Chapter 19
The White Tree Inn was a two-level whitewashed building with a grey roof that took up half the block it was on. The other half of the block consisted of stables and a yard. In addition to the sparkly white wings on the inn, there were dark green wings on the empty stable. Glass was set in the lower windows. Shutters at the upper windows were open.
Tathan gave Athron a silver for his trouble and waved him away. “Thank you for bringing us here lad.”
The boy took it and ran off the way they had come.
“This looks like it’ll be a good place to stay,” Tathan said. “We’ll have to see how much it is. I have some money, but it’s not wise to waste it.”
“Oh! I have money,” Vevin said. Then his face fell. “But he took it from me and I don’t have treasure or even money now.” The dragon moved side to side in a sad dance.
“It’s all right, Vevin.” Liselle placed a hand on his arm. “We’ll get you some new treasure. Don’t worry about it for now. Just having you here is treasure enough for us.”
“Oh, thank you!” Vevin went back to doing his happy dance once more.
“Alas, I also have no money.” Sir Danth held his arms out to the sides. “Knights do not often need it. Even then, I used to be wealthy before my honorable duty, but I released all physical possessions when I swore my vow. As you saw, there was no longer any money in the royal vault either, so grabbing some gold for expenses was not an option.”
“That’s all right. As I said, I have money,” Tathan reassured them. “I have no idea what costs are here or how much we’ll be able to make when we do get a job. Let me handle the finances and negotiations for rooms and services.”
The party went in the double door entrance made of fine wood, which swung on well-oiled hinges. Tathan realized such doors would be expensive here with as difficult as it must be to get lumber from the forest. The scent of warm food wafted through the common room from the kitchen. He hoped accommodations wouldn’t be too costly. There were a few gems in his purse, stolen in his travels. He could use them, but didn’t like to do so. In some ways, he was just as much of a treasure hunter as Vevin.
Some of the money, a few of the gems and some minor jewelry had been scavenged from the warriors who had attacked their home. He had divided it into two equal purses, one for him and one for Liselle. Tathan had had never figured out how to talk to her about it, so hadn’t given it to her.
The large common room had few people in it. Tathan noticed the straw on the stone floor was clean, as were the tables. A small fire crackled in the main fireplace, keeping the temperature pleasant. A few patrons noted the party’s arrival, but no one stared.
“Hello there travelers!” A tall, heavyset woman stood at the bar, cleaning mugs. Her hair was strawberry blonde and she had a ruddy complexion. “I’ve not seen you in town. Come have a seat and tell me of yourselves.” Her voice was loud and cheerful as she waved them over to the bar with a thick hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you. Dinner’s just about ready if you’re hungry.”
Liselle sat on one of the bar stools. “That would be wonderful. The food smells delicious.” Indeed, mouthwatering aromas were emanating from beyond swinging doors at the far right of the bar.
“My sister Renna is the best cook you’ll find in this town. I’m Hulda, by the way. The White Tree Inn is my pride and joy, though we don’t get many customers at the moment.”
“Why don’t you get customers?” Tathan asked, though Athron had already told him. Sometimes, it was good to hear a story from different people. It could lead to new information.
“Renna and I are from Swelth, a kingdom to the west of here. We left to get away from a couple of lords who were fighting all the time.” Hulda rolled her eyes. She had gold piercings in each eyebrow as well as a silver one in the side of her nose and more in her ears. “We traveled for a long time looking for a new place to live until we found Puujan and were able to start our own inn.”
“You were just able to start an inn?” Tathan asked in surprise. “Most cities require all sorts of bribes and money to build an inn or any other business.”
Hulda shrugged her stout shoulders. “It’s different here. The Rojuun had the city built all at once. They designed the entire thing with the help of human architects.” She leaned on the bar as she continued to speak. “There are still a lot of buildings, homes and businesses a person can move into. You just have to agree to pay some sort of tithe or tax in exchange and you can have one.”
“What sort of tithe or tax?” Tathan asked, instantly suspicious.
“Oh, it depends upon what you can do. I offer the Rojuun free room and board and a place to perform whenever they like. They accept that.”
“Are there any staying here now?” Liselle looked around the common room to see if any were in sight.
“Nah.” She flipped over the mug she was cleaning and picked up the next. “They don’t stay here too often, although sometimes one will wander in to perform on the stage over there.” Hulda pointed to a stage at the opposite end of the common room. It took up the entire wall, coming out a good twenty-five feet. “All inns have large stages and there are other platforms in common areas around town.”
Liselle found the foot rail and placed her feet on it so she could sit more comfortably. “I heard they like performing.”
Tathan appreciated that his cousin was asking questions. Most people found him to be too suspicious and tended to guard their answers. He noticed that they took to Liselle right away.
Hulda did respond well to Liselle. “Oh yes. They’re always singing and playing instruments. Some dance or just move slowly. I don’t understand it, honestly.”
“What do you mean by moving slowly?” Liselle placed her elbows on the counter and rested her chin in her hands.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me, but they think it’s ‘art’ for some reason.” Hulda shook her head in amusement.
“I’d really like to meet one or at least see one,” Liselle said. “They sound fascinating and even a little scary.”
“Aye, at first they’re scary but once you get used to them, they can be interesting.” Hulda became thoughtful. “At times, I think they’re even beautiful. Their voices are different from humans, sort of haunting.”
“How so?” Liselle asked.
“They have more than one voice.” Hulda leaned forward. “When they sing, it’s like there are two or three voices coming out of them, but I don’t know where from. Even when they talk, they use two voices.”
“That sounds amazing.” Liselle leaned forward too. “When do you think one will show up?”
Tathan could tell that his cousin was getting excited about the idea of the Rojuun. It worried him. He ignored the fact that almost everything worried him.
“I don’t know,” Hulda said. “Sometimes they show up every day. Other times they don’t show up for a week or two. It’s been a few days since one was last in here to perform.” The innkeeper scanned over the party. “Say, where are you from? You strike me as an odd lot.” Her eyes stopped on Vevin whose head was bobbing from side to side. His silver eyes gleamed and sharp teeth glistened in a big smile.
Tathan was surprised that people appeared to ignore Vevin most of the time. Neither Athron nor the guardsmen had paid attention to the dragon who walked among them in human form.
“We’re an odd lot from various places.” Tathan drew Hulda’s attention to him. “I’m a bit of a traveler myself. In fact, I’ve been to Swelth before, but only for a short time. That kingdom has a bit too much conflict. The lords have recruiters who search for capable young men to fight for them.” Tathan grinned winningly at the innkeeper.
“Aye, I lost my betrothed that way. Of course, he was an ugly git, so I wasn’t sad.” Hulda winked. Then her eyes narrowed. “You’ll not distract me though. Humans don’t have silver eyes and sharp teeth.” S
he jerked her head toward Vevin. “He’s not Rojuun either. So what is he, and is he safe?”
That was a difficult question and Tathan wasn’t entirely convinced. “Vevin is safe. He’s just . . . different. Don’t worry, all right?”
Hulda just stared at him, not even remotely reassured.
Liselle saved him. “Vevin is my friend. He protects me because it’s so dangerous in the world.” She smiled at the suspicious innkeeper. “I’ve found there are many things in the world that aren’t human and can’t be explained, but it doesn’t make them bad. Vevin is good.”
Hulda looked from Liselle to Vevin and then back again. “Well . . . if he’s not dangerous . . .” she said.
“Oh he’s dangerous all right. Very dangerous,” Liselle admitted. “But Vevin likes me and protects me. He’s the sort of dangerous you want on your side.”
Vevin nodded vigorously.
Hulda’s eyes widened and she took a step back. The innkeeper looked at the four of them before settling on the knight. “And are you dangerous as well, Sir Knight?”
“No. I’m not at all dangerous, my good lady,” Sir Danth said with a straight face. Not that he was capable of any other sort of face, not having one and all. But the helmet was very good at hiding expressions . . . or would have been had he had any expressions. “I dance through fields of wildflowers and gaze at clouds, imagining what shapes they might be.”
Vevin was the first to giggle after a moment of silence in which they all stared at the black-armored knight.
Liselle and Tathan burst into laughter immediately thereafter.
The innkeeper took a moment, but then she joined in the laughter as well.
Sir Danth looked pleased with himself. Tathan wondered how he managed to convey such impressions through the armor like that.
After a moment, the laughter died down. “We won’t harm your inn, Hulda. I promise.” Liselle reassured her with a smile. “Would it be possible to get a room and bath as well as dinner?” she asked hopefully.
“Where are my manners?” Hulda smoothed her apron and looked toward the kitchen. “Dinner is ready now. You should have some while it’s fresh and hot.” She smiled at Liselle. “I’ll have your bath heated while you eat. I know how nice it is after traveling.” She looked at the rest of the party. “How many rooms will you be needing?”
“We need . . .” Tathan realized he had no idea. Up to this point, they had slept under the open sky. He and Liselle normally rested in sleeping rolls next to each other. Sir Danth didn’t sleep and Vevin just curled up on the ground. Nothing bothered the dragon, even when it was breezy or rainy outside.
“I do not need a room, Master Tathan,” Sir Danth said. “I will sit in the common room and reflect, or go for a walk around the town should the whim take me.”
“All right.” Tathan thought for a moment then turned to Hulda and asked, “How much are the rooms, dinner and the bath.”
“The rooms are two uun silver pieces each with an evening and morning meal included. Dinner without a room is one uun silver. The bath is one uun silver with or without the room.” She spoke as though it was something she told people often. “If you want drink, we have good ale for a copper uun and a local red or white wine for two copper uun.”
“Uun silver?” Tathan asked.
“Ah yes. If you are new to Rojuun civilization, you probably don’t know that they have their own money. It’s called ‘uun’. They have gold, silver and copper just like most kingdoms.” The innkeeper pulled coins out of a purse underneath her apron. She laid three down. They were small with intricate designs. Copper was the smallest of the three. “Four copper uuns make a silver uun and eight silver uuns make a gold uun.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. In most countries, it’s ten copper to a silver and ten silver to a gold piece.”
“Aye, they’re an odd bunch with the money,” Hulda admitted. “But four and eight are holy numbers to them. They don’t explain why, but that’s the way it is.” She shrugged with her hands out helplessly. “Most people use silver for just about everything as there aren’t a lot of copper or gold coins available.”
“I see.” Tathan brought out his small belt-pouch. He didn’t tell anyone about the other pouches in various places around his body. They had some of his gold coins and jewels, which he didn’t like to show to would be thieves. “I mainly have coins from Altordan. They’re widely accepted everywhere.” He pulled out seven silver pieces from that country. “Will you accept them or do you need the uun coins?”
“Aye, I’ll accept them. The Rojuun exchange almost all coins at equal values.” Hulda put away her three coins and then counted the seven silver pieces Tathan had put out. “Seven silver. Does that mean you’ll be wanting three rooms and a bath?” she asked.
“Two rooms, a bath for Liselle and one for me. One silver for all the information and advice.” Tathan turned to Vevin. “We can share a room, Vevin. If you want a bath, I’ll pay for that too.”
“I’d rather sleep with Lady Liselle,” Vevin said with an eager nod of the head.
“Umm . . . no.” The idea of Vevin sleeping in his cousin’s room bothered Tathan. He didn’t think a dragon would be attracted to a human, but until now he didn’t know that dragons could take human form. “It’s not proper for a man and woman to sleep in the same room if they aren’t married.”
Vevin’s expression saddened.
Liselle frowned at Tathan. Her eyes narrowed. “So proper and so concerned for my purity, Cousin?”
The innkeeper looked at the two of them with an eyebrow raised in amusement.
“Yes. It’s my job to protect you and keep you safe.” Tathan folded his arms. “Vevin and I can share a room.” He didn’t like the way his cousin was looking at him. It made him nervous. The flower pin in her hair seemed to be glaring at him just like the flowers had back in that forest clearing. He noticed its petals became a darker purple when angry.
Liselle’s eyes narrowed even further. “I see. Let me explain something to you.” She pointed her finger at him. “I know you wish to protect me and I appreciate that. You don’t get to make decisions for me though. Especially not with regards to who shares my bedroom or even my bed. Is that clear, Cousin?”
Tathan looked into his cousin’s eyes. There was fire in them . . . literally. Blue flame ghosted the pupils and irises from behind. He didn’t like it, but had a sense this wasn’t an argument he could have with her, let alone win. “Yes . . . it’s clear.”
“Good.” The fire left her eyes as she straightened, though her gaze was stern toward him. She turned to Vevin. “I feel safe when you’re near. If you’re willing to take the floor, I’d like you to sleep in my room, Vevin.”
Vevin’s face brightened and he bounded off his chair to do a happy dance. “I don’t mind the floor at all!” His purple hair bounced around as he danced. Hulda stared at him, wild-eyed at the sight.
Tathan wasn’t happy about the arrangement. “Let’s sit down and have some dinner before we rest. We can figure out what to do next while we eat.”
“Take a seat at one of the tables then. I’ll have dinner brought to you.” Hulda gestured to the tables around the common room.
“No dinner for me, thank you.” Sir Danth held up his hand to make certain Hulda didn’t get him anything.
She looked puzzled but nodded as she headed toward the kitchen. Tathan chose a round table along the wall and sat so his back faced the door.
Tathan had learned from various shady characters that you should always sit facing the door while keeping your back against the wall. He realized quickly that it was easy to spot the most dishonest people in a room by who sat with their back to the wall and watched the door all the time. Tathan had taken to sitting with his back to the door because those dishonest people ignored him the instant he did. Most rogues tended to neglect the fact that trouble didn’t
usually announce itself when it walked in the front door anyway.
Sir Danth took the seat against the wall instead. He leaned back, crossing his arms as his helmeted gaze settled on the doorway.
Tathan got the impression their hollow knight wasn’t completely noble.
Liselle sat on Tathan’s left while Vevin stood for a moment, wanting to sit next to her. He finally settled on the remaining chair across from Liselle.
Tathan studied the dragon for a moment. It had been hard to read him at first, but once a person learned his dances, it became easier to figure out the dragon’s moods. In fact, Vevin tended to wear his emotions on his sleeve, or more accurately, in his dance. The purple haired being was staring at Liselle the way a puppy dog would its master. Tathan didn’t know whether to be worried about it or not. Vevin either had a crush on Liselle, or just adored her the way a pet would. He hoped it was the latter even though the thought of his cousin having a dragon for a pet was a bit disconcerting.
“So what are we going to do next, Master Tathan?” Sir Danth’s voice was clearer than one would imagine coming out of a suit of armor. There was a metallic tint to it, but it wasn’t heavy. Tathan wondered idly how the knight produced it without a mouth or vocal cords.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about our next move.” Tathan used peripheral vision to see that no one was listening before continuing in a quiet tone. Everyone leaned in to hear. “I want to spend the night here at least. We can find out more about the Rojuun by talking to people.” Tathan looked at Sir Danth. “You mentioned taking a walk tonight. I think that’s a good idea. See what you can discover about the town and its people. I plan to explore a bit as well. I want to see what sort of guilds the town has and whether or not there’s a dark side.”
“A dark side? That sounds dangerous. Will you be all right, Cousin?” Worry filled Liselle’s voice.
“I’ll be fine.” He gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. “I know my way around towns and I take care of myself. In fact, I prefer the city streets at night. They’re home to me.”
“I know you can take care of yourself, Cousin.” Liselle caressed the flower in her hair. “I’ve seen how you handle your sword. It’s just that I worry about you.” She placed her hand on his. “I sense that you’ve seen trouble and perhaps it follows you.”
He wouldn’t discuss that with her. Tathan felt it watching him, although it hadn’t been bad when they were traveling through the forest. He had hoped it would be gone in Puujan, but it was stronger. Tathan squeezed Liselle’s hand and forced a smile for her. “I know you worry about me, Cousin. I promise I’ll be careful.”
Liselle looked at him dubiously.
At that moment, Hulda and a younger woman came out with food. “It’s the finest stew you’ll ever taste.” Hulda placed the bowls on the table. The young woman with her set down a basket with bread and a plate with fresh turned butter. “This is Trina.” Hulda gestured to the woman. “She’ll get you drinks and anything else you need.”
“Thank you very much Hulda,” Liselle said. “It looks and smells wonderful.”
Tathan had already taken a bite and noticed the taste was as good as Hulda claimed.
The party ate in silence for a while. Sir Danth didn’t eat, staring at the doorway lost in whatever thoughts rattled around in his armor. The knight was quiet most of the time. Tathan wondered if it was because he didn’t have anything to say or if it took effort to do so.
Sir Danth abruptly sat up straight. Tathan heard someone behind him and turned to look. He became very still as he watched the pale creature glide through the door.
It wore an extravagant robe that touched the floor. Dark reds, blues and greens intertwined in patterns Tathan had never seen. The creature’s movement was such that there seemed to be no steps, only a smooth flow as it progressed forward.
This had to be a Rojuun from all the descriptions they had been given. It had four arms that ended in long, graceful hands and fingers. The cat-like eyes caught a person’s attention right away. It was hard not to stare at the turquoise irises set in an upside down teardrop shape. They were more captivating than Tathan had seen in all but the most extraordinary humans.
The Rojuun had a lute in each of its right hands. It nodded in acknowledgement as Hulda greeted it. “You will get me red wine,” it ordered pleasantly. Its voice sounded like two intertwined. Tathan noted that it commanded the wine as though obedience was expected. There was no request in its voices regardless of how pleasant the Rojuun was about it.
The creature was taller than anyone had mentioned, nearly seven feet. Tathan realized that all the doorways they had seen in the city were at least nine feet high. The grace with which it moved to the stage was beauty in itself. The gliding step of the creature made it look as though he was floating on air.
Functionally, the arms and legs worked just like a human’s with elbows, knees, wrists and ankles. Tathan did recognize that the four long-knives sheathed on the Rojuun’s belt would be deadly in the hands of a trained individual.
They watched it put the lutes on a small table near the middle of the stage. Then it took a tall stool from the back of the stage and placed it near the table. The creature seemed incapable of doing anything without grace, even sitting. When it settled its feet upon one of the crossbars of the stool, Tathan noticed silver slippers on long, thin feet.
The head of the creature was very much like that of a human. It had thick, black hair flowing down its back. The nose looked much like a human’s, only longer while the mouth was somewhat wider. Tathan noticed there were earrings all the way from the lobes to the top of the ears. There were also piercings in the eyebrows and nose. Unlike many humans, it had no tattoos.
Hulda brought a bottle of wine and one of the finest crystal glasses Tathan had ever seen to the Rojuun. She poured a glass for him then set it and the bottle on the table. The creature took a slow sip before setting it back down. It drank just like a human . . . only more elegantly.
Tathan decided he didn’t like the Rojuun just because they were so much more graceful than humans were.
It took the lute in its upper set of hands to tune it for a moment. After doing that, it moved the lute to the lower hands and picked up the other with the upper hands, tuning it as well. Tathan watched in fascination as it strummed the first lute to compare tones on the second lute. It was as though two people were playing at the same time. Looking around, he saw the rest of the party was just as fascinated.
“This tune is entitled ‘Light Blue Bugs floating along a Sad River’. I insist you enjoy it.” The Rojuun began to play the twin lutes, fingers delicately picking at the strings. The party watched in awe as the sounds of the dual lutes intertwined, flowing throughout the inn’s common room.
Tathan had seen numerous lute players in his travels, even a few troupes of musicians playing together. None of them sounded like this though. The creature played melodies on the top lute while strumming rhythms, harmonies and countermelodies on the bottom lute. Its fingers danced along the strings, both sets of hands working independently of each other.
The creature swayed from side to side, smiling as it played. From time to time, the Rojuun would close its eyes, lost in the music. There was no other sound in the room as everyone watched, entranced. Tathan noticed that the Rojuun glanced at the lutes now and then, but for the most part played without looking.
Tathan enjoyed the music in spite of a strong urge not to because the creature had insisted the audience enjoy it. It was mysterious, even giving the impression that light blue bugs were flowing down a sad river.
After a few minutes, the creature finished the song. The last few notes hung over the common room for a bit and everyone remained still. Then the creature stood and bowed. All of the listeners started clapping at once. It seemed that everyone had enjoyed it as told.
The Rojuun took one last drink of the wine before gli
ding out of the inn, leaving everyone wanting more.
“Only one song?” Liselle asked plaintively.
Hulda stood next to their table. “Aye.”
Tathan hadn’t noticed her, which was unusual for him.
“Sometimes they play a few songs, but they usually just play one or two that they’re working on.”
“It was so beautiful.” Liselle sighed and ran fingers through her hair. “His fingers looked as though they were dancing across the strings when he played. I’ve never seen or heard anything like it.”
“It was extraordinary.” Sir Danth turned to the innkeeper. “Was it a male Rojuun? It looked to be.”
Hulda nodded. “Yes. Female Rojuun are shorter and have breasts, which aren’t large, but you can tell. Their features are also more delicate. If anything, their music is more beautiful than that of the males, though that’s just my opinion. You might want to know that female Rojuun are often referred to as ‘feju’, while male Rojuun are called ‘meju’. It takes a little while to get used to.” She left to fetch the wine and glass from the stage.
“So now we know what they look like.” Sir Danth folded his arms. “The music was wonderful, but I find it hard to believe the entire race is comprised of artists. In the best times of Morhain, there were only a few minstrels, most of whom played at courts for the nobles and royalty.”
“There are quite a few musicians in this day and age.” Tathan mixed the food on his plate. It had gotten cold. “The best play for the courts, but many inns and taverns have minstrels play on small stages or tables. Many faires have entire troupes of minstrels as well.” He took a bite.
“Oh! I’ve heard of faires,” Liselle said excitedly. “I’d love to go to one. I hear that people wear colorful clothes and there’s dancing, music and treats of all kinds.”
Tathan didn’t like the idea of Liselle being at a faire. “Rogues and other dangers visit faires too, Cousin.”
Liselle grinned mischievously. “Yes, I’d imagine there’s at least one rogue at a faire anytime you arrive, Cousin.”
“Oh ha, ha.” Tathan stuck his tongue out at her and they all laughed. Tathan decided that it was nice to have friends to laugh with. He had been a loner most of his life. “In any case, I’ve never seen any human play the lute like that. Of course, most humans don’t have two sets of hands.”
“Most humans?” Sir Danth asked with raised eyebrows.
Tathan did a double take and realized the knight’s visor was still on. He had no idea how he got the impression that the knight had raised eyebrows.
“Well . . . speaking of the faires, I was at one where a person had an extra arm. It was a birth defect. Most people die when that happens and those that live sometimes join the freak show at faires where customers pay to see them.”
Liselle narrowed her eyes. “You paid to gawk at someone with a birth defect?”
“Of course not, Cousin.” Tathan touched her nose with his fork. “I’m a rogue and would never pay for such a thing. I snuck in.”
Liselle’s mouth opened in shock for a moment. Then she giggled as Vevin and Sir Danth burst into laughter. “Very well, Cousin. I just don’t like the idea of things like freak shows.”
The party ate their dinner and talked awhile, musing over the Rojuun who had played the song. They discussed his robes, the grace with which he moved and the music that he played. Afterwards, Hulda escorted them to their rooms. Sir Danth went with them to see where the rooms were before going back down to the common room. Vevin followed Liselle to her room and instantly curled up on the carpet. It bothered Tathan that the dragon was so enamored of his cousin. He didn’t know what could be done about it though and Liselle seemed rather determined to make her own decisions.
Tathan sat on his bed after taking a bath. He listened to the sounds of the city outside his window. It was good to be back in a city. It felt like home more than the valley ever had and certainly more than the Druid’s forest.
After things became quiet, Tathan went to the window. He studied the buildings across the street as well as the street itself. There wasn’t anyone watching the inn. He didn’t have reason to think there would be, but always liked to make sure. When he was positive no one would see, Tathan jumped out of his second floor window to the street below. A quick tumble and he was on his feet, quietly walking up the street to explore the city.
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