Chapter 6: Breakfast

As the evening progressed, I was increasingly having a great time at the party. I encountered new individuals and listened to tales of remote territories, laughing until my abdominal muscles ached. The beer flowed freely and I was amazed to find myself drinking more and more of it, my restrictions gradually diminishing with each gulp. Gerhardt was an excellent host, ensuring everyone was at ease and joyful. He conversed with me frequently, entertaining me with accounts of his own journeys and escapades. I was beginning to feel as though I had known him for years and was deeply appreciative of his hospitality and benevolence.

As the party began to subside, Gerhardt approached me, placing his arm around my shoulder. "Come on, my friend," he said, his speech slightly slurred. "It's time to get you to bed." I nodded, feeling slightly unsteady. Gerhardt led me to my quarters, supporting me with a hand on my back. As he opened the door, he turned to me, his countenance serious.

"Thank you for coming to the Golden Goose Inn," he said, his voice low. "You are always welcome here, no matter what. Keep that in mind, my friend." I nodded, feeling an emotional lump form in my throat. "Thank you, Gerhardt," I said, my speech heavy with feeling. "I won't forget this evening, or your kindness." Gerhardt nodded, a small smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "Goodnight, young hero," he said, before closing the door behind him.

I stumbled to the bed, feeling a sense of comfort and security that I had not experienced in a long time. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep sleep. I was awakened by the sounds of conversation outside my window. I rubbed my eyes, feeling a satisfying ache in my muscles from the previous night's festivities. I remembered the warm laughter, music, and beer, and smiled, feeling grateful for the experience. I dressed in clothes I found in the wardrobe in the corner of my room and went down to the bar, eager to see what the day would bring. The inn was quiet, with only a few guests milling around. I took a seat at the bar and waited for Gerhardt to appear.

Soon enough, Gerhardt emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of steaming hot food. "Good morning, young hero," he said, his eyes sparkling with humor. "I hope you slept well."

"I did," I said, grinning. "Thank you for everything, Gerhardt."

He set the tray in front of me, and I was greeted by the aroma of eggs, bacon, and bread. I eagerly dug in, feeling the pangs of hunger in my stomach. The food was delicious, just as I had anticipated, and I ate with great enthusiasm.

"You seem to have a hearty appetite," Gerhardt said, chuckling. "I take it you had a good time last night."

"I did," I said, in between bites. "It was an excellent party. I've never had so much fun. Also, where are Thorne and the other merchants?"

"They are still asleep," Gerhardt replied, looking around the inn. "They all continued drinking long after I helped you to your room." He smiled and added, "Well, enjoy your food, I have to attend to the other customers." And with that, he left, and began conversing with the other guests, leaving me to finish my breakfast.

Having finished a quick meal, I decided to return to my room upstairs. Regrettably, Gerhardt was still in the kitchen and I was unable to express my gratitude. Nonetheless, I reassured myself that I would have the opportunity to do so later. The inn was starting to stir with guests coming and going, as the sounds of laughter and conversations echoed from the bar.

As I climbed the stairs, I took note of the beautifully carved wooden handrails and intricate wall designs. Each step I took creaked with a sense of history and tradition. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, I walked down the hall to my room. I opened the door to find a small but cozy space, with walls painted a soft yellow and polished wooden floorboards. In the corner stood a single bed covered in a white quilt, beside it was a small table with a lantern providing soft light and a wardrobe nearby. The room offered a window that looked out to the bustling street below, showcasing the city's daily activities.

With a clear mind, I sat on the bed before suddenly feeling an urge to practice my cultivation. I had been neglecting it lately and felt the need to strengthen my power, regardless of whether or not I had faced challenging opponents. So, I got off the bed and sat cross-legged on the floor, facing the window. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and began to focus on my breathing.

As I focused, I felt my chest rise and fall with each inhale and exhale, and my internal energy began to stir. Slowly, I directed that energy, allowing it to flow throughout my body, warming my muscles and spreading to my fingers and toes. As I continued to cultivate, the energy grew stronger and I felt my muscles convulse and ripple, as if they were trying to absorb and hold on to the energy. My tendons and ligaments stretched and my mind became clearer.

Hours may have passed as I lost myself in the sensations and feelings of the energy flowing through me. My senses sharpened and I could sense the world around me in a way I had never experienced before. Finally, I opened my eyes, feeling revitalized and empowered. My muscles felt strong and my body pulsed with a new invigorating energy. I stood up, waiting for any new information to appear in my head, but it never came, so I decided to return to the bar, where I assumed Thorne and the other merchants would be awake by now. I gently pushed open the door to my chamber and stepped out into the compact hallway. I traversed the narrow passage and reached the chairs, which emitted a creak with each stride. When I had descended halfway down the staircase, I was met with a panoramic view of the entire ground floor of the inn. To my great pleasure, Thorne, Galdor, and Felgar were all congregated at a table, engaging in boisterous laughter, lively conversation, and savoring a hearty breakfast. As I approached, they acknowledged my arrival with a cheerful greeting, beckoning me to join them with open arms. With a warm smile, I took a seat and joined the conversation,

"So, how did you sleep," Thorne asked with a mouthful of food,

"Great, I woke up earlier and came down to eat breakfast. You were all still asleep so I went back up to my room," I replied, "anyway, Galdor, did you have any luck networking and making connections." Galdor looked up from his plate,

"No, but next time will be different," Galdor declared optimistically,

Felgar, however, expressed skepticism, "You say that every time." A palpable tension hung in the air between the two, causing me to shift the topic.

"So, what do you do now," I asked, looking toward Thorne,

"Well, now we sell everything that we have in our wagons. But we'll do that tomorrow, because we arrived at Brightmore just in time to see the festival of wealth." Thorne smiled with excitement and anticipation.