Organization: Penn State University
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:28:26 EST
From: The Dreamer <ASG102@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Mista][L] Business as Usual


It had been a full week since the miracle of Mista's birth.  Serene had
taken to the nurturance of this child so naturally that many new patrons
assumed that this was the third bairn in Serene's care, not her very
first.  The raven black hair and wide smiles of the infant never ceased
to delight her mother;  Mista often reached up in her drowse to cling to
the auburn strands of her mother's ponytail: the two were obviously
taken with one another.

During the last few months before Mista's birth, Serene had designed the
baby's sling.  Now Mista rode cradled across her mother's chest and
belly, sleeping the blissful hours away while her mother worked.  They
took long breaks for feeding and play together, each wholly absorbed in
the wonder of the other.

Serne thought often on the years of her childhood.  Her twin sister had
added an element of surprise to the days, and someone whom Serene could
love firecely.  The understanding and language between Serene and her
sister were deeper than any Lutierne could find elsewhere.  Even through
the deepest fears and rages Serene could find her way to her twin's
tortured mind.  Her parents had provided such a model of love and
acceptance through those difficult years, and Serene sought hard to
emulate them now.

Thus the days progressed for the barmaid and the bairn, hours of work
and naps, cuddling and cooing, and of course the indulgent affection of
Mary, Rowan, and Bobby Littlefair, as well as of her doting Godfathers.

New folks came and went, mercenaries after stout, mystics seeking
cordials form warm climes, farmers looking for their well-deserved
draft.  The work filled Serene's activity while loving thoughts filled
her mind.  Her reverie was interrupted by an order for a Canterbury Dust
Mite.  Serene smiled - it had been several years since she had prepared
one - and she asked Littlefair if she might mix it herself.

Two parts of chilled vodka and a search for exotic mixers later, Serene
happily served that dusky drink to the stranger.  He was a handsome man
with a cool smile of white teeth and finely scuplted features.  His smaller
than average height was compensated for by his muscular frame.  None the less,
his eyes held a cunning coldness that made Serene uneasy.

"Thank yee for the drink.  These are hard to find in poorer parts of the
Known Lands and I get SUCH a thirst."  His words, coated with social grace,
also held some more base meaning.

"You are quite welcome, as are all strangers to the Dragons Inn."  The words
left Serene's mouth, but she did not feel their meaning with this man.

Perhaps it was time to feed the little one.  Mista was wriggling and
fussing with an expression of extreme discomfort.  The stranger shot her
a quick look accompanied by a frown of displeasure.

"Beg pardon, sir, she's just a bairn and we're off for a snack,"  Serene
tossed her ponytail and pulled away from the table so as to not distress
the apparently quick-tempered patron further.

A dozen mugs and two pitchers for the seventh corner crowd - one of
Catamount Gold, one of Amber - and Serene was ready to take the order
from the mystics' table.  She passed close by the stranger sipping his
Canterbury Dust Mite and Mista fussed again, this time with a healthy
cry.

"Ill tempered whelp you have there Miss.  Perhaps it needs a proper
nap.  A bar is no place for a child Miss, take it from one who knows."
The stranger said followed by a dry humorless laugh.

Serene ignored the comment and went on a search for more pleasant company.
---------

Text by: Serene Uhtsong
*minor* editing by: The Dreamer
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn