Chapter 2 #2
“No, I did my calculations. I’m not one to overcharge my guests!”
Ainsworth tried his best to smile, but he couldn’t hide the pained note in his voice.
“Ah yes. About that. Are you— Are any guests expected?” His lonely trip from the closest town—if you could even call it a town—a week’s journey away on foot, suggested that any other travelers would be a day behind him at the very least. The Transportation Circle network was yet to emerge in this region of the kingdom, meaning there’d be no one arriving by magical means, either.
Honey shook her head. “We don’t often get advance notice.
Ashe sometimes shifts into a bird and flies to and from Wenslykirk with messages when I need to place an order for provisions ahead of time, and sometimes the Post Server in town will pass on a missive from adventurers who wish to forewarn us about their stay.
But half the time they don’t show up even when they do send word!
” She tucked a stray hair from her fringe up and behind a curling horn.
His heart sank twice over, even when he realized he had just met a wildeshifter.
He could not help the burst of questions that erupted in his mind: What does it feel like to transform into an animal, to fly, what are the limitations, can you converse with beasts should you take their form?
But of course it had been the foul-tempered guard, and he sensed that companionship was… unlikely.
So there was no indication of any imminent quest-driven guests to get the most pressing part of his research started. He had to establish contacts and establish them quickly. The sooner he did, the sooner he could get back to his beloved Skarrow Library.
Ainsworth sighed. “There’s nothing to be done about that, I suppose—though I can get started on interviewing you and your staff and documenting this place’s heritage instead. I’ll need a look at any old letters, guest books, and missives from past guests. Are such things readily available?”
Honey frowned. “I may not be well-versed in the way of scholarship, Mr. Gladsly, but don’t you need my permission before doing any of that?”
“I— Well, for some of it, yes. I do have a consent form for you to sign so I can access any documentation you may have.” He straightened in his seat. “But I do not need your permission to speak to your staff, or to any guests that may arrive.”
She scowled. “Indeed. But I suppose it would be more difficult to talk to them if I refused your stay here and you had to try and catch them on the road as they arrived.”
A tense silence stretched between them for a moment, and Ainsworth suddenly became aware of his still-damp hair and clothes.
He had expected his reception here to be a warm one once he had proclaimed himself to be from the Skarrow Library.
He was used to people bending over backward to accommodate his study needs, not adding more hurdles for him to traverse.
Finally, Honey gave a clipped laugh. “Not that I’d do that.”
“Thank you,” he said with a sigh of relief.
“It would be Ashe who would refuse your stay instead,” she said, eyes drifting upward.
He felt his face heat. This innkeeper was utterly infuriating!
“But why would you deny me? Surely you would not refuse the chance to place your establishment in the history books? Forever and officially known as the resting point for great heroes before they embark upon their quests? It’s— It’s an honor!
Anyone in your position would be clamoring for this kind of recognition! ”
“I suppose they would,” she said in a small voice. “Do you think less of me that I am not?”
Ainsworth considered her for a moment. This was an individual who preferred honesty, he decided. He raised his chin before answering. “Yes. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”
A flicker of hurt flashed across her features, and he worried for a moment that he had judged incorrectly.
But she soon composed herself and gave a curt nod.
“Fair enough. But I’ll admit, I am intrigued by your project.
Even though no one who has stayed here has ever actually gone on to tackle the mountain. ”
“I find that very hard to believe,” he said.
And it was true. Honey and the staff had to have misunderstood the intentions of their guests.
Why on earth would anyone come all the way out here only to turn back?
Surely someone had conquered the mountain before; it was merely circumstantial that no one had documented it yet.
His own great-grandfather had presumably met his end on this very quest!
No, he would not dwell on their frankly ridiculous assertions about the resoluteness of the adventurers who ventured here.
Perhaps, Ainsworth thought, the staff were partaking in a joke, hazing the sophisticated city-dweller who had come to speak with them.
They’d soon learn that he did not take kindly to his valuable time being wasted!
“Nevertheless,” she said, “I will sign your form, and you have free rein to conduct your research. I only ask that you don’t distract my staff from their duties too much. Although I can’t promise they won’t bother you.” Her teeth flashed in a pointed grin.
“Thank you. I greatly appreciate it,” said Ainsworth.
Honey gave a curt nod before an uncomfortable silence descended.
He suddenly worried he had made a bad impression on a person whom he would most likely see every day.
But such a worry was quickly quashed as she shouted to Quiddle to start preparations for a stew large enough for all the staff and the “soaked scholar.”
She turned to him. “I’ll show you to your room now. Will you join us for supper?”
It was as good an offer as he was going to get, so he accepted gladly.