"Well, this is it," Keona muttered. A soft yap of agreement sounded at her feet.
She smiled, which did much to lighten her travel-stained face. Tired hazel eyes reread the sign swinging gently in front of her: The Lazy Dog. Wonderful, she thought.
The door opened at her hesitant touch. Inside, a surprisingly young innkeeper was leaning over the counter, telling a joke to a patron. He saw her, straightened, and raised a hand with spread fingers.
"Good evening. I'm after a room for two." Keona's voice was only a little rough from lack of use.
"Two?" The 'keeper's face seemed acquainted with laughter; a smile was teasing at his almost-handsome face.
"Two. Is the other on her way here? What name should I give?"
"She's here." Another yap made itself heard. The guests craned their heads to see a silver vixen examining them all. She gave them a proud but nervous stare from white-rimmed eyes.
One of the men spoke up. "Matrim," he said, "will that beast give us trouble?"
Keona held her breath.
"No," the young man replied. Then he stepped from behind the counter. "Miss Wanderer, and your small friend, welcome to my house."
Some of the tension left her. She slipped off her pack with the ease of one used to the road.
