The weary traveler enters Ar’s Station, the dark night threatening as he carefully treads closer to great stone walls looming before him. Like a bright beacon, he hears the soft voice of a pleasure slave begging him to use her at the Inn of Four Swords. Silks whisper, tantalizing his senses, as she guides him with a subtle grace through the gate in the high walls surrounding the Inn.

The hinges of the door echo hauntingly. Warmth and kindness overwhelms him as he hears the welcoming Tal from those within. As his eyes adjust to the lights, the Traveler hears the refreshing splash of a welcoming fountain waterfall to his left, the happy giggles of nubile slaves washing in its pool.

Farther into the room, he sits upon a set of waiting furs near the warmth of the hearth; watches the slave step to kitchen entrance in the southeast corner; smiles at her quick return carrying a weighty platter of bosk strips, sul, vegetables and a bottle of the Inn’s finest kalana wine for the Master she serves. He breathes deeply; inhaling the aroma of the meal.

From where the man sits, he can see the entrance to a private meeting area behind and off to the right; the entrance to the alcoves ahead of him, on his right; a set of stairs across the Inn and to his left. Across the inn on a raised dais, two men are deep in a game of Kaiisa while another slave waits ready to fill their tankards.

The owner of the Inn, Dan`iore, looks up from his game, smiles and nods to the man, whose eyes take in the crest with its crossed swords and a northern battle axe above the dais. Even as he wonders about the nature of this Innkeeper, seemingly of two worlds, the Traveler relaxes and smiles back. He is warm; he is treated as Friend; he will enjoy his stay.

© 2009 IFS