Fantasizing a war - A Sanders Sides Trilogy

Day 14

"The village looks friendly." Joan murmured. They stared around the bustling road as curious-looking people darted across a blaring street, which had smooth, flowing traffic of large horse-drawn chariots. There were tall, swinging houses hanging from tree branches, with rope langers dangling down from balconies like snakes. People were laughing and yelling above everyone else in the thunderous noise of the outside world.

"What was that?" Screamed Patton. Despite the freckled man's' raised voice, it was still hard to hear him.

Joan shook their head. "Don't worry about it!"

"That's a pub, I think! It's got a stable attached to it!" Roman pointed above the sea of heads to a creamy-white, double-storey building, which had a thatched roof. "Do we take a risk?"

"Hey!" Virgil cried, snapping his fingers. "We can't hear a word of what you're saying! Let's go to that pub so we can hear each other! I mean, it's got a stable we can put Storm and Cloud in!"

"That's what I said!- Oh, nevermind..." Sighed Roman in defeat. He let Virgil lead the way, pulling on  Cloud's' reigns to bring Logan along with them. Patton skipped happily next to Joan.

Virgil tried to engage a stable girl in a discussion about where to put the steeds, but neither could hear the other over the deafening clamour of the streets. Eventually, they just followed the stable girl, who took Cloud's' reigns.

Logan dismounted Cloud and politely turned down the stable girl when she reached to take Storm's' reigns too. Storm's' unique appearance was hidden clumsily. Joan's' knightly cloak was thrown over the skeletal wings and Roman had reluctantly given up his sash to cover the ruffle of feathers on the thestral's' neck. But the sharp, bony features of his face and legs couldn't be hidden. If anyone got close, they'd think they were looking at a malnourished, deformed horse - if they got too close, it'd be game over.

To not risk alarm, Virgil lead Storm carefully, putting him next to Cloud in a snug stall. The stable girl shut the door, staring at the disguised thestral with concern. She then beckoned for the five of them to follow her as she led them into the pub.

.:*:.

The moment the heavy doors of the pub were shut, it was as if a god had pressed the mute button. Virgil exhaled, flexing his shoulders in the sudden space, and Logan fixed his glasses and adjusted his advisory robes. Patton spun around, taking in the surroundings of the pub while Roman nudged Joan with his elbow, making some sort of joke about how good the food smelled.

The pub was decorated in a homely manner. The rafters had obviously held up all sort of ornaments, pockmarked with hooks and holes. They currently hoisted fairy lights that blended into different colours constantly. The floor was uneven, yet smooth, stones of a pale, granite colour. Some tables were rounded while others were long and rectangular. A tidy bar stood nearby, perfectly polished stools lining up like soldiers.

The stable girl who'd led them in spun around after they had drunk in the warm surroundings. She had gained a notebook and pencil from somewhere and stood with a big smile.

"Welcome to The Imply King! My name is Reynolds, Maria, and I will serve you today! May I please take note of your names?"

"Oh, I'm Patton Kalp, a pleasure to meet you!" Patton said happily.

Joan smiled. They liked this place already. "Joan Madison."

"Roman- Roman Prince!" The Light Realm Prince stopped short of nearly giving himself away. He smiled awkwardly.

"...I'm Virgil Anx..." Virgil replied, folding his arms and he closed in on himself shyly.
"And I'm Berry, Logan," Logan answered formally.

The stable girl chewed her lip. "You guys aren't from around here, are you?"