(Search & Sitemap) (Search & Sitemap) > Writing > Assorted Creations > The Portal > The Inn
As you walk into the inn, everyone inwardly groans. There is a group of brawny guardsmen at the bar, loudly singing a drinking song, and more than a little off-key.
Ola pauses for a moment, and then says, "You must learn to listen to silence before you can listen to music. At least there isn't anyone else who wants to use the fire pit, so that we can cook."
Nathella calmly sits in one of the chairs, and, drawing her harp, begins to play and sing along with the drinking song. The guardsmen quickly notice and begin to sing with a renewed enthusiasm; you notice that some other patrons, who have had a little less to drink, appear to be leaving. Then Nathella begins to improvise with the song, and the men stop singing to listen. She continues to play, and it is against this much more pleasant backdrop that Sylvanus roasts the mutton. Nathella begins to play more slowly, and turns the melody into a lullabye, slowly tapering into a beautiful silence. A few people decide to leave a coin or two on her table. The guardsmen slowly walk out to return to their barracks.
By now, the meat has been well done, and the scent of mutton fills the air. The meal is delicious -- the bread is fresh, Sylvanus somehow managed to find a few crams, and the wine is well-aged.
After the meal, the fire and the torches have grown low, and there are only a few other people left in the bar. The tender speaks with the other patrons, slowly asking them to leave. You and your friends, also, go to bed.
The next morning, Ola wakes everyone up, saying, "Come and see the sunrise!" It is beautiful, but there is general accord at the end of the sunrise that more sleep wouldn't hurt.
Today is the day of rest. The night's sleep was blessed, and the mass, no less. The day provides a wonderful opportunity not to be consumed by doing, to simply be. By the end, you are wonderfully refreshed.
The next day, it is mutually agreed that people will spend the day taking care of business or doing whatever other personal activities are desired. The others soon go off to attend to their business. Do you wish to go to the marketplace, pray in the cathedral, visit the leatherworker's guild to speak with fellows of the same training, or stay in the room to pray?
(Search & Sitemap) (Search & Sitemap) > Writing > Assorted Creations > The Portal > The Inn