CHAPTER 4: FINDING ANA
After leaving the Hollow Spire and spending a night on the road, Eldrin and Ruk finally arrived at a small roadside inn as the sun began to set. Exhausted from their journey, they pushed open the creaking wooden door and stepped inside, greeted by the warm glow of lanterns and the smell of roasted meat. The inn was bustling with patrons, and the murmur of conversation filled the air.
Eldrin scanned the room, searching for a spot where they could rest. His eyes fell on an empty table near the fire, and he nodded toward it. “Over there, Ruk,” he said, leading the way. They weaved through the crowded room, Ruk clutching the edge of Eldrin’s cloak as he followed closely behind.
As they took their seats, the innkeeper, a heavyset man with a balding head and a stained apron, approached them. He took one look at Ruk, his expression hardening. “We don’t serve his kind here,” the innkeeper said sharply, crossing his arms over his chest.
Ruk’s ears drooped, and he instinctively looked down, clearly used to this kind of treatment. But before he could say anything, Eldrin calmly reached into his pouch and pulled out a gold coin. He placed it on the table with a quiet clink. “Are you sure?” Eldrin asked, meeting the innkeeper’s gaze with a steady, unwavering look.
The innkeeper’s eyes flickered between Eldrin and the coin, greed quickly replacing his disdain. He snatched up the gold, pocketing it without another word. “Aye,” he muttered, his tone changing. “What can I get for you both?”
Eldrin offered a small smile. “Two meat pies, two ales, and a room for the night.”
The innkeeper grunted, still glancing warily at Ruk but not saying anything further. “It’ll be right out,” he muttered, disappearing into the crowd.
Ruk blinked up at Eldrin, his eyes wide with gratitude. “Eldrin… why you do that?”
“Because you’re with me, Ruk,” Eldrin replied simply, patting the goblin’s shoulder. “And that means you deserve to be treated with respect, just like anyone else.”
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Ruk’s eyes shone with admiration, and he grinned, baring his sharp teeth. “Ruk is glad to have Eldrin as a friend.”
“Likewise,” Eldrin said, smiling back. “And I promise, this is just the beginning of better days, my friend.”
Their meal arrived, and they ate in comfortable silence, savoring the warmth and flavor of the meat pies. But just as they were finishing, a familiar voice cut through the din of the room.
“Well, well, well,” a woman’s voice called out, dripping with sarcasm. “If it isn’t Eldrin the GREAT!”
Eldrin froze, his shoulders tensing, and slowly looked up to see Ana standing there, swaying slightly with a mug of ale in her hand. “Hello, Ana,” he said quietly, sinking back into his chair. “How have you been?”
Ana slammed her mug onto the table, causing a few heads to turn. “GREAT! Actually!” she shouted, the sarcasm thick in her voice. “So I guess your master finally let you out of that stupid tower, huh?”
Eldrin sighed, trying to remain calm. “I’m still apprenticed,” he said evenly. “But I’ve earned the right to seek my own knowledge.”
“Oh, WOW,” Ana spat, rolling her eyes. “Guess you’re pretty special, huh?”
Ruk, watching the exchange with wide-eyed fascination, finally spoke up. “Is this how humans court, Eldrin?” he asked eagerly.
Eldrin couldn’t help but chuckle at the goblin’s innocent question, despite the tension. “No, Ruk,” he replied, shaking his head. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to go.”
Ana’s eyes flickered to Ruk, noticing him for the first time. “And who’s this?” she asked, frowning. “You’ve picked up a goblin companion now?”
“Yes,” Eldrin said firmly. “This is Ruk. He’s my friend.”
Ruk puffed out his chest proudly. “Ruk is Eldrin’s best friend! We fought wolves, found treasure, and escaped a dark place together!”
Ana’s expression softened, a flicker of amusement breaking through her bitterness. “Wolves, huh?” she said with a small smile. “And here I thought Eldrin didn’t have it in him.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Ana,” Eldrin replied, his tone gentle.
For a moment, Ana looked like she might say something more, but instead, she simply drained the rest of her mug and stood up. “Take care of yourself, Eldrin,” she muttered, turning to leave. “Try not to get yourself killed.”
“I’ll do my best,” he replied, watching her go.
As the inn grew more crowded, Eldrin and Ruk made their way to their room, grateful for the chance to rest. They fell into a deep sleep, finding comfort in the warmth and security of the inn after their long journey.