Fated Attraction

The Immortal Sanctum was packed beyond the usual crowd. Every available inch of free space was clustered with drunk patrons all intoxicated on the fresh batch of ale. Men sloshed their drinks over one another resulting in more loud laughter with the obnoxious serving of ale induced tempers. Business had been booming over the last few days with Serene's arrangement with one of the Barlow boys. God knows his family would enjoy taking over this place with the rate of the arrangement moving forward rapidly. "Lassie, another cup of ale for me friends" a red headed older gent said, his eyes losing focus. He probably thought he was talking to the right version of me but the poor lad was facing the door. His friends all cheered when the drunk took a dive for the floorboards. "Right" I said ducking under the nearest chair as another wooden cup went flying for my head. This sort of behaviour landed me in hot waters with Da when I punched one of the drunk men for trying to touch something no man should ever touch. The other girls had the sensible men to wait on while I had the touchy drunk geezers hoping to feel something other than my fist connecting with their face. Shaking my head as I weaved through the tavern, I found Da standing beside the little window with a frown. "Everything alright Da?" I asked, replacing the empty tray in my hand with a full one Da prepared. One look around the place and you would think we weren't in the middle of war. Truth was, the main reason why any of these men were here was to get drunk and forget the daunting task of bloodshed awaiting them in a few days time. I thanked the lucky star's that I was a female since I was away from the field fighting for a cause that seemed pointless to me. The ongoing feud with our rival country Erifield happened way beyond our time and yet the effects of the quarrel was in full swing today. It never made sense as to what the origins of the war were but Da just said to follow traditions. In my mind though, it seemed like a forbidden love between the two nations that ended in this hate feud. "Where is Serene?" Da asked helping with the empty cups. "She left a while ago with Lucille, said something was urgent" I replied, weaving back through the crowd with a fresh batch for the already drunk patrons. No right woman in their mind would want to linger around here which is why Serene left with her insane best friend. I never got the gist of their friendship but I knew Serene trusted Lucille with her deepest secrets than she did me but I guess that's Serene's call. Unlike my sister and her tendency to abandon familial obligations, I thrived for the tavern's atmosphere. Though the patrons sometimes caused a rowdy fight, it was always the same dramatic pace night after night. The constant rhythm of serving ale and refreshments kept me active, just like the constant need to watch my surroundings with the drunk company. The buzz kept me alert and proved to be a helpful distraction against the plain lifestyle of a woman in Lochmead. "There you are Evangeline" Cecily Walters, another waitress and neighbour, called out as I took a breather from the humid tavern. "Tell me Ceci, if our lives were different would you want to leave Lochmead?" I asked as the tall blonde sat beside me on the chair that Da and I slaved over when I was younger. Cecily gave me her look of warning as her eyes scanned the area. "No one is going to come and find us talking Ceci" I said with a carefree laugh. Cecily always thought someone was listening in but I had already checked the area making sure one annoying Carlisle boy was nowhere in sight. "Still to be safe I think we should switch to our code" Ceci whispered as her blue eyes darted to the neighbouring trees and the bushes. The area was relatively dark but the lights set up by Da and the men gave us enough visibility to see. "Purple balloons are my favourite" Cecily replied in the silence once she was comfortable with not being charged with treason. 'Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to explore the world' "Cherries are harder to gather these days" I answered staring at the moon in the night sky. It was a beautiful sight to observe. I guess that's why I like the tavern cause I like to watch how the others live their lives. 'Erifield seems like a nice place but the war is starting soon' Cecily nodded and the silence resumed with both of us dreaming of exploring somewhere other than the same scenery we grew up with. A lot of nights when I was younger, I remembered sitting in the field near our home and just dream of being someone important. Serene was that important person in the community with all her looks and charm and like a little sister, I wanted what she had. "Always talking in code" a bold voice spoke out breaking the comfortable silence. Cecily tensed beside me and God knows I will be hearing of this "act of treason" from Da. Stepping forward with his own lantern was the most annoying guy in the whole of Lochmead, pity because he was the most sought out guy in town! Merik Carlisle was the only son of Governor Carlisle so the stakes for his hand in marriage were a little harder to acquire than his cousins, the Barlow's. In his blonde head, he thought he was the Prince or something given all the girls desperately wanted to be the envy of the town and the gem of his eye. I was not in favour of his position or his character. Ignoring Merik and his guard, I did not dare make any room for him on the three seater bench. Cecily couldn't stand her ground and retreated back to the tavern leaving me with him. The smug look on his face said a lot like he had expected Cecily to leave. Dammit I should've left with her! "Do these cherries offer you your heart's desire?" Merik said, the green in his eyes barely visible due to the dilated pupils. I seriously do not know what I did to deserve the unwanted company I was currently in. Giving him the stink eye since I couldn't place a finger on him for the sake of Da's reputation in the town, I ignored his comment. "Where's your harem of women?" I asked casually, enjoying the tension building. God knows with his status as single, the wombs in Lochmead demanded to be carrying his offspring. It also meant he always had a following of desperate girls seeking his attention and that was something I did not want to get associated with. Rumours flew around like wildfire and that was not my forte. Maybe Serene's but definitely not mine. "I'm surprised the drunk old men let you out of there in one piece" he snapped back. His green eyes portraying the invitation to the challenge. Prick! "Better than the cunning lot who follow you around like a lost puppy hoping you would take them home" I replied, rather rapidly. It didn't help that my voice was rising too and at any moment Da might come out. "At least they fit in my age group..... Unless you fancy older men?" he said, his eyes set in determination. "You arrogant prick! I cannot wait to see the poor girl who has to carry your children" I said, forcing myself not to punch him in the throat. Standing up to leave, I couldn't move past him since he blocked the path back to the tavern. Intentionally. "Are you volunteering?" He said matter-of-factly. His annoying smirk made me lose my cool as I bunched up my fist. "Unless you don't want future devil spawn, I strongly suggest you move away before I gladly rid the population of your family jewels" I threatened through gritted teeth. The humour in his eyes spoke volumes but not before I heard Da's voice. "Evan" "Coming" I replied, my eyes not wavering from Merik's gaze. "Don't let those old geezers work you too hard Evangeline. I'll be waiting in my bed for you" he whispered like I would fall for that! Knowing that Da was watching, I continued clenching my hands into fists to stop from pummeling him to a pulp and walked away. The further I got down the path, the more angrier I seemed at his stupid comments! Who was he to talk to me like I was some cheap woman looking for his money and title? Entering the tavern without acknowledging Da or the scene he probably noticed from afar, I set out to get behind the counter. I was still angry at the encounter I had with Merik and my mood was by far sour than it had been twenty minutes earlier. Packing away the clean cups into the cupboards I refused to let him irritate me any further. "Evangeline, what was that all about with Merik Carlisle?" Da asked when the drunks started clearing out of the tavern. I gave him a shrug and continued cleaning up. "Evangeline Isabel Matilda, I believe you owe me some form of explanation" Da said, his words of authority ringing clear in the tavern. 'Merik is an arrogant bastard hoping to get me in trouble with his father' was what I wanted to say but instead I chose the high road. "Merik was just walking by and he just asked about business" I said, cutting eye contact with Da. It was partly true except he emphasized something else entirely with the business section but I didn't need Da fighting my battles. Serene had that side covered on her own. "Well just keep in mind that he is going to be Governor some day so at least cut him some slack Evan" Da said, his intense dark eyes imploring my motives. "Sure Da" 'If I don't die first before he would reign over Lochmead'