Blood Ward

Chapter 26

In the leisurely couple of weeksit took us to reach Coranthine, we caught up to a few patches ofstragglers from the vampire horde that we easily dispatched. Everynight at camp, I noticed Stefan opening up more and more to Lúthielas they stayed up until all hours whispering. Reif taught Stefan allhe could about this new life. I began to see a slight improvement inStefan's day to day moods and I hoped that maybe he would begin toaccept himself.

After arriving in Coranthine, wesent Lú and Wen to find us our passage to Dravin, as we kept a lowprofile in an out of the way tavern. All of us ordered some ale whileStefan and Beri sat off in the corner as usual. We acted as any groupof travelers looking for something to do to kill time. Anders and Iexchanged quips then joined a couple of sailors in a game of dice.Daeron teased Beri as Reif sat quietly nursing his mug and scratchingBeast's ears.

When I saw Wen and Lú return, Idowned the last of my ale, picked up my winnings and said, "Excuseme boys, I need to check on my travel plans."

Shouts of disappointment followedme as I stood and made my way toward them. Wen spoke up first. "Thefirst ship to Dravin does not leave until tomorrow," she saidknowing I'd be disappointed. I did not like to linger inCoranthine, in case any of us were recognized.

"Dammit!" I swore softly asAnders and Stefan both approached.

"Is there a problem?" Stefanasked.

"We cannot leave tonight," Lúsqueaked nervously.

"I suggest we find an inn asfar from the Deadly Nightshade as possible and bed down for thenight," Anders said.

"I agree. The less attention wedraw the better and leaving town to camp and then re-entering in themorning will draw much more attention than I'm comfortable with,"I said.

"I will inquire at the bar,"Beri said after joining us somewhere in the middle of Anders'suggestion.

She went off to speak to the barkeep and I sighed. "Our luck keeps improving," I saidsarcastically.

"Look at the bright side, luv,"Anders grinned. "We get to spend the night indoors on a bed with anactual mattress."

"Mmm... that does sound good,"I said. "I can't remember the last night we spent in an inn."

Beri came back saying there was aplace close to the docks called Griffon's Wings who would put us upfor the night. The best part was the proprietor was enemies with theowner of Deadly Nightshade, so we could do whatever we pleased therewithout fear of being recognized. No patrons would set foot inGriffon's Wings who frequented Deadly Nightshade.

Everyone gathered and we made ourway down to the inn, walking the horses and then handing them over toa stable hand to be fed and quartered. I liked the place immediatelyupon entering. There was a smell of warm food and everyone lookedhappy to be there. I approached the man who was obviously theinnkeeper and said, "Harold over at Dragon's Horde told me tocome see you for accommodations for my companions and I."

He smiled widely. "Welcome,welcome! How many are ye?"

"Eight," I said then noddedtoward Beast. "And a dog. I think three rooms with 2 beds and onewith one will do us."

He smiled again. "No problem.I'll get my Lizzy to set you up. Forty silver should cover it. Thatincludes your meals. If you're drinkin', it's a separate tab."

"Thank you," I said, givinghim half a sovereign. "Keep the change for your trouble."

"Will do," he grinned.

We all found a place in thecommon area to sit and a girl, who introduced herself as Lizzy,served us our first genuine home cooked meal in ages. The evening wasspent with everyone actually enjoying themselves. I swear I even sawBeri smile once or twice.