The next day’s adventure started with the ringing of a coin spinning in the air. As it landed, Thomas peered down at it and pointed in the distance while saying,” East.”
“That’s south, the direction we came from,” Ciaran corrected following the finger. After many arguments, they had decided to let a series of coin flips determine where to go. With no destination in mind and no goal to be accomplished they had little care for where the road took them.
The group boarded the wagon and went due east. They found a similar landscape to what they had witnessed previously. Just dozens upon dozens of trees on either side. They didn’t even pass any travelers along the road.
“I’m starting to wonder if it would have been more fun to stay in Elderbrook,” Thomas whined from the back.
“Well, if we keep along this path, we should make it to the border with Leonlin that should excite you,” Lachlann consoled,” Imagine getting to see a whole other culture with its own history.”
“Leonlin is still in the twelve kingdoms. How different can it be?” Alfar asked as he urged the horse forward.
“I’ve heard stories that recently Leonlin has entered a golden era after the most recent coronation,” Lachlann blurted out excitedly.” After the unexpected deaths of his parents, he took the throne before he was even an adult. It would be fascinating to see his attempts at improving the fate of the poor.”
“Wouldn’t you rather go claim honor on the battlefield?” Ciaran commented.
“That sounds like a quick way to die,” Lachlann retorted. “True men seek to further knowledge and philosophy rather than finding new means to kill.”
“We beat a dragon what more can life throw at us,” Thomas boasted.
“We only beat that dragon because of luck and a very expensive magic crystal,” Alfar reminded him. As they continued down the road, they continued to argue about what they should do. The discussion ceased only after they reached an old worn-down inn with its sign fallen in the mud. The building was crooked in all directions and looked like parts could fall at any moment. There was nowhere to hitch the wagon so they used a tree. As they entered the inn, with Lachlann at the back from fear of the coming collapse, they noticed a single light illuminating a bar while leaving the rest dark. A woman old enough to be their mother was asleep with her head resting on the bar. As the door closed behind them, she sputtered awake.
“Welcome, to the sunset inn,” she slurred barely awake. “What brings you here business or pleasure or both?” Finishing the question, she attempted to wink but only managed to blink. Ciaran started to exit but was quickly stopped by the others.
“We’re travelers hoping to find beds for the night,” Alfar explained stepping forward from the others.
“I’m afraid we don’t have much in the way of beds not since a week ago when the last room collapsed.”
“What’s an inn without the beds?” Lachlann questioned while trying his best not to touch anything.
“It was always my dream to run an inn so I call it an inn,” The woman muttered barely holding back tears. “I was only good for fighting and after the war I can’t do that.” The woman lifted her left leg onto the bar revealing that it ended in a thin wooden peg. “I got a hero’s penance after slaying dozens just to waste it on this place.” By this time the friends were all awkwardly staring at each other as Ciaran and Thomas made moves to leave. They all stopped when the woman slammed her fist on the solid wooden bar and splintered the wood leaving the indent of her knuckles.
“How did you do that?” Alfar asked pointing to the indent.
After looking at her fist, she responded,” Any knight worth their blade can do this. Heck, a well-trained child could do this.”
“Could you teach us to do that?” Thomas asked excitedly stepping forward.
“Of course,” The woman sighed,” for a price.” The four friends quickly huddled together and argued in hushed tones.
Eventually Alfar turned to stranger and offered,” How about we help rebuild your... inn and you teach us how punch things well.”
“I can also help you with you cooking as a bonus,” Ciaran added.
“All right let’s drink on it,” She responded turning around to begin filling mugs with ale. “Name is Beatrice WeatherBridge by the way.” One by one the others introduced themselves and began to drink.
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