INNKEEPER
Owyn yawned.
"Looks like this is the way to the sleeping quarters," he said.
The nightmaster looked tired.
"[X] sovereigns for the night," he grumbled. "Though, if you louse my beds I'll charge you double. We turn you out at sunrise -- oh, and there's a chamberpot in the corner if you need it. Shall I sign you in for the night?"
YES (enough) YES (not enough) NO
Locklear settled up the account.
"Room's upstairs," the nightmaster said. "Have a good rest."
The room was cramped. Shrugging, Owyn stepped over snoring bodies and selected a spot of floor which looked like it might be comfortable for the night, while Gorath squeezed into a bed already occupied by three disheveled looking men. "Ah, the romance of travelling," Owyn said, with a chuckle. "See you all in the morning." In moments, they were all fast asleep.
The innkeeper frowned.
"Let me guess," he said, reading Locklear's distressed face as he searched his pack for the money. "You haven't any money but you just need someplace to bed down for the night because you're being chased by some mob of ruffians and you'll be eternally in my debt if I just let you stay the night. Right?"
"I truly thought I had the funds," Locklear said.
"Hundreds of men are eternally in my debt but they don't pay the bills. Get out of here." Graciously the innkeeper escorted them to the door.
Locklear frowned.
"Another time, nightmaster," he said, rapping a knuckle against the counter. "A bit of advice, however. You want more customers, I'd advise dropping your prices. Even the Empress of Kesh would balk at what you're asking."
THE MORNING AFTER
DIALOGUE 1 DIALOGUE 2
Locklear knocked on the counter. A few moments later the nightmaster appeared, an annoyed look on his face.
"You lot again. We can set you up again, same rate of [x] sovereigns per night. Tonight though, I'd appreciate it if you didn't kick the other the other patrons while you were looking for the chamberpot. So...another night?"
The guestbook was open.
Intrigued, Locklear checked to make certain the nightmaster wasn't coming, then scanned the pages. While there weren't any names familiar to him, he was puzzled by a red circle that had been drawn around their false travelling names.
"Get your nose out of there," the nightmaster snapped, appearing in the doorway. "That's private information. Only business you have here is signing up for another night. Is that what you want?"
DIALOGUE 3 DIALOGUE 4
Locklear smiled.
Still feeling light headed from his well-earned sleep, he waited patiently as the nightmaster stirred from his office behind the counter.
"You seem to be in a good mood," the man said, picking up the guest register. Locklear replied only by nodding noncommittally, knowing the innkeeper might increase his rates if he seemed too pleased with the service. "Seeing as how you slept so well, how about another night?" the nightmaster asked. "And just to show you how generous I am, I'll keep the same rate. [X] sovereigns per night. What do you say?"
Locklear drummed his fingers on the counter.
After a brief wait, the nightmaster entered whistling, a cheerful look on his face. "So, gents, did you have a good night?"
"Excellent," James intoned with false sincerity. "I don't know when I've had a better sleep. That was, of course, when I could get to sleep. What were you doing down here, skinning cats?"
A deep blush spread across the innkeeper's face. "I had company. It's been a while," he said sheepishly. "You can't hold that against a fellow, now can you? So...can I sign you up for another night?"
DIALOGUE 5 DIALOGUE 6 (Gain)
Daylight arrived.
His eyes rimmedred and his stomach turning, James stumbled down the steps to find the inn's nightmaster. Angrily, he pounded on the counter.
"Yes?" the man said, glaring at James. "What is it?"
"One of your patrons last night must have had some kind of sickness. I've been emptying my guts in your bedpans all morning."
The nightmaster looked unsympathetic. "I shall have to see they are cleaned out." Glancing down at his guest book, he ran his finger down the names. "I still seem to have space available this evening. Shall you be staying again?"
The nightmaster was waiting.
"There is a message for you," he said, seeing Locklear. Reaching beneath the counter, he produced [x] sovereigns. "One of the guests that was here last night told me to give you these and tell you they are a gift from Delekhan."
Locklear froze, his hand clasped over the coins. "Anything else?"
"No, that was it," the man said cheerfully. "Just give them these coins and tell them it was from Delekhan. So, how about spending a little of that new found fortune on another night here, eh? That will more than cover the cost."
DIALOGUE 7 (Loss)
Locklear yawned.
"Sleep well?" the nightmaster asked.
"Not exactly," Locklear replied, rubbing his eyes. "The fellow that was sharing our bed tossed all night. Kept burying his elbows in our guts."
"And his fingers in our money pouches!" Gorath growled, examining their finances. "He stole a handful of golden sovereigns."
The nightmaster smiled nervously. "You understand that nothing...that...the establishment can't be held responsible. I can sign you up for another night, though. Are you...uh, interested?"