The Tapestry

So many thoughts
So many dreads,
These things I feel,
Written in the threads.

Life is a tapestry,
Woven as you choose.
Unlike a horrid pattern,
There is nothing you can undo.

Can't erase the past,
One can only move on.
And try to change the pattern,
To something far gone.

How to change the fabric,
More choices yet to choose,
Pick wisely-
You have everything to lose.

-M.L. Groves

-

The Tavern was a waste of my time. I did not need a drink to sear my throat and nor did I need sustenance in the form of bread, smoked meats or anything else the wenches may have served me. I did not have need for a room to bed down, either.  The most the smokey room did for me was provide a place to sit with an atrocious smell and noise loud enough to make my head burst. Why was I even here? I had no way to explain it. I just was. One could say that it was time itself, pulling me by fate's strings that brought me to this forsaken, run-down building, but there was no need to say anything. I was here because I was and I hated every second of it.

Leaving was not an option. Not yet. I was waiting for something amidst the overzealous acts of the drunkards and bards that raised a ruckus loud enough to wake the spirits. Despite the agitation, I had trained myself to tune out all unnecessary noise so only the wench handing me a hot tankard of ale could reach me when needed. I didn't drink it.

One might ask why I would waste any bit of copper on a drink I would not partake. Even though I was covered by a wool hood, I was still a woman. Sitting in a corner, watching chaos would have brought attention to myself if I lowered the hood just to drink. That I did not want. Distractions would make me miss what I was looking for. The ale smelled rotten and my nose scrunched in distaste; its only purpose was to make me appear natural. I used it to my advantage.

My eyes surveyed the room, searching for a sign. I was still waiting and I would wait all night if I had to despite having no iota of what I was waiting for. Once more, this was something that I could not explain. I was here because I was here just as I was waiting because I was waiting. In time something would happen. It would happen because I was here. That's how it works. That's how it always worked.

It did work.

Amidst the giggling wenches, lusting men, screaming drunks, whistling bards and others here for a good time, a terrified shriek pierced the building. It silenced the entire room- which was a gift to my ears, but a sign to be alert. I shoved my ale aside and moved to the edge of my seat to watch the stairwell leading to the above rooms intently.

The shrill cry was connected to a woman, covered in a tunic too large for her body and her hair was as red as fire- a target to look at compared to the earthy hues of the room. She stumbled on the last step she took and garnered everyone's attention. The girl was covered in seat, panting and hunched over and many stared, unsure of what to do. I was already on the move and slowly slid from my seat.

"S-some one help me stop him!" She cried, quivering in fear before she collapsed to the floor just in time for the least inebriated man to dash forward to catch her. Her fear sounded real and it echoed through the crowd like a striking truth that boiled the blood of any man in the room. You could feel the anger rise as many assumed the girl's plight before she could explain herself. I cared not for these assumptions. Her voice screamed truth, but her body and eyes screamed fake. That was my cue- no mistake.

I crept through the crowd with relative ease while a small group of men began doting upon the girl to question her. My sharp ears caught everything. "Stop who? Wot's happenin' to ye?" Her answers did not come swiftly, instead she began to sob. It was a loud, obnoxious cry that was more then what it was. Her shoulders shook in time with her sobs, but no other signs of distress came forth. My eyes narrowed.

"H-he's co-coming!" Her voice gained a new octave as she gasped, blubbering and trembling against the men - who reddened at her lack of dress and seemed to enjoy the contact- while she struggled to continue. "I-I- I fought him off the best I could, please don't let him have me!" Her plea was met with the angry roars of the drunken crowd.

I had already found the perfect position in the midst of the crowd by the man made it down the stairs. He stumbled and twisted with each step he took and groaned as if barely conscious. With a hand to his head he swerved about the bottom of the stairs and looked about with hazy, confused eyes. He barely seemed to know what was happening and looked as frail and thin as the half-naked woman.

He didn't even make it through the entryway before she screamed once more and the consoling men sprang to action. With the ferocity only righteous anger and alcohol could bring about, they slammed him to the wall and proceeded to strike him in the ribs until the boy doubled over. He cried out in pain and didn't even try to defend himself. Instead, I watched as he curled into himself and backed away from the few who came after him

"Leave the pretty lass alone ye' piece o'filth!"

"She's too good fer a man like yoo to dirty her body!"

"Yer gonna regret comin' after her, bastard Yeh'll not e'en git th-chance to wake up when we're throo!"

The demands, threats and shouts of anger echoed around the men as they took to kicking at the boy instead. He made far too easy a target and the audience had circled around them as best they could in excitement as they shouted expletives and laughed. It was turning into a show that took all attention off the red-haired girl with every pitying cry the boy let loose. Soon, he began to cry, shouting out his innocence. They weren't wailing cries with racking shudders: they were actual dripping tears that ran down and stuck to his chin before they dripped to the floor. These did not feel fake.

The girl was backing out of the crowd and spectators surrounded her nicely as she went- blocking her from view as she made for the front doors. Her intention was clear. She was making her escape. The location I had chosen held true as she smoothly backed closer and closer towards my very position. Unlike the others, I did not move aside for her. The boy's plight wasn't my focus. With a flick of my hand, a dagger hidden in the folds of my sleeve had been pulled and I made my move.

She gasped and held stock still, fearful of the sudden blade prodding her back. The screams of laughter were deafening loud once more, but I only heard her. The shallow breathing, the confused huff and nervous twitch of her hands. Anxiety consumed her and I pressed closer to breath into her ear. The pressure of my blade stayed firm as I acted.

"Where are you going?"I asked quietly. She tilted her head, trying to look at me, but my hood covered my face and the sharp prod of my knife made her look away, effectively hiding myself.

"A-as far fr-from that man a-as possible. Y.. You heard what he did..." She stammered out with a sniff, just as quiet, but let loose a squeak when I prodded her again. "W..wouldn't you want to leave?"

I gave another sharp prod for good measure as I replied with silk in my voice, "Of course I understand, dear..." She let out a breath of air, but stiffened all the more and I continued, "Sadly, I doubt the others can when you've made them believe such a farce." Her hands now shook and she tried to face me once again, but my next prod was none too gentle and she cried out in pain. I let it break skin that time.

"What are you talking about?!" She asked shrilly, the terror creeping into her voice could not be hidden from me and I smirked. Finally, the fun was beginning.

"Oh, stop playing dumb and innocent." I ordered, stabbing again. I drew blood that time and her next cry succeeded in gaining the attention of a few others around us and they slightly turned from the spectacle.

"Is there something the matter, miss?" Of the of the Bard's asked, eying me warily from behind her, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact prod that distressed her. I lazily looked on and shrugged and he smiled reassuringly after being unable to discern anything more about me than a hooded stranger in a crowd. "It must be hard to still be in the same room as a man who tried to assault you miss, how about I take yo-"

My warning hiss and an even stronger jab made her legs spring forward as she yelped and grabbed the man's shoulders. "Stop them! Stop them right now! That man is innocent, he didn't do anything to me! Stop, stop, stop, stop it!"

Her shouts towards the bard slowly regained the attention of the room one by one and soon the cries from the boy died down. Satisfied, I turned on my heel and made my way towards the exit. My job was done. With a low grumble of confusion from the room, the girl continued to order the boy to be let go. Obviously perplexed, it was long before they began demanding an explanation. I was finally pushing the doors open when her words caught up with me.

"He-here's that man's wallet. I- I made it up, he didn't do anything. So.. so do what you want with me but keep that beast behind me away, please!" I wasn't facing them, but I could feel the eyes upon my back and that was enough to know I was revealed. No matter. I was surprised enough that she knew to call me such a thing, but beasts did not care when they are noticed. Nor did I.

Before I could be questions, I swung the door wide and walked out into the cold, night air. The occupants of the run-down building did not know enough to expect or understand anything and so they did not come after me. This had been my intent and I continued down the dusty road and prepared to leave the village I had only entered hours before. I would sleep in the woods tonight.

Oh, they may wonder how someone could tell she was lying or why such a person would even step in, but it was simple. I was not drunk, and she was a poor actor. Her skills at theft were less than profession and her luck ran out the moment time made me wait in that waste of space. It was as simple as that and as simple as it would ever be.

I was almost free of the stink coming from this small town when a recognizable shout stopped me. The man, limping and gasping for air as tears still stained his cheeks came after me, limping all the way. I observed him and he looked awestruck. His eyes assessed my covered form as he was unable to distinguish who or what I was, but the wallet in his hand was unmistakeable. Nor was the way he proffered it to me.

I huffed and turned away. I wasn't interested in  paltry gifts.

"You were the one she pointed to." He stated, and I regret that I stopped once more. "I don't know what you did, kind sir, but it was you she pointed to, wasn't it?" Ah. now it was a question. I did not answer and the silence seemed to consume him as he jangled the wallet loudly to break the still in the air. "Please. take this as my thanks. It's the least I can do."

Finally, I deigned to speak. "No. The least you can do is not let a whore trick your wallet off you."

I started off again and he sputtered before shouting earnestly, "Then why did you help me? What do you want? If it's not money what could you possibly want from me?  How can I thank you?"

Exasperated- I sighed, but did not stop this time. The dragging footsteps he made as he followed be echoed for a time, but he stopped after a few feet to groan in pain and frustration. I no longer needed to be here, my job was done, so I didn't even spare him a glance. Continuing the conversation would be pointless, but as I reached the treeline, I gave him only a few words.

"Nothing. I want nothing from you. That is enough."

He did not follow. Time pulled me on and my wanderings had yet to end. As it was is how it would always be for me. The girl thief and the foolish by would just forever remain a distant part of my memories; One more thread that spun the fabric woven in the tapestry of my life. Time and fate would ensure that I would gain many more. As I am it's slave, I was only obligated to follow.