Part 60 (Patreon)

Choru, for her part, wasn’t faring much better. With the help of the townspeople, she had found the village inn, such as it was. Small, poor, and rather smelly, this wasn’t the kind of establishment someone of her stature frequented. A small crowd had gathered outside the inn to watch agitated cleric argue with the the amused-seeming innkeeper.

“No, that’s clearly too much,” Choru said. “Tell me you aren’t good for it, Milady,” the innkeeper snarked back. “What I can afford is neither here nor there,” the Cleric argued, what you’re providing just isn’t worth the price. “Well, feel free to stay at my competitors, the other inn in town.”

“I just might.” “Look around dimwit, this is all there is. And your stinginess has already convinced any sympathetic locals that you aren’t worth the trouble…it’s my inn or outside.”

“Just try to be reasonable. That price is robbery!” “My price is what the customer can bear, and a foreigner in such fine armor, can clearly bear what I’m asking.” “Wait,” said Choru, “you’re charging me more because I look wealthy? That’s just wrong. You’re a crook. I should call your justicar…constable…sheriff?”

The innkeeper smiled. “You’re in luck, because here she is.” A bedraggled woman in rag-tag armor shuffled over to them. “Isolda! What seems to be the problem?” she said, turning to Choru and adding, “I’m Ouril, the sheriff here.” Isolda, the innkeeper, pointed to Choru. Choru, for her part, was too ready to speak up, just as Maddie was returning with news.

“This charlatan…this rogue wanted to charge me seventy five gold for a night at this dungheap of an inn! She admitted that she was charging me more just because I look wealthy. And she mocked me. Me, a priestess of Illuminora! I demand that you force her to accept a more reasonable price of, say, five gold, that reflects the accommodations she can provide, or that, failing that agreement, you lock her in the stocks for trying to cheat me.”

Finished with the fortune teller, Maddie returned to her companion, confused at the spectacle.

A few in the crowd covered their mouths, either in shock or laughter, as a grin a[[eared pm Uril’s face. “You’re making some heavy accusations there of theft and improper business practices. Do you stand behind your words?”

“I certainly do! A priestess of Illuminora speaks only the truth!”

Uril frowned for a moment. “I see you’re unfamiliar with our laws and customs, but, as they say, ignorance is no excuse. I’m afraid that you and your associate will have to come with me. Isolda, come along as well.”

The local crowd that had gathered around  with excitement.

“What is this about?” said Maddie.

“We’re going to settle a dispute between your, um, travelling companion, and our innkeeper.”

“It’s about time. We deserve justice here!” Choru said.

“As the sole law enforcer in this town, I couldn’t agree more. You don’t have to go far, it’s right over here.” Uril said.