Easy does it

Simon rode Maddox towards the inn, stopping beside a sturdy wooden board that was parallel to the ground and anchored on both sides to poles that were planted into the ground. Slipping off the saddle, he groaned softly as he felt his feet hit the ground, regret filling him as he looked towards the door to the establishment. Breathing in deeply, he steeled himself against his moral code which told him to turn around and eat a few miles down the road. He could easily make a fire and hunt down an animal or pull from his food supply in the saddles.

But, even as Simon began planning his meal, he draped Maddox's reins over the board. Waiting for Katya to do the same with Stirker, he put a hand on each of their faces before whispering, "Shield." Instantly, the horses' nostrils flared and their eyes became much more alert. Taking the blinders away from their eyes, he smiled as they began watching around them. The command would cause them to violently buck off any attempt to ride them that wasn't by Simon. They would then stomp on the attempted rider neighing loudly to get Simon's attention.

Walking up the stairs, he noticed the archer standing in front of the building and instantly missed the weight of his armor. Breathing in deeply, he walked through the doors and heard the tail end if he exchange between the innkeeper and an elf. Looking the elf over, he noticed the man holding his crossbow in his hand, the bolt already placed and primed to fire. Stepping forward, he fought his instinct to step in and try to solve the problem. Instead, he adopted a scowl and moved up beside the elf before speaking, "So, are you still serving food?"