Chapter 14: Debt
"You're a difficult man to track down Baron!"
Henry Fisher didn't need to lift his eyes from the bar to know who the owner of the approaching voice was. He'd been expecting the gentleman – if he should call him such a thing, sooner rather than later. As it turned out, it had taken longer than it ought for a man in his profession.
Henry grimaced at the loud scraping of wood against the coarse flagstone floor as his visitor, for the purpose of his discomfort he'd hazard a guess, dragged a stool into closer proximity of his own. Behind them, perfunctory glances were raised by his fellow drinkers who, given the time of day, ought to have been otherwise occupied.
It was a spit and brawl place, and, if asked, Henry would not have been able to name it, or indeed where it was entirely, having travelled further afield than was his usual wont. Still, needs must. He didn't much care what the place was called, just as long as they continued to serve him on his word that the tab could and would be paid; his portable coffers having long since been spent in like establishments. But insufficient funds had never stopped him from procuring a drink before, and there had always been something he could acquire in exchange for a drink. A lifted watch. A swallow broach.
Today though, it was his attire that spoke more volumes than his word. Doubtless in dire need of laundering but still a sufficient conveyance of his wealth.
His visitor rapped his knuckles against the bar "Whiskey," he ordered without preamble. "It's on him." He directed.
Henry Fisher lifted his gaze only long enough to give a slight nod of assent to the barman's questioning stare before returning it to survey the diminishing froth atop his beer. As an afterthought, he lifted his own glass for the attention of the publican in a silent request for a refill of the cheap beer he'd been consuming since he set foot in the place. He could afford the best liquor money could buy, at least the best he could get in this dive, but old habits die hard and he had been in the mood for reminiscing.
Their drinks were placed before them moments later with noticeable waning tolerance.
His company emptied his glass in one brisk draught, and, in lieu of any verbal request, tapped the empty glass noisily upon the surface of the bar. A second drink was delivered before he finally spoke again.
"Anyone would think you've been trying to avoid me." He cautioned humourlessly.
Henry made no response beyond that of drawing heavily from his own glass, swiping the cuff of his jacket at the resulting dribble on his chin.
"You'll do well not to ignore me, Baron"
"I've come to collect."
Henry fixed his eyes on the spittle that had fallen to the filthy bar at the enunciation of his title. He wasn't so drunk as to not appreciate the irony of it all.
I know, I know, long time no see. Sorry about that guys. Next chapter won't take nearly as long to post but please continue to be patient with me; I've a lot on my spinning plates. Also, thank you, thank you, thank you, to you all of you for the continued support of this fic. I still get a bit giddy with every review, follow and fave after such a drought in posting. You're all wonderful.
PS. I am such a dolt, it's been such a while since I posted I accidentally posted this chapter to another fic by mistake. Serves me right.