Page 23 of Blood Weaver
That night, I considered attending the lantern festival on my own to see if I might bump into Caelan, even though I promised Selene I’d spend it with her. But after the draining experience I’d had earlier in the day, I just wasn’t in the mood. After dispatching a messenger to deliver a message to Selene that I wouldn’t be at the Rose Petal, I found myself at the tavern nursing my second bottle of wine.
The Twisted Oak Tavern was bursting with old-world charm. It was named after a large, gnarled oak tree that stood in the center of the tavern, which the proprietors claimed to be over five centuries old. The building was constructed with dark brown oak planks that had aged to a weathered gray over the years. The thatched roof kept the heat in as a stone chimney belched out comforting tendrils of smoke into the night.
Inside, the amber glow from strategically placed lanterns illuminated the cozy space, making the shadows dance in rhythm to the soft hum of conversation. At one end stood a grand hearth with a roaring fire, the flames licking at the dry wood and crackling merrily. Above the fireplace hung a large,hand-painted sign of the tavern’s namesake – the twisted oak – with its roots and branches intertwined in a complicated dance.
The tavern was filled with long, sturdy wooden tables and benches, and a makeshift stage for live performances was situated on the opposite end of the room from the fireplace. The scent in the air was a comforting mix of roasted meat, freshly baked bread, and the unmistakable tinge of various ales and wines. The bar stretched along one entire wall. Crafted from polished cherry wood, gleaming bottles of all shapes and sizes were lined up behind it.
Patrons of the Twisted Oak were a diverse lot – from tired travelers seeking solace and rest, to local villagers catching up on the day’s gossip. The general atmosphere was that of camaraderie and relaxation, with bursts of laughter echoing every so often.
I sat in a dimly lit corner away from the bustle, with a clear view of the entrance. Occasionally my eyes flicked to the dancing flames in the fireplace, which seemed to reflect my tumultuous emotions. The wine bottle in front of me was my solace for the night; a temporary means to escape the complexities life had thrown my way.
My heart was heavy. Even amidst the comforting hum and warmth of the tavern, I was encompassed by solitude. It wasn’t just the revelation about my past with Caelan or my chance meeting with Ronan, it was the overwhelming weight of secrets, unspoken emotions, and uncharted paths that lay ahead.
Every sip of wine provided a temporary reprieve, a momentary pause from the myriad thoughts that threatened to overwhelm me. My fingers occasionally traced the rim of my glass as my mind played a melancholic tune on repeat.
The Twisted Oak was a refuge for many, a place to lose oneself in good company or a strong drink. But for me, tonight,it was a mirror to my soul: warm and inviting on the surface, yet concealing a depth of pain and introspection.
My cheeks were rosy and flushed from all the drinking and my head was woozy, but I wasn’t ready to stop. I tossed back another cup of wine and stared at the ceiling for a beat or two before waving over a server and asking for a third bottle of wine.
“Leila, maybe you’ve had enough,” Amelia, the server said as she collected the two empty jugs of wine I’d already polished off.
“I’m perfectly fine,” I slurred as I continued to stare at the ceiling. “Bring me another.”
“Leila, please,” Amelia whispered. “I don’t want to have to send a messenger to the Rose Petal.”
I straightened and stared her down. “I saidbring me another!”
She sighed and walked away, although she didn’t confirm whether she would bring me more wine or not.
In my drunken haze, the weight of the tavern’s surroundings seemed to bear down on me. Clinking mugs, the low hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter formed a cacophonous symphony around me. Each sound felt amplified, echoing my inner turmoil. The distant strumming of a lute from a bard in the corner added a somber melody to my already heavy heart.
Amelia returned shortly, but instead of another jug of wine, she set a pitcher of water down in front of me with an apologetic smile. “No more wine. I’ve sent a message to Selene to pick you up.”
I scoffed and turned away from the water as Amelia walked away to another table. If I couldn’t get more wine here, I’d go somewhere else.
I dropped coins onto the table and stood, wobbling on my feet from the sudden movement. The world swayed and the bustling noise of the tavern grew louder, mounting on the edgesof what promised to be a truly horrendous headache. Taking a deep breath, I gripped the table's edge to steady myself and cautiously waited for the room to come back into focus. I took a few tentative steps and tried to maneuver my way out, but the worn floorboards were unsteady beneath my feet, like a shifting labyrinth that made every step feel like a challenge.
A few patrons eyed me with a mix of concern and amusement. A pair of old men playing dice in the corner whispered something to each other and chuckled, no doubt commenting on my inebriated state. The smell of roasting meat from the tavern's kitchen wafted over and suddenly, my stomach lurched.
Stumbling the last few steps to the entrance, I pushed the wooden door open and felt instant relief when the chilled night air washed across my face, a stark contrast to the warm, heady atmosphere inside the Twisted Oak. The sensation sobered me up a little, but not enough for what was ahead.
I hesitated for a moment on the threshold, taking in the moonlit cobbled streets and distant chatter from the ongoing lantern festival.
“Well, isn’t this a surprise!” a voice said. A man approached and took my elbow to steady me.
I turned and squinted, surprised to see Orion. I groaned. “What doyouwant?”
He laughed. “Nothing in particular, but you seem to be in need of aid.”
I pulled away from him and stumbled. “I don’t need your help!”
He snorted. “It looks like you do, dear. Come on, let’s get you home.”
Lacking the energy to fight him, I allowed him to lead me out of the Twisted Oak and guide me down the street towards my clinic. With every step we took the crowd dwindled, but the softglow of an array of lanterns continued to illuminate our path. The festival was a kaleidoscope of colors, each lantern telling a story of wishes and dreams. But with my blurred vision and foggy mind, the beauty of the scene was lost on me.
Orion's grip was firm yet gentle as he ensured I didn't trip over the uneven cobblestones. There was a sense of security in his grasp, one I begrudgingly appreciated, though I would never admit it.
“You don’t have to do this,” I muttered, my words slightly slurred.
