Voices of Legend: Ode to Logathara

Chapter 4: The Laugh of a Priestess (Part 2.5)

The five of them rode into Allen's Town as the sun began its descent behind the horizon. The sky was now pink and orange. The clouds were a deep blue across the town. There were people still about, curiously watching as the group made their way down the road.

The buildings here were plain; made of wood with wooden roofs. Some of the buildings were painted white and outside of them hung placards that told the purpose for the building. A bakery. A whittle-shop. A leather-shop.

Ahead of them, was The Sweet Maiden's Inn. They could hear singing coming from within, even at this distance. Inside was lit brightly and many of the rooms that could be seen facing outward, were candle-lit as well.

When they approached the inn, Phillipi jumped from his mount and tethered his horse to the block. Just as before, he helped her down and tethered her horses as well.

"This may not be a palace, my Priestess," he started, "but there is good enough lodging and decent enough food. I'll see that you get your own room."

"Thank you, Spry Pup," She replied.

Reaching into his own saddle bag, he grabbed a dark brown cloak and shook it out. "Here you go, Priestess. I hate to say you stick out like a sore thumb, so you stick out like a grey hair," he said with a laugh. He wrapped the cloak around her and lifted the hood over her head. Lastly, he tucked her white strands of hair beneath the hood and then inspected his work. "There we go. We try to keep a low profile."

"I see," replied Silza, tying the cloak closed.

Galdon, Broxin, and Sebastian headed toward the door of the inn. Stopping, the king turned back to Silza and said, "I don't think I have to tell you the situation." Then he turned back around and walked through the door.

Broxin reopened the door for the Priestess and followed in behind her as she walked inside.

If the feeling of the town outside was quiet and curious, the atmosphere within the inn could not have been more its opposite. The music was loud. There was a woman spinning and dancing on a platform on the far side of the room as she sang what must have been a local tune. Behind her, two men tapped their feet to the rhythm, stringing the instruments they held in their hands.

Men and women sat at tables eating and clapping their hands and knees to the beat of the song. Serving girls twirled as they danced between tables bringing food and grabbing empty mugs. No one seemed to even notice the new company that had entered the room.

Silza looked around. It had been a while since she'd visited an inn. She thought she rather liked the place. Dodging people, Phillipi found his way to her.

"Your rooms are ready," he said out of breath. "Well, the one room. I'll take your things up. I've asked the cook to make your dinner, but you are free to eat with us."

Taking in the sound of the music, the smell of the cooking meats, and the joy in the inn, Silza looked at him and gave him a wink. "I think not. I think not. But I'll take dinner in my room."

Laughing he replied, "Maybe next time!"

He beckoned to a young serving girl to come his way. "Lovely, can you please see my friend here to her room? We've got her set up in the corner with the most beautiful view."

The serving girl was young, with large brown eyes, and long brown hair. She wore a simple serving skirt and blouse that must have been white some years ago. When she laid eyes on the Priestess, her jaw dropped, and her eyes grew even larger. Sprinting to the two of them, she fumbled to do a curtsy.

"Yes," she stuttered, "I'll show you to your rooms. Yes, yes, follow me."

The young girl stumbled many times as she led Silza towards a back hallway that led to the stair of the inn.