The Chronicles Of Rhaxtyx

"Who is it that looks for me?"

A middle-aged woman descended the stairs of the Crystal Cove. Her voice was soothing, calming even an angry dwarf was possible with a single word. This woman wore a purple silk robe with gold and silver accessories on her. She was overflowing with grace. Her smile could calm even raging demons but also could cause wars to erupt. This woman's appearance in the main hall of the inn caused a scene of calmness, even the bard stopped playing and only looked at her.

Roman was mesmerized by her and even Miriam was looking at her with a complicated gaze. The woman looked at the waiter, smiled and asked again.

"Who wants to see me?"

"These two people, mistress."

"I see. Well? May I help you?"

Roman tried to speak but no words could be formed in his brain at that time. Miriam was still looking at her with that gaze and Badgey was… doing what Badgey would do, sniffing around and stealing food from patrons.

"Hello?"

With one more call, Miriam has returned to herself and shook her head a little. She looked at Roman and saw his condition. After shaking her head with disappointment, she opened her mouth.

"Hello, yes. Umm, we have word from one of your friends. At least the person claims so." (Miriam)

"Is that so? Well then. Let's continue our discussion in my office."

After speaking, she turned around and climbed the stairs once more. Miriam took a step forward but realized Badgey was still going around tables and Roman was standing and looking at the stairs like a fool. After sighing softly, she called for Badgey and lightly shook Roman to wake him up.

"Huh? What? Where am I?" (Roman)

"I thought you had a more powerful will power?" (Miriam)

"I do! I just…"

"Yes yes. Let's go, she's waiting for us."

"Okay. I'm coming."

They climbed the stairs with Badgey that finally decided to follow them. They climbed the stairs to find the woman waiting for them in front of a door. Even though they made her, who was obviously a high-ranking person in that establishment, there was no anger or irritation in her eyes. She just calmly waited for them.

"Please, enter."

They followed behind her into the room. The room was wide and had a beautiful view of the city. There were bookshelves along the opposite walls and a lot of books and small trinkets on them. The woman sat behind her desk and gestured to the two chairs in front of it.

"Please, sit. Do you want tea, coffee?"

"It' fine." (Roman)

"Likewise." (Miriam)

"You sure are strict, I see."

The woman poured herself a cup of tea and its fragrance filled the room immediately. She sat down and after taking a sip, she smiled and began talking.

"As you've already guessed, I am the owner of this inn, Stephanie. Pleased to meet you."

"I'm Roman."

"Miriam."

"I see. Well, you have the news it seems. Who sent you?"

"Knight Captain Damian." (Roman)

"I'm sorry I don't recognize that name."

"You might know him as 'Dire Wolf', maybe?"

*Pfffffft*

The woman immediately spat out his tea in an unlady-like manner and her tone of voice was different as well. Everything seemed to change about her when she heard the name 'Dire Wolf'

"What the hell! That little pupper is in this city. That sob better come visit again or I will kick his ass!"

The duo was shocked, especially Roman. How can someone so graceful be so vulgar, he thought to himself. He rubbed his eyes but it was reality, he was not dreaming. He was so lost in thought that he almost dropped Kai.

Miriam was also shocked to see this woman talk like that. She was beginning to get curious of this person. While her head was filled with these kinds of thought, the person in question spoke again.

"Ah sorry. I spoke like that in front of my guests. But that bastard never visits me anymore and that pisses me off! By the way how do you know each other? He is hard to get a hold of, forget talking to him."

Miriam told her about what happened throughout the journey, how they met, how he helped and trained the group and how he sent his regards saying he would come and visit. She didn't say anything about the ambush Damian told them about, thinking he would tell her if he wanted.

"I see. Seems like his business is urgent. Well whatever, I'm glad you told me about it. If he is in the picture, don't worry about the room expenses. You are my guests as well."

"Thank you but isn't it a bit, you know, sudden?" (Roman)

"Oh don't worry about it. If that pupper told you about this inn, that means he trusts you enough."

"I see. Well, there's nothing we can do but accept right?" (Roman)

At that point, the woman couldn't help but turn her gaze onto the sleeping Kai.

"I'm sorry, I tried to resist but I can't hold on anymore. What is wrong with that child?"

"Ah this? She is one of our, how can I say it…" (Roman)

"Companions, one might call it. She had trouble after we've met up with her and she's in this condition." (Miriam)

"What seems to be the problem?"

"She's been sleeping for 3 weeks now. We couldn't do anything and we couldn't find suitable help as well." (Roman)

"The root cause of this is probably connected to her trouble somehow. We couldn't understand it completely and have been searching for physicians and arcanists." (Miriam)

"Okay. I'll handle it then."

"Huh?" (Roman)

"You can safely leave her in my care, I have some friends in the field of research of arcane and medicine. I'll contact them and have them take a look at her."

"…"

Roman and Miriam became hesitant at this offer. Seeing this, Stephanie chuckled and talked in a soft voice.

"I promise on the name of this establishment, your dear companion will not be hurt. I will personally oversee these check-ups."

But this wasn't really enough as well. Roman and Miriam looked at each other and then at Kai. Her slow breaths and innocent face gave them a small smile. Stephanie spoke out again.

"If you'd like, one of you can stay behind for the process. I know you want to go out to see the city or you might have stuff to do. If you don't mind, you can stay with me."

Miriam thought for a while and looked at Roman. Their eyes connected and they nodded at each other. After that, they turned to Stephanie and talked at the same time.

""I'll stay then.""

""Huh?""

""I said I'll stay.""

""Ugh! Fine you stay.""

*Chuckle*

Stephanie couldn't resist when she saw their behavior.

"I think there's miscommunication here."

And indeed there was. They looked at each other, trying to figure out what the other wanted to say. At that moment, Badgey jumped on Miriam's l.a.p and looked up to them. Even though Miriam flinched, she was able to stop herself from throwing Badgey again like last time.

When they all looked at each other, they could see its intention in Badgey's eyes. They smiled and finally talked to Stephanie again.

"Our friend here will stay in our stead." (Miriam)

"Are you sure? It is just an animal after all."

"It'll be fine. It won't leave her alone even for a moment. And, feed this guy and it'll do pretty much anything." (Roman)

Badgey nodded at that last remark from Roman. This surprised Stephanie as she didn't expect a wild beast to be this intelligent and understand human tongue. She would never question it though or she wouldn't do anything to harm this little beast because if she did, she would betray Damian's trust he had for her and it would be hellish for her.

"If you say so. I shall contact my friends then. You can do whatever you want."

She then signed some papers and rang a small bell that was on her desk. After the bell rang, the door opened and the waiter from before entered the room with a lowered head.

"You called, mistress?"

"Yes. Have these people stay at this room."

Stephanie handed the paper she signed to the waiter. The waiter's eyes opened wide and he looked at Stephanie.

"Mistress, this…"

"If I tell you to do it, then you do it. Right?"

"No mistress, you got it wrong. This room is small for these individuals."

"Huh? Do you doubt my decisions?"

Stephanie seemed to be angry. There was a cold atmosphere around her and this made everyone in the room uncomfortable. The waiter was in the worst position though as her anger was directed to him directly.

"That's not it as well, mistress. They have, they said they have another friend with them."

"I'll handle that person personally so you needn't worry about it."

"Oh, he is right. We have another friend with us. Apart from Sir Damian." (Miriam)

Silence. Stephanie's eyes opened and she made a forced smile. After a second, she started laughing lightly and took the paper back from the waiter.

"Haa I'm sorry. Here take this then."

She handed a new paper with a smile on her face. She was feeling guilty for her baseless anger just now.

"Sorry to scare you."

"It's okay, mistress. You must be busy. I shall get going."

"Well then. You can leave the girl in the room I have assigned you to and do whatever you want or you can stay and rest for a while. You just arrived right? It must've been a tiring journey."

"I think resting would be good but I have somewhere I have to be. It's been a long time since I last came here." (Roman)

"I would like to tour around the city as well. I don't feel tired at all."

"As you wish. Well then, thank you for you patronage."

""Thank you for your care.""

Roman and Miriam, along with Badgey, left the office. The waiter from before was waiting for them in front of the door. He told them he was to receive the girl from them and put her in her bed for rest. They gave him Kai and told Badgey to protect her well. They then left the inn and went towards their own business.

They were pretty carefree and they enjoyed their alone time. But their carefree attitude would bring them some trouble.