Chapter 84: Dullwater Inn
The next morning Stryg and his companions spent the morning traveling through the grassy hills of Dusk Valley. The ride was mostly spent in silence, with the occasional lecture regarding magic thrown in. The original plan was to stop and break for practical training, but Loh insisted they make as much distance from the frost wolves as possible. Stryg did not disagree.
They eventually spotted a small river and followed it upstream, hoping to find civilization. As the sun began to set and the orange evening light touched the sky the group arrived near a village. From a distance it didn’t seem like much. A few buildings sprawled around the river. Once they drew closer Stryg realized that the village truly wasn’t much.
“Finally, I thought we wouldn’t reach this village in time,” Loh sighed in relief.
Stryg raised his hood. “You know this place?” He asked skeptically.
“Ah, it seems our great city has distorted your expectations my young apprentice,” Loh chuckled. “Most villages out here are quite small, with only farm land and hills around, no fancy shops nor academies. A place like Hollow Shade is an exception within the Valley.”
“...I see,” Stryg eyed the wooden signpost at the entrance of the village. “Dullwater?”
“It seems pretty apt, everything looks dreary,” Rhian noted.
“Mm,” Maximus grunted in agreement.
“That it does,” Loh nodded. “And to answer your question, Stryg, I don’t know this place. But, I know a lot of places like it. Most towns and villages out in the Valley are the same, just trying to get by, hoping that Hollow Shade’s soldiers defend them from raiders and that the occasional caravan stops by.”
“Can’t they defend themselves?” Stryg asked.
“Oh, please. I doubt they even have a militia. They may technically be independent, but they submit to Hollow Shade. These villagers need the great city’s protection if they hope to survive in the Valley.”
“So, their betas then? Or perhaps even omegas?” Stryg tried to compare the relationship with a tribe’s hierarchy.
“Something like that. All you really have to know is that they respect the people of Hollow Shade, doubly so when you are a mage like us,” Loh said.
“I see.”
“Oh, here comes one now,” Loh pointed.
An old man stepped out from a pitiful excuse for a watch tower next to the village signpost. The rickety wooden tower only stood about 6 feet tall, even the centaurs eclipsed the structure. The old man hobbled in front of the dirt road leading to the village square.
“Who goes there?” The old man asked in a scrappy voice.
“Travelers from Hollow Shade,” Loh held up her golden nameplate.
The old man’s dreary eyes opened wide at the sight, “Welcome to Dullwater, please enjoy your stay.”
He bent his back as low as possible. Too low if the cracking sound and the grimace of pain on his face was any indication.
Rhian and Maximus tread past him without another word. Stryg looked back at the old watchman, he was still bent in a bow. Stryg wondered if he was just trying to be respectful or if he genuinely could not get back up.
“I didn’t know nameplates work in villages,” Stryg said.
“They don’t, not really. But, the people out here recognize what it signifies. A resident of Hollow Shade. The last thing most of them want is to offend Hollow Shade and risk losing the city’s protection,” Loh explained.
Stryg heard a groan of pain from afar. He glanced at the watchman at a distance. The old man was on the ground. Well, that answered his curiosity.
“Dullwater Inn?” Stryg read the sign of the simple two story wooden house coming up on their right.
“Not very creative, huh? I thought they’d have a bit more of flair,” Rhian smiled wryly.
“They only have one inn, there’s no point in giving the place another name. No need to distinguish themselves from other Dullwater inns,” Loh said. “In fact, I’d wager this place serves as a pub and brothel as well.”
“Huh. I guess that’s common in small villages?” Stryg surmised.
“Exactly. We’ll acquire some supplies in the morning, for now let’s get something to eat,” Loh dismounted.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Stryg said to Rhian, before he hopped off and followed Loh inside.
“Enjoy your dinner, Master. Your amazing centaur will await your return,” Rhian made a flourishing bow.
Maximus sidestepped away from her.
The old inn door creaked open loudly. Over a dozen patrons sat around the few scattered tables. Most sipped their drinks while whispering to each other in low voices. The fireplace was dim, with only a small log smouldering on the grate.
The place smelled like ash, beer, and piss. An old human stood behind the bar, wiping a cracked mug with a seemingly dirty towel. A barmaid sat on a bar stool, playing with her hair, waiting for the next customer to ask for a drink. It seemed there wasn’t enough business to even keep a single barmaid preoccupied.
Stryg’s sensitive ears caught the sound of a woman moaning and a man grunting from upstairs. He supposed this place really did serve as a brothel. Perhaps that’s how they managed to stay afloat. Or maybe not. Stryg really didn’t understand how much money it took to keep a place like this open. All he knew was that he didn’t like this inn.
“Where’s the booze at?” Loh removed her hood and called out with open arms.
Stryg paused in his steps. He assumed they would try to remain in a low profile, to observe for any possible threats. Obviously, he was wrong.
The barmaid glanced up and scanned their simple grey cloaks. She froze for a second, clearly not recognizing either of them.
She stood up from her stool and walked over, “Hello, welcome to our inn. What can I get you?”
“For starters, the best mead you’ve got and then some hot food. Oh, we also have our centaurs outside, I’d like for them to be placed in your stables for the night. And on that note my companion and I would like a room,” Loh smiled.
The barmaid smiled apologetically, “Sorry, we don’t have stables. There aren’t enough centaurs around to warrant them. The best we can offer is the shed in the back of the inn, along with some warm blankets.”
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“Hmm,” Loh sat at an empty table.
Stryg followed and took a seat beside her. He removed his hood, to the small gasps of the other patrons.
“I’ll suppose that’ll have to do,” Loh sighed.
“Wonderful,” the barmaid nodded and stood still.
“Well, what are you waiting for,” Loh raised an eyebrow.
“Payment, of course,” she frowned.
“Ah, right,” Loh pulled out a few copper coins from her pouch and handed them over.
The barmaid swiped the coins up with a cat’s grace and scurried away. She spoke with the bartender before heading into the kitchen.
“Villagers like to have their payment up front. They don’t trust outsiders, which is understandable I guess. That and they tend to be too poor to risk losing any coin,” Loh whispered.
“I see,” Stryg whispered.
He took the brief respite to study the people of the inn. Most were older men, with gaunt cheeks, and scraggly beards. A few were women, middle-aged by the looks of it. Though they seemed to have much more grey in their hair than their age warranted.
“They are all human,” Stryg noted.
“Yep. Most towns and villages around here are. The majority of humans in the Realm have settled here in the Valley,” Loh said.
Stryg leaned towards her, “I can’t tell who they are staring at more, you or me.”
Loh gave a side glance at the other patrons, “Definitely me, I’m the prettier one.”
“You say that as if I’m pretty,” he frowned.
“You’re right. Those cheeks definitely put you more on the cute side,” she smirked.
Before Stryg could respond the barmaid came out from the kitchen, a bowl of steaming soup on each hand.
“Here you two are, cream carrot soup, fresh off the pot,” the barmaid placed the bowls in front of them.
Loh took a whiff of the soup, “Mm, smells good. Now I just need some ale.”
“Right on it,” the barmaid turned.
“Actually, hold on a sec,” Loh raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“I’d like to procure a sleeping companion for the night, once I’m done eating that is.”
The barmaid bowed her head, “I’m sorry, miss. We don’t have any male night companions here, but I’m certain any of the men here would love to spend the night with you, judging from the stares. You only need to say the word.”
“Who said anything about men?” Loh made a wry smile.
The barmaid tilted her head and glanced at Stryg, “If you are looking for someone for your companion, both our establishment’s women are currently upstairs working. I can let them know that there is a potential buyer waiting once they finish.”
“That’d be great, but it’s not for my partner. I’m the one buying,” Loh grinned.
The barmaid stopped as if her mind was still processing. A few grumbles were heard from the other patrons. One man even spat out his drink. Loh ignored them, but Stryg did not. He stood up and rolled his shoulders.
“No need, Stryg. Just sit down and enjoy the food,” Loh said without looking at him. Her eyes were staring straight at the barmaid.
“O-oh, I see,” the barmaid said, finally comprehending. “Well, I’ll let them know once they finish. But, I can’t guarantee they’ll be willing to attend you.”
“I don’t see why not. They run a business and I think I’m their best customer yet,” Loh pulled out a gold coin.
The barmaid’s eyes widened. She had never seen an actual gold coin before. Few around here had even seen silver coins.
Loh studied the surprised girl’s face. She had soft skin, a clear complexion free from any scars. She was young, no more than mid twenties at best. Loh could even tell she had an ample waist under her skirt.
“On second thought,” Loh slid the gold coin across the table. “I’d like to spend the night with you, if you’re willing to offer your services.”
The barmaid blushed, “U-uh.”
One of the older men got off his chair, his face flushed red, “Hey, you queer, we may let you eat here, but don’t you touch our women. We won’t let you infect them, ya hear me!”
“Aye!” The other men shouted and stood up.
Loh summoned an orb of flame above her hand, “Sit your asses back down before I burn them off! I don’t give a shit if you hear me or not.”
“...Aye…” The men sat back down and sipped their drinks quietly.
Loh extinguished the flame and smiled at the barmaid, “Sorry for the interruption. Most barmaids in taverns like this also work at the brothel’s upstairs for the right amount. Am I wrong to assume so?”
“A few barmaids do. I thought about it, but I have yet to do so,” the barmaid admitted.
“Interesting, are you spoken for by any chance?” Loh asked.
“Yes,” the barmaid swallowed.
Loh sighed, “Of course, the best women always are. I’m guessing it was that dimwit who tried to start a bar fight with me.”
“Well, actually, my fiancé ran off. The one who shouted is my uncle,” the barmaid mumbled.
“Your fiancé left the village?” Loh asked.
“Yes, I would rather not talk about it,” she glanced worriedly at the other patrons.
Loh tapped the table, “Do you like it here?”
“Huh?” She furrowed her brow.
“I’m saying do you like this backwater town? Or would you rather go someplace else, someplace more than what Dullwater could ever offer?”
“I don’t. I don’t know what you mean.”
Loh pulled out a few more gold coins, “I’m saying with this much money you could hitch a ride in the next caravan and go anywhere you want. Make a life for yourself any place you desire. Even one of the four great cities, Hollow Shade, Undergrowth, Murtkon, or Frost Rim, you decide.”
“A-anywhere?” The barmaid gripped her skirt. Her fiancé had managed to leave town with only a few silver coins. With this much money she could really go anywhere she wanted.
“Exactly,” Loh nodded.
The barmaid looked back at her uncle who was fuming red and staring daggers at her.
“Someone is jealous,” Loh whistled. “Hey, you, man with balls of steel! Yes, you. No matter what your niece decides, if you even lift a single finger to harm her I’ll know and I’ll come back here and burn you to ash. The same goes for the rest of you lot. Do I make myself clear?”
“...Aye,” the group of men muttered.
The uncle said nothing, but took another swig of his drink.
Stryg knew for all his master’s power, omniscience was not one of her gifts. Still, he supposed they would probably come back here at some point. It’d be easy enough to find out then if the barmaid had been hurt.
“So, miss barmaid, what is it to be? I understand if you're not interested and I won’t bother you if that’s the case. But, if you decide to accept I promise it'll be the best night of your life,” Loh leaned back in her chair.
The barmaid glanced at her uncle for a brief moment. She licked her lips, “I am in your care, miss.”
“Wonderful,” Loh grinned and pulled the woman into her lap.
“What about your drinks?” The barmaid laughed softly.
Loh savored the feeling of the woman’s soft thighs before she spoke, “Your uncle can bring our drinks, isn’t that right?”
The man grit his teeth, but stayed quiet. He got up and went for their drinks. His face grew redder as he placed their mugs on the table and left the inn.
“Fucking drow bitch,” he whispered in the softest yet harshest of voices as he walked out.
Why spend so much money on one night with me?” The barmaid asked, curiosity piqued.
“Don’t worry about the whys and let’s just enjoy ourselves. Besides, fiancés are overrated,” Loh whispered into her ear.
“You do realize I have a fiancée, right?” Stryg sipped his drink.
Loh twisted her lips, “Ahem, I’m having a private conversation with - Actually, I don’t know your name.”
“Louise,” the barmaid nodded briefly.
“Lovely name,” Loh smiled.
Stryg finished his soup and got up.
“Where are you going?” Loh asked.
“To get some fresh air, this place stinks,” he yawned.
“You should come back soon, before the women upstairs get new customers,” she called out.
“I prefer not to sleep with those two.” Stryg could smell the scents of those women upstairs. They were covered in the sweaty musk of those humans and others. He would rather not spend the night sniffing them.
“They may not be Feli, but trust me it’s gonna start getting to you once you're out in the Valley for weeks without any tail. This is your chance to get some relief from all that tension,” Loh warned.
Stryg’s nose twitched, “I’ll take my chances.”
She looked through the window and spotted Rhian chatting one sidedly with Maximus outside.
“Oh, I get it,” Loh winked.
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t?”