Riordan emerged from his room just before dawn’s first light kissed the earth. He moved as softly as he could through the hallway to the stairs. He paused at the top, trying to remember if the stairs creaked under him the night before when he ascended for rest.
He had no idea.
As cautiously as he could manage, he began his descent. No untoward sounds made their way from the stairs to his ears. He quickened his pace. He was near the bottom when he missed a step and tumbled down the remaining five stairs. He lay on his back, sprawled like a baby deer on ice, and just closed his eyes. At least no one had been around to see his most graceful moment. What did this Tavern have against him? He drew himself up to sitting, then pushed himself back to his feet, dusting off his clothes.
He took a quick glance up the stairs and, seeing no one, gave a satisfied nod. He peered around the tavern room and, seeing no one, released the breath he realized he had been holding. Long strides brought him to the tavern counter and chairs, and pulling one back, he slid into a seat.
The door to the kitchen opened. Marleigh entered, carrying a plate and a mug. “Good morning, Riordan,” she said with a smile. “Are you well?”
“Good morning, Marleigh,” he responded. “Yes, I am well.”
“Oh, good,” she replied, smiling. “I was worried you had hurt yourself just now.”
Riordan blinked. She had not been in the room when he fell. Had she? “What do you mean?”
She set a plate of herbed eggs with cheese, boar bacon, and crisped tubers down in front of him, along with a mug of a dark liquid Riordan did not recognize. “You fell down the stairs,” she replied matter-of-factly. “I wanted to make sure you were alright. There is one stair that can be problematic.”
Riordan sighed. The Tavern was out to get him. “Stars unite us, what did I do to you?” he said, looking around at the Tavern and waving his arms to include all there, save Marleigh.
Marleigh’s delightful laugh reached his ears. “The Tavern is not out to get you, Riordan!” she said, her smile widening. “Perhaps it just likes to tease you to keep you humble!”
Riordan paused, then looked at her. “I am not proud,” he stated flatly.
“I did not say you were,” Marleigh replied. “I said it would keep you humble.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but the grin she gave him told him it would be futile to argue. He closed his mouth, deflating as he sighed. She handed him a fork, which he took, then tousled his hair before turning and going back to the kitchen. He just gave a small growl.