Page 10 of The Ballad of a Bard

There was a little mirror in the corner of the wash basin and she bent down enough to fix her messy bangs into place. It gave her extra security, to hide a portion of her face that was bare during the fights. Anything to help make her and Red Lyric look entirely different.

Crimson pulled the pins out of her hair, letting the bun fall out of place. The straight braid tumbled down her back,right between her shoulder blades as she unlocked the door and strolled out.

She was running late.

There was no one in the hallway as she dashed quickly through it, searching for the side entrance that the serving girls and boys used to get to the top layers. Another part of her night, only if for an hour or two while the Blades still went on. Crimson shoved past a few other girls, tucking her satchel under the table with their items and hastily grabbing an apron with two overlapping swords on the corner.

A way to tell who was working and who wasn’t.

“He’s in a foul mood tonight.” Renfri, another girl, muttered in her passing. “Good luck.”

“Great.” Crimson hastily tied the strings behind her back and swiped up a tray of cold ale that came from the tavern above them. A way to make an additional profit, while housing them all.

“Crimson!” A meaty voice yelled to her. “You’re late! Your shift started five minutes ago!”

“Couldn’t get past the crowds! It’s busy tonight!” She called back and swiftly departed the stockroom before Roland could berate her any further.

“That’s because the Red Lyric was on the roster. You know how the audienceworshipshim.” Roland grumbled. Roland, sent all the prettiest girls out to the top layer, where they could gain the most amount of tips. She supposed she should be honoured for it, but it felt slimy and wrong.

Her heart did a stupid little dance at the fact that even a man such as Roland, worshipped her alter ego. It shouldn’t have gone straight to her head, nor should she have let it, but it did and so did she.

“You’re on the Silver Balcony tonight, don’t be tardy againor I’ll demote you to the bottom feeders!” His face was almost the same colour as a tomato, and she shoved her giggle down as she adjusted the five cups in a balancing act and made her way out the door. Another girl bustled past her with an empty tray, looking to refill it before someone else quenched her patrons thirst.

Sacks of sugar-coated peanuts were tucked in the large side pocket of the apron, for an additional crown.

Crimson skillfully avoided the drunken men that battled past her, trying to place their last minute bets before the next round began. She headed up towards the second mezzanine and began to call out to the thirsty men who needed a chilling drink.

The ale wasn’t flavorful, mostly a mouthful of wheat and pear, without any additional spices to add to it. But it did the job and got the men drunk enough to waste their money on foolhardy reasons and impulsive bets.

Which was why Grimm allowed it to happen.

She sold one instantly, a tall male handing two coins to her in exchange for one off the top. He almost toppled the entire wooden tray if she hadn’t caught it at the last moment. Crimson kept her scowl to herself, trying to remain in that cheery, sweet mood that sold more ale. No one wanted to buy a pint from a wretched, pinched-faced server.

She passed a few people who ignored her call for drinks and treats, weaving in and out of the sweating bodies. Someone pressed metal circles into her palm and stole another, leaving with her with three mugs. The liquid slipped over the side, creating a sticky mess on the flat side of the tray.

“One here, Red!” A velvet tone of smoking darkness summoned her attention and she turned towards it. She lowered the tray for the handsome patron that kindly offered her three coins. “A bag of nuts as well, sugared if you have them for mydelightful companion.” The russet-skinned male gestured towards his friend, and he came into view.

It washim, the man with the starry eyes.

He angled his head down, in plain greeting that required no complication. Crimson might have gotten lost in the panels of his face, or the curve of his sensual mouth had the original man not caught her attention.

Saints be damned,she nearly bit her lip.

No one,no one,ever stirred her heart before.

But he most certainly did.

“I have two at the moment. How many would you like?” She tussled with her skirt as she tried to hide her blush, pulling both bags free as she precariously balanced the tray between her hip and the wall.

“Just one will suffice, pretty thing.” He practically purred it down at her and it sent the wrong sort of chills to shoot through her bones, lick her veins and emptied out her head.

“Here you are.” Crimson handed it to him and popped the other back into her pocket. She added the coins into it, giving a hefty weight that jingled when she moved. “Is there anything else?” She moved closer, trying to unload the ale. Her heartbeat slowed as she dragged her fingers across his wrist, trying to influence him into buying another.

He blinked, tilting towards her with a curious expression. Not quite dazed, by the looks of it but something close. His lashes dipped. A few more seconds and she’d convince him to buy a drink or two, if his pulse was any indication.

“What else are you selling, lovely girl?” The first man’s lids were painted in cobalt glimmer that reminded her of her brother’s eyes. Blue, like broken glass. He smiled at her and it was a pretty thing, unusual for masculine features. There was a snake tattoothat wound up his arm, starting at his wrist and finishing off at his corded shoulder.

Crimson found it chillingly accurate.

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