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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ruined" data-source="post: 1254764" data-attributes="member: 113">12th of Chardot, yr. 150 A.V., continued Two hours past midnight, the Hilltop Inn settled into stillness. The Thimbledown brothers had swept up and sent the patrons to their beds. Even Oren, the town lush, had taken his leave. Lanterns were doused. Mugs were washed and stacked. And nothing disturbed the serene silence. Undisturbed did not mean unoccupied. A small figure emerged from a hidden recess along the back wall and moved up the stairs with nary a creak. The figure’s steps were quick and purposeful in a path that had been long-practiced. The stairs turned and opened into a vacant hallway. Scented oil lamps spilled light down the hall, revealing eight doors, four to each side. The figure moved to the closest lamp and climbed on a small stool beneath, grateful the inn was run by other halflings. Liam reached up and turned the key. The wick dropped and the flame guttered out, dimming the hall. Liam gently leaned up against one door, placing an ear to the wood. Steady sounds of breathing issued from the room, occasionally punctuated with rasping snores. Satisfied, he moved to the door across the hall and knelt down to face the lock. Small hands worked with deft precision to open the lock without a sound. The door opened, throwing only a soft illumination into the room. Liam glanced in, noting the two sleeping females and the wolf. I would have to choose the room with the overgrown dog, he thought. He pulled the door almost closed, allowing only a sliver of light into the room. The room itself revealed something of the occupants. Behind a rocking chair in the corner stood a long spear and a curved scimitar. Two backpacks lay open near the chair, revealing travel-stained clothing. Liam methodically sorted through the backpacks, but took nothing from them. Liam moved up to the bed where the human female slept. A glimmer had caught his eye as he inspected the room. He moved slowly, so as not to wake her or especially the dog that slept at her feet. There was a faint gleam of red and gold at her breast that caught the light from the door. Gently he pulled the sheet back to get a better look. If only he found human women more attractive, then this would be more entertaining than frightening. “I HAVE LEARNED WHAT I NEED!” a voice boomed in his head. He tensed, fearing that the sleepers would surely hear this mental outburst. ”YOU MAY LEAVE NOW.” As the voice faded in his mind, he opened one eye, looking for signs of movement from the dog or the females. Damnable mage, using me for a focus. Some people have no respect for the arts. Satisfied that the sleepers were unaware of his entrance, and given the orders from his master, Liam retraced his steps back to the door. He closed the door behind him, and soon had left the comforts of the Hilltop Inn.</blockquote>

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