The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (12 page)

Brock glanced toward Tipper. The girl was clearly affecting him as well. He watched her backside as she walked into the kitchen.

Ren asked,
“
Have you guys ever had ale?
”

Tipper replied,
“
No. The owner of the tavern we frequent won
’
t serve us ale. She says we don
’
t need our brains addled until we
’
re older. Although, she never did say how old we needed to be.
”

“
Hank loved ale. He let me have a mug from time to time.
”
Ren sat upright.
“
I want to order a mug of ale to toast to Hank. Will you guys join me?
”

Without a glance at Tipper, Brock responded,
“
We
’
d be honored, Ren. We owe our lives to Hank.
”

The kitchen door swung open, and Meg emerged with three steaming bowls of stew. She placed them on the table along with half a loaf of bread.

“
Careful, boys. It
’
s hot.
”

She stood, flipping her hair over her shoulder and teasing it with her right hand as she spoke. The pale skin of her neck was making Brock
’
s heart beat fast again.

She looked at Brock as she spoke.
“
So, what will it be, boys? Do you know what you want?
”

Did she notice he was staring at her? Was she aware of how she was affecting him?

Brock stammered,
“
Umm. What do you mean?
”

“
What do you want to drink?
”
She smiled again.
“
I know the place isn
’
t packed, but I don
’
t have all day.
”

Ren saved him.
“
Three ales, please. We want to toast to Hank
’
s memory, Meg.
”

She nodded.
“
Three ales it is. Be right back.
”
She shot another glance at Brock before heading back to the kitchen.

With Meg away from the table, his brain began to function again. Remembering something, Brock reached dug into his pack and pulled out a wide-brimmed hat.

“
I saved this for you, Ren. I think Hank would want you to have it,
”
Brock said.

Moisture reappeared in Ren
’
s eyes as he stared at the hat. He put it on his head and wiped the tears away.

“
Thanks guys. This means a lot to me. I
’
m so happy you brought it.
”

Meg returned from the kitchen, setting three ales on the table before sliding onto the bench next to Ren. She leaned forward, speaking in a low voice.

“
We heard that a whole family was murdered by a banshee up near Hawk
’
s Landing last fall. Their bodies were torn and mutilated. They say banshees are giants and have the strength of ten men. I guess few see one and live to tell about it. Until last fall, I thought they were only a myth.
”

Meg gazed into Brock
’
s eyes.
“
How did you live to tell about it? What was it like?
”

Brock
’
s tongue was tied. Her large green eyes were affecting him as much as the rest of her.

Tipper saved him by responding.
“
It was horrible. It was huge and disgusting. The banshee wailed like nothing you
’
ve ever heard. It hurt our ears just to be near it.
”
Holding his hands to his ears for affect, he then lifted his hand high above his head.
“
It was twice as tall as me, maybe taller. The evil in the creature
’
s heart reflected in its blood-red eyes. It had long claws on its hands, sharp as knives. It stunk like rotten meat. It was a nightmare.
”

As he finished, the haunted look had returned to Tipper
’
s eyes. His eyes glazed over as unbidden memories returned.

Brock had recovered enough to speak.
“
Hank distracted the banshee by shooting it with his crossbow so Ren could flee with the wagon. But the crossbow barely slowed the monster. Somehow, Hank was able to lure it to the cliff. They both went over the edge.
”
His voice quieted as he relived the moment.
“
We ran to the edge to look, but we saw nothing. It was so far down. Nothing could survive that fall.
”

The table was quiet. It was a somber moment.

Ren lifted his mug in the air.
“
To Hank. He was a fine man with a big heart.
”

Brock and Tipper lifted their mugs, clinking them together for the toast.
“
To Hank.
”

Bubbles tingled Brock
’
s tongue and throat as the first drink went down. A slightly bitter after-taste followed.

Meg stood and smoothed her skirts.
“
Sorry boys, but I do have other customers.
”
She surveyed the room. She looked back, directing a smile at Brock.
“
Don
’
t worry though. I
’
ll be back soon to attend to your needs.
”

Meg left to wait on four men seated at a table across the room.

Ren took another drink, smiling afterward.
“
Ah. It
’
s good stuff. I wasn
’
t too fond of ale the first time I tried it, but it grows on you. What do you guys think?
”

Brock swallowed a second drink from his mug, wiping foam from his lips as he responded,
“
I like it a lot already. If it gets better, I could be in trouble.
”

They all laughed. It felt good to laugh.

CHAPTER 16

Brock opened his bleary eyes. A thin slice of sunlight was cutting through the room, lighting the wall near the bed. His head hurt something fierce. The bright bit of sun seemed to stab at his eyes, making the throbbing more intense.

He turned his head to find a mess of red hair resting on his chest. Realizing he had no shirt on, he felt around to find he still wore his smallclothes. At least he wasn
’
t naked.

His movement caused Meg to stir. She lifted her head and looked up at him. Her hair was tousled and eyes heavy, her long eyelashes sweeping the air as she blinked. He thought she looked gorgeous.

“
G
’
morning sweetie,
”
she said.
“
How do you feel?
”

Brock brought his hand to his head, covering his eyes.
“
It feels like my head is going to explode.
”

Meg laughed.
“
You boys were going through mugs of ale like you were on a mission to empty the whole keg.
”
She reached toward the nightstand, her hand returning with a pewter mug.
“
Here, drink this. It should help.
”

He looked at the mug.
“
No thanks. I don
’
t need any more ale,
”
he groaned.
“
I don
’
t think I
’
ll ever drink that stuff again.
”

She laughed.
“
Silly. It
’
s water. Drinking water is supposed to help after you
’
ve had too much ale.
”

Brock lifted his head and took the mug.
“
I
am
thirsty. Water sounds good.
”

He took a long drink and then another. After a breath, he took one last drink and emptied the mug.

Meg set the mug on the nightstand before resting her head on his chest, nestling up to his neck. He felt her warm breath on his skin. She lightly raked her fingers across the ripples of his stomach, drawing random shapes.

Brock enjoyed the attention and warmth Meg was sharing. It felt wonderful to have this pretty girl lying beside him. Her hair smelled good. Lying on a soft bed felt great. He decided if his head would stop pounding, this would be perfect.

His eyes closed as he tried to remember the events of the prior evening.

The three boys drank together, with Ren telling stories of Hank. The ale was good. The more he drank, the more he wanted. Meg kept coming to the table to join the conversation. Eventually, the other tables emptied, and Meg joined the boys for good. Somehow, she ended up on Brock
’
s lap, her arm around his shoulders.

Things became foggy after that. He remembered kissing Meg, her lips feeling warm and soft. He vaguely recalled going upstairs, his hand in hers as she pulled him along. He couldn
’
t remember anything else.

Meg lifted her head from his chest. His eyes opened to find her staring at him, smiling. She leaned close and kissed him, her soft lips lingering for a moment before pulling away.

Regret reflected in her eyes.
“
I have to get up now. Our guests need someone to serve them breakfast. The cook should have it prepared by now, but someone still has to serve it.
”

Brock had to ask her a question. He needed to know what happened.
“
About last night
…
did we
…
um
…
you know?
”

She laughed again.
“
No, sweetie. When you told me you
’
d never been with a girl, I decided it wouldn
’
t be fair to take advantage of you
…
considering your condition.
”

She climbed out of bed and stretched; her chest thrust out as she lifted her arms and arched her back. Striking that pose in her thin shift aroused him instantly.

Meg stepped over to the vanity. Using a large bowl of water, she wet a cloth and used some soap to wash her face, neck, and under her arms.

“
This is your room?
”
Brock asked as he turned to observe the surroundings.

It was a small room with a single door and a window. The bed was barely large enough for two. A nightstand, vanity, and a wooden chest were the only other items of note.

“
Yes,
”
Meg replied.
“
If you
’
re wondering about Tipper, he
’
s sharing the room that Ren normally shared with Hank.
”
She paused, considering something.
“
I think Ren was happy to have company last night. I don
’
t think he was ready to be alone after what happened.
”

She set the cloth down, picked up a brush, and began to tame her wild mane of red hair.

Watching Meg go through this ritual while she was wearing her shift aroused him even further. She was so beautiful.

Meg reached into the wooden chest and grabbed a dress. She put her legs through and pulled it up. After sliding her arms through, she stepped next to the bed with her back facing him.

“
Will you button me up, please?
”

Brock sat up, his head spinning as he did. He swung his legs off the bed, pulling the blanket over his lap to cover his smallclothes. When he secured her last button, she turned and cupped his cheeks with her hands while planting a kiss on his lips.

“
I hope you weren
’
t offended by my being so forward last night.
”
Meg gazed into his eyes.
“
I don
’
t see many boys my age and I feel
…
so lonely sometimes.
”

“
How could I possibly be offended?
”
Brock replied.
“
You
’
re absolutely stunning. Any boy would be thrilled to have your attention.
”