BOOK & BELL| AFTER DARK
“It might be, but I think it’s all we have to play at the moment.” He said softly, leaning on his hand as his elbow came to rest on his knee. The Assassin looked away with a curse, glancing at the galdor with a narrowing of her gaze, before storming away to bang on the trap door that led up to behind the bar. Turning to lean nonchalantly against a barrel of mead, the woman tsked.
“Says the golly. I could have taken Azmus out of the picture months ago, but he promised us a payoff if we just waited. What pay off? The death of hundreds of men, women and children at the hands of corrupt galdori? Or the blame being thrown at the Resistance, with people genuinely believing it?” The magical being that stood in the darkness sighed, pulling his warm burgendy jacket closer and tucking his hands into his pockets.
“I assure you Miss Pierre, the time is rapidly approaching. We need this to let their guard down. Then, and only then, do we stand a chance.” The Wisp crossed her arms, leaving any further conversation on the dusty floor.
Above them, Stu stood behind the bar, wiping mugs clean and drawing drinks for his patrons. His large nose was at a slight angle, not quite healing correctly since the torture he endured at the gaol. His dark eyes scanned the room, and his large frame seemed to hold a sense of fight that hadn’t been there before. At the bang on the door under his feet, the human looked to Ginny and nodded. Across the tavern, the red haired teenager nodded back, putting down drinks at their respective tables and weaving her way through the crowd.
“I believe there’s a cool drink o’ water waitin’ f’ye at the bar.” The wick said quietly as she reached one of the patrons, a girl with raven hair and steel blue eyes, the moment so quick Ginny was already moving away to the other tables. She collected various plates and mugs along the way, pausing by another woman with raven curled hair and eyes like a pool of desire.
“At the bar. Cool drink o’ water f’ ye. Ask th’ big guy there.” The words were barely a breath as she glided past the woman.
Both women would have received messages the day prior. A summons left in their homes, though no one had entered to their knowledge. A simple note written in a simple hand that merely said Book and Bell. Tomorrow night. They would know what it was..
Sliding up to the bar, the short witch put down her tray and wiped her hands on her apron, looking at the sturdy man who stood there.
“Ent safe doin’ this right now Stu. There’s uncles everywhere.” Her green eyes flicked to the door and back again, as though she half expected a Seveten to burst in on their chrove and eat everyone there. The man grunted and looked down at his mugs.
“Ain’t our place to question him Ginny. Just our place to follow him. He’ll get us through, he always does.” The red head scowled, taking a few of the full mugs waiting on the bench and smacking them down too hard on her tray.
“After everythin’ ye still put ye faith in him. After everythin’ that happened.” She growled, muttering to herself as she moved away to serve the rest of the patrons.