My magical companion shakes his head and moves toward the door. We walk inside to a cozy gathering room, the full of lit by red and orange flames that are roaring from a firepit in the middle of the inn. The ceiling above has a large hole in it that cuts through the wood and moss, the smoke billowing into the night sky and creating a perfect chimney. Long tables are scattered around the fire but their seats remain empty, the inn looking like it hasn’t seen a proper traveler all day. There’s two halls that disappear to the left and right in symmetry, and at the back of the room stands a human woman behind a small counter who is cleaning a few mugs with a cloth.
“Hello,” I walk her way, “I rode in with the Prince’s group…”
The woman nods, “he told me you were hanging back. Your room’s going to be down the hall on the right, last door on the right.”
“Appreciate it,” I smile and take the key she’s holding, “and do you happen to know about the big man’s room, the stalky human with auburn hair and beard?”
She eyes me quietly, “same hall, first door on the right.”
“Thank you.”
Golem meets me in the darkened hall, the two of us stopping before Cal’s door.
“You getting settled in then?” he greets.
“Last door on the right,” I tilt my chin, “is everyone already turning in for the night?”
“Seems like it,” he nods, “it’s been a long ride. Everyone went straight to their rooms.”
“Not a problem,” I yawn and shift the packs on my shoulder, “dawn tomorrow? Do you want to meet by the stables or just walk around?”
“Dawn,” he smiles, “let’s take a walk without the horses and figure it out then. The forest is so thick here I don’t think we’ll have a problem finding some privacy.”
“Sounds good. Goodnight, Cal.”
Golem and I walk down the remainder of the hall to the last door on the right. The room is quaint, just like everything else, and has a bed nestled on the left side against the wall while a small fireplace illuminates the space from the right. There’s a few extra logs sitting next to those flames as well as a single, cozy armchair that is turned in the fire’s direction. I have half a mind to just fall asleep on those cushions for the night, but my gaze keeps taking me back to the rather large window that rests above the bed. It’s wooden slacks are open and allowing the night air to sift into the room, bringing with it a cool breeze that is all too peaceful.
Ancients.
I’ve just walked into a charming little room that is surrounded by a quiet little inn and sits within a quiet little town.
Am I sure I’m still in Warrior?
“Do you know much about Fumagalli, Golem?” I ask and shrug off my velvet cloak, hanging it behind the door.
“It’s a quaint little village at the edge of the Black Forest, not as lively as anywhere else we’ve been. I’ve seen two villagers so far, and that’s not counting the innkeeper and stable boy.”
I sit on the bed and work on my boots, “Cal and I will train tomorrow at dawn. You’ll get to see more then.”
Golem nods from the foot of my bed, his eyes peering at the large wooden window before darting away when he notices me changing into my night slip. I hide my laugh and walk towards the small bathing chamber in the back of the room, yawning again as I splash some cool water over my face.
“A few more days and then we’ll be in Pyre, Golem,” I announce off-handedly.
I make my way back to the bed and pull the covers over my body, then reach up to adjust the shutters and let the night’s breeze flow even more steadily inside. The last thing I remember before falling asleep is thinking that the outside air is a nice contrast to the warm coziness of the fireplace not too far away…
I wake later in the night to Golem standing above my bed, his clay hand peeking out of his brown robe and pressing against my shoulder. I scowl at him groggily and try to go back to sleep but his hand pushes against my shoulder again.
“What’s wrong?” I sit up.
He points to the window above me.
I frown and turn around, peering out of the shutters as I spot what looks to be two dark figures standing in the courtyard in silence. I rub my eyes and try to get a better look at them, but a new and third figure catches my focus as he comes strolling out of the inn. There’s no mistaking whose powerful form that is, nor the commanding steps that he takes as he nods to his companions. The three Discerni don’t say a word, only turn around towards the main road and disappear into the night.
“The Prince, his brother and Lord Daniel took off in the middle of the night last night, after we all went to bed,” I tell Cal.
We’re stretching under a thick canopy of trees with Golem not too far off.
My friend shrugs, “just as you and I can if we decide to go for a walk at night.”
