Free Free the Darkness (King's Dark Tidings Book 1) by Kel Kade Page B

of my things are not safe for a small-man to handle if
he has not yet learned the Skills ,” Rezkin stated.
    Pot eyed the swords and dagger at Rezkin’s waist and then
took in the bow and arrows and crossbow that were strapped to his pack. The
rest of the weapons were either hidden on Rezkin’s person or inside the pack.
Finally, Pot nodded in resignation and led the way toward the building. The
young warrior was satisfied that at least this small-man recognized his own
limitations. He was a smart man.
    They entered the inn through the rear door and headed toward
the front common room. Rezkin’s eyes roved over every inch of the
establishment, resting on each individual momentarily to assess the threat
level. Pot practically skipped up to the bar where a heavyset man wearing an
apron stood wiping down mugs.
    “Master Nol, we have a customer. We took care of his horse
already. It’s amazing, Master Nol. I’ve never seen such a horse. His name is
Pride. The horse, I mean. The man’s name is Rezkin, and he wants a room.” Pot
said all of this in a single breath.
    “Pot! Stop talking, boy, and let me greet the fellow,” the
barman replied. “Greetings,” he paused as his eyes finally landed on the
imposing young warrior, “ah…sir. I am Nol, the owner of this fine inn. I
understand you would like a room?”
    Rezkin reminded himself to smile as he replied, “Yes, Master
Nol. I will be staying for two nights, perhaps three. I would prefer a room on
the east side of the building with a window, if one is available.”
    Master Nol’s brow furrowed. “I have such a room available.
You are young, but I don’t think you wear those swords for show, do you? It’s
not the first time I’ve had such a request – always from the warrior
types, soldiers and such, you know? It’ll be eight silver per night for the
room. That includes dinner and breakfast. It’s another four silver for the
horse. A bath will be two silver. We can have your clothes laundered for an
added cost, depending on what you have.”
    “Perhaps we can call it an even twenty-five for everything,
including the laundry, for two nights, and I will pay you up front,” Rezkin
suggested. His masters had taught him to always haggle the price, even when it
was already a good deal or people would become suspicious.
    Master Nol nodded and said, “That’ll do. I’ll show you to
your room, if you’ll follow me.” Good, it did not seem like this man wanted to
quibble over a few silvers, which was just as well because Rezkin did not want
to, either.
    The room was just as Rezkin had suspected although a little
larger than that to which he was accustomed. It was clean and tidy with a few
decorative touches. Rezkin cared little for the adornments. He was more
concerned about the ease of setting traps or escaping from such a room.
    The innkeeper waved him in saying, “This is the room most of
your type prefer. They’re always muttering about defensibility and escape
routes and such. I don’t know anything about that, but if you do find yourself
in a pickle, please take it outside and try not to break anything.”
    Rezkin forced a smile once again and replied, “You have
little need to worry, Master Nol. I have no intention of causing any problems.
It is just the training, you see.” As he was speaking, he dug through his purse
and counted out five silver pieces and two thumps, which were named after the
sound they made when dropped on a table and were each equivalent to ten silver
pieces.
    “Yes, well, I hope you enjoy your stay. We will begin serving
dinner in about an hour. Shall we have your bath brought up?”
    “I would be much obliged,” Rezkin stated through his
practiced smile.
    The innkeeper left, and Rezkin set down his pack. He checked
every corner and nook of the room for traps and poisons. He searched through
his bedding and even pulled back the mattress covers to stab at the straw
underneath. Just as he finished replacing the material, he