The town they arrived in was large, full of different stalls and markets. Some selling tonics that supposedly made one more beautiful. Places claiming to cure any sickness or disease a person may have, and there were places selling every food a person could imagine.
Morgianna knew they would need to change their attire before heading to the guild. She had the driver stop in one of the busiest parts of the town. The number of people present would make it easier for them to slip by undetected.
After leaving the carriage they slipped through the crowd looking for a hotel to change in. It would be different than the one they would sleep in as keeping their identities secret was of utmost importance.
With such a large town the number of inns was no small number. Seeing a sign for "cheap" lodging they looked to each other and headed in that direction. The door read "The Sleeping Giant" its wood chipped and worn but still discernable.
Walking through the door a small bell chimed letting the lady behind the counter know a guest had arrived. She was tall for a woman, or rather tall in general. She stood easily 7 foot tall with mousey brown hair. Her height did not make her less attractive, but she had a common beauty, if she were of normal height she would blend into the crowd.
Seeing her height anyone could tell she was of giant blood even if not a full blood. Morgianna could see where the inn got its name.
Walking up to the counter with all the grace of the world Morgianna stared up at the giant of a woman and in her most pleasant voice, "Please if there is a room available I would like to rent it for my guard and me."
The lady looked down seeing such a small girl who could hardly be 3 and a half foot in height. She could see the girl was dressed nicely and even the man behind her was in fine clothes. At the mention of a guard she knew that the lady was a noble. "Young miss, we have only one room available and I'm afraid it is not suited for one such as yourself."
"Any room is fine, I really wish to stay here." Morgianna batted her eyes. She felt like lately, she did it excessively but if it helped the cause she would bat them until it no longer worked.
Fafnir watched from the sides, as a prince he would normally never even enter an establishment such as this. He knew they needed a low profile, and as they would not actually sleep here he couldn't complain.
"The room is too small for a noble lady, and there is no room for your guard... "
Morgianna could not help but start to feel impatient. Turning to Fafnir she held out a hand indicating for her bag to be passed to her. She reaches into the side pulling out 2 silver coins. She knew that by the appearance of the place it wouldn't even cost one to sleep here for the night. She turned and faced the lady putting both coins on the counter between them.
"I am willing to pay this much for that one room. Please rent it to me." She could see the woman about to refuse once again so quickly continued. "Before you say no again, I know this is more than what the room costs, I also know you could use this money for repairs. I will take the room in whatever condition it is, please."
The woman was having a battle in her mind, it is true that they could use that money. With all the newer places that had opened in recent years they did not get as many customers, but she couldn't just allow a noble lady to stay in such a small room, could she?
After several moments of silence, he tension was almost unbearable. The lady sighed clearly feeling as if she was between a rock and a hard place. She could not understand why this young girl would go through such lengths to stay here. "My name is Claudia Bonnet, it is a pleasure to meet you, miss. Dinner is served in the dining room at 7 pm and breakfast is at 7 am. It is included in your stay as well as one use of the bathhouse down the road. Do you need assistance with your bags?"
"No ma'am I think we have it handled!" Morgianna gave her a megawatt smile that could blind. Taking the key that laid on the counter. Claudia just stared wide-eyed, all words escaping her.
As she stood there awestruck Morgianna and Fafnir made their way to their room. Paying no attention to the woman still staring after them.
Once entering the room they immediately locked the door behind them.
Morgianna felt excited thinking of the outfits she had prepared on their journey. As she got older she would make adjustments, she just needed to hide her age for now.
Looking at Fafnir she winked before pulling the outfits out of her space once again. She had not had a chance to show him her hard work as he had been asleep when she finished. She was quite proud of her work, they were the nicest pieces she had ever made.
Passing Fafnir his her happy mood lifted even more seeing his eyes glittered in excitement. "You made this?" His question filled with wonder made her almost happy enough to start jumping in joy.
"Yup! Now hurry go get dressed, I need to prepare myself and then we can head to the guild." With a nod Fafnir slipped out the door using his hearing to avoid anyone who may be outside of their room.
Morgianna set to work making sure she would not be recognized in her outfit. Black hair was a common occurrence, but if anyone saw her eyes it would quickly point someone to her.
After dressing quickly she stood in front of a mirror, for such a bada** outfit she made it look cute. She frowned, cute would not do. How would anyone take her seriously?
As she stood there contemplating she heard a rhythmic knock on the door, a sign that Fafnir had returned.
"Come in." Her voice was so low even she could hardly hear it, but she knew it would not be a problem for his dragon hearing.
Fafnir slipped into the room, hood was already drawn over his head and a mask covering the lower half. Only his eyes peeked out at her. He stood silently waiting for Morgianna to make her move, after all this was her plan.
Without a word she nodded and walked towards him, her steps silent and light. Before arriving they had agreed to use the window when leaving so that they would not be seen. However as they were on the second story he would need to jump while carrying her. She put her hand on their luggage, pulling it into her spacial chamber and then offered that same hand to him so that he may pick her up.
She hated being carried, it was embarrassing. Even if they thought she was just a little girl she knew she wasn't.
After she had been placed securely in his arms she gave one more nod to signal her ready. With a leap they flew from the window, landing gently on the ground as if the wind had gently placed them.
Without releasing his grip Fafnir took off into the night still holding her firmly. She weighed next to nothing, a strong wind could probably blow her away if she weren't careful.
He once again thought that this small girl should not be journeying out to kill someone. Sometimes he forgets her age with how she speaks and carries herself. Her eyes also sometimes hold a sadness that no child should ever have. As if she had seen death already.
With his speed they would arrive at the guild within minutes. He began to slow to a jog and then finally to a walk before stopping completely.
Fafnir finally placed Morgianna on the ground watching as she pulled her hood more firmly over her face. "When we get in there, let me do the talking. I know I will have problems with my height but it won't do us any favors if you speak for me." As she spoke she nodded her head already thinking of a plan to make them accept her. "If someone goes to grab me, do not stop them. I will take care of it."
Fafnir wanted to tell her no, that once he became her guard he could not let some person put his or her hands on her, but he knew she would not listen. She had to be the most stubborn girl he had ever met.
She did not wait for his response, eager to get this first part over with. Turning on her heel she walked into the night straight towards the guild that held some of the strongest people in this area.
The building itself was plain. It was a grey brick that spanned at least 4 stories tall, with no windows. The place only had two entrances from what she had found. The two large wooden doors at the front of the building and then a small metal single door at the rear.
Walking up to the front she took a deep breath readying herself. Then with all her might she pushed the might doors out of her way.
Inside was warm, much warmer than the cool night air at her back. There was a counter directly ahead with a scarred man standing behind it. To his right was a staircase that led to the next floor, a rope keeping just anyone from venturing up there. To his left was what looked like a bar with many tables and chairs scattered throughout. Out of the 9 tables Morgianna counted 7 were occupied with at least 2 men each. The whole room only held 3 women, all of whom seemed to work as a waitress of some sort.
Morgianna kept the people in the bar in her periphery as she walked calmly up to the counter. The scarred man hardly gave her a glance before turning his back and pulling out a sword. At first she felt alarmed, but he did not point it towards her but instead began to polish it.
"I wish to join this establishment." Her voice was level but childish. The man looked at her as if sizing her up.
"This isn't a sewing club. Try one of the other places in town." His voice was gruff as if he had eaten sand before speaking.
"I know exactly what kind of establishment this is. This is the Mercenary guild called The Rose's Thorn and I wish to join it with my companion." As she had been speaking she noticed a couple of guys leave their table and head in her direction. Inside she was smiling but outside she kept her expression blank.
The men weren't even that strong, she had peeked at everyone's stats once she had entered. While most would find them above average, they were not her opponent.
The closest man to her reached out putting his hand on her shoulder. "Little red, I think you should hurry home before the big bad wolf gets ya." His comment made his two friends laugh with mirth.
"And I think you should remove your hand before I remove it for you." She barely turned her head in his direction, not even bothering to give him her full attention. "I will give you to the count of 3."
The man laughed, tears forming in his eyes. "Are ya gonna have your large friend here do something about it?"
"1"
"2"
The man's lips pulled back in a sneer digging his fingers deeper into her shoulder.
"3"
As the word left her mouth she reached up grabbing his wrist with both her hands and flipped the large man over her shoulder. As he slammed into the ground she bent his wrist backwards putting her left boot on his neck.
The whole room was quiet. Every eye turned towards the small girl in red.