Obran's tongue almost hit the floor.
Why would they come here? Why didn't they stay at the inn? Did something happen?
Some customers glanced at them too but no one appeared too surprised or overly interested, except for a few who smiled at the sight of Mara. Gremlins are more curious about things than most races but it was the gremlin quarter so Obran figured all types of creatures must come in and out. Tori glanced at him without reacting and then led the others to a corner table, far from the fireplace and bar. After they ordered, the same barmaid brought them four ales and a small cup which Zico quickly filled for Mara.
"That one is quite a looker but she seems tethered to that human boy," Stripe said.
Stripe must had noticed Obran staring at them, especially at Tori, who sat with one arm wrapped around Tomas.
"Oh...it's just that I've never seen a fae before," Obran said.
"She's quite a beauty too. We got all sorts here my boy and a lot of out of towners are curious about gremlins too," Stripe said.
"Yes, humans can be quite odd I've learned," Obran said.
"I know that boy and the gnome too. I sold them some cheese and milk this morning, outside the city. They're traders headed north; looks like they found some company too," Katrina said.
"I saw them as well," Obran said. "I remember their wagon passing by."
Erkin's ears dropped as he stared at Obran.
"I'm going to go talk to them; if they are going north maybe I could work something out and get us a ride bro," Obran said. "If you can excuse me, Stripe."
"Okay my boy but do think about my offer," Stripe said.
"Please mind my brother," Obran said.
"No problem," Stripe said as he ordered another round of ale.
Obran walked toward the corner table and Tori glanced at him nervously, as if she was unsure what Obran was doing. She took her arm off Tomas and took a big gulp of her ale.
"So how are the two honeymooners doing?" Obran said.
"Is it okay to talk?" Tori whispered as she glanced around the inn.
Obran wondered if he should have told Tori and Tomas to travel as siblings, but it wouldn't have worked since they looked nothing alike.
"It might not be the best idea to talk, Obran," Tomas whispered.
The rowdy patrons had gone back to guzzling their ale, gambling, and drinking. Still, Obran kept his voice low since he knew gremlins had great hearing
"Just keep it casual," Obran whispered. "So is everything okay at the inn? Did the centurions arrive?"
"It's a quiet place and no they never came," Tori said.
"I tipped the owner to let us know if anyone was looking or poking around the inns in the area," Zico said.
"That was kind of risky," Obran said.
"I know but he seemed honest," Zico said.
"He also mentioned that all the consul's friends were welcome anytime," Tori said.
"Okay and how did you all end up here?" Obran said.
"It's my fault," Tori said. "The inn doesn't serve food and the innkeeper mentioned a few places and the gremlin quarter. I wanted to see it in person and thought you might end up here too...sorry."
Did she come to see me?
"I wanted to come too," Zico said. "To see what's on the menu of course."
"Don't look at me. I wanted to go to a nice restaurant in the forum," Mara said.
"As your husband I should have not allowed it Tori," Tomas joked.
"Okay, okay...I get it. Well, if you're here you all might as well eat and relax. Erkin and I are staying at a nearby abbey that seems like a safe place. Did you have any problems entering the city?" Obran said.
"No. It was all uneventful. Mara flew in by herself and checked out everything. She's been doing a great job scouting," Tori said.
"I'll make sure to patrol the area around the inn tonight as well," Mara said.
"But please be careful, dear," Zico said.
"Don't worry Zi," Mara said.
"Yes, all of you, be very, very careful," Obran said. "I'll stop by as well and look around."
Obran was about to go back to Erkin when he noticed all of them were staring at the entrance behind him. He turned and saw a soldier coming into the bar. Obran grabbed the hilt of his blade under his cloak and quickly looked to see if there was a back door. Unfortunately, he'd left his crossbow in the wagon.
"Be ready to leave quickly," Obran said. "This may be trouble."
The man wore the armor and sigils of a praetorian officer and Obran guessed no officer would be in a commoner bar, much less a gremlin bar, without a good reason. Everyone else in the inn seemed uneasy too as the officer headed to the bar; a subdued silence came over the whole place. Don't panic, maybe lots of people hide out here.
"It's too late to run out of here so we'll have to bluff our way out of this one like we talked about. I'll only escalate things if it's completely necessary. I'm going back to Erkin, okay," Obran said.
"I don't recognize him; I think we'll be okay," Tori said.
"Okay, remember all of you stay calm," Obran said.
Obran ducked down and quickly scrambled back next to Erkin without the officer noticing him.
"We have some company, my boy. I don't know this one but he doesn't look like a local," Stripe said.
Obran tried to hear what the soldier was saying to the barmaid but they spoke in hushed tones. Erkin started to look nervous but Katrina and Stripe merely sipped their wine as if they dealt with soldiers often. The voluptuous barmaid came over and told Stripe that the officer was asking for the owner.
"What a surprise," Stripe said. "More pay offs I'm sure."
Stripe got up and walked to the bar.
"Don't worry, whatever it is, Mr. Stripe can handle it," Katrina said.
Obran couldn't hear the officer or Stripe. Was it one of Collatinus' men? No, they would arrive with the dwarven company tomorrow. But Collatinus also said everyting could change in an instant. The praetorian opened a scroll and showed it to Stripe as Stripe motioned to the barmaid who brought wine to the officer. A minute later, Stripe came back to the table.
"What was that about Mr. Stripe?" Katrina asked him.
"I hope you are not involved in this one my boy," Stripe said.
"Why? What's wrong," Obran said.
"The praetorian is looking for a dark haired girl and a gremlin who might be headed north together," Stripe said. "He didn't offer any more details."
Someone is on to us, Obran thought. Did they want to take Tori and him back to Roma or worse arrest them for attempted murder of the King?
"Steer clear of him my boy and I wouldn't tell him you two were in the capital if he asks," Stripe said.
Obran didn't bother to deny anything. Gremlins could backstab and connive amongst each other but would rarely sell out a fellow gremlin to another race. The soldier finished his wine and began to walk around the inn. He peaked up the stairs without going up and then walked from table to table.
"If I were the ones they were looking for I'd get out of town as fast as I could," Stripe said.
Has Stripe guessed they are searching for me? Obran thought. The officer finally approached Tori's table. Obran glanced out the window and only saw one horse. He's alone. Obran decided if the officer recognized and tried to detain Tori he would have to fight. The officer spoke directly to Tomas but Obran was able to hear most of it.
Tomas answered the officer in a strong Etruscan accent, telling the praetorian his wife, and gnome business partner were traveling merchants from the north and were headed back home after the celebrations. Zico reiterated that he was from the north as well and that the fairy was his former property, now his employee—Mara was sure to hate that but she and Tori remained quiet while only the males spoke.
"Is that true, little one?" the officer said to Mara.
The officer seemed more amused than anything at that point.
"Yes, I'm here of my own free will...thank you," Mara said.
"Okay. But I wouldn't stay out too late in this part of town," the officer said. "And next time take your lovely ladies to a decent place."
"Yes sir," Tomas said.
"Thank you sir," Zico said.
The officer continued to walk around the bar, asking questions whenever a young human girl was present. When he appeared satisfied he left and Obran saw him enter the next tavern in the quarter. The praetorian would probably comb the whole quarter, even the whole city with who knows how many others. But they had fooled him and were apparently safe for the moment.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMi4ArJlaP
