Thessa coughed uneasily. “Sir, I know it’s worth. That coin is easily worth one hundred gold magi pieces. What are you trying to pull over on me?” She blinked as she stared at the man’s exposed neck. Something within her made her instincts flare, and she very nearly lurched at him. She was no longer a blood feeder. It must have been the resurfacing of the old habit.
The old man coughed, “Well, I can give you twenty.” A bead of sweat appeared on his brow.
“Thank you, no. I will travel to the next town.” She reached for the coin and the man recoiled. She grew more determined and reached again. The man pulled back even farther. Thessa felt her face become hot. Her breathing was shallow and calculated. The veins in his neck pulsated as she leaned into the urge to strike.
Her expression must have been convincing because his eyes had a tinge of fear in them and he relented, “All right, you win, I will give you eighty gold magi.”
“Eighty-five.” She was relieved that the tension had subsided.
“All right, eighty-five if you need to feel like I treated you more fairly. I do have to make a profit too, you know.”
“You will.” Thessa stated blankly.
The man smacked his lips and muttered something under his breath as he turned to go to the back room.
“Leave the coin here on the counter, please.” Thessa said.
“The man feigned irritation and left the coin on the counter as he slipped into the back room. Thessa saw a light appear where the man obviously lit a lamp or lantern. A mere moment later and the man appeared with Thessa’s gold. He reluctantly handed the leather pouch of coins to her. She dumped them out on the counter and carefully counted them before she replaced them in the pouch and cinched it closed. “Nice doing business with you.”
The man grumbled and managed a weak grin. “Who are you, anyway?”
“Me? I’m nobody.” She replied.
“Your eyes. You look as though you could benefit from a good meal.”
“Thanks for the observation. Perhaps you had better not comment further.” She was anticipating the old familiar critique on her unusual appearance.
“I meant nothing by it. I was just going to suggest the Suckling Pig.
“The what?”
The man broke the building apprehension with an unexpected hardy laugh, “It’s the inn at the edge of the main street. The proprietor is a friend and I send her business when I can.”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” That was awkward, she thought. He must get kickbacks. “I will visit the place.”
“Good, good.” The man said rubbing his hands on his shirt nervously, while he uncomfortably glanced around looking for something else to say.
Thessa wasted no time leaving the numismatist’s shop. The Suckling Pig would work for her. She didn’t care. She just wanted to get to an inn for a nice meal and a bed.
Your guise has dropped. Sarren said in her head.
“Oh, how do I keep it going?”
You can’t let things get to you. Stress will sometimes make the appearance spell drop. You must remember to keep it going in times of stress.
“I will try. I am too tired to try again tonight. I will just leave it for now.
The Suckling Pig Inn was much nicer than she had thought it would be. The common room was well kept and there was a roaring fire in the fireplace. I minstrel sang in the comfortable lounging area as a well-dressed maiden served drinks. Thessa approached the counter.
“Well, you look like you have been through it!” The woman behind the counter said, and Thessa shrank back a bit. “Oh, she means nothing by that.” A portly man said, pushing the woman aside. “Go on, Sienna, let me tend to the customers at the counter.” Sienna grunted and wandered off toward what looked to be the kitchen. “Sorry about that. Sienna owns the place, but she has no business savvy.”
Thessa nodded uneasily.
“She doesn’t know people.” He paused as if Thessa was supposed to reply. When she did not, he went on. “What can I do for you? A room perhaps? A meal? You do look a bit undernourished.”
“Both actually, and I wonder if I could have the meal brought up to my room?” She was not all that hungry due to Fia’s fish meal, but she ordered for appearances.
“Certainly! We aim to please here at the Suckling Pig. I would understand why you wouldn’t want to eat here in the commons, people’s prying eyes and all.”
“Why would I mind that?” Thessa asked.
“You know.” He leaned in closer so he could whisper, “Your appearance.”
Thessa looked down at her shabby attire. Once the spell dropped, she was reminded that she had not cleaned up much since the dirty water of the cavern where she had been left by her mother and Asleth. In fact, the rust colored spots on her blouse were probably faded blood. “Can you launder my clothes?”
“I can. I can also have some new clothes brought up for you, assuming you can pay for all this.” A look of concern suddenly appeared on his face. “By the way, how are you going to pay for all this?”
Thessa opened the pouch with the gold and took out a gold magi. She glanced up at the innkeeper just in time to see him hide his surprise. Perhaps she shouldn’t have advertised to him she had a full pouch of gold. She quickly cinched the pouch and tucked it away. “I assume this will do?”
“Yes, indeed.” The innkeeper said. “This and you have change coming.”
“No, use it to buy the clothes and for laundry service. I would like two meals, one tonight, and the other tomorrow morning. You may keep the rest.”
The innkeeper nodded happily and turned to a peg board behind him. “One key? Are you expecting anyone else?”
“No, one key is fine.” She thought it was odd for him to ask. Maybe it was common practice.
He gave her the key to room number six. “Room six, up the
