[The X Phial]

The last light of the sky was leaking away as Aldhelm's cart pulled into the forecourt of the White Horse. His apprentice, Deol, jumped down from the bench and waved to what looked like a new stable hand. Together they went to the back of the cart and began unloading bags of new-ground flour. Aldhelm smiled at the boy's eagerness. It was clear he wanted to get work out of the way and start enjoying the inn. At 16 he was old enough to deal with the delivery aspect of the job himself, and Aldhelm felt no qualms at letting him. After all, the miller had paid his dues with his own father at 16.

The fair-haired man made his way to the door and inside. It was clear the party was winding down and it was time for the telling of tales. Aldhelm was not overly tall, though he was well built after years of hard work at the mill, and when the eyes of the crowd turned to look at the interruption he wished he was smaller still. The music did not cease, however, and he was quickly ignored by all but the people he knew in the crowd. He saw Laevin, the blacksmith, wave to him through the assembly, and sat down at the man's table with a smile.

"Ah, my friend, I see you have decided to join the revelries tonight," he said, grinning broadly. "I am glad to see you, for my waterwheel is in need of a new, thicker, shaft. I will be adding a new set of millstones soon."

"Aye," the blacksmith nodded back at him. "Bring me the measurements and I'll get to work on it next week."

Aldhelm nodded to the other man at the table, well-dressed but looking rather dour. He got no response but a nod in return and decided to wait a bit before asking after him. Perhaps after an ale.

As if anticipating his thought, Mia was at his elbow. He ordered an ale for himself and a punch for Deol, and enquired after a bit of supper as well, slipping a silver piece to Mia. She winked back at him.

"I'm sure we can find you something, miller," she commented, then hastily added, "And something for the boy, of course."

Aldhelm watched her wind her way back to the kitchen and stifled a yawn. The inn was warm and dark, and he was tired after his ride into the city.

"Took your time getting here, didntcha," Laevin commented drily.

"Ah, Laevin, you know how it is. I normally don't deliver until tomorrow, and I had a time convincing the wife there was enough flour made to make the trip worth our while. She's a bit jealous, you see, since she can't be coming into town until the babe is born. She knows I have to go, though, and doesn't really begrudge me the chance to see the inn at party time. Her conditions, of course, are that I get a day of milling in first, and that I bring back one fine tale, one fine dessert, and one fine greeting from the Innkeeper."

"You let that woman order you around a good deal."

Aldhelm laughed, "And so shall you, when you are married, my friend."

The ale arrived, and a promise of a cold supper, and Aldhelm lost himself for a moment in the tale, barely noticing when Deol took a seat next to the stranger and the food arrived. He was recalled to himself when he heard the stranger mutter to Deol something about him being lucky to have a job at the mill.

"Why, you can have one, too," said Aldhelm, "if you don't mind a hard day's work. I was hoping to find a ready man soon. I am adding new millstones and will need extra help. Edoras keeps growing, and the mill grows with it. You're a bit old for an apprentice, mind, but I don't doubt there will be work enough for a willing man. We'll do the improvements over the next few months and we'll need aid to have it ready by the time the fall harvest comes around."

The stranger seemed taken aback, and Aldhelm gave him some time to ponder it.

"Now," he wondered aloud to Laevin, "where is that innkeeper? I have a gift of honey from my wife's hive for her. The daughter collected it this afternoon. I hope I can catch her before I leave for home."

[ July 09, 2003: Message edited by: The X Phial ]