Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 3)

“Someone you’re expecting, if so,” Pratik murmured, equally elusive. He reached into his pocket and held up the coin.

Gregor squinted at the coin, then nodded and stood. "I've got two rooms for you, two beds." He frowned at Rickard, whose eyes dropped immediately. "I was expecting a man and a girl, though."

“We had a change in plans,” Pratik said, pocketing the coin again. “The girl is in the stable putting up the horses. His Lordship decided last minute he wanted the three of us instead of just two. We’re going to need an extra horse and extra provisions. His Lordship is prepared to pay well for the inconvenience.”

Gregor nodded, still eyeing Rickard. "If you say so. I can't offer another room, though. You'll have the provisions." Rickard looked like he wanted to melt through the floor.

“That’s alright,” Pratik answered with a nod. “We weren’t expecting you to, on such short notice… could you get us squared away, sooner rather than later? We’ll leave before daybreak.”

Gregor nodded and stood. He dwarfed both Pratik and Rickard, standing at well over six feet tall and carrying enough weight to keep a bear happy for two winters. "Should we wait for your lady friend?" he asked.

(Aha I love that description!)

Probably.

“Could you show us which our extra horse will be?” Pratik asked. “That’ll let us see if she’s done yet.”

(Why thank you!)

"Certainly." Gregor stepped out of the inn, stooping to get his head through the door. He led them to the stables. "These two will replace the mounts you came here on." He gestured to a sturdy gelding with thick, woolly white hair and a swift-looking mare. "The gelding's bred from Far Northern horses, so he's built for this weather. And you can take this dapple gray beside them; he was my son's mount."
Ada watched from where she was tending to the other two horses, narrowing her eyes at Gregor.

“Thank you,” Pratik murmured. He looked at Ada and raised his eyebrows in a silent question of if she was done yet.

She nodded and came to stand beside him.
"Now that we're all together, then." Gregor looked between them. "Gentlemen, you can take one room and the lady'll take the other. Please follow me." He strode out of the stables again.

Pratik gestured after the man with his head, gesturing with his chin in a silent beckon for her to follow. He followed close behind Gregor, catching up quickly.

Ada and Rickard followed in complete silence. Gregor led them up a flight of stairs to the second level and unlocked a door. "For the lady," he said with a nod to Ada, and offered her the key. Ada took the key and stepped inside, giving a curt nod to Pratik before shutting the door and locking it.

“And the provisions are…?” Pratik asked, looking back at Ada. He wished she’d stop being so prickly and impulsive. He needed to talk to her before they all fell asleep. She knew that, surely?

"Five days' worth of food for each of you, weapons, warm clothes to get you through a mild storm. Cloaks, one tent, bedrolls, flint and steel, water, and some healing supplies." He opened the room beside Ada's. "This will be your room."
Inside was a double bed and a chest to hold clothes, and on the far wall there was a hearth and firewood. Rickard's mouth dropped open when he saw the bed.

“We have another contact we’re meeting up with in five days?” Pratik lifted an eyebrow. “It’s a solid 2 weeks to the Keep.”