Eight
Things keep getting better.
"Dav," Curromo greeted me. "Hi," signaled Bemnie.
"Hi," I greeted them back.
"Is there cofftea in the pot?" asked Bemnie as they walked over.
"No, it's probably stewed by now, this is my second cup."
Curromo sat on my left hand while Xentha sat opposite, flashing me a nice smile. Bemnie walked on over and busied herself making a fresh cup.
"So where've you been to night," I asked as they settled themselves.
"The Bull. They had Kiria playing there," answered Curromo.
"Kenval was in earlier looking for you," I told them, then raising my voice."Bem, did you hear me?"
"Yes," came the reply. "Grepp told me earlier."
I turned back to them. "So, how good was Kiria tonight?"
I had no real interest but they were probably going to talk about it anyway so what the heck.
"She wasn't as good as last time," Curromo commented.
"I thought she was alright," Xentha put in.
She looked to the side of me. "Are you still wearing your sword?"
"What sword?" asked Curromo.
"He looked like one of those young merchant boys you see around," Xen said. "Sword dangling from his belt."
"It's in my room," I said.
"Can I see it?" asked Bem.
"It's on top of the panniers, against the wall at the bottom of the bed."
"Careful, it's quite sharp, especially the tip," I warned her as she walked across to my door.
She was inside for a short while.
"Dav," she said emerging with my sword in one hand and one of my panniers in the other. "You've got a bag full of aravig!"
"There's two, that was my main reason for visiting Bravermouth. It's for my father's nightcap."
She looked at the other two girls. "Don't you remember..., it was in potions?"
"Aravig," exclaimed Xen. "That herb that men take." Her hand flying to her mouth as she said it.
"Well come on, I don't remember," Curromo said almost simultaneously.
"It gives them four hour erections, an' he's got bags of it."
"How does it work?" asked Curromo.
"You boil it in a little water or wine and then he drinks it, in ten minutes he's as hard as a rock for four hours." Bemnie explained.
"That's a bit long," chipped in Xentha. "Is there a half strength?"
"I don't think so, I don't remember anything about one." Answered Bemnie.
I was listening with amazement as Bemnie carried it over and dropped it in the middle of the table. My father, the old goat, I wondered how often he used it, he was past twice my age and still going strong. No wonder mother and he still had a good relationship.
"Dav?" Bemnie asked. "Could you spare me twenty leaves?"
"Who're you going to prod?" asked Curromo.
"Grepp, I'm going to sneak it into his wine." She replied with a laugh. "Let him be magnificent for real for once."
"Oh, can I have some to get Kenval with as well, I'm going to leave him wanting more." Begged Curromo
Xentha laughed when she heard that, rolling back into her seat.
"Oh, the cofftea," Bemnie exclaimed and rushed off to rescue it.
Curromo leaned forward and pulled the panier to her, dipping her hand in to fish out the top package. She laid it on the table and opened it out.
"Not here," Xentha interrupted. "They may come in and see."
"Ah," she said scrunching it closed again. "I'll do it in Bem's room."
She got up and walked off. I stood and picked up the pannier and with a glance from Xentha took it back to my room. By the time I came back Bemnie had the cofftea on the table. I was still thinking of my foxy father as I resumed my seat.
I was sipping my drink when Curromo reappeared and quickly gave me back the refolded packet. I tucked it inside my jerkin
"Thanks," she said as she leant in a little with a big smile on her face.
She turned to Bemnie. "I've put both lots in the drawer of the bedside locker."
"Okay, thanks." Bemnie replied with a grin on her face as well.
I lay back in my seat and looked at the sword still on the table, it was mine in all but name, my father had 'lent' it to me for my first solo trip and I'd kept it since. I'd put in some time practicing with it before starting out.
Bemnie burst out with a chuckle. "We'll make it up tomorrow, catch the pair of them, you got any wine?"
"No, we'll have to get some." Curromo replied.
"I've got a bottle in my room if you want." I interrupted.
"Oh have you, that would be kind," Curromo said turning to me.
I stood and collected it from my bedroom, putting it on the table alongside my sword.
"Put it on," urged Xentha as my glance lingered on it.