Page 17 of Lady Knight and the Thief

The Inn was clean enough, though the boards displayed their age with every nick and scuff into the grain, the walls warped by many years of swelling and shrinkage from the weather.

Torren was learning many things from his new companion, even if she wasn’t aware of it. Just by being around her, Torren had learned that she clearly knew how to conceal her presence and could walk unseen amongst a gathering.

Then, the display with her horse… Well. Torren was beginning to see why King Caelith the Callous would appoint a woman as Captain of his precious heir’s guard.

Cypress was extremely intelligent and capable. She was a better horsewoman than even some of the druid riders at camp. Combined with her skill with a blade that he’d seen firsthand –andwith a lance, Torren had to admit that the Lass was a force to be reckoned with.

And that wasn’t even to mention the strength it would take to wear full plate armor for any length of time. Torren had been underestimating her from the moment he set his eyes on her.

Torren shook his head and made a mental note not to let it happen again. He needed to keep his wits about him if he wanted any chance to return with her alive in order to get the scepter.

The hallway from the stables opened up to the Inn’s main room, where lanterns hung from the rafters to make up for the lack of interior windows. From experience, Torren knew there were windows within the rooms, but none were present in the main hall.

Even at this time of day, the hall was full of bodies. Someone was playing a lute in the corner, and barmaids flitted to and from tables with drinks held aloft on wooden trays and skirts hiked to show their knees.

Torren smiled, eyeing the tall brunette he’d charmed on his last visit, and gave her a small nod of his head in greeting.

Even in the dim lighting of the Inn, Torren saw the girl flush, red creeping over her chest and cheeks.

Then, he turned his attention back to his current goal: a hot meal and something to whet his whistle. They had run out of wine days ago on the road, and while he was no lush, Torren appreciated a bit of drink with his meals.

Once they were at the counter, Torren waited until the wiry frame of the withered barkeep came their way, asking, “What can I get for ye?” He was completely bald, with a thick, straggly beard sticking out from his pointed chin.

“A room, and a meal.”

Cypress squawked, but Torren silenced her with a firm hand on her waist.

“And it’s just the two of ye?”

“Our horses are being attended to in the stables,” Torren said, sliding two gold coins across the counter.

“Three for the trouble she’ll bring,” the barkeep said, pointing with his chin at Cypress.

Torren reluctantly slid another coin across the counter. He should have known letting the Lass arrive in such a fashion would have drawn the attention of those inside, and Dorne Towne was one of the worst places for that sort of display.

The barkeep nodded, the gold marks disappearing across the bar. “Another gold if you want the roast, a silver for the stew.”

Gritting his teeth, Torren turned to look at his companion, raising his brow. “Well, what will it be?”

“The stew is fine,” Cypress replied with only a small amount of venom.

Torren turned back to the barkeep. “Two roasts, and your best wine,for the Lady,” he said, sliding another two gold marks across the counter.

The barkeep straightened his shoulders and said, “Of course, sir. Sit wherever you like, we’ll bring your food out. Rooms at theend of the hall,” he added, sliding a brass key over the counter with the number eleven etched into the shank.

Torren bowed his head in thanks, then grabbed Cypress by the arm and pulled her along with him, aiming toward the corner table where he would be able to watch the entire room.

“What the fuck was that?” Cypress hissed as soon as they were no longer within earshot of the barkeep.

“What?”

“I said the soup was fine, no one told you to go and pay that much for a meal and a bed, whichby the way, only one?”

“I won’t be needing the bed tonight, Lass,” Torren replied, waggling his eyebrows at her.

He couldn’t help it; trying to get a reaction from her was the most entertainment he had in the coming weeks. They were nearly halfway to the Wylds and his people, but the road ahead was still long.

Cypress gave a very unladylike snort and shook her head. “Mother help whoeveryoulay your sights upon.”