You, Me, and the World Between Us (Dragon Quest)

VII - Word from Zamoksva

After assuring the siblings that she would do everything within her power to aid them, the Queen led the Zamoksvan duo back to the entrance to the palace. She held both Maxim and Inessa in a tight embrace, evoking memories of their mother in their minds. "The two of you take care, alright? Be safe as you go forward, especially if you run into any monsters out there. If Alena is found by our brigade or shows her face in Endor, we'll be sure to send both you and your father word of her discovery. I wish you the happiest of travels and the best of luck," she shook Maxim and Inessa's hands before turning to head back into her castle. The Queen whipped around mere seconds later. "Oh, and I almost forgot - the two of you are always welcome in Endor."

The duo nodded with bright smiles, bowing and curtseying as the Queen of Endor bid them farewell. The guard who had welcomed them upon their arrival returned, Thorn in tow. Upon catching sight of his companions, the minidemon broke into a sprint, wrapping his arms around Inessa's boots as if to hug her. The Tsarevna giggled, bending over and picking up the little monster. The soldier bestowed Thorn's pitchfork upon Maxim, eyeing the girl and her creature carefully. "A feisty little fiend the two of you have adopted. He seems his calmest and most reasonable when he's in your sister's presence, though. Accepted by her, I suppose. Whatever it is, if I were you, I'd keep him in your sights at all times - or your sister by your side. The thing threatened to burn the place to a crisp before we told him she'd return soon," he shook his head.

So they departed the castle of Endor, feeling somewhat satisfied that there would be others out looking for their mother, yet downcast that there was no news of her appearance. Inessa put Thorn down, allowing the minidemon to skip along happily at her side. For this, she earned a multitude of stares from passersby, and some even whispered to their counterparts. Maxim felt his face grow warm, uncomfortable that their new companion brought the attention of complete strangers to focus on them. Personally, he would have been perfectly fine if the guards had kept the monster, or perhaps executed him. But he knew that, although odd, his sister bore a strange bond with Thorn; if something were to happen to her new friend, Maxim wouldn't be able to bear seeing Inessa so upset.

After making the rounds through the city, the trio found themselves in the foyer of the inn. Though it was still a little while until nightfall would be upon them again, and they weren't even remotely tired, Maxim and Inessa agreed it would be best for them to get a good night's rest where they could. "We do not know where we shall to go next. It could be a long time before we are able to sleep in the comforts of a bed," the eldest brought up, earning a nod of approval from his younger sister. He approached the front desk, preparing the pouch of gold pieces. "Pardon my interruption, miss, but might I ask what payment would be due if three were to stay overnight?" he questioned the young woman on the other side.

Her head shot up from the papers she previously focused on, her eyes meeting Maxim's with a warm smile. "Certainly! We charge six gold pieces per person, per night, so that would bring you to a total of eighteen pieces," she said with a nod as the Tsarevich began digging through the little drawstring pouch. The receptionist's eyes began to dart around, and her lips pursed together in confusion. She peered over the counter, but as far as she could see, Inessa was the only one accompanying Maxim; Thorn clung close to the Tsarevna's legs, keeping himself out of sight. "Do excuse my asking, but there are only two of you here. Will your third party member be joining you later, or..." she trailed off, tilting her head to the side.

Maxim opened his mouth to respond to the young receptionist, but he found himself devoid of an explanation. He glanced away, his heart hammering away in his chest as he thought up a quick-yet-believable answer. Should I say that I tripped over my own words and meant to say two, rather than three? No, that would be lying to them. Or should we come right out and admit we are traveling with a minidemon? After seeing how others react to seeing him along my sister's side, it would not be wise, he pondered to himself. Maxim brought his hand to his chin, smiling nervously. "Yes, our fellow companion should arrive later in the night. Send him on up if he asks for Maxim and Inessa," he stated, the receptionist nodding along with his words.