Fortunate for the Flannens

Adair Flannen was busy. His father’s tavern had become very popular within the last year and Charlie Flannen needed both of his boys to help run the place.

Adair had gotten very good at serving food to the customers. He’d dropped a few plates in the beginning, but his hand was steady now. As he hustled out of the kitchen, he looked for his brother. All he saw were lots of patrons and many dirty dishes. He spotted his little sister, Almarina. She sat quietly at an empty table, playing with a wooden puzzle that Charlie had bought from the toymaker recently.

“Alma? Do you know where Niall is?” Adair asked as he passed her table.

“He went home.”

Adair ground his teeth together. He gave the patron her food, then hurried back to his sister, picking up a few dirty plates as he went. “Can you go get him for me, Alma? Tell him that I’ll tell Da if he doesn’t get back here and get these dishes washed.”

Alma nodded and put her puzzle in a pocket of her dress. She at least understood all the trouble that went into running the tavern. Scampering out the door, she ran down the path to her family’s home. Almarina had to search every room before she finally found Niall in her parent’s room.

“Whadaya want, short stuff?” He asked irritably.

“Adair says he’s gonna tell Daddy if you don’t get back to the tavern and help out.”

Niall snorted and flexed his muscles, “Adair can handle just fine without me. Get out, I’m busy.”

Alma stomped her foot. “You get back right now, or I’ll get Daddy and Mommy right now!”

“Fine.” Niall threw his hands up into the air and followed her out.

——————————————————————–

When the tavern got quiet, Niall and Flannen were allowed a break to eat their dinner.

Adair tried to convince his brother that he needed help at the tavern. Adair never got a chance to rest or goof off, because his brother always left him with his share of the work. It really wasn’t fair.

Just then, Lord Tarun Kristoger walked in and looked around. Charlie Flannen bustled over to greet him. Adair couldn’t help but notice the measuring look that Lord Kristoger gave him.

“My Lord Kristoger! What honor you bring me! How can I be of service to you today.”

Tarun looked over the tavern. It was clean. The furnature was of good quality. “I came to discuss an important matter with you. You seem to be a successful man.”

“Well, I’ve worked hard.”

“It’s well known that you added to your house two summers ago. Do you live very comfortably?”

“Um, well, yes, my lord. I suppose that I do. My family has never had lack of anything.”

“Good. Good.” Tarun murmured. His eyes rested on Adair again. “I assume that your eldest there will inherite all this?”

“Yes, of course.”

Tarun nodded half to himself. “Have you made any marriage arrangements for your eldest?”

The question took Charlie by surprise. “Well, my cousin, Sigmund, across the way was going to have his daughter marry Adair, but since he doesn’t have any sons, Innes will inherit his land and business. Having to heirs with two different businesses would complicate things for them, I think.”

“I agree. So, you don’t have anyone in mind for Adair?”

“No sir. Unless the boy finds a girl he takes a fancy to, I suppose.”

“Hmm. Never liked leaving those sort of things up to chance. I’m going to have to do that with my boy, Caspian. I’ll be sending him to the university when he’s eighteen and hope he’ll find a foreign noblewoman there. I don’t dare do that with Calypso. I’d rather see her marry someone in Silvetia. Someone like a rich merchant’s eldest son.”

Adair had been half listening to the conversation. He suddenly choked on his food as he realized exactly who Lord Tarun was speaking of. Him, Adair Flannen, the son of a merchant… marry Calypso Kristoger, the only daughter of the kingdom’s only noble family!

Not only was Calypso of noble birth, but she was also considered the most beautiful young woman in Silvetia. Lord Tarun wanted HIM to marry her!

Adair suddenly realized that Lord Tarun had actually spoken to him. “Pardon, sir?” he gasped out as he stood up.

Tarun smiled, “I asked what your thoughts were on the arrangement. Would you be a good husband to my daughter?”

Adair’s mouth had gone dry. He could see his father standing behind Lord Kristoger, vigerously nodding his head. He would want a match like this. It would bring much prestige to his family. Adair considered Lord Tarun’s offer for a moment. He’d never seriously thought that he would even have a chance of getting to know Calypso, much less marrying her.

“Sir, I promise I will do my very best to love and care for her,” he managed to say.

Tarun laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good lad! That’s the best I could ask for. Now sit, before your legs give way. I’d like to discuss a few details here and now.”

Charlie shooed Niall out of his chair, telling him to clear off the table and take care of any patrons all in the same breath. Lord Tarun took Niall’s abandoned seat and Charlie pulled up another chair.

Adair was only half listening as Lord Tarun and his father sat discussing things like dowries and universities. He was going to marry Calypso…