Chapter ONE - Weebly

of pipe smoke and ale and stew. And as always,
stepping inside and being greeted by those aromas
made Ethan realize that he was famished.
He walked to the bar, searching for Kannice.
“HiEthan,” the burly barkeep said, running the
words together as always.
“Hi, Kelf.”
“Kannice’s in back. Wan’ me t’ get her?”
“Actually, no.” Ethan felt around in his pocket for a
pair of shillings and handed them to the man. “She
didn’t let me pay a couple of nights ago, and she won’t
tonight, either. So this is just between the two of us, all
right?”
“Course. What’ll ya have?”
“What’s the stew tonight?” Immediately he raised
his good hand, forestalling an answer. “Doesn’t matter.
I’ll have a bowl and an ale.”
“I’ll bring it t’ ya.”
“My thanks, Kelf.” Ethan walked to the back of the
tavern, winding his way past the usual crowd. Diver
wasn’t there, so he sat alone, as he often did, at an
empty table far from the door.