Evalynn could hear in Eldwic's voice that he was not set on going to the pub and his smile was halfhearted at best. She frowned at him a moment but didn't take back what she said. She really, really needed a good drink, or three and with Eldwic essentially defending her father's actions, she really need a good break. Eldwic just didn't understand! She wasn't a daughter to her father. She was just another hand he kept around to keep the farm running. If her mother was alive, she would have stopped her father from denying her a marriage and she would have been off somewhere, doing anything else but the farm work. Maybe she could finally take up painting, or botany. Anything but works from sun up to sun down, being constantly pestered and running a household full of stubborn men. She just let out a quiet huff, giving a small shake to the reigns and speeding Merlin up. The sooner they got the pub, the better.
She watched as he went about his way burying the rats and giving them a small prayer. She never really understood why Eldwic prayed over the rats. They were just rats. All they did was eat their grains, pester the animals, and find their way into the house. One wouldn't ever know how annoying rats could be until you open the cupboard and found one jumping out at you. She shivered at the memory, rubbing her arms idly as if she could just rub the thought away. Rat were just so gross and such a problem.
Evaylnn gave a harsh laugh at the tale about how her brothers had probably snuck in a snake into Elwic's working area and caused Larder to get bitten. “Oh, I know, trust me.” She let out another bark of a laugh as she shook the reigns to get Merlin moving again. “I have to deal with them every day. Dad's too soft on them. They're the last of our mom's kin, he says. They'll grow out of it. Ha! They only get worse every birthday. If mother was alive, those boys would be straight as an arrow and actually be helpful on the farm.”
Evalynn made a grimace when he said that it was Tuesday and the pub would be serving fish. She didn't mind the seafood platter but she would much rather the other meat platters. Rabbit sounded amazing right about now but she wasn't going to be picky. She was going to enjoy the time spent with her friend and the small freedom she got from the farm.
“You've got yourself a deal. A good, hot meal sounds great right about now. Then we can get you home so your father won't beat you black and blue.” She teased as she flashed him a mischievous grin. They continued like that for about two hours, chatting about whatever came to mind before she finally saw the wooden walls of the village. She gave a small wave to the guard that stood by the entrance as she led Merlin into the town.
“Do you think the barb's in tonight today? Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll be at the pub playing some music.” She led Merlin to a grassy spot just next to the stables and unhitched the cart from him. She gave him a good pat on the neck as he got to work on eating the grass, some relatively fresh hay not far off against the stable wall. “We'll be back Merlin. Make sure the cart stays safe.” The large steed neighed at her, tossing his mane as he continued to eat. She smiled and gave him one last pat before she pulled her back from the back of the cart and crossed it over her chest. She patted it against her thigh before she turned to Eldwic. “Okay, ready to go!”