Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Three - See Ya Later!

Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Three - See Ya Later!

Chapter Two Hundred and Sixty-Three - See Ya Later!

Welcome! the man said with a spinning twirl that ended with a bow. To the grandest inn in all of the capital: Dewdrop Inn. Little magic whirls and sparks took to the air behind him, flipping and twirling like teeny-tiny fireworks before they burst apart and transformed into pretty flowers.

I clapped.

Greetings, Bastion said, obviously not as impressed by the manservants display. Were looking for some rooms for a few days. I was hoping that I could speak with Jared.

Certainly, sir Paladin, the manservant said as he rose from his bow. He took in my friends and I at a glance, then nodded as if to himself. Im afraid that, while spectacular in its own right, this lower entrance is not as fabulous as the one above. I only hope its meager splendor is enough for such esteemed guests.

We were standing on the ground-level of what Bastion called the Gold Gistrict. We were close to a big wall, one of the many that wed crossed so far while navigating the city. This one had purple banners on it, so I guessed that it was the Purple District where the castle and a bunch of other important places were.

The Gold District was filled with businesses. Every building we crossed had an understated entranceway with a plaque telling passersby what they might expect within. The topmost floors looked a lot more interesting, but I couldnt reach them without abandoning my friends and I wouldnt do that.

Follow me, if you please, the sylph who was guarding the bottom-floor entrance to the Dewdrop Inn said.

We filed in after him and found a small, but well-decorated, waiting area. There were sofas and some potted plants, freshly painted walls and a couple of bookcases filled with interesting books. It was spotless, and I could only imagine that they mustve had a couple of people with Cleaning magic on the staff.

The far corner of the room was taken up by a spiral staircase that rose up and up, with spinny wrought-iron rails and magical lanterns casting an eerie-white glow onto marble steps.

The sylph paused and bowed to us again. Would you do me the honours of allowing me to carry your belongings to the topmost floor? he asked.

Amaryllis gave him her bag, but Awen said she wanted to keep hers. I did give him my spade, mostly because I was worried I might bonk one of the lanterns on the way up. As it was, the room might have been downright opulent, but it felt a bit... cramped?

The ceiling was tall for a sylph, but for a bun it was a tiny bit on the shorter side. The stairs were worse, with my ears batting against the steps above with every step. Whos Jared? I asked Bastion as I hopped up to be next to him.

The owner of the Inn, Bastion said. Ive stayed here before. Twice, but I suspect thats enough for him to remember me.

Why would you stay at an inn when youre in the capital? Amaryllis asked. Dont the paladins have barracks?

We do. An entire keep in the Purple District, as well as barracks within the royal castle and estates. And its not unheard of for a paladin to sleep in a guardhouse. Both times I was here, I was escorting someone.

Oh, diplomacy stuff? I asked.

Something like that, Bastion said. Keep it between us, but some members of the royal family like to spend time outside of the castles and palaces. Less stress, I suspect, and they get to see things that they wouldnt, otherwise.

I noticed Awen and Amaryllis nodded, but I didnt quite get it, not really. I had never really been stuck in any one place for that long. It was usually very much the opposite. I could sympathize still, but not from personal experience. So theyd stay here?

For a night or two, Bastion said. With a complement of guards, regardless of how safe they thought they were on their own.

The city seems pretty safe, I said. It was definitely one of the more protected places Id ever seen. Lots of big walls, plenty of guards.

I couldnt help but grin as we went back down the stairs until we reached the third floor. A corridor bisected the floor, with doors on either side of the wide passage. Jared fetched a key out from his pocket and unlocked one. Here we are, he said with a flourish.

The suite was exactly what we needed. A wide room with some comfy sofas and a table surrounded by seats. There was a desk in one corner, next to a happy potted plant, and four smaller bedrooms, with windows overlooking the street below the inn. We had a big washroom too. It would have been annoying to share it, but I think we were all used to it after the Beaver.

This will do, Amaryllis said with a satisfied huff. She immediately started negotiating with Jared, whose smile never wavered as Amaryllis deployed all of her trickiest tricks to lower the price. The manservant that had greeted us at the entrance brought our bags in and set them off to the side, then left with a bow.

I spun around, then sighed. The next step wasnt going to be fun. Still, we could put it off for just a little bit longer.

Once Amaryllis forked over the gold and Jared bid us a good afternoon, we were left with just the four of us in our little quarters.

So, I began.

Bastion nodded, very solemn and serious. I should be returning to report and to announce that Ive returned. I imagine that the demand for paladins is quite high at the moment, with so many important diplomatic events occuring in such close proximity.

I pouted. It still sucks that we wont be seeing you much, I said. If you have time off, you have to come and visit.

He chuckled. I will. I promise, as long as youre in Slyphfree, Ill make a point of visiting when I can afford to.

When he could afford to. That meant that he probably wouldnt have all that much time. Alright, I said. Id take what I could get. You were a great crewmate, and theres always going to be room for you on the Beaver. If you ever get tired of being a Paladin, then Im sure theres plenty of adventuring to do, and we could always use one more friend.

Thank you, Broccoli, Bastion said.

I... will, with some reluctance, admit that my initial impression of you was wrong, Amaryllis said. You are as honourable as your reputation entails. I hope all of your comrades in arms are as just and level headed.

My initial impressions were also quite wrong, Bastion said. For all of you, I think. Youre a kinder soul than I would have imagined, Awens delicate nature hides the spine of a true adventurer and I suspect she will have just as many songs as her uncle one day, and Broccoli, I think your unique morality is quite eye-opening.

Amaryllis huffed the huff of someone who didnt know how to take a compliment.

Hugs? I asked.

Certainly, Bastion said.

I squeezed him tight-tight. Id miss Bastion. He was stoic and hard to read, but he was a nice person, dependable and strong, and willing to help others just because it was the right thing to do.

I dont know what youll be up to next, I said. But make sure to make plenty of friends, and keep them close.

Ill be sure to take some of the lessons Ive learned to heart, Bastion said. He sighed while glancing at the door. I think this is goodbye for now. I would ask that you three stay safe, but I dont think youre capable of that, so Ill instead ask that you watch out for each other, and try not to burn down the capital while Im here.

Well do our best.

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