~Chapter 4~

Wynne was exhausted but satisfied.  Every table now gleamed and the floor had been swept clean.  Wonderful smells emanated from the kitchen where the cook was making a meal for everyone.

She had made an offer of a room and board to get servers who weren't pickled and a decent cook.  She had also hired an old mercenary who had lost his eye to keep the peace.

Word of her robbery had spread across Haven like a wild fire.  Thankfully no one traced it back to her.  Some of the rumours where quite funny, like an avenging spirit had snuck in and buried all the family money in the garden or that the money had never existed and the lord was just making a fuss.

Since that was a month ago Wynne wasn't worried.  Her tavern was ready to open in the next few days, after that she and the children would start cleaning out the upstairs rooms not taken but the serving girls, merc, or cook.  Since this place had originally been an inn there were still four rooms for the family and two on the ground floor that were going to become private dining rooms.

"Aunt Wynne!"  Ana hurried into the room, an overlarge apron covering her from neck to ankle, she offered Wynne a bowl.  "Try this!"

Wynne took a bite of the stew.  "Excellent."

"Have you got the sign ready?"

Wynne gestured to the piece of wood by the door.  It was painted with a cat sitting on a cushion, the children had insisted on 'cat' being somewhere in the name, the cat was purple and had large green eyes.

"The Purple Cat."  Ana read the words.  "See, it does look good."

"I do like it."  Wynne admitted.  "I will hang it tomorrow."

Elwin padded into the room and sat on the bench.  "Did you tell our suppliers we would be opening soon?"

"Yes."

"You have the change box at the ready?"

"Yes."

"The menu done?"

"Yes."

Elwin nodded in satisfaction.  He had proved to have a natural head for business.  "We should also try to create some gossip.  Hype the opening."

Wynne nodded but had no clue what more to do.

"What if we made little chits with purple cats painted on them and spread the word that whoever brings in a chit gets a meal free," Ana suggested.

"How could we tell if they were fake?"

"We could put numbers on the backs.  Not in sequence.  And then keep a list of the numbers and if they match they are probably real."  Elwin suggested.

"Tell the twins then.  We should have a few discs from the repairs still left."

"The ones we were using to balance the chairs?"  Elwin asked.

"Yes."

"You better go spread the word, then tonight you can leave the chits around town."  Elwin ordered.

Wynne twitched an eyebrow at his tone.

"Sorry."

"We should give some to bards and healers.  They see lots of people," Ana suggested.

"I can leave some in the palace grounds."  Wynne stood and shook out her skirt. 

One thing she had done before buying the tavern was buying them clothes that weren't half patches.  Kane and Dain had thought it would be interesting if they all wore purple to match their sign.  Wynne compromised.  While she wore black and purple as a proprietor, the serving girls wore a purple dress with a white shirt, the merc wore black and the children each had purple vests.  The dark colour would hide a multitude of stains.

~*~

Julian had given up on Berry returning after a month of absence when she appeared in his window again.

She had a small stack of wooden discs in her mouth.

"There you are.  You must have found a home, you have filled out."  Julian picked her up and she started to purr, her eyes half closed in pleasure.

She dropped the discs.  Julian bent to pick one up.  It was one of the meal chits he had heard about, for a new tavern that was opening in the city.

"Are these for me?"

The cat rubbed her head on his tunic and purred louder.

"I hope the food is good," Julian placed her on his shoulder and headed down to the kitchen.  There were a few trainees who had remained behind during the summer break and would probably welcome the chance to get off palace grounds for a while.  The six trainees greeted the little discs enthusiastically.

Berry purred happily and licked his cheek.

"Where did you find the cat?"  One of the students asked.

"Blackberry found me.  She shows up whenever she feels like it."

"She is a pretty little thing."

The cook offered her a bit of meat, which she accepted daintily. 

"So she bought you the Purple Cat chits?" 

"Yes.  She has proved her self to be far from ordinary many times since I met her.  First she saved a boy's life, she helped choose her own name, now she brought those free meals."

"Blackberry, feel free to stop by for a visit."  A trainee invited.

Berry meowed.

Julian scratched her chin.  "Do you want to go visit the boy you rescued?"

Berry meowed her approval of the idea.

"Thanks for the tokens."  The youngest trainee said as they left.

~*~

Wynne was glad Julian had known who to give the tokens to.  She was also pleased he was taking her to see the boy.  She had been busy chasing mice out of her tavern these past few weeks so she hadn't been by for a visit and had worried about him.

His mother was present when they entered.  Wynne was surprised to smell the woman's distress when her son was obviously doing well.

"Ma'am, you said you wanted to meet the cat who saved your son."  Julian interrupted them.

Wynne hopped to the bed and sat with her tail curled around her feet.

The woman stared at her for a moment.  "She looks so tiny."

Wynne decided not to take offence.

The boy stroked her head gently.  "Thank you kitty."

"Her name is Berry."

"There you are Julian."  A Herald poked his head in the room.  "The Dean is looking for you."

"Thanks.  I'll stop by later."  Julian assured the small family as he left.

"Mom, can we keep Berry?"

"Sweetie," she sighed and pulled her son close, "I don't know where we will live.  We can't keep her."

The boy looked disappointed.

Wynne meowed trying to get them to explain.

"See, she wants to live with us."  The boy protested.

"She can't I am sorry, if we still had the farm I would say yes."

The boy's face fell.

Wynne wanted to help but she couldn't do anything as a cat and she had sunk all their money into the tavern.

Suddenly the idea hit her.

~*~

Wynne dressed in a white blouse with a dark brown overdress and confined her black hair in a braid the next morning.

"Where are you going?"  Kane asked.

"Are we coming?"  Dain asked.

"You have classes.  I am going to speak to someone about a job."

"But we have all the serving maids and such." 

"Well, she will keep the serving girls in line and keep you lot under control."

"Why?"  They asked in unison.

"Because I am not a mother and I don't know what to do with you."  Wynne admitted.  Her species were miserable liars so she didn't even bother trying to hide her reasons for deciding to offer work to the mother.  "They also need help."

"Papa always said when you have some you should share."  Dain said thoughtfully.

"That is what my parents always said.  Have you two finished fixing the roof?"

"Yup.  It was fun."  Kane assured her.  "We are going to fill the cracks in the walls in those two downstairs rooms."

"Good.  Have fun at classes this morning."  Wynne kissed each of their cheeks and hurried down the stairs and out the door.

The streets of Haven were already bustling even though it was barely dawn.  She wove through the people as she made her way to the Palace gates.  The guards looked up as she approached.

"May we help you?"  One asked.

"Yes, I would like to speak to Geeva, she is at the Healer's with her son."  Wynne explained.

"Your name?"

"Liawynne."

"Last name?"

"I don't have one."

The guard was obviously suspicious.

"I am telling the truth.  I want to offer Geeva a job.  She has lost her farm."  Wynne tried to explain.

"Is there anyone who could vouch for you?"

"No."  Wynne sighed starting to feel defeated.

The Guard turned to his partner.  "Could you get a Herald?"

The other Guard nodded and left quickly.

"I am not a spy or anything else like that."  Wynne assured him.  Humans could be so suspicious, Shifters would just be able to smell a lie.

"Where do you live?"

"The Purple Cat."

"The new tavern?"

Wynne fished out a token.  "Come for a visit." 

Suddenly she froze.

"You needed a Herald?"  Julian appeared.

Wynne felt her temperature rise and her instincts kicked in to high gear.  He smelled wonderful.

"This young woman wants to speak to a Geeva at the Healer's."

Julian looked surprised.  "Geeva?  She didn't mention anyone coming."

"She doesn't expect me.  I heard she was in need of a job and a home.  I am going to offer her a position caring for my niece and nephews and helping me with the tavern."  Wynne explained.  She shifted her weight from foot to foot and licked her lips.  Her mother had warned this would happen.

"Please follow me then.  How did you know she needed a job?"

Wynne smiled mysteriously.  "A little cat told me."

Julian turned to face her with a stunned expression.  "A small black cat?"

"Yes."

"Is your tavern the Purple Cat?"

"Yes."

"I think your cat was here last night.  She had several tokens from your tavern."

"She did take several tokens."  Wynne admitted.  "I hope you come tonight for our first night.  I will make certain you get a good seat."

"I'll be there."  Julian promised.

"Delightful."  Wynne smiled

"I never caught your name."

"Liawynne, but please call me Wynne."

"Liawynne…That is a beautiful name."  Julian complimented.

Wynne felt herself blush.  "Thank you."

Julian showed her to the room where Geeva and her son were preparing to leave.

"Geeva, Arin, I have someone I would like you to meet."

"I am Wynne.  I heard you are looking for a job and a home."

Geeva looked wary.

"Nothing distasteful.  I have a tavern and I can offer a room, board, and wages for you and your son."

"What exactly is the job?"

"I have a niece and three nephews who are orphaned and live with me but I have no idea how to raise them so I guess you would be something of a governess.  I also have young serving girls and in the evenings you be expected to watch them and make certain none slack off.  The food is good and the room clean.  I won't allow anyone to do tricks in my establishment."  Wynne rushed to explain.  "You can have a room with a lock and your son could sleep with the boys in the larger room.  I don't have beds yet but there are mattresses."

Geeva looked shocked.  "Did Herald Julian ask you to do this?"

"No, I just met her."  Julian assured her.  "Apparently Berry was the one who told her."

"You would be doing me a favour."  Wynne assured her.

"How old are the others?"  Arin, Geeva's son, asked.

"The twins are eleven, that's Kane and Dain, Ana is nine, and Elwin is eight."

"I am ten.  Could we mom?"

Geeva was starting to shake her head.

"Please, it isn't a pity job, I can't afford that yet."  Wynne assured her.

"If Berry told her she has to be nice."  Arin said eagerly.  "You said we needed a home and she is offering us one."

"Very well."  Geeva surrendered.