"The house you see is Kernuun's Antler, and I am Dildahl, keeper of the house, which I maintain for the Arch-druids on their peregrinations out to the sacred places. Still, if wayfarers are prepared to pay my charges, I will extend them very comfortable facilities."
"What might be the order of these charges? Are they dear or modest? It is well to know such things in advance."
"All in all, my charges are fair. They vary from item to item, as might be expected. Lodging for the two of you in a private chamber equipped with pallets of clean straw and ewers of fresh water, I value at two copper pennies. A supper of lentils and bread, with a breakfast of porridge will cost another penny. Other dishes command higher prices. I serve excellent quail, four to the spit, for two copper pennies. A generous cut off a haunch of venison, with barley, currants, apples and nuts, is valued similarly. Fish is sold according to the season and the supply."
"I have heard that certain of your charges are exorbitant," said Aillas. "Still, these quotations are not unreasonable."
"In this regard you must make your own assessment. In the past I have been victimized by swindlers and impoverished guttricks, so I have learned to protect myself from indigence." Dildahl lifted his basket of fish. "Will I expect you then at the Antler?"
"I must consider the contents of my wallet," said Aillas. "I am not by any means a wealthy Arch-druid, to whom a handful of coppers as like an equal number of acorns."
Dildahl appraised the horses. "Still, you ride sound and valuable steeds."
"Ah, but these horses are all of value that I own."
Dildahl shrugged and departed.
IV
BY THE TIME AILLAS COMPLETED HIS TRANSACTIONS along the lakeshore the time was late afternoon. All wind had left the sky; the lake lay flat as a mirror, with each of the islands reflected in duplicate below.
After considering sky, lake and landscape, Aillas told Tatzeclass="underline" "It seems that we must entrust ourselves to the mercies of the voracious Dildahl, Restraint may be necessary, since I carry no large store of coins on my person. What of you?"
"I have nothing."
"With ordinary caution, we should fare well enough, even though there is something about Dildahl which arouses my distrust."
The two presented themselves to the common room of Kernuun's Antler, where Dildahl, now attired in a white apron and a white cap which to some extent confined his long black locks, seemed gratified to see them. "For a time I thought that you had decided to proceed on your way."
"We transacted a trifle of business, and then remembered the comforts of the Antler. Hence, you see us now."
"So be it! I can offer a suite of rooms customarily occupied by the most august of the druids, complete with baths of warm water and soap of olive oil, should you feel inclined to a measure of luxury—"
"Still at a cost of two copper pennies? If so—"
"There is a substantial difference in the rate," said Dildahl.
Aillas felt in his wallet and rattled the few coins which he found there. "We must moderate our desires to our means. I would not wish to lodge and dine like a priest and then find myself embarrassed when it came time to pay the tally."
Dildahl said: "In this regard, I usually insist that unreferenced guests post a declaration of surety with me, just precisely to avoid any awkward dilemmas. Please sign this paper." So saying, Dildahl tendered a sheet of good parchment inscribed in a fine hand with the notification:
Be It Hereby Known That I, the undersigned, now propose to take food and lodging for myself and my entourage at this inn known as Kernuun's Antler, of which the Honourable Dildahl is the landlord. I agree to pay the proper and designated charges for chamberage, and also for such, food and drink as may be consumed by me and my entourage. As surety for the payment of these charges, I offer those horses now in my possession, together with their saddles, bridles, and other furniture. If I do not pay the charges stipulated on the account rendered by Dildahl said horses and adjuncts become the property of Dildahl in fee whole and simple.
Aillas frowned. "This declaration has a somewhat menacing tone."
"It could alarm only a person who planned to avoid payment of his debt. Are you this sort of person? If so, I have no interest in placing before you the goods of my kitchen and the comforts of my rooms."
"That is fairly said," remarked Aillas. "However, I could not sleep well unless I added a small proviso. Give me your pen."
"What do you intend to write?" demanded Dildahl in suspicion.
"You shall see." Aillas inscribed an addendum:
This document should not be held to encompass the clothes worn by Aillas and his companion, nor their weapons, personal effects, ornaments, wine-sacks, keepsakes or other possessions. Aillas of Trotcinet Dildahl scrutinized the addendum, shrugged, and placed the parchment under the counter. "Come; I will show you to your chamber."
Dildahl took them to a pair of large pleasant rooms with windows overlooking the lake, and a separate bathroom. Aillas asked: "For these rooms the charge is two pennies?"
"Of course not!" declared Dildahl in astonishment. "I understood that you wished to test the luxury of the Antler!"
"Only at a price of two pennies."
Dildahl scowled. "The cheap chamber is dank, and furthermore is not ready."
"Dildahl, if you wish to hold me to payment of my account, then I must hold you to the charges quoted by you."
"Bah!" muttered Dildahl, drooping his loose lower lip to show a purple maw. "For my own convenience, you may occupy these rooms for three pennies."
"Please render that quotation in writing, here and now, to avoid later misunderstanding." Then, as he watched Dildahl writing: "No, no! Not three pennies apiece! Three pennies in total!"
"You are a troublesome guest," muttered Dildahl. "There is little profit in serving such as you."
"A man can spend only what he can afford! If he overreaches, he loses his horses!"
Dildahl only grunted. "When will you dine?"
"As soon as we freshen ourselves in this convenient bath."
"For such a price, I include no hot water."
"Ah well! Since we have incurred your displeasure, cold water must be our lot!"
Dildahl turned away. "It is only your petty frugality which I find reprehensible."
"I hope you will instruct us in the ways of open-handed bounty when we take our supper."
"We shall see," said Dildahl.
At supper the two sat alone in the common room except for a pair of brown-cloaked druids bending low over their food in a corner of the room. They finished their meal and came to the counter to pay the score. Aillas strolled across the room and stood by as each laid down a copper penny and departed.
Dildahl was somewhat annoyed by Aillas' proximity to the transaction. "Well then? What will you eat?"
"What is on your board tonight?"
"The lentil soup is burned, and is off."
"The druids appeared to be eating fine brown trout. You may fry us a pair of these, with a salad of cress and garden stuff. What were the druids eating in their side dish?"
"That was my specialty: crayfish tails with eggs and mustard."
"You may also serve us such a side dish, with some good bread and butter, and perhaps a fruit conserve."
Dildahl bowed. "At your order. Will you drink wine?"
"You may bring us a flask of whatever wine you deem a good value for the price, but at all times, please keep our parsimony in mind. We are as niggardly as druids."
Aillas and Tatzel were served a dinner with which they could find no fault and Dildahl seemed almost civil. Tatzel eyed him with foreboding. "He seems to be making a large number of marks on his board."