The village, called Heron Vale for its proximity to the wetlands, was small with a single Inn. Needless to say Prince Thalon, despite his protestations of not wanting special treatment, was less than impressed by the accomadation and looked very displeased when they entered the Inn.
"Ah, Master Barac, how good to see you here again."
The Innkeeper greeted the Dwarf with evident delight; He was a regular customer who gave good tips.
"Who is your delightful companion? Your wife?"
"My wife? Gods forbid I should bring her on a trading trip. No this is Mistress Verla, my Trade partner."
"Barac speaks very well of you and your fine Inn," added Jhenna, speaking without a hint of her elven accent.
"He flatters me, indeed, Good Mistress. How many rooms do you require?"
"Three," replied Denkar, "One for me, one for Mistress Verla and one for our bodyguards - Ralin and Jerad. They don't talk much."
"Very good, very good. Would you like a meal before you retire? Or a drink perhaps?"
"Both would be most welcome. Cabbage soup or beef stew?"
"stew for Verla, Jerad and myself. Soup for Ralin."
Denkar led the party to a small corner table. As soon as they were out of hearing of the innkeeper Thalon turned to Jhenna and looked at her in disgust.
"You eat meat?" he whispered fiercely.
"Yes. what of it?" she replied casually. "All Wild Elves do, we're not quite so civilised as you. Now shut up and try to keep in character."
"But..."
His protest was cut of by a swift kick under the table from Kandar as the Innkeep and the serving girl brought out four bowls and placed them on the table.
"Enjoy your meal. Alise will bring you whatever you like to drink."
"Jerad and I will have some of your fine ale, wine for Mistress Verla and what about you Ralin?"
“I will have water,” said Thalon sullenly.
“Thank you, Alise,” said Denkar.
“You’re most welcome.”
The young woman walked back to the kitchen to fetch their drinks.
“Who kicked me?”
“Shut up, Ralin,” muttered Jhenna.
When he opened his mouth to protest she kicked him and said, “You’re supposed to be the strong silent type so shut you mouth unless you want to catch flies.”
“But…”
“Do as our sister tells you or I’ll knock you out so hard you won’t wake ’til tomorrow!” added Kandar.
“Fine,” grumbled Thalon, turning his attention to the cabbage soup - whatever a cabbage was, and trying to ignore the sickening smell of cooked meat. The serving girl returned with their drinks and informed them that their rooms were ready whenever they cared to retire.
“We’ll go and meet with Master Vilanis first. He’s the local jeweller, pays well, I have some things to trade with him.”
Naturally, it was Thalon who interrupted Denkar’s explanation of their plans.
“We don’t have time to waste on this rubbish. We have to get to the Port as soon as possible!”
As he was the one being insulted Jhenna and Kandar left the comment for their surly brother to respond to.
“With no horses and hardly any supplies, I thought Forest Elves were supposed to intelligent.”
“Yes, but we are in a hurry,” he repeated weakly.
“It would look suspicious if we left suddenly, people remember suspicious things. Therefore we go and do some trading, spend the night here and leave in the morning. Is that clear enough for you?”
“Yes, Barac, I understand.”
Thalon finished his soup and announced that he would wait for them outside.
“Fine,” said Denkar.
“Good,” added Jhenna as he left.
“I hope the rest aren’t as annoying as him,” remarked Kandar, “or it’s going to be a very long sea trip.”
“The Unian seemed nice enough, and none of them could be as bad as him.”
“You really don’t like him, do you little sister?” said Denkar.
“Indeed I do not, but how I feel about him doesn’t matter. Let’s go and see this jeweller of yours.”