"Mmm, that feels so much better," Zee groaned, stretching her arms above her head as she stepped out of the steamstrider.
"You're tellin' me," Larkin added beside her, rolling his shoulders and grimacing. "My back feels as stiff as a rock." He bent backward with a deep stretch, an audible crack echoing through the air.
Xain, already finished with his stretches, grinned and quipped, "Careful there, old man. Throw out your back, and neither of us want to be the ones carrying you."
Larkin sighed, clearly having expected the comment. "Saw it comin'. The second I stretched, I knew you'd say somethin'."
Zee giggled at their banter before turning her attention to the building they had stopped in front of. It was a relatively large, sturdy-looking inn with timber beams and stone accents. The inn boasted a wide tavern on the ground floor, with warm light spilling out of the windows and the faint sound of chatter and clinking mugs reaching their ears. Outside, a wooden hitching post held a few horses, their tails swishing lazily, while two horse-drawn wagons were parked off to the side. Alongside them were a few sleek steamwagons, their engines clicking softly as they cooled down from long journeys. Above the entrance, a well-worn sign swung gently in the breeze, displaying the name 'Passage Inn' in bold, faded letters.
"Why are we stopping here?" Zee asked, tilting her head.
Xain glanced at her and shrugged. "To eat. I'm still beat from cooking breakfast for the whole village this morning. Don't feel like cooking again right now."
Zee pouted, clearly disappointed. "Ehh? But I like your cooking, though."
Both Xain and Larkin exchanged confused looks before Larkin raised an eyebrow and said, "But ya've never actually ate his cookin'?"
Xain nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, that's true."
Zee smiled slyly. "I just like the sight of him cooking."
In Xain's head, Ercale let out a dry chuckle. *If she had her way, I'm pretty sure she'd enjoy watching you cook every single day.*
Xain blinked in confusion. *What does that even mean?* he asked, but Ercale remained silent, and Xain could feel him facepalm.
"Anyways," Xain continued, eager to shift the conversation, "besides eating, this place gives us a chance to stretch our legs and relax in relative safety. Plus," he tapped the front of the steamstrider, "it lets the engine cool off. So, let's just go in and eat."
Larkin and Zee nodded in agreement. Zee, ever cautious, adjusted her hair to hide her elven ears before they made their way inside. The moment they stepped through the door, a wave of warmth hit them.
The interior of the inn was cozy but with a rugged, frontier feel. The wooden beams overhead were thick and rough-hewn, and the walls were adorned with hunting trophies, old maps, and lanterns that cast a warm, flickering light. The stone hearth in the corner crackled with a steady fire, and the smell of roasting meat and fresh bread filled the air. The tavern was lively but not overcrowded. Groups of travelers, merchants, and a mix of humans and demi-humans filled the tables, sharing food and conversation, but there was still plenty of space to move around comfortably.
A few patrons glanced in their direction as they entered, but no one paid them too much mind. It was the kind of place where strangers came and went, blending into the background of the inn's daily rhythm.
"Heh, feels like I'm back home," Larkin said with a grin, taking in the familiar atmosphere.
Zee, ever the responsible one, gave him a warning look. "Just don't drink too much like last time in Triton."
Larkin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't ya worry, I'll be drinkin' light this time, I swear."
Zee didn't seem convinced, but she let it slide. "We'll see," she muttered under her breath.
"You two go find us a table," Xain said, gesturing toward the seating area. "I'll head to the bar and order; otherwise, it'll take too long."
With that, Larkin and Zee moved toward an empty table near the fire, while Xain made his way to the bar. The wooden counter was polished but worn, evidence of countless travelers who had leaned on it over the years. He leaned against it himself and glanced around, waiting to catch the bartender's attention.
"Excuse me?" he called out after a moment, seeing that someone was behind the counter.
A woman's voice replied from somewhere below, "Wait a second."
Xain's body tensed instantly, his eyes widening as a jolt of recognition hit him. *That voice...* he thought to himself, his heart starting to race. As the barwoman stood up from behind the counter, her face came into full view, and Xain's eyes widened in disbelief.