Another day at the Ragged Maiden. We ain’t really keepin’ tabs here on the chronology of things or how one scene connects to the next. Instead we’re throwin’ a bunch of moments around and tryna make somethin’ outta nothin’. Workin’ all right so far.

Blom and Gack were chattin’ it up in the common room with the former keeping eyes on all the patrons. Autumn Storms bein’ what they were of course, you often had sudden guests tryin’ to escape their ferocity. Never knew who you had on any given day if you weren’t careful with your observations, where they hailed from or what news they brought.

“It’s a rough season we’re in for, I got no qualms making that statement,” Gack was saying as if to suggest they were in the middle of a conversation we just walked in on, which in fact was the case. “Myself, I fear the Autumn crops are in for a tough one.” He deliberately left out which crops because he wasn’t sure which ones grew in this season. He was a farmer but he had lots of things on his mind! He was head of the Commerce Guild for one so let’s ease off Gack a bit for not knowin’ his Autumn crops.

“Aye,” answered Blom who was eager to return to the days of short paragraphs in dialogue-heavy scenes.

“I’ll have to ask some of the farmhands what they think,” continued Gack, taking Blom’s cue.

“I ain’t sayin’ they have the right or wrong of it but the guests here’ve got themselves into a right fury.”

“I’m watchin’ the customers same as you. Somethin’s been a bit off lately.”

Blom nodded as his eyes roamed the common room. He had a full inn tonight and regrettably had to turn some hopeful patrons away this evening. He never liked doin’ that but an inn’s an inn, you can’t conjure rooms outta the air anymore (the Inn Accord of 573 had made sure of that… Blom hated the King’s decrees).

“We were ‘sposed to see Glen show up with the wine tonight but I do be assertin’ that I’m too tired for that clash… mayhap we can do that tomorrow.” He weren’t about to let him in after dark. Glen could wait. Blom stifled a yawn and wiped the dust outta his eyes. He called over to Gramblemberine, one of his serving girls. “Hi! I’m headin’ up for the night. Keep the ale movin’ if it don’t get too rowdy and head on home when you feel it.”