Interlude III
Flesh and Flexibility
The Black Boar was an inn located on the fringes of the city's outskirts, filling an obtuse little plot of land sandwiched between two hills owned by rich nobles who, despite their best efforts, hadn't managed to convince the owner to hand over the deed to either one.
It was probably because of the location; the crossroad made it an opportune stop over for anyone heading to the city or any of the southern villages that dotted the path to the kingdom of Resa. When she had first come to the city, Sarah had made it a point to stop at the two story inn out of curiosity.
She hadn't been disappointed-- as humble as it was on the outside, it made great use of spacious layouts and warm, inviting lighting to put her mind at ease right from the start. She'd been a different person all those years ago, but it seemed as though the inn hadn't changed all that much. The lighting and pleasantly lined face of the older woman behind the counter had the same effect that they had back then, almost instantly the knot in Sarah's shoulders began to unwind.
She pre-empted the woman, producing a bag of coin. "Hello! I'd like to rent two of your finest rooms."
"Certainly, miss. You're just about in time for dinnah, wouldya like it at your room?"
Sarah eyed her for a moment, considering ever so briefly the gentle lines of the woman's neck, even through the practical dress she wore. After the day she'd had, the idea sounded appealing. Something new, experienced even-- "Well, that depends, dear." She leaned forward into the woman's space with a soft smile. "How would you prefer I apply my tongue to what you have to offer, hm?"
Despite being coated in sweat and grime from the day's events and the ride that followed, Sarah imagined herself still able to pull off something at least marginally attractive. The woman just chuckled and shook her head, though her smile was genuine, even to the point that it actually made Sarah want to grin in return.
"You should clear your plate, ya look like ya need it!" Abruptly she swatted Sarah's stomach with the back of her hand. Sarah let out an 'umph' and the woman went back to get the keys. "Mind my askin' who gave ya that shinah?"
"Ah?" The hell was a shiner? Probably some eastern affectation. Perhaps it had something to do with her accent. "I suppose I've been fortunate in life."
"Just not with men, ay? Sign here, if ya want a couple more days, just let me know, hm?"
Sarah gathered the keys and her coin, playing off her confusion with a relaxed smile. Maybe after a bath and some time to relax she could put in the time to seduce the woman. There was always the paladin, too. . .
She checked the rooms over and went outside to retrieve their guest and the rest of her group. The problem with the paladin, attractive though he was, and he really was. Broad shoulders, husky voice. Well hung from what she could tell.
Oh, but then he'd be clinging to her like a puppy. What's more, he was a paladin for gods' sake. The last thing she needed was a source of religious debate and zealotry. She didn't need someone telling her she was a shoddy priest.
No, it seemed she was going to have to default to Tessarie. Unless, of course, she could find some entertainment amongst the other guests.
Outside the carriage the paladin and Tessarie were hoisting the unconscious girl up into a carry. The larger human had no problem with the relatively tiny woman aside from the grim look he wore. He and Sarah exchanged a glance before she held up her key. "She can stay in my room for the evening."
"I still think this is a terrible idea."
"Compassion, my dear boy, is not a trait unique to your ilk."
"She's tainted--"
Sarah turned on her heel, pointedly ignoring the implication. It didn't take a magical pact to feel the bristle of the woman's immense power, nor the dark taint to it's presence, but that didn't mean the girl herself was as dark as whatever power she'd aligned herself with. Even if it did, there were questions to be asked. . . "Bring her inside, if you would. Keiter, are you all right to walk?"
He stumbled weakly from around the carriage with his robe clutched tight to his shivering body. "I-- I'll make it."
Thank the gods she couldn't heal anyone, Sarah quietly mused as she wandered over to the coach driver and instructed him where to park-- and leave- the carriage. After paying him, she turned back to the inn in time to see something that surprised her.
Tessarie was offering Keiter a hand with a shaky smile, helping him up the stairs. It was interesting to see how quick she had forgotten her initial misgivings about the kobold, perhaps there was hope for her yet.
By the time they had the girl laid out on the large bed, Keiter had practically fallen asleep. The three of them took turns looking at one another waiting for the other to speak, to lend some sense to the madness of the last few hours. Sarah didn't need someone to tell her what was wrong, though. She knew what was going to happen if the dragons' agents caught up with her.
She had a chance to learn what they were planning, though. Yes, this was a good omen, even if it was unexpected. She could get a head start if she knew what she was up against. Sarah quietly ushered the others into the hall. "Get some food and rest, we'll talk about this later. Here's the key for the other room."
To Sarah's surprise, the paladin was the one who asked, "what about you?"
"I'm sure I'll be all right. We'll discuss this all a bit later, hm?" Without waiting for a reply she closed and locked the door. Not even two seconds later she slumped against it, the sudden awareness of her intimate proximity to the woman who'd planned to kill her pinged in the back of her mind like a gunshot.
Half-elf or not, maybe there was something to the whole 'fey crazy' theory. Surely no sane person would do something this blatantly contradictory to their own well being.
