A Dead God's Tear (The Netherwalker Trilogy) by Leighmon Eisenhardt

lithe form.
    He had never heard of a wyvrr, and he found himself wanting to know more about this incarnation of his dreams. He was half tempted to go back and ask for him tonight from Fredalyn. Shaking his head at his eagerness, he decided to focus on what he didn't have. But that could come for tomorrow. Right now, despite wanting to go home, he figured it’d be a decent choice to see what exactly that woman from the Academy wanted.
    He stopped a few people and asked for directions to the Dragon's Roost Inn. Most didn't know the place, but he finally found a young man who did. It was in an obscure part of town, where he didn't venture often, which would explain why he never heard of the establishment. He thanked the young man with a silver coin and walked briskly through the now chilly night air, pulling his cloak tighter around himself.
    The sign outside was hard to read, and the coldness of the night did little to prompt a careful investigation. He pushed open the door. A wave of heat assailed him as he s trolled into a well lit room that held several tables, some still occupied with guests finishing up their supper.
    He didn't see the Mage, so he walked over to a nearby drudge that was clearing off a table. "Excuse me, can you direct me to somebody who can help me find a friend who is staying here?” His cheeks still stung from the chill outside, and he was thankful for the well heated inn.
    The women took one look at his fine clothing, which despite being worn all day, still indicated that he was a very weal thy person and he was addressing her. Words caught in her throat, she was obviously not used to people speaking her. The girl meekly indicated a man who was just coming down the stairs. He was a tall, thin, balding man with a thick black mustache, ruddy complexion, and a scowl that seemed at home on his face.  "I swear, never before had seen such a pompous, arrogant, rude, overbearing. . . " he grumbled audibly. Noticing Marcius watching him, he briskly made his way past the tables, as drudges scurried out of his path like the wake of a ship.
    "Can I help you, good sir?"
    "Aye, I'm looking for a friend of mine. She goes by the name of Alicia. She’s staying at this inn, I believe."
    At the mention of her name, the man's features darkened and a scowl crept over h is face. Well, and Marcius had to chuckle inwardly at this, it seemed like he did know the woman. "Why yes I do, she has been a rather pleasant," he stressed the word through clenched teeth, "addition to our roster. Her opinions on how to run an inn are most appreciated. May I get a name for when she asks who is looking for her?"
    "Tell her Marcius Realure has come to talk with her."
    The man gave Marcius a rather incredulous look, "Talk. . . right. Whatever goes on behind those doors is your business, sire, but please remember my inn has a reputation to uphold." At that, he briskly climbed the stairs two at a time to deliver the message.
    The implications of his visit finally dawned on Marcius. He was a young man, visiting a young woman ’s room in the dead of night. He could hear the gossip being whispered among the upper class nobles.
    "Excuse me, sir." Somehow the innkeeper had snuck up on him. "Her room is the second door on the right. Have fun, I hope she ’s worth it." Before an indignant Marcius could respond, the innkeeper had turned around to direct a few wayward drudges.
    He decided to give up explaining himself and instead hurried up the stairs. Several flickering candles illuminated the empty hallway as his steps echoed with each plodding step, until he stopped at the second door. Why was he feeling so nervous ?
    He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, as he knocked.
    The door swung open and Marcius lost his coherent thought. It was Alicia, her curly bronze hair spilling to the small of her back, wearing a sheer black shift. One of the straps had fallen to the edge of her beautifully pale shoulder and there was a tad too much leg