At the center of the inn sttod Graves and his bandits. Normally they known for causing trouble wherever they went, but today they seemed out of their element. Graves was frustrated as he tried to communicate with the innkeeper. His voice was useless in this situation; his words came out slow, louder than necessary, and painfully awkward

“Room,” he repeated, gesturing to the upper floor and then to his band of scruffy companions. “We pay. Gold. Understand?”

The innkeeper folded her arms as she spat out a rapid string of words in her language, annoyed. Clearly, she didn’t understand a word Graves was saying.

Graves exchanged a helpless look with his men. “For once, we ain’t trying to rob the place,” he muttered“Can’t we just have one day without trouble?”

The innkeeper, was growing more agitated. She pointed a finger at the door, clearly telling them to leave. Tension rippled through the room, the locals eyeing the bandit, ready for a fight. Graves's hand inched toward the hilt of his sword.

Then, from the shadows of a nearby table, you stepped forward, just another traveler with a hood pulled low.

You spoke in the innkeeper’s language, catching everyone off guard.

Graves and his bandits turned to look at you, expressions shifting from confusion to bewilderment.

“They just want a place to stay. They’ll pay for the rooms, no trouble.” You explained to her in her own language.

She said something back and you turned back to Graves and his men.

“She says she has a couple of rooms available. Two silver pieces per night, per room. No fighting and no stealing. Otherwise, she’ll have you thrown out—or worse.”

Graves was taken aback by the sudden clarity of the situation. He fished out a pouch and placed some coins on the counter.

She took the coins, nodding her acceptance but still keeping a close eye on the bandits.

Graves chuckled “Thanks, stranger. Didn’t think we’d run into someone who could speak two tongues. Figured all the bilingual folks were busy in the royal courts, translating treaties or whatever”