Standing behind the counter was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, with the same brown hair and strong features that Borin possessed. But where her father was short and massively built, she was tall—nearly six feet—and while she had a solid, capable build, she was unmistakably human in proportion.
And standing beside her, gesturing animatedly as he spoke, was Borin himself.
"—told them the short route, like I always do," the dwarf was saying. "Saved them an hour of walking at least." He turned at the sound of the door opening, and his weathered face split into a grin. "Ha! Kael, lad! Didn't expect to see you here!"
Kael couldn't help but smile as he walked toward the counter. "Funny, I could say the same thing. Though now I understand why those adventurers were smirking when you gave directions."
"Aye, we get that a lot," Borin laughed. "People don't expect me to own an inn, much less one with rooms built for humans." He clapped a meaty hand on the counter. "Kael, meet my daughter, Merra. Merra, this is the lad I gave a ride to earlier. He and his impressive beasts."
Merra studied him with eyes that were sharp like her father's but warmer in their appraisal. "Welcome to the Sleeping Drake. Father says you're new to Thornhaven?"
"Just arrived today," Kael confirmed. "Had a rough time in the forest, and your father was kind enough to give us a ride."
"The forest's been more dangerous lately," Merra said, frowning. "We've had several groups come back injured or not come back at all. The guard's been talking about organizing a clearing expedition."
A voice called from what Kael assumed was the kitchen. "Borin, is that the young tamer you were telling me about?"
"Aye, love!" Borin called back. "Come meet him!"
A woman emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron. She was unmistakably human—average height, dark hair starting to show grey, with a kind face marked by smile lines. She looked at Kael with the same warm assessment her daughter had shown.
"My wife, Elara," Borin introduced her proudly. "Best cook in Thornhaven, though I might be biased."
"You're absolutely biased," Elara said fondly, swatting his shoulder. "Welcome, young man. You look exhausted. Can I get you something to eat?"
Kael's stomach chose that moment to remind him he hadn't eaten since the hasty meal in the cave that morning. "That would be amazing, actually. And I need a room, if you have one available?"
"We do," Merra said, already pulling out a ledger. "Meals are one basilisk for a full serving—meat, bread, vegetables, and ale or water. Rooms are one and a half basilisks per night."
Kael did quick mental math. He had about twenty-five basilisk coins. If he planned to stay more than a night or two, he needed to be smart about this.
"I'd like to book eight nights," he decided. That would give him time to complete some guild jobs and build up his funds. "And I'll take a meal now, plus breakfast tomorrow."
Merra calculated quickly. "Twelve basilisks for the eight nights, plus one for tonight's meal, makes thirteen total. Breakfast tomorrow will be separate."
Kael dug out his coin pouch and counted out thirteen basilisk coins, trying not to wince at how much of his savings he was spending. But he needed a secure place to stay, and this inn felt right. The family was kind, Borin had already proven himself helpful, and something about the atmosphere here felt welcoming.
"Thank you," Merra said, making a note in her ledger. "I'll get you set up in room seven. It's on the second floor, third door on the right. Your beasts are welcome inside as long as they don't cause trouble."
"They won't," Kael promised.
"Though if you have larger companions," Borin added, gesturing out the window toward the side of the building, "we have stalls outside. Comfortable, clean, secure. Some beasts prefer it to being cooped up in human-sized rooms."
Kael appreciated the consideration. Through his bond with Vera, he could feel she was perfectly content to stay with him indoors, and Ember would never be separated from him willingly.
"We're fine together," he said.
Elara emerged from the kitchen carrying a wooden platter laden with food, and Kael's mouth immediately watered. Roasted meat—something that might have been chicken or rabbit—sat alongside a generous portion of root vegetables and a thick slice of dark bread. A mug of water completed the meal.
"Eat while it's hot," Elara instructed, setting it on a nearby table. "You look like you need it."
Kael didn't need to be told twice. He sat down and began eating, and the first bite confirmed that Borin's assessment of his wife's cooking was no exaggeration. The meat was perfectly seasoned, the vegetables roasted to caramelized perfection, and the bread had a hearty texture that suggested it was freshly baked.
Vera settled beside his chair, her presence a comforting weight through their bond. Ember perched on the table's edge, watching with interest as he ate. The common room had a few other patrons—a couple at one table, a lone man nursing an ale at another—but it was quiet, peaceful.
Nothing eventful happened as he ate, which was exactly what Kael needed. Just good food, a warm room, and the absence of things trying to kill him. It was perfect.
When he finished, Merra showed him to his room. The space was larger than he'd expected—clearly designed with tamers in mind. A substantial bed dominated one wall, easily large enough for Kael and a medium-sized mythbeast to share if needed. A smaller bed sat at the foot of the main one, probably intended for smaller companions. A wash basin, a simple wardrobe, and a window overlooking the street completed the furnishings.
"Bathroom's down the hall," Merra explained. "Shared, but we keep it clean. If you need anything, just let me or my parents know."
"Thank you," Kael said sincerely. "This is perfect."
When she left and the door closed behind her, Kael finally allowed himself to relax. They were alone. Private. Safe.
He turned to Vera, who had limped slightly as she entered the room. The electrical burns from the thunder-horse were still visible, matted fur and reddened skin that made guilt twist in his chest.
"I'm sorry it took so long," he said softly, kneeling beside her. "But we're alone now. Let me take care of you."
He placed his hands on her shoulder, and Divine Restoration activated. Golden-white light poured from his palms, spreading across Vera's body in waves of healing warmth. The burns began to fade immediately, healthy fur growing to replace what had been scorched. The reddened skin paled, the inflammation subsiding. Within thirty seconds, she was completely healed, looking as if the thunder-horse had never touched her.
Vera pressed her head against his chest, purring so loudly it vibrated through his whole body. Through their bond, he felt her gratitude, her love, her absolute trust in him.
You never have to thank me, he sent back through their connection. Taking care of you is what I'm here for.
Ember chimed softly, settling on the larger bed and curling up like a glowing coal. Through her bond, Kael felt her contentment, her happiness at being somewhere safe and warm.
Kael stripped off his dirt-stained clothes and used the wash basin to clean himself as best he could. He'd need to buy new clothes soon—these had been through a forest battle and were showing it. But that was tomorrow's problem.
He collapsed onto the bed, Vera jumping up to curl beside him, and let exhaustion claim him. The last thought that crossed his mind before sleep took him was that this was his first real night in his new life. No cave, no immediate danger, just a comfortable bed and his companions beside him.
It was a good start.
Morning came with sunlight streaming through the window and the smell of cooking food wafting up from the common room below. Kael woke slowly, feeling more rested than he had in what felt like forever. Vera was still asleep beside him, and Ember glowed softly on her smaller bed, her flames dimmed in rest.
He washed, dressed in his less-than-clean clothes, and headed downstairs. The common room was busier now, several people eating breakfast before presumably heading off to work or guild jobs.
Merra was behind the counter again—did she ever sleep?—and smiled when she saw him. "Breakfast?"
"Please," Kael said. "And I was wondering if I could get lunch to take with me? I'm heading out on a guild job."
"Of course. One basilisk for breakfast, half a basilisk for packed lunch."
Kael paid, and within minutes, Elara had brought him a hearty breakfast of eggs, sausage, and more of that excellent bread. While he ate, she prepared his lunch, wrapping it in a waxy paper-like material that would keep it fresh.
"Here you go," she said, handing him the wrapped bundle. "Stay safe out there."
"I will," Kael promised.
But first, he needed supplies. Carrying the lunch in his hands would be impractical, and he was starting to realize how underprepared he was for this world. He needed a proper backpack, better clothes, and maybe some basic camping gear if he was going to take jobs that required travel.
He found a street vendor selling bags and packs not far from the inn. After some browsing and haggling—using mostly hand gestures since he still wasn't confident about the currency—he purchased a sturdy canvas backpack for three basilisk coins. Expensive, but necessary.
With his lunch safely packed away and his funds now down to eight basilisks and some change, Kael, Vera, and Ember headed for the southern gate.
The walk took nearly three hours, not two as the job posting had suggested. Kael wasn't in a hurry, and they took their time, Vera occasionally ranging ahead to scout while Ember flew circles around them, investigating every interesting plant or rock formation they passed.
The landscape beyond the city was agricultural—fields of crops Kael didn't recognize, separated by hedgerows and irrigation ditches. Farmers worked their land, often with mythbeasts helping—earth-types tilling soil, water-types managing irrigation, sturdy oxen-like creatures pulling plows.
Harlan's farm was easy to find based on the directions from the job posting. It was a substantial operation with a large farmhouse, several outbuildings, and extensive fields. Kael spotted farmers working near the house and approached, Vera walking calmly at his side.
"Excuse me," he called out. "I'm here about the bear problem?"
An older man straightened from where he'd been examining a fence, his weathered face breaking into a relieved smile. "From the guild? Thank the gods, finally. I'm Harlan." He gestured to the forest edge about a quarter mile away. "Those damn bears have been raiding us for two weeks. Killed three sheep, injured one of my workers who tried to chase them off."
"Where were they last seen?" Kael asked, scratching Vera's head absently as he spoke.
Harlan pointed to the eastern edge of his property. "They came from that direction three nights ago. We've been keeping the livestock closer to the house since then, but I can't do that forever."
Kael studied the tree line, his mind already working through tactics. "I'll take care of it. Anything else I should know?"
"They're big," Harlan said seriously. "Bigger than normal bears. I don't know if they're part mythbeast or just unusually large, but my worker said one was easily eight feet tall when it stood up."
"Got it. I'll be back soon."
Kael, Vera, and Ember made their way toward the last sighting location. The tree line was clear and distinct, marking where cultivated land gave way to wild forest. They followed it, staying about ten meters away, scanning for any signs of the bears.
Thirty minutes of walking later, Vera's ears suddenly perked forward. Through their bond, Kael felt her alertness sharpen into focus. She'd detected something.
Then he heard it too—crashing through undergrowth, the sound of something large moving without concern for stealth.
Two massive shapes burst from the tree line, and Kael immediately understood Harlan's concern. These bears were huge—easily eight feet tall at the shoulder, with muscles like mountains and claws that could disembowel a man with one swipe. Their small eyes locked onto the three figures standing in the open, and Kael could see the moment they made their decision.
There was no intelligence in those eyes. No calculation or strategy. Just animal instinct, seeing prey and deciding to attack.
The bears charged straight at Kael, correctly identifying him as the weakest target.
Vera, wide left, Kael sent through their bond. Ember, stay behind me. We take the first one together.
They moved with practiced coordination. Vera peeled off to the left, circling wide, while Ember positioned herself just behind Kael's right shoulder. The bears were fast for their size, but not mythbeast fast.
Kael grabbed every loose stone and branch in range with his telekinesis, and Vera added her psychic force to his. Together, they hurled their makeshift ammunition at the lead bear while Ember superheated the air around it, making its charge falter.
The bear stumbled, confused by the sudden assault, and Vera struck. She launched herself at its exposed flank, her claws enhanced by psychic energy, tearing deep furrows through thick hide. The bear roared, trying to swipe at her, but she was already gone, dancing back out of range.
Kael hit it with telekinetically hurled rocks while making it look like Vera's psychic attack. Ember's compressed fireball took it in the face, and the combined assault was too much. The bear went down hard, thrashing once before going still.
The second bear, seeing its companion fall, hesitated. That moment of uncertainty was all Kael needed. He and Vera coordinated another assault, and within a minute, the second bear joined the first.
Two normal bears, defeated in under three minutes. It almost felt too easy after fighting mythbeasts.
The hard part came next: getting the carcasses back to the farm. Even with his increased strength from his bonds with Vera and Ember, dragging an eight-foot bear was exhausting work. He managed to attach a rope to one bear's legs and fashion a makeshift harness, which Vera pulled while he dragged the second bear.
"I really need to figure out a better system for this," Kael muttered, sweating and straining as they made their slow way back to Harlan's farm.
The farmers' faces when they saw him returning with both bears were priceless—shock, relief, and gratitude all mixed together. Harlan clapped him on the shoulder hard enough to bruise.
"By the gods, boy, you actually did it! Both of them!"
"The job said proof was required," Kael said. "I'll need the heads to bring back to the guild."
Harlan nodded and called over one of his workers, who brought an axe. Kael looked away while they did the grisly work—he'd killed the bears, but that didn't mean he wanted to watch them be butchered.
When it was done, the heads were wrapped in cloth and given to him. They were heavy and awkward, but they'd fit in his pack.
"Thank you," Harlan said earnestly. "You've done us a great service. We'll sleep easier knowing those things aren't out there anymore."
"Just doing my job," Kael said, though the man's gratitude warmed him. "Stay safe."
"You too, lad. And if you're ever in this area again, stop by. We'll have a meal waiting for you."
The journey back to Thornhaven was uneventful, which Kael appreciated after the day's excitement. They made good time, and as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, the city walls came into view.
They were perhaps a hundred yards from the gate when Kael noticed something was wrong.
A crowd had gathered near the entrance, and raised voices carried across the distance. Guards stood in a loose formation, their mythbeasts alert and ready. And at the center of the commotion was an ornate carriage—the kind that screamed wealth and status—with a figure in expensive clothing gesturing angrily at one of the guards.
Kael slowed his approach, trying to get a sense of what was happening without getting directly involved. Through his bond with Vera, he felt her wariness. Ember's flames flickered with uncertainty.
Whatever was happening at the gate was significant enough to stop traffic and require multiple guards.
And Kael, with two bear heads in his pack and exhaustion settling into his bones, really hoped it wouldn't delay him from getting inside the city.
He moved closer, curiosity and caution warring in his mind, trying to make out what the argument was about.
The commotion intensified, but the details remained frustratingly unclear from his position.
Whatever this was, Kael had a feeling he was about to get pulled into it whether he wanted to or not.