With my decision made, I nodded to Elwin who then counted out a week's worth of lodging for us and put a little extra onto the counter. Just as the Rogue finished, he asked Athinad in a voice that would not carry far, “Bit far from home Athinad, that’s a southern name by the sound of it...” He was met with a grunt by the innkeeper. “Travel bug took me, and my feet found themselves here. Nothing really about it”, Taper responded a touch defensively, “Now what can I be getting you, lads?”
“Just saying, just saying, now what we could do with is a little information. Perhaps to the tune of the comings and goings in the city? Perhaps a place where some strapping young men can earn a bit of coin? Maybe even a place to wind down… if you get my drift?” Elwin responded in a conciliatory tone while giving Athinad a knowing wink.
I couldn’t help but think that this was rich talk coming from a man who had recently been enslaved, then I realized that it was part of his act, giving the impression of normality.
The innkeeper’s brow furrowed, as if in concentration, before he deigned to answer the Rogue, “Been a bunch of thieves operating around these parts recently, so keep a hand on your purses, I say. Small reward, too, from us local businesses if you're able to catch’em. Course, there’s always work down by the caravanserai, they are always looking for strong backs,” he paused for a moment, looking us over. “Of course, those of...a more combative nature may find the odd job or two at the Adventurers’ Guild.” With such a delivery, I almost expected an intrusive quest prompt, but none were forthcoming.
“And entertainment?” burst the Rogue, the hunger for the diversions of the night clear in his eyes.
Coughing slightly, the innkeeper replied, “Well, there’s usually a few games of chance and skill going round here, and there’s a gambling house run by old Roi up by the Ark. But if you’re into more bloodthirsty entertainment, there’s the arena with its daily games,” Elwin looked at him, willing him to continue, “Or...in the North Quarter is the pleasure district. Haven’t had much in the way of time to actually get around to sampling its selections, business being business and all, so can’t tell you much...” he added, as he cleaned a nonexistent stain from the counter.
My nerves were on end, and I found myself wanting this whole exchange to be over as soon as possible. Hurry up and get us our room already, I thought to myself. The voices within painted a picture of me smashing Athinad’s face in with a mining pick and taking in some delicious experience. Then I could loot his corpse for keys to the room, and there could also be money and treasure behind the bar...
“Your friend there, is he alright?” Taper asked Elwin in a low voice.
“We will take our rooms and a bath and, if possible, our clothes to be laundered,” I interjected before Elwin could respond, pulling myself from murderous thoughts that were probably not my own. I sighed with relief, glad that our plan was working.
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The innkeeper gave me a relieved look, his shoulders visibly relaxing, before handing me a set of copper keys. “Up the stairs, second door on the left,” the innkeeper instructed.
I nodded in thanks, and our party made our way up wood stairs that creaked ominously under our weight. At the top of the stairway landing was a narrow corridor with doors on either side. We entered a surprisingly clean room. I was expecting three separate beds and was surprised to see instead a large single bed big enough for three in the corner.
Simple wooden shutters, secured by a wooden bar, could be opened to let the light or fresh air in. A single wooden chair, a side table by the bed, and three chamber pots in the opposite corner were the only other pieces of furniture in the room. A part of me had expected the locals to sleep like barbarians on the floor, so I was glad to have a proper, if not shared, bed and a solid roof over my head that wasn’t just a layer of rock and earth.
The tension that had been keeping me as taut as a bowstring and on my feet threatened to leave me as I thought of all of the risks that we had taken to reach this moment. However, rather than feeling truly safe, I simply felt just a lessening of the present danger.
We decided to take inventory. Our current scavenged and looted belongings included a few mining tools, our old weapons, a few assorted valuable objects and miscellany from the cabins, basic camping supplies, and of course, the length of chain I had decided to keep. Four gold coins and thirteen silver pieces, with the rest of the coins in bronze and copper, were the sum total of our current wealth.
The silver and gold we divvied up between us, agreeing that we should keep the copper and bronze for general expenses. At a rough calculation, I estimated their value to be at around five or six thousand pounds. The money in front of me, coupled with something that the innkeeper said earlier about gambling, sparked the beginning of an idea in my mind. I certainly didn’t have enough funds to start a trade or business, but for the moment I had enough to survive for some time and find my feet in this world.
The group unanimously reaffirmed that we would treat our stay in the city of Ansan as if we were in enemy territory. We would tread carefully with all our dealings here and try to keep a low profile, foregoing strong drink and other vices which could betray us. In that vein of thought, we decided it best that we went to the baths in pairs, with one of us staying in the room to watch over our gear.
I would be naked and vulnerable, but my modern sensibilities demanded at least some level of hygiene as we assuredly stank of the road and the wilds. Our marks of bondage were no more, leaving us as free men. Fretting incessantly would only lead me down a dark path of suspicion and delusion. I had to remind myself that what would be, would simply have to be.
Elwin volunteered to try to find a fence for our assorted looted valuables later, once we made ourselves more presentable. He also promised to trade for some new clothes, as having some spares would always be welcome.
I first went to the baths with Elwin, entrusting Kidu to watch over our scavenged loot. A boy stood at a small counter near the baths; an eager, dark-haired, scrawny thing. We passed him the requisite coin to see to our clothes once we had placed them in the baskets. Bowing once, he hung some dull gray robes on two wooden pegs for us and left with our dirty garments.