"A shame. Twenty years, you say? Would fetch a fine price if you were willing to part with it." He looks wistful. "Less upkeep than a kitten, of course. I'm afraid I'll pass."

He stiffens at Ioane's mouthiness. "Under the bed? You're going to give the poor girl nightmares. Your place is to stand there and do as I say, not put the fear of demons and Venatori and Red Templars and all the other nasties in this world under this girl's bed. Honestly." Was the name drop a little too obvious? But besides demons, the Venatori and the Templars are forces to watch out for, even if perhaps that news hasn't reached this little podunk town.

A sigh, refocused momentarily on the girl. "What else have you around here? You must not get many weary travelers for your size, not even a proper chantry, but you must make ends meet in some way."