#aleforthetable

                       --- “Goodness.” Maäriah did not startle easily. When one had lived so many years in the same town, one had the feeling to have seen it all - but what she had not seen yet, was an elf sitting in the mostly deserted Poison (most of her common visitors were out on the water at this time). 

For a moment, the old woman hesitated - then she shuffled inside, closing the door against the icy wind inside, and went over to the fire to poke some more flames in it. The elf may not need warmth, but her old bones for sure did!

Twas quiet today. For one of those rare moments in summer, the pale sun had assembled all of her energy and was turning the misty air around Lake-Town almost into an agreeably warm blanket, luring its inhabitants out of their houses, for once not to work, but to enjoy simply being outside.

It made the Poison quiet. Not that Maäriah minded in particular. Twas a good time to test out some new brews, and the peace was welcoming after spending so many months in a crowded in. However, the rest was soon disturbed by the creaking of the front door (the house was so much part of her that she could distinguish the specific sounds of the front door and back door, and most of the windows). With a scowl she looked up, but her face softened when she saw who the visitor was.

ladyoflionheart

                    --- “Ye’re Sigrid, are ye not?” Half-closed eyes, in which sight had diminished greatly through the years, examined the maiden in front of the poison. “Bard’s daughter? Do ye have some time for an old lady, girl? Yer da has ordered some ale, but I fear I have totally forgotten how many barrels he wanted. Could ye help me out, love?”

ofdaggers

She was quite the talk of the town. A descendant from one of the few prospering families in Lake-Town (undoubtedly only through their good associations with the Master - may his nets always stay empty), she had shown her spirit by turning her back on her father to marry Bard the Bargeman - a good man, but not as fine a match as she could have struck, if one would only look at riches and status. 

Ma liked her. She was honest and hard-working, and gentle to all she encountered. She and Bard made a fine couple. Stretching her sore back difficultly, the old woman waved at the lady, clearly pregnant with her third child.