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There was a sense of fulfillment in learning about their lives, their cultures, their worldviews.
As I watched her interact with the Katar males, my attention was drawn to the tender smile that played on her lips, the spark of life in her eyes, and the rhythmic cadence of her laughter.
The sight stirred something within me, an emotion I hadn’t expected to encounter on my journey.
Whether it was mere curiosity or something more profound, I wasn’t sure.
But one thing was certain, my stay in this seemingly average inn was becoming more interesting by the minute.
Suddenly, the young human female leapt up from her chair and made her way out of the parlour, her face flushed, her eyes wary.
One of the Katar grabbed her by the wrist, and my instincts heightened.
Perhaps the jovial spirit I had witnessed earlier wasn’t so jovial after all.
Her fear was palpable even from where I sat, and I felt a surge of protectiveness.
I could not help but cast a disapproving glance at the pair who watched her leave, their lecherous grins not sitting well with me.
Finishing my meal, I pushed the empty platter aside, my stomach full, yet my mind unsatisfied.
It wasn’t the food that left a bitter flavor.
No, it was the sight of the female’s fear-stricken face, the realization of her vulnerability in this world that soured my mood.
With a sigh,I put down the bread crust, wiped my hands on the worn-out linen napkin, and pushed myself away from the table.
The female had escaped the Katari’s clutches, and no doubt retired to her room.
The inn’s wooden floors creaked under my weight as I rose.
The crowd had thinned out, the light dimmed, and the scent of the food had settled into a soft undertone.
The parlour was quieter now, the raucous laughter replaced by hushed conversations and the clinking of glasses.
Making my way towards the stairs, I could feel the weariness of the journey slowly seeping back into my bones.
The food had rekindled my energy, but the exhaustion remained, an unwelcome guest that refused to leave.
I longed for the comfort of my room, for the warmth of the soft bed.
A place where I could close my eyes and escape from the world, if only for a few hours.
However, as I passed the reception desk, a loud, boisterous voice caught my attention.
The innkeeper, a jovial character with a wide belly and a wide smile to match, was speaking to two new arrivals.
His laughter echoed through the hallway, a welcome sound in the otherwise quiet inn.
But it was his words that caused me to halt in my steps.
“I’m afraid we’re all out of rooms,” the innkeeper was saying, his voice apologetic. “If you don’t mind the smell of hay, I can offer you a spot in the stable.”
The new arrivals, two rough-looking males from the Sagittari species, seemed less than pleased with the innkeeper’s offer.
Their broad shoulders hunched in annoyance, and their beady eyes shot daggers at the innkeeper.
But the innkeeper simply shrugged, his round face crinkling with an apologetic smile.
