INN

The party of three arrived at an inn a few minutes later. Evy and Zingel could not read. However, Almathea could read the title that was 'Cloud Inn' pasted at the front of a small building. They handed their cart and things to the boy who was standing outside the stable.

Almathea had to part with one of the silver coins in her pouch for the boy to accept keeping their horse in the stable. After this, they walked into the inn. The first thing that came to sight was a lovely girl standing at the reception.

The girl was tall, even taller than Almathea. Her skin was dark and her hair was a pale brown color that fell to her shoulders.

When she noticed the three guests, she plastered a smile onto her face, "Welcome to Cloud Inn. Meal or room?"

Almathea was not aware of how to deal with such situations, so Evy was the one to speak up for them, "Shall we please have both?"

The girl's smile widened, "Wonderful. How many nights?"

After booking two rooms for seven days, they were directed to the dining area. The dining area was half full. With most of the people there around the age of Evy and Almathea. Some were carrying large swords, and or arrows. Others had some books in their hands, and they sat in their places silently, concentrating on their books.

Almathea, Evy, and Zingel took their seats at the corner of the room. The backpack with their belongings was kept close to Evy who was eyeing everyone in the room with a silent look. She did not want anyone trying to pickpocket them, especially since they were in an unknown place.

The girl who brought them to their seats gave each of them a menu. Evy glanced at Almathea, hoping that the girl would pick out the food since she could not read.

Almathea noticed the look in her eyes and sighed. She took up the challenge and ordered food that would be enough for all of them. The dark-skinned girl took their orders and immediately returned to her post, informing them that their food would be out shortly.

As they ate, Almathea could not help but listen in to the conversations of the group that was seated a table over theirs. They had arrived a little later after the trio and their food was yet to arrive. Therefore they were only conversing amongst each other.

"Did you hear?" one of the boys began, "Reishana Academy is looking to train more students because of the upcoming war."

One of the girls replied immediately, "Of course I did. Why do you think that I traveled all this way? Those who manage to complete the one-year training in the academy get a lot of money once they enlist in the army, don't they?"

The first boy scoffed, "Do you have the guts to join? You know that only the strong manage to complete the course. Also, the money comes from the king as a reward for those who are outstanding. What makes you think that you are outstanding?"

Another boy in the group spoke up, "Don't you know, Sima was the strongest girl in the village, of course, that makes her outstanding."

Upon hearing this praise, the girl could not help but puff her chest forward, "Just you wait, once I finish the course and enlist in the army, there is no doubt that I shall be hailed a genius and the king shall acknowledge me. Maybe even there might be a betrothal soon after that."

The girl was cocky, however, Almathea could tell that she was strong. Despite her being a little on the short side, she had calluses on her arms and she was lugging a large scythe around with her.

The boys laughed upon hearing her words, but they did not get to say anything more since their food arrived.

Evy and the rest had also just finished eating. Without anything more to do, they retired to their rooms.

However, once they were directed upstairs, another issue arose. The sticky Zingel did not want to sleep away from Evy. Once he realized that they wanted him to stay away from the sweet-smelling girl. He could not help but growl at all of them, and stood in front of the shorter girl, with an obvious intent of keeping all of them from coming close to her.

How dare they think of taking the sweet-smelling girl away from her? He would not allow it to happen over his dead and mutilated body.

The girl who led them up had her smile frozen on her face. She was just directing her patrons over to their rooms, why was one of them suddenly being angry?

She seriously did not understand what the matter was. However, when the angry boy began to rub his hand over the short girl who stood behind him, she understood. Not one to get in their way of issues that were not her own, the girl promptly went back downstairs, using one of the hidden routes in the corner.

Almathea looked at Zingel, her face icy. How dare this tiger boy try to take her Evy away from her? She stared daggers at him as if trying to shoo him away from Evy. However, the boy just huffed and pulled Evy further behind him. Although he did not understand a lot of things, he had a feeling that this tall girl was planning on taking away the sweet-smelling girl.

He growled once more.

Almathea rubbed her forehead, "Evy…"

Evy was also a little confused by what was happening. She is the one who chose the room arrangements since she wanted to cut down on costs. She and Almathea would sleep in one room, while Zingel used the other.

She had been preoccupied with ensuring that they did not get lost and had enough to eat while in the forest so she failed to realize how sticky Zingel had become with her of late.

She sighed, "Zingel," the boy turned his face to look at Evy who had called his name, "You cannot sleep with me. Zingel is a boy and I am a girl. Boys and girls have to sleep apart you know."

It took a while for Zingel to understand what she was trying to imply. However, once he did, his face darkened, "Zingel girl. Zingel girl." He repeated over and over as if trying to prove a point.

However, Evy was not willing to compromise on this. So she shook her head, "Zingel boy. Evy girl." As she said this, she patted his arm since she was too short to reach his head, and pointed to the room that was supposed to be his. "This is for Zingel. The other one is for Almathea and Evy."

Zingel pouted further upon hearing those words. He did not want to be separated from Evy.

Feeling tired, Almathea opened the door to the room she was sharing with Evy. "Once you sort whatever this is, I am in the other room."

Without another word, she had walked into her room shut the door behind her.

.

S/T:

The sticky Zingel who had to sleep all alone the whole night: ... (Has a stuffy feeling in his chest.)