I made my way back to the inn, my mind still buzzing with the conversation I’d had with Harlan. The smithy’s warmth lingered on my skin, but the cool evening air quickly chased it away as I walked through the narrow streets of Rackenshore.
The city was beginning to come alive again after the lull of the afternoon, with people slowly returning to their homes, eager to escape the dangers that lurked in the dark corners of the world.
When I reached the inn, I could hear the murmur of voices and the clatter of dishes before I even stepped through the door.
The place was busier now, the earlier tension that had filled the air seemingly forgotten as the patrons relaxed into their routines. The scent of cooked food and ale wafted out, mingling with the faint smell of smoke from the hearth.
Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, the warm atmosphere of the tavern washing over me. The inn was indeed more crowded than before, with more people seated at the tables, enjoying their meals or talking in low voices.
The earlier incident with Radgar and his men seemed like a distant memory now, though I noticed a few wary glances thrown my way as I entered.
I ignored them, making my way to an empty table near the corner. The familiarity of the place was comforting, a stark contrast to the unknowns that awaited me in the coming days.
The girl, Greta, noticed me as I sat down, and I saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes. She seemed surprised to see me back so soon but quickly composed herself, giving me a small nod before returning to her duties.
I leaned back in my chair, letting the hum of conversation wash over me. The room was alive with the sounds of clinking glasses, murmured conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter. It was a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of the smithy, but in its own way, it was just as comforting.
I could go and get my new room right away, but it had been a while since I was in such a crowded place.
The months that I had spent in the forest somehow made me yearn for the presence of humans around me for a little.
That is why I decided to stay here a little bit.
As I sat there, I couldn’t help but think about what Harlan had said.
‘Harness the beast inside you. How am I going to do that?’
It was a question that I would need to ponder for a while.
The bandits wouldn’t be easy to deal with, especially if I had to preserve the integrity of my blade. But I welcomed the challenge. It was a chance to push myself, to see just how far I could go, and to gain something more than just a new weapon.
As the night wore on, the inn gradually began to quiet down, the patrons finishing their meals and drifting off to their rooms. I remained at my table, lost in thought, until Greta approached with a warm smile.
“Would you like a room for the night, sir?” she asked, her voice gentle and polite.
“Yes, please,” I replied, nodding.
Greta gave a small nod of understanding and handed me a key. “Room’s upstairs, third on the left. It’s not much, but it should be comfortable enough.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the key from her hand.
She hesitated for a moment as if she wanted to say something else but then decided against it. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me to my thoughts once more.
As Greta walked away, Vitaliara’s voice piped up in my mind, her tone laced with amusement. [She probably wanted to spend the night with you, you know.]
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “No, I don’t think that’s the case.”
[Oh? And why not?] Vitaliara asked, curiosity evident in her voice. [She seemed rather hesitant, as if she wanted to say something more.]
“It’s just a hunch,” I replied, glancing at the key in my hand. “But the way she looked at me… it wasn’t out of lust or desire. It was something else.”
[Something else?] Vitaliara’s interest was piqued, and I could feel her attention focused on me as I made my way toward the stairs.
“Yes,” I nodded, making my way up the creaky wooden steps. “Her gaze… it had a certain softness to it. It was almost like she was searching for something, or maybe she just needed reassurance. But it wasn’t anything like what you’re suggesting.”
[How can you be sure of this?]
“Let’s say I have seen my fair share of such looks.”
[Really?] Vitaliara mused, her tone thoughtful. [Humans can be complicated, can’t they? So many emotions wrapped up in a single look.]
I chuckled softly, reaching the top of the stairs. “That’s true. But it’s also what makes them interesting.”
[Well, whatever it was, you handled it well,] Vitaliara conceded. [But if she does come knocking at your door tonight, don’t say I didn’t warn you.]
I smiled at her playful tone. “If that happens, I’ll be sure to thank you for the warning. But for now, let’s just focus on getting some rest.”
With that, I reached my room, the third on the left, as Greta had indicated. The door creaked slightly as I pushed it open, revealing the small, simple space within. I set my belongings down on the table and took a moment to absorb the quiet, peaceful atmosphere of the room.
The bed looked inviting, and I felt the day’s weariness weighing heavily on me.
But as my head hit the pillow, and I allowed my thoughts to drift, I knew that for now, the best thing I could do was rest since tomorrow, I would most likely need to deal with something.
The actions of yesterday did not disappear after all.
*******
The morning light filtered through the small window, casting a warm glow across the room as I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I noticed was the sun’s position in the sky—already quite high.
[You slept in longer than usual,] Vitaliara commented, her tone laced with mild amusement.
I stretched, feeling the lingering weariness in my muscles. “I needed it,” I replied, my voice still a bit groggy. “After everything that’s happened, it’s better to let my body rest and recover fully.”
[Fair enough,] she conceded. [But don’t make it a habit. We have a lot to do.]
I smiled at her reminder, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Don’t worry. I am not lazy.”
After washing up quickly and gathering my belongings, I made my way downstairs. The inn was quiet, the remnants of last night’s activity all but gone.
The scent of fresh bread and cooking meat wafted through the air, reminding me that it was indeed morning and the world outside had already begun to stir.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw the owners of the inn bustling about, preparing for the day ahead. The inn girl, Greta, was nowhere to be seen, but there was another woman, older, with a striking resemblance to her. She had the same kind eyes and soft features, though the lines on her face spoke of years of hard work and care.
The woman noticed me descending the stairs, and her eyes widened slightly. She hesitated for a moment, a flicker of fear crossing her face, but she quickly composed herself, offering me a polite smile. “Good morning, sir,” she greeted me, bowing her head slightly.
“Good morning,” I replied, nodding in return. The woman’s fear was subtle but noticeable—likely due to the events of last night. I didn’t blame her; anyone would be cautious after what had happened.
She seemed to sense my understanding and relaxed a bit, her smile becoming more genuine. “I hope you slept well,” she added, her voice warm despite the slight tension in her posture.
“I did, thank you,” I replied, glancing around the inn. “You must be Greta’s mother?”
At the mention of her daughter’s name from my mouth, the woman, Elena, made a slightly tense face.
‘Makes sense that they are tense.’
I may not be an expert at reading the people, but I can see the reason why she did that. Considering that her daughter was targeted by an Awakened before, she must have assumed the same would be happening.
‘Though I am not like them, let’s not make things uncomfortable.’
“Is the breakfast ready?”
Elena seemed to hesitate for a brief moment, but then she nodded, her smile returning though still tinged with a hint of caution. “Yes, it is. Please, have a seat, and I’ll bring it right over.”
I offered her a reassuring smile, hoping to ease the tension. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
I chose a seat near the window, where the morning light streamed in, casting a warm glow over the room. The inn was starting to fill with the quiet hum of activity, patrons beginning their day with a meal or a cup of coffee. It was a peaceful scene, a stark contrast to the tension of the night before.
As I waited, I glanced around the room, taking in the simple but cozy surroundings. The inn had a rustic charm, with wooden beams overhead and a stone fireplace that added to the warmth. It was a place that had seen its share of hardships but had endured, just like the people who ran it.
A few minutes later, Elena returned with a tray in hand. She carefully placed a plate of eggs, bread, and some fruit in front of me, along with a steaming cup of tea. “Here you are, sir,” she said with a small smile. “I hope you enjoy it.”
Normally, I did not like eating sweet things like fruits in the morning, but I decided to give it a try. Maybe something could be different; who knew?
“Thank you, Miss,” I replied, nodding to her.
She lingered for a moment, her eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge my intentions. I met her gaze steadily, keeping my expression calm and friendly. Finally, she seemed to relax a little more and gave a slight bow before turning to attend to other guests.
As I began to eat, I could feel Vitaliara’s presence, her watchful eyes taking in everything around us. [You handled that well,] she remarked, her tone approving. [But they will not drop their guard around you.]
“That is fine. In the end, I will leave this place soon anyway; there is no need to overly make things complicated.”
CREAK!
Just as I was about to take another bite, the door to the inn burst open with a loud bang, the force of which caused several patrons to jump in their seats.
———————–
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