The Green Dragon Inn - Part 6

[piosenniel]

Zimzi

‘Who is this?’ Zimzi stepped into the warm air of the common room, turning round a little to make sure the door had closed securely. Her eyes caught the small face pressed up against the Inn’s front window.

She stared stared at the child who peered round the room with hope dimming in his eyes. A boy, looking for someone, . . . no, a girl, with deep brown eyes and curls capped against her head from the recent rain.

She looked closer before the child startled and ran off. The sun caught the features of the child’s face as she turned.

No, not a man-child. She was short in stature as a child might be, but her face bore the features of one who has seen much and has suffered in some way. A long time on the road perhaps, she thought, noting the stained shirt, frayed at the edges and the raggedy breeches that flapped against the muscular arms and legs.

Zimzi moved quickly out the door to the verandah, intending to invite another obvious newcomer in. ‘My lady!’ she called, cupping her hands, round her mouth. No use, the small woman picked up her pace, running north and east from the Inn. Something clattered on the wooden planks as the Inn’s door shut behind her.

‘What’s this?’ she wondered, picking up the axe. The sun glinted off the copper and gold head. ‘Beautiful,’ she said, admiringly, rubbing a little dirt from the blade. Her finger slipped, a thin line of blood welling up in evidence to the sharpness of it. She sucked on her finger, pressing her tongue against the cut, as she turned the axe over. There, in a script she did not recognize, something was written.

Zimzi pushed her shoulder against the door and came back into the Inn gripping the axe securely in her hand. Scanning the room for Pio, she made her way toward her friend, and held the handle of the axe out toward her.

[ October 06, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]