"The Dawn that Rose from Fire"

Novel November- Day 24: In which the party meets Sera the innkeeper

The room swallowed them in heat and flickering gold.

It was a large hall, once meant for travelers. A giant hearth dominated the space, spanning nearly ten feet, fire roaring up the soot-blacked bricks. A winding staircase curled along the wall, twisting to the first landing and then the second, each level opening into narrow rooms that overlooked the cavernous common floor.

Old rushes lay matted and grey across the boards. The hearth bricks were thick with ash, and tin buckets, overflowing and long overdue for emptying, lined the back wall. Firewood was piled in a haphazard mountain to the side, as though tossed there by someone who no longer expected guests.

It had been an inn once. A safe place. A waypoint.

But time and isolation had worn it thin.

The “innkeeper,” if she could be called that, stood in the farthest corner. Her small crossbow remained in hand, though now angled down. She was a Rhea,tall and narrow-built, bones light as sparrows. Straw-blond hair stuck out in uneven tufts as if cut with a knife rather than scissors, and her pale blue eyes watched every movement with bright, wary intelligence.

Kaelen adjusted his hold on Alenyah. His gaze caught on an armchair set close to the hearth, threadbare but sturdy,and he strode toward it.

He lowered her carefully into its cushions.

The heat hit her at once. Alenyah curled in on herself, instinctive as a child seeking safety, eyes fixed on the flames. They licked upward hungrily, casting shifting gold across her hair and hollow face.

But she felt none of the warmth.

Alenyah heard the others settling around her,packs sliding to the floor, wet canvas dripping meltwater, but none of it seemed to belong to her world anymore. Her gaze stayed fixed on the fire. The flames rose and fell like the echo of a Song she would never hear again. She did not know how to live in a world where Valka wasn’t.

Sera watched them from the far corner, hands braced on her hips, the torn hem of her skirt brushing her bare feet. She allowed them space, but not welcome. Her posture said plainly that this was a temporary mercy, not hospitality.

Seth slipped in from the back room. Sera jolted, nearly reaching for her crossbow. He ignored her and crossed to the hearth, shedding snow and gear without ceremony.

“Is it secure?” Kaelen murmured.

Seth nodded, unbuckling his scabbard. “Perimeter’s clear. No hollow men. Nothing else moving. One of us keeps watch and we’ll last the night.”

“Night?” Foxran snorted, still keeping this eyes on Sera. “Dawn is not far off.”



“You’re right,” Sera snapped. “You all woke me with your skulking around outside!” She unloaded her crossbow with practiced efficiency but carried it with her as she strode through into the kitchen. Alenyah had the distinct impression that the Rhea was most definitely still armed to the teeth.



A series of banging and clattering echoed from the kitchen, and when Foxran went to peer suspiciously around the door, he had to duck as a wooden spoon went sailing over his head. He backed away grumbling. In short order, Sera reappeared with steaming bowls of soup on a tray in her hands. She thunked the tray upon the table and stepped back warily.



The front door creaked as Tavren and Berin entered. Seeing the grumpy Rhea, a tired Berin slapped on his most charming smile.



“Thank you for allowing us inside your home, Miss…?” He waited for her to answer.



“Sera,” she said grudgingly.



“It’s a pleasure,” he held out his hand to shake but she stared at it in distrust. He withdrew, deflated.



Sera refused to sit down as they settled at the table. Kaelen pulled the wool blanket from his bag and snagged a bowl of soup from the rough surface. Alenyah did not stir as he settled the blanket on top of her. Some small, exhausted part wanted to protest this mothering treatment, but she could not find the will. She stared past his concern, even as he pushed the warm bowl into her limp hands.



Straightening, he turned towards the Rhea who had given them refuge. The others ate at the table, murmuring quietly. Alenyah could hear him speaking to her over the others.



“Thank you,” were the first words to leave his mouth. He actually bowed, and Sera snorted much like Foxran when he had heard something ridiculous.



“As if you all wouldn’t have barged in here if I had said no,” she replied, turning away.



“We would not have harmed you,” he responded diplomatically. “Even if you had refused.”



“Oh, THAT’S comforting,” She drawled but nodded. “Since you are here, you might as well explain how you even made it across the lake.” She spun to face everyone stuffing their faces at the table. “Why ARE you here?”



Foxran wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and turned. Kaelen caught his eye and nodded.



“We are traveling to the north,” he answered. “On an expedition from The Vale. Our lands are sick.” That much was true.



Her brow furrowed. “They only sent seven of you? You’ll all probably die before you even get over Ashfall Pass. It’s not safe like it was before. It’s barely been passable for a century.”

She began to collect empty bowls.



“Seconds?” She asked, and hands shot into the air. Sera grumbled, but it seemed that it was for show. Alenyah doubted this woman even remembered the last time she had visitors. She loaded up her tray and traipsed back into the kitchen still continuing the conversation.



“More of us would have drawn too much attention,” Kaelen answered after her. Alenyah noticed he hadn’t eaten anything, and he nudged the still full bowl in her hands. The Fey’ri tightened her grip, ready to throw the meal into the fire.



“Don’t,” he growled, guessing her thoughts. “Eat.”

Alenyah chose to ignore him, even as he crouched next to her chair, his bulk pushing into her personal space.



“Well, you’re right about that.” Sera called, voice echoing in the open space. “Only trade caravans and merchants pull through here now. And they’re armed to the teeth. I ain’t seen anyone in months.”



The Rhea returned with more bowls of stew. She held one out towards Kaelen, who shook his head from his position at Alenyah’s side.



“Have there been fewer than normal?” Berin asked curiously. She nodded, pensively.



“It’s been difficult because I rely on them for my own supplies. I provide them lodging, warmth, safety, and they keep my larder full.” She twisted her fingers together. “I don’t have enough for myself, let alone to resupply you if you need.”



That must’ve been she’d been so hesitant to allow them entry.



“We won’t stay long,” Althea chimed in. “We just needed some shelter and rest. Been on the road for weeks!”



The Stoneborn grunted in agreement, digging into their next serving of stew. Sera stiffened marginally.



“Well, ya’ll better not eat through all my stores. There ain’t much more where that stew came from.”



As everyone spoke, Alenyah just wanted to sleep. She was torn between hollowness and a simmering rage. How could they just continue with their journey? Discussing plans so casually with a stranger in the face of such loss? A great evil had ripped the warmth of her Song away, and she was once again left with nothing. The silver Stoneborn at her side sensed her turmoil. Wordlessly, he pulled the bowl from her grasp, and set it on the stone flagons. Words were unimportant; talking was untenable, and Kaelen did not seem to know where the line was.



They were not friends, Alenyah thought. They were barely comrades pushed together for a common goal. One she was not so sure she wanted to actually complete. She shifted, tucking her legs underneath her, leaning her head against the winged back of the chair.



Her movement drew Sera’s gaze.



“What’s wrong with her?” The woman asked, brushing blonde hair from her eyes. A tense silence rumbled in the great room. Kaelen rose to his full height and turned.

“We were attacked,” he said. “By a wyrm.”

She tensed. “The one in the lake?”

“Maker,” Foxran leaned back. “Are there any others?” His voice was cutting.

She whirled, irritated. “At this point? I have no idea what is all in that black water anymore!” The Rhea became more businesslike, turning back towards Kaelen. “Is she injured?”



“Yes,” Kaelen answered at the same time Alenyah hoarsely said, “No.” Tavren started to rise guiltily from their bench, but Kaelen held up a hand. “Finish eating,” he told them.

Alenyah turned her head away, and her hair fell to reveal her sharply pointed ears.



“You’re a Fey’ri?” Sera was stunned, mouth agape. Kaelen’s hand casually rested on the hilt of his sword.



“She is,” he spoke. He stepped to the side, blocking Sera’s view of her. A beat of silence rippled.

“Is that a problem?” This came from Seth, who also had started to rise. Sera startled out of her amazement.

“No! I just haven’t seen one before.” She tried to address Alenyah, who shrunk. “I thought you all were dead.”

“That’s comforting!” Foxran’s temper seemed to be boiling after their ordeal that night.

“I don’t mean it that way!” Two spots of pink appeared on her cheeks. “I- look- I’m not around people often. My social skills are not what they used to be.”

She turned and started back for the kitchen.

“I’ll get some hot water boiling. Make the ugly one put the dishes in the sink!”

Foxran bristled.