The bustle of the inn was light at the moment.
The large common room was quite that, common. Stained floorboards and a lack of carpet on the floor. A large fireplace set opposite the door burned away with several pops and crackles every now and again, keeping the inside much warmer then the out. A long bar was along the wall where people entered with steps leading up or down on the other end of it. A few tables with some chairs here and there. All together it was a comfortable if ordinary room.
A large, older man, stood at the bar, cutting up some meat and bread. He had round, brown eyes, with a devious sparkle to them. Under them was a large, slightly bulbous, nose and a pair of thick lips that seemed to spit a little whenever he spoke. He had bushy dark brown hair and a similarly colored beard that had a few pieces of crumbs sticking out of it. He had slightly tanned, leathery looking, skin. The man wore a large set of pants and a undershirt as though he was preparing for bed.
He spoke with his daughter, Diana.
"My dear," he said with a totally superior tone of voice, " you must understand that these things happen. It's sad that your grandmother died, for certain. But you have to think of her as well. She's in a better place now."
The girl seemed sad and just nodded, dressed down now in a simple light blue dress and apron over it with a few stains.
The bell on the door resounded the entering Anthony and Diana's father lost track of what he was going to say as the idea of money lit his eyes when he watched the young nobleman. He motioned his daughter off as he looked at the man.
Anthony paused to take in the small room and then nodded politely to the man, looking after Diana with an appraising stare.
"You like her?" the father asked as he pulled some of the better brandy from the shelves and poured a glass for Anthony.
It took him a moment, but Anthony came out of it as her father spoke, blushing slightly as he sat.
"She is a beautiful lady," Anthony offered in as much a political response as he could muster.
Diana blushed and went to sweeping the floors.
"We'll have to see what we can do about that," the father said in response, noting the coat of arms and the station of the man before him, "What else can I help you with?"
"Two rooms, for two nights, possibly four nights," Anthony answered, trying to ignore the implied words for the moment. Business now, possible pleasure later.
"Well ah, the best rooms are open right now sir," he responded, listing off some amount of money that was obviously overpriced for what he was offering.
"Here," Anthony tossed him a bag of coins,, not in the mood to haggle or deal with nonsense "that should cover it, and stabling for the horses as well as any meals. Please do count it."
The larger man wetted his lips in a little apprehension, as though afraid when he went to grab the coins the nobleman would pull them away on some invisible string and laugh at him. He reached out though rather suddenly, his arm reminding one of the quick strike of the snake and also reminding Anthony to keep an eye on his purse around the quick hands of the man. He opened it and poured it out, counting with all the seriousness of anyone with money and then nodding to Anthony.
"More then enough sir, let my daughter Diana there show you to your room," he said, dealing out a good amount of acted respect, "I'll wake the horse hands and some of the maidens in the case you or your traveling companions will need anything."
Anthony nodded but was already getting up as Diana walked over, staring again. A blush flushed her cheeks and she motioned toward the steps, starting to walk in silence. It took Anthony a moment to comprehend before hopping to follow. The father couldn't help but grin after them, going to wake some of the house.
"Diana doesn't sound much like a Russian name," Anthony said, trying to make conversation with the girl as they started up the steps.
"My mother was French," she explained, the sadness in her voice ever apparent, "she always wanted to visit Greece."
"Your well named after a goddess then lady," he smiled at her, laying on the charm.
Her cheeks turned a little more red and she opened a door.
"This is your room, your other room is there," she said as she pointed to a door down the hall, "there is a bath but we'll have to bring in heated water, would you like some this evening/"
He nodded, stepping inside to glance over the modest room.
It was simple, it had a large bed, a dresser, a desk, a coat hanger, and a lamp. Nothing extreme, nothing minor, a happy medium.
"Thank you very much…" he paused as he turned and she wasn't there, that was happening to him a lot lately. He smiled anyway and closed the door.
