章節 9: Innkeeper
A servant pull was a common accessory in private rooms in inns around Luna City. A simple mechanism, it would align a colored card with a viewport on the outside of the room to let inn staff know that their services were required. This was often accompanied by another card in the kitchen, or maybe the sounding of a gong or chime.
When one of the staff responded to the summons, they would press a button on the doorframe that would release the counterweight which would in turn pull the card back into hiding, resetting the device.
Some inns tried inverting the device, giving the customer the button to press and requiring the staff to pull the cord as the reset; the reasoning being that this would make the process easier on the clientele. This ultimately proved to not be as popular as the original version.
It seems customers preferred the visceral feel of pulling on the cord over non-tactile button pushing.
Besides the pull to summon wait staff, many inns, especially higher end inns, provided a secondary pull cord that would summon the owner of the inn. This cord was generally tucked in an out-of-the way or even hidden location, to ensure that it wasn't pulled accidentally.
The innkeeper's time was generally more valuable than that of lowly wait staff.
"There's something I should mention before you get too drowsy," Aadhira told Cassandra after pulling the cord for the innkeeper.
"I didn't say anything before because Vilim already knows as many of my secrets as anybody. But whenever I am like this, I am not Aadhira. I am not Princess, or Highness. If you know me at all, I am Hira, low-ranking member of the Thieves Guild.
"Part of your job is to help protect me. If the wrong people find out who I really am, things could get… interesting. And not in a good way."
Cassandra nodded, her serious expression saying that she fully understood, just before the door slid open at the other end of the room.
A male halfcat the same tawny orange as Cassandra entered the room, gold-threaded blue waistcoat and white shirt straining above black pants and boots. "Yes?" he asked suspiciously. "Did somebody need some–"
He stopped as his gaze fell on Cassandra. "Sis!" he said, brightening. "Nobody told me you were back!"
A moment later, a calculating look entered his eyes as he looked around the room again.
Aadhira stepped forward, bowing her head slightly. "Good evening, Master Demarin," she said politely. "I believe that if you didn't already know who we are, you have figured it out by association?"
"I do know where my sister went this morning, yes," the innkeeper replied. "Who she was to be meeting with."
He closed the door slowly behind him.
"But besides that, I think we have had a run-in or two in… a different context, have we not?"
The halfcat's eyes narrowed as he looked her up and down. "I do recall seeing your like a time or two," he said. His frown spoke volumes about his opinion of these encounters.
"This is an unexpected development," he said after a moment.
Aadhira stepped back and placed a hand on Cassandra's shoulder. "It would seem," she said, "that the fates have granted us a mutual interest. That being said, it surely was only a matter of time before our increased patronage would have brought these realities to your attention.
"So rather than wonder when this enlightenment would strike, and what changes it might bring with it, I thought it would make more sense to reveal these things myself, in the hopes that we might arrive at a mutual understanding."
"Go on," the innkeeper said, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Aadhira also sat down. "For myself, the changing circumstances seem to dictate that I will be spending a lot more time here than I have in the past. This would be both with other members of my family, and alone or with friends.
"I'm sure you can see how you might benefit from the former. As for the latter – I think I might be able to guarantee that you are spared any potential ill effects."
Master Demarin considered this. Not only was Aadhira offering to spend more gold at his inn as a princess, she was promising to exempt his establishment from any schemes or crimes she might commit as a member of the Thieves Guild.
It might not prevent other thieves from targeting him – but she just might be able to deal with any who might try something herself.
"And in exchange?" the innkeeper asked.
"If I will be increasing the amount of time I spend here, it would be nice to know that I will be able to do so in relative comfort. And security. It would be a shame if the different circles in which I travel should overlap unnecessarily."
"I see no reason that anyone from one half of your life should become aware of the other half," the halfcat said. "I can definitely assure you that no one would find out from me. I am sure that your presence will be welcome here however so often you choose to grace us with it, and I appreciate your promise of discretion with your… indiscretions."
He stood and extended his hand, which Aadhira stood and took. "By the light of the moon, I swear it," he said. She echoed the oath and they shook hands.
"Well," the innkeeper said, drywashing his hands, "Now that that's out of the way, how about we discuss whatever it is you really wanted to discuss?"
"You are very perceptive, Master – I'm sorry, if we're going to be developing a more familiar relationship, may I address you more familiarly?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Yes, you may call me Esteban."
"Finally," Mona said. "That will make the rest of this conversation flow so much easier."
"What?" Esteban asked.
"There you go," Mona replied.
"Never mind her," Aadhira said. "You can of course call me Aadhira, or Hira in this guise.
"As for my reason for summoning you, I find myself in a bit of a quandary. But first, I must know: would you consider a little bit of a gambling scam to be breaking our agreement?"
Esteban laughed.
"Half of the reason anybody patronizes an establishment like mine is to cheat at cards," he said. "The other half is to get cheated. If I were to worry about my customers losing the shirt off their backs, I wouldn't be able to afford my own.
"Just don't scam me or mine" – his gaze took in Cassandra and Mona – "I think I can safely ask that you treat us like family, and we will be good."
"In that case," Aadhira said, "my quandary. There is a game that I wish to participate in."
"In Room Three?" Esteban asked.
Aadhira looked over at Vilim, who nodded. "Yes."
"You're running short on time," Esteban said. "We were clearing the table as I passed it."
"And that is the problem," Aadhira said. "We are a little short on coin to buy in. I have the money to cover it, but it is currently out of reach.
"If you could see fit to loan me the fifty-seven we lack, I can make sure to repay you–"
"Ten percent per day," Esteban interjected.
Aadhira arched an eyebrow, and the innkeeper explained, "that is my standard fee for short term loans. I am almost inclined to give it to you without charge, just to commemorate the night and for entertainment value – do you know who is in that room?"
Aadhira shook her head.
"No matter."
Esteban pulled a pouch from his waist and started counting out gold. "Fifty-seven, you say?"
Aadhira nodded.
Esteban finished counting the gold onto the table. "Here's sixty. Might as well round up. The payback will be sixty-six when you pay it back before next midnight."
Returning the pouch to his waist, he stood. "Is there anything else you need?"
When Aadhira shook her head, he bowed politely. "Then I shall take my leave. Did you want me to let the other players know that you are on the way?"
"No," Aadhira replied. "We would prefer to make our own entrance.
"Very well," the innkeeper said, and slid the door shut behind him.
"Okay," Aadhira said, addressing the room. "All that's left is the plan. I'll make this quick."
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