Redemption: A Spellbound Inc Fantasy Story

The Inn: Chapter 7

Jorgin smiled at the creature. The man, that was standing, talking to them.

He walked closer to the lion man, holding out a hand in welcome.

"Malkiel, how are you my friend?"

Mivlatt just stood there, rooted to the ground in terror.

The lion, now known as Malkiel, looked at Mivlatt and laughed. It echoed across the sky like booming thunder. It sounded like a lion roaring. 

Mivlatt flinched, his pupils dilating, but Jorgin and Malkiel chuckled.

"Malkiel, this is Mivlatt Evezel. Mivlatt, meet Malkiel Gahonnon. He's one of my good friends. I believe that when the prophecy says that you'll need four people in Norward Fields, that it meant him."

Mivlatt, still nervous around the large lion, rubbed his eyes, fatigued and exhausted. "How do you know that, though?"

Jorgin looked at Malkiel, then at the ground. He sighed. "I believe you know why, Mivlatt. It's been something you've thought for a while, since you've met me I mean."

Mivlatt nodded, but stayed silent. 

"I'm a warlock, Mivlatt. Which means I'll have visions every once in a while. But ever since I saved you from Warrick's man, I've been having visions every night." He paused, looking at Mivlatt with a serious gaze that meant no jokes. "It has been a long while since that has happened."

Mivlatt looked confused, looking between Malkiel and Jorgin. "What have your visions been about?"

Jorgin smirked, but shook his head. "I cannot tell you. Unlike what people may think, there are some things that Magick cannot do. The law of Magick requires that anyone who has visions cannot tell anyone them."

Before Mivlatt could answer, he fell to the floor in exhaustion, blacking out. 

Jorgin and Malkiel rushed towards him and Malkiel picked him up, carrying him on his back. Malkiel went back to walking on four legs, then Jorgin strapped Mivlatt down to Malkiel's back with a saddle shaped for a lion, then Jorgin looked at Malkiel with a glare.

"You know where to take him for the night?" 

Malkiel nodded, and raced off, his four legs pounding against the soft earth. 

The wind rushed against Malkiel's hair as he ran, and Malkiel grinned, closing his eyes for a split second before opening his eyes again. He could see the inn just ahead. Smoke ran out of the chimney, and the smell of meat and wine overpowered the smell of the patrons inside.

He sprinted over to the inn, and then slowed to a trot. He walked down the soft dirt road and stopped.

The inn was a dark brown, made of an oak wood that had been painted to look darker. There was a sign that was colored dark black with white writing engraved into it. It said, "Alidia Inn". The chimney was made of stone, so that the whole inn didn't burn to the ground.

 beside a young woman standing in front of the inn and nodded to her. The young woman's eyes lit up, and she ran to help unstrap the saddle, carrying Mivlatt inside.

She was wearing a white dress with a light purple belt around her waist. The bottom of the dress was embroidered with flowers. Her hair, a light brown with yellow in it, was neatly braided, with a flower crown of purple roses sitting on it. Short little brown horns came out of her head. Her ears were sharp, like that of an Elf. Her legs were a hairy dark brown, the hooves even darker.

"How has your day been, Rhena?" 

She smiled brightly at him, her white teeth glimmering in the sunlight.

"I am just wonderful, how are you, Malkiel?"

Malkiel smiled, showing his sharp teeth.

Rhena shook her head, chuckling. "You're still the same, I see. Now, come! Come inside!" She said, motioning towards the door as she walked to it.

Malkiel shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, but I don't need anything inside here. He does." He motioned his furry head over to Mivlatt, who was slumped against Rhena's shoulder. 

Rhena looked at Mivlatt, surprised, then back at Malkiel. "What is this? Another one of your adventures where you take a poor soul who's never gone anywhere and force him on an adventure?"

Malkiel shook his head again. "Not this time. It was Jorgin who brought him to me. His wife and kids got taken by one of Warrick's men."

Rhena put a finger to her lips in a gesture to stay silent. Malkiel stopped talking, an apologetic look in his eyes. It was treason to talk about King Warrick in any way but positively.

"Just look after him. He needs it after all he's been through."

Malkiel then ran off, sprinting. 

Rhena unlatched the door, swung it open, then dragged Mivlatt inside.

The inn was even nicer on the inside than it was on the outside. 

The ground was a lighter dark brown than it was on the inside, and red rugs with green vines sewed on them filled the room. There were chairs and tables everywhere, and a small bar sat at the front, where patrons were laughing and enjoying themselves. Music filled the room, an energetic song that was played by a flute. Rooms were on the other side of the room, where the music wasn't so loud.

Rhena lifted Mivlatt up onto her shoulders again and headed towards one of the rooms. She opened one of the doors to the room, where a soft bed of hay sat in a corner of a small room. A bathing room sat next to the bed, a chest to carry whatever the patrons had on them.

Rhena tossed Mivlatt onto the bed, dirt flying everywhere. Rhena sighed, and took off Mivlatt's shoes. Great, she thought to herself. Now I have to clean those. 

She shook her head and then clicked the door shut.

What he didn't expect was to see Jorgin standing just outside the door.

She flinched, putting her hands up in defense, then stopped, sighing.

"Sorry Jorgin, you startled me! How are you?"

Jorgin smiled, but shook his head sadly. "There is no time for such talk now, Rhena. I have had another vision. You have to come with me. With us."