Light of the Heavens

III. Visitors

It seemed every tavern of quality in Okena was packed with people, as their approach had followed on the heels of a great caravan. It was almost enough to drive Vassa to less reputable establishments, but she still wanted a bath and a private one at that. The city itself was hard to take a measure of in the dark except by the extent of lamplights, which hinted at a larger settlement than Vassa expected. Then again, Okena was a port city on the most sedate part of the Jagged Coast, a site of considerable merchant traffic and the occasional pirate. The air even inside hinted at sweet sea breezes, though ale and people overpowered that for the most part.

Seben stayed close to Vassa's elbow as they pushed their way through the crowded inn towards the bar. The man there giving orders to his small legion of workers was a wiry Eth man in his later middle years, grey streaking his black hair. Vassa was seldom jostled, to Seben's surprise. She seemed able to conjure a small distance all around herself despite the press. That did nothing to help the noise, however. There were people chattering in a dozen or more different languages, some even shouting to be heard over the chaos of dinner noises and a flute player off to one side on a stage made of upturned crates.

Vassa was too focused to be as disoriented as Seben by the noise and bustle. She stopped at the bar, looking up at the proprietor. His wide, friendly grin seemed designed to put people at ease. "If you would be so kind, my associate and I require a room. With a bath, if you would." They'd stopped just long enough to sell the horses that weren't being kept, though part of the value was guaranteed space at this place's bustling stable courtesy of an agreement with the owner. It meant that Vassa now had more than enough wealth at her disposal to be comfortable anywhere she went.

His brow creased. "I am sorry, but the merchant ro—"

Vassa flicked her fingers, almost conjuring a gold coin from nowhere. She always kept some of her money in a number of different pockets concealed on her person, including up a sleeve. She placed the disk marked with the crown of Ethilir on the bartop and pressed her thumb down on it. Even in a nation as prosperous as the homeland of the Eth, gold was of considerable value and most currency in circulation tended to be silver or the ubiquitous copper. "I think you will find me more generous than your typical merchant. My business has done very well for itself," Vassa said pleasantly. She leaned in slightly. "One of your better rooms. I will pay a fair price. I think this and four more should cover us for a night."

He smiled, as aware as she was that this was more than the value of the room. "With a bath."

Vassa inclined her head gracefully. "I thank you, sir. May you forever be in prosperous business."

Seben caught something out of the corner of her eye and put a hand on Vassa's arm as the inn's proprietor turned away to order that room be prepared. "We're being watched."

"Very astute," Vassa said pleasantly, turning to face the apprentice fire-speaker and putting her back to the observing table. "Keep your eyes on me and let your peripheral vision catch the details. What do you see?"

"Surely you saw them, to speak so," Seben said with a frown.

"That is not the point of this," she said pleasantly. "What do you see?"

"A merchant in his middle-years and his two guards."

"Details, my young friend," Vassa said. "The demons are in the details."

Seben took a deep breath and looked without obviously looking. She could see the three men over Vassa's shoulder, since the masked woman was several inches shorter. "Which first?"

"We will start with the least obviously interesting: the guards," Vassa said.

"Two large, muscular men in brigantine, their spears leaned up against the wall. They both bear a crimson sash pulled through rings bearing an insignia that I do not recognize. It looks like a flower. Both are pierced through the lips by gold rings many times. He must be a wealthy merchant, to have such coin for even his servants to wear such precious metals. They seem capable and they watch the room like bodyguards should. Their attention is not on us, at least not much. They must not see us as a threat," Seben reported, staying in Vassa's personal space so that she could speak more softly without being overheard. It was hard for the young woman to focus, given her curiosity about making out more of Vassa's features, though there were really only eyes for her to scrutinize.