The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [149]
“Hope we can find an inn and are able to get a bath,” Miko says.
James starts laughing, Miko looks at him and he just laughs harder.
“What’s so funny?” Miko asks, not getting the joke.
When he finally calms himself enough to talk, he explains, “I was just remembering how you used to view baths that first time. I practically had to force you into one,” and then he starts laughing all over again.
Smiling too, Miko said, “I’m just hoping it will help my poor legs and butt.” Then he starts laughing as well, though not as hard as James.
“I am sure we can get a room and have a bath,” James assures him. “I would like one too.”
They hurry toward the city and the wall gradually grows before them as they draw closer. At the gate they are waved through by a couple of bored looking guards and enter the city.
Several blocks into the city they come across an inn that James considers acceptable. The sign outside depicts an ocean shoreline with a sun dropping below the horizon. James leaves Miko outside with the horses and mule and sees about getting a room.
“Welcome to the Setting Sun,” a man says as James enters. “What can we do for you this evening?”
“A room for the night and a place to stable two horses and a mule,” replies James.
The man, thin and gangly with a cheerful presence replies, “Not a problem sir, we have several available and plenty of room in our stable out back to accommodate your steeds. It’s only a silver a night, but that also includes dinner.”
“We’ll take it. I have a traveling companion,” James replies. “Can I get a room with two beds maybe?”
“Certainly sir, many of our rooms come with two beds anyway so that will be no problem,” assures the man. Extending his hand the man says, “My name is Porlen, I own and operate the Setting Sun. Go ahead and get your steeds settled in out back and then come back in and I’ll get you set up with your room.”
James shakes his hand and says, “Thank you, I’ll do that.” He then returns back out front, telling Miko that they have a room for the night and that they should take the steeds out back. They lead the horses around the side of the inn to the courtyard where several people are hanging around. One a boy of about ten or eleven, disengages from the group and comes over to help them find a couple of stalls and get their horses and mule settled in. Once all are taken care of for the night, they take their travel bags and go inside the inn through the back door. They find Porlen behind the counter, straightening up.
He looks up as they enter the inn and come toward him. “Got em settled in, then?” he asks.
“Yep,” James replies.
“Good, good.” Handing him a key he signals to a boy who comes over and takes their bags from them. “Ritchie here will show you to your room. Dinner will be served in about an hour. You might want to come down early, we sometimes get pretty crowded and it may be hard to find a table once we start serving dinner.”
“Thank you,” James says, “but is it possible to have dinner in our rooms?”
“Not a problem,” Porlen assures them. “I’ll send Ritchie to your room when it’s time and he can get you what you need.” Turning to Ritchie, he says, “They are staying in number seven.”
Ritchie says, “Follow me,” then proceeds to lead them to their room which is on the ground floor, down the hall off the main dining area.
Once at their room, Ritchie holds the door open, allowing them to enter first. He places their bags on one of the beds and then stands there waiting. James fishes a copper out of his pouch and gives it to the boy.
Ritchie takes it and looks at it, not entirely happy with the color, and then leaves the room.
“Guess he wanted more?” suggests Miko.
“Probably,” agrees James. “Maybe they get more here. I’ll give him a little more next time.”
In no time at all, Miko is stretched out on a bed, “Not as comfortable as the ones in Inius’ place, but it’ll do.”
James sits on his bed and sees what he means. It’s firmer and you don’t sink down very far, though it’s still comfortable.
“This place doesn’t cost as much