Four More Guests

Four travellers came into the Crooked Lantern with soaked cloaks and asked for food. Pavri had already counted the empty places: there were two. Varsi, the young dark-haired courier who had arrived shortly before with a message, shifted along without being asked. Depa pulled over two chairs from beside the fire, and Pavri brought a bench closer. “You'll have to squeeze together,” she announced. One of the women asked, “Shouldn't we pay less if we're packed in like this?” “I'll bring you four full bowls,” Pavri replied. “The closeness is free.” Meanwhile, Varsi's message was dry: she had kept it beneath her clothing for the entire journey. Pavri put it behind the counter without opening it. She knew how to care for guests without claiming the right to read their correspondence as well. The envelope remained behind the counter, dry and untouched.