"As it turned out, Obain's purse hadn't been stolen. He'd forgotten that he left it at the inn's front desk for safe keeping." I finished my story with a flourish, jangling Obain's coin purse in the air between us and our gracious host. She giggled, her eyes crinkling with mirth as she glanced towards Obain.

The man in question quickly looked between his coin purse and his side, snatching it back from my hands and stowing it inside of his shirt. "When did you even…" He grumbled, before huffing and shaking his head.

A grin found itself on my features, and I gently patted his arm. "Now now, don't be upset. Better to have it taken from you by your dearest friend than some miscreant on the street." I consoled, and Obain crossed his arms over his chest.

"Lately I'm having trouble discerning how you're any different." He retorted, and I put my hand over my heart in shock.

"How dare you! I am a gentleman, down to the very marrow in my bones." I said indignantly, shaking my head in disbelief.

"They say the only line to be drawn between a gentleman and a rake is their manners." Rasa hummed coyly from the side, and I stared at her with wide eyes, wounded by the betrayal.

"At last! Someone sees past the flowery words to the manure from which it's grown. My Lady, you are truly wise beyond your years." Obain declared triumphantly, bright laughter flowing from Rasa at the vindication in his tone. Speechless, I stamped my cane onto the carriage's floor.

"I will take this slander of my character no longer!" I harrumphed, stabbing a finger at Obain and Rasa both. "See if I speak to either of you again after this abuse!"

Obain grinned, looking towards the heavens. "Finally we shall have blessed silence. There is a god!"

I snorted, turning my head to the side and glaring out of the window. The rolling countryside had long been replaced by barren farmland, rows and rows of turned earth frosted over by winter's hold. The snow had stopped falling, leaving in its place a serene landscape of virgin white.

"Come now Sir Inan, I quite enjoyed your stories." Rasa comforted, her tone as warm as sunlight after a storm. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eyes, and she smiled at me with the grace befitting of a princess. "It was all in jest, truly."

I hummed lowly, tapping a finger on the hilt of my cane before a smile of my own made its way back to my features. "Well, if the Lady says so." I relented, and she nodded daintily.

"Indeed the lady does. You both seem to be well traveled, and from the way you tell your stories I can infer that you're also well learned." She said, adjusting in her seat as the carriage rumbled onto more smoothly paved ground. "I don't believe I ever asked. Where are you both from?"

I immediately felt a prick in my heart, the faintest squeeze of pain taking hold of my chest. I fought to keep my smile on my face, as I saw Obain glance at me from the corner of his eye.

If there was one thing I could say that I had learned about our host, it was that she was an adept listener. And with this came the ability to notice the faint change in mood during a conversation, a skill she immediately displayed as her own expression turned to one of concern.

"If it's a sensitive topic, you don't need to tell me." She said hurriedly, and I nodded gratefully.

"In truth, I have not thought about my home in quite a while. Complicated family circumstances, you see." I replied, and she nodded.

"Well then, a different topic. What led you to decide to travel to Heibong?" She asked, and I chuckled, drawing my cane into my lap and sliding a finger down its length.

"I'd heard it was called the City of Fortune." I said after a small time, looking out of the window once more. The rows of farmland had given way to small houses, an indication that we were now nearing the outskirts of the city. "I'd been hoping to make a new life here, if possible."

"A new life…" I heard Rasa murmur, the faintest tinge of… not misery, but something close to it in her voice. I looked at her, and found that she had also turned to stare out of the window. Her eyes may have been watching the passing scenery, but I could tell she was looking at something far off in the distance. Farther than anything I could see.

I hesitated, wondering if I should ask what it was that pained her so. But in the moments that followed, I found that I couldn't quite bring myself to voice the question. So instead I joined her in her silence, watching the scenery pass by outside of the carriage.

It was strange. We were no more than a few feet apart, and yet again the distance between us felt as if it had grown far greater.

After a bit of time, I heard muffled voices calling to the driver of our carriage. We rumbled to a stop, and I turned an ear to listen as Obain did the same, though Rasa remained steadfast in her vigil.

"... pecting you. An escort will be provided, so please wait here for the time being." A deep voice said politely, and immediately realization dawned on me as I discreetly glanced at Rasa.

A princess of Eurida, the country conquered by the very empire we were in. An escort waiting for what was supposed to be the sole passenger of this carriage.

And the raw sorrow that I could now see on such a princess' face.

"We picked up two passerbys on the road here. They're still in the carriage." Our driver said, and I heard a sharp whistle.

I saw Obain shift in his seat, his hand grasping the hilt of his sword. From his posture I knew he heard someone approaching, and I smoothed out my suit, lowering my cane to tap it on the ground.

The door swung open, revealing a heavy set man, neatly groomed and wearing pristinely kempt silver armor. His eyes flicked between the three of us, though I noticed the way his gaze lingered on Rasa. He cleared his throat, his eyes once more settling on us.

"This carriage is bound for the royal palace. Please disembark. If you have need of a new carriage, we shall hail one for you." He said, and I knew he had been the one who spoke previously. I glanced at the stitched diamonds on his shoulder cuffs, and racked my brain for what that rank would be in the Yinong Empire. At the very least, he was an officer.

I saw Obain studying him. "Actually Sir, we are-" He began, before I lightly tapped his calf with my cane. He looked back at me in surprise, and I looked at the officer with a smile.

"Of course. I thank you for the offer, but a carriage won't be necessary. Instead, would you be so kind as to point us to a nice inn? We've had a long journey." I said, and the officer nodded with a smile of his own, clearly relieved that we were making his job easier.

Obain looked as though he was ready to complain at the prospect of walking once more, but I gently shook my head. He rolled his eyes, but silently stood and clambered out of the college, and I followed after him.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Back out in the open air, the chilling bite of winter once again made its presence known, ferocious and vengeful after our time spent in the warmth of the carriage. It was not made any gentler by the fact that night had begun to settle, the sun slowly setting behind the horizon. I turned back to look at our host as Obain grabbed our luggage from the back of the carriage, and found that she was also looking at us.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Princess." I said, smiling. "You turned an unpleasant journey into a most exquisite one."

She smiled, though it was no longer genuine. There was that small tinge of sadness to it, that acceptance of her fate. She looked almost ethereal, sitting alone in the small world of her carriage. Like a flower, plucked away from the garden in which it was grown and placed into a vase to be admired.

"Please, no need to thank me. I enjoyed your company." She replied, folding her hands into her lap. "I shall remember our conversation fondly."

"When we meet again, I'd love to further our discussion on poetry." I said, bowing the polite amount, though I glanced upwards. I could tell from her expression that she didn't believe we'd be meeting again, but she also bowed her head.

"I'll be waiting until then." She whispered.

The door closed, and I rose from my bow as the officer nodded towards the carriage driver. He turned back to the front and snapped the reins, the carriage pulling away slowly as a small retinue of guards flanked around it. I watched it rumble down the cobblestone road, before turning to the officer.

He smiled as my eyes met his. "Greetings, good sir. You were asking about an inn before, yes?" He asked, and I nodded as Obain hoisted our luggage onto his shoulders.

"Indeed. One of higher repute, if possible." I confirmed, and he nodded easily, turning to point down the street.

"If you follow that road, you'll eventually come across a second main thoroughfare. Take it towards the center of the city, and you'll come by the inn. Silver Sable, can't miss it." He said, turning to wink at us. "It's a personal favorite of mine."

I laughed easily, fixing my grip on my cane as I nodded towards Obain. "Shall we?" I asked, and he grumbled under his breath. Taking that as confirmation, I began walking, my cane tapping distinctly against the cobbled road.

The city was vibrant, even at the outer edges we found ourselves in. Buildings rose in abundance, none smaller than three stories. A constant throng of movement spoke to the life the city held, bright lights and brighter conversation filling its streets with merriment. Despite the cold, smiles could be seen as we walked through the crowd. Indeed, as far as first impressions went, the "City of Fortune" lived up to its name.

I took my time to study the fashion people wore as we walked. Most wore dark, stately colors, with thick fur lining that hung loosely around their frames. The men's coats were burly but comfortable, while the women's were more flowing and delicate. The cold here was more unforgiving than my home, evident by the choice of apparel and most of the residents fairer skin.

As we continued on our way, I heard Obain's heavy sigh beside me, and I rolled my eyes. "Not this again." I chided, and he fixed his hold on our luggage.

"I just don't understand what your aversion to comfortable carriage rides is. We could have informed them that we were also expected at the palace." Obain grumbled, and I nodded. It was a fair point, but one that was made in ignorance of my intention.

"We're ahead of schedule by a couple of days." I said, inhaling deeply as we passed by street stalls that offered tantalizing pieces of cooked meat. "This gives me time to get a bearing on what the general opinion this city holds for its ruler is."

Obain pursed his lips, glancing around. "Its ruler… the Emperor?" He whispered in my ear, bending down to do so, and I chuckled.

"Yes. Its ruler the emperor." I confirmed, and he rose from his bowed position. I could tell he had questions, and I was more than happy to answer them. But only in the privacy of a rented room.

The bustling noise of the city's growing nightlife enveloped us, a blanket of joy and merriment that was nearly infectious. Open doors that housed warm fires within beckoned people to enter, though as I looked around at the architecture I found myself… disappointed.

It was behind in efficiency and design by a few decades in comparison to my own home. Something that would be remedied… if I decided to make my stay here. Still, there was an air of wealth and prosperity in this city that few others held. And, most importantly, very few residents carried noticeable weapons with them, a testament to the security felt within. But if that would hold throughout its reaches, instead of just on the main thoroughfares, would remain to be seen.

After a few more minutes of walking we finally arrived at the recommended inn. It was larger than the buildings around it by a substantial amount, rising to nearly six stories tall, and its design was grandiose in the way only one that offered its services to the wealthy could be.

As we approached I saw a man in a pristine black uniform with fur lining around the collar take notice of us. He walked forward to greet us, his teeth pearly white and long fair hair pulled tightly into a ponytail.

"Greetings, good sirs. Could I take your luggage for you while you check in with us?" He asked. Obain studied him for a few moments, and to his credit the man's smile didn't so much as twitch at the scrutiny. Satisfied, Obain handed him our luggage cases. "Thank you very much. The front counter will be happy to help you acquire a room."

I nodded to the man with a smile, as Obain walked ahead of me and pulled open the door. I breathed a sigh of relief as warmth enveloped us, and studied the interior.

The refinery was elegant, and the reception hall was well decorated. Sparkling chandeliers hung from a broadly arched roof, offering the inn lighting that was both warm and welcoming. Well painted murals covered the side walls, sprawling landscapes and majestic architecture being its main portrayal. Plush seats with small tables dotted the area, and I noticed quite a number of the inn's clientele were chatting in the lobby, trays of steaming tea set between them.

The main reception's desk had a small line to it, Obain and myself joining their number. We quickly found ourselves at the front, and I noticed a portrait of a man wearing bear fur standing proudly above a burning flag behind it.

I felt my eye twitch. That flag…

"Hello." The receptionist greeted, a pretty woman with an alluring smile standing primly behind the desk. "Will you two be lodging with us during your stay in the city?"

I nodded, unwrapping my scarf from around my neck and rolling it neatly onto my arm. "We will be. Do you offer currency exchange here? We've come from Vaznir, you see."

The woman's smile widened. "While we don't offer currency exchanges, we can send someone to do so for you. For now, we would be happy to take any form of currency as payment. The rate for a two bedroom suite is 37 Lemir per night. If you would like a grand suite, that will be 65 Lemir per night."

I hummed, subtly impressed by the woman's quick conversion. "A two bedroom suite will do fine, as well as your other service." I said, reaching into a pocket and…

I frowned, reaching into another pocket.

I felt panic flare inside of me, as I hurriedly patted the rest of my bodice, but found nothing. I looked towards Obain wildly.

"Obain, someone has…" I began, until I saw his coy smile. He raised a hefty coin purse, jingling it in the air.

"Looking for this?" He hummed, and I scowled as I snatched it back. I should have known he would not take my earlier antics lying down.

If the woman was bothered at all by our little performance she didn't show it, her expression the very face of professionalism. I cleared my throat, before setting aside the required amount for a three day stay and handing her the rest. She didn't so much as peek inside of the bag, instead handing it off to an assistant who strode forward to take it silently.

"So you'll be staying with us for three nights, then?" She asked, and I nodded, pushing over the coins. She glanced at it, but didn't disrespect us by counting it individually. Instead she sweeped it into an unseen pouch beneath the counter, and smoothly produced a key with a small blue ribbon hanging from it.

"Your bags will be brought to your room shortly, and your money will be ready for you by morning." She said, and I nodded as I took the key. She bowed, hands clasped together at her stomach. "Thank you for choosing the Silver Sable. We hope you enjoy your stay."

Together, we stepped away from the counter. I looked at the ribbon, and noticed that we had been placed on the third floor.

I glanced around, and sighed when I saw that there was no lift. I hadn't been expecting one in the Yinong empire, but still… that meant I would be facing my most dreaded foe.

Stairs.