"Halt!"
A guard, clad in leather armor from head to toe, brandished a metal sword while putting up his free hand.
While on gate duty, he was taken aback by the sight of an unknown figure approaching. Because of the distance and the dark night, he couldn't get a clear view.
He was extremely vigilant. Particularly considering he was alone tonight on duty, and someone emerged from the opposite side of the border.
Living in this small village that is alongside the border. The guard knew unless they had a quest, nobody would come out to this location.
'Could it be an enemy attack? Those heretic elves!' His thoughts flowed freely while he tightened his grip on his sword's hilt. Ready to defend his home.
Marius put up his hands. "Easy there." He came to a stop. The lanterns on the stone walls surrounding the village provided enough light to reveal his entire face and body.
As soon as he fully saw the person in front of him, the guard dropped to his knees without hesitation. "I was foolish! Please spare my life!"
Upon seeing his attire, he immediately recognized this person as a nobleman. He couldn't be wrong. Nobody but nobles could possess such fancy clothes.
The guard was about to faint and was sweating bullets, praying internally. 'Oh Goddess of Light—grant me your protection!'
Marius's face displayed confusion with the appearance of question marks, but moments later a smug smile replaced it. "What audacity! Why is it I, a noble of high status, am being stopped!?"
"Eek! I apologize, sir." Filled with fear, the guard abruptly sprang up and rushed towards the lever, pulling it up, lifting the heavy iron gate.
With a lowered head, he motioned towards the entrance with his hands, and then yelled, "please enter, esteemed noble!"
With a nod of his head, Marius leisurely walked past, his hands clasped behind his back. "This is an order. Do not report my presence. Do I make myself clear?"
The guard saluted. "Yes, sir!" His legs were weak, trembling.
"Good." The moment Marius crossed into the village, and out of sight, he bolted forward down the dirt streets, which were narrow and winding.
After a solid minute of running, he stopped at a water fountain.
Catching a breath, Marius looked around for an inn where he could stay. What he saw were wooden cottages that seamlessly blended into the expansive farmland.
His attention was drawn to a couple of wooden signs, with each leading in a direction. But one caught his eye, revealing the name: Inn.
"Finally…" Marius sighed. With that, he followed the arrow.
After a brief 5-minute walk, he reached a small sized inn with illuminated windows and lively chatter emanating from within.
Upon entering through the wooden door, Marius was met with the sight of everyone in the building staring at him. However, this moment was short-lived as they all, even those who were drunk, immediately kneeled and looked at the ground.
Marius ignored this and walked to the front desk. Seeing that the innkeeper was falling asleep, he tapped the wooden surface.
Seated, there was an older-looking woman with short brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a white cotton dress and appeared to be dozing off, using her hands and arms to support herself.
Suddenly, hearing the tapping jolted her awake.
As their eyes met, the innkeeper quickly glanced down at his attire, snapping out of her daze and immediately lowering her head, not knowing what to say.
Marius waved his hand. "Hello. Could I use a room for the night?"
Hearing cha-ching resound in her ears, the innkeeper felt a surge of joy and lifted her head. She responded, "absolutely, sir! Treat this place as your own!"
She got up from her seat, causing the chair to tip over, and looked over at all the men. "EVERYONE OUT!!! NOW!!!"
"Oh, that's not nec—"
Marius was interrupted mid-sentence when the men kneeling around the circular tables abruptly stood up and started rushing out of the establishment.
Those who were upstairs, including those who were sleeping, quickly made their way down the stairs and out.
Once more, the innkeeper faced him. "Don't worry, sir. Stay here with no disturbances. The first room has not been used for quite some time. Feel free to use it."
Her eyes sparkled with gold coins. She found herself a coin cow!
Marius forced a half-smile. Despite feeling slightly guilty, he brushed it off, as he was too tired to even care. "Regarding payment. I can pay you tomorrow."
He lied.
He wasn't planning on paying.
He was broke.
He just wanted a meal and a quick wash, and some sleep. Then he would dip.
"Of course, sir, each night costs a single silver coin." The innkeeper smiled brightly, lying. As each night was only 5 copper coins. However, she knew that a noble person could effortlessly afford to pay with silver coins.
She couldn't wait to be showering in coins! 'This will last me months!'
Marius sighed. He knew she was lying, as there was a sign right outside the inn displaying the prices. "Great. Could you also bring up some food to my room and some water?"
"Right away, sir! Our cook will create a culinary masterpiece for you, using our top-quality ingredients!" The innkeeper saw even more coins rolling in as she excused herself and hurried to the back.
With a casual shrug, Marius proceeded to the second floor and pushed open the door, revealing a modest yet cozy room.
The room was furnished with a well-built bed, beautifully decorated with intricately carved head and footboards. Including pillows that had a soft appearance and a blanket.
By the window, there was a simple writing desk adorned with a few parchment scrolls and a quill pen resting in an inkwell. The writing surface was softly lit by a small, enchanted lamp resting on the desk.
Closing the door behind him, Marius stood on a thick rug. He kicked off his shoes, approached the bed, and sat down, eventually falling onto his back and looking up at the ceiling.
After a couple of seconds, he sluggishly rose from the bed. "Uh, it's too hot in here…" As he made his way to the window, he leaned over the desk and opened it to let in a breath of fresh air and a soft breeze.
"Greetings, hero."
"Huh?" Marius glanced downwards, a puzzled expression on his face. Yet, that turned to disbelief in the next second.
Ayla was hanging from the side of the inn, looking up at him.