Chapter 6

Rey dismounted his horse and hurried inside the tavern. He elbowed his way past the people who were drinking and created a path to the innkeeper. The innkeeper was standing at the end of the room, writing down people’s names as they came to book a room. He was a slimy-looking fellow, wearing a fake smile and sweating and rubbing his hands together as he counted their coins.

As Rey approached, the man raised his head, a wide smile on his lips, and asked, “How may I assist you, gentleman?” The man paused and focused his attention on Rey when he heard no response from him. “Did you need a room, sir?” he asked again. “Should I get you a stripper to handle you throughout the night?”

Rey shook his head to signify that he didn’t need anything the man asked for and walked closer to him to avoid raising his voice and attracting unwanted attention to himself.

“I’m looking for a group of bandits that came from Isengard,” Rey whispered. “I was told that they were seen here a f