BL story written by chatgbt

Chap 5: The Village of Crossroads

The group spotted a small warm light emerging from behind a hill, "It must be a nearby town," Aiden's voice rose in the night as he and his companions guided their horses up the hill to look at the town in the distance, "We'll find a tavern and rest for the night," he said, his companions nodding in agreement; quite fatigued from the long journey. They began to make their way towards it.

This town was titled, "Village of Crossroads," quite a strange name for a place that isn't even a village, but the town does live up to it, the Village of Crossroads used to once be a village and has four main pathways branching from the town square, each path leading to the heart of a kingdom. The town was quite warm and welcoming, the narrow streets were bustling with activity; merchants shouted from their stalls, offering everything from fresh produce to intricate trinkets and children darted through the crowds, their laughter echoing in the warm evening air. Brightly colored banners fluttered above the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere as townspeople went about their routines.

Aiden, Sir Thomas, Elara, and Felix made their way through the crowded market square, leading their horses by their reigns, taking in the lively scene. Aiden had been receiving curious glances from the towns people- after all the prince wears quite exquisite clothing and it only took a few minutes for Aiden to realise why he was getting so much attention. He quickly grabbed a cloak from the saddlebag to conceal himself of his privileged lifestyle. He felt quite embarrassed. However, the scent of spiced meats and freshly baked bread wafting through the air made the thought go away.

"We could all use a break," Sir Thomas suggested, nodding his head towards a cozy-looking tavern at the edge of the square. It stood out with its wooden sign, the croaking chains swinging gently in the breeze which depicted a cheerful mug overflowing with ale.

The group agreed without a second thought, eager to rest their weary feet and enjoy a meal. As they pushed open the heavy wooden door, they were greeted by an immediate flush of warmth and the comforting hums of everyone's conversations. The tavern's interior was rustic and inviting, with dark wooden beams crossing the low ceiling and a large fireplace with an orange crackling fire at the far end. Round and rectangular wooden tables were scattered across the room, each surrounded by villagers sharing stories and clinking their mugs.

They found a long empty table near the fireplace and settled right in, melting gratefully into the comfortable wooden chairs. Everyone took a long sigh of relief and Aiden looked around, appreciating the tavern's charm. The walls were adorned with a dozen hunting trophies of heads and horns and many old maps, while the bar was lined with barrels and bottles. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meats and spiced cider, making Felix's eyes light up with anticipation.

"Ah, this is more like it," Felix sighed, leaning back like a blob fish in his chair, "I've been dreaming of a hot meal and a comfy seat for ages." Elara smiled, shaking her head at his enthusiasm, "You and your stomach, Felix. Always the first to speak."

A barmaid dressed in black approached their table, balancing a small wooden tray with wooden mugs and plates. She greeted them warmly and took their orders with a hospitable smile. As they waited for their food, the group took the chance to unwind, allowing the stresses of their journey to be momentarily forgotten in their pleasant surroundings.

The barmaid returned with a tray full of frothy mugs of ale and plates piled high with roasted meats, fresh bread, and steaming vegetables. Felix's eyes widened in delight as he grabbed his mug, taking a long, satisfied sip.

"Now this," Felix said, wiping the foam from his lips in satisfaction, "is what I call a proper welcome." He spoke, leaning on his chair with some sort of confidence. Elara chuckled, slicing into her meat, "If your stomach had its way, we'd never leave a place like this. You'd stay in every town until they ran out of food."
"And drink," Sir Thomas added with a grin, his voice stoic and pleased, raising his mug. "To good company and full bellies." Aiden joined the toast, appreciating the moment of camaraderie, "I'll drink to that."