Arriving at the southern gate of Myra's Cove a few hours later, Marren turned to the women and said, "you three go on ahead.  Take this road to the end, turn right and go down about a mile, you'll see the Golden Rose Inn, I'll meet you there as soon as I can.  It's the best place in the city, all the higher class merchants and ships captains stay there when they're in town... ... ... and after our green friends 'gift', we might as well enjoy a day or two of luxury before we head out again.  After we leave here, spots of civilization will be few and far between. You'll also find the livery about another quarter mile down that same road"  "How do you know so much about this place, Marren?",  Cailin inquired.  "I grew up around here, Cailin and used to go fishing with my father along the wharves on his days off as a longshoreman.", Marren replied.

"And where are ye gonna be going, lad, that ye can't come with us?", Petra asked the man.  "I'm going to have a chat with the garrison commander and let him know about our run-in with the orcs.  Of course I'll be leaving out a few minor details like the purse and Lyranda's certain talent for dealing with the buggers.",  Marren replied with a mischievous grin,  "and I'll also see if I can get some information about the happenings around town and the outlying area."  After entering the gate the women headed to the inn as Marren suggested while he asked one of the garrisoned soldiers where he could find their commander.  As the soldier pointed the direction towards the garrison command post, Marren thanked him and began trotting off.

When the women arrived at the inn and entered the main lobby, the were amazed by the posh surroundings. After speaking with the innkeeper, Petra secured the women a large room for themselves and a modest, yet spacious room for Marren just down the hall.  After paying for the rooms and tipping the innkeeper to assist them, the women unloaded the group's personal belongings and took them to their respective rooms.  After they had finished, Petra told the other two to stay put as she took the wagon and the horses to the livery and made arrangements for the animals board and storage of the wagon and supplies.

When the dwarf returned, Cailin met her at the door and asked, "What is that strange noise?"  Straining to hear what Cailin was hearing, Petra was perplexed, nothing sounded strange to her, then she realized what it was her young friend was referring to. "Are ye talking about that lapping noise, lass?", Petra asked.  "Yes.. what is causing that?", Cailin inquired.  "That be the sound of the ocean, darlin'... ain't ye never heard the ocean before?', Petra replied.  "No, never", Cailin responded.  "Well then , love, it's time ye broaden your horizons.", looking over at Lyranda, Petra called out, "c'mon Lyranda, it's time we introduce our young friend for the first time to 'Grandmother Sea'."  We'll leave word with the innkeeper that Marren can find us down at the shore."

When Marren arrived at the inn and asked where he might find his companions, the innkeeper told him to look on the beach.  Following the walkway, he found the women at the end looking out over the waters of the cove.  As he greeted them, Petra and Lyranda responded in kind, however Cailin said nothing as she stood trance-like, staring at the waves.  "Are you alright, Cailin?", Marren asked.  As if surprised by his sudden appearance, she responded, "Oh, hello Marren", then motioning toward the gently rolling waves, continued, "it's beautiful."  "Yes it is, my friend", Marren said, "yes it is."

Speaking again, Marren continued, "told the commander about our contact with the raiding party, said he's been getting more and more reports from the area about the orcs.  Seems they're becoming quite active lately. I'll tell you more about that and other things I found out later, any way... this place is renown for it's warm mineral springs baths and we could all use a little relaxing cleaning after today."

Seeing an attendant, Marren called out, "Miss... a moment of your time, please."  Walking toward Marren, the young woman responded, "yes my lord, how may I be of service?"  "Yes my dear, my companions and I require the use of the warm baths, are any available?" ,Marren asked.  "Yes my lord", the woman replied, "I'll have the attendant prepare one for you and your friends immediately."  Just as Cailin was about to say something, Marren spoke, "We will be needing separate facilities, please.", then placing a gold coin into the woman's hand,   "One for the ladies and another for myself, please."

"As you wish my lord, I will arrange for it myself.  If you all will return to your rooms first, you will find a silken robe for each of you to change into before going to the baths.", then with a courtly curtsy, the woman finished  her speech,  "thank you, my lord, my ladies... for allowing me to assist you this day and welcome to the Golden Rose Inn."  At that point, the woman departed to begin the arrangements for the baths.

As the woman departed, Marren quipped, " you know, I could get used to this."  "That makes two of us, lad",  Petra laughed as she slapped Marren on the shoulder.  "Well ladies", Marren continued, "shall we go then?  When you're finished with the bath, have your attendant let me know, we'll then meet in the lobby after we're dressed and head across the road to the Bloated Boar for dinner."  "The Bloated Boar?", Cailin asked.  "Don't let the name fool you, they're the best place in town for food and drink.  Again, ladies... after you, please", Marren said with a laugh and over exaggerated bow.

"There are times when I want to strangle that man and others I want to hug him... he's driving me crazy!", Cailin exclaimed.  "Ah lass, I've felt the same way for the last three years, but he's a good man beneath all that 'assery' and I like the scoundrel for it", Petra replied.  "Petra is right", Lyranda interjected, "though I've only known him two days, the spirits tell me he is a good, honest, loyal and caring man  and that for me is enough."  "I feel deep down he is everything you two say he is, but he's just so... just so... ASSY!", Cailin cried out, "that alone is enough to make me want tell him to leave.  But we need him, his skills are bar none and he can be depended on to do what is asked and needed."  Lyranda then added, "the spirits also tell me he is a man that has known deep personal tragedy and loss, he blames himself for it, though it was no fault of his. I've seen this cause a person's behavior to be less than acceptable, perhaps this is also Marren's way of dealing with the pain.  The spirits also tell me that Marren is more than he appears, but they will not tell me what it is, they tell me it is his burden to either bear or share."  "Thank you and the spirits, Lyranda", Cailin sighed,  "deep down, I guess I like him... but, I still want to strangle the ass sometimes."  And with that, the other women let out a hearty laugh.  "Well, Petra, Lyranda... I'm feeling better, and hungry.  I think it's time to go", Cailin said.  The others agreed and asked the attendant to inform Marren they were heading back to the room, the attendant bowed her head to the trio and left to find Marren.

As Marren sat in the bath, memories of the day began whirling around in his mind.  "Why in the hells did I say that to Cailin?', he thought, "just as things between us were going good, I had to open my stupid mouth and say that.  Back to square one now."  Recalling painful memories of seven years ago, Marren's mind continued to reel, "you finally seem to have found somebody you care about after all this time and you keep doing your damned best to push her away from you.  You my friend, are a damn fool!"  Suddenly Marren heard the sound of the women's laughter and said to himself, "well, that could be a good sign, there may still be some hope."  Soon an attendant arrived and informed Marren that his companions had finished and were heading back to their room to dress.  He thanked the woman for the news, then asked his attendant for a towel to dry himself.  "Would my lord care for some assistance?", the woman asked suggestively, her gaze fixed on Marren's lower torso.  "Uhhh... no thank you, but the offer was not unwelcome", Marren replied with a smile.  As he donned the silken robe to head back to his room, with a smug grin, Marren thought to himself, "perhaps you're a bit more mature than you were a few hours ago, my boy."
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