The Archman

Chapter 28 - A Pleasant Respite

"May I-" The Archman starts speaking, but he is quickly interrupted by Fiona shoving him through the open doorway into the inn.

"Oui, mon dieu..." She groans. "Do you really have to ask every single time?"

"It's in my nature." The Archman replies calmly.

Eira follows them into the inn, the door being slammed shut behind her with unnecessary force by Fiona, who is still quite agitated.

The tavern-like lobby of the inn is much emptier than it was several hours ago. Most of the patrons have either departed, retired to their rooms, or been kicked out. One of the tables in the center of the room is still occupied by Jacob and a few others, who are likely his employees or underlings. They are keeping themselves occupied with drinks and playing cards, except for Jacob, who's lack of participation in the communal intoxication has left him quite irritable. He has a stern frown on his face which almost perfectly matches Fiona's. Due to his unimpaired vision, he is the first to notice Fiona walk in with Eira and the Archman.

"Back encore?" He comments laconically as they walk over to him. He looks at the large amount of bags being carried between the three of them, taking a superficial interest in them.

"This must be quite a complicated procedure if you need tous ça." He jokes, reaching his arms up to stretch them.

"This isn't all for you. But yes, it's not exactly simple." The Archman explains.

"Je sais, je sais. So what are you doing back here?" Jacob lowers his arms, crossing them across his chest in typical Raeburn fashion.

"L'Archomme pulled a little stunt and drugged me. It goes sans dire, he's staying here for tonight."

"Quoi?" Jacob exclaims with a confused reservation. He didn't want to react too overtly, in case Fiona is telling a humorous fib. Jacob is aware more than anyone of her penchant for doing so.

"I don't take kindly to supervision." The Archman responds with an off-handed passiveness.

"He didn't do anything to you, did he?!" Jacob speaks with a sudden increase of intensity. He would be on his feet if it didn't require obscene amounts of energy to lift himself out of his chair.

"I wish, but non. Just left me with some vendor and went off." Fiona crosses her arms as she gripes.

"You live up to your reputation, Archomme." Jacob turns his gaze to the Archman with a harsh indignation.

"Likewise." The Archman retorts.

"I'll have one of the gouvernantes prepare their rooms." Fiona says to Jacob as she walks towards the staircase, the Archman and Eira following close behind.

"We'll take just one room, thanks." The Archman interjects.

Fiona walks up the first step of the staircase, but quickly halts and turns back towards Eira and the Archman. There is an interrogative curiosity about her.

"Forgive my asking...is she your mademoiselle?" She looks at the Archman, pointing to Eira with her thumb.

Eira halts in place, looking back and forth between Fiona and the Archman. They are both standing a foot higher than her, Fiona from her place on the staircase, and the Archman from his naturally large stature.

It isn't a particularly pressing question that Fiona posed, and yet Eira desperately wants to know how the Archman will respond.

"She's my collateral. She stays with me, no matter what." The Archman answers with such certainty that it leaves no room for compromise.