The door of the 33.3 inn opened with a low croaking noise.At once the young man , whose name was Richard was engulfed in a thick warm glow. The first sight that greeted him was a huge blazing fire that was directly opposite the door. Massive logs were proudly producing lashes of flames so energetic that they looked alive as they danced in the fireplace.This was a very welcoming sight to the young traveller.
His eyes feasted on the cozy, fairly small room with its dim lights and a few tables.The whole scene seemed to be saying, ' Welcome '.He felt secure as his boots felt the very thick, old- fashioned carpet beneath him, as he made his way to the bar.
After trudging for so long through thick snow, it took Richard a moment or two to adjust to the pleasant sensation of walking on ' dry' land.
The bar was not crowded at all, which because of the weather, and the fact that it was early evening. was hardly surprising.The only occupants were a group of four middle-aged men who looked like farmers , sitting at a table near the fireplace.They had very red faces, but Richard suspected, though he could not be sure, that this was because of their close proximity to those burning logs.
The four men looked up at the stranger. No greeting though was offered. They didn't though. have that,'What the hell's a stranger doing here', look on their faces.It was only later when he reflected on the events of that evening, did he come to the conclusion that they looked like they had been expecting him.
There were six empty stools in front of the rather small bar, and after taking off his overcoat and hanging it on a nearby stand which joined four other wet looking coats, he sat on a stool in the middle.He then took his gloves off which were also soaking wet and placed them on the bar.They would produce a puddle on the bar soon he knew, but what could he do ?
There was one problem though. There was no one there to serve him.He decided to wait a few minutes as, no doubt, someone would appear shortly.
As he sat there he checked out what draught beers were available. There was one in particular that caught his eye called,' Old Lucy's Ale'.with the word' Strong' underneath it. He decided that if he ever did get served, that he would try that one.
So he waited and waited.
Eventually, after he got tired of counting the number of beer mats, and how many bottles of spirits were on display, he though that he had waited quite long enough.
" Excuse me,"
His voice seemed to come out much louder than he had intended
The four men who had been lost in a very serious discussion looked across at him.The hiss and spit of the fire were the only sounds in the room. Richard thought for a second that they would ignore him.Then, one of them who sported a neat black beard spoke in a friendly well-spoken voice.
"Yes ? "
Gaining confidence Richard asked him if he knew where the bartender was.
" Ah, "the other responded," Well, if you look to your right you'll see a notice that says,' Ring For Service.'.
This confused Richard no end, as he had been examining the bar in detail for the last five or so minutes; surely he would have seen such a sign ?
He looked to his right, but no, there was no such notice.
" I'm sorry, but I can't see it "
The four men gave each other a look that said,"We've got a right one here."
The guy with the beard stood up slowly with a faint grin on his face.
" I'll show it to you," he said as if speaking to a child.
He was quite tall and had a beer belly. He walked slowly over to Richard and pointed at a large cloth that was covering part of the bar.
He grinned. " Now I see why you can't see it, because it's hiding under here !"
With a flourish , like a Magician, he swiftly lifted the cloth up to reveal the said notice. He then pushed the golden bell twice and smiled. He then walked back to his spot by the fire.
Within half a minute a man came through a door behind the bar.He was at least six foot and looked good- humoured, or as if something was amusing him.
He gave a searching look over Richard and his eyes seemed to penetrate deep into the others eyes, but only for a split second.
Instead of asking his new customer what he wanted to drink, he rested his elbows on the bar and spoke very softly.
"Stage one of your journey is starting", he said. " Relax though now with a fine Lucy's Ale, which is on the house ".
Richard stared in amazement
" How the Hell does he know that I have come here for a purpose, and that is to find my first clue", he thought." It's simply impossible."
Chapter Three to follow shortly.
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