Reginald’s plan turned out to be very simple. He would go do the shopping they needed right away, with the excuse that he wanted to be on the road first thing in the morning. Then they would slip out in the middle of the night and get away.

  “What if Naiela brings her wizard guy here sooner?” Triss asked.

  “She’ll want to come shopping with us if she’s going to come with. If she decides to skip shopping, then you’ll come with me and we’ll leave the city right away. I don’t think she will though. She’ll want to keep up appearances long enough for the Yurnash to get here, and from what I know of him he’s probably already drunk. He’ll come in the morning when he’s sober.” Reginald explained as he sat on the bed. He had retrieved a backpack sized leather bag from somewhere and was busy rooting around in it.

  “You know this Yurnash guy?” Triss asked. “How? As far as I can tell you and Percival haven’t left Thalonia in decades.”

  “Naiela isn’t the only one with a message book.” He replied.

  “Who are you messaging?” She asked.

  “Ah, there we are.” Reginald pulled a small pouch from somewhere in the bag. He turned it over his palm and a few coins dropped out, mostly copper and a few silvers. There was a distinct lack of gold, Triss noticed. Reginald quickly counted the coins before dropping them back into the bag and tucking it inside his shirt. “Ready?”

  “You didn’t answer my question.” Triss pointed out.

  “You noticed that too?” He said with a grin as he headed towards the door. Triss growled in frustration but followed along behind. They made their way down the stairs and to the common room. It was unremarkable as far as common rooms went, Triss supposed. The ceiling was made of thick, hand carved wooden beams that were nearly black with age and smoke. A dozen round tables, each with four chairs around them filled most of the available space. A small elevated platform at the far end served as the inn’s stage, hardly deserving of the name. The smell of stray woodsmoke and roasting meats permeated the air, all undercut by the thin sharp stench of old spilled ale. Reginald led her to a table in the corner and they had a seat, and only a few seconds later Master Jorsh came hurrying up to them.

  “Good afternoon Master Draconic. Miss. I’m afraid I didn’t catch your names earlier. Mistress Naiela seemed in a rush.” He said as he wiped his hands on his stained apron.

  “Good afternoon Master Jorsh.” Reginald replied with a smile. “No need to apologize. I’m Reginald and this is Triss.”

  “A pleasure to meet you both. Can I interest either of you in a drink or something to eat? Supper is included with the room, but drinks are not.”

  “I could eat.” Triss said.

  Master Jorsh gave her an odd look. “I don’t think anyone doubted that?” He said hesitantly.

  It took a seconds for Triss to figure out what the middle aged innkeeper meant, but when she did she couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s an expression from my home. It just means I’d like food.”

  “Ah. I see. What an odd expression. Would you mind if I asked where you were from?”

  Triss waved a hand dismissively. “No place you’ve heard of, I’m sure.”

  Master Jorsh took the hint and turned to Reginald. “Food for you as well, Master Reginald?”

  Reginald glanced up the stairs, obviously checking for Naiela. “I suppose I will.” He replied. “I have some places to go before dark, but I think I can spare a few minutes for that delicious smell coming from the kitchen.” He gave the innkeeper a broad smile. “And before you ask, we’ll just have water for now.”

  Excellent! I’ll have some brought out right away.” He hurried away from the table towards the bar.

  “How long do you have until the shops close?” Triss asked. The common room only had a couple soot stained windows, but she could tell through the black coating that the sun was getting low on the horizon.

  “When does Jonal close?” He said.

  “That’s different. He lives in his shop.” Triss replied. Jonal usually closed the door to his shop around supper time, but if someone needed something he was always happy to help. She remembered one time while she was living with him a villager had shown up in the middle of the night needing some herbs to help with a child’s fever. Jonal had given them free of charge and gone back to bed.

  “You don’t think the people here do too? Most live above their shop, and few would turn down the opportunity to earn an extra coin or two.”

  Triss’s reply was interrupted by Jorsh’s return. He carried two large, steaming bowls on a wooden tray along with two clay mugs of water and a half loaf of bread. “Here you are, Master Reginald, Mistress Triss.” He said with a wide smile as he placed the tray on the table. “If you’re still hungry after, I’d be happy to bring more.”

  “Huh? Yeah, great.” Triss replied distractedly, staring at the bowl in front of her. Sure, Reginald had made some reasonable meals on the road, but nothing like this.

  “We’ll let you know. Much appreciated, Master Jorsh.” Reginald said with a grin as he handed Triss her spoon and a hunk of bread. Triss dug into the thick, meaty stew without hesitation. It had to be one of the best meals she’d ever eaten. She was so engrossed in the food she didn’t even notice Naiela approach the table until the other wizard took a seat. The council wizard had obviously taken a bath, the gentle scent of wildflowers hanging in the air around her.

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  “We’re going to leave at first light.” Reginald said without preamble. “I’m going to go do the shopping I need right after supper.”

  Naiela frowned. “I just got cleaned up. I’d prefer not to get dirty again before bed. Can’t we go in the morning?”

  Reginald took another bite of stew before shaking his head. “I can’t risk it.” He glanced around, then leaned in towards Naiela. “He might be ahead of us. We can’t waste time.” He said in a low voice.

  “We already gained a day by riding at night.” Naiela pointed out, matching Reginald’s volume.

  “Don’t you think he can travel faster than we can? We need all the time we can get.”

  Naiela sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, annoyance clouding her face. Then she sat up, a sudden smile breaking out on her face. She raised a hand in the air, one finger high. “Master Jorsh?” She called.

  “What are you doing?” Reginald asked.

  “Yemph. Whaf are oo ooing?” Triss asked around a mouthful of bread.

  “How can I help you, Mistress Naieala?” The rotund innkeeper appeared at their table with a speed and silence belied by his size.

  “Supper, with wine. And a pencil and paper, if you please.”

  “Certainly Mistress.” Jorsh bobbed a swift bow and retreated.

  “How long until our next stop?” Naiela asked, turning back to Reginald.

  “Probably…well I’m not sure. I’ll have to check the map.” Reginald replied, and Triss was sure he was trying to avoid telling the council wizard their path after leaving here.

  “Hmm. Well, there’s only two roads we could take. I’ll pack for the northern road then. That’s a week and a half to Koponi. If we take the western route we’d reach Vilunta in a week so I’ll have plenty of supplies left.” Naiela said, obviously thinking out loud.

  “Either route will work.” Reginald said. “I plan to ask some of the merchants about the road conditions before I decide.”

  “Wise. I’ll speak to Jorsh about it as well.”

  “Speak to me about what? Mistress.” Jorsh replied, already returning with the food. He placed a bowl of stew and a glass of wine in front of Naeila, then placed a thin strip of paper and an pencil beside it.

  “I’ll be travelling north, but the northern road and western road will get me to my destination in similar time frames. Have you head anything about travel on those roads of late?” She asked, beginning to scribble on the pice of paper.

  “Not much as of late. Bandit attacks on the northern route are a little higher this time of year, though I don’t suppose that’ll bother you. The western route is…well it’s likely clear.”

  “Likely?” Naiela asked, raising an eyebrow and glacing at the innkeeper.

  Jorsh wiped his hands on his apron a few times before responding. “There’s been a few stories. None I’m like to believe, mind.” He smiled nervously, and Triss noticed he had just a hint of an accent to his voice now.

  “What kind of stories?” Reginald asked.

  “Just the sort of nonsense folks come up with when they been in the woods too long. You know how the quiet of them western woods can get to a man. Like as not, he drank too much and spent a little too long staring at the fire. Then he got scared by a wolf or something.” The innkeeper replied, rubbing his hands in his apron.

  “He? This someone you know?” Reginald asked. The innkeeper nodded. “Someone you think might be making up tall tales?” The innkeeper shook his head.

  “I think you should tell us the whole story then.” Naiela said.

  The innkeeper sighed, then turned and whistled. He sat at the remaining empty seat as one of the young women who worked for him hurried up. “Ale for the table. On the house. Then make sure we’re not disturbed.” The young woman nodded, her dark ponytail bobbing with the motion. They sat in silence except for the scratching of Naiela’s pencil on the paper. The young woman returned with four mugs of frothy ale, setting one in front of each of them before disappearing. Triss sipped at hers, and was disappointed to find that even though the flavour was good, it was warm. Still, free beer was free beer.

  “About three days back, a trader by the name of Lonny comes in. He’s a regular, makes a run from Vilunta and back every two weeks. Lives in Vilunta so he always stays with me, right? So anyways, Lonny comes in, face as white as kings drawers. Drank near half a barrel of ale ‘fore he could tell me what happened.” Jorsh spoke in a low tone, his accent getting stronger the longer he talked. “He says the whole journey was cursed from the start. Direwolves got his spare horse on his first night.”

  “Aren’t direwolves a normal threat around here?” Triss asked, remembering what Reginald had said as they entered the city.

  “Aye, on the northern road once you reach the mountains. Not near Vilunta.” Jorsh replied. He took a deep swig of his ale before continuing. “The next night, a Barrowhulk walked right past his campsite. Within ten feet!”

  “What’s a Barrowhulk?” Triss asked.

  “Big, dumb, and dangerous.” Reginald replied. “They live up on the mountains though, don’t they?”

  “That’s what I said. I ain’t never seen one down in the valley like that.” Jorsh said. “It don’t make no sense. Creatures bein where they ain’t got no right to be.”

  “It’s certainly odd.” Naiela added, tapping her pencil against her lip. “Did you report it to the authorities?”

  “Hah!” Jorsh laughed. “I hardly believe it myself! Ain’t no way the guards would take it seriously.” His eyes suddenly widened as he realized who he was talking to, and he sat up straight in his chair. “I mean, the story seemed to be quite unbelievable. I didn’t think it wise to waste the guard’s valuable time with it.” His accent disappeared instantly.

  “So direwolves and a Barrowhulk. That’s odd, but not enough to be worth mentioning, I think.” Reginald said, stroking his chin. “There’s more, isn’t there.”

  Jorsh nodded. “He said he was having nightmares every night, and they got worse each night. Demons of all kinds, speaking in strange unknowable tongues. Even saw them when he was awake sometimes at night, tiny demons dancing in the fire. Then, he says, two days out he sees a demon for real. Just as the sun is going down he hears something behind him. Walking down the road, tall as the trees, is a demon.”

  “How did he know it was a demon?” Naiela asked. “Maybe it was another mountain creature coming down from the hills? Maybe a Gragon or a Mossfiend? That would be around the right height.”

  “Lonny said it had backwards legs and horns like a goat. Red skin, black eyes, and carrying a sword made of fire.” Jorsh said.

  “A sword of fire?” Triss asked, eyes wide in excitement. “What did he do?”

  “Lonny? I think he pissed himself and then drove his horse near to death getting to the city as fast as he could.” Jorsh said. “Said the demon chased him for a little bit, tried to chop him with his flame sword, but Lonny just managed to outpace him.”

  “I highly doubt it was really a demon. Likely he was suffering from lack of sleep and just imagined it all.” Naiela said. “If a dark wizard were summoning demons to this plane, the council would know.”

  “Oh, Aye. As I said, I find his tale hard to believe.” Jorsh said, nodding. He picked up his ale, and then paused. “Though when we brought his cart inside, there were a cut right across the side. Charred on the edges.” He shook his head. “Could be he parked too close to the campfire one night. Could be.” He drained his mug in one long drink, then stood. “Best you go on the northern road Mistress Naiela. Less you plan to bring an army with you.”