Chapter 24: Medieval Modern Standards?
They walked through the quiet streets of Elandra, the light from the hanging lanterns painting golden lines across the cobblestones. Inigo glanced at Elise, who walked beside him with her coat gently swaying with each step.
As they neared a corner, Elise turned to him. "By the way, Inigo... do you have a place to stay?"
He blinked. "Ah. Good question."
She raised an eyebrow, her expression somewhere between amused and incredulous. "You mean to tell me you've been slaying goblins, getting paid, and you still haven't found lodging?"
"I was a little busy today," he said with a sheepish grin. "The whole registering as an adventurer and killing a small army kind of took priority. Not to mention, I just got here in this city."
Elise exhaled through her nose, the faintest smile forming on her lips. "Come on. I'll take you to a decent inn nearby."
"Appreciate it."
They turned down a quieter street, the buildings growing more residential. The marketplace noise had faded, leaving only the hum of far-off music and the occasional bark of a dog echoing through alleyways.
After a few minutes of walking, they reached a three-story timbered building tucked between a bakery and a cobbler's workshop. A hanging sign carved with a wheat sheaf and a sleeping sheep swung lightly above the entrance.
"This is the Amber Hearth," Elise said, gesturing toward it. "It's not the fanciest, but it's clean, quiet, and the innkeeper is reliable. They've got private rooms with baths, and you won't have to sell a kidney to afford a night."
"I like all of that," Inigo said.