The first impression I get from the place the moment I step in, is that people know what they are doing. The smell of sweat and iron in the air almost makes me gag, I look down to check on Elyn and can see her breathing through her top probably to cope with the smell.
We get more than a few glances of people watching us enter and observing our clothes, or little Elyn who is accompanying me. My first thought is to buy better, more common clothes to fit in.
I notice to one side is a row of counters that vaguely remind me of banks with a teller at regular intervals. To the other is an open bar with another door leading out the back to what I assume is some beer garden. There also seems to be some stairs up to the next floor but with the imposing guards in black armour no one is using the stairs.
I decide the best way to find out information is to ask at the counter and head over to one of the girls stood at the counter. The one I chose was short with long curled auburn hair matching her similarly coloured dark skin and grey eyes who seemed to be on one of the sides attracting less attention, she looked a bit skinnier than the few girls stood in the middle. I start assuming they get paid per commission.
"Hello Sir my name is Loreena, how can I help you today? Are you here to post a request, hire a party or another matter entirely?"
"Um, yes I'm looking for information as well as some kind of map, we got lost on our way to this city and we wish to travel back home."
"Ok sir that would be fine, if you can make a list of the information you require, our guild will try to find it before giving you a price for the information depending on its rarity. As for a map, the most basic one of the nearby area is cheap due to new adventurers collecting their notes over time and handing out their map, but for information further afield you might need to pay more depending on the detail. For the information you asked sir, the total is 4 copper for a copy of the map."
"Yes that will be fine, I would also like to know about the surrounding towns and cities, I forgot to research that before I came to this area. Information such as their names and general direction. I also met a strange woman on my travels who could use magic and dressed in a cloak. I was wondering if anyone here knew of her as she was attacked by a troll just on the road to the west of here. She wasn't hurt but a few of her warriors were."
"Ah yes, the summoner Ilmilmis, we know of her, she recently came to this area, patrolling with some hired mercenaries claiming to 'feel great power at work'. Rumour has it she was being cryptic for taking a holiday of sorts but some think she was studying something in the area. As for the details of surrounding towns and villages, can I ask Sir to join me in a room to the side, we like to keep information we sell a secret to anyone but the customer."
I'm lead into a room at the side, it even has a few flowers in it making the smell bearable, I can hear Elyn slightly gasping for breaths of fresh air.
"Is the little lady alright? We could bring you drinks if that would help sir, we have some tea in the back or some handmade juice should the little lady require something sweeter."
I feel Elyn squeeze my hand as juice is mentioned and ask for juice for her.
"Now Sir, was there any other information a noble like yourself might want before hiring any warriors for travelling back home?"
Startled at her wild guess at my status, I keep drinking the tea till I can calm my mind enough to reply properly.