Parry left the young girl to the kitten's tender mercies (copious meowing, occasional hissing, begrudging purrs), but not before establishing the "mean people" in the gang numbered three, not including their oh-so-generous host.
Parry had his slate and chalk, quickly drawing up plans. He walked from the door to the window, counting paces. Then from the hearth--more of a fire pit with a vague hole for an updraft--to the far wall. He even checked the height of the ceiling and where the window fit against the wall. From his bag he pulled a few small jars sealed in wax and pine tar. Slowly on his slate, a complex circle took shape.
It's probably overkill, he considered. Then again, I have to work around the damn night-blindness. And what if the barkeep decides to wade in, or lurk just outside? It's almost certain he will, to keep an eye on the thieves.
He set up candles at the room's corners with fast-trigger lighting, just in case. The fight to come would be in this room, it had to be bright.
Probably only two coming in, the third waiting outside in case I go through the window.
Down on his hands and knees, Parry sketched matching elements on the floor around the door, complimentary to the circle on his slate. All this preparation drew curious looks from Sean, but she found petting Styak irresistible.
It all took longer than expected, the sun had set spilling darkness through the window. Moon wouldn't be up for hours and a town this small would have few lights. If this saloon had any patrons tonight they were awfully quiet.
The smart move would have been to avoid all this, drop the girl at the local garrison, spend the night at the other inn. Where is this sentiment coming from? Plan to rescue every urchin someone shoves into your path?
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It took a moment, but Parry realized he was just itching for a fight. This reincarnation was off to a quick start, compared to most. Half the time when he came back as a human he began as a newborn, and even that wasn't the slowest path. This time--in the first month, no less--he managed to acquire a demon, make it a familiar and head off on his own journey armed with a dozen levels of useful magic. Even with the [Curse of the Creator] hanging over him, this was a fine way to begin.
If the world wanted to throw some low-rent thugs into the mix, why not practice on them?
"Okay, I think it's late enough," he smiled reassuringly to the girl, who'd used the pail to wipe the worst of the grime from her face and arms. "This is when I'd be asleep and you're supposed to blow out the lantern, right?"
All the distraction playing with the cat had given her evaporated as a cloud of fear settled. She nodded, looking at the window, the door, the young man and the cat.
"Alright, leave Styak with me, don't worry, he'll be fine. I'm going to pretend to be asleep. Go ahead and blow out the light, tiptoe to the back door and let them in. Then go hide in the big room, okay? Can you do that?"
Another nod, though she clearly didn't want to relinquish the cat.
"Really, you don't have to worry, he'll be safe under the cot, see?" He lightly shoed the kitten down.
"Do you mind?"
Parry ignored the indignant voice in his mind and let Sean do her work. She climbed tip-toe and blew out the lantern, then slipped out the door.
Parry immediately stood to the side of the window, hand ready to re-light the lantern and the candles he'd set up in the room's corner. The darkness was total. Night-blindness isn't something you get used to.
The thieves let a little time pass, but soon Parry could hear steps in the hallway. No talking--they at least had some professionally.
Styak made its way to his ankle, watching the closed door.
Too many boots, Parry frowned. No one's minding the window outside, or there's a fourth bandit. Maybe the barkeep?
The door to his room swung open, three figures quickly stepping in.
Wait, how was Parry seeing them so well?
Styak arched its back and hissed, but no sound came out--the room was completely bathed in unnatural silence.
Each of them was limned in a glow. One held a rock of some kind in each fist, light leaking out between his fingers. The others had clubs and nasty smiles.
Enchantments? Seriously?
Well shit.