Trashes of the Counts' Families || Trash of the Count's Family || OC

53

It was always darker than she was used to in a tavern. The candlelights were always dim and flickering, a warm glow caster across the worn wooden tables. The shadows were large, attracting her attention.

The scent of the burning wood in the fire casting more shadows across the room was mixed with the smell of alcohol, ale and wine. Mainly ale. There were some smells of a stew as well.

The tapestries in the tavern were not different than the other taverns she visited. All of the scenes from great battles and mythical creatures that belonged in the Ancient Times. She could name all the separate battles and creatures, the bleeding Dark Elves shown on the tapestry staring hatefully at her. There were various antlers and animal heads, showing a successful hunting expedition for all who passed through the tavern she was in.

But what was different, than in the other taverns she visited as Adara Thornwin, were the sounds. She could hear. The hum of lively chatter. Bursts of giggles. The clinking of glasses and tankards. A bard strumming a lyre, playing a fitting tune. It was unlike everything she had ever heard in a tavern.

The loud laughter. The crackling of the fire. The heated arguments. The sound of people having a friendly conversation. It was all so odd to her, she who had only been welcomed by silence and frightened stares.

The patrons had always been there, mercenaries and mages, traders and bards, but she never saw them huddled in conversation, a tankard of ale in their hands. They were usually simply quiet and stared at her, not a muscle moving.

And the barkeep, this one old and weathered, with a sharp look to his face. There had always been a barkeep, in every tavern she went to, but they usually rushed over to her to try and dissuade her from sitting in their tavern. This barkeep, simply gave her what she wanted and then went to argue with one of the patrons who was demanding a discount.

And then there were the gamblers, of course, the ones who huddled around tables, rolling dice and flipping cards to win their games of chance. But some simply played to play, not to win, but to have fun.

One of such groups was now staring at her warily.

"You want to play?" the buffest and tallest of them all asked, staring her up and down cautiously.

She looked at him. "Yes, I do."

Gromm, she would soon learn his name was, sent a look to the one sitting next to him. He looked back at her. "Aye, lass, no offence, but you don't strike me as someone who'd be into this kinda game, y'know?"

She raised an eyebrow at him, feeling the other 6 people at the table staring at her as well. She knew what made him think she would not like the game they were playing. She had her simplest clothes on her, but they were still far above the clothes worn by all 7 of the people at the table. And they all had a tankard of ale in their hands, but she had a bottle of wine. A very expensive wine, all the way from the Henituse Territory.

And, of course, they were all staring at the pouch of coins she had attached to her belt. It jingled when she walked.

She took the pouch clipped to her belt, lifting it up to look at it as if for the first time. All 7 of their eyes followed it. "Yes, I did think it might be a bit too much just for this bottle." She sighed before she acted as if she had an idea. She leaned a bit over the table, looking directly into Gromm's eyes. She put the pouch in the middle of the table, a few gold coins spilling out. "What if I buy a few more rounds for the table? This amount of money is way too much for only me, and you guys seem like you could use a few more drinks."

Gromm stared at her before he burst out in a booming laughter. "Alright, lass! You're a generous one! A few more rounds for the table it is, but I warn ya, we play hard, and we don't take it easy on newcomers." He now had a gleaming look in his blue eyes, making room for her at the table. "Come here, take a seat! Let's see if Lady Luck favours you tonight."