“So, wha’cha ye thinkin’?” asked Gryff.

“I like what I see so far,” replied Aeryn. “What think you, Naathyn?”

“I agree with Aeryn,” the elf said, looking around the spacious apartment. “Extra room would certainly come in handy should we acquire additional talent. I think each of the side rooms could easily sleep six if we set them up with bunked beds, foot lockers, and cupboards. Though a dozen of us would make a small army and make this lovely suite more than crowded.”

“T’would be good t’ have our own rooms. Th’ guild barracks be gettin’ packed.”

“Indeed, my friend. Some of our companions are as vocal at night as during the day.”

Roland laughed at that. “Aye. Tha’ Jarvin done pulled me outta dreamin’ more’n once.”

A knock on the door halted their conversation. Aeryn opened it to a woman, not quite middle-aged, pushing a cart laden with covered dishes.

“Master Teppo arsked me ter bring this in for ye’s. Jes’ push th’ cart ‘n dishes back out t’ th’ hall when ye’s done. I’ll get it back t’ th’ kitchen a’fore we close.”

“Thank you…” Aeryn let the sentence hang, waiting for the woman’s name.

“Beggin’ yer pardon, Cap’n.” The woman blushed and dropped a slight curtsy. “Me name be Mirin. I be Master Teppo’s servin’ wench.”

“Thank you, Mirin. You can call me Aeryn.” She introduced Gryff, Naathyn, and Roland. “We’ll be staying for a few days. I thought it courteous to know your name. I dislike calling you ‘wench’.” She smiled at the woman.

“Thank ye, Cap’n… er, Aeryn.” Mirin gave a shy grin in return. She made brief eye contact with everyone in the room as she left.

“Think she’ll stay on after Teppo leaves?” asked Gryff, eyes on the closed door.

“Maybe,” said Aeryn. “Ask her after you buy it from Teppo.”

“Ye think I should?” he asked.

“Yes,” said Naathyn. “I’m willing to become a silent partner.”

“As am I.”

“An’ me, laddie.”

Tears burned in Gryff’s eyes. No one had ever done as much for him as had these three. They were his family, though not born of blood. These three people were his heart-kin. And he knew that as long as the inn belonged to him, his family would always have a home.

A light knock on the door brought their attention back to the present. Naathyn answered, and Teppo entered. A bottle of wine and five glasses on a tray filled his hands. He took the platter from the old man, ushering him into the room. He kicked the door shut behind him, then set the tray on the table.

“Ye decided, ain’t ye.” Teppo made it a statement.

“Aye, Uncle. We talked ‘bout retirin’ someday an’ keepin’ a tavern.” Gryff nodded at his companions as he spoke to Teppo. “I’m jus’ gonna settle sooner than later’s all.”

Teppo sagged in his chair, “thank ye, laddie. Yer Auntie Breda’d be proud o’ ye. She allus said ye ‘ad a good ‘eart, she did.”

They discussed the details of turning the inn over to Gryff. They would have to get Teppo’s mark with city officials to ensure no one said Gryff tried to steal the property from the old man. No; Gryff and Teppo would go to the mayor’s office to make sure everything was legal.

At noon the next day, the placard identifying The Stained Stein came down, and the doors locked. Two tendays later, a sign bearing the words ‘Gryffin’s Garrett’ surrounding a flying gryphon went up.

(to be continued)