This strange woman had just walked into the tavern and nobody was willing to question her. She was quite intimidating and so we all waited to hear her speak first. She looked like she was on a quest.
"I'm looking for a girl named Naya." She finally spoke. "23 years old. I think she should be beautiful. Has anyone here seen her?" The strange woman asked.
"And who are you?" The old woman Rose, who owns the Tavern asked.
"I hate it when people respond to my question with questions."
"Then leave this place because you'll never be able to get a piece of information about who you are looking for. A strange woman like you can't walk in here and start to ask questions about one of our own, especially when that woman does not seem nice." Rose responded.
"Nice." She scoffs "I didn't come all the way here just to be nice." The strange woman said without a smile. "My little bird told me the one I seek is right here in this village."
"Well at least be polite or let your little bird drag her to you." I said from the bar where I was standing.
The strange woman turned towards me, glaring daggers at me and it made me feel uneasy. She was just about to take a step toward me when Rose stepped in. "Leave her alone you moron, and get out of here before I order my people to kill you. Your armor and sword can't scare us." She said.
The strange woman stepped back and then looked around the Tavern before she spoke "I'll be in my guest house tonight, I have a reward of two hundred pieces gold coins for anyone who would bring the information I seek." She said and gave me a long glare before she finally walked away from the Tavern fearlessly.
"Nobody goes to her." Rose instructed as soon as she walked away.
"We don't even know any Naya, so what could one possibly say to her?" One of the men in the Tavern said.
"Karen...! Get us some more wine please." Another man who was gambling with a group of other young men said. The liveliness in the bar returned as the dancers continued dancing. There was noise from different angles at the bar. Noises of the different activities one engaged themselves in.
"Coming right up master." I responded playfully saluting.
"You are a fearless girl.!" Hazel shouted so I could hear her. I smiled and shook my head as I served wine.
After working at the tavern that night, I went home and the next morning, Mother and I got ready to leave for work.
"I'm waiting outside mother." I said as I went out to get our tools ready.
"I'll be out soon." Mother responded.
As soon as I walked outside, a lady's voice spoke.
"It's the fearless one isn't it?" She said.
I quickly looked around to see the lady from the tavern the previous day.
"I knew I'd find you here." She added.
"You." I said. "What are you doing here?" I asked her.
"I'm here to see you. You might fall well into my description so I have a few questions." She said coming close to me.
"Stay back." I said. "I'm not the woman you seek."
"We wouldn't be so sure. What is your name?" She asked.
"It's not your business." I responded.
"Hmm. Well, let me start over again." She said. "I apologize for... the wrong start at the tavern but something in me tells me it is you that I seek." She said.
"Well, that thing in you is wrong. My name is Karen." I said.
"I don't expect to find you with the name Naya." She muttered.
"Did you say something to me?" I asked.
"How old are you?" She asked.
"I'm...." I wanted to respond but Mother came out and quickly cut me short.
"Alright, Karen. We need to hurry, we have a lot of work to do and darkness..." She stopped when her eyes fell on the woman I was standing with. Her expression turned to fear, shock and anger.
"Hello, Mara. You haven't changed that much." The woman said.
"Dolores." Mother responded.
"You know her?" I asked my mother but she quickly inspected me to hurry off to work as she will be with me in no time and as obedient as I was, I hurried off without questioning her.
"What are you doing here?" Mother asked Dolores as soon as I was out of sight.
"I'm looking for my sister's daughter." Dolores responded.
"And how does that affect me?" Mara asked.
"Because you know where I will find her."
"How did you get here? Our lives have been peaceful, don't spoil that for us."
"She's a princess Mara, how dare you subject her to cleaning stables?" Dolores asked.
"Well, if you speak of the girl you just spoke to, then you're wrong. She's Karen my daughter, not princess Naya." Mara responded.
"I've searched for you for seventeen years now Mara. Why here of all places?" Dolores said.
"It's none of your business. You're not welcomed here." Mara responded.
"You still are a tough one you know." Dolores said. "Mara, I need Naya." She added.
"Then go find her. Stay away from my daughter and stay away from my house" Mara warned and left Dolores behind. Dolores smirked deviously determining not to even listen to Mara.
"Are you alright Mother? You seem worried by that lady's visit." I said to Mara when she finally joined me at the stable.
"I'm fine dear." She simply said then suddenly turned around and held my hand. "Karen listen to me. You must never speak to that lady again. She's... She's... She's nothing but trouble." Mara said.
"How would you be so sure? Is it because of your fear of her?."
"I'm not scared of her." Mara replied.
"When are we expecting the supplies?" I asked her.
"Very soon." She responded.
After I observed Mara for some time, I spoke "I saw it in your eyes. You were shocked, why mother? Who is she really?" I asked desperately.
"She's bad news," Mara said.
"Bad news? That is no way to refer to an old friend Mara, don't you think?." Dolores said.
What? Did she follow us here?