Moments before Diana entered through the door, Jonathan had gone to see her to ask whether she had taught Darian how to read. A 1 year old managing to read was unheard of!
"Uhum, yes of course child. I'll be outside, don't make a mess. I'll be back in a while," he said exiting the room, seemingly stunned at what he had just experienced.
'A 1 year old child can read…And even walk on his own. He might just be a genius, ha!'
The old man was basked in a flurry of mixed emotions and conflicts.
"I'll ask Diana whether she was the one who taught him or if he learned all on his own." He muttered to himself, before walking down the stairs.
Meanwhile, Diana was busy tending to guests.
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?"
"Would it be possible to extend my stay for another 2 days?"
"Sure. One moment, please, while I check for you"
Returning to the guest after having examined the ledger, Diana confirmed everything was all right.
"You can stay an additional 2 days. Payment at the front desk of 4 coppers will be required before you continue staying in the room, thank you".
She returned to her usual duties of cleaning and making sure the guests were comfortable and had what they needed.
Finally having reached the ground floor, Jonathan went up to Diana, however interrupting him was the sound of galloping from outside causing the ground to tremble and shake.
The guests inside the inn fell silent.
"Di–" Turning to face the main entrance of the inn, Heidor looked a little puzzled.
In the meantime, his son, Juvenis who was momentarily absent from the room came back well dressed wearing a waistcoat, a nice white shirt underneath it, and leather pants.
"Juvenis, what's going on?" He inquired.
"Count Wainan's guest is stopping by for a day's rest before making his final trip to the count's manor, father. It said so on the letter I left on your desk a few days ago." He answered, gesturing for his father to come with him to the entrance.
"Right, how could I have forgotten! My old age must be getting to me," he said slowly making his way to the entrance.
Before Jonathan Heidor made it to the entrance, Diana chanted a cleaning spell to clean his clothes.
"Thank you Diana."
"No worries Jonathan, and the rooms were prepared in advance."
He nodded.
Turning to face the main entrance, he adjusted his shirt and hair.
"Ready as ever, ahem," he said grunting to adjust his voice before opening the door.
…
"Greetings, we were informed of your arrival by the honourable Count Wainan." He said bowing.
Juvenis followed suit.
The group of men before Jonathan and Juvenis were all dressed in expensive garments concealed only by their green overcoats made of cloth.
With their faces hidden by their hoods, it would have been impossible to tell who they were except for the single pin displayed on each of their chests showing a noble's insignia.
Descending from their horse, a single man at the front of the group. They were short, about 1.6 meters tall (5'3). Removing their hood, they began to speak.
"Greetings innkeeper, we'll need a warm bath first, then some food and drink"
"Of course." Jonathan smiled warmly, however he was taken aback. The person who he thought was a man was in fact a beautiful young girl.
The guest before him looked no more than 16 years of age. She was young, had a fair face, with green eyes and pale blonde hair.
"Show us the way please. And you…" She said, pointing at one of his men behind him. "Ask the kind innkeeper's son to show you where to station the horses"
"Yes sir!" One of her escorts replied.
'How did she know my son was standing next to me? We barely look alike', Jonathan thought.
They did, however, in fact without a shadow of a doubt look exactly alike, the only difference was that one looked like the younger version of the other.
"Right this way please." Jonathan guided the men inside, showing them first to their rooms to allow them some time to arrange their things.
Meanwhile he ordered his staff to prepare their baths in their rooms, and their food and drinks in the dining area.
…
After the staff brought the bath inside her room, the girl undressed herself, touching the steaming water's surface to see if it was hot enough with her toes.
"Not hot enough." she said to herself.
With a single flick of her index finger she cast a spell, making the water in the metal bath emit even more steam from its surface.
"Perfect." she said slowly getting in and laying on her back with her head just above the water.
With a snap of her fingers, her eyes changed from green to a bright red that appeared to glow.
"That's better…Phew…" She said, sighing before sinking deeper into the tub.
…
An hour had passed, before she eventually got up and dressed. With another snap of her fingers her eyes returned to the usual green. It was time for lunch.
…
At the dining area, her escorts were busy eating and drinking to their heart's delight.
Taking a seat next to her escorts, she ordered and began to eat in silence.
"Ahahaha, you're right! Remember that time when…" One of them shouted while laughing. He was a bulky man, yet exuded an aura full of vigor and strength.
"That's right, that's right, I'm just glad we'll finally get there in a day from now with no problems! What about you Irene?"
"Of course I'm glad" She replied, still focused on the food in front of her. "We'll have to return to the manor once the meeting is concluded."
"You're always so impatient. Imagine what your father would say, my lady" said one of her escorts, a female with blue eyes and black hair.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll get this done with anyway." Irene replied with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Garghhh, whatever. You'll handle it like you always do, my lady. Let's just eat and drink for now!" Said the hulking man.
"Ha… what will I do with you two…" Irene sighed.
…