Chapter 2
The street is deserted. Further up, a carriage rattles by, and from the pub of the inn, they can hear groans.
“Walk to the front door,” Hastings commands. “I will handle all the talking.”
He follows them inside. They find themselves in a small vestibule with a window in one inner wall. Hastings knocks on it and an old woman appears. She grumbles under her breath and looks dissatisfied by the disturbance, but upon seeing the well-dressed visitors, she suddenly smiles warmly and bows politely.
“Before the woman can speak,” Hastings interrupts impatiently.
“We would like to stay here tonight. We will need two rooms and someone to fetch our luggage from the dock.”
“Of course, sir, very well,” the old woman replies. She claps her hands, and a servant runs down the hall. She orde
