A Rainy Night

It had been a busier night than usual - the cold rain had driven many would-be adventurers to the pub for a hot meal and a few pints. Caelynn bustled about, serving food and drinks to the tables while Silas manned the bar. It was late at night before the place started to clear out. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning only a few lone patrons and one table of rather rough-looking men remained. Silas announced the last call for drinks.

Serving the last of the drinks to the group at the table, Caelynn turned to the bar when she felt a rough hand grab her by the wrist. A sudden yank on her arm and she found herself in the lap of one of the men. "Not so fast, Lassy! Why don'cha stay an have a drink with me chums an' I?"

"I'm sorry," Caelynn tried to placate the drunk to avoid any trouble. "But I've still got work to do." She squirmed, trying to free herself from his grasp - to no avail. His friends laughed at her discomfort.

"There a problem, Caety-girl?" Silas' voice was light but held a deadly serious note of warning. Even more unnerving to the men at the table was that the voice seemed to come from nowhere. Even in their inebriated state they resisted the urge to start trouble - the barkeep was well-known as a "retired" infiltrator. Suddenly appearing at Caelynn's side, Silas offered her his hand to help her stand. Accepting the offered hand, Caelynn quickly went back to work clearing tables.

Silas remained close until the men had finished their drinks and left. "Take a break, Caety. I'll take care of the rest of the customers."

Stepping outside, Caelynn loosened the bun in her hair and let her long, snowy locks fall about her face. With a soft sigh she sat down on a bench by the door and looked out over Gothwaite. The rain had stopped and in its place a cold fog had rolled in from the harbor. She looked wistfully off into the distance - off to the place she used to call home - and wondered if she would ever return there.