When evening came again those who remained resumed their journey.
As the moon shone high above them, the trees thinned out, and the grass became long and crackled under their feet. The shadows of scattered buildings against the starry sky could just barely be seen at the edge of the horizon, along with a faint orange glow. As the shadows of the buildings rose, the group began to step over rows of crops and pass by sleeping cows and horses.
They then stepped onto cobbled roads, passed the first dimly torchlit buildings, and scouted out an inn.
One building in particular looked promising. It was three stories tall, and the first story windows and half-open door shone with a welcoming light.
Kay stepped into the entryway and looked around. In front was a short staircase with steep steps. To the left was a door, locked. To the right was a dining area, mostly empty. A few cups and plates were left on the tables, and a couple benches were knocked on their sides. In a far dark corner of the room, four shadowy humanoid creatures with glowing red eyes sat around a table playing poker.
Kay beckoned for Tyron to follow him as he walked toward the shadowy group. As they got closer, they could see that the creatures wore dark clothes which matched the color of their skin.
"Excuse me," said Kay, "would any of you know where I could find the innkeeper?"
"He's asleep," replied one of the creatures, "but you can talk to the guy in the kitchen." The creature pointed to the doorway opposite the front windows.
"Much obliged."
Kay and Tyron entered the kitchen, where a man stood at a table, reading a book as a pot simmered over a fire.
The man at the table turned around. A brief flash of annoyance went across his face before he composed himself. "You here for lodging? For food? Or…?"
"Nine - eight of us are just looking for a place to stay the night," said Kay.
"You have money?"
Kay looked to Tyron, as if suddenly realising the absence of a loyal friend.
"I'll go get Warnado. He has some," said Tyron.
Tyron left the kitchen, and a moment later Warnado entered.
Warnado reached into his pocket and squinted in concentration. The kitchen man reached his hand out expectantly, only to have his hand covered in raspberry jam, with the glint of gold coins beneath the sugary slime. The man's eyes widened in a mixture of disgust and surprise.
"Don't worry, it's just raspberry jam," said Warnado.
"Um…" the man replied. "I think this is enough. Hold on a minute."
The man rid himself of the jam as best he could with a rag, then left the room. He returned with a handful of keys, which he placed in Kay's hand.
"Your rooms are on the third floor, nearest to the end of the hall. You can stay until noon, then you have to pay up again. But please…" the man added with a groan, "use clean coins next time."
Warnado nodded absentmindedly.
The group walked up the stairs. Tyron and Steve struggled the most to keep their feet on top of the narrow steps. There was a curved pattern wallpaper on the walls in relatively good condition, and the banister's carved design was intact and varnished. But the wooden steps creaked like they were a century old, and it was doubtful that they could sustain the weight of so many people for long.
As the doors to the bedrooms were unlocked, each of the travelers eagerly crawled into the beds and drifted quickly into nighttime sleep… except for Destiny, who lay awake, brooding David's death.