Serpent's Tooth

[Belinda35]

"A gorgon coming into an inn asking for a room is surely strange. A gorgon with crying marks all over her face is just to much...." Phyliss looked at Tendromus.
"We have a gentleman who will order the rooms for us... but even if I would manage to get in unseen, how would I get out of it again? I'm no longer a nude slave. i must appear credible and with some dignity in society."

 

[Cherubian]

Verialyn gave up. "All right, we will get you some make up. Once we are inside and have secured a room."

 

[Belinda35]

"Ok, so let's going then. We must provide Mr. Falrion with some money to get us a room. You are able to go with him, I must stay inside her so long."

 

[Cherubian]

"You know, maybe you should consider buying a veil and a hooded cloak. Would make some things easier. And before we can think about renting a room, we need to get into the city and find an inn.

Any suggestions, Tendromus?"

 

[Belinda35]

"Thank you, I tried all this before!" Phylliss pouted. "My snakes are just to big."

Tendromus kept silent and did not interfer. He needed a place that wasn't so bad that it would insult the ladies, still it had to be shady enough to buy silence or information if needed. There was the Golden Cave, probably the best he could offer. It was a place where adventerous noblemen or rich honorable citizens would go inkognito. So it offered some luxury and kept the beggars and low scum outside, but it swarmed with expensive courtesans, spies from neighbouring kindoms, drugdealers and well dressed criminals. Not a place where he would like to go, but the best place to get information and offer hospality to these two strange renegade ladies.
"There's one place that might fit your purposes, it is called the golden cave."

 

[Cherubian]

"Sounds good, we should give it a look..."

Verialyn was about to lean out of one of the carriage windows to tell Krolsheek where to go when she noticed the former slaver in deep conversation with two guards standing watch at the gates. Apparently they knew each other and were just exchanging a bit of small talk.

So she leaned back into her seat and told Tendromus. "Once we're through the gate, could you join Krolsheek on the coach box and show him the way. Or does he know that tavern as well?"

 

[Belinda35]

"He knows it very well, as some of his best customers will be found there. And probably his coach will be recognized - a reason I don't really like to go to this place, as I think it is risky. But maybe the best fitting place for our purposes now - even the city officals tolerate this place and what's happening there."

Tendromus left the coach after they had passed the gate. It seemed that nothing dangerous or suspicious had happened so afr, as the kept going. The golden cave wasn't just a building, as it came in sight. It was a large square place with several buildings in a carre, with a large open gate through the frontbuilding, leading into a large inner courtyard. There ware stables and rooms for coaches, and prettier buildings, most likely containing one or even more inns and shops, rooms for rent, and surely one kind of etablissement.

 

[Cherubian]

Once the carriage had been steered into the courtyard and come to a halt, Verialyn was preparing to get out.

"Tendromus and I will rent the room, Krolsheek better stay with you until all is arranged" she tells Phyliss as she is reaching for the door.

 

[Belinda35]

"Very well. If possible, get me some makeup, please." She wasn't that keen staying alone with Kroolshek, but she was back in the city, and a glamorous lady again, not a nude, cum-covered slavegirl.

 

[Cherubian]

"I doubt they sell that at the inn" Verialyn returned wryly as she stepped out of the coach , immediately followed by Tendromus, wand walked the few yards over to the entrance of the tavern, not hesitating as she opened the door and entered.

 

[Belinda35]

The inn was large, it had at least two halls, and she couldn't see all of it.

Tendromus looked around.
"There are two inns here, we chose the right one. There's a cheaper, rustic one in the cellar on the opposite side of the yard, a place where usual the coachdrivers and servants go. This one here begings with the first hall, usually occupied by casual travellers and visitors, a place where people stop to eat and drink before they go. You can rent the rooms here, two. The third hall is called the pleasure hall, this is the place where you will find the harlots, games and usual a musician or more. There is a door to a staircase leading to separate rooms. The middle hall combining the two other halls is the one where merchants and all kind of people make their deals. In other parts of the buildings we have the stables and even a few shops and workshops, you should be able to buy the makeup for your friend there."


Meanwhile Phyliss looked out of the window, but took care that she would not be seen herself; she could hear and see a blacksmith working in a small building that opened into the court, while Verialyn and Tendromus went into the largest and prettiest building to the left.

 

[Cherubian]

"Quite the big complex we have here..." Verialyn commented as she surveyed all the bustling activity. "And you have definitely proven helpful so far, Tendromus." That comment she enriched with a smile.

"So lets try to get a room and that makeup as quickly as possible, so Phyliss sour mood will finally vanish." That marked the end of her speech, and she resolutely started to stride towards the opposite side of the hall, where behind a massive counter several men were standing, one of them likely the proprietor of the inn, or at least someone where one could rent rooms.

 

[Belinda35]

Tendromus walked forward. If anyone knew him here, they did not show. The men looked at Veryalyn and seemed to check her, as she was a new face.
"I need two rooms, third floor he said."
The man looked at him and Verialyn, maybe a slight hint of surprise in his face.
"Two." he answered and got two keys out of a box on the wall.
"We have two left in the third floor, but not neighbouring ones. Nr. 10 an 13."
Tendromus took the keys and moved backwards, so that he could speak to Verialyn.
"The rooms in the third floor are good rooms, but not the highpriced luxury rooms they have here, too. You would soon run out of money, and it would raise suspicion. The rooms I rented are comfortable enough not to upset your friend, but still payable."
The first hall wasn't as noisy as the third, but still loud enough that probably no one heard what he said.
"What are your plans about Kroolshek? Some people here will know me, but many more people will know him."

 

[Cherubian]

"Good thinking, that..." Verialyn agreed.

"On the other hand, this might be a good test of his true loyalty. He seems to still have his memories, so he should be able to impersonate his former self reasonably well, and act in our best interest. If he is as devoted to Phyliss as he claims to be.

If not, we make a quick exit."

To the last sentence she had to grin. It would not be her first.

 

[Belinda35]

"Very well. I hope you're right, becaue I may not be able to make such a quick exit like you." Tendromus had seen her attack and knew she wasn't what she seem, but he was not sure what she was, but he would better not ask, or not yet.
"I assume we get back on the court now. By the way, do you want 10 or 13?" He hold the keys in his hand.

 

[Cherubian]

"I am not superstitious..." Verialyn grinned back "and don't worry, looking at Krolsheek I don't think we have much to fear from him. I might be wrong of course."

"But regarding the rooms ... Maybe we first get that makeup set for Phyliss, then have a look at both rooms together - the four of us - and then decide who sleeps where and with whom.

Where did you say these shops were again?"

 

[Belinda35]

Tendromus had already decided, as his education answered the question for him. He wasn't happy at all to share a room with Kroolshek, but one room for the ladies and one for the men. He handed Verialyn the key for number 13 and didn't say anything more to it, hopefully the gorgon would do this for him. They walked out in the court, several coaches and horses were visibly, and some people walking around, even a blacksmith was working.
"There are two shops over there in the groundfloor, the one beside the tailor should have what we are looking for. I think you know best what to choose." Tendromus looked over to the coach; Kroolshek was outside and had ordered a man to take care of the horses. He seemed to act normal. Tendromus saw no sign of anyone acting suspicious. He wondered if the slaves had freed themself meanwhile, and if they had killed Oglaf and Moldik, or if they were still waiting until some customer would open the gates.

 

[Cherubian]

Her knowing what to choose? Verialyn cringed inwardly. Briefly.She had nevr bothered that much with makeup, and she definitely was no expert. Well, she'd just try to remember what Phyliss usually chose, and pick up something similar. Once the gorgon deemed herself presentable she could go and purchase more.

"All right, let's go there and grab the stuff, then." she finally decided, heading towards the shop Tendromus had indicated and half hoping, half expecting he would follow her.

 

[Belinda35]

Tendromus, watching the entrance, noticed that Verialyn was hesitating and joined her. He lead her into a small room besides a tailor, actually the room wasn't much wider then the small frontwindow and a tiny door that was kept open, behind it they found a flimsy desk with a mirrow and a small stool, for putting on the makeup, and behind it was a counter and shelfs with perfume bottles, lots of cheap jewelery, combs, mirrors and brushes, and of course, makeup. The lady behind the old desk had seen much better days; all the paint could not hide the wrinkled skin, and the extravagant clothes revealed a very large, short body.
"Hello, Madame Baboeuffry." said Tendromus.

 

[Cherubian]

Verialyn bowed, and followed suit, greeting the woman behind the counter in the same manner.

"A good day to you, Madame Baboeuffry. My friend here has recommende you to me as the source to get high quality makeup utensils for a fair price."

 

[Belinda35]

Madame Baboeuffry looked at Verialyn and smiled.
"Yes dear, I think I have everything here you will need."
She picked up a few items.
"Have a look at those, they should suit your complexion well."

 

[Cherubian]

Verialyn takes a look at all the brushes, eyeliners and small tins placed onto the counter in front of her, and her face gets a slightly desperate smile.

"Ahh yes, very nice indeed ... but you see, I am purchasing them for a friend, as a present. And her complexion differs slightly from mine, a shade of olive to her skin. And she loves to add some green strands to her black hair, so ideally the makeup woul math that as well." That would be as close to the hue of Phyliss snakes as she would get without spoiling that part.

 

[Belinda35]

"Ah, I see...surely a pretty girl; I think I know exactly what you need." The lady picked up some items out of drawers and from the shelf, until she was satisfied with the combination.

 

[Cherubian]

"That looks great" Verialyn complimented her. Truth be told she just wanted to get that part over with as quickly as possible. So she just picked up the utensils with another friendly and grateful smile, added a small handheld mirror to the mix and paid for it all.

The bag with her purchases held firmly in one hand she told tendromus "All right, now back to Phyliss."

 

[Belinda35]

Tendromus was relieved that everything seemed save outside still - should they really get away so well? He moved back to the coach where the gorfon was still waiting inside.