Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 6: The Frozen Nymph

The remaining party rode at full speed to the Frozen Nymph Inn. A sense of urgency filled each man as they anxiously awaited what was to come. Their horses had begun to tire within the last hour, but they pushed on. The mountains slowly rose higher and higher into the horizon the further they went. Life seemed to return to the world almost immediately once they left the forest.

A herd of reindeer gently grazed through the open grass in the distance. Pine and spruce trees dotted the landscape, and each housed a thriving community of fauna. Robins danced and sang while two squirrels playfully chased each other up and down a nearby spruce tree. The stark difference between the scene they found themselves in, and the one they had recently left did not go unnoticed by the travelers. Despite the serenity that surrounded them, they were unable to appreciate it, as the weight of the journey never truly lifted.

The smoke rising from beyond the hills informed them that the Frozen Nymph Inn was close by. Spurring their horses onward, they arrived at the inn within minutes. the building stood high above them and they each felt a sigh of relief leave their lungs as they pulled their horse to a stop near the stables. Unsaddling their horses, they made their way inside.

Sir Arden was the first to enter the building and took in the view as he went. They floor was covered in straw and mud, mixed with melted snow. To the left, a couple could be seen sitting across from each other. It was obvious by their posture that he was far more interested in her, than she was with him. At the table just beyond them three sailors were flirting with the young servant girl who clearly didn't enjoy the fact that wench was the nicest thing they called her.

...

As the group straggled in, a voice rang out from the darkness behind them. "Good sirs, I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm new here and all alone. May I join you?" Sir Duncan, having been the last to enter the tavern, turn to face the stranger. Tall, with dark, flowing black hair down to his shoulders, and dressed far too well for your average traveler. Certainly better than the usual lot that frequented this place. But there was something about him that Sir Duncan couldn't quite place.

"Come on in and join us brother. We've business to discuss, but I don't see why we can't all share a pint first!" Sir Duncan replied. The rest of the group, worn out from the trip, chuckled and continued on their merry way to the bar top.

"Oi! What're you lot doing out after nightfall. Don't you know there's a curfew?" Came a stern yet surprisingly high pitched voice from a guard standing by the door.

"We've come up from Dragonsdale m'lord. We're Huntsmen here to look into some reports of monsters in the area." Sir Gerald replied. Sir Arden gripped Lennox's shoulder as he chimed in. "And the lad and I are on our way to gain an audience with your king on orders from Lord McCann."

"And this one is just here for the ale me thinks." Sir Duncan laughed as he pointed to the stranger. "Speaking of which, what is your name sir?" Sir Duncan asked as he turned to look back at their newfound companion.

"I am Harold good sir." The man replied. The guard eyed them each suspiciously. "Well you won't be leaving here tonight. You have your orders and I have mine. No one outdoors after nightfall. There are rumors of strange things afoot."

"Well if that's the case, we'll need some rooms and some ale." Sir Tristan grabbed Alec and Sir Duncan by the shoulders as he turned them in the direction of the bar. After they turned away, three more men stepped up to the threshold of the building and began conversing with the guard who let them in after the Huntsmen.

"Innkeeper I need rooms for my men here and a round of ales each." Sir Arden called out to man behind the counter. The innkeeper eyed Harold from a distance as he handed them each their drink. "Do I know you from somewhere?" He asked.