The Ash Inn Special Piece

[leonic-0922.livejournal.com]

For those of you who haven't read Tuesday of the Ash Inn, Paul arrived in the inn two weeks after Brad got a job. Here's one of several short stories talking about Paul's arrival and departure. This has also been posted to wliialove.

If you have never read the fic, Brad is a hawk hybrid (He has a talon for one of his hands and a pair of hawk wings). Everyone else is human. Chip is an ex-Samurai and is the manager of the inn, and Josie, Brad and Mike are staff members taking care of the bar (in this piece Josie and Mike are still in the inn. In the actual fic, they have left). The inn resembles a three-storey castle with four turrets - the two upper floors are guest rooms, ground floor is the bar area (this fic was inspired by a game of Bartender!). Each staff member has a turret to themselves.

Quick note: I'm not excellent at writing romance...
Quick note 2: I know nothing of forging, so the forging which takes place is completely made up

The Ash Inn – Paul and Josie

 

“Bad weather,” muttered Josie, glancing out of the window. The usual starry night sky was now cloudy with rain, strong winds and occasional sounds of thunder. Mike nodded in agreement; he was busy staking the chairs onto the tables. Brad was behind the bar, rearranging all the bottles and glasses; and Chip was in his turret, busy managing their wages.

 

“I’d hate to be out in this weather,” said Mike. “I bet no one saw bad weather coming. And right in the middle of June as well!”

 

“This weather is enough to take down winged mammals,” said Brad. “I almost got hit one time during a storm – if lightning hits our wings, we immediately loose the power of flight and we’re done for. Thankfully I wasn’t too far from my home, and it took a bit of skill to dodge all lightning and to fight against the winds.”

 

“Lovely,” muttered Josie. Brad could tell she still didn’t approve too much of him being there, and nor did Mike; two weeks ago, when Brad had joined, they had been battling hard to get rid of him, but Chip managed to beat down their protests. Apparently, both of them were not at all fond of bird hybrids.

 

Josie went to lock the door but one of them suddenly swung in. For a moment it looked as if the winds had opened it – until Josie’s shrill scream alerted them something had opened the door. With a sense of horror, they released there was a bloody hand in between the gap.

 

At once Mike ran over and opened the door wider as Brad flew over the bar and across to the door. Together they went outside, battling hard against the weather, and found someone collapsed on the floor. It took them a while to get the person in against the weather, but when they finally managed it, Josie instantly slammed the door shut and bolted it securely.

 

“Who is he?” asked Josie fearfully as she glanced at the person. Whoever he was, he was in a very bad state. There was a massive gash across his stomach, as well as several gashes elsewhere on his body. Underneath the bloodstains, he was in a set of armour which heavily reminded the inn employees of Chip’s Samurai armour. The person was clutching tightly on a sword with a damaged blade. He was barely conscious.

 

“Get Chip, now,” said Mike, ashen face. Brad took off in a flurry of feathers and flew to the right door. He elbowed it open with a resounding bang, glided straight into the room and went shooting like a bullet up the first set of stairs. He roughly pushed open the trapdoor and shot into Chip’s room, startling Chip who was holding a thick book.

 

“Brad!” cried Chip, alarmed, dropping the book. “What’s the matter?”

 

“Someone’s arrived downstairs,” answered Brad. He was still in the air, his wings flapping to keep him up. “I don’t know who but he’s in a bad state, he’s been seriously injured, he was barely conscious when he came.” At once Chip got up and went downstairs, closely followed by Brad. The moment he saw the man, who was now unconscious, he rushed over and kneeled beside him.

 

“Who is he?” asked Chip as he checked the person’s pulse.

 

“He says he’s called Paul,” answered Josie. “That was all he was able to say before he passed out.”

 

“Someone get the First Aid kit,” said Chip urgently. Brad flew behind the bar and pulled out a bright pink toolbox. He flew back over to Chip and placed it on the floor. At once the lid flipped open, revealing the contents. Mainly filling the toolbox were bottles of potions, but a small section was full of essential First Aid items. Chip pulled out a bottle with dark purple liquid inside. “I need a cup.” Brad, who was nearest to the bar, swiped one off the bar and handed it to Chip. He poured out a small volume of liquid, then reached in the toolbox again and took out a teabag full of smelling salts.

 

“Someone revive him,” said Chip. Josie took the teabag and held it over Paul’s face. At once he took a huge gasp of air and coughed and spluttered as he opened his eyes.

 

“Drink this,” said Chip, offering Paul the potion. Paul took it and swallowed it in one go. They watched as all his gashes and cuts disappeared and new skin appeared. Now all that remained was the bloodstains and the damaged armour.

 

“Thanks,” said Paul as Chip and Josie placed the items back into the toolbox. At once the lid closed and the toolbox crawled back to its place. With each step it took, it made a loud thudding noise. Paul looked at his sword and sighed. “That was my best blade. I’ll have to forge a new tip onto it.”

 

“What were you doing before you came?” asked Mike. “You were severely injured when we found you.”

 

“It was a beast,” answered Paul. “I can’t remember its name, but I think it’s a crossbreed of a tiger and a wolf. It was causing havoc so I was sent to finish it off. We got into a fight, and it injured me as well as damaging my blade and getting away. This inn was the nearest place I could go to. Of course I knew about here – many have spoken highly about here – and I used all my strength to get here.”

 

“You were lucky,” said Chip. “We were just closing. If you had arrived any later you would have probably bled to death. I suppose you’ll have to stay for the night; you need to rest.” Paul nodded in agreement. “I think we have room 2 free for you. I’ll get you the keys, and you can have a good night’s sleep …”

 

***

 

“Did you have a good night’s sleep?” asked Josie the next morning over breakfast. It was eight in the morning, and Josie and Paul were alone downstairs. They were eating over the bar.

 

“It was fine,” said Paul slowly. He was in his armour, which was still bloodstained. His sword was sheathed and strapped to his belt. “I’ll need to wash my armour, as well as mend it, and fix a new tip on my blade. It’s a good thing I brought these.” He pulled out a pouch from around his belt and tipped out the contents. Bits of metal scattered across the bar. The longest piece was shaped in the form of a point.

 

“You carry this with you everywhere?” asked Josie as she picked up a piece and examined it. It was perfectly rectangular, and coloured sky blue. She glanced at Paul’s armour and suddenly released it was not silver – as she had thought – but sky blue.

 

“Just in case,” answered Paul as he put the bits of metal back in the pouch. Josie stretched out her hand to give it back to him and he grabbed hold of the other end. He suddenly found himself going rather red, and gently tugged the metal out of her grasp and replaced it in the pouch. “I’ll go and see where I can wash my armour.” He left the bar area quickly and went outside.

 

He didn’t dare tell Josie that last night he had slept soundly because of one reason; her. He had been having a very comfortable dream, seeing nobody but her … and him. As he went over to what looked like a gentle stream just in front of a forest, he couldn’t stop thinking about Josie. It was like he had found his perfect girl … she was everything he had ever wanted …

 

He arrived at the stream. He didn’t seem able to register that it was a stream … his thoughts of Josie got in the way … in fact he couldn’t think of anyone or anything but Josie … suddenly, with a slight shiver, he realised just how he felt to her … was it possible he was in love?

 

He couldn’t understand why the feeling of love scared him so much. It was wonderful, but at the same time he was afraid … but of what? Losing his position in the army? He was so close to getting General … was it this that was stopping him? His fear of losing everything that had been his life?

 

But I love her, he thought. I really do. So am I going to have to come to a choice between my job and Josie? A shiver ran down his spine at this thought. I hope not. I want both … but if I have to come to a choice … What was he going to choose?

 

He spent a lot of time down at the stream, trying to clear his thoughts. It became a shock to him when he discovered his armour had been completely cleaned of all the bloodstains; he had been busy thinking about his job and Josie. Deciding he would face Josie as if he had no feelings for her, he went back to the inn. Chip, Brad and Mike were now eating breakfast. Josie was nowhere to be seen.

 

“Have you got a fireplace?” asked Paul. “I want to repair my armour and my blade.”

 

“Yes,” answered Chip. “All the turrets have fireplaces. Here.” He threw Paul a spare key; Paul caught it. “The key will give you access to the door, but please lock it after you’ve gone through. I don’t want anyone coming in and going through that door.”

 

“I’ll keep it locked,” Paul promised. “Whose turret should I go into?”

 

“You can go into mine,” said Josie from behind Paul. He jumped and turned around. Trying to act as normal as possible, Paul nodded. He followed Josie through the right door and up the furthest set of stairs up to a trapdoor. Josie pushed open the trapdoor and they climbed into her room.

 

Paul spotted the fireplace at once; it was the first thing he saw when he entered. The handsome marble furnace was exactly what he needed. He looked around for a hammer and anvil but found none.

 

“Josie, light the fireplace,” he said. “I’ll go and find something to weld with.” He quickly left her room and went to Chip, asking for equipment. Chip disappeared somewhere but came back five minutes later holding an anvil and what looked like a battle hammer.

 

“Take care with the hammer,” said Chip as he handed the stuff to Paul. “It is a very fine hammer and cannot be replaced.”

 

“I’ll be careful,” promised Paul. He took the anvil and almost dropped it on his foot. Mike, who was a lot bigger than Paul, lifted it with more ease. Glad that he didn’t have to carry the anvil, Paul carefully took the hammer. Together they went up to Josie’s room. Paul was glad to see she had managed to start a fire.

 

“Where do you want me to drop this?” asked Mike. He followed Paul’s instructions and placed it in front of the mantle. “If you need to move the anvil, I’ll be downstairs.” He left the turret, being careful to shut the trapdoor after him. Paul swore Mike had given him a very tiny wink as he had left. Suddenly the room felt very hot, despite the amount of cool air coming into the airy turret.

 

Paul emptied out his pouch. The bits of metal fell with a clang on the anvil. He took the pointed piece and drew out his own sword. Josie watched as he took different sized pieces and measured them until the metals formed a sword again. Josie suddenly realised the new sword was exactly the same length as the old one.

 

He took the sword and held the broken end to the fire. He also held a big piece of metal over the fire, one of its edges above the fire. Once both edges had gone a lava red colour, Paul withdrew them from the fire and placed the red ends together. He carefully placed the sword down (the hilt was hanging off the edge, leaving the flat blade on the anvil). In three mighty blows to the sword, the red edges had vanished. Paul picked the blade up and saw the piece of metal now stuck to the blade. Pleased, he continued to do the same with the next two pieces while Josie watched with keen interest.

 

“Paul, can I have a go?” asked Josie suddenly as Paul prepared the fourth piece of metal. Paul nodded, then moved over for her. She looked rather anxious as she took the hilt of the sword and the piece of metal.

 

“It isn’t too difficult,” said Paul in a rather small voice which caught him by surprise. It was like his throat had tightened; he was temporarily dumb. This did not seem to throw Josie off the task; she held them over the fire like Paul, and withdrew when the edges had gone red. She placed the blade back on the anvil along with the piece of metal, the two edges touching. Josie lifted up the hammer, her arm shaking as she tried to keep it aloft.

 

“I’ll help,” said Paul. He could feel his face slowly turning red. He grabbed Josie’s hand, and his face went so red it was enough to be much more vibrant than the prettiest rose. Josie dipped her head, her long hair covering her face. There was a slight pause. Then they continued on like nothing had happened. Josie, however, avoided Paul’s gaze and hid her face from him.

 

They spent a long time repairing his blade. When it was finished, Paul found himself wishing he could have held onto Josie’s hand much longer. He had no time to start repairing his armour; it was time for lunch. They had lunch in the room leading to the turrets (Chip was on duty, leaving Mike and Brad to take a table and four chairs into the room). Paul ate his lunch as fast as he could. He was eager to be back in Josie’s room, with Josie, showing her the unique way of repairing his armour.

 

“I’m sorry Paul, Chip needs me on duty,” said Josie when Paul asked her if she was finished.

 

“Oh … alright,” said Paul rather downhearted. To his amazement Josie was blushing.

 

“Paul, I’m so sorry,” she said quietly so Mike and Brad wouldn’t be able to hear them. “I want to be straight with you. Paul, I –”

 

“Josie!” interrupted Chip from the other side of the door. “I need you behind the bar now.” Josie quickly dashed through the door. Several seconds later Chip came in, looking exhausted. He sat down on Josie’s empty chair and pulled a fifth, uneaten dish towards himself.

 

“Mike, you better go on duty as well,” added Chip. “It’s getting crowded out there.” Mike got up and left through the door. Paul also got up and went up to Josie’s turret, where he got to work repairing the armour alone. Time seemed to pass slowly … if only Josie was there, everything would be happier … and time would move faster … As Paul worked, he wondered why Josie had refused to look at him after he had held her hand. He had been unable to see her face, and she hadn’t spoken much.

 

He had a feeling he wasn’t the only one in love.

 

***

 

Paul was rather sad to leave the following day. His armour and blade were fixed, and he was ready to return to the army. What was the saddest thing was he would be leaving Josie. During the short period of time he had been with her, he had liked her in a way he had never experienced.

 

“Thanks for everything,” he said to Chip.

 

“No problem,” said Chip kindly. “Can I have the keys back?” Paul handed back the two keys, then he turned to Josie.

 

“Can I have a quick word?” he asked. Josie nodded and they went outside. They did not stop walking until they reached the stream.

 

“What is it Paul?” asked Josie.

 

“Josie … I’ve never … well … met a girl like you.” Josie blushed furiously as Paul said this. He was aware he too was blushing. “I’ve never felt this way about a girl either. I … I … IthinkIloveyou.” His face turned into the colour of a tomato as he admitted this.

 

“Paul …” said Josie. “I … I never thought you’d … say that.” Paul looked up, stunned. He had thought his hunch of Josie fancying him was of his own imagination. He had never … never … expected it to be real.

 

“You didn’t?”

 

“I didn’t.”

 

“Do you … want … to follow me back … to the army?” asked Paul shyly. Josie smiled, her cheeks now bright red. Without warning she pulled him towards him and their lips met. How long they stood there kissing none of them had any idea, but at last, much against both their wills, they broke apart.

 

“Of course I want to follow you,” said Josie in a hushed voice.

 

“Chip wouldn’t mind, would he?”

 

“I doubt so. Let me tell him, and we’ll see what he says,” replied Josie. She ran back into the inn and found Chip behind the bar. She went up to him and quickly recounted everything. She had expected Chip to look rather unhappy, but he showed no emotions.

 

“If you really want to …” began Chip slowly. “Do you really and truly love him?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re a nice girl Josie,” said Chip warmly. A smile spread across his face. “You deserve someone like Paul. He’ll protect you, I’m sure. Go with him.”

 

“Thank you Chip!” cried Josie. She flung her arms around him, and hugged him tightly. “I’ll go and get ready straight away.” She dashed off to her turret. Ten minutes later she returned, her leather backpack stuffed full. Both Mike and Brad were now in the inn.

 

“This is goodbye then,” said Mike slowly. Josie nodded. For a moment they stood in a silence. Then they hugged each other. Josie managed a small smile to Brad. She turned to Chip, who was holding a pouch.

 

“Your overdue wages,” said Chip. He handed the pouch to Josie. “I would have handed them on time if Paul hadn’t come. Take care of yourself Josie.”

 

“I will,” whispered Josie. “Thank you Chip.”

 

“No, thank you,” said Chip. “For everything you’ve done here. You’ve done so much for us.” He hugged her again. With one last look at the inn, Josie left through the front doors and joined Paul, who was waiting outside.

 

“Ready?” he asked. Josie nodded. Her hand met his hand, and together they left the inn, never to return again.