Shortly after that, they arrived at the inn.

It was a similar caravanserai as the one in the Overlord Mercy, focused not just on caravans, but also couriers, small merchants and regular travelers. Nua already knew that it meant better sleeping quarters and more comfort. What was different about this one was that it had two internal courtyards, the one in the back doubling as a marketplace. Azure Falls was a major stop on the road for most merchant expeditions and a place where they traded merchanise and bought supplies.

She didn’t get a chance to have a look at the market – all she noticed was a domed gate far out in the back and asked Ashra where it was leading to. She did not feel as overwhelmed by the crowds anymore, and at some point, she would like to see it. But right now, her body was aching, and her thoughts were looping back to Hessa.

Walking through the courtyard, she noticed another unique trait of Azure Falls. They passed by three parties, small groups of four or five each, dressed – as the mercenaries usually did – to flaunt their wealth and equipment. They didn’t all look like soldiers, though. At least half of them preferred lightweight clothing and those who had warriorlike outfits wore less armor. They also seemed to carry superfluous amounts of rope, which betrayed their intentions better than a sign post. Explorers were frowned upon in Overlord’s Mercy, and thus not as numerous. Here, they seemed a legitimate part of city business, even though – according to the medic – their reputation was poor.

Passing by the stables, Nua glanced in their direction.

“I’d like to check on Shadow,” she turned to Ashra.

“Shadow’s good,” the caravan leader said. “Idris took care of her. Rest up. From the look of it, you need it.”

“But…”

“Look, everyone needs a day off at some point. You did more than I’d expect of you. More than anyone would. Just rest now.” Ashra pinched her nose. “I’ll have one thing less to worry about.”

To Nua’s amazement, she got her own room – a small bedroom intended for a servant, placed next to the caravan leader’s quarters. It fit one bed with a straw mattress, a chest for her private belongings and there was still some space for a washing basin to rinse off the worst grime before going to the baths downstairs. She didn’t know if these were temporary arrangements until the rest of the caravan arrives, or if she was being rewarded, but she appreciated it. She examined the furniture – the bed with an actual wooden bedframe and the chest painted with bright colored geometrical motives. She felt the carpet and tapestry, both worn, but colorful, with plant-themed patterns. She was absorbing the details thoroughly. After all, it was her first time having a place only for her to sleep, and not knowing what the future holds, she resolved to make a good memory for later.

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Anki appeared at some point and perched on the bed frame, watching her take account of the room.

“No bedbugs, if you’re looking,” he remarked. “A couple of fleas. You could take time killing them, or we could leave.”

Nua gave the bed a longing look. Her body throbbed, riddled with bruises and stiff after overexertion. She should wash first, she admonished herself. The caravan had standards and it would be bad to roll back to her old habits.

“I told you before. I’m not leaving. At least not until I talk to Hessa.”

“This is a bad choice.”

“We’ll figure out something about the ruins,” Nua said. “Did you see all these explorers? It’s, like, everyone’s favorite thing to do in Azure Falls. The caravan is staying here for a few days. Maybe we could talk someone into taking us on a team.”

“This is a bad idea for entirely different reasons,” Anki said. “And I won’t even start on Hessa’s opinion about the matter. How would you even approach it?”

Nua touched the mattress. There were fresh linens under a checkered woolen blanket, and they promised a blissful rest. She sat on the bed and massaged her shoulder. Her stomach was grumbling. She already had breakfast, but that was a while ago, and she didn’t eat much the previous day.

“I would get hired as a guide,” she replied. “Then pass your knowledge and my ether sense as my skills as an experienced guide. Then, you would direct the party where you want, and they would fight if needed. We’d see that they wouldn’t make deathly mistakes like Flavius.”

Anki gave her a surprised look.

“You have thought about it.”

“I think too much these days,” Nua was aware that she was sullying the blanket with the dirt from the desert and the back alley, but since the linens were safely hidden underneath, she decided that she could lay down for a while.

“I mean, I do not remember you being quite as enthusiastic.”

“There’s money in it, I need good weapons, and I need a mount,” she said. “Not sure if real explorers have licenses to bring sorcerous stuff out of the ruins or if they do it illegally, but that’s their problem. I’d ask them for silver. Also, I would take stuff that’s not etheric. Like spools of copper wire, but better. Then sell them to Ashra.”

“How would you ascertain that they won’t resort to murder to avoid payment? I am a good listener,” Anki asserted, “And all authority figures in your life underscored the atrocious morality of these people. I won’t even mention Flavius – as a prince, he was probably an outlier.”

Nua grinned.

“What do you mean, how? We’re the best at eavesdropping. Spy on all of them and choose the ones that are the nicest.”

Anki’s blue form seemed to condense.

“You are surprisingly courageous all of a sudden, especially right after a brush with death” he said. “I applaud your willingness to help, even if your motivation is mundane. I do wonder, though, if this is a misplaced confidence in your skills, recklessness even. Be wary and do not act on an impulse.”

“You’re worried about me.”

“If you die, I die, so – yes, I am.”

“Rest easy,” Nua sighed. “I’m not doing this right away. I think I pulled a sorcerous muscle.”

“Oh,” now Anki sounded genuinely worried. “I will examine your channels in your sleep, if you agree.”

“Please do so. Not sure if I want to sleep now,” Her mind was still running through the scenarios she presented to Anki, and she preferred that to reminiscing her recent battles. The mattress felt so nice she didn’t want to move. “It’s still morning. I’m hungry, and I need to wash, and I…”

Several hours later, she woke up to Anki’s voice and the sound of knocking on the door.