It was 8 o'clock in the evening, and unlike bustling inns in town centers, the Passage Inn—nestled along a quiet, well-traveled road—was calm at this hour. Most of the patrons had either turned in for the night to their rooms upstairs or had already headed back on the road. The atmosphere was calm, with the usual tavern clatter reduced to the soft shuffle of Pip and her boss tending to the place.
"Boss, you clean up the tables; I'll clear the bar," Pip called out, her voice carrying over the quiet. The orc gave her a nod and a thumbs-up before lumbering over to wipe down the empty tables. Pip set to work, swiping a damp cloth across the bar top, gathering scattered glasses and tankards onto a tray to bring to the kitchen.
The rhythmic clinks of glass were interrupted by the distant sound of galloping hooves. Pip's head snapped toward the window. She caught a glimpse of two figures dismounting their horses and hitching them outside. Moments later, the door swung open, and they stepped inside. "Looks decent enough," one of them said, his voice gruff but casual. He was a large man with blond hair and stubble covering his strong jawline. His green eyes scanned the room, taking in the modest surroundings. Dressed in a long leather coat and travel-worn pants, he carried the unmistakable aura of a seasoned traveler. A massive greataxe rested on his back, its weight seeming effortless on him. The most distinguishing feature about him, however, were the small pair of tusks that extended just barely above his upper lip.—like those of an orc, except his skin was pale, far from the green or desert-brown typical of orcs. He was a half-orc most likely, which were rare to see.
"Let's sit there," the half-orc muttered to his companion, his voice low and gravelly as he pointed toward a vacant table in the corner. The second figure beside him was smaller, hooded, and much more elusive. Pip couldn't make out her face, but from her build and the way she carried herself, it was clear she was a woman, maybe Pip's height or slightly shorter.
The woman gave a small nod, and they made their way across the room, their boots thudding softly on the wooden floor. As they sat, the half-orc immediately turned toward Pip's boss and called out, "Hey! Bring out your menu!"
The orc boss gave a nod from across the room and began making his way to the bar to grab a menu, but Pip stepped in, gently catching his arm. "I'll take care of this, boss," she said with a quick smile. Her boss grunted in acknowledgment and continued with his task of cleaning the tables. She picked up a menu and put on her best smile as she made her way to the pair.
"Welcome to the Passage Inn," Pip greeted, handing over the menu with a flourish, her voice a little brighter than she felt. "What can I get for you tonight?" Though it was just an inn on the road, she acted as if it were a fine restaurant, a habit she'd picked up from dealing with all sorts of travelers.
The half-orc took the menu from Pip's hand and scanned it quickly. "Bring me a plate of the goat meat," he ordered, his voice flat as he handed it back. "And get a salad for the lady," he added with a nod toward his hooded companion.
Pip, still holding her polite smile, raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't the lady be ordering for herself?" she asked, her tone light but questioning.
The half-orc's demeanor stiffened. "I'm ordering for her. Get going already," he snapped, his hostility rising.
Pip took a small step back, thinking to herself, *Prickly much?* She cast a glance at the hooded woman, curious about her silent demeanor. As the woman raised her head slightly, allowing Pip to catch a glimpse of her face, Pip's breath hitched. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Zee?" she whispered to herself, stunned.
She must have whispered louder than she thought, because the hooded woman visibly twitched at the sound of the name. Her movements were slight, but they didn't escape Pip's notice.
The woman turned, her gaze piercing, and called out in a low voice, "Hey, woman." Pip froze. The woman pushed herself up from the table, her hands pressing down softly, yet there was an unspoken tension in the motion.
"Miss, V—" the half-orc began, but the woman raised a hand, cutting him off with a simple gesture. He fell silent immediately, his lips pressing into a thin line.
The woman moved toward Pip, her steps deliberate. "What name did you just whisper?" she asked, her voice cold, though it was clear she already knew the answer.
Pip's heart pounded. The shock of recognition, mingled with fear, left her unable to speak. The half-orc's face twisted in confusion and suspicion. "What? Did she whisper something about the young miss?" he asked incredulously as he stood up, looming over Pip in an intimidating manner.
At that moment, Pip's boss and a few straggling patrons sensed the escalating tension and began to move toward them, eyes narrowing. The orc tried to step between Pip and the half-orc, but before he could, the hooded woman spoke again.
"Down on your knees."
To everyone's astonishment, including the orc himself, he immediately fell to his knees, as if some unseen force compelled him to obey. It was as if his blood, his very genetic code, resonated with her command, leaving Pip and the other patrons in stunned silence.
"What do you want?" One of the braver patrons, a man with a topknot wearing all black, asked, his hand slowly reaching for his sword. His voice was steady, his body language radiating readiness for conflict.
Pip remained paralyzed, her mind racing. *I'm scared,* she thought, the gravity of the situation pressing down on her. The half-orc bared his tusks, glaring at the man, but the patron didn't flinch, his hand still resting on the hilt of his blade. The hooded woman, however, didn't spare the man more than a brief glance. Her focus was still on Pip.
Slowly, methodically, she raised her hands to her hood, gripping the fabric at the edges. With a deliberate motion, she pulled it back, revealing her face in full—a mirror image of Zee's and, more importantly, her pointed elven ears, which made everyone else except the swordsman take an instinctive step back. Fear creeping into their eyes.
The woman's gaze locked onto Pip's, her expression unreadable as she uttered, "Tell me everything you know about my little sister."