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The inn district unfolded like an oasis of luxury amidst the city’s rising warmth. Cobblestone streets gave way to polished paths, bordered by palm-like trees that swayed gently despite the lack of wind. Enchanted lanterns glowed with soft, golden light, casting a welcoming shimmer across the façade of a sprawling resort. A sign hung above the entrance, glowing faintly: Travelers Welcome.
Jace eyed the sign with a faint furrow in his brow. The message was clear, but it left him wondering what policies other places in the city might hold toward outsiders. The thought lingered as they approached the grand double doors, which opened with a quiet, magical hum.
Inside, the air was cool and fragrant, perfumed with something that reminded Jace of citrus and freshly turned soil. The lobby was a masterpiece of enchanted architecture—crystal fixtures floated gently in the air, casting prismatic light across smooth marble floors. Soft carpets muffled their footsteps as they took in the scene: lounging chairs that seemed to adjust their shapes as guests sat, fountains that shimmered with golden water, and an indoor pond surrounded by glowing lilies.
Dex let out a low whistle, his eyes gleaming. “Now this is more like it,” he said, grinning as he took in the opulent surroundings. “Alright, Ell and I already spoke about this and we are covering the rooms. The guys can bunk together—me, Jace, and Marcus—and the girls get their own.”
The girls exchanged glances before nodding, though Alice hesitated for a moment. Her gaze flicked toward Jace, lingered briefly, then darted away, her expression unreadable. “Sure,” she murmured, her voice quieter than usual.
“I don’t share,” Marcus declared, folding his arms with finality.
Dex rolled his eyes but didn’t bother to argue, waving him off with a lazy gesture. “Suit yourself, but I’m not footing the bill.”
Marcus snorted. “As if I’d take money from you. Please.” With that, he stalked off toward the receptionist, leaving the others in his wake.
Dex sighed and turned to Jace with a shrug. “Guess it’s just you and me, then. That good with you, Jace?”
Jace held up a hand. “Yeah, except for one thing. I’ll cover the rooms.” Before anyone could object, he flashed a grin and added, “Consider it my treat—thanks to some unexpected winnings.”
Dex raised a brow but shrugged. “I’m won’t complain. Ell?”
She nodded approval.
By the time they reached the receptionist, Marcus was already striding off, a bellhop trailing behind him with a key in hand—which was entirely unnecessary, considering he had no luggage. Even if he did, it would all be neatly stored in his inventory.
The receptionist looked up as Jace approached, her serene smile welcoming but professional. The faintly glowing quill beside her continued jotting notes on its own, pausing briefly as if aware of the shift in attention.
“Good morning,” she said smoothly. “Welcome to the Lost Oasis of Roandia. How can I assist you?”
“Um, yeah, we need rooms?” The words came out as a question. He glanced back at his group before meeting her gaze again. “Two should do—one with three beds for the girls, and another with two for us.”
She nodded, her smile unwavering. “Of course. Standard accommodations, or were you looking for something a bit more… refined?” Her eyes flickered briefly over the group, assessing their travel-worn appearances but saying nothing.
“Standard is fine,” Jace said quickly, then hesitated, glancing toward Dex and Ell. “Unless the others have something to say about it.”
Dex leaned casually against the counter, flashing the receptionist his most winsome smile. To which, Jace noted, she appeared entirely impervious. “Well, what are the options?”
“That, sir, depends on your desired budget,” she replied smoothly, her tone as polished as her appearance. “Might I ask how much you’ve allocated for your accommodations during this stay?”
Dex nudged Jace lightly with his elbow, leaning in to whisper, “If it’s too much, I’ll chip in.”
Jace rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he reached into his pocket. Fishing out a coin, he placed it on the counter with a soft clink. The heavy gleam of Etherium caught the light, and for a moment, the receptionist’s serene expression wavered, her eyes widening just slightly before she quickly masked her reaction.
“I see” she said softly, her voice just a touch lower. Her hand hovered over the coin before picking it up delicately, turning it slightly in the light. She cleared her throat, the flicker of emotion gone as quickly as it had come. “Let me provide you with change—it’s far too large a denomination for standard rooms.”
“Uh, sure,” Jace said, watching her slide the coin into a crystal slot embedded in the counter.
The device emitted a soft chime as smaller platinum coins cascaded into a compartment. With practiced efficiency, the receptionist gathered the coins, stacking them neatly before slipping them into ten polished wax-sealed tubes. Jace couldn’t help but wonder if the device also checked for forgeries—an idea seemingly confirmed by the faint flicker of satisfaction in her eyes as the coins emerged. Sliding the tubes across the counter, she offered a polite, professional nod.
“With this,” she began, sliding one of the ten platinum tubes toward her, “you could enjoy two of our standard but more than adequate suites for the duration of the Games.” Her tone was warm, smooth, and persuasive.
Then, with a deliberate pause, she pulled two more tubes toward her slowly, her voice dropping to a near reverent whisper. “But with these…” Her fingers brushed the polished gold, and her smile softened into something almost conspiratorial.
“You can have two adjoining top-tier suites. Private baths and access to a luxury spa, the finest enchanted furnishings, full wardrobe restoration for your entire stay, enhanced sleeping quarters imbued with restfulness charms, and even personalized magical services.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
She paused just long enough to let the promise of indulgence linger. “It’s an experience unlike any other. And, as the saying goes, a little luxury goes a long way.”
Jace hesitated, glancing back at his group, then down at the gleaming pile of coins.
Alice placed a hand gently on his arm, her expression cautious. “Jace, we don’t need all that. The standard rooms are fine.”
Her words gave him pause, but then his mind drifted back to what he knew about her—how she’d grown up not so differently from him, scraping by where luxury was a distant fantasy. It was wasteful, sure. But as impractical as it seemed, he wanted her to have this—a rare, bright spot in what had been a tough journey for all of them.
“Alright,” Jace said, sliding the three stacks of coins the rest of the way across the counter—vanishing the others into his inventory. “Let’s do it.”
The receptionist’s smile widened ever so slightly, her hands already reaching for an enchanted key that pulsed with a deep, royal blue glow. The intricate carvings on its surface shimmered faintly as she handed it to him. “An excellent choice. You’ll find the suites unmatched in both comfort and privacy.”
Jace sighed, tucking the key into his pocket as the receptionist inclined her head. “Enjoy your stay, Master Jace.”
As he turned to rejoin the group, the weight of the enchanted key felt oddly heavy in his pocket.
As they ascended the grand staircase, the lavish details of the resort revealed themselves further: enchanted windows that displayed shifting landscapes, even though the real view outside was the city streets; corridors that adjusted their lighting based on the time of day; and magical runes embedded into the floors that guided them effortlessly to their rooms.
Dex and Jace stepped into their shared suite, and even the sight of it made Jace pause. The room was enormous, with a high-domed ceiling painted with moving constellations. A crystal-clear pond rippled gently at the far end, its waters shimmering with faint magical hues. The furniture—plush chairs, a wide bed, and a chaise lounge—seemed to beckon them into comfort. Even the air smelled faintly of salt and flowers.
Jace chuckled softly, shaking his head. The day’s events still pressed against him, but the warmth of the room dulled the edges. As he glanced toward the softly glowing runes lining the walls, he couldn’t help but wonder what the next day would bring.
Their room was the epitome of luxury made magical. The pool pond at the far end rippled faintly, its surface reflecting hues of soft blue and gold as if catching sunlight that wasn’t there. Warmth radiated from the walls, adjusting the temperature with a near-sentient precision that made the air feel like a perfect spring afternoon.
Crystal globes hung from the ceiling, humming softly with gentle light, their glow shifting in rhythm with the room’s ambiance. The windows displayed a serene oasis, palm trees swaying under a painted sunset that shifted as if alive. Jace approached one and touched the pane, half-expecting to feel the breeze of the illusion, though only the faint warmth of the glass met his fingertips. The linens, soft as a whisper, carried a faint scent of lavender, their magic ensuring they were never too cool or warm.
A faint chime resonated from the pond, drawing their attention. Dex jumped to his feet, his grin lighting up like a kid who’d just found treasure. “Oh, a Telepond! I’ve heard of these!”
He approached the shimmering water, spotting a small basin of smooth pebbles resting nearby. Grabbing one, he flicked it effortlessly into the pond. The surface rippled outward, shimmering with a soft, iridescent glow. Then, the water began to rise, twisting and reforming until a lithe figure took shape—a translucent, blue-tinted version of Ell.
“Sup, Ell!” Dex called, clearly enjoying the novelty.
Ell’s watery likeness placed her hands on her hips, her features exuding the same exasperated charm she carried in real life. “Jace, Dex… this room…”
Before she could finish, another figure shimmered into existence beside her—a playful, water-formed version of Molly. Her laughter bubbled through the connection as she leaned in. “Is delightful.”
Then Water-Molly vanished, stepping back as Water-Alice appeared, her form materializing with the same crystalline glow. Her soft smile carried warmth even through the enchanted medium. “Thank you, Jace,” she said, her voice quiet but heartfelt. The sincerity in her tone hit him squarely, her gratitude warming him in a way the room’s opulence never could.
But the moment of serenity didn’t last. Out of nowhere, a pillow sailed through the air, visible even in shimmering water form, and smacked Alice squarely in the face. Her watery reflection rippled as she froze, blinking in surprise.
Molly appeared behind them, doubled over laughing. “Oh, that was perfect!” she crowed, clearly pleased with her aim.
Alice steadied herself, reaching for her own pillow with mock solemnity. “Oh, it’s on now,” she declared, her voice dripping with playful menace.
“Children, both of you,” Ell chided.
The pond reflected the chaos as the two launched into a full-blown pillow fight, their laughter bubbling through the enchanted connection.
Ell turned sharply, her hands on her hips, her shimmering form exuding exasperation. “Really? A pillow fight? Could you two be any more stereotypical? What are you, teenagers?”
Alice smirked, brushing her hair out of her watery eyes. “Technically… still am. Got a few months left, so I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”
Before Ell could respond, a pillow hit her squarely in the side of the head, sending her reflection rippling. She froze, glaring at Molly and Alice, who were both trying—and failing—not to burst into laughter.
“Oh, very mature,” she deadpanned, though her tone was light. Another pillow flew at her, but this one she dodged.
“Alright, that’s it!” Ell shouted, grabbing a pillow of her own. She launched it at Molly, who shrieked and retaliated. Chaos erupted as all three joined the fray, their laughter echoing through the pond’s enchanted surface.
The water began to shimmer as the connection started to break, their figures dissolving into ripples with every swing and shout. Just as Ell landed a satisfying hit on Molly, the final flicker of light vanished, leaving the pond still and silent once more.
Dex let out a low whistle. “Okay, I definitely need one of these ponds in my dorm.”
Jace shook his head, a grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah,” he murmured, the warmth of their laughter still lingering in his chest. “Me too.”
Jace chuckled softly, pulling off his cloak and draping it over a chair. The tension from the day’s events still clung to him, but the comfort of the room dulled its edges. He sank into one of the plush chairs.
Dex propped himself up on his elbows, his grin turning sly. “So,” he started, dragging the word out. “What’s up with you and Alice? Is that ever going to happen?”
Jace froze, the question hitting harder than he’d expected. His face flushed as he feigned confusion. “What do you mean?”
Dex sat up, pointing at him with exaggerated offense. “Oh, don’t pull that. You know what I mean. You two have been dancing around each other since, well, forever. It’s like watching two swords try to figure out how to hug.”
Jace rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Dex’s gaze. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Dex snorted, leaning back against the bedframe. “Right. Sure. For someone who’s all about truth, you’re not exactly honest with yourself, are you?”
Jace sighed, letting the conversation drop. Dex didn’t press the issue, but his smirk lingered like an unspoken dare. The room’s warmth seemed heavier now, the enchanted lights casting longer shadows as Jace leaned back and stared at the illusion of the distant oasis, his thoughts drifting farther than the horizon.