[Child of the 7th Age]

Catching a glimpse of the Dragon around the next bend, Stoatie ordered two of the men to stay behind with the horses, hiding in a grove of oaks that grew just off the main pathway. Then he and Shifty carefully crept up behind a thick hedge that led to the rear of the Inn.

Everything was strangely quiet. Much too quiet. They had not spied a single hobbit out on the road or even heard any voices coming from inside.

"What ya make of it? Maybe they is expectin' us." Shifty's voice sounded troubled.

"Dunno. But I'm gonna try somethin'. You wait 'ere."

Stoatie trotted to the back gate. Last time, he'd pried off a rear basement window and snuck into the Inn that way. Peering out in all directions and seeing absolutely no one in sight, he darted in and out of the bushes until he'd made his way to the front steps of the Inn. With a boldness that was surprising, the henchman grabbed hold of the knob and tried to turn it, ready to bolt in another direction if someone's face appeared too near the threshold.

To Stoatie's complete surprise, the door handle refused to budge. What kind of Inn was this? Every Inn he'd visited had kept their front door open for customers or at least left a doorkeeper to screen people at the gate. Stoatie glanced up and noticed a piece of paper tacked up beside the door with some handwriting scribbled on it. With one jerk, he yanked the sheet down and stuffed it inside his pocket.

Just then, from down the road came an omenous sound, the steady clip-clop of trotting ponies as a band of weary travellers approached the Inn. Glancing around and finding nowhere close to hide, Stoatie made for a nearby tree and slung his body into the lower branches so that the thick greenery completely shielded him from view, especially since it was dark and foggy.

Stoatie watched and listened carefully as one of the hobbits bounded up the steps and impatiently knocked on the door waiting for someone to answer. Then one of his companions hastily called out, "Oh, I forgot. Remember what the Innkeeper in Frogmorton told us. The Dragon's closed for the afternoon and evening. Something about folk going to a party. Strange that they didn't even post a notice. We'll have to seek lodging in the Ivy Bush."

With that the travellers continued down the roadway.

[ June 23, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]