Isolde licked a drop of wine from her lips, like a cat after a droplet of milk just as Kell caught her eye. The glint of humor in his dark eyes gave her good pause. She was saved from embarrassment as a strong young man sat in front of the carpenter. Snapping out of the entrancement, she took a last sip from her cup when hearing rough voices doing what sounded like sharing confidences. She slyly cut her gaze to a darker corner.<br/><br/>" 'ere's the money promised to ye," A short older man pressed a tied kerchief into the hands of a hunchbacked derelict. Isolde recognized him as Tavie. He lived hand to mouth with no trade but an uncanny ability to ferret out the dirty truth on everything and anyone. Rumor had it that the Dark Lord had gifted him with immunity to the walking dead. They neither a desire to prey upon him and their death curse could not touch him. In return, Tavie spied and sold out the villagers for a small recompense. He wasn't particular about who he sold to whom. Rumor had it that he would play double spy for double the money, telling both sides tales, half truths and half lies.<br/><br/>"I'm onlies telling ye wot Bruno telt me. If the scurvy knave is to be trusted," Both men chuckled menacingly." then the threat from that quarter will be over,maybe tonight."<br/><br/>"Did he tell you where, you dolt?" the small man wheedled.<br/><br/>"In the forest, just a quick evenings ride on the road just out of town yonder." Tavie answered.<br/><br/>The small man clapped Tavie on his humped back, then removed his hand, wiping it down the leg of his trousers.<br/>"Well done, lad. well done" They moved through the tavern, parting ways as if they had never spoken together. Isolde was able to have a clear view of the other man and she was sure she had never seen him before. Tavie headed upstairs with one of the bar wenches. The poor girl was protesting but the proprietor snapped.<br/><br/>"His money is the same as anyone else's. You will go with him or you will be on the streets."<br/><br/>Tavie grinned stupidly and dropped a small purse filled with the clanking of gold coin. He took the girl by the arm and drug her to the private upstairs.<br/><br/>The strange man leaned against the bar, sipping ale and then drifted over to watch the arm wrestling. Men were standing three deep, cheering on Kell or the newcomer. Isolde stood in order to see the action, flipping the hood of her cloak over her hair before stepping back into the lamplight. As a cheer went up, she eased from the tavern into the bright cold night. She would go as far as the city gate so see if there was any word of mischief along the road tonight.