When we finally arrived in Crimsonville, I was aching to see if we had caught up with Elijah’s caravan. But, as Sandor had foretold, we were early. That or, a prospect that I didn’t even want to enter my mind but couldn’t stop invading my thoughts, making my stomach turn and my nerves tremble: something had happened to them along the way.

No one but me dreaded this doom scenario, so I made myself get over it and pretend that I wasn’t feeling the constant urge to ride towards the sunset in the hopes of finding them earlier. When Sandor tossed Joseph a small bag of coin, with the request to book us some rooms in the inn while he went to collect the bounty for taking care of the bandits, I snapped out of it. For I realised I finally had the chance to pay back these men for the fact they had literally saved my life.

I did not presume that what I was planning could even begin to cover the debt I owed them, but it was a start at least. Also, I needed to make myself useful. My ego was bruised and battered through the hardships of the past days, and I was aching for an opportunity to show my worth. This was it.

“Don’t give him the money yet.” I told Joseph, as I entered the inn alongside him.

As if I had not just spent four days on horseback, I gallantly strutted towards the jolly looking innkeeper, and gave him my most radiant smile.

“Surprise!” I beamed at him.

“Should I know you?” the big man looked at me, his bushy eyebrows raised.

“Prince Vivace, at your service.” I told him, taking my feathered fedora off and adding a small bow.

His eyes widened, as confusion flashed over his face, making his eyes run all over the places: glancing at me, at Joseph, then rolling upwards in thought, as if looking to find answers inside his own skull, before turning back to me again.

“I… I didn’t know you were coming.” He finally stammered.

“Ugh, I KNOW, right?” I sighed, leaning against the bar as I ran my hand through over my braid in exasperation. “My manager forgot to send word, before he went off on some personal errand, and now the whole tour is a complete mess…” I lamented.

“By the Gods, what a waste… If I had only known the great Prince Vivace was coming… Oh, my sister would have killed to be here!” He sighed. I couldn’t help but covertly wink at Joseph, who was looking at me as if I had just laid an egg.

“I guess I can get the word out still, but I’m afraid the crowd we’ll be able to gather might not be up to your usual standards…”

“Hm… It guess it can’t be helped…” I sighed, trying my best to look crestfallen.

“Can I do something to make up for the lack of coin, maybe? I’d really appreciate it if you played anyway.” The innkeeper put his hand on my arm as he looked at me pleadingly.

I took a moment in which I pretended to consider, then gave him a reassuring smile. “You know what? I’ll perform. It’s not like you can help it, and I’m here now anyway… But with hardly any revenue to be made, I’d appreciate it if me and my escort could get some food and a bed on the house. Maybe a hot bath, if that’s available? As you can sense, we are in dire need of one.” I quipped.

“Of course! Sure, no problem. You can put the horses in the stable. My nephew Jill will take care of them right away.” He told Joseph with a welcoming smile.

“Actually, we’re eight.” I told him. And, as if on cue, Derrick and Lionel walked in with Gideon, who was persisting in yet another destined to be fruitless attempt to get them to read one of his books.

On Gideon’s insistence I had read one chapter of ‘The destiny of Lady Margaritte’, but the protagonist was the opaque faux-virtuous shy type. Passively longing for the hero, but never making any move that could possibly be perceived as the slightest inclination of affection. Her carnal desires for the young lord of Hammond completely hidden behind a thick curtain of chastity, humility and curtsies, never even daring to look the man in the eye. The plot was razor thin by itself, and one could clearly see the erotic scenes of dubious consent coming from miles away.

Needless to say, not really my cup of tea.

It apparently didn’t suit Derrick’s tastes either. For, as he so eloquently put it: “If it doesn’t have pictures, it’s not gonna do the trick, Giddy!” before casually leaning against the bar next to me. He looked at Joseph for a bit, as if trying to discern why we were standing around like this without booze in our hands.

“Sooo… Eight, you say?” the innkeeper began, as I turned my attention back to him.

I gave a short nod, trying to give no credit to his hesitation. As if it was the most common thing in the world that a minstrel of my renown would travel with his own private army.

“Um er… I can’t give out eight rooms, since we are expecting a caravan. If they arrive overnight… I have to think about my business. You understand?”

I made sure I showed at least a little disappointment on my face, before turning it into a flawless smile, and telling him whole-heartedly that whatever he could manage would do.

What he offered was two four-bed dorms, tendance to our horses, a hot bath, an even hotter plate of food, and drinks on the house. Obviously, I reluctantly agreed, as if this had not been exactly what I was aiming for, then thanked him and inquired about the time I was expected onstage.

We chatted a bit about the logistics, then sealed the deal with a shot of some homemade schnapps he was unjustly very proud of. After which he handed me two keys.  

“I can’t believe the famous Prince Vivace is playing here, in my inn, tonight. Polly is going to be so jealous when she hears… Well, I best go and hide my daughters then.” The innkeeper grinned.

I immediately handed a key to Derrick, who stood blinking sheepishly. “Why would he hide his daughters? You prefer the company of men, don’t you?”

Joseph elbowed him in the ribs. “Shush man, don’t ruin his reputation like that. It’s probably a secret, since it’s not like those tastes are welcomed with the same open mindedness everywhere. Vivian probably spent years trying to build his reputation as a womaniser to cover up the fact that he likes taking it from behind.”

I knew he didn’t mean to be a complete dickwad, but I really wanted to set him straight. I was not particularly proud of my promiscuous reputation, but I did earn it. And it insulted me to have people believe I had fabricated the rumours to cover up a sexual orientation I would in no way have been ashamed of.

“Oh wow, is that why you thought we weren’t compatible, dear Josie?” I smiled sweetly. “I’m sorry, but even though I definitely will not relieve you from your pent-up longing by pleasuring you rectally, your assumptions are erroneous on all accounts. I am attracted to delicate beauty regardless of gender. My soulmate just happens to be the most handsome young man on the continent. But don’t be misled by that little fact. If he’d been a woman, she’d have stolen my heart all the same.”

“What’s he saying?” Derrick looked at Jo with a raised eyebrow.

“That you should be glad he’s taken, otherwise you’d have had some serious competition, Derrick.”

“No Josie, I meant what did he say about your secret longing to be anally stimulated?” Derrick grinned at his colleague, twirling the keyring in his hand. Then managed a wink that was even filthy by my standards, as he marched over to the others before Joseph could formulate a reply.

“Twat.” He finally managed, not clear if it was meant for me or Derrick. Probably both, but his voice had no real malice to it, so it didn’t matter. I just shot him a triumphant smile that said: ‘you’re drinking for free tonight, and you’re very welcome.’