A few hours walk later the pair came across what you would loosely describe as a road, it was mainly just two muddy lines where wheels had not allowed the grass to take root. They followed the path until they reached a break in the trees that opened up to an unrestricted view of a settlement, built upon a hill, Stone walls backed by large wooden posts surrounded the town, the tops of the posts had been had been brought to a point. A large gateway was at the end of their muddy path, guarded by two men in leather armour, pikes at their sides.

  ‘Wow’ Ash said ’I’m going to see my first fantasy city’

  ‘I doubt it’ quipped Alastair nodding the guards as they opened the gates ’This is neither a city nor anything close to a fantasy’

  The first thing that hit Ash was the decrepit houses, ramshackle buildings held aloft by the sheer will of the denizens not to be exposed to the elements, the second thing that hit him was the smell, like rotten food, sewage and livestock mainly because that is indeed what the place consisted of.

  As they walked through the streets little better than the muddy tracks leading to the place, people ambled by in dirty or tatty clothes that Ash thought of as burlap chic, they came to a square that opened up the cramped feeling walking along the lanes gave, looking around there were various stalls selling their wares from meats to fabrics.

  It reminded Ash of the Sunday markets of his local town always bustling with people yelling and crowds undulating this way and that. Alastair continued through the crowd making their way to a building bigger but no less run down than the rest. Alastair swung the door open and they walked into a bar, the room illuminated by candles and a stone fireplace. The raucous crowd did not even notice the two newcomers as they made their way up to the barkeep.

  He was a rotund man, thinning hair, but a rosy red glow emanated from his chubby cheeks and his nose, under which sat a matted brown moustache.

  ‘Good Afternoon landlord, my friend and I require room and board for the evening’ Said Alastair in a refined voice

  ‘One moment gents, the Landlord finished pouring a drink and setting it on a tray. A young woman no older than seventeen came to the bar and lifted the tray.

  ‘Its for Freds table, see if they’d like any food while they’re here love’ Said the man

  ‘Yes father’ she responded in a sing song voice.

  ‘Well then gentleman, my name is Burt, how may I be of assistance?’ Said the man slinging a dishcloth over his shoulder.

  ‘Greeting Master Burt, we are in need of lodging and provisions for the evening’ said Alastair

  ‘Certainly, gentleman certainly, I have a few rooms available, but the one I would recommend for discerning gentleman of your calibre will be 1 silver per night, and 3 coppers each for dinner served after sundown’ Burt smiled

  ‘I’ve got this’ said Ash reaching into his satchel and laying down 2 silver coins ‘Could I get two waters as well please, we’ve had a long walk’

  ‘Water?’ said Burt curiously ‘I’d more so recommend one of our fine ales sir, made to quench the thirst of upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves’

  Alastair looked are at the patrons of the bar and replied ‘As you say good sir, two Ales’

  As Burt moved over to the cask Alastair whispered to Ash ‘Ale is probably cleaner than the water here, you’ll be less likely to choke on any lumps’ he smiled

  They were directed to sit in over in a corner booth, a time worn, beer stained wooden table sat between them and soon enough the young lady danced over tray in one hand weaving in and out of the patrons.

  ‘Here we are gentlemen, two fresh ales, is there anything else I can get you two?’ Asked the girl

  ‘Would you like something to eat Ash?’ asked Alastair

  ‘Sure, can I get a menu?’ Ash said

  ‘I’m sorry sir, I’m not too sure what that is, if you like I can check with the cook?’ the woman said awkwardly smiling.

  ‘Right of course not, erm, what would you reccomend?’ Ash fumbled

  ‘Currently we have cured meats and cheese and some fresh baked bread, cooks getting ready for the dinner rush you see’ The woman said

  ‘Just the one lunch for my friend and directions for me if you would be so kind’ said Alastair ‘ I am in a need to find the person in charge of this fort and I need to acquire a swifter means of travel to Andover’

  ‘Well, there are merchants heading back and forth every day, mayhap you can barter a ride with one of them’ She smiled with her teeth but not the rest of her face ‘The man in charge of this keep and its lands is Lord Victor Renwick’

  ‘Thank you my lady’ Alastair said laying a few coins on her tray

  ‘If you are needing anything else sirs my name is Elody, it’s like Melody but without the M, my Dad likes to say he saves money anytime he has my name stitched into anything’ She giggled, curtsied and sashayed her way back through the crowd.

  ‘I’m going to have to leave you here a while ‘said Alastair.

  Ash began to protest but was interrupted ‘The lord here does not have the best reputation, and I need to send a message on ahead’

  Ash looked concerned at his new friend.

  ‘Do not fret friend, I owe you my life, a debt not so easily repaid ‘smiled Alastair

  ‘No’ said Ash, Alastair looking at him puzzled ‘My father always said that friends never owe favours or debts’

  ‘A kind man indeed’ Alastair said ‘maybe a bit too unrealistic in my experience but a welcome sentiment all the same’

  He have Ash a smile and raised his cup, Ash in turn raised his and clinked the cups together.

  ‘Why did you do that?’ said Alastair ‘ You do have some funny habits’

  Ash laughed and took a swig of the brown liquid sloshing around, it was bitter and malty but dear god it was nice to have satiate his thirst.

  After they finished their drink Alastair reassured Ash he would return as soon as able and to wait for him here and that he should be back just after sundown..

  Looking into his empty cup, his mouth began to dry fairly quickly, He made his way back to the bar and pulled up a seat.

  ‘Another for yourself sir?’ called out Burt from over by the cask.

  Ash nodded and the large man ambled his way over with a fresh (Fresh only meaning new in this case) cup of ale.

  ‘There you are sir, your lunch will be out shortly’ Burt smiled.

  ‘Thank you Burt’ said Ash ‘You had the place long?’

  ‘Aye sir, became the landlord when my late wife Wendys father passed away, Just me, Elody and her older sister Rose now, but it keeps me busy and I can keep an eye on em both’ Replied Burt

  ‘Please, call me Ash I’m not one for formalities’ said Ash

  ‘Right you are sir, err Master Ash’ Burt stumbled

  ‘We’ll work on it’ Ash smiled ‘I’m sorry to hear about your wife’

  ‘Well that was many a moon ago now, and I do my best and I’m raising the girls best I can’ He said looking across the room at his daughter winding in and out of tables with an empty tray before disappearing through a rear door.

  ‘So what’s the name of the place?’ inquired Ash

  ‘Name?’ Burt looked confusedly

  ‘Where I’m from all the pubs or restaurants have a name’ Ash said

  ‘Why?’ asked Burt

  ‘I’m not sure, it could be that people remember the name and if its well-known its mostly used as a landmark to know where to go to or from, we have whole cities that you can navigate by pubs’

  Elodie reappeared tray held steady and made her way over to Ash.

  ‘It seems your tables been taken, father would you be a dear and ask them to move’ she said

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  ‘Oh no honestly don’t trouble yourself, I’ll eat at the bar if that’s no trouble’ Ash offered

  ‘Fine by me’ said Burt smiling

  The wooden plate was laid down on the bar followed by the dull clunk of a knife, upon the platter was a hunk of bread, a swirl of butter, some slices of pink meat and a few chunks of cheese.

  ‘Enjoy’ said Rose in her sing song voice

  Ash looked down at the food and his stomach gurgled expectantly.

  Ash began to slice the bread, buttering the sides and put the meat and cheese inside then he took his knife and cut the whole thing in half.

  ‘What are you doing with that?’ asked Burt

  ‘Oh, sorry I was just making a sandwich’ Ash replied ‘am I eating it wrong’

  ‘It’s your meal master Ash, it’s yours to do with as you please, It’s just a strange way to eat is all’ chuckled Burt

  ‘Oh’ said Ash ‘sorry, it’s how id normally eat it at home, we even have different names for the sandwiches’

  ‘Why?’ Asked Burt again

  ‘Well, it means I can go somewhere and ask for a BLT, that means bacon, lettuce and tomato, a chicken club which is chicken breast, bacon and mayo or even just a humble ham and cheese’

  ‘And people eat it?’ Burt asked

  ‘Oh everyone does, here try some’ Ash cut one of his triangles in half again and held out the plate to Burt’

  Burt held the sandwich in one hand and turned it round like it had previously been a dove from a magic show, he held it just before his face before taking a timid bite followed by a moments contemplation the food rolling around his mouth then followed by a larger bite and then finished it off with a third bite. A coughing fit erupted from the man and Ash ran behind the bar pouring a quick drink of ale which Burt quickly accepted and brought to his mouth gulping it down thankfully.

  ‘You should take your time with the next one’ smiled Ash patting the man on the shoulder.

  ‘I might have to sell them with an ale to stop any unwanted fatalities’ laughed Burt

  Ash helped the man to his feet and resumed his place at the bar.

  The afternoon passed and as the evening rolled around, Burt lit a fire in the faraway chimney and Ash got to meet the barmans eldest daughter.

  ‘Rose’ Burt had introduced his eldest daughter who had come in to help with the evening crowd, she and Elodie could have been twins if there wasn’t the four years between them. Ash having had a few ales was now slightly inebriated.

  ‘Burt you have two beautiful daughters and they are a credit to you’ said Ash

  Burt who normally would be described as stoic had warmed to Ash and had joined him in a few ales himself, the rosy glow of the booze plain on his already scarlet cheeks.

  ‘Aye, best girls a man could wish for’ Burt slurred ‘An woe be tide the man that crosses em’

  They clinked drinks together

  ‘You’ve got some funny customs Master Ash but you are welcome here anytime’

  Rose came over to the bar with a look of mild annoyance at her father.

  ‘Father, what is a sandy witch and why is everyone asking for one?’ she said hands balled into fists at her hips.

  ‘It’s the future my love, you just go tell Cooky to make a couple of dozen up, theyre flying out the kitchen as it is’

  Elodie blurred past ‘ You ought to try one sister, theyre so tasty’

  ‘Hey im not paying you to gab’said Burt smiling

  ‘You aren’t paying us at all’ chided Rose

  ‘That’s what I said’ laughed Burt ‘Have a sandy witch and we’ll call it even’

  The pub was getting busy when Ash offered to help pour the ales or run the food while he waited on Alastair’s return. He was soon relegated to the bar after getting in the girls ways a few too many times and Ash didn’t mind because he and Burt had also discovered a mutual love of Dad jokes of which Ash had a whole new worlds worth.

  The place was filled with raucous laughter and singing when all of a sudden the door slammed open with such a start that it silenced the cacophony instantly.

  Everyone turned around to see three men in armour making their way through the door, people instinctively looked away failing to meet the eyeline off any of the men preferring to look down at their drinks, tables or the floor.

  The three began to make their way to towards the bar, Ash saw Burt now absent his friendly and accommodating demeanour looking rigid and stiff as a board.

  He non chalantly began to polish a mug with his towel and started to make his way over to the kitchen door when suddenly the kitchen door swung open, his oldest daughter Rose glided out holding her tray laden with food, the smile on her face twitched every so slightly when her eyes came across the new trio making their way across the bar.

  ‘Ahhh Burt, its lovely to see your young scion, I have missed her company these past few visits’ The man said with a voice that seemed to audibly come through his nose.’I do hope you are feeling better after that awful illness kept you away for days’

  ‘Aye, yes sir Barriston, she was a bit laid up with a sickness, she was feeling a bit better but I’m afraid today might have taken it out of her’ Burt said reproachfully

  ‘My dear, I would have sent for a healer had I known you were ill, my visits haven’t been the same without your presence’ the man said moving closer to Rose.

  Burt deftly moved to his daughter with one hand around his back‘ ‘You just go serve that table and finish for the evening love’ Burt said ‘I’ll serve our distinguished guests’

  ‘Nonsense barkeep, you get to your bar and bring me 3 ales and meals to the table by the fire’

  ‘The table by the fire is taken at the moment sirs’ said Rose.

  The two men standing aside Barriston turned and made their way over to the table, Barriston not breaking eye contact with Rose smiled a predatory smile. The two men walked over to the people intentionally not paying any attention and without hesitation swept the contents of the table to the floor, the patrons left their seats and made their way out of the building without so much as a fuss.

  ‘We’ve found a table sir’ one of the lackeys called ‘they was just leaving.

  The man said in his nasally voice ‘I believe the floor by my table could do with some attention’ he turned and made his way over to his cohorts and sat down laughing.

  Burt made his way back over to the bar and began to pour ales his eyes flashing up to where his daughter was crouched down picking up the various plates and mugs onto her tray.

  ‘Is everything ok Burt?’ Ash asked as he noticed the overflowing mug shaking in the man’s hand.

  ‘Oh yes, quite alright sir, no problem at all’ Burt made a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  Rose came up to the bar depositing the items and giving her father a distinct look which did not escape Ash’s attention.

  He poured the drinks and lay them upon the tray along with a small pouch that clinked as it was sat down, he nodded at his daughter and she made her way back to the three.

  ‘Who are those guys Burt?’ Ash asked

  ‘They are our esteemed guard, that protect us citizens from dangers beyond the wall’ Burt swallowed not taking an eye away from Rose

  ‘I’m guessing they don’t keep you safe from the dangers inside the walls’ Ash remarked

  Burt nodded absentmindedly and when realisation hit he shook his head and gave Ash a hard stare.

  His eyes were drawn back to Rose as guffaws rang out from the troublesome table, Ash turned his head to see Rose pulling her wrist away from the hand of one of the men.

  ‘You know Burt, it occurs to me the place is very busy and that I haven’t paid you for that last ale, any chance of you letting me work it off? ‘he said out loud