The barbarian, with a girl on each hip.

Janno looked up from his ale to see the door swing open. Into the room strode a big, tall man with an axe on his back and a girl on each hip. The girls blinked and giggled as they entered the inn.

The girls were barefoot, with the cloaks and short dresses of shepherdesses. One was a tall redhead who carried the telltale crook-ended stick of her trade, and the other was a somewhat shorter, stockier brunette. Janno could see that the taller girl had strands of hay in her long red hair, while the shorter one had grass stains on her knees. The girls laughed as the big man took turns squeezing each one against him.

"Dinner and ale for three!" the big man called out.

Janno figured he'd better approach now before the barbarian got too preoccupied.

"Let me stand you your first round!" Janno called, stepping up. He nodded to the innkeeper.

"Who might you be, warrior?" the big man asked. Janno could feel the man's eyes on him, sizing him up.

"I am Janno, warrior and leader of an adventuring party. We are looking for another warrior to join us."

"Huh," the big man grunted. "I am Leif the Mighty. But it's no time to talk fighting and adventuring now!" He squeezed the redhead, who giggled. "Talk to me in a few days."

"I heard you were looking for a room," Janno said. "I would be happy to pay for your room tonight if you could talk."

"Ah, that's different!" Leif said. He squeezed the brunette and whispered in her ear.

Janno paid for the room that had just opened up, and he and Leif talked adventuring. Leif talked big, but he had size, muscles, and scars that testified to his experience. They agreed to do some sparring tomorrow to test each other out. It turned out the redheaded shepherdess was named Eileen and the brunette was Betsy. From time to time they giggled and whispered to Leif, and he whispered back. Janno decided to get plum tart as a treat, and the girls gobbled it down with delight, while Leif made a quick mouthful of it.

"Let's make it an early night," Leif said. He waved down the innkeeper to get a bottle to take to his room. As he opened the door, he asked Janno, "Care to join us, warrior? The girls were asking to put you to the test."