UBERER swayed in his seat as the music and the merriment of the bar washed over him like a warm bath.
In fact, I’ll take low-town day or night. It’s always more fun here.
He places his hefty cup down on the wooden table. Looking up he takes in the large but full cobblestone room. Heavy wooden tables take up the majority of the room with bench seating, filled to the brim with all manner of folks; good folks who work with their hands and hearts every day. The true backbone of San Brideburg. Hearty men, strong women, if not in physique definitely in spirit. These were his kinds of people.
All of them engaged in the merriment of the music played by the minstrels lined up near the hearth. There were several of them up front. Each afforded the best chairs of the bar; the few that had padding. And those minstrels sure earned them for hours and hours of playtime on a regular night. So excited would the people become that the section had to be chained off to keep people from bumping into the musicians in the midst of their excited dance and cheer.
To the opposite side of the building was the bar. The bartop consisted of honey wood which could show the reflection of the faces that sat at the bar on high stools. Behind the bar were shelves and shelves of all kinds of hard-drink. They all frame around one central item. A flail that hung up by two hooks on a an equally polished honey wood. The flail like the bar was well maintained. Except it bore the signs of use and weathering from the ailments. A testament to some forgotten past. And in front of that flail, polishing a glass was the barkeep Stella. She was a fairly plain looking woman. Not overly large nor small. Her facial features were muted and her cloak hid any details of her body. The only thing that stood out were her eyes; the color of crystalline embers. For most people they were a bit intimidating too look at head on. And rarely would they see such as her eyes shift scanning the room, taking everything in.
Until they happen upon Urberer. She stops for a moment. Gives a slow upward head incline of acknowledgement and swift smile.
Stell, my old friend. How long have I’ve known you for. Stella, The Quiet in the Storm. Oh Stell…
“Tch,” Urberer respond as a heavier set male bumps into him, and splashes some hard-drink on the table next to him. Urberer barely moved his robed arm out of the way.
“Oh sorry Urb! I’ll get that right up. We can’t have our number one monk walking around with stains now can we?” The man exclaims, more excited than drunk, as he places an old handkerchief on the table and soaks up the residue.
Urberer was only slightly irritated by deflected that sensation off quickly. Life was not to be taken so seriously anymore, at least not by him. With the moment of agitation out of his system he looks up and smiles, at the man.
“What can I do for you young man?”
“Urb. I mean, good monk sir. I mean mister Urberer.”
“Calm down good sir. You should know I’m not one for pretense…or that is to say, uppity talk and titles. What can I do for you?”
“Sorry to interrupt. You see this here is ma’ lady. And I love her very much”
“Well, I think by that deep shade of red I see, she might like the words. If I were you I’d suggest keeping them coming!”
“ Well yes sir. I’m hoping to keep them coming to her … for the rest of our lives…”
“You see sir. Henri and I were looking at finely jumping the boat … or tying the knot as they say in the mainland”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes mister Urberer monk sir”
“Ha! Urb is fine. So, you two are considering a union huh?”
“Yes!” They both resoundingly answer.
Urb looks at them both as they fidget in front of him. Two youths filled with the excitement of a future together and the warmth of companionship. He once knew what that meant. And he knew what it meant to lose it. Were they strong enough to endure?
“Well …”
“Yes sir?” They both chirp in. The male clearly squeezing the woman’s hands tighter, while she brushes auburn locks out of her eye.
“You do know that a union between two is a very serious thing”
“Yes sir, I do.”
“Do you know that ma’am”
“Yes sir.”
“Ok. Then entertain me a few answers to these questions”
“What’s something that you love about her, that no one else may know? And same for you young lady?
They throw quick glances at each other, temporarily stumped by the question. They look at each other, and then at the ground.
“Anything. No matter how silly it is. Go ahead and say it.”
He looks down at his hard drink, keeping his eyes downcast as he takes a sip.
Everyone stumbles at this question. It’s not just something you love about them. But something that no one else would know. It’s personal, unique its-
“Well sir,” “her singing”.
“My singing?” She responds.
“Oh, tell me more good sir, tell me more.”
“Well she isn’t one for singing much. But I’ve seen her singing to the plants and chicken’s when she thinks ain’t no one looking”.
An avalanche of white clashes over the woman’s face, followed by a sudden crimson red from her neck to her hears.
In a small voice “you heard that”.
“Yeah, and … and I just thought it was the sweetest thing ever. And … I’d love to my children hear it. And for me … for me sir to spend my life trying to catch a sound of it”.
Urberer claps his hands together. “Good, good. I’d never would have known she’d sing either. You know lass, the orphanage could always use some singers if you ever get a chance. The children would love it.”
“Oh me? Well umm..” She wrings the bottom of her blouse.
“But don’t worry. Something you can think about at your leisure latter on. Now, I would still like to know from you, what is something that you love about him that others might not know or notice?”
What say you young lady? What tugs at your heart strings. What seeks you to combine with his journey into finitude.
“‘Bout that orphanage sir.”
“Yes. What about it.”
“He thinks no one else knows. But I do. He always deposits a little coin to the orphanage once a month. Like clockwork. It ain’t something I see often outta most people. But I see it every time.”
“You saw that? How did you?”
“I was trying to bring you lunch one day but you had left ahead of me. I ask around and people said they saw you going in that direction. And well- it took a while to catch up, but I wasn’t going to let a good meal go to waste. So I kept going. And then I saw you dropping off money. I didn’t say anything about it. Figure’d you didn’t want to make a big deal. But the same thing happened a month again. And I figured it was your regular schedule.”
“So all those times you found me near the market…”
“Yeah, I was waiting for you dear.”
They booth look into each other eyes.
I doubt they can even hear the music in the background. These two are truly in love. Love is in the small things after all. The small considerations. The awareness of the others uniqueness.
Urberer shoulders stiffen momentarily. He then exhales allowing the tension in his shoulders to go. He looks at them, his very presence drawing them back to the current moment. His eyes scan up and down both of them individually and then together. His voice now a contradiction to the easy playful kindness he awarded them earlier. His voice firm as both a challenge and a question like a command authority.
“Sir. Are you willing to die everyday for her. To set you personal wants to the side to the betterment of her life and your families? To work through tireless toil, with a grunt at the work and a smile at the family?”
“Uh… yes sir”.
“Be clear. Yes or no.”
“Yes sir.”
“Are you willing sir to put your life on the line to protect her? To go to the far reaches of the land to bring her joy or remedy?”
“Yes sir.”
“Are you willing to mourn her death and remember her should she come to leave you early; doing your best to honor her spirit?”
“Yes sir.”
“Clear.”
“And you ma’am.”
“Yes sir.”
“Are you willing to take on one of the toughest roles in the world, that of a wife and potential mother? To see your family come and go before you? To set personal wants aside for the betterment of those you find dear? To work tirelessly with only your love and commitment to push you forward?
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Yes sir.”
“Are you willing to sacrifice all to keep your family together? To mend familial wounds, bring order, and establish and re-establish relationships, despite how hard that can be?”
“Yes sir”
“Are you willing to mourn his death and remember him should he come to leave you early; doing your best to honor his spirit?”
“Yes sir”
He waves for them to give him their hands. He holds one in each of his own. He rubs the ridges of their finger tips and palms before turning them upward. He inspects each with the focus of a jeweler, then following the being up to their arms and then to take them in fully.
He relaxes a large breath of air again as tenses leaves his body.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes”
“Will you uphold the commitments in your hearts as both recognized and unrecognized today”.
“We will”.
He gives one simple nod and his posture seems to relax along with his facial expression. He brings the hands of the two together underneath this.
“You love each other”
“I do”
“I do”
He interlaces the couple hands together. A warmth and faith glow starts in the hands of the couple and follows up their arms. He smiles.
“May the love of your heart always warm you on your journey. From hence and whence you are intertwined on this journey of life. May strength and compassion be your sword and shield. You are now married”
The white glow engulfs the pair momentarily. This is not unnoticed by the crowd who cheers with some boisterous voicing yelling “Looks like we got here a married couple! Hurrah!” The rest of the bar goers consequentially also loose their mind in merriment.
“Well,” he tries to yell over the noice “ he gives them their hands back “this is still valid in the morning.”
“Thank you sirraahh-“ the male tries to get out before he’s dragged out by the crowd who begin to pat him on the back and pour hard-drink down his gullet. The young lady was already dragged off by the women in the bar who took her where the minstrels. The minstrels had picked up on what was going on and started wedding celebrations songs. The women all began dancing. It was the couples night.
May they have joy in this world. May they be graced to a life I’ll never know.
He takes a long drawl from his cup. This time, he empties it in one take.
#
———
URBERER was not given much time to wallow in his drink or thoughts. A young lass poured her drink into his. As she leaned over the table, in front of him. Her low cut short and ample assets were on clear display. Red curls, freckles, and a genuine smile; she was attractive.
“No need for drink to ever go empty Urb.”
“Thank you Lucy. I was just finishing up”
“Urb, why don’t you just finish me up”
Gosh, here we go again.
“Lucy, I am very flattered if I am understanding what you’re suggesting. But despite my own personal desires, my answer is still a no.”
“Oh Urb come on. Why do you always tell me no?”
“You’re a beautiful young woman Lucy. I’m sure you could have your pick -“
“I don’t need you to tell me that Urb. I know any guy or gal for that matter, would dive at a chance to be with me. Yet here, I can’t even get you to take me out on a little date…”
Evade.
“I am a monk and my duties are such-“
“Duties that are not the same as a high priest. You can marry and anything else you want as long as you fulfill your duties.”
Damn it.
“Right”
“I know I’m right.” She moves around the table stand behind him. Close enough that her lips are near his ear and he can feel her breath fall onto him, goosebumps spreading across his neck and arms.
“Are you afraid of me. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you.”
But I’ll hurt you, in more ways than one.
“So why don’t you and I -“
“The alcohol Lucy”.
“What about it, I just poured your cup and you know Stella only gives me the best.”
Resist.
“Dear Lucy. Maybe we can chat some time when you’ve not been drinking. While my ego would, love, looove, to think such a beautiful woman as you were interested in me… it’s hard to discern if its actual interest or just alcohol mix with proximity. So maybe one day. When you’ve your full faculties and I’m sure you’re consenting to whatever we choose to do … well maybe then we can talk.”
“Tck. I can’t argue with that.”
I know you can’t. That’s why I said it.
“Granted that’s not fair. You always come in after I’ve had a few.”
“I’m sorry dear. Work keeps me out late. But like I said, maybe one day when you’re clear. Now, I need to go speak to Stella. Excuse me” He gets up and gathers his drink.
Escape.
Before he can get too far away where the crowd would drown out her voice Urberer hears Lucy call out. “I’m going to keep you to that Urb. And I know you’re a man of your word. So I don’t look to be dissapointed”
A grin crosses his lips, looking at her. She was a beauty indeed. But his life had no place for such. Looking at her frolic about his eyes caught hold of some people in nondescript cloaks, with their hoods pulled up. The cloaks were so lacking in design that they actually stood out.
They’re all wearing the same color? Heads down? Maybe I should go over there. Hmm.
He stops, a cold chill goes down his back. He pivots to look back at her Lucy. A closed lip smile crosses her face as her eyes narrow, and knowingness dances in her irses; smugness of someone who knows they’ll win. She simply waves and turns on her heel to speak to other patron.
This is going to backfire on me. I know it. I never should have said I’d meet with her. He then looks back to where the men were, but to his surprise, they were gone.
Huh. Strange.
He turns to the bar, his mug in one hand and trusty staff in the other, and makes his way there as quickly as possible. Upon arrival he sees Stella who has a rueful smile.
“Oh did she try to get you again?” Stella laughs.
Return with dignity … I guess.
Urber lays his staff against the bar, and sits in one of the stools.
“I think I’m not going to be able to keep thwarting her advances much more.”
“Nope!” She laughs while polishing another cup.
“Can’t you wrangle her in?”
“Nope. Not my job.”
“But she’s your waitress.”
“Yes. And when it comes to serving these boisterous folks she’s the best. She takes no mess from anyone, just like yours truly. But she has a friendly enough that people keep wanting to buy. Something that I’m not good at.”
“Yeah well-“
“Well she does a great job, as you and I both know Urberer. And its a leader job not to get in the way of their personnel. Didn’t you teach me that?”
Of course she remembers all my lessons when I don’t want her too.
“Something like that…”
“Well that’s what I’m saying. If she wants to have some fun pestering you. More power too her. Who am I to try and stop a woman who knows what she wants. Trying to stop her would be like trying to put a tornado in a glass jar, or contain a tsunami into a bucket; it just aint happening”
I guess she remembered those poetry lessons too.
“Yes I remembered the poetry lessons too. I can see you thinking it through that crinkled brow of yours. You’ll give yourself wrinkles if yo don’t stop.”
Lets out a big sigh.
“You’re so damn annoying Stell.”
“Well someone has to get under that cool and calm exterior of yours. Remember, I know who you” she pauses. “Well, I know you ol’ friend.”
“And I you”
“That said … why don’t you give ol’ girl a chance? She really does have a good head on her shoulders. And while you may be low-towns and probably even mid-towns most eligible bachelor … I don’t think that concerns her. I watch her, watch you sometimes. I think there is more interest in you beyond the mystique of Urber The champion of the Two Bridges.”
“Oh don’t call me that, I hate that.”
“Well I can’t help it’s the name they came up for you. You’re the one going around spreading cheer and kindness and fighting for us down here.” Shrugs. “You’re fault. You shoulda kept a smaller profile.”
“Bah.”
“I know. It sucks to know I’m right. Am right?”
“Yup. Yes it does.”
“Well that’s your fault too. Always, think about giving her a chance. Give yourself a chance my friend. It’s been … years since”
His head spins sharply to her. His eyes piercing.
“I suggest you say no more…”
The icy ring of his voice causes Stella to pause in her actions. Then through a tight lip “alright”.
She looks off, puts the cup away and begins to polish the bar.
“Sorry” Urber said.
“It’s alright.”
He nods.
“We, I, just don’t want you to spend the rest of your life unhappy. If anyone desverse it. It’s you”.
“I don’t deserve any such thing.”
Now its Stella’s turn to sigh. She stops and rubs the space in front of him a bit more. “If you’re not going to find someone. You at least need to find a proper space to live. Living on a cot at the monastery really isn’t the best.”
“I”m fine with it.”
“You might be. But some of the people who want or need to see you will never be able to enter that place. They won’t feel comfortable. They need to know when they need to talk or have a listening ear they can reach you”
“Well I move about most of the time.”
“Still. If you’re trying to spend a life of service here. Get yourself a home base. It’ll make the people feel like you’re sticking here. We all know they could send you any place in your quartered at the monastery.”
“Fair …”
“Just think about it Urb.”
“Ah. I will. You’ve always had been a level person”
“Me” She laughs. “You must be joking. I was hot headed back in the day. After enough of your lectures I had to cool down. Hours long lectures. I don’t even know how you did it then. In fact I still don’t know now.”
“My dad. You can thank him.”
“Great, I’ll make sure my flail says thank you for the both of us.”
They stop, look at each other with serious intent, and then both bus out laughing.
“Well” rising to a stand “on that note I probably should start heading back. Nature calls and it’s a bit of a walk to my lodging.”
“Well.. you be safe out there.”
“I should probably drink some of this” he pours back a bit of the hard drink and almost stops immediately.” “Damn that’s an amazing drink. What did she give me?”
“Oh that? That would be” she sniffs at it “ah, three-hundred year old dwarven mead held in a casket near one of their lava veins, and rotated in such a way to never go bad. Pricey stuff I’d say.”
“And you gave her this.”
“I told you .. .she’s worth it. … And she may be worth it for you” and winks.
Hmmm.
“Stell, I’m going to take this cup with me.”
She nods at him while taking care of another patron. “You better. That stuff is not cheap. And I said she was worth it. I didn’t say you were.”
Smart ass.
“Yes, I know I’m a smart ass. Bring my cup back.”
Urber pushes through the heavy dark wood door to the outside. It was well into the night. Between the torches and moon there was just enough light to function. Walking on the cobblestone, following the mazes of streets, he was lost in thought until the urge to go hit him. Finding himself an alley he placed his beloved mug on one of the crates. Never releasing his staff, he used his other hand to adjust and then relieves himself.
“Ah, that felt good” as a shiver went through his back. He gathered himself and started to walk again. But he got another shiver. He stopped in his tracks and both hands grabbed his staff. It was not the feeling of sweet release. Instead, it was the filling of being watched.
Someone must be following me. I could lose them in the maze of streets and allies here. But I could just the same be cornered off if there are more than one or two assailants. Depending on the confrontation my staff’s ability may be limited only to spearing methods, with no ability for horizontal sweeps. I also get the sense that someone was watching me from above… meaning they could coordinated with who ever is on the ground. If I run they’ll pursue. If I stop for too long they’ll know something is up. And even if I could out run them. I really don’t want to. I’ll spill all of my precious mead!
Mumbles to himself “bastards…”
“Oh, I must have heard some rats. Ah. Those creatures always come out at night.” He says loudly enough to be heard with a bit of a faux drunken drawl.
Now time to play the stupid old drunk guy card.
He starts in one direction and then suddenly swaggers in another direction. Pushing off walls as he stumbles. Making a belligerent drunken scene of himself. He sings merrily all the way with occasional stops to wonder which was to his house. Most be closer. He hears the sound of debris from crumbling rock atop one of the buildings fall. His eyes darting only momentarily to it.
I need to increase my speed. Damn. I can’t believe they’ll make me do this.
He hammers the drink back.
“Oh yeah!!!” His voice a loud boom. He stumbled even faster to his intended direction. He could see lights popping on in houses. People yelling to keep it down.
That’s right. Let’s make a scene. If you’re going to try and kill or rob from me, you’re not going to get away with it easy. He acts like he trips and falls into a roll, glancing at the roof nightlines to get the image of a figure above.
Damn. I knew it. Scrambling back to his feet he allows the inertia to force him to take large steps, to hide the jogging pacing he was going as he attempted to “catch up” with himself.
Finally, he saw the marker he needed. An ornate torch showing that he was near the canal, meaning near the market place and the low-town bridge. At this point he stopped his stumbling act and ran to the nearest large building he could find. It was too high to easily be scaled and to his luck there was a empty stall and crates next to it.
Alright. Here I’ll have head protection and side protection. Enough space to move my staff in all directions I want.
In one final act “well I guess this will be a good place to rest for the night. Way too tired. Guess I might as well make a bed”.
Well, maybe I shouldn’t have just ran. But drunk people do things.
Luckily for him, there were some sacks of old food stuff, only good enough for horses and rabbits. He placed that to cover his sides and built a little mound of it ontop of the crates that were also behind. Now in his makeshift fortress he too a kneel, with back to wall and staff pointed out. If they came his way. There would be a fight. One that, while still placing him with his back to the wall, gave him the best protection and funneling of the enemy.
Let them come.
And then his vision became blurry. Was it the booze or ….