Temple Hill - Drew Karpyshyn [21]
"If I wanted to stay in a prison for my safety I'd go turn myself in at the Jailgates," Lhasha declared. Seeing the look on Corin's face, she added. This isn't open for discussion, Corin."
The warrior took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. There were other reputable inns in Elversult, though none was as safe as the Axe and Hammer.
"What about the Glowing Staff?" he finally suggested.
The Glowing Staff had been in business for nearly twenty years, run by an extended family of halflings. Like the Axe and Hammer, the employees there were honest and able to keep a secret. A security force of a dozen halflings armed with wooden clubs kept order in the tavern and responded quickly to any disturbances in the rooms on the upper floors of the three story building-not quite as intimidating as the dwarf warriors patrolling the Axe and Hammer's corridors, but an effective deterrent nonetheless.
The atmosphere at the Glowing Staff was one of cheer and warmth. One thing halflings were good at was making a guest feel welcome. The food was always appetizing and plentiful, drinks were refilled often, and laughter and singing from the tavern echoed through the halls.
"I've heard good things about it," Lhasha admitted. "Though I've never been there. They say that on most nights some of the kitchen staff bring out their lutes and flutes and provide tunes to amuse and entertain the guests."
Corin nodded. They do."
"All right, well check it out. I could use some music to dance my troubles away."
The warrior made no effort to hide the disapproving look on his face. "Don't do anything to draw attention to yourself," he warned.
Lhasha acted as if she hadn't even heard him.
Corin had wanted to rent the rooms himself-the less people who saw Lhasha checking in the better, as far as he was concerned. However, the half-elf would have none of it.
"You can't just shut me up and hide me away like some kind of stuck-up princess," she explained. "I always like to try and make friends with the staff when I stay someplace. They're more likely to watch out for me if they like me."
She did have a point, and Corin was already beginning to sense that he would win few arguments with the boisterous, headstrong young thief. He'd have to pick his battles.
"Top floor," Corin said to the halfling innkeeper once they arrived. "One room, two keys."
"Hold on," Lhasha interjected quickly. "I appreciate what you did for me in the Fair, Corin. But we just met, and the unshaved look doesn't really work for me-"
Corin cut her off. "Fm your bodyguard. I'll stand guard while you sleep."
"And what about you?" the half-elf had asked.
Not wishing to advertise Lhasha's profession to all within earshot, Corin dropped his voice to a low whisper.
"Fll sleep whenever you're… uh… out gathering inventory. We only need the one room."
Lhasha shook her head. "No, that won't do. I won't sleep a wink with you hovering over my bed. It's creepy. Besides… what if I have company? You kind of wreck the mood, Corin. If you know what I mean."
"You wouldn't be my first client to bring someone back to their room. On those occasions 111 stand guard outside."
"Oh, I see…" Lhasha said sarcastically, "an armed guard outside my room. That won't look odd. Not at all. Way to keep a low profile. The Purp-" At the last second she caught herself. "My 'friends' don't know where I'm staying. The last thing we want to do is attract attention."
During their conversation the innkeeper had studiously been trying to occupy himself with other business-scratching his curly head, checking his fingernails for dirt, idly sorting the room keys. After all,