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The fog monsters, the glowing red eyes, the chilling cries, they all seemed far away, distant echoes of a nightmare I had somehow survived.
My senses were overwhelmed by the warm light, the smell of food, and the promise of safety.
5
RURDRAX
The inn was nestled within the heart of the fog like a forgotten relic of a bygone era.
Its rustic charm was at odds with the sleek, metallic constructs of the royal city I was accustomed to.
I dismounted the Hiika, its warm, huffing breath sending little puffs of fog rolling away.
I handed the reins to Aznai. “Stable them. I’ll get us rooms.”
As I approached the inn, the humble wooden structure stood tall, its windows glowing with the promise of respite within.
I pushed open the heavy door and was immediately greeted by a blast of warm air.
It carried with it the comforting scent of home-cooked food, tinged with the smoky aroma of burning wood.
The distinct taste of hearty soup, rich and savory, hung in the air.
It felt like walking into a bubble of comfort, effectively cutting off the chilling touch of the fog outside.
The inn was modest, but it had a certain charm.
Low, wooden tables scattered around the room, lanterns casting a warm, flickering light.
The floorboards creaked under my boots, each step a symphony of old wood and years of use.
The walls, decorated with old paintings and tapestries, hummed with stories and secrets of patron’s past.
Behind the counter stood a robust Chi, the innkeeper.
His cheeks were rosy, a testament to the warmth of the hearth he was tending to.
His twinkling eyes were a mirror to his hearty laugh that filled the room, rendering it cozy and welcoming.
The sight of him, so at ease in the midst of the fog and the chilling cold, was oddly reassuring.
“Evening, sir!” the innkeeper’s voice boomed in my direction, his round belly shaking with each hearty laugh that burst forth. “What brings you to our humble establishment?”
“I’m traveling with my man,” I gestured towards my security servant stabling the Hiikas. “We’d like to secure two rooms for the night, preferably adjoining, if you have them?”
The innkeeper’s eyebrows shot up, his eyes twinkling in amusement. “Adjoining rooms? My friend, you’ve chosen the wrong establishment for such luxuries!”
He burst into another round of robust laughter, slapping his knee for emphasis. “The fog’s better for business than wind or rain,” he declared, his voice a boisterous rumble that added to the cozy atmosphere.
The glow from the nearby lantern reflected in his eyes as he continued. “People can’t see where they’re going, and the inn becomes a haven, a guiding light.”
His cheerfulness was infectious, the room bursting into laughter with him.
The scent of warm bread and stew filled my nostrils, thecomforting aroma mixing with the tang of spilled ale and the underlying hint of well-worn wood.
My mouth watered at the smells wafting from the kitchen, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along with the innkeeper.
I played along, offering a sheepish grin. “Well, it was worth a try. What do you have then?”
