The innkeeper began to answer Sabu, gesturing around the side of the building. "The stables..." But between Michi urging her to share her troubles, and Sayomi revealing both sigil and sheathed blade, the old woman blanched, all but fell to her knees, and caught the sleeve of the Crane's kimono in supplication. "Please," she implored, her voice falling to a hoarse whisper. "This is all I have. They'll destroy it. I beg you, lords, ladies -- please let them be."<br/><br/>Chi flattened his ears back against his head and growled ominously as he sniffed the air that slipped out of the inn and into the rain. Tsuke had seen that reaction before, when the wolf sensed potential threats. These particular threats, though, appeared to be calling for more rice wine: "Woman!" came an insistent, if somewhat slurred, bellow from within. "We require more sake!" Another, different voice followed it. "What's taking so long? Who's that at the door?"<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>