A Dangerous Road (DragonSong)

[PixelatedGlory]

Arden stayed very close to the horse as they walked during the first portion of their trip. He wanted to make sure the horse wouldn't get too spooked and toss Gin and Rarra. Fortunately the horse seemed to get acclimated to the scent of the wolf nearby and soon stopped needing such close attention.

Arden let his mind wander as they walked, though he was still keeping an eye out for trouble. He tried to imagine what it would be like to be able to become a wolf. To run free and experience the world by scent. Arden was the kind of person to try to think about how others lived their lives. Even as a soldier he had tried to get inside the heads of his enemies to understand what they would do. Not that he considered River an enemy, just a person with a very different way of experiencing the world.

River's excitement as they drew closer to the town brought a smile to Arden's face. He was happy to be getting to town too, but there was just something joyous about the wolf's excitement. Arden wasn't sure if River intended to stay as a wolf as they entered town but he was going to leave that up to her. She was probably more experienced with this area than he was. As they approached the guards outside of town he politely nodded and asked, "We're looking for a decent inn to stay at, do you have a couple recommendations?" He knew better than to just take the first inn they mentioned as they likely had some deal or other but it didn't hurt to get an idea.

The guards rattled off a few names and the group proceeded into town to choose where to stay. Once Rarra and Gin were settled Arden would have a date with some ale.

[DragonSong]

River managed to get her energy back under control as Arden spoke with the guards, sitting placidly at his side as though she was a tamed companion.

She probably could have changed back to human form, but she usually didn't like to do so with so many people about. Earlier had been a bit of an emergency.

She nudged her nose against the man's side as the group moved into town, jerking her head toward Gin and his mother with a questioning whine.

[PixelatedGlory]

Arden had to admit, River made a pretty convincing pet wolf when she was trying. Not that it was common for wolves to be tamed. Maybe the guards really just didn't care unless people were causing trouble. It was also possible they didn't want to provoke any biting if they didn't have to.

As they left the guards behind them Arden noticed River nudging him and he looked down to see what she was doing. He could tell from her head jerks that she was trying to ask him something about his two charges but something was being lost in translation. "I don't know what you are trying to say River. Give me a moment," he said low enough for her to hear him. Shifters might or might not be common here but he didn't want to draw any more attention than was necessary.

As they passed an alley way Arden stopped the horse and ducked inside. Hopefully it would be shielded enough from public view for River to change back. Or at least he could take a moment to try to figure out what she was trying to say.

[DragonSong]

River huffed, irritated-- not with him, but with the perpetual fact that she couldn't communicate the way she wanted to in this form, not without a beastspeaker-- and followed him into the alley.

Quickly, she melted back into the form of a woman, rolling her neck and popping a few joints. "Do you know where we're putting them up?" she asked with another nod toward the mother and child.

[PixelatedGlory]

River changing back into a woman was fascinating. Even though Arden had seen her change a couple times it was still something he wasn't used to. It wasn't as grotesque or unnerving as he might have expected had someone told him about what a shifter was like. It was just... interesting.

"Unless you have a better idea I was planning to check the prices of a couple inns and see if they are appropriate for these two. Somewhere safe and reasonably comfortable with a few rooms next to each other available. The guards gave me some names but i'll bet they get money on the side for their recommendations. I'll need a stable for my horse too."

[DragonSong]

She nodded, rolling her shoulders back to adjust back into her human skin. "Makes sense. What can I do?"

[PixelatedGlory]

She seemed to be moving her joints a lot after taking her human form. Arden wondered if it was painful for her to shift. He considered asking but thought better of it. It could be something to ask about later if the opportunity came up but the priority was getting Rarra and Gin settled for the night and Dori safely stabled.

"Do me a favor and watch my back. With me focused on finding a decent inn and stable I may need to show some coin and that tends to draw the wrong kind of attention. Whether that's in this form or the other is up to you. Though it may be difficult to explain a wolf without any collar or restraint. and I don't think you would like that," he chuckled.

Arden waited for River to make her decision and then proceeded to the first inn on his list. Naturally one of the more expensive ones in town. The guards probably sent all the clueless newcomers there so they could get a better kickback. Arden didn't plan on staying there but he was curious at their prices and it was a good place to start.

[DragonSong]

River nodded and shot him a quick smile. "Nah, I can be human for this, I think."

She gave Gin and Rarra an encouraging grin as they set out into the town, leading their horse rather than having Rarra keep a hold on the reins.

[PixelatedGlory]

The small group made an interesting sight as they traveled through the streets. The presence of the horse was invaluable as it made some of the many people walking about move out of their way. They weren't being respectful- no one enjoys a horse's panicked kicks. Arden was glad not to be leading the horse as it allowed him to focus on watching the crowd for threats while they walked.

The inn standing before them was large and well maintained. There were flowers planted outside and a freshly painted sign declared it as "The Pegasus Arms." There was a nice stable in the rear that was almost completely hidden from view and there were guards posted around the building. Arden leaned over to whisper to the others, "Don't think we should waste your money on rooms here but I'd like to check the prices anyway if you don't mind." Rarra looked the building up and down and sighed. It would have been nice to stay there but they still had more travelling to do on the money she had with her. "Please don't take too long, we're pretty tired Mr. Deschane."

Before Arden could finish taking his third step towards the entrance of the inn he was stopped by a man in a fancy blue vest over a bright, clean white tunic. The golden chain around his neck jangled as he walked over. After examining the group for a moment he wrinkled up his nose a bit like he has smelled something awful. "You look like you've traveled for a long time. Are you sure you have the proper coin for this establishment?" Arden probably could have fit in ok if he had been alone but neither Rarra nor Gin looked like they were well off enough for this type of place.

Even so Arden was fairly annoyed at the treatment the man was giving them. He squared his body into an intimidating stance and looked down into the man's eyes. "Why you haven't even told us the price yet and you already think we cannot afford it?" His hands were crossed over his chest and not near his weapons. He might have sounded confrontational but nothing in his body language indicated he was actually going to get into a fight. "What if they were two visiting nobles with a bodyguard and guide who were unfortunately waylaid by bandits? Would you really risk offending a potentially lucrative customer? Just tell us what you charge for your meals and rooms."

The man seemed taken aback by the response but quickly composed himself again. He listed the costs with an only halfway hidden sneer and they were indeed quite steep. Much more than they intended to pay. Arden laughed, "Quoting an exorbitant price just to rub my nose in it? Fine, i'm sure we can find a more respectable place to take our money." With that he turned to began ushering the others away from the inn.

[DragonSong]

River hung back with the horse and his riders, scowling a bit to herself at the arrogance of the innkeeper.

She tilted her head back to smile reassuringly at Rarra though. "Where you two from, orgininally?" she asked quietly, politely, hoping to keep mother and child distracted from the altercation.

[PixelatedGlory]

Rarra glanced nervously over at the innkeeper but River's question brought her attention back away from the disagreement. "We're coming from Connlaoth. We're just planning to stay with some friends of mine down south for a while," she sounded a little like she was repeating something she had rehearsed during the second part. Meanwhile Gin piped up, "We goin' on vacation!" Rarra smiled down at him and nodded.

Arden walked away from the innkeeper with no hesitation or turning back. He had learned what he wanted to learn and had received pretty much the exact treatment he was expecting. It was a little surprising that he hadn't balked at Arden's accusation that he was overcharging, but Arden just assumed that meant he was exactly right about it. There was a faint smirk on his face as he returned to the others and said, "guess we won't be staying there tonight. I'm sure we can find somewhere more reasonable and more comfortable."

He led the group down one of the side streets until they came across a man cleaning the outside of his small shop. Arden stopped and greeted him before asking directions to one of the other inns that the guards had told him about. After the man laughed and asked why they would ever want to stay in such a dump, Arden smiled and asked the man about the final inn that the guards had mentioned. The man seemed to like that option better and gave directions to halfway across the city. Arden thanked him with a firm handshake, but the glint of metal in the man's hand as they released would have told a keen observer that Arden had tipped the man for his information. He hadn't asked for Rarra to pay for it. In actuality it was his own money that he was spending.

The group resumed walking towards the inn the man had recommended

[DragonSong]

River smiled at Gin and nodded. "Well you have fun, lad. There's lots of good land in Serendipity, I'm sure you'll find plenty of space to play outside and all."

She glanced at Arden as he returned and they continued walking, observing carefully. She noted that he seemed to pay from his own coin purse and tilted her head almost curiously.

"That was your coin?" she asked quietly as they started walking again.

[PixelatedGlory]

It's fine. She's just trying to be nice to us. There's no reason to think she might return us to Connlaoth. But she is a bounty hunter. Best not to let her know everything. Rarra was being a little paranoid but she desperately wanted to keep her son out of the hands of the church. She wasn't going to let them take him away from her no matter what.

Gin seemed more or less happy to be on "vacation" and was eagerly looking around at all the sights of the city. Not that any of it was particularly interesting looking, he just hadn't been there before and it was exciting to the child. It seemed like he had been distracted enough or had forgotten the incident earlier with the bandits.

As they started walking Arden heard River speak up quietly. She had seen through his little sleight of hand trick back with the storekeeper. No matter, really he was just trying to hide it from Rarra. He put his finger to his lips and casually shifted his position so that he was closer to River while still keeping an eye on the other two on the horse as they all walked through the streets.

"Saw that, huh?" Arden questioned, just barely loud enough to be heard over the noise of traveling through the city, "An honest man deserves to be rewarded for his help. That was indeed my coin and I'd appreciate it if you kept it quiet. They aren't actually rich enough to make this journey comfortably- hell, I took the job at a huge discount myself." 

[DragonSong]

The shifter smiled and shook her head. "Your secret's safe with me," she promised with a little chuckle. She glanced back over her shoulder at Rarra and her son.

"Do you know them?" she asked after a moment. "I mean, outside of business? Or are you really just doing this out of the goodness of your heart?"

[PixelatedGlory]

Rarra and Gin continued along with their escorts, unaware or not bothered by the fact that Arden and River were talking quietly among themselves. Gin had taken out the little wood carved hawk and was holding it up in the air like he was pretending it was flying above them. Rarra was a little more focused on keeping the two of them from falling or colliding with anyone.

Arden was relieved that she was going to keep the money a secret. It wouldn't have been the end of the world for Rarra to find out that Arden had been paying for some things out of his own pocket, but it would be best if she thought the money she had desperately scraped together was enough. Arden wasn't about to go broke as long as he was careful, but this job had never been about getting rich.

He waited a moment before responding as if he was weighing his options. Finally he sighed, "I don't really know them, no. A friend of mine who knew I work as a mercenary and usually escort travelers contacted me about the job. Wouldn't say i'm necessarily a good person, but I am doing this for reasons other than money."

They were getting close to the inn they had been directed to. It was many times smaller than the previous one and it was decidedly more plain. Still it looked decent enough on the outside and their front door was propped open as if inviting people in.

[DragonSong]

The shifter tilted her head at him, but didn't seem to feel the need to comment much. She just nodded as they made their way through the city toward the inn.

Her head suddenly tilted the other way, and if she'd been in her canine form her ears may have perked up. "Should I check this out before you lot decide to stay or not?"

[PixelatedGlory]

Arden was confused by the sudden head tilt but he figured it was a peculiarity that came with being a wolf shifter. Perhaps some of the instincts and mannerisms bled through to both forms. At any rate her offer was reasonable. If they all approached at once it would be clear that they were a group looking for rooms and the owner might be tempted to price things accordingly and try to hide things from them.

Also Arden had the suspicion that River's senses were more finely tuned than his own. In his experience having someone else check things out too couldn't hurt. "If you don't mind, that would probably be very helpful. I am a little curious though. You asked about my motivations for this job, but why are you being so helpful? Don't you have a bounty to collect or something?"

They had slowed down a bit and Rarra and Gin were getting closer to the two quietly talking among themselves. "Is everything ok?" Rarra asked, a little concerned. Gin still seemed distracted enough by playing with the wood carving.

[DragonSong]

River nodded, moving forward toward the inn, then paused and glanced back at Arden over her shoulder. Her eyes flickered from him to Rarra and her son, and she smiled.

"Everything's fine, I'm just gonna check the prices here," she assured. Lowering her voice, she murmured to Arden, "I...like pups. The kid's an innocent. I'd like to see him and his mother settled, if I can."

She shrugged "Besides, my bounty can wait. Not many people can avoid a wolf on their tail."

[PixelatedGlory]

Arden too looked back when Rarra had asked if everything was ok. He smiled and nodded to show that River was indeed just going to check the prices. Rarra wasn't a fool but she was a little unfamiliar with the dangers of traveling and Arden didn't want her to worry too much.

Turning back to River so the others wouldn't be able to tell what was said, he smiled. "Innocent he is. I think you have at least a decent idea why I took this job so you are welcome to assist as long as you want." He still couldn't fully trust her- that would be a bad idea for someone he had just met. However she seemed to be on the same page as far as protecting Rarra and Gin and nothing she had done so far was throwing up red flags.

As she continued further away he called out, slightly louder, "With what i've seen? I know I wouldn't want you coming after me." He then took up a better position to watch over his charges as they finished their walk to the inn. Their pace was carefully slowed to make sure River would have a chance to do her check without them having to wait too long outside in the street and attract too much attention.

[DragonSong]

River smirked and tossed a grin at him. "Hey, I'll take that as a compliment," she chuckled, before she strode forward to talk with the proprietor of the inn.

It was warm and noisy and crowded inside the inn's taproom, but at least it was cheap. And it seemed safe enough-- she was sure she and Arden could handle any problems that might arise at any rate.

Slipping back outside, she flashed Rarra and Gin a smile as she came up to Arden again, lowering her voice slightly. "I'm gonna let the wolf out again. You can pretend I'm a guard dog; it'll be intimidating enough that no one will bother to mess with them, but better than an extra mercenary hanging around."