The White Horse Inn, Act III

[Bêthberry]

Having arranged certain events and made notifications, the Innkeeper arrived at the doorway, not without some coughing and sputtering herself at all the smoke the two brave lads had been producing. Ruthven was at her side.

"Gentlemen and heroes," Bethberry began, " I thank you for your help in carrying the unfortunate lass to this room, but now I will ask that as gentlemen you take your leave from the lady's chamber. She will be watched by womenfolk, by Saeryn here, Ruthven, and myself. "

Falco took umbrage at this remark, the moreso perhaps because of the drink he had imbibed. "I am a halfling of the finest fibre. I mean to do justice to honour and..."

His words were interrupted by Eodwine, himself not too steady on his feet, as his back was still aching from holding his crouch over the girl's makeshift bed as she fell asleep. It had not been a particularly commodious position for his stomach, either, and he several times felt the need to take deep swallows of breath in order to steady that organ. Yet his heart and tongue needed no steadying.

"We know what fibre you have in you. It was a right fine meal you ate. But this calls for a guard of stamina and strength, not one who can offer but half-measures."

"Why, you old sot you!" retaliated the hobbit. "As if a messanger has the fighting skills of a warrior! It takes a bit more to carry a sword than a letter, and much more than to carry your ale."

So quarrelsome were the two becoming that unnoticed their pipeweed went out and the air cleared.

"You shall wake the lass at this rate, if you keep it up," intoned the Innkeeper. "Gentlemen, the White Horse Inn is locked and bolted and guarded by means which many have heard not of. I ask you to take to your rooms, and get a good night's sleep. We will have need of your wit and skill and adventurous spirits on the morrow, but for now let women do their work." She looked sternly at the two as if she would brook no argument.

"Saeryn," said Bethberry, turning to the young woman, if you would take the first watch, and Ruthven here will sleep on a side cot. You can wake her to take the later shift."

"Do that, lass, and trust to me," replied the old woman. "I know when to call for your help should it be needed. I promise to wake you from your cot at the first sign we might need your sword."

The three woman formed a formidable presence, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of Eodwine and Falco, who were beginning to see doubly if not triply the merit in Bethberry's words. They bowed courteously and withdrew.

Bethberry turned to the women. "The falcon Wyrd will be perched aloft. At any sign of unruly approach he will come to you and to me, to warn. Other measures are afoot as well. Trust to us."

"Aye, aye, I know your ways, Bethberry," lightly cajoled Ruthven. "We shall be fine unless those two lads decide to make such adventurous deeds as to announce the presence of the lass here."

"They mean well," spoke up Bethberry. "They are simply rather fond of adventures."