Chapter 17: At the Golden Scales Inn
Following the directions the old woman had given us, Rowena and I arrived at the inn we were seeking.
The signboard indeed bore the image of a golden balance scale.
“The Golden Scales Inn.”
Even from the outside, it looked a little more refined than the other inns.
When we pushed the door open and stepped inside, the interior was more spacious than I had expected, with a high ceiling.
Many travelers sat at tables, eating or drinking.
It was lively, yet carried a certain calm atmosphere.
Behind the counter stood a well-built, good-natured-looking man—whether he was truly eccentric or not, I couldn’t say.
He was likely the owner.
“Excuse me.”
When I called out, he smiled and looked our way.
His eyes soon fell on the massive drake’s tail tied to my left shoulder.
They widened instantly.
“Th-that’s… a drake’s tail! Where in the world did you get something like that!?”
Just as rumored, he seemed to have a keen interest in rare things.
“In the Blackleaf Forest. I happened to obtain it by luck.”
I answered briefly, then moved to the main point.
“I’d like to sell this tail, if possible. And I was hoping to stay here for a few days. The two of us.”
The owner stared at the tail as though entranced, then glanced at Rowena.
After a moment of thought, he grinned.
“Interesting! Very well. Chances to see something this rare don’t come often! I’ll buy it!”
That was quick.
Very helpful.
The price he offered for the drake’s tail was far higher than I had expected.
It was enough gold coins to require several small pouches.
Still visibly excited, he added,
“As thanks for bringing such a fine specimen, I’ll give you a discount on your stay! I’ve been shown something truly remarkable!”
Lucky.
No need for troublesome bargaining.
After deducting the lodging fees, I accepted the remaining payment and reserved a room for several days.
For a while, we could rest easy in Norest.
The room was just as clean and spacious as I had hoped.
Perfect for easing the fatigue of travel.
Rowena’s eyes sparkled at the sight of it.
After setting down our belongings, I returned to the owner.
“Is there somewhere nearby where we can bathe? Preferably somewhere we can relax.”
He nodded.
“There’s a private bath available. It costs a bit more, but the water’s clean and it’ll wash the weariness away.”
The price didn’t matter.
It would be the greatest luxury of this journey so far.
With the money from the drake’s tail, we could afford it.
The private bath was more comfortable than I had imagined.
A spacious tub and a clean changing area.
I exhaled deeply and sank into the hot water.
The fatigue from camping in the forest and hurried travel seemed to dissolve slowly into the warmth.
Rowena moved her hands and feet contentedly in the bath.
Her golden hair floated in the water, shimmering in the bathlight.
Like the princess with shining hair the magistrate knight had once spoken of.
When we stepped out of the bath, both body and mind felt light.
Now then, time to head into the city.
It was my turn to treat Rowena to something delicious and sweet.
We went out and first sought a bakery.
She had seemed to love the baked sweets from the caravan.
I bought several freshly made varieties and let her choose as many as she liked.
Watching her select them with shining eyes made me happy too.
Afterward, we wandered through the city.
We watched street performers and peeked into shops selling exotic spices.
Everything seemed new to Rowena.
She stayed close to me, brimming with curiosity.
At a street stall, we found a confection I had never seen before.
The vendor explained it came from a distant southern land and was called “chocolate.”
Sweet with a slight bitterness, he said.
Intrigued, I bought one despite the cost.
When I gave Rowena a piece, she looked puzzled at first.
Then she tasted it and widened her eyes, nodding.
It was good, apparently.
Farther along, jars of preserved fruit gleamed at a fruit seller’s stall.
Among them, preserved peaches were said to be a luxury.
The peaches shone amber within the jars, looking delicious.
I bought a small amount.
When I tasted it, sweetness melted across my tongue, rich with the fragrance of peach.
Rowena took a bite and looked utterly entranced.
We stopped by an armory as well.
The armor I had worn since before setting out was worn thin and nearing its limit.
I ordered a new leather set.
After taking my measurements, the smith said it would take a few days, so I would return later to collect it.
I also asked them to service my beloved blade.
Even minor scratches from the drake battle were best seen to by a professional.
Time in Norest passed peacefully.
Mornings were spent visiting shops and the armory.
Afternoons were spent strolling the streets with Rowena or resting in a park-like area.
At night, we ate warm meals in the inn’s dining hall.
Since leaving on this journey, I might never have spent such unhurried days.
In our room at the inn, we spent evenings not by a campfire, but under the glow of a small lamp.
Rowena wore her new clothes, her small backpack resting by her pillow.
I polished my dagger with the maintenance tools I had just bought.
It was a quiet time.
“…Eo.”
A faint voice suddenly reached my ears.
I stopped and looked at Rowena.
She was staring at me intently.
“Eh…?”
Just as I was about to ask her to repeat it—
“…Eo…”
Once more, Rowena attempted to form the word in a thin voice.
It sounded close to my nickname.
“Ed.”
Surprise, and an overwhelming surge of joy.
I unconsciously stopped polishing the dagger.
Rowena was trying to say my name.