SO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO
Chapter 3
The Hero's Tale Inn was a small building beside Schultz' office. Although it lacked decoration, there was a kind of inviting warmth to the place. Brandon tried to remember what had been originally there, then gave up.
The blankets he held began to slide from his arms, and he propped them against the door to better balance them. Wolfgang had felt inspired to do some "spring-cleaning," and decided to give all the bed supplies he no longer had a use for to the proprietor of the Inn. Brandon had volunteered to deliver them, but he hadn't expected there to be so many. He managed to get them all on one arm long enough to open the door to the Inn and walk inside.
The interior was brightly lit by a large fireplace and the smell of exotic spices lingered in the air. Despite the waning sunlight, the main room appeared empty. The tables were unoccupied and no pot was boiling over the fire. "Hello?" Brandon called out, struggling to keep the blankets from spilling out of his arms onto the floor.
A cat-like creature emerged from the room at the back and quickly bounded over to him. "Welcome, welcome, a thousand times welcome!" he greeted Brandon, swiftly relieving him of a few of the blankets. " To what do we owe to this honor?"
"Wolfgang thought you might need a few spare blankets," Brandon explained. "He said he doesn't use them much any more."
The creature smiled. "Such generosity is rare in times such as these. Come, let us put these away."
Brandon followed the creature to a storage room, and the blankets were swiftly folded and neatly stacked on a shelf. When they had finished, the creature turned towards him. "Now we can properly introduce ourselves. I am Shameen, proprietor of this little inn."
"Brandon," Brandon held out his hand. "I'm working for Wolfgang for a while."
"A visitor?" Shameen took the proffered hand and shook it warmly.
"Of sorts."
"Even sorts such as yourself are rare to see these days." Shameen led him back into the cozy drawing room and pulled up a chair by the fire for Brandon. He himself sat on a colorful cushion placed in just the right spot to get the most heat from the fire.
"You're from Shapeir, right?" Brandon settled down in the chair.
Shameen smiled. "How did you guess?"
"I didn't. Wolfgang told me. Shapeir is very far from here, isn't it?"
"Quite far, in a land of never-ending sunlight and golden sands. We came on a caravan last year with our friend Abdulla Doo hoping to do some business in the marketplace." Shameen stared mournfully into the fire. "Instead we were attacked by bandits who stole our treasure and stranded us here in this cold, foreign land." There was silence between them a few moments, before Shameen shook himself out of his misery. "But you did not come here to learn of a Katta's troubles. Are you hungry?" Shameen clapped his hands and from the back room came a beautiful cat-woman dressed in fine silks. "This is my lifemate, Shema," Shameen stood and introduced her. "The best cook in all the lands."
"My lifemate flatters me too much," Shema said, smiling warmly at Brandon. "I am not the best."
"One of the best, then."
Shema gave Brandon the look of exasperation used when one is pleased with the compliment but doesn't want it to show. "The food of this land is much different from my own, but I have managed to make an adequate stew."
Brandon's stomach suddenly came to life at the prospect of food. "I would love too, but I'm afraid I can't. I've no money."
"Then think of it as payment for the sheets you brought us." Shameen said.
"Those were really Wolfgang's idea. I couldn't..."
"I will make both of you portions," Shema told him, gently ushering him to a seat at the table. "You can take him a meal as well."
"But..." Brandon watched helplessly as Shema darted through the back door before he could voice another protest.
"When my lifemate makes up her mind, it is best not to argue," Shameen said, sagely.
Brandon resigned himself to his fate, looking on the bright side. At least he wouldn't have to try and digest the dried Adventurer's rations Wolfgang had in store.
The front door swung open, letting in a draft of cold winter air, and a dark-haired young man walked in. Brandon grinned in recognition. "Alex!"
Alex looked his way, replacing the sour expression on his face with a smile. "Well, if it isn't the young trader. I'd ask how you were faring except I think I already know." He turned to Shameen, who was on his feet and preparing another place at the table. "How much for a room?"
"Six silvers a night, and that includes a dinner provided by my lovely lifemate."
"I'll take one." Alex handed him the money and settled down in the place set for him. "I take it you're staying the night as well."
"No," Brandon shook his head. "I'm staying with Wolfgang at the Adventurer's hall. Shema is making our supper."
"Adventurer's Hall? What's that?"
"It's where adventurers hang out, drink beer, trade tales, and learn new things."
"Great! Any new heroes?" There was a note of sarcasm in the sentence.
"I'm afraid not."
"Pity. This town could use one."
"That's exactly what Wolfgang said."
"It is truth," Shameen said, as Shema appeared with a large basket in her hands. "Unless the bandits are stopped, this poor town has no hope of getting any better."
"Now, now, no more glum talk," Shema interrupted. "Talking about the problems is not going to solve them, and will only ruin the banquet." She handed Brandon the basket. "Please tell Wolfgang we appreciate his kind gift."
"I will. Thank you very much," Brandon managed a bow before taking the basket from her. Turning to Alex, he said, "I never did ask how you fared..."
"Don't." Alex gave him a wry smile. "It's at least as bad as you. Take care of yourself, kid."
"You too." Brandon nodded farewell to Shameen and headed for the door.
When he opened it, he was startled to find a beautiful woman, poised in the middle of reaching for the handle. He held the door open for her, and when she passed by him she gave him a small smile of gratitude. Then, nodding good-bye to the Innkeeper, he left, softly closing the door behind him.
Alex watched as the woman asked for room and food and was seated opposite him. She was dressed in unusual clothing for Spielburg, and her hairband was fixed with a bronze medallion. She certainly wasn't a poor country girl, so, he reasoned, she was another visitor, like himself. And, she was exquisitely beautiful. He gave her a winning smile, turning so the light of the fire would hit his best features. "Good evening," he purred.
Her response was take a book out of her pack and begin reading.
/So much for being friendly./ "You know, it is customary to introduce yourself to your eating companion."
She slowly raised her eyes from her book, studying him for a moment before answering. "My name is Yvonne."
"And I am Alex." He grinned slyly at her. "Yvonne. That is a fitting name for such a beautiful woman."
This flattery was ignored, as Yvonne turned back to her book.
"Sounds like I am in for a quiet evening," Alex murmured.
It wasn't meant to be as, a few moments before the Innkeeper's lifemate came with bowls of stew, another man joined them. He was robust, dressed in fine silks, and had so much personality that even Yvonne couldn't ignore him. He ate and spoke with vigor, gesturing to emphasize his points. His name was Abdulla Doo, son of Ali, grandson of Hason.
"You say you are a merchant?" Alex asked, after they had all introduced themselves.
"Yes! Or rather, I was." Abdulla deflated visibly. "Until those brigands stole all I had. Ten thousand curses upon them! May they eat their own blood!" He stared mournfully into his coffee. "Now, I am but a poor beggar living off of the kindness of my friends." He gestured towards Shameen and Shema.
Alex glanced at the large jewel nestled in the folds of the man's turban. If this man was in poverty, he was a blue-and-purple striped saurus. "What was that about brigands?"
"They numbered in the thousands!" Abdulla gestured wildly.
"It was more like a dozen," Shameen interrupted quietly from his corner. "Not including their leader, the beast, and the wizard."
"Wizard?" Yvonne repeated, nearly dropping her spoon in her bowl of soup. "What wizard?"
"A horrible man, who constantly giggled at my expense!" Abdulla picked up the tale again. "He used some magic spell to make us sneeze horribly! It overwhelmed my guards and they were able to strip my wagon bare of everything, including my magic carpet!"
"A magic carpet?"
"Yes. It is a common method of transport in Shapeir, my home, and the homeland of civilization."
"Mostly among the upper classes," Shameen added. "Shema and I have seen only one in our lives, and that one belonged to Abdulla."
"So what happened to your guards?" Alex asked. "Were they all killed, or did they leave you to join the brigands?"
Abdulla frowned at him. "None would be so dishonorable as to abandon me and their contracts! Instead they fill themselves with drink at the tavern, pining that they didn't help me more than they did."
"They were frightened of the beast," Shameen explained. "Thus, they weren't able to prevent the wizard from casting his sneezing spell."
"What kind of beast?" Yvonne asked.
"It was a man-creature with the head of a bull. A very imposing figure, it stood as high as my doorframe, and was built like a wall."
"You must mean a Minotaur," Yvonne said. "They are very powerful creatures, but are also very stupid."
"You certainly know your creatures of lore," Alex complemented her, again giving her a charming smile.
A blush stained her cheeks as she glowered at him stonily. "Do not play games with me. I know your type all too well."
"Really?" Alex leaned towards her. "Tell me all about 'my' type. Maybe I'll learn something about myself."
"I believe I am ready for bed," Yvonne stood abruptly, pointedly ignoring Alex. "Where is my room?"
"Of course," Shameen was instantly on his feet in. "Allow me to escort you."
As they ascended the stairs, Alex called out to her, "What, no parting 'goodnight'?"
Yvonne turned towards them, pointedly looking only at Abdulla. "Good night, merchant. I wish you well in the recovery of your treasure."
"May Allah grant you many sweet dreams," Abdulla answered as she disappeared. He grinned knowingly at Alex. "She is beautiful enough to belong in the Sultan's harem. But I would not want to cross such an icy temperament as hers."
"You know what they say," Alex gulped down the rest of his stew and followed her. "The game is almost as fun as the prize. Good luck, merchant!" He waved, taking the stairs two at a time.
He found Shameen closing the door of what he assumed to be Yvonne's room. "Your lifemate's stew is excellent, but I am afraid it has made me quite sleepy."
"She will be pleased to hear such words," Shameen smiled at the complement. "Your room is here," he showed Alex into a small, but comfortable room next to Yvonne. "If you are in need of anything do not hesitate to ask."
"Can I reserve for more than one night?"
"Yes, if you like. I can reduce the price."
"No need." Alex gave him enough for four days. That would give him enough time to scout out the area, find the Thieves' Guild, and provided him with a place to store things he did not want to keep on his person. Not to mention sleeping on the streets of Spielburg was not a thought he wanted to entertain.
Shameen left with a bow.
The bed was like the room; small but comfortable and nearly covered in furs. There was a mirror on the wall, a bathtub with a pipe extending outward, and a closet, but no trunk to hide things in. A lone window, with a sill big enough to sit on comfortably, overlooked the alleyway in the back, which led to the back streets of Spielburg and the tavern. Alex opened the window with ease, and took a look at the back of the inn. A drainpipe from the roof led down to the street, and a yellow rectangle on the street showed the door of the kitchen. Alex grinned. This was proving to be an ideal spot.
He closed the window and turned the knob of the pipe to have a quick bath before bed. Surprisingly, warm water flowed into the small tub. He wondered how the merchants were able to warm their water, reminding himself to ask later. As he stripped, he remembered the wrinkled piece of paper he had found in the tavern. Straightening it out, he turned towards the candlelight to read. The writing was barely legible, but he could just make it out: "B- He's getting suspicious. Hold off on our meetings for a bit, but I'll keep you posted by these notes. -B."
"'B' and 'B' huh?" Alex murmured, burning the note. "I wonder what they're up to."
He had a quick bath, then snuggled under the furs, deciding to give up on Yvonne for the day. There was always tomorrow.
