The innkeeper was a broad man with a face that said he wasn't going to be helpful today.
Finn put his hands on the counter. "I'm looking to buy a couple of weeks of supplies. Whatever you have in the back."
"Can't help you," the innkeeper said. "War just happened. Prices on everything have gone through the roof. What I have in stock is what I can afford to keep. Everything on the market stalls is already gone."
"Which is why I came to you," Finn said. "The stalls are empty."
"Then your only other option is the smugglers. They'll sell you what you need for five times the going rate." The innkeeper shrugged. "That's just how it is right now."
Finn considered pushing it further and decided it wasn't worth it. "Fine. A room, then."
Before the innkeeper could answer, a boy appeared at the counter, leaning against it. Young, maybe sixteen, with a few scars on his knuckles.
"You don't need to find lodging here," the boy said.
"And where would we sleep then?" Finn asked.
"Batman sends his regards." The boy pushed off the counter. "You can follow me to the castle right now."
Finn frowned. "Why does the Batman want us to stay at his castle? We rode in on the same dragon, yes, but that's hardly grounds for—"
The boy shrugged. "I'm just the messenger. The… robin, if you will."
Finn scoffed. "Fine. Lead the way."
---
The castle of El sat in the middle of the city, surrounded by the usual arrangement of walls and towers. Finn was given a private room in a corridor full of rooms meant for nobles. A bed, a window, a table, which was more than enough.
He set his bag down and released Chip.
Chip appeared on the stone floor and immediately bit Finn's leg.
"Alright, alright." Finn put a bowl on the table and filled it with three quarters of the meal the servants had brought up, which was heavy on meat. Chip buried himself in it. Finn sat down with what was left of his portion and ate.
Then a knock at the door.
Batman came in without waiting for an answer, in full armour, cowl and cloak included. He took in Chip on the floor, ignored it, then settled on Finn.
"My prince," Finn said. "What brings you here? Actually, no, scratch that. What brings me here?"
"You are a traveller," Batman said. "You have seen some things."
"Quite a deduction, my prince. Bravo."
Batman was not amused. "Do you know anything about these… monsters? The ones that can take the form of other people?"
"Your servant is one of them, is he not?" Finn said. "Why ask me? Use the lasso of truth and you're all set."
"The lasso of truth? You know of that?"
"I saw its effects at the ruined castle." Finn shrugged. "It's not hard to work out how it functions."
"...Alfred is to face the three queens in the throne room tomorrow morning. I need to know if…"
"If what?" Finn asked.
"If he is dangerous," Batman said.
Finn paused. Then he laughed. He really is the Batman, he thought.
"Alfred was admitting under the lasso that he loves you as if you were his own son," Finn said, "and you're still wary of him? What a son you are."
"My duty is to protect this kingdom, whatever the cost," Batman said. "I need to have a note on this."
"And you're going to take a note of me as well?"
"Naturally. You are not telling the full truth of what you are." Batman continued. "So. Do you know anything about what Alfred is?"
Finn sighed. "He's going to tell you himself tomorrow morning. The lasso of truth, combined with the fact that he's clearly loyal to you, will make him tell you everything. He's the better source here, not me. I'm just a lowly traveller, my prince."
"Then…" Batman paused. "Do you know the stone that the monster stabbed me with?"
Finn raised his brow. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Do not play me for a fool," Batman said. "I know you took it. The Kents told me. A meteor fell from the sky near here that contained a high concentration of that type of stone. A stone which weakens me when I am near it. If that monster stabbed me with it and left it lodged in my chest, who's to say they don't have more? If we are to deal with them as a threat, I need to know what we are dealing with."
Finn smiled. This is the real reason I'm here, he thought. This was always the reason.
"I am grateful that you sheltered me here, my prince," Finn said. "But after all of this is done, I would like to request that I be taken care of. Somewhere quiet to stay. Not necessarily in this castle. Just somewhere. Enough for a couple of months."
Batman raised his brow. "You're asking for a boon in exchange for the information."
Finn hummed.
"I thought you were a traveller," Batman said.
"I am. But sometimes travellers need a place to rest for a while. It won't be long. A couple of months at the very best."
"…Very well," Batman said. "Now. The rock."
Finn reached into his bag and pulled out the stone. The moment it came out Batman stepped back, his jaw tightening, the colour going out of his face fast.
"This, you mean?" Finn said.
"Y-Yes… t-that." Batman pressed himself further back against the wall.
"It is called Kryptonite. The bane of all kryptonians. It came from your race's original world. It weakens any kryptonian near it, turning them to mere mortals, if not weaker than mere mortals."
"And how do I stop the effects?" Batman asked.
"Hmm…" Finn muttered. "You… can't."
Batman frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well. There is one way, but it's incredibly inconvenient."
"Tell me. Whatever it is, I will consider it."
"Lead," Finn said. "Pure lead. But you would have to cover yourself from head to toe in it and leave no gaps. Otherwise it's useless."
Batman frowned further. "Is there no other way?"
Finn put the stone back in the bag. "Distance yourself from it. Destroy it with your laser eyes from far enough away. Aside from that, if you're willing to lose your powers, then there's that too."
Batman said nothing. "One more question. Aside from this family… are there any other kryptonians hiding in this world?"
"That, I genuinely don't know," Finn said.
"...What kind of traveller knows the name of a mineral from a planet far from here, if not from another kryptonian?"
"I've travelled far and wide," Finn said. "Did you think I actually knew anything about this rock when I picked it up?"
"I assumed you knew something, since you took it," Batman said. "Though it's possible you just took it because it looked valuable. Either way, confirming it myself does no harm. At the very least I could take that stone off your hands to study it, if there's no other way."
Finn shrugged. "There's plenty of that stone around if those monsters have access to the source and plan to use it as a weapon. You needn't worry about this piece. I'll keep it."
"I'm not entirely comfortable with you having it," Batman said.
"Take it then," Finn said. His hand moved to the lightsaber on his belt. Chip, who had been finishing off the bowl, growled in Batman's direction. "Though there will be some resistance."
Batman took in the lightsaber. Then Chip. "You are in the castle of the Els. Swarms of guards could be here in moments."
"Not before I kill you," Finn said. "I'm fairly certain whatever sword or armour you have won't stand up to my weapons. Even if you are a better fighter than me."
"Weapons?" Batman said. "Plural?"
Finn smiled and said nothing.
Batman was quiet for a long moment. "You're bold, traveller. Taunting a prince in his own castle."
"And you as well, bastard prince," Finn said, putting emphasis on the word. "Willing to break the rule of hospitality for a piece of stone. Or does this place not have that particular custom?"
Batman said nothing. "Fine. Suit yourself." He turned toward the door. "You are welcome to attend the interrogation tomorrow morning, if you wish."
"My prince." Batman stopped. "If I may suggest one thing. Do not, in any way, attempt to use Ciri for whatever purpose you might have in mind. Doing so might bring considerable ruin to your kingdom."
Batman turned slightly. "Is that a threat, traveller?"
"Advice," Finn said. "Your kingdom has strong guardians. It would probably survive. But the price would be very high. I'd rather you didn't find that out the hard way."
"What is she?" Batman asked. "For you to warn me like that."
"Something more than human," Finn said. "That much I can say."
Batman held that for a moment, then walked out and pulled the door shut behind him.
Chip went back to licking the bowl.