Elias felt lucky to leave when he did. For what little comfort that gave him. The roads were clear and had avoided getting completely covered in snow. Thunderstruck was still able to travel the path albeit slightly slower than usual.

Elias hopped off his horse tied off the reins and approached the inn. The door swung open easily as he shook off his wet clothes and closed the door. The sound of the wind cut off abruptly, but he could now hear the chatter of the inn more easily.

The large room had a large hearth fire going to keep its occupants warm. A few stools were empty at the bar, but most were filled. A mix of townsfolk chatted and ate at this late hour over drinks at the tables set up.

“Old Eli,” said the man manning the bar. He carefully poured drinks for customers and waved Elias over. He approached.

“Lukas. It is nice to see you again.”

“It is indeed. It is indeed. I’m glad that you could come down here during this terrible weather. However, it does make the food taste better and the fires feel warmer. What can I do you for today?”

“A room for the night. I’ll be busy here tomorrow morning. Do you have the room?”

“I always have the room for you my old friend. The space is probably not the warmest room in the inn, but it will fit you for the night. It at least no longer has the leaks and I hope it stays that way.”

“Thank you. I’ll also take a meal if you don’t mind and Thunderstruck is tied up outside.”

“He’ll be well taken care of; don’t worry about that. As for a meal, we have some of my stew in the pot. You can serve yourself. I will be checking on your horse it seems. Luckily for you, there is still some room for him around back.”

Lukas stepped away from the bar and grabbed a thick fur cloak. He nodded and headed out to the door. Elias smiled and looked at the back wall. He made his way to the stew by smell. Inside the pot was a mix of a few vegetables that were finely cut and a savory meat that was diced up. He grabbed the ladle sitting in the pot and scooped up a serving into a bowl before returning to one of the stools at the bar.

The stew was hot as he ate and warmed up his cold hands. Elias let his focus stay on enjoying his food while he waited for Lukas to return from outside. People continued to chat and drink around the fire, but he ignored it all. His mind was on other topics. In the meantime, his hand caressed the hilt of his blade. It felt comfortable and easy.

As Elias savored the hearty stew, the sounds of muffled conversations and the gentle crackling of the fire in the inn's common room served as a comforting backdrop. The stew's rich flavors and warmth began to chase away the chill from his bones, and he couldn't help but appreciate the simple pleasures of a hot meal on a cold night.

Lukas returned to the inn, shaking off the cold and snow from his cloak. He looked tired and his eyes met Elias's with a sense of understanding that needed no words. They had always been able to communicate with a mere glance, a nod, or a shared silence.

"The horse is settled," Lukas said as he took a seat next to Elias while leaving his coat hanging next to the fireplace. "He will be well rested for tomorrow.”

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Elias nodded in appreciation, saying, "I never doubt your instincts when it comes to taking care of him.”

Their conversation fell into a comfortable lull as they enjoyed the stew and the warmth of the inn. Elias felt he could relax, if only for tonight. Busy days lay ahead for him, but for this night, he had nothing to worry about. As the night wore on, the inn's patrons gradually dispersed to their rooms, leaving Elias and Lukas by the fire. The room grew quieter, with the fire's embers casting a warm, dancing glow across their faces.

Elias finally spoke, breaking the silence, "Tomorrow, I have a business to attend to. The road ahead is uncertain, but I'm glad I stopped by before I go."

“Stay safe in your travels. I was never one for adventure, which is probably why I never really left this town. Just bring back some stories to entertain myself and my patrons,” Lukas said with a smile.

“I can do that.”

Lukas patted Elias on the back as they left their stools behind. The lanterns were dimmed for the night and the inn quieted down as everyone slept for the night. Eli followed the steps up to the second floor and walked to the end of the hall. There was a single door that opened without a key. The room inside had a few boxes stacked on the wall and a simple mattress on the wood ground. It was smaller than the normal room and packed between two other rooms on either side of it. He looked up to the ceiling where an unlit lantern hung. Inspecting the area further he saw no holes or signs of water leaking into the room.

The bed creaked when he sat on it. His last sight of the night was of his sword lying next to him.

Snow coated the ground in the morning. As the sun peeked out from the gray clouds, Elias hurried out to take advantage of the clearer weather. He went around to the back of the inn where Thunderstruck waited. After saddling the horse, he was ready to set off.

Elias tightened the straps of Thunderstruck's saddle, his breath forming puffs of mist in the chilly morning air. The horse nuzzled his hand affectionately. Elias patted the horse's neck and stroked its mane.

As he swung himself onto Thunderstruck's back, Elias couldn't help but think about the events of the previous night. Lukas had given him a hearty farewell as they left the inn behind. The cozy warmth of the inn, now left behind in the depths of the slumbering town, was a stark contrast to the cold, snow-covered morning that greeted him.

Elias nudged Thunderstruck into motion, and the horse trotted gently through the cobblestone streets of the small, sleepy town. The buildings, aged and filled with history, stood as silent witnesses to the passage of time. The town's residents were just beginning to stir, their breaths visible in the frigid air as they started their day.

He considered the town's old structures with a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty. Perhaps he could return to the town and his home in the future, but that day wouldn’t be here soon. As Elias rode further from town, the snow-covered landscape stretched out before him, pristine and untouched. The sun had started to warm him up. The roofs around him dripped with melting snow. Some of the older buildings sported long icicles hanging off their edges.

The old stone walls, marked with long cracks, had been continually resealed and patched. It was a simple barrier only six feet tall in most places but one that Elias had rarely crossed in recent years. He nodded to the guard who held the gate open for him. The job was simple in the town but appreciated by most in the village. He stood as a friendly face for the traders and travelers who had to stop at the old north village.

Thunderstruck accelerated after exiting the walls. The sounds of his gallop were muffled by the light dusting of snow on the trail.

Elias's heart raced as Thunderstruck carried him farther from the comforts of his hometown. The horse's powerful stride resonated through his body, and the familiar sensation of adventure gripped his soul. He knew he was embarking on a journey of great significance, one that would take him far from the safety of his childhood home.

As they rode further from the village, the landscape gradually transformed. The snow-covered fields and trees gave way to dense forests, their branches heavy with snow. Elias tightened his grip on Thunderstruck's reins, guiding the horse along the narrow trail that wound through the woods. The forest seemed to hold its breath; the silence broken only by the rhythmic thud of Thunderstruck's hooves against the frozen ground.

As they ventured deeper into the forest, Elias's mind drifted back to the reason for his departure. He was needed in Easthaven. A hero had been declared and they needed him.