“Let’s stop up at that shop. Since we’re going into Sounderthound next, we should ask if they have some supplies. If we can avoid relying on the people in Sounderthound too much, it’ll be better,” Va’il said.
“Still thinking about that experience when we first entered?” Ruby asked.
“Yeah. It just doesn’t seem as friendly after all that. And we might need permission again to pass through it. If so, I guess we could just avoid the cities entirely and pass through the land without permission. If that’s the only way,” Va’il said.
“Well, maybe the next city will be friendlier. But all right, let’s stop up there. A roadside inn? That’s good enough.”
Va’il glanced up when something in the second story of the inn caught his attention, but it was gone before he could spot it. He wondered if he was imagining things.
The teens walked to the entrance, but a yell from the back kept them from going in.
“What is it?” Ruby asked.
“A man yelled. Let’s go see first!” Va’il said.
They rushed around the building. When they got to the back, they saw two swines on the ground, and a group of four swines standing over them. The two on the ground were a male and female.
“Please spare us this month,” the male swine on the ground said.
“Nonsense! If you don’t pay, we’ll be back to demolish this inn,” said one of the standing group.
“We’ll be back at the end of the day!” another one said.
“Please, we don’t have it. It’s been a rough month! We have done well in the past, right?” the female on the ground asked.
“That was then, this is now. Anyways, no more discussion. You have visitors. Maybe you’ll get enough business to pay us by nightfall,” the first standing swine said. “Let’s go.”
The group left the couple on the ground, and took the road north. Va’il and Ruby approached the couple, who had now stood.
“What’s going on?” Ruby asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” the female swine said, wiping a tear off her cheek. “Are you customers? Come in and we’ll treat you.”
“We can’t just ignore what happened,” Va’il said.
“It’s all right. We cannot burden you with our problems. Won’t you come in?” the male swine asked.
“We’ll come in, but will still ask,” Va’il said.
“That’s fine, so come in,” the female swine said.
Va’il and Ruby looked at each other, and then fell in step behind the couple as they led them to the dining area of the inn.
“Take a seat, we’ll come back in a moment with something to drink,” the male swine said.
“Thank you,” Ruby said.
The couple went to the back, leaving Va’il and Ruby to look around at their surroundings. It was a nice inn, with plenty of tables and two stories.
“What do you think is going on?” Ruby asked.
“I don’t know. But I want to find out. And help, if we can. Those people are coming back, aren’t they?” Va’il asked.
“Yeah. But should we get involved?” Ruby asked.
“I don’t know. But if they are being oppressed, shouldn’t we, if possible?”
Ruby and Va’il remained quiet until the couple returned. Another customer, a human man, quietly arrived and took a seat near the corner. Soon after, the couple returned with tea for them.
“What would you like?” the male asked.
“Anything simple. And we’re also looking to take a large amount with us, stuff that will last a while,” Ruby said.
“Oh, are you on a journey?” the female asked while the other went to the back.
“A bit. I guess it’s obvious, considering where we are,” Ruby said.
“Yes, that’s true. This is the last inn before reaching Sounderthound. And even though we’re in Prowst, we’re not hares. I guess you’d say we’re the greeters to swine territory, allowed by the Prowst and Sounderthound kingdoms to exist. And the majority of our customers are travellers, going through the countries. Mostly merchants, of course.”
“A unique spot you’re in. But, forgive me for prying, who were those people from earlier? They were swine, so I assume they were from Sounderthound,” Ruby said.
“Yes, you’re right. My husband doesn’t really want me to say anything, though.”
“It’s all right. We’re strangers ourselves. Why not just let us know? We might be able to help, even,” Va’il said.
“That’s wonderful for you to think of us, but we will probably get by. I suppose I can tell. Those men were from the city on the border. They collect tax and tribute. We have to pay to keep this spot, to be the inn that serves weary travelers just before they enter the city. Since the city is such a short way from us, we’re actually depriving them of some revenue. To make up for it, we have to contribute a fair amount. It’s nothing too unreasonable, but this month we’re short by quite a bit. If we fail to pay, we’ll lose our inn.”
“That’s awful,” Va’il said.
“It doesn’t seem right. Why should you care about taking customers from the city? It’s somewhat ridiculous to think you’re depriving them of so much anyways,” Ruby said.
“Let’s not speak of this anymore,” the female swine said.
“How much?” Ruby asked.
“Excuse me?”
“How much do you need to make up this month’s payment?”
“I cannot say. I will not involve others in our troubles.”
“Don’t make excuses, just say how much,” Ruby said.
The swine looked around for a moment, and then leaned towards Ruby and whispered something in her ear. Ruby’s eyes went wide, and then she sighed.
“I see. Then, for now, just please get us the provisions we ask for. At four times the standard cost. Or maybe six. That should be fine,” Ruby said. Without another word, the female swine bowed and then walked into the back.
“What’s going on?” Va’il asked.
“What do you think, Va’il? Are they worth helping?” Ruby asked.
“They are nice enough. And it’s a good shop, probably. Sure. Well, I’ll decide that for sure when I can judge the food!” Va’il said.
“Well said.”
The couple returned a few minutes later, with dishes and provisions as asked for, but large smiles across their faces. They didn’t mention the issue of payment again, and served as needed. Va’il and Ruby ate their fill, received dried meats, fruits, nuts, and water, and filled their bags with everything they received.
“Should we stay until evening, just to make sure everything goes all right?” Ruby asked.
“No, no, please continue your journey. We will be fine. It’s not the first time things have been like this. They are great at threatening, but are easily appeased afterwards. Really, there is nothing to worry about. Spend a night in the city where it is safe and worry-free,” the male swine said.
“Then take care,” Ruby said. She reached into a pocket and pulled out a small bag. Her hand reached inside it and removed several coins. Their shine reflected in the eyes of the swines. Four eyes tracked each coin with fervor, and their hands reached out before Ruby was done counting them out. Just before she could hand them over, there was the sound of a large cough. It was from the man in the corner, who had been silent until now.
Ruby looked at him for a moment as he stood up and started walking over to them. He didn’t walk fully upright, and swayed from side to side.
