[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/171210/6fd5169f11ac6ecc0911bc02722526f5.png[/img][/center]


He let out a scoff, besides that he was still as a stone. How the hell did she figure out it was him? He knew this was not a good idea from the start. Clearly she was still angry about their fight all those years ago. Hell he was as well. [color=007236]"Appreciate it."[/color] He said rather shortly. This was not how he envisioned ever speaking to Anna once again. He looked down at the drink that was spilt. [color=007236]"Honestly thought you would get better at handling drinks after all these years." [/color]

Anna hadn't realized that she was holding her breath till he spoke. She turned away from him. [i]Good, he was being an ass. That made it easier to treat him like she didn't care.[/i]  Without saying anything else to him she stormed back to the bar. Rounding the corner of the bar she picked up two knives and put one in front of Alexander and forced a smile while she tried to calm down. 

[color=8dc73f]"My turn,"[/color] She raised up her arm and threw the knife into the middle of the bulls eye as if it were nothing at all. She had barely looked at the target before throwing it. Her eyes passed over Verrick and kept on moving back to Alexander. She smiled at him.

[color=8dc73f]"You are up earl."[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Wow......",[/color] Alexander looked over at the knife in the bulls eye and winced.  He already knew he probably couldn't hit the target so he decided to just throw as hard as he can.  He walked over to where she threw from and looked at the target.  He took a step back from the throwing point and cocked his arm back.  He took a large step forward and swung his arm with all his strength.

He didn't hit the bullseye, that was pretty obvious from the start of the throw.  He hit around the third ring on the target, the outer edge of the third ring.  The part that was fairly impressive was how far it had gone into the wall.  He had thrown it with all his strength causing it to bury itself nearly up to the hilt.

Alexander walked over to the knife and gave it a tug, and it barely moved.  Alexander put both hands on the knife and pulled hard, stumbling back when the knife came out of the wall.  He smiled at her and turned around and shouted to the tavern, [color=9e0b0f]"All drinks are on me the rest of the night!!!"[/color]

Smiling he walked back to Anna and just handed her all the money he had on him.  [color=9e0b0f]"That should cover the wall and the drinks." [/color] He had seen how angry she had been when she walked back from the customer in the corner and was hoping the extra business would make her happier.

Verrick let out a sigh when she walked away angrily, immediately regretting his words. Honestly it was better this way, now he could focus on his work...if this man ever showed up that is. He watched as she threw the knife effortlessly into the bullseye. Memories of him teaching her the basics came to mind. The fond memory was quickly put away at the back of his mind. He didn't deserve to think of that after what he just did. 

After the man threw his blade, Verrick wondered if the man was genuinely that bad or did it on purpose. He imagined the latter...but it was hard to tell.  He didn't reach for his drink at all, only folding his arms under his cloak as he prepared for a long wait. 

Anna had chuckled when his throw had landed. When she realized how far in it had gone she cursed under her breath. As he pulled on the knife it really gave him a lot of resistance. Anna had on occasion done this before but not in her bar. She half grinned as it came out.

Looking at the money he gave her she smirked and stuffed it into her pocket. She felt her eyes welling up and she looked up at the ceiling and then quickly went behind the curtain to the back room and started wiping her eyes so there wouldn't be wet streaks down her cheeks. Her sniffles were quiet and she took a moment for herself. She couldn't understand how he...she got mad and turned and kicked over a mop bucket full of water. Frustrated the tears wouldn't be held in check and she got down on her knees to mop up the water.

Alexander saw the tears well up and watched her rush into the back room.  Alexander thought for a second on what to do then decided to follow her.  He opened the door to her mopping up the water, and moved to help.  He began to mop the water with her and stayed silent.  If she was going to talk to him she would talk to him.  He didn't want to push her to say anything she didn't want to, and he silently feared he did something wrong.  Maybe she was sad about the wall, or he said something hurtful without knowing it.  He would just wait until she either decided to talk to him or told him to leave.

Anna stopped and looked at Alexander mopping the floor on his knees. She reached over and stayed his hand. [color=8dc73f]"Why are you mopping my floor with me? This is not a job for a baron."[/color] She looked away and wiped her tears away and forced a smile that refused to stay put. 

[color=9e0b0f]"An earl's job is to lead his people.  Whether that is commanding an army, making legal decisions, or mopping the floor, a leader must always be there for his people."[/color]

Alexander was sad that he had to explain that.  To him that meant the lords that ruled today did not do so for their people or for their countries, but for themselves.  To him that meant they were a failure.  For the privilege of ruling they must pay through service to those they rule.

[color=9e0b0f]"In fact I do believe it is my job to mop the floor."[/color]

Anna listened to him speak and she couldn't believe that he was that honorable. She hadn't  seen that kind of chivalry and thinking since she was a child. She took his hand and stood up pulling him with her. 

[color=8dc73f]"Please, go and enjoy yourself. I'll be out in a moment. I just need to wash my face."[/color] Anna insisted. She couldn't walk out there as she was and have Verrick see that he had had that much of an impact on her. She didn't want him to have this effect but it had happened. There was little she could do at this point. She dropped her chin just a little a little embarrassed that he had caught her crying. [color=8dc73f]"Please."[/color]

Alexander wanted to stay and try to help, but he knew he wouldn't be any real help. He nodded and walked out of backroom and searched the room.  He looked towards the corner of the room and saw the man sitting in a chair.  He began to walk over to the man in the corner and stared straight at him.  He raised his eyebrows as he noticed the mottled cloak of a woodsman, and started to wonder what he was doing here.  As he reached the table he looked down at him and growled, [color=9e0b0f]"What do you want here woodsman?"[/color]

Verrick watched as the earl walked out of the back room and made his way directly towards him. Raising an eyebrow, wondering what was said between the two... clearly having missed the fact that Anna was crying. He didn't move as the man spoke to him. Asking what he wanted. 

Growling under his breath [color=007236][i]clearly she told him something.[/i][/color] He moved his head, looking to the Ale on his table...then back to the man. Then back to his drink. Raising his right hand, palm up. He indicated the drink. [color=007236]"I would imagine the drink on my table would be a little obvious..."[/color] He said in a gruff irritated tone. 

[color=9e0b0f]"I know you aren't here for a drink, I have worked with your organization too many times to not recognize a woodsman on the job.  In fact I believe you are waiting for something or someone.  I don't know what or why, but I do know how to ruin your plans.  You see, you are going to agree that after your job here is done you will leave and never come back and bother Anna again.  If you do not ,all I have to do is say the word woodsman loud enough for those around us to hear.  We both know how suspicious the commoners are of your order.  You will be immediately singled out and isolated.  Do you understand?"[/color]

Verrick eyed the idiot before him. Yes as an earl, he was sure that was true, but it was the fact he was saying he was going to ruin his plans. He leaned back in his chair and cocked his head to the side, barely revealing more of his face to the light. He acted amused, though his lips were straight as a board. [color=007236]"If you did work with the woodsman before...then you do realize getting in our way makes you an enemy to the throne?"[/color]

[color=9e0b0f]"Oh I know that, but can an earl really convicted of treason for accidentally raising his voice?  You know I am pretty drunk right now, and I don't know if I can keep my voice this low.  It is a weird thing I do when I am drunk. I end up yelling for some reason."[/color]  As Alexander said those last words he let a smirk come to his face.  Even though he hated all the sneaking and conniving he had to deal with when talking with the other nobles, he was bound to pick something up.

[color=007236]"Yes." [/color]Verrick said flatly, Not backing down from this earl. He's dealt with these types so many times. [color=007236]"I've heard of dukes being set for treason on less. Just a simple look. A drunk earl's word against a woodsman wouldn't hold for a second in the king's ear." [/color]he said confidently. [color=007236]"Just because you threw away your money, trying to gain favor of the lady of the tavern, doesn't give you the means or reason to get into her business or mine for that matter. Now move along before I put you down."[/color] He said low, a clear edge to his words.

[color=9e0b0f]"Maybe, but your mission would still be ruined.  I don't care if you are a Woodsman, you will not harm anyone that has committed no crime, king's justice or no-"[/color]

He cut him off. [color=007236]"Honestly I don't know what your talking about now. " [/color]He said waving him off, [color=007236]"Get back to trying to woo the owner and leave me be you drunken fool, before you do anything stupid."[/color] He said with a growl.

Anna came out of the back room and looked up for the earl and when she spied who he was talking to she grabbed a bottle of whiskey and rushed over to that table. She put the bottle on the table and her hand in Alexander's hand and squeezed it. Looking at Verrick she said, [color=8dc73f]"Sorry it took me so long, it's on the house sir. Enjoy."[/color] Pulling Alexander behind her she took him back behind the curtain and when they were far enough away from the others she turned and leaned against the wall and gave him a worried look.

[color=8dc73f]"What were you doing? You can't do that. He can get my place shut down and us hung. Well he wouldn't get me hung, but he sure as hell would you!"[/color] Obviously more than a little freaked out she began to pace back and forth in a three foot space.

Alexander watched her pace for a bit then decided to get to the bottom of all this.  [color=9e0b0f]"Why are you so mad with him. What is going on between you two, because I am really confused and starting to become annoyed."[/color]  Alexander looked at her and sighed.  This was much more drama than he was planning when he decided to make the trip up here.

Anna took a deep breath and said calmly. [color=8dc73f]"We were a couple a very long time ago and we hadn't seen each other since then. Not until tonight. I guess old hurts still hurt sometimes. Please just stay out of his way because I can't do anything to mess up his job. It just hurts that he chose a job over me." [/color]

Anna was surprised that last part came out and she looked almost as surprised as she felt. Was that really the part that hurt so much? She did still care about him and the pain was almost as bad as it was eight years ago if she let it get to her. She really didn't want to cause him trouble but he chose the man who caused her mother's death over her. That part really cut her deep. 

Alexander looked up at the ceiling then back down at her.  [color=9e0b0f]"If he hurt you so much just let him go.  You shouldn't hold something so painful so close to you.  If he chose his job over you that means he is just too stupid to see what is really important.  If he could see clearly he would realize that is you."[/color]  After Alexander said that he tilted her face up to look at his and said, [color=9e0b0f]"I can see what is truly important."[/color]  After he said this he leaned down and kissed her.

Verrick shook his head as she dragged him back into the back room. Looking at the bottle of whisky she left behind. He glanced at the others in the room and noticed a few people looking towards him. Well done, his cover is blown. Growling as he decided what to do next. 

He stood up and grabbed the bottle and quickly moved to the bar, and whipped the curtain back seeing the earl holding Anna's face and kissing her. Seeing this felt like a donkey kicked him right in the gut. Without looking he placed the Whisky bottle rather roughly on one of the shelves. When they would obviously hear it he would be there standing with a look of disgust and pain on his face.[color=007236]"Oh I'm sorry, Did I interrupt? I hate it when someone screws up someone elses plans...."[/color] He said rather pointedly to the earl. [color=007236] Just be careful, she might give you an ultimatum to give up doing some good in the kingdom in your position."[/color] 

Alexander looked down at Verrick when he heard the bottle being set down and listened to what he had to say, and thought for a second.  [color=9e0b0f]"Unlike you, I will make the right decision.  I am willing to sacrifice a simple job for someone so much more valuable than any of that."[/color]

Anna was surprised at the kiss but Verrick appeared immediately afterwards and she felt like she was doing something wrong suddenly. She felt like it was eight years ago suddenly and all of the pain came back instantly. 

[color=8dc73f]"You can't do this to me. You can't! It's been eight years and YOU left me! You don't get to keep me trapped in this world of pain that you put me in."[/color] Anna was nearly shaking with emotion and she couldn't do anything about it. [color=8dc73f]"Verrick, please."[/color]

Verrick scoffed at both comments, cutting off Anna [color=007236]"Easy there killer...you just met her what today?"[/color] Looking to Anna, [color=007236]"I'm not trying to hold you back. You've done that yourself, perhaps that saying something?"[/color] He wanted to tell her he did it for her, but he couldn't...not now, not then. He would keep his promise though....not that she ever heard the promise from his lips. 

Without another word he turned and left the bar. Dropping money onto the counter for the ale that was spilled, and for the bottle of unopened whisky. Pushing this out of his mind he would now have to wait for this informant outside of the bar.