Crypt of the shadowking - Mark Anthony [74]
"Ferret, there is such a thing as paying, you know," Ty-veris commented. The thief gave the monk a nauseous look.
The big structure Ferret had spied turned out to be, in fact, an inn. It was a tidy, two-storied building of wood and stone. Tyveris and Ferret saw to the horses while the others went inside to inquire about lodging. The common room was austere but neatly kept, and the freshly scrubbed tabletops warranted a look of approval from Estah. "Yes, this will do nicely," the halfling said.
The innkeep, a man named Brandebar, was a jovial fellow of middle years, a widower who kept the inn with the help of his two daughters. The inn had no guests at the moment, and the innkeep was grateful for the business. When the Harper gave him three heavy gold coins, his eyes widened.
"I'll show you to my finest rooms, milady," he said, sketching a rough bow as he pocketed the coins. "If you don't mind my saying, you seem like important folk. We don't get many lords and ladies riding through these parts. I hope you'll find my modest rooms to your liking."
"I'm sure we'll like things just fine," Mari said reassuringly.
The innkeep showed them to a pair of comfortable adjoining rooms on the second floor.
"There you go, my lady," Caledan said wryly as he tossed Man's saddlebags onto a bed.
"Don't expect me to start calling you, 'my lord,'" she replied smartly, hands on her hips.
After they stowed their gear they headed back to the common room to see what was in store for supper. Tyveris and Ferret had already finished with the horses, and each held a clay pot of ale in his hand.
"That's not fair, starting without me," Caledan said in a hurt tone. He ordered two more pots of ale from one of the innkeep's daughters, a stout woman with ruddy cheeks and a cheerful smile. He had some catching up to do.
The innkeep himself brought them their supper-a rich meat stew, loaves of fresh, crusty brown bread, and a crock of soft, pale cheese. It was without doubt the best meal they had eaten since leaving the Dreaming Dragon, and Caledan felt his spirits lifting.
"Where's Morhion?" Mari asked as they ate.
"That mage," Estah said with a scowl. "He isn't the least interested in eating. He's upstairs with his nose buried in one of his musty old books. He mumbled something about needing to be ready."
"Ready for what?" Ferret asked.
The halfling shrugged. "Why, for battling the shadevar, I suppose."
"I'll take him a plate," Mari said, dishing up some of the stew and slicing several pieces of bread.
"Good luck, Mari," Estah said, patting her hand. "The gods know, I tried for years to get that man to eat enough without much luck. I don't know what he subsists on. Ink fumes or some such thing, I suppose."
Caledan watched Mari as she ascended the stairs, plate in hand. Why was the Harper so concerned about that infernal mage?
After a time Mari returned downstairs. She sat back down at the table where the companions were eating and picked at her stew.
After the supper dishes had been cleared they sat near the fire, discussing their plans for the next day. According to Tyveris's map, the village of Asher was no more than a day's ride to the northwest.
Man sighed and told the others she was going to turn in early. Estah noticed that she was rubbing her temples, as if she had a headache.
"Is something wrong, Man?" Estah asked in concern, but the Harper shook her head.
"I'm tired, that's all," Mari answered with a thin smile "Thanks, Estah." Mari left the common room.
"Why don't you go after her, Caledan?" Estah said softly, touching his arm gently. Ferret and Tyveris were engaged in a friendly argument of some sort and paying little attention to Estah and Caledan.
Caledan should have known he couldn't hide his emotions from the healer. "I can't, Estah," he said almost angrily. How had he gotten himself into a situation like this? "Maybe the Harper and I do feel… something for each other. But both of us know that it's not going to