After a hearty breakfast of Cockadoo and biscuits, Merlynn, Gloria, Fyri, and Cyrus walked while with casual conversation, till they came upon a well-worn dirt junction. “Righty then. This is the main road. We are headed east for big boy’s destined journey, plus there’s a quaint little inn further along. We could grab a decent hot meal there for a change, no offense Cyrus nor miss Merlynn, but this girl needeth ale.” Fyri moaned a little palpating from the thought of ale.
“I could use an ale myself now that you mention it. The inn was our intended destination anyways so looks like we will be traveling together a bit longer.” Merlynn chimed in, she too palpated over the thought of ale.
The journey to the inn went smooth, smoother than either Cyrus or Merlynn had predicted. They both had a running bet that they would encounter bandits or monsters before reaching their destination, however as boring as any day could be they arrived at the inn within a few hours, just in time for lunch.
The inn was a cozy little cottage butted up against a larger lengthier building. The cottage itself was of a warm honeyed colored wood with a half thatch roof. The wood that poked through the thatch was a rich mahogany that seemed older than most the other trimmings.
Fresh baked desserts could be seen cooling on an open windowsill. Hearty chatter and pleasant music spilled out as a surly patron stumbled out the front door. He whistled abruptly and threw his hand up in the air signaling a stout individual sitting atop a horse driven carriage. The seated individual then slapped the carriage twice flinging the door wide open.
The drunken man crossed the gap in a blinding sway then leapt belly first into the carriage which promptly shut and sped off no sooner than the door clicked shut. “It’s busier than last time I was here.” Merlynn noted as she bore an irritated look. “Aye! Let’s hope they haven’t drunk all the good ale yet! Come Cyrus it's your turn to buy a round!” Fyri called happily trotting inside the inn. “We better hurry she might drink it all.” Cyrus chuckled slightly embarrassed. They both nodded in agreement, Merlynn more so than Gloria.
As they entered behind Cyrus a roguish man exited the inn making increasingly awkward eye contact with Merlynn. Merlynn’s irritation quickly melted into wicked excitement as she blew the man a kiss to draw his attention. As he piqued his lewd smile towards her, the man quickly remembered exactly who she was and withdrew from the bar as quick as he possibly could. “Lines been cast, now all I have to do is wait.” Merlynn thought to herself quite pleased. She noticed a few other roguish men watching her and now her companions as they seated themselves. Fyri appeared to be a few ales in sitting across from a dwarven man who was goading her into a drinking contest. Cyrus had sat a stool down from her placing an order with a lovely looking dryad who seemed enamored by him. Gloria drew the attention of a trio of well-dressed Nezmui who stopped playing their card game to watch her investigate everything like an ecstatic child. They spoke in a native hushed tone as two of the cuddled in nostalgia entwining their rodent like tails together, while the other seemed to squeak in protest as he held his large blushing ears.
A server passed through with a tray of drinks that she sat down at various tables, dropping most of them off with Fyri. Merlynn quickly joined her slamming back one of her foamy mugs. “Heyyy those are mine.” Fyri sloshed as she pounded down a frothy mug. “Damn girl! I guess the rumors about desert elves are true, you lot can really drink like us dwarves. The hearty dwarf guffawed paying Fyri’s tab to the server. “I’ll be taking my leave now. Come Rally let us be off!!” The dwarf stumbled away from his seat laughing as another smaller dwarf came to his aid. The two of them belted hearty laughter as they exited the inn.
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Merlynn watched them leave as she finished another one of Fyri’s ales before turning on her heels calling out to a blonde elven woman with tired silver eyes handing a stout man with wild red hair a heady mug of honeyed ale.
“Lorilye!” Merlynn playfully shouted. “Oh no…No no no! I’m sorry sir but this is going to have to be to go.” Lorilye spoke firmly in an aged voice despite appearing so young. “Now see here lass, I just sat down and you’ve but only wet my cup.” The stout man grunted as red wispy strands peaked over his broad shoulders. “And it can easily be returned to its cask all the same, take it with you or not at all.” Lorilye affirmed tilting the mug ever so slightly spilling a bit of ale. “Okay lass point taken!” the stout man leapt from his stool snatching the ale from the woman’s hand. He muttered to himself with the audible curse here and there as he walked out the door.
“Lori what are you doing!?” Merlynn asked in confusion. Lorilye continued to ignore her as she angrily ran off the remaining customers. “Lori!” Merlynn shouted. “What Lynn! What in the gods names are you doing here again!? I guarantee it’s not for a pint or two and see your friend Lori! Specially not with that lot you just rolled in with!” Lorilye gestured vaguely towards Cyrus, Fyri, and Gloria who each stood in awkward silence.
“HI I’m Gloria.” She managed to squeeze out before Lorilye began tearing into Merlynn again. “That’s nice dear. Furthermore, what do you plan on destroying this time!?” Lorilye barked in anger. “Hey! I fixed it didn’t I!?” Merlynn barked back pressing her nose against Lorilye’s. “Wait…Gloria?” Lorilye turned suddenly pressing her hand into Merlynn’s face, her own face swiftly brimming a smile. “As in wee lil’ Glory? My my how you’ve grown love.” Lorilye beamed as she quickly approached Gloria. “Looks like you’re becoming quite the fetching lady, no thanks to your impulsive mother I assure you.” Lorilye grinned patting Gloria on the head.
“Do I know you?” Gloria asked blushing and confused. “Oh no dear, you were but a small child when we first met, I doubt you’d remember much at that age.” Lorilye answered along with a wave of hand gestures. “I’ve never been here before though.” Gloria thought aloud. “I brought you here once, after Bo...” Merlynn trailed off. “He always wanted to bring you, so after what happened the first time, I brought you along when I came back to make amends to Lorilye’s father, Ryuhn.
“That was the last year father was with us rest his soul.” Lorilye wept softly then promptly returned to her stern demeanor. “Now it was great seeing you Lynn, especially you little Glory, but it’s time to go while my shutters are still hinged.” Lorilye urged while trying to push Merlynn towards the door with no avail. “This is the last time I swear!” Merlynn pleaded on her knees with teary eyes. “The answers no! My poor inn has suffered enough from your vengeance crusade.” Lorilye firmly spoke planting her foot. “He will be gone for good this time. I promise you after today he will no longer bother you or anyone else again for that matter.” Merlynn affirmed herself resolving to stand.
“Don’t make me a promise you can’t keep Lynn.” Lorilye demanded pointing a steady finger at her face. “I swear to you this time will be different, we will all finally be free of him!” Merlynn exclaimed. “Free of whom might I ask?” an all too familiar sinister voice called out from the doorway behind them.