It was eight pm, and the Hog’s Head Tavern was almost at capacity. Noggle’s Watch was a small, tight knit community where strangers were rare, and news of Vermand’s visitor had spread through the town like wildfire. It felt as though half of the Noggle’s Watch population was now sitting in the tavern, seeking the latest gossip.
“Where’s the three ales for Mister Corven’s table?” Teo demanded as she passed by the bar. “I need another five beers for Mister Nedrin’s table, and another six ales for Mister Heldrim.”
“Mister Corven’s order is over there,” Elverad cocked his head at the three tankards at the end of the bar as he pulled a pair of ales. “Hold on, these are for Dustin and his lot.”
“I’ll come by later,” she said breathlessly. “I need a couple of bowls from the kitchen. There’s a pile of dishes waiting in there when you have the time.”
“I have my hands full here,” Elverad said through gritted teeth.
He cast a glance at Vermand, who was in his element. There was no shortage of patrons calling the old man over, and he flitted from table to table like a hummingbird amongst a field of flowers. Of course, all of them wanted to know about the raised voices Tanbor had reported, and information on the mysterious stranger who had stopped by, but Vermand deflected them all expertly with a compliment here and a short but humorous anecdote there.
Sensing his employer could use a reprieve, and knowing he definitely needed one, Elverad called out. “Mister Vermand, I could use a little help here!”
The boy eyed his employer as he approached the bar. He had been watching him all evening and nothing seemed amiss about the old man. In fact, he seemed a little too unaffected by the sudden visit from earlier. It was hard to imagine Vermand Mantas cavorting with the likes of that brutish man, and the boy couldn’t help but wonder what they could have gotten up to together, and who their mysterious boss was. Could they have been part of a gang of bandits?
“Five beers for Nedrin’s, was it?” Vermand asked, making sure to wipe his hands thoroughly on a clean cloth before grabbing five empty tankards. He frowned and looked around. “Where are the rest of our cups?”
“In the back, waiting for washing,” Elverad replied breathlessly.
“Well, run the ales to Mister Dustin, and then get back there,” Vermand ordered.
“Right away,” Elverad said being sure to wipe his hands before stacking the tankards of ales onto a serving tray.
He stepped out onto the floor and nearly spilt the drinks when someone grabbed him by the arm. The boy whirled around to see a wiry, ruddy faced man with a sloppy smile plastered across his face. “Mister Grantham?”
“El… El… Boy…” the man began, slurring his words badly, leaving Elverad impressed that the tailor could get so drunk in so short a time.
“Can I help you, sir?” he asked, biting back a curse.
“About… about that man… Vermand’s… Vermand’s fwend…” Grantham Barney began, his fumbled words elicited giggles from the friends at his table, and he whirled around to snap at them. “Shut up, I’m… I’m trying to get some… some information here…”
“I’m sorry, but if it’s about Mister Vermand’s friend, you’ll have to ask him,” Elverad said as he struggled to pull himself free. “I was in the kitchen at the time and really didn’t hear anything.”
“Mister Grantham, I must insist you keep your hands to yourself!” Vermand warned from the bar.
The bar fell silent for a moment. None wanted to incur Vermand’s wrath lest they join the list of persona non grata at the establishment. The tailor released Elverad, causing him to stumble, and it took a considerable amount of acrobatics for the boy to prevent a single drop from being spilt. None of the other patrons stopped him on his way to deliver the ales, even though he could tell that they dearly wanted to grill for details on his boss’ caller. Once the order was delivered, Elverad walked swiftly to the kitchen where he found Teo huddled by the door.
“What are you doing?” he demanded. “It’s a madhouse out there!”
Teo made a face. “It seems you’ve answered your own question there. Do you know how many times I’ve been pulled aside? And not gently, I’ll have you know!”
“Well, Mister Vermand has put his foot down, though, so things should improve,” Elverad then spied the mountain of soiled tankards and plates in the sink and gasped. “You couldn’t have done some washing while you were hiding here?”
“Speaking of which, does he seem off to you?” Teo ventured.
“Oh no, you’re not changing the subject!” Elverad snapped.
“Service! I need some service here, please!” Vermand called from the bar.
“Duty calls,” Teo sang, and bounced onto the floor before Elverad could protest. The boy’s shoulders sagged when he turned his attention back to the pile of dirty dishes.
Elverad worked the cast iron handpump to top up the water in the sink. His fingers had become numb from being immersed in the ice cold water. More had come into the tavern as the night wore on, and the pile of dirty dishes had spread from the edge of the sink and now covered the prep table behind him as well. At least they had made it through the night. The last of the guests had just left, and Vermand and Teo were busying themselves tidying the main room up.
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A clatter of plates announced Teo’s arrival in the kitchen. Elverad looked over his shoulder at the large pile she was bringing and groaned.
“Did we have this many plates and tankards?” he groused.
“I had to borrow some from the Sheep’s Skin down the road,” Teo sighed. “Mister Vermand said to return them before they close so you’ll want to wash these first.”
The Hog’s Head closed a good hour earlier than most of the other taverns in Noggle’s Watch, but Vermand was an excellent host and a cook, and his prices were fair, making it one of the more popular establishments in town. Elverad caught a glimpse of Vermand wiping tables through the door and lowered his voice.
“How was he tonight?”
Teo frowned as she added her dishes to a precariously balanced pile by the sink. The barmaid looked exhausted from the night’s work. “Who?”
“Mister Vermand,” Elverad replied impatiently. “Did he seem off to you?”
Teo let out an exasperated sigh. “You know, I didn’t have much time to pay him any attention.”
She followed Elverad’s gaze and frowned. “Is this about the caller from earlier? Who was he, anyway?”
Elverad didn’t miss the flash of curiosity in Teo’s eyes and smiled mischievously, knowing that his colleague would be unbearable if the tables were turned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“I would, actually,” she snapped. “But I’d also like to get into bed before midnight, so if you’ll excuse me, some of us have work to do.”
Elverad looked at the pile of dishes and sighed. “What do you think I’ve been doing here all night?”
“Skiving, I’m sure,” Teo replied as she walked towards the door.
“Now, children, it’s late,” Vermand said as he entered the kitchen with a tray piled high with used tankards. He blinked and looked around. “My, it has been a busy night, hasn’t it?”
Teo arched an eyebrow. “Are you just realizing that now?”
“It doesn’t hold a candle to the Winter Solstice, now does it, Teofania?” Vermand ventured.
Teo frowned and shook her head. “No, I it does not.”
Vermand looked around and took a deep breath. “It’s getting late. Let’s put our heads down into cleaning so that we can all turn in. I’ve already set aside your shares of tonight’s takings.”
Teo’s face brightened greedily. “How was tonight’s business, Mister Vermand?”
“Roughly double yesterday’s,” the innkeeper replied.
The barmaid’s smile broadened. “Wonderful. Perhaps you should ask your friend to come calling more often.”
It was only for an instant, but Elverad saw a shadow cross Vermand’s face. Teo didn’t seem to notice and happily strode out of the kitchen to finish tidying up outside. Vermand noticed Elverad staring and blinked.
“Is everything alright, young man?”
Elverad shook his head. “No, everything’s fine. Should we come at the usual time tomorrow?”
“Yes, yes,” Vermand said absently before turning back towards the main room. “The usual time tomorrow.”
Elverad frowned but then noticed more dirty dishes piled on the tables outside and sighed. He would have his work cut out for him if he wanted to be home before midnight.
The clock in the hall chimed midnight, and Elverad turned around to admire his work. The kitchen was spotless, and a pouch of coins weighed heavily on his belt. All in all, it had been a good night’s work. The back door opened, and a gust of frigid winter air blew into the kitchen. Vermand walked in moments later and closed the door gently behind him. Elverad studied him, looking for signs of anything being amiss. The old man looked weary, but they all were. It had been a very busy night.
Vermand saw Elverad and blinked. “Oh, you’re still here.”
“I just finished cleaning up here,” he declared proudly and decided to probe the old man a little. “I dare say we’ve earned a late start tomorrow.”
The old innkeeper frowned. “No, we start at the usual time. We don’t want to fall into bad habits now, do we?”
Elverad breathed a sigh of relief. Vermand was as fastidious as ever, and he seemed committed to his business and not running off into the wilderness.
“Well then, if that’s the case, I’ll be taking my leave,” Elverad said, stifling a yawn.
“Yes, you’re still growing, aren’t you?” Vermand remarked. “Sleep is important for growing lads.”
“Good night, Mister Vermand,” Elverad bowed his head before walking towards the back door.
“Thank you for your hard work tonight,” Vermand said absently as he walked into the main room. “Oh Elverad!”
A wave of dread washed over Elverad as he kept his hand poised over the doorknob. Had his employer made a last minute decision?
“I fear Teofania has fallen asleep in the main room,” he said. “Could you wake her up and see her home, please? I still have some work to do behind the bar.”
Elverad bit back a curse before replying with as much cheer as he could muster. “Of course, Mister Vermand, glad to.”
It took Elverad a moment to find the barmaid curled up in an easy chair by the window, fast asleep, and he was surprised that Vermand had spotted her from the kitchen door.
“Come on, it’s time to go home,” he growled, shaking her by the shoulder.
“Just leave me here,” she murmured. “Then when I wake up, I’ll already be at work.”
“I can’t allow that, I’m afraid,” Vermand called from the bar. “It simply wouldn’t be appropriate, a young lady like you spending the night under the same roof as an unattached and unrelated man.”
Both employees recognized the tone in their employer’s voice, and at length, Teo reluctantly climbed out of the easy chair. “Fine, I’ll see you tomorrow, Mister Vermand.”
“Good night, both of you,” he said without looking up.
Once they were outside, Elverad waited expectantly for Teo to lead the way. The girl turned to look at him suspiciously. “What is it?”
“I’m escorting you home,” the boy replied.
The girl’s face contorted into a look of disgust, and Elverad sighed. “Mister Vermand told me to do it.”
“We can go our separate ways here and I’ll tell him you did as you were told tomorrow,” she said.
“No you won’t,” Elverad pointed out, not having the energy to get angry. “You’ll hold it over my head and blackmail me before ‘accidentally’ telling him once you’ve squeezed everything you can out of me.”
Teo gave the boy a hurt look. “Do you really think so little of me?”
“Yes,” he replied bluntly. “Now, if you’re quite done, lead the way, please. I’d want nothing more than to collapse into my bed.”
“Fine, it’s this way,” she said.
“Where do you live, anyway?” Elverad ventured as they walked down the street.
“On top of Barlava’s Teahouse,” she replied.
The boy blinked. “I thought she only rented single rooms. What about your family?”
Teo scowled. “They live out in the Valley.”
“That’s not so far away that you’d need to live on your own,” Elverad remarked.
“They wouldn’t shut up about marrying their friend’s son, so I moved out, alright?” Teo snapped. “Hurvel Yatesman! He was still wetting the bed until last summer!”
“What’s so funny?” Teo snapped when Elverad began to chuckle.
The boy shook his head. “Oh no, it’s nothing.”
“So what brings you to Noggle’s Watch, anyway?” she asked. “You’re from out of town, aren’t you?”
Elverad sighed. “There’s not much to it. My parents and most of my family died in the famine three years ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” Teo said softly. “It was hard for us here as well.”
Elverad shrugged to dispel the sadness and continued. “I spent a few years drifting from town to town until I ended up here. I count my blessings that I happened to stumble across Mister Vermand’s door. He’s been a wonderful employer.”
“Yes, he has,” Teo agreed. “You don’t think he’s going anywhere, do you?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Elverad replied. “He told me to be at the tavern bright and early tomorrow.”
“That’s a relief,” she sighed.
“You won’t be late, will you?” Elverad ventured.
A sly smile crept across Teo’s face. “Well, we’ll see. A girl needs her beauty sleep after all.”