She went back inside, as Marc came down the ladder.

“Well, the room is finished,” he said. “Now all we need to do is get some tools.”

“I think he has his own,” Frank said.

“Well, that solves that issue,” Marc said. “Now we just need a table, some chairs, and glass for the window.”

“Thank you for helping me with this,” Frank said.

“No problem. Next, we’ll get a smithy started for you so you can make some armour during the day.”

The two left the inn, noting that Jim was in his usual spot, against the wall, boots on the table, and mug in hand.

“I have no idea how that man gets the gold to constantly drink there,” Marc said, as they hitched their new horse to a wagon.

Frank shrugged, climbing into the front seat. Marc picked up the reins and clucked to the old mare. They rode toward town hall, turning onto a side street, and stopping in front of a carpenter store. Frank walked inside while Marc watched the wagon.

“Back again?” the carpenter grinned.

He was an old man, though strong. His 22-year-old son helped the man with his trade, and together they made amazing items.

“I’m looking for a table and a couple of chairs.”

“Is that it? You’ve already cleaned me out of all my beds,” the man snorted.

“You have some basic chairs, right?”

“Of course! What kind of carpenter do you take me for? I even have your table. It’ll cost you five gold in total.”

“What do you say we bring that down to three gold?” Frank smiled.

“Didn’t we already do this dance today?”

“Maybe,” Frank said, scratching an itch on his head. “Fine. Three gold and five silver.”

“Four gold.”

“You’re killing me Ben. Three gold, seven silver.”

“Three gold, nine silver.”

“Deal,” Frank said, pulling the money out of his belt pouch.

“Jason, help him take the furniture to the cart,” Ben said, taking the coins.

The young man picked up a chair in each hand and carried them out to the wagon. He placed them near the front, behind the driver’s seat, then he and Frank carried the table out, placing it upside down in the cart.

“There was a dresser in your shop. The one with the vines carved into it. How much would you want for that?” Frank asked, trying not to stare at the man.

“Father said he wouldn’t sell it for any less than ten gold,” Jason replied.

“That is well worth the price,” Frank said, heading back into the shop.

“You’re still back for more?”

“That dresser over there,” Frank said, pointing. “How much are you selling that for?”

“Ah, my finest work. I can’t seem to find anyone willing to pay the price for it. Twenty gold.”

“Done,” Frank said, not even bothering to haggle.

Ben’s eyebrow rose.

“Is it for some young lady who has caught your eye?” he asked.

“You could say that,” Frank shrugged, handing the gold to the man.

“Hmmm. A young sir perhaps?” the man said with a twinkle in his eye.

“Why would you say that?” Frank asked defensively.

“I didn’t realize your love life was such a touchy subject,” Ben apologised.

Jason helped Frank carry the dresser out to the wagon.

“Thanks for your help,” Frank said. “We’ll be back for the other beds in two weeks.”

“They’ll be ready for you,” Jason smiled.

Frank climbed back onto the seat of the wagon, and Marc drove them back to the inn. Driving around the back of the building, Marc had Frank throw open the double doors he had installed, and the two carried the table into the new room, setting it in the middle. They brought in the chairs and the dresser, and Frank looked at the room, smiling in satisfaction.

They heard a horse whinny, and Frank left Marc to unhook the mare from the wagon as he went around to the front of the inn. He was greeted by the sight of two horses and riders, walking with a wolf at their side.

“Thomas!!!” Frank yelled.

One of the horses broke into a trot, and a minute later, Frank was standing beside Collin, hugging his boyfriend with all the desperation born of lovers having been apart.

“You were gone for so long,” Frank said into Thomas’ shoulder.

“It was only four days,” Thomas protested.

Frank pulled Thomas’ head down, and kissed him.

Pulling away, Thomas said, “I have to put Collin in his stall and get him some food. After that we can spend some time catching up.

Cata sat on his horse, looking uncomfortable. He relaxed slightly as Thomas stepped away from Frank, and the two began heading for the stable.

Frank took the chance to draw up a bath, and scrub himself clean, washing all the dirt from his body. He dressed in a clean outfit and tossed his clothes into a basket to be washed the next day. Then he sat on the new bed, waiting for Thomas to come in.

Thomas ran straight to the bed when he saw it, dropping a rather long tree branch on the floor.

“How did you guys- Who bought this?” he demanded, throwing himself on the straw mattress.

Frank laughed as Garyn imitated his master.

“Marc and I did. We finished off the rest of our gold doing so,” Frank said.

He walked up to Thomas, pulling him to his feet.

“How was the trip?” he asked, kissing the elf.

Thomas’ face darkened.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Frank asked.

“I killed a swarm of rats, and twelve kobolds in an abandoned tower. Cata drank some weird potion, and knocked himself out for six hours, while I was held at knifepoint, and then watched the wielder of the knife die from a spear to the throat,” Thomas said flatly.

“I’m so sorry,” Frank breathed.

“Yeah, well, what’s done is done,” Thomas sighed.

“What is the tree for?” Frank asked.

“Cata’s bow.”

“I got to show you this. Bring your bowyer’s kit and that wood,” Frank said excitedly.

Thomas shrugged and grabbed his bag and the branches. He followed Frank down the stairs, and through the door right beside the staircase.

“I wondered what you had stuck here,” Thomas said, glancing around the near barren room

“Do you like it?”

“It’s… rather empty,” Thomas said.

“Of course it is. You haven’t had time to get all your tools set up,” Frank grinned.

“Wait, this is mine?!” Thomas exclaimed.

Frank nodded.

“I didn’t know what you would need, so I got you a table and a couple of chairs so you can sit while you work.”

“Belvira’s panthers! Frank, this is amazing!”

“Marc helped me build the room. I got you this dresser so you would have a place for your tools. There is a small bucket over in the corner for any finished products, so they aren’t just laying around.”

Thomas threw his arms around Frank, and the two kissed. All of the tension Frank had in his body instantly vanished, as he felt reassured that Thomas still loved him.

“Thank you so much,” Thomas whispered.

“I would do anything for you,” Frank smiled.