Dawn of Adventure {Book One of The Paths We've Traveled}

Chapter Forty-One: Today Was a Fairytale

"Oh look, an inn!" Wendy called as she walked alongside the wagon with Natsu, Happy, and Carla, overjoyed at a chance to use her legs again despite the medicine Seck had given them. Lucy sat in the back with Erza, both women pretty much healed except for a few sore muscles and bruises. Gray guided the heavy wagon through the busy streets of a town called Hapana, women ogling at the bare-chested man before staring in amazement at the strangers in their country, especially at the two cats with wings.

Wendy's words roused everyone, and they looked ahead to where an inn indeed stood out on the block. It rose a few stories above the other buildings around it, and the sign protruding from the front proudly declared it as The Blooming Crocus. "It even has Crocus in the name, just like the capital in Fiore!" Wendy beamed back at her team, proud of her accomplishment.

"Well done Wendy," Erza praised as she sat up fully, gathering her drawing supplies together into an overflowing bag. "Just in time too! I just finished designing my latest armor, want to see?"

"Uh, maybe later," Wendy laughed nervously, hoping that would be enough to fend off the overeager warrior. It was. For now.

Lucy sat up as well, stretching her back as she recovered from the many hours spent curled up around her book as the wagon trundled on. Natsu glanced over at her, wishing she had spent some time with him instead of reading so long, but he knew books would always come above most things to her. She groaned as she leaned to the side, feeling her spine crack several times and her recovering ribs twinge. "Thank God. I could use a real bed to sleep on, not some dirt floor." Gray muttered his agreement, pulling the wagon to the side of the building and handing the reins over to a stableboy.

After a few minutes of Erza trying to figure out what she needed for the night out of her huge mountain, the seven of them proceeded into the inn, all of them recalling the first inn they had stayed at in Benos. Well, that had technically been Coracre, but that was beside the point.

This inn was already much better. Within a few moments, a young woman was already approaching them through the busy room with a wide smile, even though Lucy could see the hesitation in her gaze. "Good evening. What can I do for you today?"

Erza smiled, stepping into control of the situation despite the woman's attention being focused on the boys. "Hello. We'd like some rooms for the night, if you don't mind."

"Oh, of course. Er, how many?"

"Just two."

"Excellent. Would you perhaps like the suite style option? Both rooms would be connected by one bathroom for you all to share. It's a lot cheaper than two separate rooms."

"Sounds perfect. Do you mind showing us the way and then I'll come back to pay? I'm afraid my wallet is at the bottom of one of these bags."

"Of course ma'am. Now if you'll follow me." The concierge guided them through the crowded room, up the stairs, and to the right, pausing before a set of rooms that Lucy believed overlooked the forest behind Hapana. "Here you are. I'll ring you up so you're all set for when you're ready." She smiled widely and dipped into a slight curtsy before retreating, leaving the wizards all alone in the hallway.

Erza turned to the group with a small smile. "As much as I know you hate this, our best bet is girls and boys. So Natsu and Gray, that room better be in one piece by the morning." She disappeared into the closest room, lugging her three giant bags behind her. Gray and Natsu exchanged a look before Gray slowly pushed his way into the other room, Happy swooping in after him.

Natsu lingered in the hallway while Wendy and Carla entered their room, leaving just Natsu and Lucy. Lucy placed her hand on the doorknob, hesitating for a second before wondering why. She began to walk through the door before Natsu cleared his throat.