"We need some medicine, a room for the night, and some of that fantastic roast you have cooking."
[i][u]A[/u] room? I'm liking the sound of that.[/i]

He conversed with the innkeeper a few moments longer before addressing the princess. "The innkeeper is a friend of mine. The town is along my main delivery route, though I hardly ever but a room. I just come for the meals, mostly." Then, he added in a louder voice, "The best broth this side of the kingdom! Isn't that right, my friend?"
The innkeeper whooped.

Amalthea chuckled. "You make the broth sound worthy of royalty! If so, then you mustn't deny me, eh?" She got to her feet, feigning unsteadiness. The chair roared against the wooden floor as she pulled it out to sit and deposited her elbows on the table.

[i]I wonder if anyone's looking for me. Maybe father. Or...less savory forces. Oh no! They surely saw where I landed! They'll be here in no time![/i] The princess sat ramrod straight and looked around for windows. She spotted one to the east, but it was far too dark out to see anyone coming. She reached for the pendant around her neck, only to find it missing.

[i]Oh yeah, they took the Stone! I have to get it back![/i]

With dinner on the way and a hot guy to attend to, she wasn't getting it back anytime soon.