Entering the Whisper Inn, it seemed the name suited the place. It was only about midday but the place was empty. The whole place was constructed with different lumbers, with light fixtures made from various monster skulls and horns. The walls were decorated with paintings of heroes valiently slaying monsters. The chairs were padded and the booths were quiet. There was even a small stage for performances.

"Hello" Robert called looking for the owner. They heard a loud clattering from the back. A door swung open behind a counter and a frazzled dwarf whose buttons were all backwards climbed a stepstool and emerged from behind the counter. "Hello my friends!" The man smiled happily. "Are you looking for a meal? A place for the night? A cold glass of water?" He asked, like a puppy begging for food.

Saul Irondirk, Innkeeper lvl 30

"Yes to all, please." Robert responded happily, laying down a gold coin. The little man grabbed up the coin. "Right away, sir!" he smiled as he grabbed up three keys. "Rooms behind those double doors, up the stairs on the second floor. Breakfast is served at dawn. Tonight I have some BBQ Boar ribs with buttered tubers." He handed them the keys merrily and passed out three cups of water to the table they were settling. A few moments later he brought out a basket of fresh bread. The whole place smelled like heaven. For the three of them, it was a welcome reprieve.

Mellie whispered to Robert, "Hey, uh for baths in this world do you have like public springs or bathtubs?"

Robert whispered, "Both. But I'm sure they have a bathing room upstairs." Mellie nodded.

"Mary do you want to brew here for a while? Maybe level your winemaking skill while I reconnect with my friends?" Mellie inquired. It seemed like a good opportunity.

"I would feel more comfortable doing that after I get fake papers. But yes, it seems like a good fit for me for our stay." Mary admitted.

The food that came out a moment later was one of the best meals of their lives. They had spent months on rations, and the group started making food enjoyment noises. The man who owned the Innkeeper was a Cook lvl 38. He had gotten the skill through perseverance and grinded it until his food was top quality. He The meat was steaming hot falling off the bone. The tubers were soft and creamy, just like baked potatoes. As Mellie licked her fingers she asked, "Saul, why on earth is this place empty?"

" I don't know what Earth is, but as you can see we have no brew. No one wants to go to a tavern that has no ale." He explained.

Mellie blanched, and in another blunder slapped the man in the face with cheese to change the topic out of habit. Mellie got up and started apologizing profusely at the stunned man. Then, the loudest laugh then came out of the small man and everyone joined in.

Cheese slap lvl 3!

Robert turned the conversation, "If I were to acquire a slave, are the contracts complicated, and do you have any blanks I could look at?"

The dwarfs smile faded as he nodded his head and went to his office, returning with a form. Robert made a big show of reading it, and then passed it to Mellie for inspection. Under the table, a few moments later Mary's contract was made and given to her. They returned the contract to the dwarf. It felt kind of awkward to talk to what might be a slave about acquiring a slave contract. But the information was acquired, and Mary was safe.

"Are the collars expensive. Can I own a slave without a collar?" He asked the dwarf. "You can, but it isn't recommended. You need a special seal to have one overlooked. They usually seal their magic first." The dwarf explained. Mary went white. While she loved her ears growing back, it came with risks. She had the paper but the seal could look like anything.

Mellie said, "Thanks for the information but I believe we're leaving this issue for another time." She smiled, dismissing the dwarf. He visably brightened on the end of the issue of slavery. Mellie made a fake collar and handed it to Mary under the table, shaking her head and pointing to Marys bag. She just wanted her to have a fake if she got caught. No way she would make her act like a slave for the duration of their stay. She was just glad to have a bed and a room.

After they finished the meal, Mellie called the man over.

"This is Mary. She's a Brewmaster lvl 12 with both the Brewer and Vintor skills. We will be in town between two days and two weeks. She can help you get some ales and wines started at least, for a price." He lit up like a kid on christmas as he went to shake Marys hand.

"Also, I'm looking for some villagers from Plumtown who may have made it around here. George is an older looking soldier, he would be looking for Edna Packwell? No? Jackson he'd be wearing a hood, hes really tall.... Anyone from Plumtown?" She asked.

"Sorry maam. I havent seen anyone from that area." He said. "Sorry."

"It was a shot in the dark, as it was. Maybe I'll get lucky asking around. Can I get a bath here?" She asked Saul and he directed her to the bathing room.

Mellie waited on the bench by the tub for the water to be brought in. A giant of a man came in the door hauling water. His face and hands were scarred and he was a little overweight but he had a rugged charm about him. When he left the room Mellie climbed in the tub, savoring the comforts of civilization. As she let the water soak into her bones, the door creaked open and her eyes shot toward the door. The cook Dennis Grimswold lvl 38 had brought a second tub of water. He was staring at Mellies body through the water, as he finished filling the tub. She smiled at him, brazenly. Seduction lvl 10! He backed away toward the the door, facing her watching and smiling as he shut the door behind him. Mellie giggled, and finished up her bath.

Mary gave Mellie a list of ingredients to look for while she was checking out the town. She was feeling nervous after finding out how serious they were about slaves in this town. Fortunately she already had a purpose. She had most of the ingredients to get a few casks going. The owners were happy. She found that the dwarf was more of a best friend than a slave to the cook.

Dwarves were rarely kept as slaves. Their stubborn nature often conflicted with their collars causing brain damage. The dwarves were never outside their mountain homes without already being bloodsworn to not share their craft. This kept them from becoming targets.

It was early evening by the time she was bathed, dressed and back out of bed. Mellie knocked on Roberts door to see if he wanted to go to the market. Robert was laying on his bed studying his Masters books. As he declined, Mellie tossed him another vial of blood. "Dont sell it, use it to get that class" she said winking. He cheesed from ear to ear. "Grab me some stuff you want enchanted. I'll work on these books some more. I've almost got this rune memorized." He said excitedly. She smiled and closed the door, heading down the steps and out the doors of the Whisper Inn.