The town they arrived in late that afternoon was bustling with activity as residents and travelers prepared for the next scheduled departure into the Alta Pass. A large caravan was exiting the Pass as they arrived, and there was much activity centered around the event. Paxton, clearly experienced in how to navigate the crowds and the process of traveling through the Pass, turned the wagon off the wide main street of the busy town, taking a right-hand street where the people moving about were much less hurried. Paxton drove the wagon into what appeared to be a stable yard where six other wagons loaded with goods stood to one side and the horses expected to pull them rested calmly in corrals partially covered by roofs to provide shelter in poor weather. Five men in matching blue uniforms, which included hats with wide rims to block the sun and swords hanging at their waists, stood with the wagons apparently as guards. Paxton didn't speak as he maneuvered the wagon, backing it into place beside the others. Two boys in livery similar to what the guards wore approached and at Paxton's nod began unhitching the horses from the wagon.

"We'll stay here for the night and depart tomorrow," Paxton finally explained as he stepped down from the wagon. "The guards will keep the wagons and your father's goods safe. That's why your father pays for the use of this inn."

"Are there guards in the Pass?" Thallian asked.

Paxton nodded. "There is a fee to enter the Pass. That pays for the guards who will accompany us. It still costs money to stay at the waystations, but we will stay there because a night's board is included in the prices your father charges for the cheese. So long as business stays profitable, I won't need to sleep in the wagon like the others who can't afford the waystations. They do keep their prices as low as they can, but feeding and entertaining travelers regularly can't be done for nothing."

Thallian supposed that was true. His father certainly wasn't offering to supply the waystations with cheese to feed their guests for free, after all.

As the horses were unharnessed and led away, Paxton greeted the guard who approached them. The guard asked their names and the contents of the wagon, then looked inside the wagon and nodded to himself. He took a piece of chalk and wrote a large "7" on each side of the wagon, then handed Thallian and Paxton each a card bearing the same number before bidding them good day.

"The guards expect us to identify ourselves as belonging to the wagon when we return to it," Paxton explained. "It ensures they prevent any possible thefts whenever they can."

Thallian slipped the card into the pocket of his light traveling coat and took his bag from the wagon to follow Paxton to the inn. There Paxton secured their room, which only contained one bed, though it was large enough for two.

"If you don't wish to share, I will take the floor," Paxton told him.

Thallian shook his head. "I can take the floor."

"Nonsense," Paxton argued. "We share or I sleep on the floor. But we can decide tonight. I thought I would show you about the town, first. If you're going off on your own it's best to have some idea of how to navigate the urban centers."

Thallian set his bag on the floor near where Paxton had set his. "I would like that," he said honestly. 

Paxton nodded and led him from the room. "If you take an inn, always remember which room is yours," he explained. "Many label their doors for ease of directing customers, and it will usually be a number because not everyone can read, but sometimes single letters are used." He held up the key he'd been given when they had arrived. "The key will usually have the number or letter on it, again because some people can't read and may not know what a letter is without something to compare it to. Always lock your door, even if you're in the room and awake. It is safe here, but in some places it may not be so and being robbed is always a possibility. Most inns will also have areas where you can sit to eat or drink and enjoy entertainment or conversation."

As he said this, they entered the main room of the inn, which they had only passed through to acquire their key. It was filled with tables and chairs, the stone floor strewn with rushes. There was a counter at one end where a man was leaning and talking to a busty woman behind it. He had a mug in one hand, which he drank from while she laughed at something he'd said. Three men sat by the low hearthfire playing a game of cards, each with their own drinks and plates of half-finished food. Another man sat in a corner with a candle and a book, smoking a pipe as he read. A second busty woman was weaving through the tables lighting the hanging lanterns about the room to ward off the growing afternoon shadows.

"It will get busier this evening," Paxton explained. "The evenings are especially busy in any inn. Make certain you ask when you take an inn if meals are included with your room. Some less than honest innkeepers won't be upfront that they are extra expenses until you ask. You never want to be surprised at your bill, because they will do everything to squeeze money from you."

"Is it better to sleep on the ground outside then?" Thallian asked, wary of all the warnings Paxton was giving him about inns.

Paxton shook his head. "I would only do so as a last resort. Though inns contain some risks, if you have no traveling companion or weapon, sleeping outside leaves you open to much more brazen robbery. We'll discuss how to keep yourself safe on the road later. Come, let's take that walk before it grows dark."