A stop for the night.

The storm had wrought havoc on the roads, as feared. In parts it was a deep bog of mud, and trees were often blocking the way. The slow progress was exhausting for all involved, but especially for the coachman, who Alan came to know was called Henry, and the footman, Karl. Alan tried to help them as much as he could, but Ignacio often held him back, arguing that a noble should not do the work of lesser men. Sometimes when they were again halted, he looked towards the cat lying by his side or in his lap and he wished she could help. Luna could have cleared those trees in a heartbeat, he thought.

Thus, they made slow but steady progress towards the capital of Mirantia, passing along the rolling hills surrounding the villa and leading up to the mountain range that marked the border.

They had been on their way for three days when they reached the entrance to the main valley that would lead them to their destination. The magistrate called to halt, sick of sleeping in the cramped carriage, as they came upon a roadside inn. It was quite large, with at least a dozen rooms and a big tavern hall.

While he ordered his men to tend to the horses and coach, Ignacio and Alan walked towards the benches at the porch of the inn—with Luna in tow.

They could already hear loud carousing and music from the wide doors leading into the house and some patrons were sitting outside, chatting and telling bawdy jokes with mugs of ale in hand. A busty waitress came outside, her hands full with more mugs of ale. The patrons started cheering her on and one of them slapped her arse hard as she passed them, but she did not spill a drop—obviously used to the treatment.

The magistrate huffed and quickly passed the display, he was not pleased he had to lodge in a place like this.

The waitress deposited the ale in front of her customers and turned towards the door again when she saw the new arrivals.
‘Welcome, travellers. Come to quench your thirst and fill your bellies? A room for the night perhaps?’ she said in tried and tested manner but with an upbeat tone.

‘I would speak to your keeper,’ the magistrate commanded.

Her manned changed at his rudeness.
‘Just inside and on the left,’ she said annoyed and gave a glance to Alan's hip, ‘and don’t cause any trouble.’

The magistrate turned to Alan.
‘Do as you please, boy, I don’t care. Just make sure our two layabouts don’t drink far into the night,’ he said. He did not even wait for an answer and made his way to the innkeeper inside