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Chapter19
The storm had set us back more than Noah wanted. It took us through the entire night, and when we set out early the next morning, we still weren’t speaking.
The closer we got to population, as could be seen by sporadic houses popping up here and there, the more focused my companions were. Their steely gazes darted around from the road to the trees, hills, horizon, everywhere. They were vigilant, still as statues, and waiting.
None of us were at ease.
Finally, a sign indicated we were entering Dukesburg. We’d made it to the border city at least, unscathed physically so far. Upon our entry, Weston leapt off his horse and addressed the two police that were standing by the entry road into town. They were dressed the same as the police who had taken me in. Chain mail, swords. Not warriors like the fae I traveled with. But they weren’t gruff with me this time. Instead, they acknowledged Noah by bowing deeply, humbling themselves, and asking if any of us needed anything.
“An inn within range of the main road would be wonderful. Perhaps you could gather your leaders as well for a meeting?”
The police bowed, nodded, and ran off. One returned within a few minutes, telling us he could escort us to the inn where we’d be welcomed.
As we followed, a few other townspeople came up beside us, taking the reins of our horses.
“We’d be honored to care for your horses, my prince,” an elderly-looking man said. He was human. I didn’t know how I could tell, but I just could.
Noah smiled warmly at the man. “It is I who am honored at the hospitality.”
The man grinned. “The stables are across the street from your inn. Should you need your horses for any reason, they’ll be there. We’ll get them rested, fed, and groomed in the meantime.”
“Thank you so much. Your name?”
“Theodore, my prince.”
“Thank you, Theodore.”
We continued walking through Dukesburg. There were all sorts of magical creatures here, much like Rosefeather. I was surprised at the humans walking around, but then I guess they were free to do so in Rosefeather as well. A few ogre creatures trudged through the town, some faeries with wings.
Even with the different creatures from who knows how many backgrounds, they all bowed at Noah. It was as though the police had run through the town screaming the prince had arrived. We were watched with smiles and some awe from the younger creatures.
We arrived at the inn where a huge wooden sign hung above the door. Faren Inn. The sign swung as a breeze swept through the main drag, and the policeman who escorted us pushed the wooden door forward, holding it open for us to enter.
The ground floor was a large-sized tavern, complete with wooden chairs, stools, tables, and booths filling the space. A beautiful, ornately carved bar took up the entire length of the right side of the room and two bartenders worked quickly, even though it was just barely the afternoon.
“Roberto!” the policeman shouted.
A black-haired man with an ink tattoo of a dragon on the side of his face looked over at us from the bar. I wondered why the dragon tattoo and thought back to my fight on the roof with one. If I never saw a dragon again, it would be too soon.
My legs tingled as though they remembered the burns they’d endured.
Roberto, who looked fearsome behind the bar, grinned when he saw us, changing the entire look of his face. When he approached with a soft-spoken voice that didn’t match the terrifying look he had, I couldn’t help but return the smile. He was warm and inviting.
“Your Majesty, it’s an honor to have you here.” He glanced around the room quickly before meeting the prince’s eyes. “Truly, we are thrilled you’ve come.”
I watched Noah’s interaction carefully, noticing he kept a poker face, but the overzealous welcome caught Ryzel’s attention enough that he frowned for a second.
“If you follow me up the stairs, we’ve cleared out the entire wing for your party,” Roberto explained. “Thank you, Maeve,” he said, acknowledging the policeman.
“I’ll leave you now.”
The stairs to our rooms were at the back end of the bar. The squeaks and groans were comforting in that we’d be certain to hear should anyone decide to venture up our way any time.
Roberto signaled a new room to each of us, and one by one our companions veered off to secure their accommodation. Vara was the last one before we got to Noah and me. She entered her room and I turned to Roberto.
“I guess I’m next,” I said.
Roberto frowned. “You both are, of course. The final room is our suite, just through there.”
