Drior Institute Of Magic

II

Filler Chapter

Eldric Lunaria - Salem's Father(giving his name for future purposes.)

Months passed since Salem had received his acceptance letter. Salem's emotions were a jumbled mess. He was excited to go but dreaded leaving the peaceful life he and his father had been living. 

Salem and his father started preparing for weeks for the trip. His father had rented out a carriage for transport and storage, after all, Salem had to take all his clothes with him. The carriage was surprisingly full when they had finished packing. 

"I didn't think you had this much stuff," Salem's father said as he stepped out of their cottage, carrying two stacked boxes blocking his vision. Salem had also chosen to bring all his books, which took up most of the space in the carriage. Salem grabbed one of the boxes from his father's hands, carrying it to the carriage. "I did steal you and Mom's entire library" Salem spoke, a smile working its way onto his face as he went to grab the other box from his dad. 

Salem had asked his father beforehand if he could borrow their collection of books. His father had no choice but to agree and they packed all the books up that night. 

Salem and his father had about a week's journey to Alkhoven by carriage. The forest had sprung into autumn as the trees around them transformed into a brilliant tapestry of red, orange, and gold, their leaves gently cascading to the forest floor like a colorful carpet. "Let's hurry along the road," Salem's father said, walking towards the front of the carriage. Salem looked towards their home one last time before hopping onto the passenger's side. 

Salem's father took the reins, gently snapping them, he called out for the horses to begin trotting forward. The horses immediately responded, their hooves clopping rhythmically against the dirt road as they began pulling them forward. The carriage swayed and creaked gently as it moved, the wheels crunching over the autumn leaves.

5hrs Later

They were less than an hour from the first major city Eldoria. "we're going to stop here for the night" Salem's father said as they closed in on the main gates of Eldoria. Eldric stopped the carriage in front of the gates as the guards walked up to their carriage. "What business do you have in Eldoria" the guard asked. Salem's father reached behind them, grabbing the sealed letter Salem had received from Drior. 

Salem peaked over at the guard as he read the letter. "Congrats, I'm guessing the letter is for the young man beside you?" the guard glanced up from the letter, meeting Salem's gaze. Salem's father nodded as the guard refolded the letter and handed it back to him. " You're free to go through, enjoy Eldoria". The guard smiled tiredly, motioning for the other guards to open the gate. 

Waving goodbye to the guard, Eldric slowly brought the horses up to a walking speed as they entered the city. The sun had already set The sky was a deep indigo, with the first stars beginning to twinkle faintly above. Lanterns hung from wrought iron posts, their warm, flickering light illuminating the cobblestone streets and casting a golden glow on the faces of passersby. 

The streets of Alkhoven were wide awake, the air was filled with the sounds of nighttime activity. Vendors calling out their wares, shops, and homes glow softly with the light of hearths and candles, their windows casting inviting squares of light onto the bustling city streets. Music floated from a nearby tavern, where a live band was likely performing. Patrons spilled onto the streets, laughter, and music filling the street. 

Passing by the tavern, Salem's father approached a nearby inn, the name "Wandering Hearth Inn" plastered on the sign as it swayed in the night breeze. They stopped the carriage off to the side of the Inn. They grabbed their travel bags and headed inside the inn. 

Inside, the Wandering Hearth Inn was warm and welcoming. The common room was filled with the comforting murmur of conversation and the occasional clink of dishes. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting a cozy glow over the room. Eldric approached the innkeeper, an elderly woman with silver hair. Her face shifted into a warm smile as they approached the front counter. 

"Good evening. I'd like to rent a room for myself and my son, preferably with two beds," Eldric said as they reached the front counter. The receptionist, whose name-tag read "Lena Hart," gave them a quick once-over before turning to the wall of keys behind her. Each key was neatly arranged, with a room number etched into the oak. With a practiced hand, she selected one and handed it to Eldric. "Here you go, Room 7. Enjoy your stay," she said, her voice carrying a well-rehearsed cheerfulness.

Eldric glanced around the open foyer of the Inn, spotting the correct room number, he waved a goodbye to Lena as he and Salem quietly walked through the foyer, passing a sitting area were a few guests were chatting it up. Salem and his father approached their room door. taking out the key Eldric quickly unlocked the door, stepping inside and holding the door open for Salem. 

Eldric closed the door behind Salem and walked over to the nearest bed. He set down his bags and plopped down next to them, making sure everything was accounted for. Salem, on the other hand, was anxious to take a shower; traveling through the day had left a stench of the outdoors on him. He could also faintly smell sweat on himself as the heat in Alkhoven was no joke.

After searching through his bags, Salem picked out a set of pajamas. They were a simple yet comfortable pair, made of soft, breathable cotton. The top was a deep blue, with silver buttons running down the front, and had neatly stitched cuffs and collar. The pants were a matching blue with an elastic waistband and drawstring for extra comfort. The fabric was adorned with small, embroidered stars and crescent moons. 

After a long day of travel, Salem stepped into the cozy bathroom, the soft amber glow from a small wall sconce casting a warm light over the white-tiled walls and gleaming fixtures. He set his clothes neatly on a nearby hook and adjusted the faucet until the water flowed out at just the right warmth.

The shower's gentle stream quickly filled the small space with steam, creating a comforting, foggy curtain around him. The sensation of the warm water hitting his skin was instantly soothing, and he let it cascade over him, rinsing away the grime and sweat from the journey. The rhythmic sound of the water mingled with the faint hum of the inn's surroundings, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.

Salem reached for the fragrant soap, its lavender scent filling the air as he lathered up. The rich, creamy foam felt luxurious against his skin. He took his time, savoring the cleansing bubbles and the sense of relief they provided.

He then massaged a generous amount of shampoo into his damp hair, its fresh, invigorating scent contrasting pleasantly with the lavender soap. After a thorough rinse, he turned off the faucet and grabbed a soft, fluffy towel from a nearby rack. The towel enveloped him as he dried off, its warmth comforting against the cool bathroom air.

With his shower complete, Salem quickly changed into the pajamas he had picked out. The fabric felt smooth and comforting against his skin.

Feeling refreshed, Salem exited the bathroom and made his way back to the bedroom. Drowsiness began to weigh heavily on him, and he walked over to the bed, pulling down the covers and flopping down with a soft thud. The bed creaked slightly under his weight, but he barely noticed. Pulling the covers up to his chin, he settled into the warmth and comfort, his eyes growing heavy. The journey had taken its toll, and within moments, he drifted off to sleep, ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, Thank you for reading this far into my book, I know its probably a bit boring right now, but trust the next chapter will most likely be a time-skip to the Magic College and things will be way more lively, I promise.

Please enjoy this chapter, The next one shouldn't be too far behind.

Oh, and please let me know if you spot any grammatical errors, constructive criticism is always welcome.

Word Count: 1400