“Alright,” says Miko as he opens the door. “I’ll see you there.”
Once Miko leaves, James changes into a clean set of clothes and then finishes gathering the rest of his things. Going down to the common room he finds Inius there sitting by the front window looking out into the street.
He turns as James approaches, a sad look on his face. “What’s wrong?” James asks.
“Furball is missing,” he says. “She was around last night when I locked up, but I haven’t seen her since.”
“That’s too bad,” consoles James. “I’m sure she’ll turn up.”
“I hope so,” Inius says, “she’s all I have left of my Eliena. Of course, I have grown fond of her too.” He sees that James is carrying his belongings and says, “Leaving us today?”
“Afraid so,” James replies as he hands over the room key. “Something’s come up and I need to go. You can go ahead and keep the advance for the next two days, I really enjoyed your inn and your people.”
“Thank you,” he says. “If you are ever in Cardri again, I hope you will stay with us.”
“I’m sure I will,” he assures him. “And if I should see Furball, I’ll get her back to you.”
“I would appreciate that,” Inius says as he turns back and continues staring out the window.
Exiting out the back, James goes over to the stable and finds that his horse has been well cared for, the straw in the stall looking clean and fresh. He comes over and pats him on the side, “They treating you well, boy?”
“Of course they are,” a voice answers from behind him. Turning, he sees the surly stableman from yesterday, the man’s disposition apparently little improved. In his hands the man carries a bale of fresh straw.
“Good day to you,” James greets cheerfully, stepping aside as the man brushes past on his way to deposit the straw in the next stall.
“I suppose it may be,” the man replies. “You leavin’?” he asks as he grabs a pitchfork and spreads the straw evenly across the floor.
“Yes, heading out today,” he answers as he continues readying his horse.
The man looks at James over the stall wall, makes a grunting noise and then walks back out the front.
“Friendly sort of chap, eh?” he asks his horse. The horse just snorts for an answer. “I agree,” he says as he finishes up with securing all his bags to, and around, the saddle. He then mounts and rides from the stable, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be taking a special interest in him. Since last night he intends to keep on his guard, watching for anyone that may be following him.
When he arrives at Cardri’s middle wall, he finds but a single, wide gate giving entry here where there had been two in the outer wall. The gate is quite busy with many people passing through, though not nearly the crowd that had bottlenecked the outer one. As James approaches the gate, the guards visually inspect him as he rides by, but make no attempt to approach him.
On the other side he finds the streets to be much cleaner, and once you get past the immediate area of the gate, the buildings slowly make way for residences and estates. A broad thoroughfare runs left and right from the gate, extending further into the city. Seeing a man walk by with several packages, most likely making deliveries by the modest way he’s dressed, James hails him, “Excuse me sir.”
The man turns and sees James to be the one hailing him. “Yes sir?” the man asks as he stops to see what he wants.
“I was wondering if you could tell me where I might find the Silver Bells?” James asks him.
Pointing down the street to the right, he says “Follow the road that way, you can’t miss it.”
“Thank you,” James says as the man once again resumes his progress.
Turning his horse, James makes his way down the road to the right. The buildings are very well kept up and the businesses are of a higher quality as well. Instead of the taverns and more mundane shops prevalent in the outer area, here there are more of the craftsmen type shops, i.e. goldsmiths, artisans, etc.
After several blocks, he comes upon a very nice, three story building. Instead of a sign as seems to be the norm, this one has a set of four bells hanging out front which look to be made of silver. They make a melodious sound when the breeze hits them just right. This must be the Silver Bells, he thinks to himself. Can’t be real silver or they would have been stolen by now. He ties his horse to the post out front, grabs his backpack and then climbs the four steps to the door standing open at the top.
Walking inside, he can immediately see that this is an upscale establishment. There are several pictures hanging on the walls, also various pieces of sculpture set in small alcoves around the common room. The tables all have linen tablecloths and are set with plates and silverware.
A man sees him enter and comes over, “Can I help you sir?”
“I hope so,” James replies. “I am looking for a bard by the name of Perrilin. He said he might be engaged here.”
“He was,” the man says.
“Was?” asks James. “He told me he would be here for about a week.”
“Yes, he was going to be” the man explains. “But the city watch came in last night and took him away in the middle of his performance. You can probably find him at the city jail.”
“Do you know why they took him?” he asks.
“No, they didn’t bother to inform us,” the man replies. “Miss Gilena was very put out that they disrupted her place in such a way. They didn’t even wait until he was finished,” the man continues, “just came up and took him off the stage right in the middle of a song.”
“Too bad,” says James. “I happen to be in need of a room and a stall for my horse. I have a boy with me, he’ll be by after a while.”
“The rooms are a gold a night,” the man explains, “and another silver for your horse. Meals are extra.” Gesturing over to the far side where a lady is stacking glasses, he says “That is Miss Gilena, she can get you set up.”
“Thanks for the help,” he says gratefully and then walks over to where Miss Gilena is busily stacking glasses.
“Excuse me ma’am,” James says as he approaches her.
Turning around she says, “Yes, how may I help you?”
“Looking for a room and a stall for my horse,” he tells her.
Looking him up and down with an expression bordering on snooty, she says, “It’ll be a gold a night and another silver for your horse.” The expression on her face clearly says that she doesn’t think he will take the room, much less be able to afford it.
James reaches in and pulls out two golds and two silvers, handing them over to her.
Upon seeing the money, her mood completely changes. Where disdain once reigned supreme, now smiles and cheerfulness rule. Snatching the money from his hand, she says, “Welcome to the Silver Bells good sir.” Reaching under the counter, she brings forth a room key and hands it to James. “We have one room left. It’s on the third floor, top of the stairs, all the way at the end on the right.”
Taking the key, he replies, “That will be just fine, thank you.”
“The stables are out back,” she says, gesturing to a door at the back of the common room. “Gunther should be out there and he’ll find a stall for your horse.”
“Thank you,” he says gratefully. “There is a young boy with me by the name of Miko who will be coming by a little later. Could you direct him to my room when he gets here?” Seeing her nod yes, he turns and goes back out the front for his horse. Miss Gilena returns to her glasses, placing the last one upon the stack.
James takes his horse around to the back and finds Gunther who soon has his horse settled in. Taking his belongings, he returns to the inn where a boy comes over to show him to his room. Taking his bags from him, the boy carries them as he leads him up the stairs to the third floor. At the top of the stairs, he proceeds down the hallway to the last door on the right and holds it open, allowing James to enter first.