The Gates of Night_ The Dreaming Dark - Keith Baker [55]
Xu’sasar evaded the innkeeper’s embrace, but his smile didn’t falter. He indicated the cushions on the floor.
“Please make yourself comfortable. May I get you some food, something to drink, perhaps?”
“We need a room for the night.” Daine had followed Xu’sasar into the building.
“And just wait until you see who’s with them, Ferric!” Huwen crowed.
“Huwen!” The innkeeper said, beaming. “It has been far too long since you graced us with your presence. Now, what’s this ab—”
The innkeeper fell silent, and the music came to an abrupt halt. The dancers stopped where they stood.
Pierce entered the common room with Lei in his arms.
“Lady … Darkheart?” The innkeeper said, his face paling.
“In a manner of speaking,” Huwen replied.
“I don’t know what this is about,” Daine said, “and I don’t care. Huwen says that you’re no friend to this Woodsman. Is that the truth?”
“Oh, yes,” the innkeeper said. “Have no fear, good sir. We won’t be telling the woods of your wounded lady.”
“Good,” Daine said. “Then you’ll give us a room?”
“Of course. But there is the matter of price. This is a business, not a sanctuary.”
Daine nodded. “I have gold.”
“Gold? We have no use for coin beneath the Deepwood Moon. It will take more than metal to earn your board beneath the Crooked Tree. What else do you have to offer?”
“The life of a wounded bird,” Daine said, placing his free hand around Huwen’s neck.
Xu’sasar was impressed. She’d thought Daine a fool for sparing the creature. It never occurred to her that he might use it as a hostage. Still, she was not convinced that he would stand by his hard words.
Neither was Ferric. The innkeeper laughed, a gasping, wheezing sound. “Good sir, Huwen is a customer, and if he seeks my shelter, he too will need to pay a price. You cannot trade on his life. No, if you wish the protection of our walls, you will need to give of yourself. Say … your fine voice.”
Xu’sasar glanced at Daine. She could draw and strike in the blink of an eye. Surely now he would see the wisdom of buying their shelter with blood.
Perhaps the innkeeper could read her thoughts; perhaps he simply saw her hands slip to the hilts of her knives. “I do advise against it, miss,” he said. “I’m sure you could kill me, but I assure you that the Crooked Tree would be no safe haven after my death.” His smile widened, and now she could see his needle-sharp teeth.
“Tell me your terms,” Daine said.
“Oh, I’m a fair man, sir,” Ferric said. “I do not expect you to be silent forever. I will simply take custody of your voice during your stay. I have this time to enjoy it, and you have our hospitality.”
“Do not do this,” Xu’sasar said. She needed no tale to tell her that this was unwise, but the stories of her people were filled with legends of those led astray by cunning spirits.
“Shelter for myself and my companions,” he said. “One price for all.”
“That sets such a bad precedent,” Ferric sighed. “Nonetheless, you travel in august company, and it pleases me to place a thorn in the foot of the Woodsman. How is this: As only you will pay the price, I will give you but one room. How you use that space is your concern. You will be silent for the duration of the stay, until I give you a voice when you leave our company. A fair deal, yes?”
“And you guarantee our safety?”
“For as long as you remain beneath the Tree, yes, sir.”
“Do not do this,” Xu’sasar said again.
“I must agree with Xu’sasar.” It was the first time Pierce had spoken since they had left the banks of the river. “There are strange forces at work in this place, Captain. Surely we can find other shelter.”
Daine released his grip on Huwen’s neck, and the bird chuckled. “Not likely, tin man. The closer you get to the Woodsman, the worse things will be for you. This is one of the few free houses in this hour of night, and Ferric speaks truth. If you want true shelter, you’ll be needing to meet his price.”
“Enough!” Daine said. “Lei needs the rest, and we don’t know what’s out there. If I can buy us safe haven with one silent night,