Another world, Celeste

Chapter Nine, pt 2

The apprentices return to the carriage and slowly ride into the town. I exclaim in amazement. The grounds are covered in cobalt stone and the architectures are designed like wooden cabins. Travellers come here to get a glimpse of a different world since access to Kiln Mountain are restricted. Voices shouting prices of foods and weapons that they're selling giving off the atmosphere of a rest stop. Kif's carriage goes ahead to the inn while Chief and the four of us walk to our destination. I appraise every new thing I see and ask endless questions towards Chief. Mint is already drooling after smelling food and Syl had to restrain her from taking off. Chief laughs at our excitement. We take a detour to get something to eat at the food stalls. Mint and Chief settle for the skewered meat.

"No drinking until we reach the inn. It will soon be time for dinner."

Syl sternly reminds them.

We reach the inn without stopping to observe everything closely. The building looks high-class. Chief says its the biggest inn in town. The moment we walk in, the front desk greets us with an open ceiling, to the right is the staircase leading up to the rooms and through the door on the left is the dining hall. The inside of the inn is quite spacious despite how imposing the exterior is. A middle-aged female dwarf is at the counter tending to Kif's company. The apprentices are already heading up to their rooms when Kif spot us coming in.

"Oh, Chief. You're finally here. We thought you'd be drinking somewhere right now."

"Hovel can't find me if I'm somewhere else," Chief says so.

The four of us check-in separately from the dwarves.

"One room for four people, please."

Erissa handles check-in process and travel expenses.

"How long will you be staying?" The receptionist asks.

Chief cuts in. "Three days. We might extend our stay if our business is prolonged."

The receptionist looks at Erissa for confirmation.

Erissa nods along. "As he says."

She fills in the registration and pays four days' worth of fees. Our room is on the third floor. It has two king-size beds, large enough for four people to sleep in. There's also a round table with chairs and a bathroom with a wooden tub. We take turns cleaning up while Mint sprawl her body on the bed. I look out the view from the window. The sun has already set and lamp posts are brightening the streets. We head downstairs to the dining hall for dinner and it's crowded with guests. I don't see him but Chief's voice resonates loudly in the entire room, toasting to the apprentices' good fortune in the future. Syl brings us near their table to not interrupt their celebration.

"Welcome. What can I get for you?"

The waitress comes over to take our order.

"Tonight's special, please." Mint orders for us.

"Great choice. Tonight's special is roast meat seasoned with the chef's special sauce." The waitress says. "What will be your drinks?"

"Four fruit blends."

"Coming right up."

The waitress leaves after taking our orders.

"Fruit blend?" I ask the table.

"It's made of the town's speciality. It's very delicious."

The three of them share a meaningful look.

The drinks come first in a tall glass. It's purple and creamy. Maybe grape juice? Mint who always rushes to stuff food in her mouth is waiting for me to take a sip first. It tastes like slushes of ice blends with milk and grapes, with a hint of sweetness. Honey? Anyway, it's nice and refreshing.

"Yum," I say.

While we wait for our food, Jilko meet eyes with mine. She looks troubled sitting amongst the boisterous bunch. They sure are a handful when they start drinking. I wave for her to come over to us. Jilko excuses herself from her friends and quickly escape to our table. The waitress arrives just in time with our food. One big serving of roast meat and four bowls of wild vegetables soups with bread. I add an extra order for Jilko and introduce her to the other three.

"It's nice to meet you, Jilko. I am Erissa. This is Syl and Mint."

Syl raises her hand when her name is said while Mint's sparkling eyes are on the roast meat in the middle of the table. Mint grabs the knife and carves the roast meat for us. The waitress return with a bowl of soup and bread for Jilko as well.

"Enjoy your meal." She says.

Mint place slices of meat onto our breads and we dig in.

Oh.my.goodness.

The herbs, the sauce, the tenderness of the meat melt beautifully in my mouth. Mint and I squeal out loud. We stuff our stomach until there's nothing left on the plate and wash the grease down with the soup. Jilko seems to be in a trance after all that meat Mint keeps giving to her. Erissa tries to stop her, but Mint gives her reason with a serious face.

"She looks weak. Meat will give you strength." Mint says with conviction.

The fours of us stare at her. Jilko shrinks in her seat.

"Alright. Stop teasing her."

Jilko glances to our smiling faces. She blushes red.

"That's right, Jilko. How's your father?" I ask.

"Nom nom."

"I'm glad to hear he's doing well."

"He must be lonely since you won't be living together for a while," Erissa notes.

"Nom nom."

"It's normal to leave home once we're old enough to begin our apprenticeship." I translate.

Syl says, "It's true for the humans as well. It's rare for elves to leave their home." Hovel arrives at Chief's table. The resident dwarves of the mining town heard of Chief's arrival and they flock to the inn to drink with him. The inn's staffs quickly mediate before they disturb the guests. The other two gnomes find Jilko and they return to their room together, not before thanking us for letting her join us. The four of us head back to our room as well before it gets any noisier.