The Inn
The barmaid took the time to get each persons order that had not already gotten food for the morning before wandering to the kitchen area to take care of getting their requests. Sana leaned back in her seat as she finished eating and pushed her plate away somewhat; taking a look at the group as a whole and wondering how capable they were. Some looked far more capable than others granted looks could be deceiving. Of those there she only knew two personally and she knew they could fight well but of the others it would take seeing them in action to see if they were going to be a help or a hindrance.
Looking over at Hugh as he seemed to get rather excited when he piped in about his ax she chuckled and rested her hand on his shoulder, rubbing gently as she did so. Turning her attention Melvus as he asked if they should split up Sana shook her head slightly as she leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “I don’t like the idea of us splitting up until we know how well each other fight and who works well with each other. The fact we have to get blood from a dragon alone makes me worry. They aren’t exactly the easiest of creatures to take down if it comes to that. If they were everyone would have dragon hide armor,” she commented as she rose from her place. “One thing is for sure, we do need to get moving,” she said as she pulled her cloak from the back of her chair and draped it over her shoulders; taking a moment to lace it in place.
The barmaid came back several times and placed plates of food in front of each person that had ordered food or drink before going back to take care of the few other patrons in the inn. Glancing out of the corner of her eye there was one that did not sit right with Sana. Someone who had situated themselves in corner and seemed to have been watching the group intently for some time but had not said a word to anyone and was not part of the group that had quickly formed. Turning her attention to Hugh, Sana rested her hand on his shoulder and leaned in close. “I am going to ready our horses, can you get our things from the room when you are done?” she whispered softly against his ear before placing a kiss on his cheek. Leaning back she smiled as she headed out of the inn; picking up the box that the nun had brought over for them as she did.
Heading out of the inn she glanced around before making her way to the stables where she and Hugh had rented a place for both of their horses the evening before. Glancing around as she walked she had that gut feeling she got from time to time and sighed. Something wasn’t right. Her eyes darted around a bit and she noticed several others that did not seem to fit in such a town. They didn’t look like typical townies nor did they look like adventurers. Stopping at the stable she placed the box down by the feet of the old man who was puffing away on his pipe and rose a brow.
“Know them?” she asked after she instructed the stable boy to get the horses and saddle them up for her. The man took a long drag from his pipe and shook his head no slowly. “Trouble?” she asked quietly and the man nodded slowly. “I see,” she said before sighing deeply. She really didn’t want to deal with anything yet, they were not even out of town but then as she turned around she noticed something she had seen before when she was younger. It was the emblem of a slaver, her troop of gypsy had been attacked at one point when she was young, they wanting young women to sell. She knew these types of people were not exactly picky and with the announcement that went out seeking adventurers she wondered if it had brought the Slaver as well as his associates.
Between the one she had seen in the inn that seemed off, the slaver that was walking down the main fairway of the town that made two. How many more where there? Stepping around next to the stable owner she leaned back against the fence as she waited for the horses, taking a leisurely pose as she watched the town and counted to herself. ”One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Pair on the roof, which makes seven. Three in the alleyway by the inn makes ten and one in the inn makes eleven.” Tilting her neck from side to side as she watched the one that had been in the inn stroll out and begin speaking with the one that had the mark of the Slaver on him. Sana grumbled, she hated slavers and even though this wasn’t technically what they were being hired for she couldn’t in good conscience do nothing so she decided to run a little test.
Pushing off the fence she began walking across the street towards the general store as she pulled the hood of mantle back. Giving the men a sultry smile as she did so and swaying her hips slightly in the process. The one from the inn that was dressed more like a thief than anything glanced her way as did the slaver but they said and did nothing to approach her. Perhaps she was wrong? Turned out she wasn’t as she passed an alleyway and a rather large man that appeared to be a bandit stepped in front of her path.
“What’s a pretty thing like you doing out all alone on these dangerous streets?” he asked in a deep voice. Sana stopped in her tracks, looking him over slowly as a smile crept across her lips.
“Just needing to pick up a few things. Excuse me,” she said as she took a step to the left to try to move passed him. He mimicked her step and blocked her path once again.
“Aww love, don’t be in a hurry,” he said as he reached out to brush some of her hair out of her face. Sana took a step back and smirked.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she retorted in a coy voice before spinning down and sliding passed him and coming up behind him; continuing on her way. The man growled slightly and grabbed her by the arm.
“Well ya ain’t me love,” he snarled and Sana just laughed.
“Oh you are in so much trouble,” she said in a flat voice before turning her head towards the Inn. “Hugh!” she bellowed out loud enough to be heard in the inn, her voice echoing through the quiet village. The Slaver and the rest of his group starting to come forward with their weapons drawn. There were nine total on the ground and the two that were on the roof of the general store and the apothecary with compound bows could be clearly seen when one exited the Inn.
“Aww, calling for help. Ain’t no one gonna help ya now love. You’ll fetch a pretty penny,” the man who had a grip on Sanas arm chuckled in a depraved manner. “Well maybe we’ll just keep you for us.”
“Yup, you’re gonna die,” Sana said in a rather calm voice as she stood there.
"What? By you little thing?" he asked as he pulled her close. Sana couldn't help but laugh in his face.
"Oh no, not by me," she said with a bright but cold smile on her lips.