Free A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga) by J.T. Hartke Page B

the flour-dusted apron of his trade.
    Maybe I can have a drink with her later. I haven’t seen her since last I bought the bread myself. That’s been near a week.
    A nudge in his ribs jarred him.
    “Come on, dummy. It’s over.” Dawne giggled. “Let’s go get a drink on the Mootlawn.”
    His sister pulled him by the hand through the meandering crowd. The wealthy folk headed for parties at their estates or in private gardens. Most of the working people targeted the honeymead stand set up on the common grounds near the center of town. Some left for the fields. No serious farmer would waste a clear day this time of year if seed rested unsown. Most will leave the fields early and be at the Gryphon by evening. Then they’ll be late to work tomorrow…
    For the afternoon, however, the inn remained closed, and Tallen felt free to join his sister for a few mugs on the Mootlawn.
    “Alright,” he laughed, relenting and following her lead. “But only a couple. Glynn will need me later.” He eyed his little sister. She had never really known their father. “You would be helpful too.”
    “Why, I would be honored to sing in your inn tonight, Master Westar.” Dawne laughed and gave a quick curtsey. She rose and tugged his hand harder, her long, golden locks waving with her excitement. “But only after I have warmed up my instrument with a good libation first.”
    “That’s not exactly what I meant.” Tallen shook his head. He could not deny that her mood was infectious. “Perhaps I will join you for a song.”
    Dawne cackled. “In that case, we had better get several libations in you.”
    Tallen licked the creamy foam of the sweet mead from his lip. The traditional cow horns kept the frothy head to a perfect height. Before long, Tallen had emptied his twice. Dawne still sipped from her first.
    She nodded at his empty horn. “I thought I was the thirsty one.”
    “I was certain I would see Jennette here today,” Tallen said after a scan of the crowd. He recognized a few of the girls there, but the one he sought was nowhere to be found. “I saw her at the temple.”
    Dawne stood on tiptoes and cast her eyes about. “Don’t see her either.” She sat again and sipped her mead. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be seen.”
    Tallen shook his head. “Last week when I stopped by the bakery she told me she would find me here.”
    Dawne shrugged. “Then she will be here.”
    They both refilled their horns before strolling out toward the center of the Mootlawn, where a huge stack of logs and branches climbed to three times Tallen’s considerable height.
    He turned to Dawne. “I need to be back at the inn right after they set the bonfire. Glynn and Linsay will both be working, and I think Linsay’s sister starts tonight.” He gulped from his horn. The scent of pork roasted with herbs and garlic floated across the crowd. “Come on. Let’s get a chop. This mead makes me hungry.”
    Dawne pushed him toward the stand. “You’re buying.”
    The pork snapped between Tallen’s teeth, yielding a hot, salty juice that slid over his tongue. They sat together, eating and drinking until the sun began to fade from the sky. Most of the townsfolk, including many of the farmers who worked throughout the day, assembled for the lighting of the bonfire. Deep in the recesses of twilight, he finally saw her. Jennette moved along the edge of the crowd, darting back toward the warehouses at the south end of the Mootlawn.
    Tallen leaned toward his sister, eyes following Jennette as she slipped away. “I’m heading back to the inn a little early.”
    Dawne’s eyes popped open in surprise. “You’re not staying for the fire?”
    Tallen tilted his head toward the warehouses. “Jennette.”
    Dawne nodded with a knowing smile and a tip of her drinking horn.
    As he passed through the gathering crowd, his eyes caught another glimpse of Jennette’s long braid bouncing ahead, a pink and spring green ribbon tied around it. Everyone bunched