Re: 52a - Under siege
The girl returns once more, with the requested goblets, and a steaming bowl of vegetable broth and half a loaf for Banglen-Yp. "'Ere yer go, Sweet'eart. 'Ope yer enjoys it." she says, before turning her attention to Roman.
"My gaffer's 'ad ter go out fer a bit. 'e should be back soon though, an' soon's 'e is, I'll let 'im know 'bout the rooms. We's got plenty o' space ter spare, it's a big ol' place."
"I'll go get yer dinners now, gents."
The door opens, and she laughs, "Well, that's jus' typical o' 'im. Disappearin' while it's busy. Back in a tick."
The group who enter the Sanctuary Inn are certainly noticeable. First there is the man with the small winged reptile on his shoulder. Something about him fairly screams "soldier", and it's not just the sword he carries. Behind him is another man, clad all in dark robes and bearing a staff. Then a large black dog, with a startling likeness to a wolf. The next to enter appears to be a minstrel or musician of some sort, a guitar slung over his shoulder. Following him a gaunt-faced man, heavily scarred about one eye, with the hilt of a sword projecting above his shoulder. And finally, the only one who is grinning... a slim man, with a large axe cradled easily in the crook of his left elbow.
They seem quite deep in conversation, while looking about for a place to sit. The serving girl says something to them as she passes.
Entering the inn, James first, with Berd, and Luke bringing up the rear, the group finds itself in a very busy room. There are about a hundred people present, mostly crowded at the end away from the fire.
Only three people, two men and a young woman, are seated near the fire, and that is the only part of the room where there are any seats available.
The reason for this inequity in the distribution of the room's population might well have something to do with the three who share a table with the men and the woman - three enormous panthers, seemingly almost as large as horses. One of them is getting its ears rubbed by the woman, while she stares at a bowl in front of her. The other two are lapping at some milk, for all the world like gigantic housecats.
The men seem to be discussing something...
A woman passes close to James, smiling, "Find yerself's table gents, an' I'll be with yers in a tick."
There doesn't seem to be much choice of location...