Mildred’s gaze darted back to Selene. “I see. I have two rooms upstairs that are available. I also have a wooden tub that I will have brought up to the first room. I’m afraid you and your company will have to share.”

“I understand.” Damien stepped back. “Thank you, Mildred.”

She clapped her hands three times and yelled, “Aye! Hobbes! I need the wooden tub brought up to the first room. And get the hot water going.”

There was grumbling from the back room.

“Now!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” a gruff voice yelled back.

“I’ll make sure you have soap and some clean linen.” Mildred smiled broadly, exposing the gap between her teeth. “In the meantime, take a seat at one of the tables, and food will be brought out.”

“Thank you,” Damien said again.

As Mildred headed to the back room, the travelers turned and moved toward the largest table set below the balcony. Selene took a seat with her back to the rest of the room, taking care to keep her hood up. A quick perusal of the inn confirmed that, apart from Mildred, she was the only woman in the room.

Damien took a seat beside her, while Taegis and Sten sat across from them, where they could watch the rest of the inn and the front door. Cohen joined Damien on the other side. The men talked quietly amongst themselves, while Selene folded her hands and sat on the bench, her muscles sore and tired, and her clothes feeling like they were caked in dirt and sweat. Minutes later, steaming bowls of venison stew and brown bread arrived, along with Karl, who joined the other guards.

“Water will be ready soon in the first room at the top of the balcony,” Mildred said as she placed pewter tankards around the table.

Damien glanced over at Selene. “You should go first.”

“Thank you.” She had never bathed in anything other than a metal tub or the hot springs back in Rook Castle, and she couldn’t imagine sharing the same water with five men. The thought made her wrinkle her nose, and she felt bad for whoever was last.

As Selene took her final bite of stew, Mildred informed them that the bath was ready. Selene stood and stepped away from the bench.

“Follow me,” Mildred said, heading for the staircase up to the balcony. Selene ignored the curious glances of the other inn patrons and followed the stout innkeeper. At the top of the stairs, Mildred opened the door and ushered Selene inside.

“My lady.” Mildred bowed after she’d shut the door behind her. “I’m afraid I only have tallow soap for your use.”

“Tallow is fine. I’m just thankful for a chance to wash.”

Selene looked around the room. It was the size of a small sitting room, with four beds lined along the right wall and wooden shutters across the windows. Lit candles were scattered across the small tables between the beds. A handwoven rug sat across the wooden floor, and on the left side, close to the foot of the beds, sat a round wooden tub, steam rising above the water.