Chapter 491: The Coming Nightmare
Sleep'n tight glowed with a warm, inviting charm, thanks to the lanterns hanging on its exterior.
These cast a soft, golden hue across the cobbled street in front, creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
The flower boxes on the windows, filled with vibrant flowers, were dimly illuminated, their colors muted in the night, but still adding a touch of life to the building's old-world charm.
The roof reflected a soft glow, with the timber and white walls appearing quaint yet sturdy in the dim light.
As Northern and everyone stepped inside, they were greeted by lobby with a blend of rustic elegance.
The wooden beams overhead gave the space a homely feel, complemented by rich, dark oak flooring.
To the left, a hearth crackle with a fire that filled the room with warmth, the shadows of the flames dancing across the walls.
A few people sat in cushioned chairs, their weary faces lit by the ambient glow of low- hanging lamps.
The front desk was situated along the right side of the lobby, made of polished wood, with a tall stack of ledgers and a bell for guests to ring.
The auberge keeper, a stout, friendly-looking figure, smiled as they entered.
"There couldn't have been a better time for you to come," he said with an even friendlier smile.
His entire demeanor was utterly appealing.
Shin approached his table and looked back at everyone.
"We would like three rooms."
"There are different grades. We have the rascal's grade, quite cheap but it's underground. Then we have the commoner's grade, which goes for 50 Talii per night for one room. The Middlemen grade, goes for 200 Talii per night, and the nobleman grade goes for 500 Talii per night."
"We will take the commoner's grade, for 50 Talii."
The man nodded, and put his hand below the drawer of his desk, after which he brought out a bunch of keys.
Shin did not bring out the pouch of coins. Instead, he dipped his hand into his clothes where they were kept and ruffled for some seconds before bringing out 150 Talii and dropping it on the table.
Northern observed him from behind and looked back at the few people sitting in the lobby. He could tell his father knew what he was doing.
The innkeeper swiped it off the table and said to them with an insidious smile at Shin, "Follow me."
He led them to the far side of the lobby, where a grand staircase led upward.
It was wide, with a deep mahogany finish, the handrail smooth and slightly worn from years of use.
Each step creaked softly underfoot as they ascended toward their rooms. The walls beside the stairs were adorned with faded portraits and tapestries, adding a sense of history to the space. The smell of baked bread and warm soup drifted in from a side door, suggesting that the auberge's dining area was still active, with patrons enjoying late-night meals before retiring for the night.
As they got upstairs, the atmosphere of the auberge became quieter, almost serene.
The hallways were lined with a plush, deep red carpet that muffled footsteps, adding to the sense of calm.
Soft, golden lanterns affixed to the walls illuminated the corridor, casting a gentle glow that made the space feel intimate and welcoming.
The wooden beams of the ceiling continued from downstairs, though here they felt lower, cozier, giving the upstairs a more private, secluded feel.
The doors to the rooms were made of sturdy oak, with brass handles that glinted faintly in the low light. Each door was numbered in a neat, embossed script.
The man stopped in front of one door, and looked at the crowd with an expecting gaze. Naturally, Northern stepped forward, and so did Ellis, right after him, after he noticed Ryan looked like he wanted to move.
The keeper gave Northern the key to the room, which had the same numbering as the room did. Then he led others away.
As Northern and Ellis stepped into their room, what met them was a modest and comfortable space.
The wooden floor was softened by a small woven rug, and a simple but well-crafted bed stood against one wall, with thick blankets and pillows invitingly arranged.
The room was furnished with a small writing desk positioned near a window, offering a view of the quiet street below.
The window had heavy curtains, deep green, which were left open to let in the soft glow from the street lanterns outside.
A small fireplace sat in the corner, crackling softly, offering warmth to the room. Above it, a mantle with a few modest trinkets or a simple mirror hung. A wooden wardrobe stood opposite the bed, with enough space for their belongings; however, none of them had
belongings.
Beside the bed, a nightstand with a small oil lamp provided light, casting shadows across the room's wood-paneled walls.
The air smelled faintly of aged wood and lavender, likely from sachets hung by the
windowsill.
The space was quiet, with only the occasional creak from the beams above or the faint
murmur of voices from downstairs, creating a sense of peace.
Ellis slumped to a sitting position on the bed, leaning on his hand.
"It's a good one. So, would we be sleeping on the same bed?"
Northern looked at him, his face contorting in disgust. Then he averted his eyes without
saying anything.
He walked closer to the window and looked out of it, staring outside for a while.
Ellis, concerned, tried to look too and make out what Northern was looking at but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary and worth looking at on the streets.
However, the compact view of the roofs as they spread to the horizon was a capturing scenery
to focus on.
It made him realize how much he had missed the feel of being amongst civilization and
people.
Ellis's lips curled into a bitter smile as he said:
"We indeed have come a long way, haven't we?"
Northern, after a few beats, glanced at Ellis indifferently before responding.
"Indeed we have. And we are about to start another long journey... this time, a nightmare far
more wretched and cursed than anything we have ever been through."