Concessions

It was late that evening when Savage decided to risk entering the alehouse. To his surprise it was relatively empty.

Good. I didn’t want snooping ears anyway.

He walked to the counter and stopped to give the men there a slow study. He didn’t have to say a word for them all to scatter. Abandoning the counter entirely.

He took the seat directly in-front of Dimurah. So. she can’t avoid me, no matter how angry she is.

“What do you want?”

“A tankard to start with.” He sighed.

Her eyes narrowed as she awaited some humiliating declaration.

But he made none.

Not tonight.

She slapped the drink down in-front of him.

But it wasn’t ale. It was her Sleep Duster tea.

She knew I didn’t sleep.

If she only knew the truth...

He picked up the wooden spoon she proffered and began lightly stirring the tea.

She leaned across the counter.

Ready to fight.

***

“It wasn’t one day, Murah.” He sighed. Stirring his drink thoughtfully. Reluctant to recall what he’d seen.

Her suffering.

The trader had been dragging