WOT Adv 23

--- The Wheel Turns ---

"From whence do you come? And what business have you in Caemlyn?" The soldier asks.

"I come from the village of Low GoldPine seeking a friend. Can you direct me to the inn of the Golden Stag?"

"You are not from Andor are you?" the man queries, ignoring your query. "Your speech betrays you. You also have the look of one who has wandered much."

"I am not from Andor." You reply simply looking into the mans eyes.

He looks you over, sizing you up, studying the sharp, deadly short spear you carry on your back.

Then he nods, pointing out directions. "The Golden Stag Inn is just outside the walls of the city."

"Why so many soldiers?" you ask the man, gesturing toward the large contingent of soldiers marshalling outside the walls.

"Anxious times," is all the man says and then he puts his helm back on.

"Can I help? I'm looking for work until I can find my friend."

"No." the man replies. "We have sufficient soldiers for the job. We're merely trying to keep the surrounding lands safe for travellers. Go about your business." He gestures to his men, wheels his horse about and then rides back to the marshalling soldiers, his squad following after him.

You then follow the directions to the Golden Stag and you can see it is a moderate, two-story establishment of some size tucked among the warehouses and merchant shops a little way from the city wall.

As you enter the inn, you immediately find yourself in what you suppose is the common room.

To your left, at the far end of the room, is a large filreplace, that is currently unlit. Directly in front is a stair way up, and two doors, one on the left of the stairs, and one of the right at the foot of the stairs.

Other patrons are sitting at the four large tables enjoying some steaming stew.

You approach a man, holding a tray of bowels.

"Ah another guest?" a middle aged man with thick curly hair and thick black side-burns places the tray on a nearby table, and then extends a friendly hand. "My name is Master Ferrin, owner of the Golden Stag. Welcome. Would you like a room?"

"Perhaps. I seek a friend who stays here." you reply in your usual blunt manner.

"Well, we have many guests. Though not as many as we had at the beginning of the year. What is your friend's name?"

"The Lady Maeslyn Al'Quiere," you reply. "She said was staying here."

"Ah. Maeslyn, you say?" Master Ferrin carefully looks you over. Then nods in some sort of internal satisfaction. "She has stepped out but said she would return late this evening. If you would like food and lodging for the night, if you want a place in the common room, it will be ten silvers, or one mark, for a private room, it will be two marks. Meals are five silvers."