章 2: Chapter 2 - Nightmarefest, Part 2
A little further down the road leading away from the Coralyn barony, the two came to an Inn called 'the stone circle'. The windows were shuttered and there were no lights to be seen; they could hear neighing coming from the stables, but when they looked they saw no carriage, black or otherwise, just some skittish ponies and a traveling merchant's cart.
"We have lost the carriage. The best thing will be to get a bed for the night." Elysua suggested, casting a wary glance at the moon, whose chilling silver glow was stronger. "I don't feel calm outside tonight. I have a bad feeling."
"You are weak, cat girl, and cowardly."
"They will have beer."
"On the other hand, some of your suggestions are not without merit, although the beer of this country is watered down."
"Of course" replied Elysia. Frey did not detect the ironic tone of her voice.
The inn was not fortified, but it had thick walls, and when they tried to open the door they found that it was barred. Frey pummeled her with heavy blows using her plate armor gauntlets, but there was no response.
"Cat girl. Can you smell humans inside?" Frey asked.
It was difficult for Elysia to answer the question, how could she smell anything other than the stench of the inn itself? Animal fat, instead of varnish, had been used to keep the inn's wood in good condition. The stables gave off a smell that spread through the air and the latrine that was located nearby released a foul smell. But although it was complicated, she managed to discern the scent of some humans.
Nodding, she replied "yes there are, but they seem to have locked themselves in. No one goes outside at Nightmarefest unless they are witches, demon lovers, followers of some dark lord or worshiper of some dark god."
"The black carriage was outside," Frey contradicted her. "Besides, which one would we be?"
"Its occupants were up to no good. He had his curtains drawn and no coat of arms or emblem crowned him."
"My throat is too dry to discuss that kind of detail. Come on, those in there, open the door, or I'll break the door down with my sword!"
Elysia thought she sensed movement inside and put an ear to the door. She could make out murmurs and what looked like sobs.
"Unless you want me to crack your head open, Catgirl, I suggest you step aside." Frey warned her.
"Wait a minute. Hey, insiders! Open the door! My friend has a very large sword and very short patience, so I suggest you do what he wants and let us in."
"What did you mean short?" Frey inquired, touchy.
From behind the door came a sharp, trembling cry.
"In the name of the Father, the Mother and the Son, go away, you demons of the abyss!"
"Well, it's alright now" snapped Frey. "I've had more than enough."
The Lævateinn, the sword Frey wielded, made a huge arc in the air as he swung it back, and Elysia saw the runes etched on the blade gleam in the moonlight as she leaped to the side. .
"In the name of your gods!" Elise yelled. "You cannot exorcise us. We are simple travelers exhausted due to tiredness."
The Lævateinn was nailed to the door, and at the same time there was the sound of wood splitting and some splinters flying into the air. Frey looked at Elysia again and smiled mischievously at her from under her helmet.
"This door is of poor quality, I didn't even try to apply force on the sword" Frey commented.
"I suggest you open while you still have a door," Elysia yelled.
"Wait," said the trembling voice. "Jorge, the carpenter, charged me fifteen silver coins for the door."
The bar was removed from the door, and the door swung open. Then a tall, thin man appeared, his sad face framed by lank white hair. In one hand he held a thick cudgel, and behind him was an elderly woman holding a saucer on which a candle burned, dripping with wax.
"You won't need the gun, sir. We only want a bed to spend the night, it is not a problem if we should share". Elysia said.
"Don't forget the beer." Frei growled.
"And some beer wouldn't hurt." Elysia agreed.
"A lot of beer". Frey added, and Elysia looked at the old man and shrugged her shoulders helplessly.
Inside the inn, the dining room was low-ceilinged, and the bar was made of planks laid over two barrels. From a corner, three armed men, who looked like peddlers, watched them suspiciously. Each had drawn a dagger, and although their faces were hidden by shadow, they looked worried.
The innkeeper hurried the newcomers in, and put the bar back in place.
"Can you pay, lady?" she asked nervously, and Elysia could see the man's Adam's apple twitching.
"I'm not a noble, I'm an adventurer." Elysia explained as she took out the fine bag from her and counted the few gold coins she had left; "But I can pay."
"I need food" Frey started. "And beer."
Hearing that, the old woman burst into tears, and Elysia stared at her.
"The old lady is upset." Frey observed.
"Our Gunter has disappeared, just tonight." replied the old man as he nodded.
"Bring me beer." Frey ordered, and the innkeeper left. Then he shoved Elysia out of the way and lumbered over to where the peddlers sat, eyeing him warily.
"Do any of you know anything about a black carriage pulled by four black horses?" he asked them.
"Have you seen the black carriage?" asked one of the peddlers, whose voice conveyed his inner fear.
"What if I have seen it? That damn thing almost ran over me."
The man gasped, and Elysia heard the sound of a ladle hitting the ground. Then she saw the innkeeper bend down to pick it up and begin refilling the jug.
"In that case, you're lucky." declared the fattest and most prosperous-looking pedlar. "Some say that chariot is driven by demons. I've heard that every year he passes by here in Geimnich. There are those who claim that it carries little children from Riverheim, who are sacrificed in the Circle of Stones that is in the forest."
Frey looked at him with interest, and Elysia didn't like the turn things were taking.
"It is certain that it is only a legend." she said.
"No lady". the innkeeper yelled. "Every year we hear the crash it makes as it passes by. Two years ago, Gunter looked out the window and saw it; it was a black carriage like the one you describe."
At the mention of Gunter's name, the old woman began to cry again. The innkeeper served them stew and two large mugs of ale.
"Bring beer for my partner too." Frey said, and the innkeeper walked away in search of another mug.
"Who is Gunther?" Elysia asked when she returned, and another wail was heard from the woman.
"More beer," Frey called, and the innkeeper looked at the two empty mugs with a stunned expression.
"Take mine." Elysia insisted. "Mr. Innkeeper, who is Gunter?"
"And why does that old woman howl at the mention of his name?" Frey inquired as he wiped his mouth with his muddy cloak. In order to drink the beer without making a mess he had to remove the helmet from it. Frey's face was stoic and somewhat square, he had blond hair and his eyes were blue, the shadow of a beard was on his chin.
"Gunter is our son. This afternoon he went out to chop wood and has not returned."
"Gunter is a good boy." the old woman intervened as she sniffled at her. "How are we going to survive without him?"
"Maybe he's just lost in the woods..."
"Impossible" denied the innkeeper. "Gunter knows the surrounding woods like I do the hairs on my hands. He should have been home hours ago. I fear that a dark sect has seized him with the intention of sacrificing him."
"It's just like what happened with the baker's daughter, Maria." commented the fat pedlar, and the innkeeper gave him a look of deep contempt.
"I don't want any stories being told about our son's fiancée." she answered.
"Let the man speak." Frey intervened, and the peddler gave him a look of thanks.
"The same thing happened last year. The baker's wife went to see her teenage daughter, Maria, just after sunset, because she thought she heard knocking coming from the girl's room. Her daughter had disappeared. Who knows what powers of sorcery snatched her from her bed when the house was locked! The next day the alarm was raised, and we found Maria. We found her covered in bruises and in a terrible state. But the girl was still alive." The man looked up at them to make sure they were paying attention.
"Did you ask him what had happened?" Elysia wanted to know.
"Yes, Miss. Apparently, some demons, wild beings of the forest, had taken her to the Circle of Stones. There the Sect waited with the evil creatures of the woods. They were going to sacrifice her on the altar, but she managed to free herself from her captors and invoked the power of the Son and on her behalf she faced the cultists. As they staggered, Maria fled from them, and although they pursued her, they could not catch up with her."
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