“We have decided to take you up on your offer, we’ll get a room,” Lissie said.
Riley had her sword drawn.
The boy that had led them here was standing in the entryway to the street. He bounded over to Lissie, the point of his cut feather bobbing. “Really? Let me get you ladies a drink, it’s on the house if you can get these horses inside!”
Riley shot Lissie a look, but put her sword away.
Lissie walked over and took Peach’s reins.
The horse snorted but followed her inside the ‘stable’.
Riley led first Anvil, then Sugarsnap.
Cora clapped a few times and Alexander’s ridiculous horse walked inside on his own.
The boy began yanking on the panel to close the passage to the street.
“You ladies saved my skin, I’ll get you a drink and make sure it’s a good one!” His words bounced each yank on the false wall.
“We just need a room, we need rest,” Cora replied.
Riley ended up having to help the boy close the door before they were shown inside again. He led them into the bar, straight up to the large man with the hand axe strapped to his belt.
Lissie watched Riley’s eyes follow a waitress, and Lissie elbowed her. Riley turned to her with her eyes wide and mouth hanging open.
Lissie just shrugged.
The man with the axe said, “What ya got there, Toby?”
“Lodgers, Ian!”
Lissie felt the man’s eyes crawl over her. She took a deep breath and looked him in the chest.
He turned to Cora, and his eyes stayed there. Cora said, “Our friend has already secured us a room, I expect.”
“Don’t know anything about that. The boss is busy. You three runaways?” Ian had a lop-sided grin and a lop-sided nose.
“We are just traveling and in need of a room.” Cora could be commanding. Lissie breathed evenly and took her eyes away from the nearest candle.
He cocked his head and turned to Toby. “Well, boss handles the money. We can get you set up. If you can’t pay, we offer room for work.” Lissie raised her eyebrow.
Ian turned around and raised the bar flap. It creaked and he held it open. Ian raised his other hand and ushered them behind the bar.
Riley was the first through. Then Cora. Lissie followed, feeling her feet stick to the stone underneath her. They did not have much space to gather as Ian followed, swinging his bulk into the bar well.
He turned around, his bulging belly grazing Lissie. His shirt rose, and her elbow felt slick flesh. She flinched. Ian apologized. He opened another panel, sliding a rack of bottles back, swinging out into a narrow hall. Lissie gritted her teeth and followed.
The hall was pitch dark, with rims of flickering orange around three door frames on either side. He led them to the last room on the left. Lissie felt like she had turned into a mouse and was slithering through a crawl space.
Ian flung open the door and said, “There’s only one bed, but I’m sure you three are used to sharing.”