From the outside, the tavern looked dirty, disturbing, and uninviting. Clay bricks and thick, hard wooden logs make up most of the building's outer structure.
It's difficult to see through the dusty windows, but the gloominess from within can be felt outside.
As we entered the tavern through the heavily used, metal door, we were welcomed by a layer of smoke hanging below the ceiling and dirt and dust from all places.
The bartender was staring at nothing and made no effort to acknowledge our presence.
It was as somber inside as it is on the outside. Several walls support the upper floor where you could see most of the doors broken. The walls were dilapidated and hadn't been maintained in years. This place was a true dump!
The tavern seemed to almost be completely abandoned. The few people inside were not welcoming either. They gave me an uncomfortable feeling as if they were a ragtag bunch of criminals. From the dirt and unhygienic circumstances, if you asked for a menu you'd be looking to order salmonella with a side of food poisoning.
"Young master Daquan, are you sure you want to stay in this place," whispered Miya as she stood close by my side.
"Yes, this should be fine," I said.
I grew up in the hood, just because a place was unsavory didn't mean you should get scared. I had no problem hanging out with the low lives of the Magical World. Regardless of everything I was a noble. The consequences of crossing a noble in this world were severe.
"Bartender, I'd like to order a room for a night," I said.
"We don't serve your kind here," said the bartender as he continued to try to ignore me.
"My kind?" I asked.
It couldn't be because I was black, was it? Did I enter Jim Crow's bar? I was sure there was no racism in this world based on skin color.
"You stinking nobles! They have plenty of good places for you on the other side of town. My tavern serves the less fortunate," said the bartender as he smashed his fist on the bar.
"Look, sir, I don't know what problem you have with nobles but I need a place to stay for the night," I said.
"Give me a warm bed. You can keep the hot meal."
I dropped 5 gold coins on the bar, leaving him no room for discussion.
"I said your money's no good here!" screamed the bartender. Even the few patrons of the tavern got riled up hearing the bartender's anger.
"Sir I come from a poor family. We are barely of noble lineage. Our noble title is not even hereditary. I understand the tragedy of commoners and hope to make a better life for them one day. Why even now I have freed my slave after being out on my own," I explained pointing to Miya.
"Yes, young master Daquan granted me my freedom and treats me very well. He even used an expensive potion of minor healing to see to my wounds after I was whipped from the false accusation of another noble," said Miya as she stood at my side holding my arm.
Looks like Miya is finally coming around. I felt touched the way she said it. I hadn't been in this world long but I had made a difference in someone's life.
"You see, even my servant can attest to my magnanimity. I don't look down on commoners like those other nobles with their noses turned up. Arrogantly treating their lives like grass," I said.
"Hmph, maybe you're not like the rest," said the bartender as he begrudgingly collected the 5 gold coins.
"You won't be getting a refund though! These 5 gold coins pay for 5 nights. Here's your key, don't go causing any trouble."
He handed me a key with the number eight engraved in it. No doubt it was to one of the places upstairs where the door wasn't busted.
"Thank you, I will only be staying for 3 nights. Consider the extra 2 gold coins a tip. Come Miya let's go check out our room."
When we got to room number eight it was a bit shabby. Be that it as it may, it was somewhat better than sleeping inside a carriage. Miya started cleaning up the dingy room. She even changed the sheets, so I would have a comfortable bed to lay in.
It was a load off my shoulders. I jumped into the freshly made bed and relaxed. After I jumped in the bed, Miya had begun to make herself a place on the floor.
"You can sleep on the bed Miya," I said.
"The floors hard, I want you to get a good rest tonight."
"Young master Daquan…" said Miya as she looked embarrassed.
"Come, don't give me that kind of look," I said.
"Okay, young master," said Miya as she slipped off her maid outfit.
My little Johnson was immediately at full attention as she came under the sheets naked and cuddled next to me. Miya was a catkin, but they still had bodies like humans. It was only natural my little Johnson reacted to seeing it.
"Miya," I said, as she started rubbing her furry body against me.
"Shh," she said.
"This is how Miya likes to sleep, young master."
It would be wrong for me to protest against her race's customs. I sat there comfortable cuddling with my naked catkin servant for the rest of the night. I slept really well with her warm furry body in my arms.
The next morning my attention was fully focused on concocting potions. My room was large enough to brew within. I set up a small cauldron fire and began brewing the sets of White Cocoa. By noon I had 3 fresh batches of Potion of Minor Endurance. Being a potion master was like printing money!
I had no idea how this could be considered a difficult to learn profession. All you had to do was control the heat, which was a basic tenant of cooking. Even though I didn't have specialized tools to measure my heat, I could still tell just by the look of it.
Maybe my potion-making skills had to do with the Dragon System? Dragons in Earthen legends breathed fire, it may just be an innate advantage for me. Whatever it was I was glad to have this little boon. I planned to shop around a bit to sell off this batch.
The elven geezer had given me a good price for the first batch, but it was always good to shop around. This stop in this Kingdom was my best opportunity. If my product was worth even more than he was letting on then I might be taking a loss.