Norbert looked up to the wooden door. Peeping through the windows from the street, Norbert found himself once more at a pub, seeing people talking and moving about, hearing it escape through the cracks between the door and the frame. Clawing to be released into the night.
Walking up each creaky wooden step at a time, Norbert went to the door and gently swung it open, instantly being bathed in sound. Squinting from the sudden light he stood at the entrance waiting for his eyes to adjust, Norbert looked around the wooden area; circular tables dotted the open space, generally with four chairs each, though some people had moved and brought some tables together.
Doing a quick scan of the room, Norbert saw nobody from the scouts, though he did spot several people from The Frontier group dotted around. Walking up to the bar and finding the bartender, a young man wearing simple clothes with no hair on his head a thick handlebar moustache gleaming in the light, only a couple of years older than himself. Norbert sitting at the bar, watching as the man scrubbed a glass down before getting another.
"What can I get for you?" The bartender asked. Norbert gulped, wanting to make sure he hadn't got the wrong place.
Norbert asked, "Is this the Leaky Tapper?" Only receiving a nod in return, Norbert continued, "Cassie sent me here, and so here I am."
Norbert watched, waiting for a response; looking at the man, Norbert could not believe the change, a smile on his face as he beamed with joy. "Ah, you must be the crazy person running around." He said; Norbert nodded in response. The barman continued, "Well, as thanks for entertaining all of the kids for the day, word spread that you would at least have a warm meal and a roof above your head for the night, and so you're here." Taking the cloth out of the glass, he poured what Norbert assumed was a beer before setting it in front of Norbert.
Taking a sip, Norbert was greeted with his mouth tasting something feeling the bubbles cascade down his throat making him feel living again as the golden ichor washed into his gullet, realising that he had not eaten all day, wondering how those kids could have survived with no meal for so long. "So, what food you like us to have" Norbert held up his hand, sipping at the beer as the man stopped. "Whatever you think is good, I'll eat it. As long as you tell me the name afterwards."
Getting a strange look at the request but shrugging his shoulders, the bartender went off to the side and through a door swinging on its hinges, only half covering the entrance like in a saloon; Norbert looked and saw the kitchen there, as he saw several people rushing around inside.
Placing his backpack on the ground by his feet, Norbert took his drink in hand and spun around on the bar stool, looking at where he would stay the night.
Hearing the voices around him, Norbert looked at the bar, the light wooden floorboards, meeting with the same benches, and people all happy around him. Scanning more to the left, Norbert watched the room continue in the same manner, able to see the chairs though heavily worn with time, still loved.
Noticing the little marks on the legs, some scratches on the tables, signs of recent sanding and about to have oil put over the top. Norbert smiled, taking a sip of the beer. Holding it in his mouth, Norbert tasted a rich deep flavour, feeling the bubbles in his mouth as he took a gulp, sighing in satisfaction.
Going back to inspecting the room, Norbert looked around, seeing the stairs on the back, the wooden railing meeting with the others, and a corridor up there with doors closed, which Norbert assumed were doors. He realised he was in a tavern and would be able to sleep on an actual bed for once, actually, get some good sleep rather than the short naps he recently was having.
Taking another sip of the beer, Norbert turned, finally seeing the workers bustling around the place, now realising how lively it was. Another element added to it is getting drinks from shelves and taps, constantly pouring and talking to each other.
Now looking to the other patrons at the bar, Norbert saw none of the seats was filled, except for a seat to the right, looking Norbert saw the gate hopper sitting there in his black cloak, wholly covered with his hood over even on the inside with a beer in front of him.
Next to his glass was Obsius, chirping away at the person. Norbert just watched, stunned, not knowing when Obsius left his shoulder but not believing that they were communing together like that. Never had Norbert seen Obsius act in this manner; the suspicions of this man now increased manifold at the convening together.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Now sitting forward again, Norbert pulled his pendant out, confirming it still had enough light. Knowing that after the day he had, it must have taken quite a hit, and staying within this busy environment was likely not helping.
Playing around with the pendant in his fingers, Norbert thought about nothing, just hearing the voices around him and sipping on his drink, tilting his head to the side now and then, seeing the two of them continue conversing.
As Norbert looked at them, one of the servers came around, placing a plate of food and cutlery in front of him. Feeling the steam engulf him, Norbert looked down, mouth salivating at what he was looking at. It was a steak and potatoes substitute they had here. Looking at it, Norbert saw the juice on the plate.
Mouth-watering, Norbert picked up his cutlery, feeling the fork enter the meat. Norbert slightly held the knife across the meat, feeling it smoothly glide through the side. As Norbert cut through the steak, picking the meat up and looking at it, the juice leaking out of it, steam coming off. Norbert nodded at its medium rare, the pink within showing it.
Taking a bite, Norbert felt a tear escape his eyes. Remembering the steaks he had at home with his family, hitting him that it's been too long since he left for home, not even including the time he had been over there. Wanting to go home and hug her and thank her for what she had done, as Norbert did not know when he would be able to make the time or if he would ever just get trapped here.
From the side, Norbert felt a tap on his shoulder. Opening his eyes, Norbert looked to the right, seeing a staff look at him. "Are you okay? Is the meal any good?"
Smiling and whipping the tear away with his sleeve Norbert just nodded, replying, "It's the best". The staff happily walked off.
As Norbert went and cut another piece placing it into his mouth, Norbert felt a peck at his hand. Looking down, Norbert saw Obsius staring at him. Norbert just looked down, raised an eyebrow at the bird and continued to chew. Receiving another peck in reply, Norbert just laughed at the bird. "So now you don't want to hang around your new friend, hmm? There's now bigger, better things on offer?" Norbert asked the bird
Only receiving another peck and chirping in reply, Norbert just nodded. "Okay, okay, I'll cut you some pieces up, patience little one", Norbert said, and began cutting up small pieces of the steak off and placed them on the side of the plate. Obsius goes and eats the pieces and has some of the mashed potatoes.
Not for the first time, Norbert wondered what this bird's stomach was like to be able to eat so much. Shaking his head, Norbert continued to eat in silence, finishing the meal and drink. With his plate cleared, the waitress came around, clearing it off before another drink appeared.
Choosing the woman, Norbert took a sip, a different flavour sweeter and lighter than before but still just as good Norbert just looked towards Obsius, sitting on the bench. "So, did you chat well with your new friend?" Norbert asked Obsius, receiving chirps and squarks in reply. Norbert just nodded.
"Oh, so you do like your friend then. Do you want to start following him now? Going to abandon little old me?" Norbert asked, feigning offended, clasping his hand to his heart, the other to his head as he leaned backwards.
Cracking his eye open, Norbert looked down, seeing the bird stare at him and judge him for the spectacle he was making. Laughing, Norbert leaned forward, having another sip of his beer. Happy that he was around, Norbert looked to the side, asking the person beside him.
"So, are you going to come with us out tomorrow?" Norbert asked; as he looked, the person slowly turned towards him, receiving a shake of his head before looking forward again. Even when Norbert looked right at him, he could not see their face; there must have been some magic hiding it from us.
Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert looked towards Obsius again, having another sip of beer. "Well, at least it's good your making friends now that you're out of your forest," Norbert said, not receiving a reply in response.
Throughout the night, as people came in and out, Norbert just sat in silence, the rest of the people avoiding the three of them as they just sat there. Slowly people started moving out of the building, the sound getting quieter and quieter until it was silence, only the murmuring of the staff talking to each other.
As Norbert drained the drink, looking around and seeing nobody else around, being the last one in the room, Norbert wondered how long he had been sitting there. He did not realise the time that had elapsed for him.
Placing the drink down, a staff came out with a key saying, "Here you go, your in room three, just up the stairs and the second on the right." She placed the key on the table and walked off, Norbert not even getting a good look at her.
Nodding and saying thanks to the mystery woman Norbert picked up his things, moving up the stairs and counting the room. Finding the second one as instructed, Norbert put the key in, able to unlock the door. As Norbert walked in, the floorboards squeaking under him, Norbert looked, finding a simple room with a bed big enough for two people.
Closing the door behind him, the room now engulfed in darkness; placing his bag down, Norbert removed his leathers and changed into his other clothes that were slightly cleaner than his current ones. Looking around and feeling, Norbert felt the magic circle for the light, knowing he could not make it any brighter or more accessible for him to look around. Norbert unthinkingly went until he reached the bed.
Lying down in the bed and looking at the roof, the wooden rafters above him, Norbert wondered what tomorrow would bring him and if they needed more.
As Norbert closed his eyes, his body was on the mattress that once would have been hard but was as soft as a marshmallow compared to the earth. Norbert went to sleep.