*Alhara*

ahead of Usima.

Looking around she sees a lovely dining room tastefully decorated in shades of blue and white. There are a number of low tables, each surrounded by plump comfortable looking cushions.

There is a delicious smell wafting from the kitchen that makes Alhara's mouth water.

A man she presumes to be the innkeeper approaches them.

*Inkeeper Ali bin Ifid*

"Welcome! Welcome to our Traveler's Delight Inn!" He greets Usima and Alhara with a warm smile. Then he turns and looks at the bags they are carrying...

"I assume you are looking for a place to stay? Our inn provides the finest rooms, with comfortable beds and safe storage for your things! Oh and of course my Shara (my dearest wife) will provide you with the most wonderful meals!" He pauses for a moment and then he resumes...

"Oh but where are my manners! You both look like you ve been traveling for sometime and you could use some good food! Please be seated so that my Shara may serve you!"

He politely points at a table nearby.

*Alhara*


Alhara thanks the innkeeper and motions Usima towards the nearest table.

"I'm so hungry I could eat a whole saurus," she says, grinning.

"Although I'd better not say that in front of Benedict..."


Alhara seats her self cross-legged on one of the soft blue cushions. "Ahhhh! Much better"

*Usima*

Usima laughs at Alhara's comment and thanks the innkeeper while sitting across Alhara.

"I be very hungry myself - what shall we eat?" he asks.

*Alhara*

"Well, I shall certainly be having some Raseiran coffee.....as for food - perhaps we could ask the innkeeper if he could recommend a dish?"

Alhara signals the innkeeper.

A small Katta maidservant smiles at the innkeeper and says, "We have taste-tested our new Special Dish of the Day - jaguar steaks marinated in verjuice and cooked in a redolent sauce of olives, tomatoes, kuri-kuri, then tossed into batter and coated with sesame seeds and honey, and finally wrapped in fig-glazed palm leaves. I believe it will be a favourite with many!"

*Usima*

Usima stares at the katta in confusion.

"Hmm....Strange food! Mzuri. I be very hungry, lets try it?" He says to Alhara.

Shara, the innkeeper's wife, comes bustling forward, her nose sniffing appreciatively. "It certainly smells good, husband," she comments. "I remember the days you used to find the most exotic dishes for me that could be obtained... Ah, you scallywag...! You are still as adventurous with your tastes as ever. Let us try it indeed! And will our guests be trying the dish?"

*Inkeeper Ali bin Ifid*

"And this is my beloved wife whose cooking you will enjoy in a little while!" He presents his wife proudly and grins.

*Usima*

"Mzuri, good to be meeting you both!" He smiles. "I be trying the special dish then."

*Alhara*


"It sounds delicious," Alhara says. "I'll be glad to try it."


She nods to the innkeeper's wife. "Nice to meet you."


As she bustles off to prepare their meal, Alhara turns to Usima. "So, what is a Simbani warrior doing so far from Tarna?"

*Alhara*

Alhara sizes up the newcomer with an unimpressed raise of her brows.

"Very amusing, I'm sure."


She turns back to Usima. "You were saying...?"

Shara frowns at the newcomer. "Why you say this bad word?" she asks, hands on hips. "This h- word. It is not so long ago that the edicts would have had you in prison for that. It is more relaxed now, but still..."

*Usima*

Usima turns at the newcomer for a moment and eyes him from top to bottom but will not say anything at the moment. Then he turns back to Alhara.

"I came from Tarna to see the lands of Shapeir and Raseir and learn more things and gain experience. I hear from a friend that this be interesting place."

*Alhara*

Alhara, too, is studiously avoiding looking at the stranger.

"Yes, well it is certainly much more friendly than the last time I was here, albeit a long time ago. It still looks much the same as I remember it, though. I'm here to get supplies and to repair my equipment. And to find someone."

She adds this last comment under her breath.

*Usima*

Seen that she obviously doesn't want everyone to hear this, Usima speaks in a low voice too...

"Oh, must be someone important. I hope you find him soon."

*Alhara*

Alhara quickly glances at the Simbani and then back to her food. He must have excellent hearing.

"Dammit!" she thinks. "I didn't want him to hear that - I have to be more careful! Time to make my exit...."

She quickly finishes her food and gulps down her coffee. Ouch! A little bit too hot to be drinking quickly.

"Well, Usima....it's been a pleasure making your acquaintance. Unfortunately I must depart. I hope you enjoy your stay in the city - perhaps we'll meet again."

She stands up. "Farewell."

Alhara walks over to Ali bin Ifid and quietly asks him for directions to the Guild Hall. "My thanks," she murmurs, handing him some coins to pay for the meal. "And thank your wife for her delicious cooking."

Alhara nods to Usima and exits the inn.

*Usima*

Usima looked at the whole scene in surprise. It was obvious that Alhara felt uncomfortable because of his last words. Still he didn't say anything bad to her to explain why she left so quickly.

"That was really strange." He thought

Even though he was curious and wanted to follow her, he remained sitted to finish his meal.

*Usima*

Usima quietly finishes his wonderfully tasty meal and drinks his tea which is equally wonderful. Then he stands up and walks to the innkeeper.

"Thank you for the meal I enjoyed it very much" He smiles. "Do you have any rooms for rent?" He asks.

*Innkeeper Ali bin Ifid*

"Of course! You will find that we have the best rooms in the entire city, all with very soft beds and secure storage that only the residents can open!"

*Usima*

"Mzuri. I will rent a room for myself then."

*Innkeeper Ali bin Ifid*

"Very well! Sign here please." Ali hands the logbook to Usima and points where he has to sign.

*Usima*

Usima sings his name in the book and hands it back to the innkeeper.

*Innkeeper Ali bin Ifid*

"Your room is the last down the corridor upstairs, the one with the best view of the city!" he grins and gives the Simbani warrior his key. "Thank you!"

*Usima*

Usima takes his key and turns around. It looks like Alhara left her bags in her hurry to leave!

"I guess I better take these with me." He smiles and takes the bags upstairs in his room, hoping that Alhara will remember where she left them.

After a few minutes he comes back down and exits the inn.

Next> Forgotten Something