In reply to Trivel (msg # 40):

The innkeeper comes forward, " Aye, all are welcome."

He took the yoke in hand and nodded to Adair, " I'll stall yer beasts and put away your cart under cover."

Adair thanks him and leads the rest of you inside.

There is a vat of stew bubbling at the centre of the large
common room you have entered. Next to it stand pitchers
full of ale.

After a few minutes the old man re-enters and introduces himself
with a bow as Cearin the Innkeeper. He negotiates a fee with you of one florin for food, and two florins for a room. There are four bedrooms upstairs, and as it happens, all of them are unoccupied tonight. He does not seem happy at having foreigners under his roof, but you get the impression that with the inn empty, any trade is good trade right now.

In reply to GM (msg # 41):

ok, deduct 3 florins and let me know if I need to throw in a copper or three for more candles.  Kores will be up and doesn't really have night vision.  I think he's got a book somewhere in his luggage...

and if he doesn't he'll pick up whatever he can, a bible or something...

"Well met, Cearin." Tobias grins, shaking the innkeeper's hand warmly. "A room, food and a stoup of ale is always welcome after a day on the road."

He begins to lug his packs off the cart, smiling apologetically to the others. "It's not that I'm distrustful. I just like to keep my packs where I can keep an eye on them."

With a flourish, he discharges his crossbow into the ground, picks up the quarrel, and tucks it into his belt. "We have been edgy on the road." He explains to Cearin. "When the roads are this quiet, the mind turns to brigands, or worse. What news from you? Many visitors passing this way?"

OOC: Tobias will stump up the 3 florins, plus whatever the cost of ale is (unless it's included with the food!).

I assume it's 2 florins per head, rather than per room, since we'll have to double up?

Dann pays the florins, gets seated and starts to eat while listening to what the inn keeper has to say. "Are you keeping this inn alone?" he will ask at some point.

Giving him 4 florin. "Be kind with the ale my good man." Brenar stated. "And I'll recommand thisd place to all I met." He added.

Trivel just hands over his 3 florins. He has spoken enough already as it was.
Instead, he releases without much flourish his bowstring, and puts the bow away. But he's going to put his own belongings where he could keep an eye on them, too.
Or even better, where Tobias could keep an eye on them.
"Do you mind me putting my stuff on your belongings?", he asks the man. "This way, we could both keep an eye".

His bags deposited, Tobias fumbles with his pipe in a bid to light it. "Not at all!" He waves towards the pile. "Four eyes are better than two..."

Trivel puts his stuff on the pile, and sits with his back to a wall to watch the room.

In reply to Trivel (msg # 48):

Kores is happy to be facing a wall.  In fact he's happy to be sitting in a dark corner in the room by himself with his back to everyone.  And with the company of a wall.

In reply to Kores Varias (msg # 49):

Tobias watches Kores take his seat. "Sociable fellow, that one." He chuckles. "A scholar, eh?"

The way he stresses the word suggests he alluding to something, without wanting to force and open discussion.

"Yes", Trivel confirms. "I believe that's the word they use around here for educated people. He certainly is one."

In reply to Trivel (msg # 51):

OOC: 2 florins/head and ale is included with the food cost.
" Aye, all alone, by meself.  Well, since Missus passed.", Cearwin nodded before meandering off out of sight towards the kitchen.

Brenar and Dann ate and drank, while Trivel and Tobias chatted, Kores read a 'Treatise on Northern Herbs' that had apparently been left behind by a former traveller and Adair retired early to his room.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:01, Tue 22 Mar 2016.

Dann shrugs while eating. After a while he whispers to the others: "Look, I don't trust this guy, whether I am right or wrong. We should keep a watch tonight. Who takes first turn?"

"The fellow's harmless enough. He's never done me harm." Tobias shrugs."But if it'll set your mind at rest, I don't mind taking first watch."

"I'll keep you company in the first watch", Trivel nods. "Maybe he's harmless...but all wolves are harmless to a fast horse, except for the one wolf that manages to break his leg".
Hunches were something his people trusted unconditionally.

"Right. I will take the second watch then." states simply Dann before finishing his meal silently.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Thu 24 Mar 2016.

In reply to Dann of Clan Valin (msg # 56):

Kores manages to overhear.  Without any expression he closes his book and walks off to his room.  Seems theres a lot of people taking first watch.

Wonder whos in which room?

In reply to Kores Varias (msg # 57):

Tobias took first watch, but all was quiet and he soon retired to the room he shared with Trivel.

Dann was woken and took second watch in the common room, he was suprised when the elderly inn keeper emerged from the darkened kitchen, which he had taken to be unoccupied, in the early hours.

" Can't sleep?  Can I fix you something?"

Dann hesitates then answers: "That's right, I cannot sleep. But I am not sure you can do anything about it."

" You might be very suprised indeed about that.", chuckled the old man in what Dann assumed must be a private joke of some kind.

" Good Night, don't let the bed-bugs bite!  Not that there are any such thing here, very clean is my inn."

The strange old man returned to the dark kitchen and soon all was quiet again.

Dann shrugs silently and waits for what happens next while trying not to fall asleep.

Trivel, who has not uttered a word on purpose, preferring to observe, joins him in his attempts.
He's never had issues with staying awake, but the old man sounded strangely persuaded in his words...
He smells his beer. Does it smell differently from what it normally does?

Dann and Trivel sat, the night went on...

Trivel inspected his ale with bleary eyes and practiced tongue but truth to be told he wasn't sure about the taste of any of the beverages on these far-flung shores.

The rest of their watch went without incident...as did the one that followed.

All awoke refreshed the next morning.  The innkeeper was nowhere to be seen but young, rather nervous looking fellow was making himself busy preparing their cart for departure.

As soon as Dann finds the occasion, he will say to the young fellow: "Hello there! Nice to meet you. Is everything alright?"

" Oh, Aye! Right as rain.  Theres bread and cheese inside and small beer, you'll be off soon?"