“I think I can handle myself, but thanks for the warning,” Arek said, wearily inclining his head in the guard’s direction. The exhausted group trudged into Red Mount. With Malissa at their lead, the four of them managed to follow the instructions they’d been given to find the inn.

The building was several stories tall, with each floor growing smaller. It looked like a tower of reddish brown blocks with a sloping roof separating each floor. The door was made of a light, ribbed wood that swung open easily when Malissa touched it.

The dining room was rather quaint. Although it was large, the tables were all plain and unadorned. The floor was made of the same wood as the door, and tall stools had taken the place of traditional chairs.

There were a few people scattered about at the tables, eating from wooden bowls and plates. They were all quite silent, and none of them looked in the Happy Sunflowers’ direction when they entered.

A thin woman with long black hair and a flowing white robe stood behind a counter, examining a sheet of paper. As they walked over to her, she looked up and set the paper down, giving them a slight smile. The woman didn’t seem particularly perturbed by Arek’s presence.

“Welcome to the Red Flower,” she said, inclining her head in a small bow. “I assume you four would like a few rooms?”

“Two please,” Malissa said.

“Of course,” the woman replied, smiling at them. “Four silver, please.”

Malissa reached into her bag and handed the requested money to the woman. It disappeared within the folds of her robes and she inclined her head once again, pulling out two keys and handing them to Malissa.

“Would you like food as well?”

“Yes!” Ming said.

“No,” everyone else said. They all turned to look at Ming. She shrugged.

“How can you still have the energy to eat?” Malissa asked. “I haven’t had a good night’s rest in a week.”

“Food is good for sleep,” Ming said confidently.

“I don’t think it is, actually,” Arek grumbled. “Maybe bring her the food after the rest of us get to our rooms?”

“Of course,” the woman said, hiding a grin at their antics. “You’ll be in rooms 2F and 2G. Your stay includes one meal, so if you don’t feel like dinner today, you’re welcome to come down for breakfast.”

They nodded and Malissa handed one of the keys to Belmont. The woman directed them up a thin staircase at the corner of the room. Ming flopped down at a table while everyone else headed up to find their rooms.

“Are we sure it’s wise to leave Ming on her own?” Arek asked with a small frown. “I don’t want to get run out of town.”

“She’s got to be just as tired as we are,” Malissa said. “She’ll probably fall asleep right after getting her food. She’s broke and I don’t think the staff would let someone rob her. And, tired or not, I pity anyone that tries to attack Ming.”

Arek couldn’t disagree with that, and he was too tired to put much more thought into the subject. They reached the second floor and stepped out of the curling staircase. The floor creaked with each step as they walked along the rows of rooms until they reached 2F and G, which were unsurprisingly right next to eachother.

The doors were the same flimsy looking wood, which didn’t reassure Arek much. He was pretty sure he could knock it over with a sneeze.

Malissa’s key worked on the first door they tried, so Belmont stuck his key into the other one. It swung open with a click.

“See you guys tomorrow,” Malissa said, offering them a slight grin. “Don’t stay up too late setting traps, Belmont.”

“Sleep well,” Arek said.

Belmont echoed the sentiments as he and Arek walked into their room. There were two beds – one on either side of the room. They had thin, dainty sheets that Arek could practically see through. The pillows looked incredibly soft as well.

A small desk and a stool sat beside each bed, and there was a small window in the center of the outwards facing wall. Belmont locked the door behind them, then knelt to examine the lock.

Arek dragged himself over to the bed and yawned, peeling the thin sheets back carefully with two fingers, hoping that there was something heavier under them. There was no such luck.

He let out a sigh and removed the sheets entirely, tossing them onto the ground lest he accidentally rip them apart in his sleep. Arek climbed onto his bed, setting his travel pack down beside it and removing his bandolier before lying down.

The pillow was about half the size of his head, but when he got it perfectly centered, it actually felt quite nice. Unfortunately, his feet didn’t quite fit in the bed. They hung over the end. Arek wiggled his toes, letting out an annoyed grumble before curling his legs to properly fit on the bed.

He let out a loud yawn, blinking wearily as he settled down. Something made a click. Arek’s eye twitched. A few more moments passed in silence, and he started to doze off. There was another click.

The orc’s eyes snapped open and he rolled over. Belmont was fiddling with the lock. As Arek watched, it let out another click.

“What are you doing?”

“Fixing the lock so they can’t pick it,” Belmont said. It clicked again.

“How?”

“Gumming it up with glue,” Belmont said with smug satisfaction, rising to his feet and nodding in approval.

Arek sighed.

“Well, I guess we won’t be disturbed. I’d be worried about getting trapped in here if that door wasn’t so damn flimsy looking.”

Arek realized his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. Belmont’s eyes widened and he let out a curse.

“You’re right,” Belmont said. “This isn’t enough protection.”