{"id":1529,"date":"2017-04-12T01:45:10","date_gmt":"2017-04-12T01:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/wandering-inn\/?p=1529"},"modified":"2025-12-24T00:56:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T00:56:17","slug":"2-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wanderinginn.com\/2017\/04\/12\/2-10\/","title":{"rendered":"2.09"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Erin woke up, it was so cold that it hurt<\/em>.<\/p>\n

She was inside her inn when she opened her eyes and nearly screamed from the sudden pain of the cold. Not buried under snow, although that was her first thought. No; she and Pisces had been rescued and the snow melted yesterday. But she was still cold. What had happened? She\u2019d gone to sleep in her kitchen after the Frost Fairies and Pisces had left and\u2014<\/p>\n

Erin was freezing.<\/em> She looked around stiffly, and realized the cold wasn\u2019t coming from an evil Frost Faerie or anything like that. It was just cold. Really, really<\/em> cold outside.<\/p>\n

Normally, on a cold day when Erin didn\u2019t have anything to do, she would just curl up inside her blankets or shuffle over to the thermostat to crank up the temperature until her parents yelled at her for wasting gas.<\/p>\n

But that was a normal day back at home, in a modern house with solid walls and heating. She was in a different world here, with an inn whose walls were damaged from undead attacks and where the only source of heat was an unlit fireplace.<\/p>\n

And however cold Michigan could get, however terrible the snowfall could sometimes be, it really had nothing on the winter the Frost Faeries had brought. Erin couldn\u2019t ever remember being so cold, and she could hear blowing winds shrieking through holes in the inn\u2019s walls, bringing freezing temperatures in from the cold night outside.<\/p>\n

Possibly only the five blankets Erin had bought from Krshia had saved her from freezing as she slept. As it was, she woke up before dawn, shaking so badly she could barely move.<\/p>\n

Erin wanted nothing more than to stay wrapped up forever, but parts of her brain told her that if she didn\u2019t move about, she would<\/em> be staying here forever.<\/p>\n

So that was how Erin found herself crawling across the floor, swathed in countless blankets, fumbling around with flint and tinder and pieces of wood in the kitchen\u2019s fireplace until something lit.<\/p>\n

She managed to get the fire going after what seemed like an eternity, and only noticed she\u2019d set part of her blankets on fire after they started smoking. That was how Erin started her day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once Erin had warmed the kitchen enough so that she didn\u2019t see her breath every time she exhaled, she curled up again and slept for a few minutes. Or possibly hours. She only got up to feed the fire more wood, and that was when she realized she was nearly out of firewood.<\/p>\n

That was a problem, but in Erin\u2019s frozen state she couldn\u2019t help but add another log to the fire. She was cold. She\u2019d deal with the problem when she woke up more.<\/p>\n

Three hours later, Erin was more awake. She put some water in a kettle as she moved around with a blanket for warmth, and cooked herself some eggs and put it on toasted bread. She had to have hot food, hot drinks.<\/p>\n

Hot water wasn\u2019t exactly Erin\u2019s ideal beverage, but it beat cold water and she was out of blue fruit juice. She was just lucky her bucket of water had thawed while she\u2019d been asleep.<\/p>\n

Life was more bearable with a hot breakfast in your stomach. Erin shuffled around and stared out at the frozen landscape. Somehow, she felt like she might actually not die of cold today.<\/p>\n

It was also warmer. Erin wasn\u2019t sure why, but the howling winds that had infiltrated her inn and frozen her to the bone had stopped. That was to say, she could still hear the wind blowing, but it didn\u2019t seem to be entering her inn. Why? And for that matter, where was Toren? She\u2019d called for him a few times to stoke the fire so she didn\u2019t have to, but he never appeared.<\/p>\n

The instant Erin stepped outside she found the answer to both her questions. She found a huge, white thing blocking her vision.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s see. There was the snowy ground, there was the sky. And in between was a\u2026wall? Yes, a wall. Made of snow.<\/p>\n

It was a wall of compacted snow, which, in the rays of the sun, was slowly turning into ice as the snow melted and refroze. It was nearly ten feet tall, and Erin had no idea how it had got there.<\/p>\n

The pieces fell into place as she saw Toren appear in her vision. Her skeleton was busy pushing snow with a piece of wood, clumsily scooping and packing the snow into part of the wall that ringed her inn.<\/p>\n

Erin stared. And then she realized what had happened.<\/p>\n

Sometime yesterday, while she\u2019d been talking to Ryoka, she\u2019d told Toren to clear away the snow outside of the inn. She hadn\u2019t really meant for him to do it. It was just something to keep him occupied. He\u2019d helped dig Erin and Pisces out of the inn and cleared it out, and then Erin had been too busy hiding in her inn and trying to get warm to remember him for the rest of the night.<\/p>\n

So he\u2019d been outside the entire time, shovelling snow. And somehow, over the course of that, he\u2019d created this. A wall of snow that handily blocked the wind and also trapped Erin inside of her inn. By himself.<\/p>\n

That was the thing. Tell a human to do something and they might do it, but they\u2019d eventually get bored, or failing that, fall down dead at some point. But skeletons didn\u2019t get bored. Or if they did, they kept it to themselves.<\/p>\n

Erin had told Toren to clear away the snow around her inn. And he\u2019d done that. All night long.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d fought the good fight and lost. Or rather, even though Toren had cleared a prodigious amount of snow away, more had taken its place. Erin stared at the huge ring of snow and glared at Toren.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! How am I supposed to get out?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked at her and Erin could have sworn he blinked. At the very least the lights in his eyes dimmed for a second. Toren looked at the wall of snow and then back at Erin and shrugged.<\/p>\n

Erin scowled, but her face wasn\u2019t really in it. The wall certainly made things more bearable. She could hear the wind blowing, and even feel part of it as it came over the wall. But the snow was breaking the wind quite helpfully so she just pointed at the snow in front of her.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet rid of that. I need out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toren nodded. He walked over to the area of wall and started kicking and pushing away snow. Erin went inside and boiled some more hot water to drink. It was good to have a skeleton, even if he didn\u2019t really think that much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, here\u2019s the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toren looked at Erin expectantly as she shivered at him. She pointed in the direction of Liscor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to buy more stuff. Food. And I need to check on my friends. While I\u2019m gone, I want you to find more firewood. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The skeleton nodded, but hesitated. He looked around aimlessly. Erin realized he didn\u2019t know where to find the firewood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know where any is. Go find some trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded and walked off. Erin watched Toren slowly trek down the side of the hill and wondered if that was alright. But if he could build a wall of snow, he could find some wood, right? Toren was helpful like that. Give him a task and he got it done.<\/p>\n

Eventually.<\/p>\n

And she had a goal as well. Get to the city. Erin took a deep breath and set out. Get to the city. It was probably warmer there.<\/p>\n

Trekking through the snow was unbearably hard, especially because Erin didn\u2019t have enough layers to keep the snow from soaking her pants. In the end, she wobbled through the southern gates of Liscor, nearly frozen from the knees down and fighting against the horrible, stinging pain of her half-frozen skin.<\/p>\n

Tkrn the Gnoll was on duty at the gates. He said something as Erin stumbled past her, but she couldn\u2019t really respond.<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Erin. How are you d\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cColghd! No trk!\u201d<\/p>\n

He blinked at Erin as she moved past him. She ignored the Gnoll and moved at a rapid shuffle towards Market Street. Her only thought was to get to Krshia. Krshia knew about warm things. She had fur. Maybe Erin could hug her until she was warm?<\/p>\n

The cruel pain of existence lasted for several more minutes after Erin was inside the city. It was even worse because everywhere she looked, Drakes were walking around bundled up and Gnolls were walking around still practically naked. But then Erin found Market Street, and the world became a small slice of heaven. Or hell. Hell was probably warmer.<\/p>\n

They had braziers<\/em> along Market Street, iron poles and basins holding burning coals that make the air warmer. Some shopkeepers were even cooking food over the coals and selling it to pedestrians.<\/p>\n

Erin didn\u2019t even bother to think twice. She smelled roasting meat in the air and she was in front of the Gnoll frying food in an instant. He blinked down at the shivering human as she raised a shaking finger and pointed at the food roasting on the grill.<\/p>\n

\u201cO-o-one m-meat thing please.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was just a cut of meat dripping with fat and juices. Erin burned her mouth on it and chewed at the gristle, savoring the heat. It was the best thing she\u2019d ever eaten\u2014today. Possibly this week. She was quite certain she\u2019d eaten better things over the course of her life.<\/p>\n

She wolfed it down, and then another. Only then did she remember to pay for the food. The Gnoll accepted the greasy bronze coins and nodded to Erin, bemused.<\/p>\n

Krshia had been watching Erin\u2019s after-breakfast snack. When Erin finally remembered to come over to her shop, the two talked for a short while. Even then, it wasn\u2019t a productive conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need winter clothing, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have many furs and warm clothing. Do you prefer wool or something else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY-yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eventually Krshia just started picking out clothes for Erin. She shoved them in the young woman\u2019s hands, told her to find somewhere to change and come back when she was warmer.<\/p>\n

Erin took the advice, and that was how she ended up in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild, changing her clothes and trying not to stare at a naked Drake as female adventurers changed out of armor.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the adventurers doing all day?\u201d<\/p>\n

That was the first question Erin asked Selys once she finished changing out of her cold, wet clothing and into the warm winter clothes Krshia had given her. Selys wrinkled her nose and twitched her tail at a group of adventurers sitting at one of the tables. They stank.<\/p>\n

\u201cRat infestation in the sewers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEw! But wait, why is that a job for adventurers? Isn\u2019t that a job for an exterminator or something? Cats?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t have many of those things in the city. Cats\u2026Gnolls don\u2019t like cats that much. Anyways, they tend to disappear when people get hungry in the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, these were giant rats. Nearly this high.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys indicated a point just below Erin\u2019s navel. The young woman gulped.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. Wow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a threat the Watch wants to deal with, and it\u2019s not that dangerous. Well\u2014not dangerous enough to make any of the guardsmen wade in that muck. So they put out a contract. Hired the adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys waved a hand at the unhappy group of warriors.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt pays well, but no one\u2019s happy about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin didn\u2019t even know that Liscor had sewers. She said as much to Selys.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s just a place to put all the horrible stuff. We can\u2019t just toss it outside the city, and all those people living together creates a lot<\/em> of\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014Stuff. So we dump it underground and let it flow away. The Antinium dug the tunnels, but they\u2019re not obligated to clean it or get rid of the monsters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had sewers. All I have is an outhouse and now that I\u2019m out of acid, Toren\u2019s going to have to start cleaning it by hand. Or shovel. I need to buy a shovel.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I heard about your inn. It got covered in snow, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho told you that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour mage friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCeria?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. The other one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPisces isn\u2019t my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin laughed and Selys grinned. But then she made a face.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe came into the city covered in snow. He tried to get me to let him stay in the guild until I chased him out. He kept saying there was an avalanche. In the middle of the plains?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin\u2019s happy expression changed into a scowl.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was. Thanks to those evil faeries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked puzzled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe what? Oh, you mean those things. The sprites. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin paused. She remembered that Pisces said no one could see or hear the faeries.<\/p>\n

\u201cI uh, made them mad somehow. And they caused an avalanche and nearly buried me in my inn!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked sympathetic.<\/p>\n

\u201cNasty. You should stay away from them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what people keep telling me. But they\u2019re so pretty.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm. Never mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys shook her head at her strange friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t go indoors so you\u2019re safe. Just try to avoid making them mad, okay? They don\u2019t usually bother people unless you\u2019re someone like Relc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What about Relc?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know? Every winter the sprites follow him around for a week and cause trouble. Snow falls off roofs, he slips on ice\u2026one time a chimney broke and fell on his head!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? I mean, is it because of the faeries?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep. He hates them. Every time he sees them he throws stuff at them or tries to grab one. They always freeze his hands off, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin frowned. The faeries were jerks, but Relc was huge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe should just leave them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did, but they keep bothering him either way.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a while the two kept talking about Relc and the various ways the faeries like to cause mischief. Erin got the impression the Frost Faeries were regarded as a force of nature, rather than actual creatures by the people of Liscor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re not a threat. Well, they can cause a lot of damage if you bother them, but they\u2019re not worse than a flood or a lone Goblin. It\u2019s rare to hear of someone getting attacked like you were. Besides Relc of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys paused. It was a slow day at the guild, or all the adventurers were still fighting rats underground. She looked at Erin suddenly, and asked a question that had clearly been on her mind for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin. Is it true what people are saying? Has the King of Destruction really awoken?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just something I heard Krshia saying when she got back from the city. You know, after you rescued that Ceria and Olesm. She said the other human\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRyoka.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014Yes, her. She said the other human said he was back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I heard too. But I don\u2019t know who that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Erin\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry! It\u2019s just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys sighed exasperatedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know. But you of all people should know him. He\u2019s one of your kind, a human, I mean. And even we know of the King of Destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s bad news, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryoka hadn\u2019t said much about Flos to Erin, only that he was some king who ruled a huge amount of land before he disappeared suddenly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than that, Erin. He conquered nearly all of Chandrar and his armies were crossing the sea and landing on our southern shores before he vanished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWow. That\u2019s pretty scary. But\u2026I mean, why is he so famous? He never got far into this continent, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that. It\u2019s that he managed to cross the sea<\/em> and bring an invasion all the way here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin waited, but that was it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so he got across the sea. So what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErin! Do you know how hard it is to cross the sea with an army? Wars on one continent are one thing, but someone actually being able to cross the thousands of miles to another continent is unheard of! I mean, no one’s ever done it and actually managed to get an army across in one piece!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s only a sea, not an ocean, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked at Erin blankly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so. A sea is like the water next to land, while the ocean is\u2026not. Plus, oceans are bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. So it\u2019s an ocean. The point is that he did it. And now he\u2019s back!\u201d<\/p>\n

That did seem serious. Erin made all the appropriate noises of concern while a thought clanged around in her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the King of Destruction might be coming here, and that\u2019s bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery bad. Although\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that the council will do anything about it. Or the army, really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he\u2019s so far away. What would we do? All the kingdoms and lands he conquered don\u2019t obey him anymore. Chandrar will probably join together to fight him, so we don\u2019t have to do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo there\u2019s nothing really bad happening?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Yes! I don\u2019t know, it\u2019s just really big, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get it. Oh, and by the way, I got the [Warrior] class yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? That\u2019s great news, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys\u2019s face lit up and she smiled at Erin, worries over a distant king forgotten.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat level are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust Level 2. But I was wondering why I got the class now. I mean, I\u2019ve fought a lot of things before. Why did I get it for going into the ruins?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys frowned and thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first time you went looking for a fight, wasn\u2019t it? I mean, you went exploring before, but you never really went out knowing you were going to kill something.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the difference?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about purpose. I mean, I cook food for myself but I still haven\u2019t gotten the [Cook] class. But if I tried to make that my hobby or job, I\u2019d probably get the class right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re a [Warrior] now as well, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys nodded proudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cLevel 4.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you\u2019re going to buy a sword and start killing monsters?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin couldn\u2019t see her friend doing that, but she supposed anything was possible?<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? No! It\u2019s just nice having another class. I mean, don\u2019t get me wrong. I\u2019m not looking to become an adventurer or anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys raised one hand and laughed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had training with a sword when I was young, but I stopped. If I\u2019d continued\u2026maybe I\u2019d be around Level 12 by now. But now\u2026how many years would it take to reach Level 20? Probably at least a decade. Only someone like that Ceria has the time to level more than one class.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? That long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. I mean, if I were a soldier fighting on the front lines maybe it would only take a year or two, but I don\u2019t fancy risking my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was odd. Erin was leveling up a lot<\/em> faster than Selys was describing. Why was that? She started to ask Selys, and then remembered what Ryoka had said about discretion. She closed her mouth. Then she opened it again, deliberately.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to Level 18 in my [Innkeeper] class after the undead attacked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys had been taking a sip from a glass of water she\u2019d poured herself. Disappointingly, she didn\u2019t spray it all over Erin, but she did choke and spill the water on the desk. Erin swept the paperwork and inkpot out of the way before they got drenched.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?<\/em> Seriously, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery seriously. Do you know why I\u2019m leveling up so fast?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys had to frown as she mopped distractedly at the spilled water with a cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt must be all the things you\u2019ve done. I\u2019ve never heard of an innkeeper fighting off an undead attack, or\u2014or starting and running an inn by herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo it\u2019s doing hard stuff that makes us level faster? Adversity?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys had to raise her shoulders and tail helplessly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I\u2019m sorry, Erin. I know how my class works. The more people I serve, the better a job I do at keeping people happy and sending adventurers on requests, the faster I\u2019ll level. But this guild is so small I\u2019ll never get past Level 20 before I retire. You\u2019d have to ask other innkeepers how they level.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. But I don\u2019t know any other innkeepers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin saw Selys tap her lips with one claw. The Drake glanced around the mostly empty guild and then seemed to come to a decision. She nodded at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy shift is over soon. If you want to wait with me until then, I\u2019ll introduce you to a good one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erin walked with Selys down the streets of Liscor, staring around at the unfamiliar sights.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it. I have no<\/em> idea where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

She was in a different part of the city, where Drakes were the main foot traffic on the ground and the shops and buildings seemed to cater more to their kind. And she had no idea where she was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never knew Liscor was so\u2026so big! And I\u2019ve never seen this place!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys laughed at Erin for that.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin! You never go anywhere except the Market district and to visit me!\u201d<\/p>\n

That was true. Erin blushed as she and Selys walked slowly through the streets, her friend pointing out places she liked to visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that I don\u2019t like new places, but the first time I came here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin remembered getting horribly lost and annoying everyone around her. She\u2019d stepped into more than one building to be chased out when she realized it was someone else\u2019s home. Besides, back then she\u2019d felt definitely unwelcome.<\/p>\n

But now with Selys at her side Erin felt comfortable, if not welcomed in this part of the city. Some Drakes knew Selys by name and no one was throwing stuff at Erin. It was a good start.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo who are we visiting? And where are we going?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys pointed down the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re heading towards the north side. There\u2019s a good inn there \u2013 the Tailless Thief. It\u2019s the most famous\u2014and expensive\u2014inn in the city. The innkeeper\u2019s the one I want you to meet, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin felt at her belt pouch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI uh, didn\u2019t bring that much money with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh don\u2019t worry. I know the innkeeper we\u2019re going to meet, and you\u2019re new. We\u2019ll get at least one free drink and probably a hot meal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure. Peslas is generous. Just let me say hello first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas turned out to be the biggest Drake Erin had ever met, with the possible exception of Relc. But where Relc had huge shoulders and massive arms, Peslas was just\u2026huge.<\/p>\n

He wasn\u2019t fat. Not exactly. He had a huge belly and he was a big Drake. Some of the fat was actually muscle. Erin was pretty sure of that because when she first saw him, the Drake was hefting a huge keg of alcohol onto a counter by himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cSelys!\u201d<\/p>\n

The instant he saw the younger Drake, Peslas broke into a huge smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cChild, how have you been? It\u2019s been months since I last saw you! Come here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys smiled politely at the large Drake and moved forwards so he could hug her with one huge arm. Peslas grinned at her as Selys introduced Erin, and then his smile faded a bit and was replaced by surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cA Human? I heard there were still some in the city after the undead attacks but\u2014wait, I know you! You\u2019re that [Innkeeper] in the abandoned inn! Well, you know young Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI brought her here to see your inn, Peslas. That\u2019s if you\u2019re not too busy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not. How could I turn away Isshia\u2019s grandchild? And you, human.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin stuck out her hand and received a crushing handshake. She didn\u2019t wince though, and Peslas smiled toothily at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere to learn from the best, are you? I can\u2019t say I blame you. Some parts of my inn are trade secrets of course. But then, we all start at the bottom so look away! I doubt you\u2019d be able to copy any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, he called for a barmaid to seat Selys and Erin and in moments, they were seated and being served drinks and some crunchy meat pasties. And what Erin saw was an inn in motion.<\/p>\n

Peslas\u2019s inn was close to full despite it not even being midday. He had a range of customers, from old Drakes that Erin guessed were retired to younger Drakes who looked like affluent business owners. And of course there were the barmaids, all female, and all Drake.<\/p>\n

In short, this was an inn for Drakes and run by Drakes. Erin saw not one Gnoll, and she realized she was getting a lot of casual glances. Selys covered for Erin though, chatting away and keeping their conversation light as Erin looked around.<\/p>\n

So. This was a proper inn. Erin could see all the signs. No broken chairs, no holes in the walls or clumsily patched spots, and bright lamps and a bustling staff to boot. The mug she\u2019d been given was filled with some kind of fruity, thick drink that was tasty as it was alcoholic. And the food was good, too! It was an inn without any flaws, fights, or skeletons.<\/p>\n

And Peslas was at the center of it all.<\/p>\n

The big Drake moved from table to table, not with the speed of someone serving drinks, but a lazy amble that took him to each customer, where he could chat, share a pint, and gossip. Occasionally Peslas would disappear into the kitchen and return with a plate or show someone to a seat \u2013 or lift a keg \u2013 but these were clearly all things he did as a favor to friends. He didn\u2019t need to work.<\/p>\n

What Peslas did<\/em> do was interact with customers. He made sure they were served on time, listened to their worries and successes, and talk. His mouth never stopped moving.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. She left you? Even after you got her the ring?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin saw Peslas sitting across from them two tables over, listening to a maroon-scaled Drake as he sniffled into his meal. Peslas was holding a tankard in his hands \u2013 the sixth Erin had seen him drink in the hour.<\/p>\n

Apparently, from what Erin could gather, the Drake that Peslas was talking to had lost his girlfriend of several years right as he was about to propose. After the woebegone Drake had spilled out the story, the older Drake\u2019s eyes were brimming with tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were always too good for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas wiped the tears from his eyes as he patted the younger Drake on the shoulder. He turned and shouted for a barmaid. She came over with two mugs and Peslas seized one.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone, a round is on me! Let\u2019s all toast young Relss and drink to his luck in future loves!\u201d<\/p>\n

The inn cheered. Erin found another large drink heading her way and wondered how many times Peslas did this every week. Or every day. He was generous. Sometimes he insisted a meal was on the house if a customer had had a bad day, or he\u2019d invite someone from off the street for a free drink.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan he afford all this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin whispered to Selys at one point when they were finishing their meals. Selys looked surprised, and then nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes. He\u2019s quite wealthy, and his inn does a tremendous amount of business. All of his regulars come by often. Well, they\u2019re all just as rich as he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he\u2019s the best innkeeper in the city?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best innkeeper in a hundred miles, you can be sure!\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas boomed from behind Erin and she nearly spilled her drink. He caught it, laughing as he seated himself at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard there\u2019s an innkeeper who\u2019s nearing Level 50 in the Human city up north.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich one?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, the biggest one. What\u2019s it called? First Landing. Yes, that\u2019s the one. That\u2019s the highest-level innkeeper on this continent, but then, most of the ones around my age are at least Level 20 or higher. Some are even Level 30, like me!\u201d<\/p>\n

He tapped his broad chest and laughed. Selys and Erin smiled at him, and Erin scooted back a bit so she wasn\u2019t right next to the big Drake. He grinned toothily at her again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo? What do you think? Can your little inn take some of my better ideas?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas gave Erin a patronizing smile, but the human didn\u2019t rise to the provocation. Erin nodded to herself as she looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so. I\u2019ve figured out something, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas and Selys leaned forwards over the table, expectantly. Peslas\u2019 eyes were dancing, but Erin didn\u2019t pay him any mind. She gestured to one of the Drakes serving a table.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need a barmaid. Or a waitress. Or someone who can serve drinks and clean up while I cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both Drakes blinked. Erin went on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got Toren, but he\u2019s not really the serving type. Plus, if I don\u2019t have to cook I can do other things. Like not cook. So yeah, that\u2019s my new goal. Get a barmaid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas looked incredulous.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t even have a barmaid? Are you by yourself in your small inn, Human?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a skeleton, but he\u2019s busy finding firewood and getting water for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

For a second, Peslas stared at Erin and then he howled with laughter. Other customers looked around, already smiling for the joke as he slapped the table. When he\u2019d stopped guffawing and entering into the wheezing stage, he looked up at Erin, wiping tears from his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like you. Yes, you\u2019re nothing like the Human nuisance I heard about!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d heard you were just a pest that went around causing trouble. But you\u2019ve got spirit for a Human! I like that. A shame your inn will never be half the inn mine is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Curious, Erin leaned forwards slightly. The alcohol was good, but she wasn\u2019t getting drunk thanks to her skill. Peslas looked slightly tipsy, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas flicked his fingers at the same time as his tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy else? Location, girl. I told the Human who used to own that inn the same thing, but he never listened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was a Human who ran Erin\u2019s inn before her? I never knew that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Selys was part of the conversation. The Drake blinked down at her second tankard and then at Peslas. He nodded at her, smiling and waggling a claw.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was years ago. Back before the Necromancer\u2014well, we got a lot more visitors from the south. People weren\u2019t afraid to cross the Blood Fields back then, and there were more than a few villages. A small one grew up around that inn, thanks to the human who ran it. But it was all destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy? What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment Peslas\u2019s broad face grew serious as he looked at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe undead happened. They forced everyone to flee the area. When the human did come back, he never really got the inn running again. No one visited and one day he just stopped coming into the city. I warned him. The fool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin remembered the skeleton in the upstairs room. Peslas laughed, and she looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he was brave.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shook his head at her, chuckling.<\/p>\n

\u201cStupid, yes. Brave? Maybe, but bravery doesn\u2019t sell drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he did his best. Anyways, he started his inn from scratch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need more than your best. You need something special. That\u2019s what you need to learn, young\u2014Erin, was it? You need a hook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas gestured around his inn.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy inn\u2019s known for being the best around. Best service, best food\u2014best beds and best drinks as well! What do you have to offer people to make them come all the way to visit you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin shrugged. She wasn\u2019t sure she agreed with everything Peslas had said about his inn. It was good, but if it only served Drakes, how good could it be?<\/p>\n

\u201cI play chess. I\u2019m not the best at it, but I\u2019m pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time Peslas\u2019s laughter echoed even to the furthest corners of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cChess! There\u2019s something interesting! You play, do you? Would you wager on a game? A few gold coins? Silver? I\u2019d bet two coins to your one. Whatever you like!\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys frowned at Peslas, but the larger Drake didn\u2019t seem to notice. For Erin\u2019s part, she remained calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, if you wanted to make a bet, I\u2019d bet everything I had. Ten gold coins? Fifty? Your inn? Want to take me up on it?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment Peslas blinked. Selys cut in, smiling at the innkeeper.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t you heard? Erin beat Olesm in a game of chess the first time she met him. She\u2019s never lost a game to him, and he plays her almost every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

That<\/em> caused a ripple among the Drakes who were listening to their conversation. But Peslas just laughed again, and waggled his tail in the air.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpirit! Humans are full of it. Just like I said to the last innkeeper. What was his name again\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

He flicked his tail dismissively. Erin stared at Peslas, not smiling. He was rude, or maybe just drunk. She would have offered to play him a game anyways \u2013 perhaps with a handicap like being blindfolded \u2013 when she felt something touch her foot. Erin nearly freaked out until she realized it was Selys\u2019 tail.<\/p>\n

The young Drake smiled at Peslas as the larger Drake finished laughing again and making a joke to his friends about humans looking alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice to see you again, but Erin and I have to visit some of our friends. Thank you for letting us watch you at work though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. Give my regards to your grandmother, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Peslas got up and showed both Selys and Erin to the door. As Selys had said, he made no mention of the bill, but he did stop Erin at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy inn is always open to other [Innkeepers]. Come by if you\u2019re ever bored and have a drink with me! But I think even your far-off inn will be getting business soon enough, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded sagely, tapping the side of his nose\u2014or was it snout?\u2014with a claw.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy [Intuition] skill tells me that this is so. I\u2019ve never known it to be wrong. Prepare your inn well, and perhaps you might level up a bit young Erin. Ah, well. Best of luck on your little endeavor!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were several streets away from the inn when Erin finally decided to break the silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, thanks for letting me visit the inn, Selys. It was really helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys looked at Erin out of the corner of her eyes and then burst out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not mad? I\u2019m so sorry about Peslas, Erin. I didn\u2019t know he\u2019d be so rude!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wasn\u2019t so bad. I\u2019m sorry too\u2014that I was rude to him at the end, I mean. I know he\u2019s your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys made a face as they walked along.<\/p>\n

\u201cErin, he\u2019s not my friend. I barely know him. He\u2019s an acquaintance of my grandmother, that\u2019s all. I barely talk to him every other month. Besides, he married a girl who\u2019s nearly as young as I<\/em> am!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin tried to imagine that and thankfully failed. Selys scowled as she walked along, her tail twitching in irritation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyways, he\u2019s a jerk. I\u2019m glad he hasn\u2019t earned more than one or two levels even after his inn became the biggest in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cReally? But his inn\u2019s so busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Isn\u2019t it strange? I guess there\u2019s some other reason why he\u2019s not leveling, but it doesn\u2019t really matter. Peslas is rich, and that\u2019s all he cares about. He doesn\u2019t need any more levels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess. It\u2019s just that his inn was nice. I just thought it was odd he didn\u2019t have any Gnoll customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t\u2014come here that often. It\u2019s not that he wouldn\u2019t serve them, it\u2019s just that they don\u2019t ever really go outside their parts of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHumans go wherever, but your kind don\u2019t really live in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin was still thinking. She was thinking about her inn and she understood what Peslas had meant about location. She thought he was wrong, but she got it. She and Selys walked on again, out of the Drake residential district. At last, Selys broke the silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyways, I\u2019m sorry he was like that. He\u2019s not rude to me. But you\u2019re another [Innkeeper] and\u2026Human.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there the conversation lightened. Erin and Selys were smiling again by the time they reached guard barracks.<\/p>\n

It had been a huge surprise to Erin to learn that Liscor did not in fact have a hospital. Selys hadn\u2019t even known what she\u2019d meant when Erin described the building and its function.<\/p>\n

In Liscor, people either healed up in their homes and hired a [Healer] to visit with herbs and potions, went out to get cured, or relied on organizations they belonged to. The Adventurer\u2019s Guild had several beds for wounded or homeless warriors for instance, and the Watch had the same.<\/p>\n

So that was where Erin and Selys found Ceria and Olesm, resting up in a secluded part of the building. The half-Elf and Drake weren\u2019t strictly under guard, but neither were they free to run around. But they weren\u2019t in trouble, either.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t really be blamed for the entire ordeal. The city knew we were going in, and besides, we lost almost everyone in the attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria explained the situation to Erin as she accepted a cut and peeled apple from the young woman. She was resting in one of the beds while the other three sat around her. Ceria was still quite thin and paler than normal, but Erin was happy to see she looked a lot better than she had.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe fought, rather than just run away. That helps. And there\u2019s also the fact that all the treasure\u2014such as it is\u2014was taken by the city. That\u2019s enough of a fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I told them that Ceria and the others shouldn\u2019t be blamed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olesm sat on the stool, nodding furiously as he crossed his arms. He was more active than Ceria, although he too looked thinner and paler than normal. He gestured in the direction of the rest of the building.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told Zevara that, and she was very understanding. I think the adventurers will be let off without any charges. But um, they might not get their equipment back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs if we could use it. The few that survived are either still wounded or don\u2019t ever want to pick up a sword again. I went to see Yvlon and she\u2019s barely responsive. As for me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria shifted in her seat, lifting her other hand as she chewed at the apple. Erin and Selys both froze up a bit as the yellow bone and blackened skin of Ceria\u2019s spell-damaged arm appeared. The mage grinned crookedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going adventuring anytime soon. My good hand\u2019s ruined and even if I do decide to adventure, I have no wand or spell books. Rot, I don\u2019t even have any gold to my name. I dropped it all in the Ruins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin exchanged a look with Selys. She looked at Ceria, trying not to make it seem like she was staring at the skeletal hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re okay? You\u2019re feeling fine except for the\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria shook her head and gestured to the limp bones.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be fine. My hand is a small price to pay for my life. If I could have traded it for the others\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

She broke off, and everyone was silent for a minute. Erin\u2019s eyes still stung at the mention of the others. Gerial. Sostrom. Calruz.<\/p>\n

Olesm was the first to break the silence. He gestured at his own bed, on the other side of the large room from Ceria. The Watch didn\u2019t have enough rooms to give the two privacy. That had scandalized Selys until Ceria pointed out that she and Olesm had had plenty of time to get to know each other in less-hospitable beds.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to get better. I\u2019d leave right away, but Captain Zevara insists I take it easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

He grinned at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen maybe I can visit your inn and play a few games of chess with you. We could play now, if you\u2019d like\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin ignored the hopeful look in the Drake\u2019s eye and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be nice, but I need a better hook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys frowned at her friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh come on, Erin. You can\u2019t listen to what Peslas said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he\u2019s right. Chess doesn\u2019t earn money, especially because none of the Workers are coming back to the inn. Not that there\u2019s\u2026many\u2026left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another silence fell over the small group. At last, Ceria cleared her throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m certain the lovely Watch Captain will kick me out of here sooner or later. When that time comes I\u2019ll probably be looking for a place to stay. Erin, would you mind if I went to your inn? I don\u2019t have any coin, but I\u2019ll pay you back as soon as I earn some.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? No!\u201d<\/p>\n

Olesm and Selys\u2019 tails froze up as Erin looked indignant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to ask you to pay.<\/em> You can stay in my inn for free! As long as you like!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ceria smiled and shook her head at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very kind, but I know you\u2019re in need of money too. I wouldn\u2019t want to impose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I insist. You\u2019re Ryoka\u2019s friend too, and I\u2019m sure she\u2019d want that. Besides, you can earn your keep! Can you cook?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing you\u2019d like and not with the ingredients from around here, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2014well, that\u2019s fine. You can do magic. I\u2019m sure I could find a job for you that would really help. Yeah. I could\u2026hire you as a barmaid?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot a good idea. I\u2019m not the bar-serving type and I don\u2019t do well with\u2026males. Besides, what could a one-handed barmaid do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, either way, I\u2019ll let you stay as long as you like. Money doesn\u2019t matter more than friends, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. I appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Selys and Erin spent another hour talking lightly to Olesm and Ceria, and Erin even played one game with Olesm, winning handily, before they left. The last stop Erin knew she had to make was back to Krshia. To pay for the clothes, for one thing.<\/p>\n

But she had an unpleasant surprise when she visited the Gnoll. Krshia still had everything Erin need in stock, but the Gnoll told Erin it would cost half against as much as it had last time Erin had visited.<\/p>\n

\u201cFood is far more expensive now. I will give you my best, but it will cost much more. And I cannot deliver it anymore. I am sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Street Runner, he is busy, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

Krshia explained as she began packing items into a bag for Erin to carry.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Runner, he does many deliveries in the city now and elsewhere. Many were hurt and killed when the undead attacked. He has much to do and cannot make the trip through the snow to your inn. Not without charging more money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Selys nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cNormally we\u2019d be finished preparing for winter by now, but what with the attack and repairs, we\u2019re shorttailed. Besides, winter never comes when you\u2019re expecting it. Everyone\u2019s really busy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well, that meant Erin had to carry her goods from now on. She looked glumly at the massive shopping bag Krshia was preparing and imagined a trip back through the snow.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if that\u2019s how it\u2019s gotta be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMm. Again I am sorry. But do you have anything else to add?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin blinked. She suddenly remembered one of the things she\u2019d planned to get while in the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah. I\u2019m looking for some special stuff while I\u2019m here. Ground beef! I want a lot of it, and some cheese. Ooh, and some mustard! And bread. I need sliced bread, or buns. That\u2019s even better. And tomatoes, vinegar, and um, eggs. I\u2019ll take a lemon or two as well if you\u2019ve got any.\u201d<\/p>\n

Krshia didn\u2019t have any lemons, but she did have everything else. It was expensive\u2014but the Gnoll told Erin she was lucky that the winter had just started.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the end of the season, such things will be too expensive for you and me, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just glad I still have money to pay for it. Business is slow and I need to make something amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin nodded to herself as Krshia finished packing the last of her additions into her bag. Erin reached for one strap, hefted the bag\u2014<\/p>\n

And felt all her confidence drain away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! This is really<\/em> heavy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am sorry, but you ordered much. Perhaps you should leave some and make two trips?\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin tried to imagine going back and forth twice in the snow and shuddered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really don\u2019t like that idea. Isn\u2019t there another way? A sled, maybe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, I\u2019ll<\/em> carry it if it means I get fed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin turned. Relc was standing behind her, smiling down at her. And by his side was a familiar face, but one Erin wasn\u2019t used to seeing again.<\/p>\n

\u201cKlbkch! Relc! What are you two doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuarding, mostly. But we came by to see you. I\u2019ve got a message for you, and Klb is just bored.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Antinium nodded politely to Selys and Krshia before turning to Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood evening, Erin. I hope you are recovered from events a few days ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Oh yeah, I am. You\u2019re okay, right Klbkch? Gazi cut you up bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have fully recovered, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd me! I\u2019m better too, thanks for asking!\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc interjected, puffing out his chest and showing Erin and the others a few new scars on his chest and arms. He looked at Selys as he smoothed the spines on his neck, but she only sighed and rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n

It was good to see both were well, even if it was odd to see Relc so friendly. Erin remembered how he\u2019d been before Klbkch had returned, but she put it out of her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you can carry my stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis? Of course. I carried stuff twice as heavy every day when I was a soldier.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc grinned at Erin and flicked Krshia\u2019s bag dismissively. The Gnoll sniffed at Relc as Klbkch addressed Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to visit your inn tonight, Erin. If that is not an imposition?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? No! Come on, by all means! I\u2019ll cook up a feast!\u201d<\/p>\n

Erin smiled happily at the two guardsmen. For once, it seemed like everything was back to normal in a good way. Relc was ebullient as he seized Erin\u2019s shopping bag.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat! I want a lot of food tonight! You can take the cost of me hauling this to your inn out of my tab, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Klbkch\u2019s elbow shot out and rammed Relc in the side. The Drake yelped and glared at his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just joking.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. You weren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnts. This is why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Relc grumbled as he lifted the pack with ease. He looked around for support and found none. He scratched at the spines on his head, muttered under his breath, and then looked at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, hey. Your inn exploded by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone stared at him. Relc looked at Klbkch, and then at Erin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Didn\u2019t I say that earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

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When Erin woke up, it was so cold that it hurt. She was inside her inn when she opened her eyes and nearly screamed from the sudden pain of the cold. Not buried under snow, although that was her first thought. No; she and Pisces had been rescued and the snow melted yesterday. 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