Sir Larg

THE INN

::As they ride, the country side changes. The trees give way to more and more fields and small farmers huts and buildings. Soon they come to a road and he leads them onto the road heading northwest.::
So, Lady, you are familiar with beings and things that most of us mortals know nothing about. What other strange beings control things in your world?
::The weather worsens as they travel. Soon the farms give way to rockier land and the path rises. Ahead is a large, dark, forbidding building at the opening of a pass leading into the mountains. There are barns and stables in the back and people moving around tending animals. There is a large, wooden sign hanging from an arm over the door to the building. It is worn and faded but if you look close the name of the inn can be made out, "Death's Path Gate". They ride up to the front of the inn and two young men run out to take the reigns. He dismounts and hands his reigns to the first young man.::
I will go arrange for lodging, M'Lady. If you would follow the pages and see where they stable the horses. If everything meets with your satisfaction, give them this.::He hands her a small skin pouch that is heavy and jingles. He turns and walks in the door of the inn. When she comes, he is arguing with a fat, greasy man in an apron. As she approaches, he turns to her.:: The proprieter here says that he only has one suite left, Lady. It has a common room and bedroom. If that will be acceptable to you, we will take it.

::She shakes the rain from her cloak, shivering from the cold. Looking around the room they stand in, she responds to his comment of the room::
Only one room left? ::she questions the man. He confirms what Sir Larg has told her::
Is there another Inn close to here? ::And he tells her there is not::
::She looks out the window. The rain is coming down hard now:: Well, M'Lord... Under these conditions, I say we better take this room. The horses are well housed and are having a hearty meal.
::She shivers again.:: If we could go up now. I need to get out of these wet clothes. And send up some food and warm drink. I do not feel like dining in the hall this eve. ::She says to the man.:: If that is alright with you M'Lord?
::Looking for the pages:: Please take our things to the room. We will be up in a moment.
::She waits for Sir Larg to get the key, and follows him up the stairs::

Exactly what I was thinking, M'Lady. We will eat in the room. And I want a hot bath waiting for the lady when we get there.
::He pulls another skin bag from under his cloak, this one larger and heavier than the last, and drops it on the bar in front of the inkeeper. He turns and gestures for her to preceed him. They follow the page up the stairs and dow the hall to a large, solid oak door. He turns the key in the lock and pushes the door open. They stand in the middle of the common room. It is a large room, well furnished, with a warm, cheery fire crackling in the oversized hearth. A door on the back wall, standing open, reveals the bedroom with a very large doulbe bed. A lady attendant is standing by a door in the side corner, a large towel and soap in her hands.::
It would appear your bath is ready, M'Lady. While you are refreshing yourself, I will have your things moved into the bedroom. You will take that and I will stay out here in this very comfortable common room.
::He waves the page into the bedroom with her things.::

::She follows the women to a smaller room. There is a tub filled with steaming water waiting for her. A small fireplace shows a fire burning, warming the room::
You can leave me. Come back in a few moments to collect my clothing to have it cleaned please.
::The woman leaves, she can here her outside the door waiting.:: ::She undresses, laying all her clothing on a chair by the door. She shivers again.::
Oh, I do hope I'm not falling ill from all this rain.
::She slowly enters the tub, the warm water engulfing her body, until she is totally emersed and warm. There is a light knock at the door.:: Enter. ::She calls to the maid.::
::The women lays out a nightdress on the small table in the room and hangs a lovely warm robe on a hook behind the door. She gathers her clothing, and asks if there will be anything else::
No, thank you. I will be fine now. You may go and tend to my clothing.
::The maid leaves, closing the door softly behind her::
::She dunks her head under the water, then comes back up. She washes her hair. Then soaping a small sponge, she washes her body. The water turning milky color from the soap. She finishes and gets out of the tub. Drying completely and slides the night dress over her head, letting it slide down over her hips. She puts on the robe. Then walks to the fire to get warm, bringing the towel to dry her hair. She combs her hair out with a comb lieing on the wash table. Then leaves this room, back into the bedroom. She can hear the rain coming down very hard and the wind howls.::
::Through the other door she enters the common room. She goes over to the fireplace, standing in front of it.::
The weather sounds very bad, M'Lord. I hope it lets up soon or we might not be able to continue in the morning.

::He is sitting in a large chair in front of the fire. On the table next to him is a large pot of hot stew, a wooden bowl of fresh bread, a basket of fruit and a brass pitcher of steaming mulled wine.::
Did you enjoy your bath, M'Lady? The food is ready. May I serve you?
::He fills a plate with stew, adds a piece of bread and sets it on the table next to the other chair. He pours wine into a goblet and sets it next to the plate.::
Please, sit and eat. It had been a hard day.
::He fills a plate and goblet for himself and starts to eat.:: The weather is bad, Lady, and I fear that if it does not stop we will have to travel in it tomorrow. The urgency of my mission does not allow for delays, now that I have found you. I am truly sorry for the hardness of the trip and the discomfort to you, but it is necessary.
::He sits back and finishes his stew. Sitting the plate down, he sips at his wine.::
The wine is good, spiced just right. Please enjoy the comfort this inn affords while we can. I will see to our security for the night.
::He walks to the door. Placing one hand on the door and one on the door frame, he bows his head slightly and murmers. The oak door and frame suddenly sprout small sprigs and branches that intertwine making the door and wall one solid piece, locking them in and everyone else out.::
I think we whould be safe and undisturbed tonight.

::She sits across from him, eating the stew. She sips some of the wine and it warms her through.:: ::She watches him do his "magic" with the door.:: You are truely amazing M'Lord. I was not aware your power worked on the non living also.
::She finishes her meal and moves to the small couch by the fire, carrying the goblet in her hand. She places the goblet on the small table next to the couch, and gazes into the flames, lapping around several logs. The flames can be seen reflecting off her green eyes.::

Return to beginning of story Return to LadySpel's Home Page Return to WildFlours Home Page