There were a bunch of people in the inn.  The innkeeper boy was busy dealing with them, and his father was no doubt, busy in the kitchen, with so many gracing his establishment.

He was grateful that his room was already paid for.

He gave the boy a knowing nod of acknowledgement, then strode past the common area, and toward the back hall of the inn, to the cheap rooms, then all the way to the end, to the room where he and his hired man, Hans, were staying. Knocked once, asserted who he was when challenged by the occupant, then entered.

Hans was giving a filthy-faced scowl on the 3 legged stool perched by the single small table that was the only other furnishing in the room aside from the straw stuffed mattress, and the wood shuttered window.

"What in the 7 hells took you so goddamn long?" he demanded.

[color=f9ad81]"I wanted to make a few purchases, since we almost never get to come to town to get any. Got a few traps, and some medical supplies, for the next time we have to work the damn bramble-side of the cut--"
[/color]
then he groaned loudly.

[color=f9ad81]"---EXCEPT-- every fucking shopkeeper in town smells outsiders with more silvers than sense, and they fleeced me for my trouble. Dad's gonna be PISSED."[/color]

Hans' lips pursed like he had just suffered a searing burn, or a slap to the face.

"What's the damage, Rob?"

Robert didn't want to say. He hesitated a few seconds, then answered. [color=f9ad81]"2 silver, 61 copper."[/color]

"Whoooooo.... Good thing you're grown. You'd a got the belt for sure."

[color=f9ad81]"I still might, when I get back-- Which brings me to the next bit of unpleasantness..."[/color]

"I dont like the way you said that..." muttered the man, rubbing his temples.

[color=f9ad81]"I need YOU to tell him, because I wont be joining you on the trip back. We can't really [i]AFFORD[/i] this kind of loss from these scoundrels-- and I have a plan to at least get SOME of it back.  I very much doubt that whatever foolhardy "Rescue" these idiots have planned is going to work out, and doubly so doubt very much that our loved Duke is going to be in anywise be willing to pay a single gold coin of this so-called reward should we manage to actually FIND that woman-- Fuck, she's probably wolf or bear food by now-- BUT----"[/color]

"Fucks sake Robert--"

[color=f9ad81]"--BUT--- You know how the Clarkes are constantly trying to cut into our work this way? The way I figure it-- This little soiree the duke is putting on will allow me to have EXTENDED time to survey the WHOLE DAMN AREA, without having to pay for a SINGLE FUCKING PERMIT. The way those foresters squeeze us, that alone might help offset the bloodletting I just endured. I got a brand new notebook and pencils, and the Duke is supplying the food and other essentials. I'll do the survey on HIS dime, and maybe, if the fates allow, ACTUALLY GET PAID to do it. Then we can sell the fucking thing to old man Clarke, and pretend this incident never happened."[/color]

Hans have him the evil eye. The look of a man 10 years his senior, telling him what he already knew, and that the man KNEW that he already knew.  This was fucking insane bullshit.  And that was the genuine, Honest, Gods' Truth.

[color=f9ad81]"I'll let you have the bed-- Just tell dad for me. I'll be back home...... When this is sorted.  Here's what's left of our take for the trip... Fuckers fleeced me hard, but didn't get the full share.  Take it to pops..... with my apologies.... He can dock my pay when I get back...  Fuck, why did these people have to rack up the prices clear to heaven just when WE got here?"[/color]

"Sounds like the devil's own luck, you ask me."

[color=f9ad81]"Don't even get me started... Let's just go to bed."[/color]