Free The Fragile Fall At Tallow Bridge (The White Blood Chronicles Book 1) by Mark G Heath

inside of it, especially as he knew she would be in the bar below, but he lacked the agility to make a prompt escape if disturbed and would have to leave such covert exploring until later. He did however, venture over to the door and the pleasant smell of her scents was perceptible even from outside.
                  As he turned away from the door, he heard another door open and onto the landing stepped a smaller man dressed in russet and dark green. His clothing denoted some degree of wealth and he carried a fine-looking hat in his hand. The man had short-cropped brown hair and Thaindire noticed a large silver hooped earring in his left ear. Several of his fingers bore rings, the gemstones glinting in the lantern light, which lit the landing.
    “ Good morning,” greeted the man as he passed Thaindire.
    “ Good morning,” responded Thaindire as he watched the stranger descend the stairs and disappear from view. Thaindire’s descent was far slower as he made his way down the two-stage staircase. He could hear sounds of activity as he finally emerged from the stairs into the main area of the tavern.
                  To his right was an open seating area, which was awash with tables and chairs. The far wall held a large fireplace where he observed Thomas Dromgoole stacking cut logs beside it. He had his back to Thaindire as he methodically placed the dried out wood in a pile. Above the fireplace was a mirror, which resulted in the room looking even larger. He could see the black chandelier reflected in it, a few of its many candles already lit. A number of windows, lead surrounding the smaller frames of glass ran along the other wall until they reached the door. A sturdy looking door with a small window in it was closed. A heavy handle and lock apparent. Thaindire doubted if the tiny man he had seen last night could have opened that portal without assistance.
                  Across from Thaindire was the bar. A number of stools were placed before it and behind it he could see the various kegs of ale balanced on trestles. The smell of ale pervaded and he found himself running his tongue over his lips. Benjamin Dromgoole was busy wiping down then smooth, wooden top of the bar before he looked up and noticed Thaindire.
    “ Well Master Thaindire, the heavens be praised, you are up on your feet,” he remarked.
    “ I am, thanks to you and your daughter,” replied Thaindire.
    “ Oh think nothing of it,” answered the publican. “ Er, I am not serving just yet but if you want to wait,” he commented.
    “ Ah no, I am fine, thank you. I was due to meet your daughter here, she said she would show me the village,” explained Thaindire.
    “ Katie!” bellowed Dromgoole, “ Master Thaindire is waiting for you.”
    His daughter appeared from a doorway away to the left. Thaindire noticed that she had changed from the attire that she had been wearing when she served him breakfast. She wore a long dress coloured a light green and about her shoulders was a dark green cloak. In keeping with her usual dress style, it clung in a fitted fashion to her upper half, cupping her ample breasts and affording an enticing view of cleavage, before gripping down over her flat stomach to her slender waist and then out over her hips and down to the ground. Thaindire noticed the slash in the fabric either side so that when she walked, a cutaway revealed the toned calves and thighs beneath. Thaindire glanced up and saw that Dromgoole had caught him regarding his daughter. The landlord gave a small smile before turning to the keg behind him. Kathryn approached and ushered Thaindire towards the door.
                  The pair stepped out onto the village square. Thaindire took a deep breath of the fresh air, revelling in its sweet tang. Having been tucked away in the stuffy room he was glad of the cold air as he took in deep lungfuls. He gave a slight shiver having left the relative warmth of the