A grumpy Malchus came with heavy steps down from the dormitory to the tavern and made his way to the bar counter, behind which Rose, the innkeeper, was already diligently at work, preparing breakfast for her patrons.
"Hiho! Hihi, you sure aren't a morning person, are you," she remarked with a jolly smile as she served her dowsy guest a steaming cup of strong, dark tea. Malchus took a sip and sighed.
"At least not when I can't get a good night's sleep. You're runnin' a fine tavern 'ere, Rose," Malchus spoke with an almost consoling voice. "Yer drinks are good 'n' yer prices fair. There's always a fire cracklin' inna chimney 'n' ya keep everythin' neat 'n' tidy. But that dorm upstairs... don't cha halfers enjoy sum privacy? Sharin' a room with five strangers is awful! What if sumone wants t' spend the night with sum company? No rooms, no double beds — by Sirani, is this an inn or a monastery?
Even when I'm alone I can hardly sleep; drunken, noisy students bargin' in, people gettin' up t' go t' the latrine inna middle o' the night, travellers checkin' in late, others leavin' before dawn. And who can tell who enters whenever that darn barn door creaks open — is it you, or that drunkard Dion, or a thief who's out for our bags, or an assassin sent to settle a score? And don't get me started on that snoring dwarf who slept last night inna bed next to me! I'm sure un' night he'll lure a dragon 'ere that thinks this awful noise is a mating call. I can't believe others can find restful sleep 'ere."
Having thus vented his frustration for Rose and all other patrons to hear, Malchus emptied his tea cup and slapped some silver coins on the counter.
"There's a lot o' talk 'bout buildin' projects, y'know. Maybe Runewick's council could chip in 'n' help ya upgrade that shabby dorm t' a proper inn, like those inna other towns. That might even attract more, better-payin' guests. Givin' yer inn a memorable name might also help. Cadomyr got the Unicorn Lion Tavern 'n' Lakeshore Inn, Galmair got the Winged Sow Tavern 'n' Sleepy Bujhaar Inn. But what' o' 'Wick? All we got is "the tavern" 'n' "the dormitory". Maybe ya should dub this place the Double-Headed Eagle Inn or sumthin'..."