Just as the innkeeper was about to reply, one of the travelers spoke up. “Hush, I just heard a strange noise in the courtyard.” His fellow travelers inclined their ears toward him. “A kind of a clanking, it was. Like iron shackles.”
The innkeeper drew back in fright. “The spies are everywhere. They seek to ruin our town. Quick – tell me where you spent last night.”
“We spent the night in the fields, but were in Michaelovets not a few days ago.” A man with a shaky voice spoke up. “We started out in Poruba weeks ago.” He sighed. “It has been difficult to leave our families behind, but if we do not accomplish our mission, they will all perish anyhow.”
The innkeeper thought a second. “It is not safe for you here. I will have to hide you. If what you heard what I fear it is, the soldiers are coming and none of us will be safe if they find travelers such as you here.” He urged them to finish their drinks quickly and then beckoned them to follow him into a dark entrance in the back wall of the inn.