Chapter 25

  They reached the town of Towering Heights as the sky darkened a few days later. Towering Heights was the major town one had to pass before arriving at Joyful Encounters.

  The Town was known for being loud and lively. Even during the night, the streets were filled with people.

  As the carriage rode through the town, decorated lanterns could be seen lighting up stalls that were setup at the roadside. Although it was nearly dark, people were still full of energy- especially the stall keepers who shouted for customers to try some of their items.

  “It’s pretty lively out there.” Rillian Adore said looking out the window.

  His gaze shifted to Drakkel. “Do you want something? I can buy it.”

  Drakkel found his question to be rather unexpected. Why would the Golden Blade offer something to a stranger for no reason? They weren't friends or family.

  As the reasons for this flashed through his mind, he felt his cheeks grow hot.

  Actually this kind of behavior was common, but only amongst good friends or… men who were courting women.

  Knowing that they didn’t fit into either of those categories, he thought that maybe Rillian Adore was teasing him. The thought that he might actually be a troublemaker shot to the front of his mind.

  He shook his head, “If I want something, I'll buy it myself. Why not ask Auril?”

  Auril waved her hand in the air, “Nothing for me. Thank you. Besides, I still have some money saved up from my clan and it would be selfish of me to intrude further upon the kindness of my benefactors.”

  Rillian Adore gave a nod in her direction.

  After a few more moments, the carriage suddenly stopped.

  Soon, Rou knocked at the front of the carriage.

  “It’s getting late.” He said. “I’ve found out that there is a good inn in the middle of town. We’ll stay there for the night.”

  Auril yelled back, “Alright, father!”

  The carriage continued to move until they reached their destination.

  The inn they arrived at was at least half the size of Lord Tincaid’s old manor..

  It was decorated with red and gold adornments which beautifully complimented the dark wood it was made from.

  The smell of perfume wafted from a building a little ways down the road, the sounds of chatter and laughter, ringing out through the night.

  Rillian Adore stepped out of the carriage first, then offered his hand to Auril who came out afterwards.

  She gratefully took it and stepped off.

  He did the same for Drakkel, but Drakkel ignored it and stepped off on his own.

  Rillian Adore pretended to brush off the gesture and continue on his way. Though if one looked closely, a hint of dissatisfaction could be gleaned from his face.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Rou said, “I’ll pull the carriage to the side. Could you three get us some rooms?”

  Auril Lune nodded. “Sure.”

  Drakkel put his bamboo hat back on and the three walked into the inn which was filled to the brim with people.

  Like the other inns, there was a tavern downstairs that served alcohol and food and upstairs were where the rooms were kept.

  The three walked up to the inn-keeper. When they arrived, Drakkel said, “Four rooms please with individual beds. We’ll only be staying for a night.”

  The innkeeper looked him up and down, probably curious about how he looked under the bamboo hat. But instead of asking, he laughed, “Don’t you see our current state? I’m sorry to inform you, but we only have two rooms available now. One with two small beds and another with one large bed. Take it or leave it.”

  “Hold on a moment, please.” Drakkel said. He walked to the side and Auril and Rillian Adore followed him.

  Auril said, “My father and I can share the room with one bed. You two have already helped us enough.”

  Drakkel shook his head. “It was already bad enough that a young woman like yourself had to camp out with three men. There's no need to suffer more. You and your father should take the room with the two beds. Sword Master Rillian and I can share the other.”

  Rillian Adore nodded along with him.

  Auril smiled gratefully.

  After confirming their arrangements, Drakkel went back to the innkeeper and returned with two keys.

  He handed one to Auril and kept the other.

  “We’ll wait for Rou to come back and then head to our room.”

  Auril shook her head. “It’s ok. You two should get settled in and figure out your arrangement. I’ll be fine here by myself.”

  “Are you sure?” Drakkel asked.

  Auril smiled. “I'm sure.”

  “Ok. Let’s go then.” Rillian Adore said

  Drakkel nodded.

  When they got to their room, they found that it was decently-sized. At the center sat a bed with many pillows and a soft silk blanket. Across from the entrance was a window. Adjacent to the bed edge was a long table with one chair at each end.

  Rillian Adore set his greatsword and items against the wall at one side of the bed and Drakkel took off his bamboo hat and laid his items down on the opposite side.

  Only when looking around did he realize the gravity of the situation. He hoped the room would be large enough that he could find some corner to cultivate in, instead of sleeping on the bed with Rillian Adore. But the furniture in the room left no space to sit.

  Noticing his hesitation, Rillian Adore asked, “Are you ok?’

  Drakkel nodded, but still stood in place, wondering what to do.

  Rillian Adore gestured to the bed. “If you’re worried about this, there are plenty of pillows on the bed. You can use them to separate us if you feel uncomfortable.”

  Drakkel had actually noticed the pillows for a while now. He just didn't want to seem rude by setting them up without an explanation. But since Rillian Adore said so first, he did as he said and used some of the pillows to create a barrier between them.

  After doing so, he felt better and laid down on his chosen side and Rillian Adore did the same.

  Unable to sleep, Drakkel asked, “Rillian?”

  “Yes?” Rillian Adore answered.

  “Is your clan not looking for you?”

  Rillian Adore answered, “My clan leader originally sent me out to catch some low level trouble-makers in various towns to help out the clans that didn’t have any time. After I completed the list, I told him I wanted to sightsee and would find out if any other clans needed help. Since he’s a lenient person, he allowed me to go. He only told me to hurry back.”

  Drakkel thought his explanation was understandable. After all, his clan leader was said to have favored him the most amongst all other disciples.

  He continued, “By the way, why are you traveling with me? You don’t even know who I am.”

  Drakkel waited, but he didn’t hear an answer.

  When he sat up and took a peek next to him, Rillian Adore’s eyes were closed and his chest slowly rose and fell.