As the group calls out in the courtyard a young man emerges from what can only be the stables. He waves enthusiastically at the group making noises under his breath and then points frantically at the door opposite him, motioning for the group to enter. As you approach him you notice he is a simpleton, possible slow-witted. He goes back into the stables afterwards.
You pass through the door and see the inn. Dark oaken tables, chairs and benches fill this comfortable, L-shaped common room, and the faint odors of tobacco and ale permeate the air. Narrow windows with panes of smoked glass along the north and south walls allow some light into this welcoming space.
An old matronly woman clad in peasant clothing and an apron sits at the center-most table of this room. Her voluminous white hair is piled atop her head and secured in a conservative bun. She wears a red scarf about her neck and a wry smile on her face. "I am Addas Grymble, eldest of the three sisters who run this establishment. Do you need lodging?" she asks gruffly.
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Nodding in thanks to the boy, momentarily taken aback by his overzealous geatures before realising he must be mute. Striding forth like the Knight he professed to be, dusting off the dirt of travel from his long tunic, Ser Dante steps into the Inn and gives it a careful study, before making his way to the proprietor behind the desk and giving her a winning smile. So this is our foe? Old hag he thought whilst his mouth said.
"Greetings Madame, yes please, my allies and I would relish a night in a soft bed in such an glorious establishment. You seem quiet, are there many travellers through of late?"
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"Yes lodging and a hot meal would be nice. And a drink, don't forget a nice mug of ale please." After putting in his order, Cyrus takes out his notepad and scribbles a few notes in it. "I must say, this is quite the place you have here. I represent a wealthy merchents guild looking to make investments in this area. We want to establish a trade caravan route, and this seems like he would be an excellent place for regular stops. Surely it would increase business threefold here! Do you think we might look around a bit? We need to make sure the rest of the facilities here will suffice."
"Yes I have lodging. Aint free." she says fixing her hair. She looks at Cyrus "Is that why you are here? trading?" she asks leaning forward to hear more from him.
Addas calls for her sisters to hear the tale as well...the three sisters listen to Cyrus and then Addas announces "Yer in luck... we have room and board fer ya. Sit where you like as my sisters prep your rooms. How many rooms mind you?" she asks as if wondering who are coupled among the group.
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Ser Dante smiles charmingly as Cyrus begins to woo their hosts, speaking in support of their joined ruse. "As my friend says, we represent a Mercantile venture on the rise and need a waypoint for this part of the world." he began, keeping just enough truth in his words, "Your charming inn and glowing reputation was on all lips, so we had to check it out."
As the sisters join them, the Taldan Knight keeps his easy smile. "Indeed, what rooms do you have on offer? I will take one to myself." he replies, hoping for a tour.
"How many rooms? You tell me.. I'm not the one needin rooms. The local shepards and farmers that come and go from here are off to Xer for a major market day so business is slow. I would prefer the more rooms you take the better." Addas says as her sisters return to the kitchen where they continue canning fruit and making jam. You smell a nice beef stew cooking on the fire and fresh bread just pulled out of the oven.
"If ye hungry then food will be up soon and we'll take payment for the room now rather than in the morning in case you decide to leave early."
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Lousy peasant. Dante's mind rages at being treated like a man who would run from this rat infested hovel. Though, they could be witches if they keep captors, or worse. None of his thoughts show on his face however and keeps the steel of aristocracy in his voice.
"Fine. I shall take whatever goes for your finest room. Our guests will want only the best and we should ensure it is suitable." the Taldan Knight replies. "And I'll take some stew and bread."
He places the money on the counter and then stares pointedly.
"Single rooms be 5 silver a night... if ya want a more noble room then its 3 gold a night... but those rooms are big enough to sleep three folks." Addas says staring at the gold.
Addas collects all of the money and shows you all to your rooms.
"Here you go" she says as she shows you to your rooms one by one. "Not you Ser Knight. The finest rooms are not on this side. Your room is on the other end of the lodge near the baths. Come get your foods after you've settled and such." and she turns and walks away playing with the coins in her hands.
The double bed in this more finely appointed bedchamber
has a rich quilt and fat pillows. It comfortably sleeps two
or three Medium occupants, who pay 3 gp a night for such
lodgings.
This small room features a comfortable feather bed
suitable for a single Medium occupant and costs 5 sp a
night. The door can be locked from the inside if a guest
desires additional security.
All of the rooms can be locked from the inside for additional security but upon closer inspection of the door and lock you realize a there is a hidden mechanism that allows this lock to be sprung from the outside, save for the Knights room which is a fine lock and door.
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Entering his room, Dante gives the old woman a winning smile and places his pack in the corner before doffing his armour and stripping his travel-stained shirt before removing his boots. He too desired a warm bath but would wait for Helena to be done first as was only proper. As he is left, Dante checks the room for spyholes and the like, glad to have found nothing.
Some time and a hot bath later, the Taldan Knight joins with his allies to discuss the next phase of their plan.
"Well, I found nothing suspicious in my room." he begins
As the group discuss their plan of action in hushed voices their food is read in the dining area. They sit down and eat striking up neutral conversation with the sisters. The group learns the Grymbles maintain that they are not religious folk but simply serve without bias all who come their way. As they say, “Hospitality is our creed, though we honor the Living God as our overlord”.The group also learns the inn has been in the family for 3 centuries, long before the rise of the Living God.
One of the sisters sends the stable boy to town with a list of supplies to get. When asked about the boy they sisters say Rosh is their “dear, simple nephew, not good with reading and writing but a strong worker” though he was foisted on them only a year ago by a traveling bard who had grown weary of him.
Most patrons are merchants and farmers travelling through. The sisters say "Dwarves stop in from time to time, but none have been here recently."
After dinner and drinks the sisters see the group to their rooms and then retire for the night.
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Eating the simple fair, Dante does his beat to engage in small talk with the ladies and patrons, getting a feel for the area here and any comings and goings. Though suspicious of the Women and their hands in the missing Dwarves, they run a fairly decent Inn and he takes the time to enjoy it as they can.
"I'm going to take another bath before bed, I can still smell the river on me." The Knight complains, before heading to his room and then the bath.
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"A stroll sounds lovely." Dante replies as he prepares to leave . "If only to wind up Xanko with tales of out moonlit wander."
Placing his cutlery down, the Knight wipes off stray crumbs before heading to the door and openig it for Hellena. With a courtly bow and a glint of msichief in his eyes he holds out his arm. "Milady?"