Traveller’s inn

After securing my new top hat, I resolved to find somewhere to settle down for the night. "First, I'll search for clues through Uncle's letter," I thought, the weight of the mystery pulling at me. I set out through the bustling streets, looking for a suitable inn where I could begin my search in earnest.

As I wandered, my optimism began to wane. To my disbelief, every inn I visited was fully booked. Each innkeeper offered apologies and shrugged shoulders, citing a single reason for the unavailability: Lady Eveline's coming-of-age ceremony was drawing aristocrats and businessmen alike for a grand celebration.

"This can't be happening," I muttered under my breath, frustration mounting with each rejection. The increasing difficulty of finding accommodation was not only inconvenient but also made me feel as if I was being thwarted at every turn. My weariness grew, and with each passing minute, my hope seemed to dim.

I finally approached an innkeeper, my last hope before resigning myself to a night on the streets. He was a portly man, with a ruddy face and a tired look in his eyes.

"Excuse me, sir," I began, trying to keep my tone civil despite my growing annoyance. "Why are all the inns full? Is there really no place to stay?"

The innkeeper sighed heavily and wiped his hands on a rag. "Aye, sir, it's Lady Eveline's coming-of-age ceremony is upon Babel. Every room's been snatched up by the nobles and their guests. Quite the affair, it is."

I cursed my luck silently, realizing the implications of my predicament. Noticing my dismay, the innkeeper leaned in slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"I might know of one place that could still have a room," he offered, his expression hopeful but businesslike. "It'll cost you another ten silver, though. But it's your best bet tonight."

I hesitated, torn between reluctance and necessity. Ten silver katkass was no small sum, but I knew I had little choice if I wanted a roof over my head for the night.

"Fine," I conceded begrudgingly, reaching into my purse and counting out the coins. I handed them over to the innkeeper, who quickly scribbled down an address on a scrap of parchment.

"Head down that way," he instructed, pointing towards the quieter outskirts of town. "Tell them old Tom sent you. They'll have a room for you, I reckon."

With a nod of thanks, I pocketed the address and set off once more, my steps heavier with fatigue and frustration. As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of being caught in a web of circumstance beyond my control. Yet, with my new hat atop my head and my uncle's letter safely tucked away, I clung to the hope that this night's challenges would lead me closer to unraveling the mysteries shaping my uncertain path.

The walk to the address given by the innkeeper was a bleak journey through the quiet outskirts of town. The street was dimly lit by sporadic lanterns, their light barely cutting through the pervasive gloom. The building that emerged from the shadows was a hulking structure with a weathered façade, its paint peeling and windows grimy with age. A sense of unease settled over me as I approached.

"Damn that innkeeper," I muttered bitterly under my breath, eyeing the decrepit building with suspicion. The inn's appearance seemed to mock the last remnants of my optimism. I mentally accused the man of deceiving me, but the thought of spending the night in the open was even less appealing.

With a resigned sigh, I pushed open the creaking wooden door and stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit by flickering oil lamps, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and twist in the corners of the room. The air was heavy with the scent of age and neglect, a faint mustiness clinging to everything. The floorboards creaked ominously underfoot as I made my way to the worn counter.

Behind the counter stood an old man, his figure stooped and his face lined with the marks of many years. His toothless grin did little to reassure me. He greeted me with a raspy voice, "Good evening, sir. Welcome to the Crossroad Inn."

Before I could respond, a young boy, perhaps no older than twelve, emerged from the shadows. His clothes were disheveled, and he was busy sweeping the already clean floor with exaggerated motions. He looked up with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance and interjected loudly, "It's Travellers Inn now, gezzer!"

The old man's expression darkened, and he shot a sharp glance at the boy. "I know that brat! Focus on your own work." He turned back to me, his smile forced but polite. "Welcome to the Traveller's Inn. Looking for a room for the night, are you?"

I nodded, trying to ignore the boy's insolence and the unsettling atmosphere of the place. "Yes, I was sent by Tom from the other inn. I was told you might have a room available."

The old man's eyes narrowed slightly, and he glanced at a ledger before nodding. "Ah, yes, I see. We do have a room. It's not the best, but it's clean and warm. You'll have to take the stairs up to the third floor. Let me walk you there." The inn kepper said and begin to lead the way.

I fought to keep the edge of frustration from my voice as I replied tersely, "that room. it better be worth the money I paid for adress of this place."

The innkeeper's grin widened slightly, though it held a hint of mischief that unsettled me even more. "Oh, I assure you, sir, I'm leading you to the finest accommodations available," he said with a crooked finger pointing down a dark corridor. "Right this way."

Reluctantly, I followed the innkeeper down the narrow hallway, my footsteps echoing hollowly against the aged walls. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had stepped into the same place i wanted to escape, each creak of the floorboards and flicker of lamplight intensifying my unease.

As we reached the door of the room, the innkeeper turned to me with a sly smile. "Here you are, sir. Room number seven," he announced, gesturing towards the door with a gnarled hand.

I hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door and stepped inside, the chill of the room wrapping around me like a cold embrace. As I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises this night held in store, and what secrets this ancient inn might conceal within its timeworn walls.