Page 4 of Bloody Business

It was weird washing another adult, but she made quick work of it.He had a lot of scars to go with the new damage.Despite being green, he wasn't slimy, once she washed the mud off, and she was grateful.

Since he was unconscious, she didn't worry about being gentle.It was much quicker that way.No point in dragging things out.

He was cold, but that was to be expected.The warm room would soon take care of that.

After most of the blood and grit was cleaned off, she asked the innkeeper about a fresh set of sheets.

“It'll cost you, the harried innkeeper said.“The laundress doesn't work for free.”He frowned and said belatedly, “We have soap, but that's also extra.”

“I brought my own, thanks,” Julep said stoically.Looking around, she could believe that this place didn't believe in free soap.

She bribed the stable hand to help her change the stinky sheets.

“He's too heavy to move.We'll never get him back on the bed,” the lanky teen complained as they assessed the situation.

Julep had thought about that as she cleaned the goblin up.“Just shift him over to the side.You know, pull the blankets until he's on that half.I'll put the sheets on this half, and then we'll shift him back over.”

“Heavy beggar,” the boy complained.“If the sheets tear, I'm not paying for them!”

“Fine.Now pull!”The rough sheets proved to be sturdy, thankfully.She didn't need to incur more expenses.She didn't have a lot of small coins left.Flashing gold in a place like this would be a bad idea.

She fetched more warm water so she could wash (the stink was embedded in her hands), and then had to get tea and food herself.She wove through the noisy, crowded front room, grateful she'd snagged the last private room.It was a busy road and the landslide had backed traffic up.The complaints were loud, but most people seemed sympathetic.

The innkeeper was determined but swamped.He threw together a wooden tray with a big bowl of lamb's head chili and cornbread for her.She might have to personally carry it to her room, but at least he didn't skimp on portions.“Just fill the teapot with some hot water and grab the tea things.Yes, those.”

“Might want to stay in your room till morning.Rough crowd tonight.”

“Thanks.Planned to,” she confirmed.

A few customers mistook her for a maid, and she was quite rude in her response.The man who slapped her butt was lucky she didn't dump her food all over him.Fortunately for him, she was starving.

The iron teapot would have made a great weapon, she thought wistfully as she kicked her door shut and barred it.Unfortunately, she didn't need to be involved in a brawl.She would lose.

The goblin was finally awake, although he looked confused.As well he should.Waking up naked and battered with a stranger would disturb even a goblin.

“Where are we?”

“We made it to the inn.Barely,” she muttered.They'd just beat the hail.

There was no furniture other than the bed, so she sat down on the rag rug before the fire and started eating.She'd done nothing but wait on him for hours, so he could wait and eat when she was done.It wouldn't take her long, she was bolting it down so quickly.

While she was at it, she brewed a medicinal tea for him.It was her personal blend, and it would blunt the pain considerably.

Lightning lit the room and a long roll of thunder rattled the walls.

“You found a doctor?”he asked, touching a bandage.

She poured the tea through the little strainer, stirred in a generous spoonful of honey, brought him a cup, and then realized she needed to prop him up.

She sighed in aggravation, set the tea on the floor and used her bag of clothes as a prop; there was only one thin pillow.Nursing was so much work!

She handed him the cup.“Unfortunately, Iamthe doctor.It probably means you're going to die.”

He choked on his tea.

“Sorry about that,” she said sheepishly.“Bad timing.”

“You sounded just like a goblin doctor.It was funny.”He made a face at the tea.

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