Chapter 3
As Leila was riding, the full realization of what had happened finally hit her. She kept staring at the road, but her eyes welled up with tears. Finally, they overflowed. Salty tears ran down her cheeks, never seeming to stop, and it was all Leila could do to keep from breaking down and sobbing her eyes out.
Her vision was blurred, but suddenly something caught her eye, sparkling like a jewel. She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked. There ahead of her stood the palace, towering over the rest of the city of Corus, as if protecting it.
Leila gaped, face full of admiration and awe. She was suddenly filled with courage; she felt as if she could do anything, and still remain unscathed. It must be this city, she thought.
She continued riding into the city, looking for the Dancing Dove. The tavern/inn was a place her father often went during his merchant travels.
Leila found it and took Stormwind to the inn stables, where a rugged-faced man who looked as if he hadn't shaved for a while took her horse. He smiled at Leila, not unkindly.
"Where're ye comin' from all by yerself, girl?" he inquired.
Leila smiled back, a bit shakily. "I'm from Tyra. I came to be a knight."
"Ah, takin' advantage of that old decree, eh?" the man chuckled. "Me name's Damien. And yers?"
"Leila," she replied. "If it's any of your business."
The man burst out laughing. "I like ye, Leila," he said blithely. "Tell ye what. If yer ever in any trouble, ye come to me."
Leila was surprised. "Why, thank you, sir," she said in wonderment. She had only met this man, and here he was, offering her protection!
"Oh, no sir fer me, lass," he said. "I'm a commoner, born and bred. Just call me Damien."
"Okay, thanks, Damien," Leila replied.
Leila walked into the Dancing Dove. The room was filled with smoke and smelled slightly of alcohol and tobacco.
"Excuse me," she interrupted a tall woman with long blonde hair, sounding a whole lot more confident than she felt.
The woman turned around and stared down at Leila.
"Yes?" she replied gruffly.
"Well, I was just wondering where I could find a room to stay in for the night."
"Ye's come to the right place, then," the woman said. "Here, I'll take you t'the owner of this place."
She led Leila through the crowd of people in the tavern to a room in the back.
"This here's Nelson's room," she told Leila. The woman knocked on the door loudly and waited.
The door opened a crack.
"Who is it?" Nelson asked.
"It's me, Nelson. I got a girl who wants a room tonight."
"Oh. Send her in then." The door opened the rest of the way.
"In ye go," the woman said. She nudged Leila in the door, then left.
Nelson appeared from behind the open door and closed it. He had light brown hair and dark brown eyes, almost black. Finely sculpted features gave him an air of importance. He was fit, and had on breeches and a tunic.
"Well," Nelson said. He looked a bit surprised to see a girl in breeches too. "Lookin' t'become a knight?" he asked kindly.
"Yessir," Leila replied. "I haven't got too much money, sir, so I was wondering if you had any cheap rooms."
"Why, o'course we do," the man chuckled. "All our rooms're cheap. What's yer name?"
"Leila."
So Leila paid Nelson his price and he led her up some stairs to a room.
"Here ye are," he said, opening the door for her. "Well, I must be off. Enjoy yer stay." He left, closing the door behind him.
Leila set down her small bag of possessions and inspected the room. The walls and floor were made of dark wood and the bed was covered in two thin blankets. There was a four-foot wide chest across from the bed, which Leila assumed was for her few belongings. At closer inspection, she saw that it had two wide metal strips on the cover. They were intricately engraved with strange symbols. She tried to open it, but it seemed to be locked and she couldn't lift the lid.
Leila lay down on the bed and rested for a while. She was so tired! She tried to stay awake, but the strangely cozy feeling of the room lulled her slowly to sleep.