To Hold Back The Dark - Chapter Ten
The tired party arrived in Trannelle about an hour before dusk. They were relieved at making such good time and eager to get settled into an inn. After getting the horses stabled for the night, they sat down to a relaxed and filling supper. As he ate, David was trying to figure out a time schedule so that they could buy supplies and be ready to leave once the Marille group joined them. Ardis had found out that the Marillians had left the evening before, so it would be another day or two before they reached Trannelle, providing nothing happened to them en route.
"How soon after dawn did you two leave the House of the Wolf?" he asked Michael.
"It was maybe two or more hours, and we made it here before dusk. Of course, those horses were very fast, and that made up a lot of time."
"That's true, and once we knew for sure that we were in Trayille, we did slow down," Allanah added.
"Then we should have enough time to buy provisions and get on the road by eight."
"Providing everyone will be up in time to do all that," Allanah said.
"Well, I'm certainly tired enough to fall asleep immediately, and I imagine that some of the others are too. There will be enough of us up and about to do the shopping." David stood and rubbed his stomach. "I am most definitely stuffed and I'm going on to bed. You coming?" He looked questioning at Michael, Corin, and Prince John, since the four of them were sharing a room. The Torchuk's had a room to themselves and the rest of the women were in a room together.
"I'll join you," Michael said, as he, too, rose from the bench.
Corin eyed Michael warily, "I think I'll stay up a little while longer. I'm still too keyed up to fall asleep."
"I think I'll stay up as well. I've never had the opportunity to sit in an inn before and I'd like to relish this." John poured himself another mug of ale.
Everybody else voiced their intentions of going straight to bed and headed upstairs, leaving Corin and the Prince alone in the now sparsely populated dining room.
"Well, my Prince, what do you wish to do?"
"I thought I'd have another mug of ale and then go on to bed."
"Are you tired?"
"No, but there's not much happening here, so why stay awake for nothing?"
"Why indeed? We could go somewhere else you know. I've been in this town quite a bit."
John looked uncertain. "Would it be wise for us to leave the inn? We do have to get up early."
Corin shrugged. "Everyone else has gone to bed, so they won't need us for shopping or packing. Come on, you've never been in a tavern, have you?"
"No. I haven't really been anywhere. I suppose it would be all right to go out for a few hours. But, please, don't call..."
"You by your title. I know. Let's go."
They headed out the door and Corin lead the way to the Rusty Tankard, a particularly favorite tavern of his. The place was packed with people and Corin assured John that it would remain so well into the early morning hours.
Corin looked around, and smiled as he spotted one of the barmaids. "Tilly!"
"Corin Morningstar. What a pleasant surprise," she stopped in her tracks, and, despite the mugs in her hands, was able to give him a hug. She then turned to John, smiling. "And who is your handsome friend?"
"His name is John. Say, are there any tables available?"
"Not a one, but I'm sure I can find you space at the bar. I'll be right back." She hurried off to deliver the ale and then returned. "Follow me."
As they followed her through the crowd, Corin was able to keep a conversation going with her.
"What are you up to now, Tilly?"
"I'm working two jobs now. I still work here most of the week, but I'm also working down at the Sable Unicorn for extra money. If I could only get rid of my husband, I'd be a rich woman!"
"I had thought he would have drank himself to death by now."
"He's working on it. I get really good money at the Unicorn because the customers are a little fancier. But, here, just a few nights ago, some gentlemen paid me two silver coins. Can you imagine that? Ever since that night, I've been able to get by with charging a lot more for my services, let me tell you." They had reached the bar and she quickly poured them two mugs of ale. After setting the mugs in front of them, she went off to wait on more tables
John took a deep drink of his, nearly choking from the unexpected tartness. "Whoa! This is strong!"
Corin smiled, "It'll warm you up on a cold night. So will Tilly."
"Thanks, but no thanks. I can survive without a woman like her."
"If she knew who you really were, she wouldn't charge you."
"Maybe not. But she'd be telling everyone that she was with me so she could charge more. No thanks."
"John, you need a woman."
"Corin, I've had plenty of women in my time. There's an almost never-ending supply back in Tralik. What I really need right now is a good night's rest. I'll see you back at the inn."
"Go ahead and desert me. I guess I can find something to keep me amused."
"You can come back with me."
"And sleep in the same room with Michael? Forget it," he took another deep drink. "I don't want to be near the lousy bastard."
"Corin, you can't blame Michael."
"I can blame whoever I want to blame. It's obvious that I can't talk to you about this. Where's Tilly? She'll understand. She always does."
John realized that Corin was drunker than he had originally thought. "Fine. Spend the night in a drunken daze with a whore. You'll regret it come morning, but go ahead and do what you want. We'll come down here to get you in the morning. Just make sure you get some sleep."
"I think I can manage that. Good night, sweet prince," Corin bowed from the waist.
"Good night," John sighed and left.
Corin had emptied his mug by the time Tilly returned. She frowned as she saw that Corin was alone. "Where's your friend? I was looking forward to getting to know him."
"He had to leave, but we can renew our acquaintance. When do you get off work?"
"Now." She smiled and stepped closer to him.
He pulled her even closer. "That's the answer I wanted to hear."
"Shall we go to my room? My husband is in jail, so we won't be disturbed." She kissed his neck.
"I'd like that."
"There's only one problem. I like you a lot, and we've had a lot of good times together, but I don't know how much to charge you now."
"Tilly, may I confide in you?"
"Of course you can."
"I'm going on a very dangerous mission and I might not return."
"I don't do freebies, Corin."
"I know, but, you could lower your prices for me, couldn't you?"
She grinned. "I sure could. Let's go."
She led him upstairs to her room, where after conducting his business with her, Corin kept his word and feel asleep.
It was a little past seven when Corin was awakened by the sound of someone pounding on the door.
"Corin, this is Allanah. Open up."
"I'll be right there," Corin shouted back, then immediately regretted doing so as his head reminded him of how foolish he had been the night before.
"Don't take too long."
"I won't." Corin sat up. His head was pounding and he found himself wishing he hadn't drank so much. A noise from the other side of the bed reminded him that he was in Tilly's room, and he then found himself wishing that he had not been with her, either.
When Tilly stepped into his line of vision, she was scowling.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked as he stood.
"That woman is what's wrong. Every time I'm with someone I like, she shows up. First, she just walked right in when I was with that gentleman I told you about, and now she's after you. Just who is she, anyway?"
"Allanah is my sister. What were you saying about that man?"
"I was with Michael in his room and she just walked on in. We were only sleeping at the time, but still, she could have been a little nicer."
Corin abruptly sat back down on the bed. "You were with Michael McShane?"
"I never asked his last name."
"Shit." Corin was feeling worse by the second.
"Corin, either you come out now or I'm coming in after you," Allanah called from the hallway.
Corin shook his head, "You were with Michael? I can't believe this is happening to me. First, he beds my sister. Then, I find out that he beds my ..."
The door suddenly swung open and Allanah entered the room She stopped dead in her tracks as soon as she saw Tilly. She muttered something and quickly left.
"I gotta go." Corin stood again and began to get dressed.
"I wish I had her appeal. Men always have to leave me after she's been around. Do you have to leave now?"
"I have a job to do, and I have to go now. I'm sorry, Tilly. It was great, as usual, and I hope I'll be able to see you again."
"I hope so too. Be careful, okay?"
"I'll do my best."
Corin rushed out of the room. Tilly slowly re-dressed, wishing that she had a halfway decent husband. A man who would love her and take care of her and not just live off of the money she made. A man like Corin, or even Michael. A man who would never allow his wife to be a whore.
Corin caught up to Allanah out on the street.
"Allanah, it wasn't what you think," he said as he fell into step beside her.
"You don't have to explain anything to me, Corin. What you do and whom you do it with is your business and none of mine. I do wish that you would have shown a little better taste."
"You have no room to talk."
Allanah eyed her brother coolly. "Just as I have no say over your life, you have no say over mine."
"As your older brother, I have plenty of say!"
"Oh, please spare me that line."
"Well, I am the one who has to put up with people coming to me and making comments about you."
"Nobody would have known about Michael and me if you would have kept your mouth shut in the first place. And who's been talking about me?" she demanded to know.
He cleared his throat. "Well, uh, actually, no one has. Yet. But, you broke the trust I had in you. It hurt me one Hell of a lot when I knew what you had done."
Allanah stopped walking and Corin had no choice but stop. Despite the fact that they were in the middle of the street, Allanah took her time before she answered.
"You know nothing. Look, you are my brother and I love you deeply. However, I can not and will not live my life with the sole intention of pleasing you. You have put so much importance on what I've supposedly done to you; have you taken a moment to realize just how much your reaction has hurt me? I have always believed that no matter what, you would be happy for me, and would accept my actions. I did not destroy or break any trust that was between us. You have done that all on your own. Now, I'm willing to forget how hurt I feel because I do love you and I know that you love me. However, I will not now, or ever, beg your forgiveness because Michael and I have not done anything which needs to be forgiven." She began to walk again. "They're waiting for us at the stables. You know that David doesn't like to be kept waiting."
Corin silently followed her down the street, knowing in his mind that she was right. It was his heart, though, that was hurt.
When they reached the stables, everyone else was already mounted. They left immediately, as David wanted to reach the House of the Wolf before darkness fell. He had no desire yet to meet the type of wolf that had attacked Allanah. Even though they traveled quickly, it was evening before they finally spotted the inn. They all dismounted in the courtyard, and Michael knocked on the door. Mark, the innkeeper, answered the knock.
"Come on in. I'll send someone out to see to your horses. There's a fire lit in the dining room and you can rest in there while I figure out where to put all of you for the night. You will be staying the night, won't you?" He peered up at the sky, shaking his head. "It will be dark soon, and you certainly don't want to be out after dark around here. You did tell them that, didn't you?" He asked Michael.
"We told them. And yes, we plan to stay the night. Possibly two. We can discuss all of that once we get settled." Michael hoped that Mark would get the hint and finally allow them to enter the inn.
"Well, come right this way." He walked away from the door and the party followed him into the dining room, where, true to his word, a fire blazed hotly in the fireplace. "Supper hasn't been started yet, so it will be a little while before I can feed you. I wasn't expecting you so soon."
As the party sank wearily onto the benches, he picked a ledger off one of the table and consulted it. "Ah, yes. I do have enough rooms for all of you. I hope that you don't mind sharing?" Mark didn't wait for an answer. "I am expecting others tonight, so it may be a tight fit. Let's get you all settled." He scribbled something in the book then set it down and headed out into the hallway where the stairs were.
"I guess we're supposed to follow," Ardis said.
"I guess," David agreed.
Everyone retrieved the packs that had been set down moments earlier. Since Mark had already gone upstairs, Michael and Allanah led the group up the stairs. Mark was standing by an open door.
"Here's a nice double room. Any volunteers?"
"Michael and I will take it," Prince John said as he walked into the room.
"Good. And across the hall is a room large enough to accommodate three of the four ladies. And next to it is a cozy little room that is just perfect for the couple. You two gentlemen should find this room to your liking." Mark stopped by the last room. "Supper should be ready in an hour, so you have plenty of time to rest and wash up. There's water in the pitchers and clean towels, so you should be fine. There are two rooms for bathing; one is at the end of this hallway and the other is downstairs."
"A bath sounds wonderful.", Ardis said. Her body still ached all over, but not as badly as it had the day before.
"You may help yourself then, my lady. Enjoy." Mark left them rather quickly.
"How did he know Ciris and I were together?", Cosima asked Michael.
Michael shrugged. "I don't know. I suppose it could be because Ciris was standing so close to you. Excuse me, I really want to wash up." Michael went back to the room he was sharing with the prince. John was already stripped to the waist and in the process of washing. Michael closed the door for privacy and also partially stripped. Since there were two beds in the room, there were also two basins and two pitchers of water. "I haven't yet chosen a bed, so you can have first choice," John said.
"Thanks. I'll take the one by the door."
"That will be fine. Was this man...Mark, it is?"
"Mark."
"Was he this rude when you were here before?"
"No. He wasn't. I don't know why he's acting this way now. Maybe the largeness of our party has put him in a bad mood. He might not have been prepared for a large group. There weren't a lot of people here the night we found the place."
"He said he wasn't expecting us so soon. Why would he be expecting us? No one told him we were coming."
Michael paused while lathering up his face. The prince was right. No one had sent a message to Mark Wolfson. How had he known they were coming? Why was he behaving so differently? Michael didn't have an answer to either question. Maybe he would get a chance to speak with the innkeeper later.
"Maybe someone from around here saw us riding and told him. As far as I know, this is the only inn in the area."
"That's possible, but it doesn't fit in with what he said." John shrugged. "Well, we have better things to worry about." He pulled on a fresh tunic, then changed into clean pants. Michael did likewise. The two headed downstairs to wait for supper.