​1.  A case of being far too excited.

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  The stash of brooms, mops, and dusters crashed down, a cacophony of clattering wood and self-demeaning remarks accompanying the event.  This was not according to plan.  Imelwain extracted himself from the closet carefully, stacking the cleaning supplies back into order.

  'What was that racket?'  Mr. Grimmelstrich growled from the hall.  The innkeeper was a sullen man, who only tolerated his employees because he could not cook, clean, act as stable boy, and still serve customers.  It made Imelwain feel some pity for his mother.  Normally she would be the one here to clean, but today she was sick.  He had thought this would be a grand adventure, not some annoying busy work.  Didn't most adventures start in inns?

  Imelwain sighed.  'I just knocked over the brooms when putting one back!'  He hoped the old miser would leave the topic alone.  Things never seemed to turn out right, like in the stories Evadel told, and the last thing he wanted was another lecture about those just being impossible dreams.  It was bad enough that no secret doors or stashes of loot were to be found in the little cubby that served as storage for the instruments of cleaning.  He was sure that was where such things were supposed to be found.

  He finished replacing the tools, and headed toward the hall.  The duties his mother was assigned were complete, so he should be done for the day.  The floor creaked as he walked, a reminder that the building was old.  Had there ever been an adventure that started here, in this boring little inn in the most boring village of Three Oak Hill?  Imelwain wanted to believe that at least one had.

  Mr. Grimmelstrich was busy tending to a pair of customers when Imelwain reached the hall.  No wonder the crotchety old jerk had spent so little energy inquiring about the noise.  As impatient as he was, Imelwain knew he had to wait.  The customer would always come first to the old man, and he had to check out before leaving.  His mother could get fired otherwise, and that would get him a few solid strokes with a board.

  He distracted himself in daydreams about all the exciting stories Evadel would spin.  Adventures sounded so wonderful!  There was danger, sure, but you always found treasure and got a beautiful girl and everyone respected you afterward!

  Finally the customers finished bartering and turned around.  Imelwain knew he was staring, but he couldn't help it.  The woman was so very pretty!  'Are you a princess?' he asked without thinking.  'I bet so, and this man is your knight!'

  The man laughed a little.  'Oh, I'm her knight all right!'  His rather obscene gesture was out of place, as the people of Three Oak Hill were far enough out of the loop as to have no clue what it meant.

  The woman smiled a little.  'I'm not a princess, although I could show you a thing or two.'  She leaned in close, and the scent of her perfume hit Imelwain hard.  It was heady, yet applied just lightly enough to be subtle.  'I think I'm out of your price range though.'

  'Woman, stop teasing the brat and let's go have fun.  I paid you for a three day trip, and I'm darn well getting the full worth of my coin.'  Grabbing her arm, he led her off to one of the rooms.

  Imelwain watched them go, thinking nothing more of it than a scheme to protect the princess from possible dangers.  It made sense in his twisted perception of reality.

  'I got nothin more for ya today.  Hope ya ma is back tomorrie, she's quieter than ya.'  Mr. Grimmelstrich shooed him out the door.

  Imelwain felt a little relieved.  He didn't want to spend any more time doing such mundane tasks anyway.  Evadel had promised to tell him a story!  He darted off, running down the road toward the Wefender bridge.  As usual, the bridge was busy.  The village had grown, and mostly on this side.  There was a line to get across, and he was tempted to wade it.  Evadel would not be amused, however, if he were to show up dripping water on her rugs.  He twiddled his thumbs, and fidgeted restlessly as he waited.

  Once across, there was plenty of room, and he rushed to get to the theater.  He barged in, and settled down without considering the consequences.  He had managed to come a little too early, and auditions were currently being held for roles in a play.  It was with some embarrassment that he withdrew.  Plays might sound fun to be in, but they were just a lot of work.  It was not the worst job around, but hardly what he considered exciting.

  Once the auditions were over Evadel hobbled over to him.  Her wooden leg clacked on the floor.  'Off key.  An astounding display of incredible tone deafness.  It makes my leg hurt, you know!'  She complained to one of her aides.  'We need to look some more, we can simply not let some of these rolls be filled by such horrid singers.'  With an adroit spring she hugged Imelwain.  'My boy, you seem to have been too excited to hear a story!  You were early.'

  'Yes, and I know better than to torment you with my singing!'  Imelwain smiled.

  'For a nice young man like you, I might tolerate it for a minute.  Then I would impale you if you didn't shut up.'  Evadel smiled back.  Imelwain had tried to learn to sing from her once upon a time, and his lack of talent had been very evident.  The matter had become a joke between them.  'I'll start in a little while, would you be a dear and help me get set up?'

  Imelwain nodded.  'Of course.'  It was an effort to get Evadel comfortable.  The padding on the chair had to be just right, and the position of instrument too.  If not they would irritate her leg.  That, in turn, would interrupt the performance.

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