A Three Kingdoms "Inn"

They dismounted, Astra gratefully releasing Velus. Fred led his horse into one of the stalls, where he found fresh hay, and a trough divided into two sections, one section with feed, and the other with water. Fred's horse soon took advantage of both.

Fred Astra and Velus made their to the front of the building, where they found the door opening of its own accord, which set Velus barking. Then they heard in a high female cadence :

"Welcome travellers
Please come in and rest awhile
It is free to all!"

"What was that?" Astra asked. She had heard nothing like it before.

Fred thought for a while, he had heard something like before and was trying to remember where. After several moments, he got it. "It's called a haiku, I think. A kind of poetry."

"But it doesn't rhyme!" Astra protested. Velus barked his agreement.

Fred shrugged. "Apparently it doesn't always have to," he replied. He indicated that they should step inside. After a slight hesitation Astra walked through. Fred and Velus followed after.

They were confronted with a long corridor with doors on either side at regular intervals. It was lit by wall mounted torches. If they examined them closely, they would notice that they gave off no heat, and wouldn't burn them.

Fred opened the first door to the left. He noticed that the room was dark for a split second after he opened the door, but was soon lit up by similar torches to the corridor. There was a comfortable-looking bed, already made up. There was a small latrine in the corner farthest from him, and next to that was a tin bath already full of water. Next to the bath was a back scrubbing brush, soap and a clean towel. In the opposite corner, close to the bed, was a small table next to which was a comfortable looking chair.

They had a look at the other rooms and they were all identical. Astra chose the one opposite Fred's and made sure Velus stayed in Fred's room as he had in at the other inn. Velus didn't seem to happy about that.

Fred thought that he (Fred) could do with a bath. He was concerned about the cleanliness and temperature of the water, though he was coming around to the idea that magic played a large part here too. Sure enough, the water was perfectly clean and at a decent temperature when he tested it.

1. Fred has a bath.
2. Velus surprises Fred by jumping in and soaking him with water.
3. He hears a voice asking him if he would like some food.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree