Darkling

Rest and Relax

A couple hours later and we were landing in a mining town. A little bigger than the logging town we had left and already bustling with morning business. Without a word, Ashtoreth led Hugo, Paisley and me to an inn while Mithra and Deimos peeled off. I wasn't sure what they were going to be able to do without money. The last of what Hugo had managed to bring in had assuredly gone to the tavern keeper in Hoarfrost Crossing.

Ashtoreth still strode in with a broad smile when she was heartily hailed.

"Well if it isn't Her Imperial Majesty, come to grace us with her presence," boomed the inn keeper. He towered over her, broad with muscle and armed with claws and large teeth. Ashtoreth still chuckled as he came around the counter and easily submitted to the tight hug he gave her.

"Morning Bjorn."

"Need a room? I see you need baths for at least four."

Ashtoreth nodded. "Six of us. We prefer bunking up. And a bath would be wonderful." She dug into her bag and held out the last of the messages Dexy had given her. "I believe you know what to do with these."

Bjorn nodded, smile fading a little. "Everything alright?"

Shrugging with one shoulder, expression strained, Ashtoreth sighed. "Ran into a Bandit King terrorizing Hoarfrost Crossing."

Bjorn's nose wrinkled as he bared his teeth briefly. "She tried to come in here and make demands too. One of the traders asked them if they needed assistance down in the crossing, some sort of show of strength or get a message out somewhere. They always assured they had it."

"They did not. Or at least, not in any way that was beneficial to anyone besides the mad woman." Ashtoreth shook her head and changed the subject. "This is Paisley, Hugo, and Su'en. Deimos and Mithra will be along shortly." She gave the big man a sheepish smile. "And I'm afraid we're short on funds."

Bjorn just rolled his massive shoulders in a shrug. "I'll remember you owe me then. Come on, I'll show you to your room and then you can get that bath. Need fresh clothes, bandages, medicines?"

"Mithra and Deimos are working on those, but thank you."

Nodding, Bjorn led the way to a large room. The first room was set up as common living space and four bedrooms could be seen, two on either side. Ashtoreth nodded in satisfaction, thanking Bjorn as he left us with a huge smile and a promise that anything we needed could be asked for. Ashtoreth tugged off bag, weapons and armor, setting them all aside on the side table and weapons stand.

"Alright. Let's get clean."

We followed eagerly behind her as she headed out the back door of the inn, across a courtyard, and into another building. I looked around, curious. Four large cylinders stood along either side of the central walkway. Fireplaces were inset into the bottom and wooden covers were over the tops.

"Su'en?"

I quickly went to help Ashtoreth move the cover off the end cylinder, setting it aside. Standing on my toes, I peeked into the cylinder and found a large tub filled with water. I dipped my hand in and found it room temperature.

"Paisley, there are some buckets over there. Pump out some water, would you? And Hugo? Could you help me with the fire?"

They both hurried to help. By the time Ashtoreth and Hugo had the fire going to heat the bath, Paisley had four buckets of cool, fresh spring water.

"Wonderful. Now we just need..."

Ashtoreth grinned as Mithra came in, holding a basket of things in one hand and a large stack of towels and clothes in the other. I went to grab the stack of towels before they could tumble and got a brief thanks.