Part 20 (1/2)
”If it's friends you're after, you'll make plenty tonight,” said the bar matron. ”Young Bartol Greenward turns eighteen today-half the town will be in and out of here. But don't you worry-if it's quiet you want, you won't hear a peep from the back. Our walls are thick. But I hope you join us for while. It looks to be a grand party.”
”What about strangers?” Gewey asked. ”Have any come through in the past couple of days?”
The woman crinkled her nose in thought. ”Can't really tell,” she said. ”Been out sick until this morning. Dreadful sick. Feeling better now, though. Ready for the celebration.” An old man pushed his way behind the counter and whispered into her ear.
”Yes I am, you old goat,” she said crossly. ”I was just about to show them to their room, wasn't I?” she asked, turning toward Gewey and Dina.
”Yes you were,” Gewey said, clearly amused by the banter.
The bar matron turned back to the old man. ”You see? Now go back to your wine and leave me be.”
The woman led Gewey and Dina through a door in the corner of the common room. Gewey scanned the crowd trying to catch sight of Lee, Millet, or Kaylia, but he didn't see any of them.
”I forgot to ask,” said the woman. ”How many rooms will you be needing?” Gewey froze and felt himself blush.
”I...uh...” he stammered.
”Forgive my husband,” Dina said. ”He sometimes forgets we're no longer bound by our parents. One room will be fine.”
”That's quite alright,” said the woman. ”My old goat of a husband forgets we're even married at all.” She unlocked the door and handed Dina the key. ”You keep this, my love. Men can't be trusted with anything. Now I must get back. The old goat will bring you some water for the basin. I'll see your meal brought as well, if you want.”
”Yes, thank you,” said Dina.
”Grand,” said the woman. ”I'm Minnie, if you need anything. And my husband's name...well, you can just call him old goat. He answers to that more than anything else.” With that, Minnie scurried off down the hall.
The room was simple but comfortable. The washbasin in the corner was large enough to stand in, and the small table and chairs were well made. But the thing that Gewey noticed most was the single bed.
”Husband?” he asked.
Dina smiled. ”I suppose I could have said brother. But I was taken off guard, and we can't afford two rooms.”
”You weren't the only one taken off guard.”
”Don't worry,” she said playfully. ”Being my husband won't be so bad.”
Gewey couldn't meet her eyes for fear his embarra.s.sment would show.
A little while later, Minnie's husband brought their wash water.
”I'll bring your meal in half an hour,” he said sourly, before skulking out of the room.
”It'll feel good to be clean,” said Dina. ”I have fresh clothes for you in my pack.” She stood there staring at Gewey with eyebrows raised.
”What?” exclaimed Gewey.
”Turn around, if you don't mind,” Dina instructed. ”Unless you intend to watch me bathe.”
Gewey blushed for what felt like the hundredth time and turned around, facing the door. He felt his heart race as he heard Dina bathing behind him. By the time she was finished and dressed, he could hardly breathe.
”Your turn,” she said, drying her hair with a towel that had been placed on the bed. Gewey didn't move.
”Come now,” she teased. ”I'll turn away.” Gewey hands shook as he disrobed and began to wash.
”Very nice,” Dina said suggestively.
Gewey spun around, nearly knocking over the basin, but Dina was still facing the door.
”That's not funny,” Gewey fumed.
”I'm sorry,” Dina laughed. ”I'll be good. I promise.”
Gewey washed and dressed as fast as he could.
There was a knock at the door, and Minnie's husband brought them their meal. It was far more than the bar matron had said there might be; clearly she'd gotten to the leftover lamb before anyone else.
As they ate, Gewey tried not to think about his earlier embarra.s.sment, but he was still unable to look Dina in the eye.
”I think I'll save the wine for the journey,” Dina said, holding up the jug Minnie had given them.
”Good idea.”
”I suppose we should see if your friends are anywhere about,” she said, finis.h.i.+ng her last bite of lamb. Gewey nodded in agreement.
The common room was still bustling with partygoers. Several tables had been pushed aside and a dance contest had broken out in the center of the floor. It reminded Gewey of birthdays back home.
He scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of his companions, but he couldn't see much through the crowd. He forced his way to the far wall and stood on a chair. Without warning, he was lifted off his feet and thrown over a broad shoulder. Before he could do anything, he was being spun around. He struggled to free himself, but his a.s.sailant lifted him up and sat him down hard in a chair. It was Lee. Gewey saw Dina approaching from behind him with her knife drawn.
”Dina, stop!” Gewey cried. ”I've found them.”
Dina put her knife back in her belt and covered it with her s.h.i.+rt.
”I see your taste in travel companions has improved,” said Lee, smiling widely.
”How did you find me?” Gewey asked.
”Luck, combined with a bit of skill,” Lee answered, laughing and slapping Gewey on the back. He turned to Dina. ”So you're the one who helped my young friend. Celandine, right?”
”Please, call me Dina,” she said. ”And you're Lee Starfinder.
Where are your companions?”
”I see you and your husband decided to join us,” said Minnie as she pa.s.sed by with a tray of wine. ”And found a friend I see!” She disappeared into the crowd.
”Husband?” Lee exclaimed, bursting into laughter. ”You've been busy.”
”It's not funny,” Gewey objected. ”Anyway, where's Kaylia and Millet?”
”Kaylia's in her room,” Lee replied. ”And Millet should be here tomorrow. But I don't think we should talk here.”
Lee led them to the room where Kaylia was staying. She smiled brightly when Gewey entered, but that smile vanished when Dina followed behind. She regarded the other woman with open suspicion.