"Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Fei,"
The king was escorting Fei and Sofia outside the courtyard. His beautiful face matched with the color of the sun as it slowly recedes into the horizon is a picturesque moment. Far from the distance, they can still see the assessors holding a meeting of sorts, perhaps mending a few loose ends on their planned excursion.
"Was that really all that I had to do?"
Fei was doubting herself, thinking that simply verifying the written reports and answering the curious assessor's questions are more than enough to compensate for the Kings summoning.
"Yes, more than enough to be honest." The king was walking alongside them, matching his stride to theirs. His arms are folded in front of him, while his stares are directed upwards, to the velvet-red skyline.
They are now near the end of their walk, the castle gates' portcullis can be seen hanging high above the guards stationed. Aside from them, only servants and patrol guards can be seen.
"But still, is it really enough for the two of you to rest at a tavern in town? I could have a prepared in no time," he asked them once more.
"No, that would be too much. Besides, we doubt that we'll get a wink of sleep in such a place, so, we appreciate the thought, really,"
Seeing that they have made up their minds, the king finally decided to drop the case and instead, went into business mode.
"As I have summoned you on such short notice, let me at least arrange a carriage to escort you two back to Ancdam,"
"No, that wouldn't be necessary,"
"I insist,"
Much like how they persuaded the king into letting them off the hook from resting within the palace, the king had also made it clear that he would not comply with anything less than having them escorted safely to Ancdam. Fei and Sofia can only accept the gracious offer by the king.
They have stopped right at the castle gates. The sun is now only faintly visible, with the first star of the night sky shining steadily in the distance. The king once more asked if there is anything he can offer them, but Fei was adamant about not letting him pamper them too much.
"Well, if there is anything else that you would like to be arranged, you could send me a word," he said as he handed her a sigil of the Drethia royal family. "Just present this whenever you wanted to have something to ask. As long as it's within Drethia, you can expect it swiftly reach my ears," he said.
Fei was holding an insignia of what looked like two dragons holding a globe in their hands. The Drethian Royal Seal. With this, she can easily request an audience with the king. She held it near her bosom, appreciating the thought and the trust that the king has given her despite this being their first meeting.
"Thank you, Lecter, I'll put this to good use,"
The king, Lecter, just veered his sideways, eliciting a petite smile. Sofia and Fei finally left the castle and headed toward the town. But just as they were barely visible, Fei turned around and waved goodbye. The king waved back at her, his clothes rustling with the evening wind. He can faintly make out the words that Fei was saying.
"Till next time, Lecter!" she said. "Oh! And to you too, the mister in black!" she added, before finally being out of sight of the king.
The shadow of one of the gate's posts wriggled.
From within the shadows, a figure of a man clad in black emerged. His head was lowered, but his sharp gaze could make any brigand run with just a quick glance. He approached the king, his every step as silent as a hare in a snowy field.
"Was she referring to you just now?"
"I believe so," the man in black answered back.
The king placed his hand over his mouth, a smile forming on his face as he can't help but be surprised by the fact that not only Eisen but Fei as well noticed the man's presence.
"Aren't your skills getting sloppier, for a shadow," the king remarked.
"I beg to disagree," the man replied.
After hearing his reply, the kin stretched his hands, letting out a big yawn as the long day of meeting finally ended. He looked toward the town from their position. The town has already been lit, and although far, one can vaguely make out the figure of people as they are busily preparing to either return home or for other matters.
"Peace sure is nice," the king commented.
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"So this is the tavern recommended by a King."
Fei and Sofia are now in front of a very large tavern. On its door hangs a sign of a bear and a fish that reads "Salmon Run". As they entered, they were greeted by a small girl wearing an apron and a book of sorts. A log of the available rooms, maybe?
"Good evening, dear customer. Are we looking for a room tonight?" The girl asked the two with an innocent smile.
"Yes. A room for two please, we don't mind sharing if there aren't any available ones,"
"A room for two, let's see... aha! You're in luck! There is a room on the third floor that suits your preference," the girl said.
"We'll take it,"
"Sure thing! That will be 10 silver coins a night!"
Fei produced 10 silver coins from her wallet. She handed the amount to the girl, who received it with both of her hands.
"The payment has been received. Honey! We have guests! Lead them to Room 14 on the second floor!" the girl shouted towards the back of the counter.
"Honey?"
The two were surprised by the girl suddenly shouting, much more calling someone honey. Isn't she just a girl no older than twelve? She is, isn't she? Sofi was having a similar thought as well.
Fei and Sofia looked in that direction when suddenly a man of towering height emerged from within. He can only be described as muscular, no words would be fit to describe him other than that. He looked towards Fei and Sofia, before finally towards the girl that just called her.
"You can lead them yourself just fine. Why would I have to be the one to"
"Haaaaaa? Did you just say something?"
Fei and Sofia suddenly felt the air around them freeze.
The man as well froze in place as the girl that called her was smiling. Well, she is smiling, but her eyes aren't smiling at all. Was that an effective way of describing it?
Anyways, the man was terrified beyond his wits.
"O-okay! F-fine! This way please, dear customers," the man hurriedly escorted Fei and Sofia towards the upper floors.
The girl was left on the first floor, greeting another pair of guests. She threw a glance at the man, who made him move up the stairs even faster.
Once they reached the second floor, Fei decided to ask the man what's been bugging her since earlier.
"Uhmm, did we come at the wrong time?"
"Huh? Uh, no. Sorry for witnessing that. My wife has a very short temper, you see"
""Your wife?""
The two were surprised by what the man had just to them.
"Yeah? Oh, we're here. This is Room 14, and this is your keys Dinner starts at 6 PM on the first floor, while breakfast is served as early as 5 AM. Enjoy your stay!"
The man quickly left as he passed the keys to Fei and Sofia.
"To each their own, huh?" Sofia said after finally breaking from their stupored state. "Let's get our things sorted and have our dinner, Ms. Fei,"
She placed the key into the keyhole, and twisted it a few times, before finally opening it. Inside are two large beds on either side of the room. Between them is a large window. Peering through it, the hustle and bustle of the city can be heard and seen.
"This is a nice room, isn't it, Miss Fei? Huh?" Sofia commented as she looked outside the window, feeling the fresh air on her face. She asked her senior her thoughts on the room, but no one answered. Hearing none, she looked in her direction, only to see Fei still standing at the front of the door, her eyes still surprised from the earlier exchange with the tavern owner.
Sofia went towards her and dragged her by the collar. Forcibly taking her inside the room.
"That's enough analytical thinking out of you! Seriously, I am too tired to think of anything else, so let's quickly have dinner," she said.
After being dragged inside the room, only then did Fei regain her senses.
"Wow! It's bigger than the one I had back at Ancdam!"
The room was too spacious for only two people. But yet again, they are at the capital of Drethia, so this might be the norm on these parts.
After choosing her side of the room, Fei and Sofia headed downstairs to grab something to eat.