The White Horse

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The door to the White Horse opened, bringing a breath of spring into the room. With a smile on her lips, a woman entered, her cloak thrown loosely about her shoulders. Though it was late afternoon, the sun still shone vigorously, and most of the inhabitants and visitors of the city were outside. Annawyn walked over to the Innkeeper and greeted her warmly.

“Good day, Bethberry! How nice to see you!”

“Annawyn! You have made your presence rare here of late!” Bethberry exclaimed.

“Indeed,” the guest sighed, “these past weeks have been very busy. With the coming of spring, all the ladies of the king’s household seem to want new dresses, and the maidens and I have been working hard to finish them. The complicated work is done now, and they can sew hems and seams by themselves. I need to see something else for a change. Do you have one of your wonderful little cakes for me, and a cup of tea to go with it?”

“Of course,” the Innkeeper answered. “Better yet, I have some time to sit down with you before the evening’s guests come in.”

“Wonderful!” Annawyn smiled. “Tell me, what has been going on in the city – I long for a little news, even gossip, if you have some for me.”