Chapter 50: No Rooms Left
"I am sorry, Sir, but I really have no rooms left," the innkeeper said, beads of perspiration trickling down the sides of his forehead as he cowered into himself. "I will be able to house the horses in the stables, but if we’re talking about a proper bed and breakfast then―"
"How about a spare bed?" Ralph tried to bargain. Soleia merely stood to his side and watched, the corners of her lips fighting the urge to turn down into the pits of hell. "Will there be space in the room to add an additional bed?"
"It’s one of our smallest rooms, Sir," the innkeeper said with a squeak. "I’m afraid that would be nigh impossible―"
"For fuck’s sake, how about a cot, surely there’s room for a cot ―"
"Sir Ralph," Soleia gently called out, pulling him away from the counter. "It’s alright. We can find somewhere else to sleep for the night."
They had been traveling for a little over a week. Throughout this time, Ralph and Soleia had been sleeping under one snow hut after another, seeking shelter from the elements using only whatever was available in the forest. Orion continued to shoot them occasional glares, but Soleia couldn’t help but notice he certainly didn’t offer any help while Elowyn merely smirked.
This was supposed to be the night they could finally rest their heads on a proper pillow, but even that was foiled.
"I overheard the innkeeper when he gave Orion the keys," Ralph grumbled under his breath. "That room Orion and Elowyn have is the largest suite available in the inn. There’s definitely room to add an extra bed― heck, even the couch might be comfortable enough to sleep for the night!"
Soleia cast a glance at the stairs that led up to the upper levels where the rooms were. Orion and Elowyn had quickly disappeared upstairs once they arrived at the inn, leaving Ralph to attend to the carriage and horses.