A few hours later, Evelina was interrupted from brooding over her cup of ale by a hobbit with a dirty nose bearing an equally grubby letter. He had approached her timidly, and one couldn't blame him for she was muttering quite threateningly under her breath about bad business and lack of jobs. She snatched the letter up and gave him a look so venemous he didn't dare ask for a tip! He scampered off to the bar for a whole pint to soothe his nerves.
The contents of the letter seemed to put Evelina in a better mood, however. At least she stopped glowering every time someone walked by her corner. She pulled a quill and two scraps of paper from the dark cloak slung over her shoulders and scribbled a message upon each. Evelina stood and even managed a cold smile that did not reach her black eyes. She walked to the bar and tapped the hobbit with the dirty nose on the shoulder.
"Give these to two men who should be coming in shortly. They will be dressed in black, as I am, and appear to be unarmed." The hobbit nodded wordlessly, and the lady gave him one last scathing glance before throwing a few coins to the innkeeper, and leaving through a side door.
The moon peeked out from behind wispy clouds and illuminated a small garden. A dark figure moved carefully and slipped inside a door hidden by a wysteria bush. The heady fragrance of its purple blooms filled the air and a wisp of its scent wafted into the room when dark figure entered. A light gleamed faintly and the figure followed, soft, grey slippers making no noise on the hard-wood floors. A little hobbit woman could be seen inside, tending a kettle on the fire, with her back to the door. Stupid creatures,Evelina thought contemptously. She tip-toed right behind the woman, stooped over the fire and boomed out:
"Well? You inquired about a job?"
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