Maps and Farewells

When the door closed behind the innkeeper, Lolchess stood still for a moment, her gaze fixed on the now-closed door. Her features, once softened by sleep, had hardened. Yet, something in her eyes revealed a deep weariness.

She slowly lowered her gaze to the breakfast tray. With a weary gesture, she pushed the plate in front of her aside. The smell of warm bread and spicy soup now seemed nauseating to her.

She eventually rose from her chair.

Lost in thought, she did not immediately hear the innkeeper's footsteps returning to the room. It was only when he knocked on the door again that Lolchess straightened up, her reflexes sharpening. She walked to the entrance and opened the door to find the innkeeper holding an old parchment map.

"Here is the map, madam," he said with a mix of respect and apprehension. "I've had it for years... It belonged to a former traveler who stayed here for a while. It's not exactly fresh, but it should still be useful."