It was a chance meeting, started with lots of booze, jolly good fight with my pall Styrk (he reshaped my family jewels for good), great companion Folke that i cant match in drinking or nose longitude.
Well there was a lass, too young to wander around Inn with so many men that had no scruples in using such innocent creature. I would lie if say I am not that kind, I am, did very bad things in my life, very bad things.
All looked ill do just another bad thing that evening, with that lass. Folke was chuckling a little astonished by my boldness and lack of any honor when i approached to the lass that stood by the barrel, barrel was just a little shorter then the girl, her eyes were kind, and curly flaxen hair was just freely bouncing on her shoulders. I muttered something, trying to be smart, witty, her careful smile proved i still can make lasses smile.
That smile broke me, all of sudden thought came to me, she could be your daughter, perhaps she is your daughter who knows? Thirteen years old..no she cant be your daughter you were rampaging at east against some zealots of Rhudaur.
But that didn't make me less happy about myself, i noticed she is pretty, she will be a lovely lass if she would have better dresses or if she is eating more. Skinny kitten, she reminded me on skinny kitten eager to be cuddled and loved, just as she should, not used and starved. She must be orphan, i thought.
To Folke's surprise i picked her up on my shoulder, so feather light she was, and carried her outside. Few men cheered and i remembered their faces, ill deal with them later, few women and men gave me a scornful looks of disgust. Ill deal with them also, but later. First i had to take her out of that lair where she would be one day taken and violated, and made to be broken like many before. We men don't choose what is right, only what is usable to relive ourselves from this need. And when we are drunk our limits of on who we satiate our need are broken..seen it too many times.
Ah well i didnt drop her in fountain as i planed but i placed her to stand to me eye to eye while she looked at me confused. After all she hugged me tightly.
Yes, she is a starved kitten, i must not hurt the lass.
Folke was surprised, but he was pleased as he followed us outside. That says about a man more then I could know him for weeks or months. There is a solid man, still grasping for his honor, knowing what is right and what is wrong. I wont forget that frown when I approached the girl, I didn't miss it. Good, i know who i will pay a drink and have trust with.
Una, or Yarrow gave me more happiness then she would imagine, happy to care for this lost kitten, i asked her after a time if she would like for me to be her adoptive father, brother and friend. It took some time to speak with her aunt, notary and few concerned townsfolk that wanted to make sure i am not one of -those- that pray on young lasses cause of his own pleasure.
But i am, she brings me happiness that i am not alone on my own, to know i have someone to care for, to earn coin for her honest life.
I am so selfish.
Will she be happy with me as her foster-father? In home away from town, next to Adso's camp? I hope she will. I hope she will.
Now..i need to tell all of this to Haesel. She will murder me just with her look i am sure.
Yarrow and Rye
