A stable lad

Janno quickly grabbed a robe and donned while his two new companions stayed in bed, cuddling with each other.

Marching to the door, he made sure to open just a crack so he could peer outside without having to reveal what had been happening in the room. It was a young boy that Janno recognized as one of the stable lads.

"Yes, young man, what can I do for you?" Janno said, a bit formally.

"Mister, are you named Janno?" the boy asked. Janno nodded.

"There's a person down at the stables, well, he's probably in the common room right now," the boy said. "He's looking for you. Says that he is interested in joining your group. He paid me a couple of coppers to deliver a message to say that he's waiting for you downstairs."

Another potential party member. Good news in Janno's mind. A part of him hoped that the new man wouldn't care about the two women in the group, at least not as potential bedmates. Already Janno was feeling protective of Bella and Gloria, a part of him not wanting to share them. But, at the same time, he knew that was a stupid thought and if this person would help fortify the group, he should check him out.

"What is this man's name," Janno asked.

"He didn't give one," the lad replied. "He's wrapped in a dark brown cloak wearing a hood and a hankerchief, or something like that, over his mouth. I saw a knife hanging from his belt. Wears all brown, leather jerkin, pants, boots and all. Said that he's the one who will have a bracelet on his right wrist, a bracelet that looks like two big, long snakes entwined together. Please me, mister, he won't be hard to spot."

Janno nodded at this. Sounds like a rogue, a thief, judging from the description. Janno had no compunction about working with those types - as long as they didn't steal from the party. Since there was a fighter, a cleric and a wizards already in the group, a thief would add a bit more versatility to the group.

"My thanks, young man, what is your name?" Janno asked.

"Gordo, sir," the lad answered.

"Well, Gordo," Janno said. "I'll make sure that I'll put in a good word with the innkeeper for you. And later, perhaps, I'll add a few coins myself as payment for getting the message to me."

Gordo beamed at this. "My thanks, sir."

"I'll go down and meet this bracelet-wearing hood shortly if you could pass the word back toward him," Janno said. "Let me get properly attired and take care of a few things first."

"Of course, sir," Gordo said. "I'll go down and find him right now. Thanks."

With that, he darted down the hallway toward the stairs that led down to the common room. Janno turned back and saw his two female companions were still cuddling and even sharing soft kisses. Bella's hand was busy brushing through Ariel's hair. It looked as if they hadn't even noticed what Janno had been doing or saying.

"Ladies, there is another potential party member waiting downstairs," Janno said. "I am going to go down and talk with him and see how he is. If things go well, our party numbers could swell again."

"He?" Bella asked. At this, she turned over and looked at Janno with a curious expression. "Another man in the group. Perhaps another man Ariel and I can share with each other."

Ariel giggled at that and Janno gave a sigh. He knew this arrangement had been too good to last. Bella smiled at the fighter. "Of course, we can't lapse in our duties toward you, our leader."

"I appreciate that," Janno said wryly. Well, if they were a better party because of a new addition, so be it. Janno started to grab some of his clothing and began his preparations to don himself in armor in order to look presentable to this possible new companion.