Finder's Bane - Kate Novak [15]
While most of the dalesfolk had seen fit to ignore him, one, a giant of a man seated in a chair to Joel's right, fixed his gaze on the bard's every move. At first Joel just glanced up at the man between mouthfuls of stew and bread. The watcher had the sort of appearance Joel had expected from the legendary Rebel Lord. The man's crossed arms were like tree trunks. His chest, clad in scaled armor, could have served a small room as a wall. The long black braid hanging down his back bristled with silvered spikes. His thick beard framed a permanent scowl. One eye was covered with a steel eye patch, while the other eye, sheathed below a sullen brow, glared daggers at the bard.
Unable to stand the examination without answering it somehow, Joel ventured, "This is really good food."
The huge man did not respond.
"You have a very good cook here," the bard added.
The huge man remained impassive and as silent as stone.
Joel took a swallow of ale, then tried again. "Lord Randal has been a most gracious host."
Unexpectedly, the scowl deepened on the huge man's face, and Joel began to feel oppressed by the silence.
"Yes, sir," the bard said as he served himself thirds, "this is really good food."
Although the lack of conversation left Joel with nothing to do but eat, he restrained himself from taking a fourth serving. Shortly thereafter, Kharva came by to reward him with another flagon of ale and the promised dessert-fresh strawberries in cream. "First of the season," the dwarf informed him with a smile, letting him know how privileged he should feel.
After polishing off the berries, Joel slumped back in Randal Morn's chair with his flagon of ale and turned his attention to the bowlers, pointedly ignoring the big man on his right. Finally Joel caught sight of Holly and Morn. Morn had stopped to speak with one of the ninepins bowlers, but he kept Holly by his side, including her in their conversation.
Holly had changed from her blood-spattered wool outfit to an ornate yellow and crimson robe of silk, embroidered with blue and green peacock feathers, very much the style of a follower of Lathander. In Morn's company, she seemed older somehow. Perhaps it was the intense look of concentration she wore as she listened to the Rebel Lord speak, or the respectful way Morn listened in turn when she spoke. Whatever it was, Joel realized he'd been very lucky in his choice of damsels in distress. The bard rose as Holly and Morn approached his table, but Morn waved for him to be seated, taking the seat to Joel's left, across from the huge man who had kept a silent, scowling watch on his guest.
"Has Bear here been keeping you company?" Morn asked, indicating the huge man with a nod of his head.
"Rarely have I found so riveting a conversationalist," Joel replied, straight-faced.
Randal blinked for a moment, then grinned. "Aye. Once you get him started, there's no stopping him."
"And knowledgeable!" Joel placed a hand flat against the table, "Why, I never knew there were so many naughty limericks involving Elminster."
Randal Morn chuckled, but Bear remained as impassive as if he'd been carved in stone.
"Bear's a good man," the lord stated. "His job is to trust no one, so that I might still trust a few. His distrust has saved my life more than once in these hazardous times," Morn explained, nodding his gratitude to the huge man. Then he turned his attention back to Joel. "Harrowslough tells me you're a bard, schooled in the western colleges."
"Berdusk," replied Joel, "but I've broken with their traditional methods."
"I fancy myself fairly accomplished in music," Morn said, reaching for a lute by the fire. "Would you do me the honor of accompanying me?"
Joel was accustomed to singing for his supper, though it was unusual