AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Though my chest was not as broad as some of my kind, my strength was not diminished.
I was leaner, my body more streamlined, favoring agility over brute strength.
Yet, my real power lay not in my physical abilities but within my mind.
As the eldest son of our leader, I was gifted with a keen intellect, a trait that set me apart from the traditional warrior mentality of my people.
I took in my reflection, noting the lines of strain that had begun to etch themselves around my eyes.
I was a prince, a future leader, and with that title came the weight of responsibility.
I was here to prove my worth, to prove that I was more than just a connoisseur of the arts.
Abruptly, my musings were interrupted by a low grumble from my stomach, a reminder that I had yet to eat since setting off on our journey.
The memory of the tantalizing aroma of the innkeeper’s cooking wafted through my mind, and a small smile touched my lips.
With a final glance at my reflection, I turned away from the mirror.
This journey was about more than just proving my worth.
It was about finding my path, separate from the expectations set upon me.
Pulling on a fresh tunic, I exited my room and made my way towards the inn’s common room, my stomach growling in anticipation.
Tonight, I would eat as a common traveler, not a prince.
A small part of me looked forward to the change, the freedom it promised.
Perhaps, this journey would prove to be more rewarding than I had first thought.
6
MADISON
The air was sharp with the bite of encroaching cold, the fog winding its way around my body like the tendrils of an alien plant, clutching at my clothes and prickling my skin with a frigid kiss.
The sight of the inn, glowing like a golden beacon in the swirling gray mist, was nothing short of a sanctuary, an oasis amid the desolate landscape of Enchor’s Heart.
I hurried towards it, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest, the echo of the creatures’ eerie cries still ringing in my ears.
The fog rolled around me, a cold and clammy caress against my face and neck that sent shivers down my spine.
As I neared the building, the warm, homely scent of freshly cooked food wafted out, promising sustenance and comfort.
My stomach rumbled in response, the primal instinct of hunger momentarily pushing aside my fear.
Pushing open the door, I was immediately enveloped by heat.
A wave of relief washed over me as I stepped inside, away from the mists and the monsters that lurked within.
The inn was surprisingly lively, filled with the hum of conversation and laughter, the soft strumming of a stringed instrument providing a melodic backdrop to the scenes of normalcy.
I headed straight to the counter, the wooden floor creaking under my boots, and came face-to-face with the innkeeper.
A man of considerable girth with twinkling eyes and an easy smile, he exuded an air of cheerful hospitality that was almost infectious.
“Good evening, miss,” he greeted, his voice warm and welcoming. “What brings you out in such weather?”
