Temple Hill - Drew Karpyshyn [23]
The warrior winced at her words, obviously finding the term gentleman somewhat distasteful. Lhasha made a note to herself to avoid using it in the future.
"I found us a table in the corner. Out of the way."
Lhasha was about to protest, then thought better of it. She didn't want to spoil her grand entrance by appearing spoiled, or argumentative. If any of the staff got that impression, they'd never warm up to her.
She slipped her arm into the crook of Corin's elbow on his good limb, briefly startling him. He recovered quickly, and escorted her to the table, though his manner was overly stiff and formal. That wasn't a bad thing, Lhasha knew. It would be obvious to anyone watching that Corin was her bodyguard, and nothing more. She didn't want to scare off any of the many eligible looking young men already gathered in the hall.
A young serving girl came over, a halfling lass barely able to reach the center of the table even on her tiptoes.
"I love your dress, m'lady," she blurted out to Lhasha before taking their order, seemingly embarrassed at herself for having the audacity to make such a comment.
"Really? Why, thank you," Lhasha replied easily. She was used to such compliments. "If you want, I can give you the name of the merchant who sold me the fabric. I bet it would look wonderful on you-you've such a pretty face. And please, call me Lhasha."
Corin hissed and shook his head, anxious about his charge giving out her name. Lhasha ignored him.
The teenage waitress smiled shyly from beneath her curly brown hair. "That would be wonderful, m'lady… Lhasha. My birthday's coming, and I ever so much want a new dress for Greengrass."
The half-elf smiled back and patted the young server's hand. "Go see Jerril in the Fair," she said. "His prices are a bit high, but he's a sucker for a pretty face. You should be able to talk him down a fair bit. What's your name, dear?"
"Tebia," the halfling responded with a self-conscious laugh. "I'll go see this Jerril next tenday, if father will give me some time off. Now what can I get you folks this evening? Supper? A drink?"
"We'll just start with some wine for now, Tebia," Lhasha said.
"Water for me," Corin interjected.
"Are you sure, sir?" Tebia asked. "We have some of the finest ale in Elversult, if you're not partial to wine. Brewed right in our own cellars."
"Just water." Corin's voice was flat and cold, alienating.
The warm smile on the halfling's face faltered slightly.
"Don't mind him," Lhasha said reassuringly. "He's just had a long day."
Tebia nodded and gave Lhasha a thankful grin. "Ill be back in a jiff with your drinks."
As soon as she was gone, Corin leaned across the table to chide Lhasha in a harsh whisper. "Are you daft? You stride in her like a queen at a coronation, you chit chat with the first person you meet, and you start spreading your name around like the plague! We're supposed to be hiding out!"
Lhasha dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "Relax, Corin. If we skulk around here, giving everyone bitter looks and mistrusting glares we'll draw more attention to ourselves than my entrance ever did.
"As for being friendly with the staff, that's just good business. If they like us, they'll watch out for us. Would you rather have friendly faces making up my room and preparing my meals, or a bunch of disgruntled strangers?"
The warrior didn't answer right away.
Lhasha pressed her advantage. "Besides, you yourself said the staff here is discreet. I think you're just overreacting."
Lhasha doubted Corin had any valid responses to her argument, but she never got to find out for sure. At that moment Tebia returned with their drinks, setting them down on the table.
"Thank you, Tebia," Lhasha said sincerely. "I can already smell the wine's bouquet. It's quite lovely."
Corin mumbled a gruff thank you as well. Hardly the type of thing to endear him to the staff, but Lhasha chose to interpret his feeble effort as proof that Corin had assented to her opinions.
***
The meal was done, and the minstrels were in