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Location—A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

July 1276, Unseasonable Rain & Fog

Ale mug in hand, Watley studied the scowling woman as he approached.

Watley requested a second mug of ale for himself, and studied the scowling woman from whom he must gain a kiss.

She appeared unhappy and angry. Her clothing was made of rich materials but showed excessive wear. He also saw no indication of any companion or escort. Were...

These two first met in my holiday short story, An Angel's Promise. Eight-year-old Artis braves a blizzard to fulfill a promise made by her mother who was murdered before keeping said promise. Fionn, not much older than Artis, braved the blizzard to escape from the abuse of his father--who for...

Please welcome Rue Allyn who is here to talk with us about and beyond her book,

Cursed: A Corsair's Tale. Cursed to an eternal and ephemeral existence, by a scorned lover, Captain Lucien Flynn, hero of Rue Allyn's Cursed: A Corsair's Tale, must earn the love of a heartless woman in order to break the curse. However, the woman he finally falls for is anything but heartless?

Hi all, I'm Rue Allyn, author and owner of this blog as well as our first guest. Happy to be here! Allow me to tell you...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: July 1276, Unseasonable Rain & Fog

Haven watched the innkeeper move about the room. The man was entirely to sharp-eyed for Haven to be able to trust Alwin as a source of intelligence. However, there were plenty of other possibilities among the customers. Most of the locals were laughing and enjoying a bit of time away from their troubles. A few other travelers, kept carefully to themselves. Back in a...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: July 1276, Unseasonable Rain & Fog

While he and Watley ate, Sir De Sessions studied the innkeeper. Since King Alexander of Scotland had recently solidified his power, Edward of England needed a good source of information about the movements of persons crossing through the ‘Batable Lands. Far too many travelers came to and went from England, using that unclaimed territory as a way to disguise their...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: July 1276, Unseasonable Rain & Fog

Stefan Alwin entered the Pig & Pipe public room and shook the rain off his cloak then hung the garment on a peg near the fire to dry. He rubbed his hands together to warm them after the unseasonable chill & damp the area had suffered for the past three days.

He surveyed the tavern noting with satisfaction that Betty, now married to Mort the smith’s son had...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer, 1275

Stefan nodded. “I see. Well then, if you have exhausted all the conditions you could think of for now, I want two promises from you, before we wed.”

She lifted away from him a bit. “What promises are those?”

“Promise never to lie to me.”

“I do not lie, sir. You insult me.”

“I mean no insult, but can you honestly tell me you never said false words to your father in order to protect your...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer 1275

Stefan leaned back against the wall to think and wait. Each time he thought she had finished, she interrupted to add some further detail. He would hear it all before he spoke again.

“I want Betty and Mort as our witnesses.”

He gave a small nod.

“I want white roses, like those I’ve heard grow in the cathedral garden, to carry when I walk toward the altar.”

Another nod.

“I want to live in a...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer 1275

“Very well, state your conditions. I may have a few of my own.”

The frown that flitted across her face, pleased him. If it bothered her that he might have conditions, all well and good.

Her mouth set in a straight line and determination gleamed in her eyes. “You will swear to agree to all, or we will not wed.”

“I will not swear to agree to things I’ve not yet been told of.”

“’Tis fair.” She...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer 1275

In the moment just before their lips met, Linna wondered. Will his kiss be heaven or hell?

It had been heaven. Of course, it had. Since the age of twelve, shortly after her mother died, Linna had been listening to the village girls gossip about kissing Stefan Alwin. At two years older than she, he didn’t seem to care which maid he kissed or how many, but she did know he never kissed the same...

Location: A tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer 1275

Stefan smiled at her. This is going to be more difficult than I imagined, but I’ve got to make her listen to me. I may never get another chance.

“Nay. I’m not moon mad, or drunk or daft in anyway.” He slowed their pace. It would not do to get to her home too quickly. He needed time to work up to what he wanted, needed to say.

“Then why in the world d’you want my company?”

“Because I like...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer 1275

“N…na…nay, Linna Fielding, I’ll no repeat anything.” Bart stood, wobbling a bit from the amount of drink he’d had, but towering over Linna.

She looked up at him, knowing she might be in trouble. Bart was normally the most pleasant of men, but you never could tell with a drunk man what he might do next. Still, she knew better than to show fear.

“Ye’re a coward then,” she sneered. “So, get yer...

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Date: Summer, 1275

Stefan Alwin winked at pretty Betty Fielding as she whisked herself out the door with the pottage she’d come for. Her da was ailing, and Betty would say herself she was useless in a kitchen as a stone was for baiting a hook.

“Aye she’s a lovely lass that one,” mused Bart the miller.

Stefan nodded his agreement as he polished the curly maple surface he called a bar. “And she’s eyes only for...

Date Spring: 1275

Location: A Tavern on the Western edge of England’s border with the Debatable lands

Stefan Alwin opened the front door to the Pig & Pipe. The only occupants of the large room were the worn, age-scarred, solid oak chairs and tables, each one made by his father’s hand And of course what Stefan called the bar. A single slab of curly maple polished to an unbelievable shine by years of wear and careful waxing with his mother’s special formula for...