Both Hiran and Bori were taken aback, though they were also somewhat pleased that the Innkeeper was directly offering a deal to them. The strategic importance of the Innkeepers taverns were immense, which was why they both had offered to protect the taverns.
They didn't doubt that the Innkeeper could protect the taverns, but if they made use of the taverns, they would most likely be targeted actively rather than passively! It would be best to contribute in their protection than leave everything to the Innkeeper!
The next step they were thinking of, that they hadn't mentioned just yet, was to limit the availability of the taverns for others. After all, if everyone gained the same advantage, it would cease being an advantage at all.
