An explanation

Reappearing from the glowing holy light from Elder Ihathir's power, Seran and his group had been transported suddenly to a dormant town located not far east of the Newborn Inn. The village practically was still well-kept and refined but seemed deserted. 

"Let's get Seran to safety. I fear the worst could happen, leaving him out in the open in such a way," Zophiria suggested, gently rubbing Seran's forearm with her left hand as she spoke.

AvelHard hoisted  Seran over his shoulder, and without further explanation from Zophiria, he carried him. Elder Ihathir's eyes glanced left to Zophiria intrigued by her worries for someone she once thought of as an outsider. 

"Come, we'll take shelter here for a while until the commotion settles," Elder Ihathir insisted, pointing toward a different inn made of bricks.

The inn was along the dirt roadside, with no signs outside or visible windows to look through. The only thing in sight was a lone mailbox at the entrance, topped with a single shimmering golden feather on top of it. Zophiria hurried to the door and urgently twisted the knob a few times, but it wouldn't budge. The realization that the inn door was locked took her by surprise. Zophiria turned to the Elder; her eyelids lowered with a blend of sadness and disheartenment she let out a sigh.

Zophiria hesitated for a second before faintly speaking, "It's... locked."

Indeed, it is my dear, Elder Ihathir smiled confidently, eyeing the feather as he put both his arms behind his back. The elder calmly walked to the mailbox and delicately plucked the golden feather between his index finger and thumb. Twirling the feather in between his fingertips in a circular motion, the feather spun as he strolled to the doorway. Zophiria raised an eyebrow, confused as to why the Elder had plucked the feather from the mailbox.

"Master, correct me if I'm wrong, but is there some sort of technique where you can pick the lock with a feather?" Zophiria questioned.

Elder Ihathir chuckled in response, "Without a doubt, it is possible for those who've mastered the art of lockpicking to open locked doors. Unfortunately, lock-picking this door isn't an option."

Zophiria bit at her bottom lip as her impatience grew. 

"Elder, this is no time for riddles to confuse me. Can you please incentivize or devise some sort of plan to get in differently?" She grumbled, pulling both the underlayers of her eyelids downward with her hands out of frustration, revealing more of her eyeballs.

The door has a barrier that repels intruders, Ihathir explained, tucking his arms into his sleeves.

Zophiria curiously reached out and touched the door, instantly sensing a force field of energy. She withdrew her hand to reassess the situation again. Zophiria turned the knob several times, pondering; she questioned, "How do we open it without destroying it? Causing a scene isn't exactly the best course of action."

Why the answer is simple," SahQuis responded but cut his sentence short at the sight of a glare from the Elder.

"Ahem, I do not know, of course," SahQuis said, nervously coughing into his fist.

Zophiria glanced at SahQuis and then at Avel Rahd, who shrugged. She rolled her eyes in understanding that she was being tested by the Elder. Inspecting the door, Zophiria came across a few images carved into the door. She skimmed her finger down the images of the door, reciting what she was seeing.

"A gate, a bird, a letter, but what does it all mean?" Zophiria thought to herself. 

Elder Ihathir smiled idly as he stood by, watching Zophiria solve the riddle.

"Take your time", Ihathir insisted.

"The gate is the pretty obvious doorway. The bird can travel great distances, and could the letter perhaps be a message of some sort?" Zophiria asked herself.

The Elder continued to twirl the golden feather, catching Zophiria's attention in the process. At the very tip of the feather, it appeared as though it had been stained before.

Zophiria's eyes sparkled with excitement as she came to her conclusion. "Heavenly sunshine! The gateway is right here—this door! The birds represent us, the travelers, and the letter is inscribed with a bird's feather!"

"Well done, Zophiria," Elder Ihathir said, congratulating her with a round of applause.

Pricking himself at the fingertips with the golden feather, the elder says softly, "Pay mind, dear child."

With his blood etched onto the feather, Elder Ihathir writes his name on the door in blood. Minor sparks occurred from the written blood as it submerged into the door until it was unseen. The presence of the barrier was erased, and a mysterious click was heard from the door's lock. Zophiria turned the knob carefully, feeling the cool breeze from inside as she opened the door just halfway, peeking inside the dark inn. The interior looked more like an old infirmary with dim, flickering lights.

Zophiria, SahQuis, Elder Ihathir, and AvelRahd, who was carrying Seran over his back, entered unannounced. A booming thud reflected through the halls as the door slammed itself shut behind them. Emerging from the dim, shallow hallway was a short, stout figure carrying a mop. 

"Someone is coming," Zophiria whispered cautiously to the others.

The stout man carrying the mop became more visible as he approached, wearing a long, rigid black robe. His eyes looked swollen and old with wrinkled skin.

 Coughing simultaneously, the stout man says, "Greetings to His Lordship. What brings thy Lord here to a refugee of such an unbefitting caliber?"

"We seek shelter for the night," Edler Ihathir answered back with a slight nod.

"Yes, now what's your reason for staying? It's protocol even for you to state your business for staying regardless of the status you withhold," Gevelt appealed.

"We're here on Newborn Rescue. Unfortunately, our attempt to safely guide him to Newborn Inn failed due to rather unanticipated events," Elder Ihathir explained.

Elder Ihathir gestured with his open palm, presenting Seran dangling over AvelRahds's back.

"AN OUTWORLDER! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! He can't stay here. In the blazes, were you thinking of bringing a fiend of hell like this here? It cannot stay amongst us; I refuse!" Gevelt yelled, swiveling his mop on the tile floor.

"He's no threat to us! If anything, the so-called fiend is more of an ally than you are," Zophiria blurted as she snatched the mop from Gevelt.

"She's right. He's our ally, not just some foreigner. We shall not abandon the boy simply because of your cowardice, Gevelt," SahQuis affirmed, tossing back the hood from his cloak.

Insolence, I'll send word to her, Ladyship! She will punish you fools for this arrogance, including you, Ihathir. I would've thought it wiser of you to obey the rules of our Lady! Gevelt said, with a slight cough.

"The boy fought for us when one of our own was attacked by another outworlder. Knowing nothing or wanting anything in return, he chose to protect us willingly. You are inclined to report to her grace at will. I'll take full responsibility for what is to come; however, we will not leave a fort that's under my protection." Elder Ihathir said, withdrawing one hand from his long-sleeve cloak and beckoning for an item.

A nervous drop of sweat rolled down Gevelt's forehead as Ihathir stared directly down into his eyes. Grumbling, Gevelt tore a key off of the back of his neck, handing it to Ihathir.

Have it your way then, but the boy must remain confined to a room or he'll put the others in an uproar with his presence and only for a night.

We'll leave at dawn tomorrow. We need time to comb the area before proceeding with our mission further. Ihathir said. 

"Follow me, and I'll escort you to your chamber. Gevelt coughed, "directing the way down the halls. Ihathir, Zophiria, SahQuis, and AvelRahd walked closely behind him through the gloaming halls. Each door was made up of metals closely identical to titanium. Gevelt finally came to a stopping point at a door number written with the number eight hundred eight.

"Here is the choice of room I've decided for the boy to stay in. It's fully secured inside out by a locking barrier; once you're in, you can only be let out by the key holder, "Gevelt explained.

Alright, Zophiria I'm leaving Seran in your care until tomorrow, the elder stated.

In my care? Zophiria said, confused. 

Ihathir placed the key into the keyhole and turned it. The click whistled softly like a breeze of energy as the door was unlocked. The titanium door swung open and thudded against the walls. Inside the small room consisted of only three things a rectangular mirror, one bed, and a bathroom. 

AvelRahd carefully lowered Seran down onto the bed, supporting Seran's weight effortlessly with a slight grunt. Zophiria seemed stressed by Seran's expression as he lay motionless like a corpse with no sudden movements or speech. She turned her head away and shut her eyes, feeling disturbed to see him in this state. "What's wrong with him?" she asked, her concerns evident in her voice.

"Overuse of too much power as a newborn can throw the soul into a state of paralysis. He'll most likely recover with rest, but should he need medical attention, it's what you'll be here for Zophiria. Worry not, my child; he shall be fine so long as you'll watch over him," Ihathir assured her with a comforting smile, to let her know he'll be fine. 

Ihathir, SahQuise, and AvelRahd turned away from her and calmly exited, shutting the titanium barrier door behind them. Zophiria, staring over her shoulder into her reflection in the mirror, thought about what actions to take. Over a few minutes, the silence of isolation in the small room grew.