章節 19: The inn

In the shallow light of dawn, Ankoku stirred from his restless sleep, his body aching and protesting with every movement. He groaned softly as consciousness returned his mind struggling to piece together the events of the previous night.

With a wince he pushed himself upright, his muscles protesting the effort it takes to move. Hes blinking against the harsh morning light through the inn's grimy older windows, he surveyed his surroundings. He found himself in a simple room the scent of stale ale and wood smoke lingering in the air.

Memory flooded back in fragments the walk into the valley, the desperate struggle for survival, and the searing pain of the drynewts spears piercing into his flesh. He gingerly touched the bandages wrapped around his torso, feeling the tender throbbing of his wounds. The wounds were mostly healed with magic but the pain was still there.

As he struggled to sit up, the door creaked open and an older tall slender man entered, a steaming bowl of broth in hand. The old man's eyes softened with concern as he saw Ankoku's condition.

"You're awake"

the innkeeper said gruffly, setting the bowl down on the bedside table

"Took quite a beating out there, didn't ya?"

Ankoku nodded weakly, his eyes still slanted barely able to look at the older man, accepting the bowl with trembling hands. The warmth of the broth seeped into his bones and skin, easing the ache of his injuries.

"You're lucky to be alive"

The innkeeper continued his tone grave.

"Not many make it out of an interaction with a drynewt in one piece."

Ankoku nodded in silent agreement, his thoughts drifting to his blade sliding across the monster barely leaving slash wounds on it, the unknown adventurers who came to his side, Ankoku began to worry about them. Guilt gnawed at him, knowing he potentially got others killed who tried to help him.

"you best head outside when you can, there is someone waiting for ya."

The Innkeeper's voice gruffly and shallowly

"How long have I been unconscious?"

Ankoku says staring at his palm

"You've been out for around four days."

"Thank you.."

As he sat in the quiet of the inn, staring out into space the pain still lingering, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He may have been battered and broken, but he was not yet defeated. With renewed resolve he vowed to rise from the depths of his defeat and continue his mission given to him by Kleif, along with his goal for revenge, wherever it may lead him, hopefully back to the drynewt to become stronger than ever and finally defeat it.

Summoning his strength, Ankoku rose from his bed, the warmth of the inn's hearth clinging to him like an embrace. With a determined step, he made his way to the door, his muscles protesting the movement but his will kept him moving.

As he stepped out into the cool morning air, he was greeted by the sight of a figure leaning against the inn's weathered facade. The figure was tall and imposing, clad in a tattered cloak that flowed in the gentle breeze. Yet what caught Ankoku's attention was the unmistakable presence of a wolf-like demi-human, their sharp eyes fixed upon him with a certain uneasy intensity.

"bout time ya woke, punk."

Her voice seemingly annoyed sounded all around him.