig. "You're new to me." He stated before she could walk
away. "Of course, it's been some time since I've visited, but I don't
remember seeing you here last time."

"Oh, aye," she replied. "I've only been working here a short time.
Though most of the regulars have gotten to know me. So I take it you
_used_ to come this way alot, but something has kept you away?" She
ended the last with a hint of a question in her voice, wondering if he
would provide details. One of her best tactics was getting _in_ with
the patrons, talking them up, filling them up with drink and then
slipping an extra mark or two away before they even knew it.

"Aye. I've been busy..and I admit, I had a friend here, but he's
since left so I've not come as often." Zandreu had been a good
Tavernmaster, and a good friend. The Lord Holder had to admit he
still missed the other fellow. "I trust the current Tavernmaster is
treating you well?"

"Oh aye, he is. He's an easy man to work with," Shyow replied, **and
more than willing to turn a blind eye every now and again when
something goes missing.**

"Let me go check on your stew." She turned and headed back to the
kitchens, returning with a steaming bowl and a loaf of bread fresh
from the oven.

"Here ya go. Hope you enjoy it."

"Thanks lass." Zathris pulled te stew closer and turned it over with
his spoon. "Ah, smells good, bread as well. Give the cook my
thanks."

"I will, sir," she replied, noting his rather hefty looking coin purse
as he shifted in his seat. **Now, how to get my hands on a few of
those marks?** she wondered as she smiled at him and moved to clean a
nearby table. Her eyes, however, kept darting back to the obviously
wealthy man. **He won't miss a few marks,** she mused.

Zathris ate his meal. It tasted pretty much the same as ever, a
hearty and tasty stew, good crusty bread. The ale, of course, was
just as good as well. He finished his food, then stood up to place a
half mark on the table. That would pay for his meal and give the girl
a decent tip.

**Oh shaffit, he's leaving so soon,** Shyow turned back to the table,
trying to figure out the best way to get her fingers on some extra
marks. She reached for the mug, knocking it over in the process. As
she bent to pick it up an idea formed. She pretended to lose her
balance and fall directly into him. "Oh," she called out as she bumped
against him, her arms going out as though to steady herself, when in
fact she was hoping she could reach his coin purse.

"Whoa, lass." Zathris' hands shot out as he tried to catch the girl.
"You all right?" He paused a moment to make sure she wasn't actually
going to fall further and then helped straighten her up. "There now,
be careful, eh?"

"Oh, thank you so much," she gushed, trying to look rather
embarrassed. "I have no idea what got into me." Her fingers closed
around the marks in her hand. Four if she counted correctly before
turning to grab his plate from the table to cover her fisted hand.

"Quite all right lass, as long as you're not hurt." Zathris smiled
down at her and then nodded politely. "Good day to you." Then he
turned to head out the door just as a couple was coming in. The two
stopped to bow and curtsy and greet him with a 'Good afternoon, Lord
Zathris'. He greeted them warmly in return then left the Tavern.

Shyow had heard the greeting and paused for a moment. She hoped he
wouldn't discover what she'd done. If he did, she could end up in alot
more trouble than she'd bargained for. Smiling to the new comers, she
hurried back towards the kitchens to deposit his plate and her _extra_
coins in a safe place before anyone found them.

Last updated on the February 26th 2013

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A Few Marks Lighter