Lindovor hunched further into the corner. The Comb and Wattle smelled of chicken dung, smoke and sour ale. This village had turned up nothing in his search. No one had heard of an old man called Lindovor or known anything about the silver brooch that he had found. To make matters worse, this woman-Honeymeade was her name?- chattered incessantly while saying absolutely nothing.
Drawing his cloak around his shoulders, he took a sip from the mug he held in his hand. Bah! the ale was foul too....
The door of the Inn opened and a few of the locals entered. Lindovor wrinkled his nose; the crofters did nothing to sweeten the air of the place. A wave of nostalgia for the White City washed over him. For all that the great city had its dingy parts, it was more civilized than this. He noticed a young woman who was warming herself by the fire. Even in the choking atmosphere of the Inn. she smelled of freshly baked bread - a vast improvement. Rising to his feet, he made to go stand by the fire himself. The Honymeade woman shouted after him, asking if he wanted another ale.
"Does that woman never stop talking?" He asked the maiden.
She smiled, "She cannot help it...it is just her way."
Lindovor sighed and sipped from the pewter mug he still held. "Are you from this village?"
"Close by, I have family in Combe."
"Do you know of a croft called Arrowhaven?" There were many little enclaves of farms and dwellings around the greater city of Bree, none of which could rightly be called villages but they afforded some protection to those who dwelt there.
The woman shook her head "No...I am sorry."
"Or this?" He set down his mug and drew a chain from the neck of his doublet. A silver brooch dangled and glinted in the firelight.
Her eyes widened when she saw the bauble, but she shook her head in denial. "No, I have not seen that before...", she said quietly.
Lindovor tucked the brooch back into his collar and gave a frustrated sigh. Still nothing...yet, yet...He felt the anger of frustration rising at the back of his head.
"My name is Lindovor...if you hear anything of this brooch, will you send me word? It is worth coin. I lodge in Bree proper...at the Inn." Without waiting for the maiden's reply, he turned and strode out the door. There were still places to look...
