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 all the tables gleaming and was serving breakfast to two of their early customers.
“G’day Alwin,” called Father Cuthbert who shared a table with Bart one of Stefan’s oldest friends. The friar traveled a route that included all of the Batable Lands and the few villages in Scotland and England on the edges of that no man’s land.
“And a good morning to you, Father. You as well Bart.”
His friend nodded as he lifted a mug of ale to his lips.
“How’s that fine wife of yours?” the friar asked.
“She’s keeping to the house for a while. We’re expecting our second child next month.”
Cuthbert smiled. “I’ll make a point to be here in September. We’ll have a fine christening.”
“Aye we will, and ‘tis honored we’ll be to have you performing the rites. Now please excuse me, I need to speak with Betty.”
His sister-in-law finished serving the two strangers occupying the far corner table. Stefan intercepted her on her way to the kitchens.
“Where’s Jeremy?” Stefan asked after his younger brother.
Betty
“He’s seeing to the horses of the two travelers.” She tossed her head toward the table she’d so recently left. Enlarging the stable is one of the best things you’ve done. People from all over come here now because they know their horses will be safe.”
“Aye this close to the Batable Lands, no one leaves a riding horse untended.”
“It’s a sure invitation to reivers. They’ll take any chance for a good mount, and they’ve watchers everywhere.”
Stefan shrugged and passed through the door leading to the new kitchen and keeping room with Betty in the lead. “That’s the way with such folk. How’s your husband this morning?”
“Helping his da with making the garden tools the Black Friars asked for. ‘Tis a handsome sum those Dominicans will pay for quality work.”
“And no better smith is there between here and York, I don’t care what the folk in Carlisle claim. What do you know of our two strangers?”
“Oh, now there’s a juicy tale to tell, but I don’t know it all yet.”
Stefan raised a brow.
“All I know for certain is they are knight and squire in service to King Edward. Heard one of them, the squire, say he’d be glad of a roof for a night. He’s weary of sleeping under the stars with no fire. The knight tells him to hush. But more he did not say.”
“Hmm, perhaps I’ll have a chat with them. If they’re looking for a roof to light under this night, it might as well be the roof of the Pig & Pipe. It wouldn’t take you long to clean the rooms over the tavern, would it?”
“An hour mayhap two. Those rooms haven’t been used at all in the year since you and Linna moved to that house you built for her. They’re bound to be very dusty, and I might have to borrow fresh bed linens from Linna as well as get Jeremy to freshen the straw in the ticking. Could be ready for the travelers just after mid-day.”
Stefan nodded. “Perfect. Now I’ll go and do my job as inn keeper and persuade those men to rest here.”
“Tell ‘em the porridge and pork rashers will be ready in a trice.”
Stefan left the kitchen to return to the public room where he strode purposefully toward the far corner table.
“Good day, sirs. I’m Stefan Alwin the inn keeper. We don’t get strangers passing through often. I’m hoping you’ll not mind if I set with you a spell. Perhaps you’ve news you can share of events beyond Carlisle and our little corner of England.”
The knight looked up. “Baron Haven de Sessions, Mr. Alwin. This is my squire Watley.”
Stefan waited.
“Please,” De Sessions gestured to an empty bench at the table. “Join us. I’m happy to share what little I know of events farther afield. Perhaps you could tell me a bit about local events.”
Stefan sat. “That I can do. What would you like to know?”
“First, where exactly are we?” the knight queried.
“Oh, we call our village Fisher’s cross because we’re quite close to where most of the fishermen cross the firth on their way to the sea. Where are you traveling to and from? You’ve the look of men who’ve spend long days in the saddle?”
“We’ve been to Dungarob and Strathn…”
A dark look from De Sessions silenced Watley. “Don’t say another word.”
At that moment, Betty arrived with breakfast for the travelers. She placed a tankard of cider in front of Stefan.
“Our thanks, mistress.” De Sessions said and held out a few coins to her.
Watley just ducked his head and pulled his forelock.
“You’re very generous, Sir.” Betty pocketed the coins.
Stefan took it all in adding wealthy to his assessment of a knight who though he appeared to be in his early twenties showed great experience and discretion.
“So, you’ve come from the north of Scotland.” But they’re not Scots. “I know the countryside and it’s not easy traveling. Where might your destination be?”
The baron eyed Stefan.
I wonder what he’ll decide when he’s done studying me? Will he tell me any details, or will he decide I cannot be trusted.
Baron Haven de Sessions is the hero of A True and Perfect Knight. That story takes place six years after this scene, and Haven is just beginning to earn his ‘true and perfect’ reputation. Want to know more about A True and Perfect Knight? Follow this link.
Come back next week to learn what the Baron does, or does not reveal to Stefan. Thank you for visiting. You may find past episodes of the Pig & Pipe Adventures by searching for Pig & Pipe on this blog. Episode 1 is titled Welcome to the Pig & Pipe. Happy Reading.
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