The room was just as Rezkin had suspected although a little larger than that to which he was accustomed. It was clean and tidy with a few decorative touches. Rezkin cared little for the adornments. He was more concerned about the ease of setting traps or escaping from such a room.

The innkeeper waved him in saying, “This is the room most of your type prefer. They’re always muttering about defensibility and escape routes and such. I don’t know anything about that, but if you do find yourself in a pickle, please take it outside and try not to break anything.”

Rezkin forced a smile once again and replied, “You have little need to worry, Master Nol. I have no intention of causing any problems. It is the training, you see.” As he was speaking, he dug through his purse and counted out five silver pieces and two thumps, which were named after the sound they made when dropped on a table and were each equivalent to ten silver pieces.

“Yes, well, I hope you enjoy your stay. We will begin serving dinner in about an hour. Shall we have your bath brought up?”

“I would be much obliged,” Rezkin stated through his practiced smile.

The innkeeper left, and Rezkin set down his pack. He checked every corner and nook of the room for traps and poisons. He searched through his bedding and even pulled back the mattress covers to stab at the straw underneath. Just as he finished replacing the material, he heard a soft knock at the door. He gripped his dagger with one hand and swung the door open with the other, standing off to the side so as not to present an easy target. The young woman waiting in the hall gasped at the abruptness and stood staring at him wide-eyed as a frightened doe.

“Move, Roxie! This is heavy,” the small-man behind her said with a huff. Pot beamed at Rezkin from behind the young woman. “Hi, Rezkin! This is Roxiella. She’s the maid and helps out in the kitchen. We’ve brought you your bath.”

Rezkin smiled down at the young maid, and her cheeks turned pink as she quickly looked away. What did I do wrong? Had he made her angry? The smile seemed to work on the others. Perhaps it only works with men. He motioned them to enter. They placed the heavy tub in the center of the room and then headed back out saying they would bring up the water. Inside the tub was a basket containing a few bottles of oils, cakes of soap, a scrub brush, and a drying cloth.