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What in the... Tomlin thought as the man quickly got behind him and the regal-looking fellow to his right. As the larger man entered the inn, spouting threats and pointing at what looked like a mage of sorts, Tomlin sneered. "He has a point, lad. You shouldn't come looking for a fight..." he said. He lightly pulled back his coat, showing a full compliment of throwing daggers on either side. "Because I'll give you one. Now, we can settle this like gentlemen with a drink," he nodded towards the bar, "Or we can settle this with blood. Your choice. Decide now." His fingers had already slipped a bit on his coat, the daggers hidden in his sleeves pressing against his palms waiting to be plunged into flesh and bone.

Letalus blinked, staring at Merro's outstretched palm. Finally, some luck, apparently, as he had not expected any of the coin to remain after two noblewomen went clothes shopping. He pocketed it and turned away from Merro, heading towards the inn wordlessly. While Sentelle was around, he couldn't speak with Merro as he wished, but one thing he was quite good at was waiting.

It had been an extraordinarily long day and if Letalus were the type to feel it, he would have been exhausted at this point. As it was, he simply wanted a moment's peace before dealing with Merro and the extra baggage she'd somehow accumulated. So when they entered the tavern, Letalus filling the door with his frame, his eyebrow twitched when he caught sight of Tomlin.

Apparently, the night was not over.

Tomlin thought over the man's words for a moment.

Fight, or step aside..

"Took your gold, eh? Who'd you steal it from?" He said, letting his coat flaps fall back as his hands moved to his sides. He turned his wrists, the blades he concealed tucked behind his palms.

He could tell from the clothing that he wore that the man was a bandit, and probably from the same gang he had run into earlier. A shadow appeared behind the brute, and the eyes of the man behind him peirced towards Tomlin.

Letalus had seen him.

This needs to be quick... his thought raced through his head as he thought of a plan.

There was a slight pause in the doorway, and then she was surprisingly led off by Sentelle by the wrist as if the other young woman was afraid Merro might wander off like a wayward child if not secured.

Letalus and her father would likely agree with that idea.

She followed docilely enough to the bar and then spent a moment blinking as the paladin brightened as if the full light of day shone upon her, rather than flickering candle- and firelight. Merro already knew about the glow, of course, but this was the first time in their limited acquaintance that she'd been treated to such a display. She glanced round despite herself, wondering what the reaction of the common room might be to this, and finally noticed the brewing fight.

Oh.

And one of the potential combatants was none other than the roguish man who'd unexpectedly come to their aid and carried her out of the fight on horseback...and then stolen Letalus' gold.

Oh!

Her eyes sought Letalus next, and found him stopped in the doorway, looking toward Tomlin and still in possession of her sword.

Oh Saints...

Sentelle began to move, and Merro automatically stepped after her while trying to think what she might do. She wanted to catch Letalus' gaze even while still unsure of what she meant to do with it once she'd caught it, but on the other hand, she only wanted his attention...not that of everyone in the common room, nor yet Sentelle's. They gained the stairs without her overwrought mind offering up a single course of action, and she ended up on the second floor without having uttered a single word, simply having to trust that Letalus would not go on an unnecessarily bloody rampage solely for her perceived benefit, since he knew that she was well at the moment. Leana's sudden appearance behind him would hopefully serve as a reminder that Merro would be provided for with further blood, at least for a while.

The innkeeper, being completely overawed by his celestial guest, had momentarily passed over the potential damage to his first floor and been snapping orders to all those in his employ who were within his voice's reach. There was a clumsy bow before the door, and then another one just inside it, and three more as he humbly pointed out the large bed and embroidered coverlet, the painted and chipped chamberpot with matching cover, and a washstand with a pitcher and bowl. He bowed as he apologized to Her Ladyship for the badness of his very best room. He bowed as he tried to cover up for the badness by pointing out the glass window and heavy curtains, embroidered coverlet, and neat little table and benches to Her Honor.

After he had bowed himself out, Merro had not even time to unwrap the cloak from about all the other garments she had purchased before there was a mouse-tapping at the door, heralding the arrival of two girls carrying a tub in for Their Ladyships' use. Merro sat on one of the small benches and pushed back the curtains from the window, ostensibly staring out at the street below, but she saw nothing, her focus turned inward as she nervously anticipated that strange rush of energy that would tell her if Letalus had wet the blade with blood.

ooc: I took the liberty of moving Merro and Sentelle through the boring necessities of getting somewhat settled in. Jen, feel free to bathe Merro if you want to move through that part and get to other stuff. If Letalus does indeed blood her sword, her reaction will be little more than a gasp and a bit more of worry on her face as she feels it.

As she and Merro were finally left in peace Senelle let her aura fade back to it's usual dim glow. She pondered asking Merro to help her out of her armor, but supposed Merro's knowledge–or rather lack thereof–on the matter would not speed things along.

Plate on the floor near the washstand Sentelle folded her tunic and set it neatly on the washstand. Inwardly she sighed; even her stitches, though small and fine they were, would leave a scar on the garment. The quality of the tunic she had purchased from the street merchant was not equal to that of her old one, but it was whole. Before setting her maille next to her plate she stuck a hand through the hole and wondered if she had enough rings with her to repair it. Likely as not she wouldn't have the time to repair it tonight anyhow.

Without further thought Sentelle slipped off the rest of her clothing and bathed herself quickly, but thoroughly enough to remove the soils of travel and battle. As she stepped out she gestured to Merro that it was her turn.

After drying herself she reached into her pack, pulled out and night shift and slipped it over her head. Grabbing a brush she set to work at her hair.

OOC: Meri I figured you may as well give Merro her bath seeing as how we don't want to get too far ahead of the action downstairs. I'm also trying to figure out if it would be too awkward for the two of them to discuss matters while Merro's bathing. XD

Instinctually, Letalus pulled his cloak over his body, letting the already stained cloth take the coming splash of wine, apparently unconcerned.