Chapter 2: Inn

"So bright," Lilith groaned, adjusting her hat to shield her eyes from the sun as she gazed upward. 

Despite the immense heat from the sun, the magic woven into Lilith's uniform kept her body temperature at a manageable degree. It was a bit hot, but compared to the other travelers alongside her, it showed that she had no room to complain. If anything, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the exhausted horses hauling cargo or the adventures that were geared up, ready to fight.

The ones traveling with Lilith were a mixture of merchant groups, travelers, and adventures headed to the same place. It was a common practice for anyone traveling to group up, which in turn, allowed proper rest in between Inns. It also scared off any weaker demons or bandits looking for easy money. Even though it was safer than it has ever been, it didn't mean that it was completely safe.

"We're here!" A man shout out from the front of the convoy, causing Lilith to look up ahead to watch people disappear one after another.

"It seems we've reached the next Inn," an older lady commented from the carriage.

"We got here pretty quickly," Lilith responded. "We should be halfway to Mystral."

The old lady peaked over and gave Lilith a toothy smile. "How much longer do you think it will take, young lady?"

"Give or take 12 days if we move as a group. We don't have the luxury of traveling too late in the night and the days where we can't make it to an Inn mean we stay at the next one even longer. A lot of variables," Lilith answered the old lady's question with sincerity, going over every outcome she could think of and why it would take as long as it could.

"It seems we have some traveling left, Troy," the old lady pointed her attention towards the older gentleman next to her who, after hearing his name, woke up from his nap, looked around, and agreed without knowing what was said. The old lady simply looked at the old man with a smile. Not repeating what she had said, just reassuring that she agreed as well.

As they talked, their group approached the invisible barrier and vanished, just like those before them. There was no feeling or sign that you've crossed the barrier border. The only thing that changed was the materialisation of the Inn and the buildings surrounding it. Something that wasn't there before came into view. The wonders of ancient magic.

"It's a large building," the older lady mentioned.

"It's one of the largest Inns I know of," Lilith answered. "And one of the oldest." These Inns with their impenetrable barriers serve as safe zones, allowing travel from one mega city to another or other less traveled paths. "I'll be heading in first to beat the crowd," Lilith said, as their carriage took a sharp turn to the stables, guided by the employees.

Lilith's eyes widened as she entered the main lobby. It was busy. She was aware she traveled with a handful of people, but there seemed to be far more than the rough number she expected. "This is bad timing," she whispered under her breath before maneuvering her way past everyone to the front counter.

"Welcome," the receptionist said, her focus shifting towards Lilith's name and rank etched into her jacket. "Ms. Lilith. Please hand over your pass so we may confirm your identity." Reaching into the abyss, Lilith took out a golden pass and handed it over. No name, rank, or any other identification, only several magical circles etched into the gold. "Thank you. One moment, please."

As the receptionist disappeared into the back, Lilith took the opportunity to observe her surroundings and the people nearby. There was a mixture of familiar faces she saw while traveling and new ones she had never seen before. Weird, Lilith thought. It wasn't hard to discern the difference between a merchant and a regular civilian, and although there were some who would travel, the ratio felt off.

"We've confirmed your identity," the voice abruptly interrupted Lilith's thoughts, snapping her attention back to the counter. "Here is your pass, and can you please sign this document?" Handing back the pass, the receptionist placed three papers in front of her. They were the typical documents that anyone visiting an Inn must sign. Things about revoking the right to stay at an Inn if the customer doesn't pay or does something wrong, and other fine details to make sure things run smoothly. Focusing her mana on her index finger, she signed her name in black. "Thank you. With this, the contract is signed. Would you like to pay upfront or each day?"

Putting the golden pass away, Lilith reached in, handing over 10 silver coins. "I'll pay in advance and collect whatever is remaining before I leave."

"Wonderful. Here is the key to your room. Although I am sure you're aware, I still have to remind you. You are only paying for your room upfront. You must pay for any other services that you require separately. The dining hall is down that way. The meals change daily and as for the magical shop, it is down the hall to the right. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to come ask us at the front desk." The receptionist smiled. A businesslike smile, which Lilith was sure she had done more times today than any other.

"Thank you. I'll do just that if I do." Lilith smiled back and headed to the right. She wasn't tired, and seeing how many people were there already, and how many people were going to trickle in within the next hour or two, she knew she had no time to waste. Her steps turned into strides as she headed down the hallway and came to an abrupt halt at the front of the magic shop. Lilith slowly opened the door, and after confirming it wasn't busy, snuck in and rang the bell at the counter.

"Welcome to my shop!" A young man bursted through the curtains behind the counter as a green trail of fog followed.

"Were you experimenting as usual, Lyonel?"

"Lilith! It's been a while!"

"A few months, and it seems like some of the staff has changed as well?" Lilith asked.

"It's hard to keep them all when you're in the middle of nowhere. It's fine by me since I can make my potions, but I'm sure it can drive people crazy. And this place is probably a stepping stone, anyway."

"Now that you mention it, I couldn't see myself living here for a long period of time. At least the pay is good… right?" 

"Fantastic pay. Without a doubt." Lyonel swatted the question away with a hand. "Now then, what can I help you with today, ma'am? Refills?"

"Correct." Lilith pulled out several empty vials. "When do you think you can get these done?"

"Awakening, is it? It shouldn't take too long since I'm already creating batches for a previous group that came in the other day."

"About that," Lilith said, walking away slowly to glance at the shelves of potions Lyonel had on display. "They didn't seem like merchants. Do you know who they are? And why are so many of them hanging out around the lobby?"

"Refugees. I'm not sure of the details, but they're on their way to Tarrin after losing their homes and since some don't have enough money, we've let them stay in the lobby, so they just naturally hovered over there. They plan to leave tomorrow or the day after, if I recall."

"Refugees, huh?" Lilith paused in front of several shelves labeled 'experimental.' A plethora of potions sat on the shelves, with some marked exactly what they were, while others only had the ingredients used and an occasional potion or two with no writing at all. "Do you know where they came from?"

"Like I said, I don't know the details. I stay in my little shop most of the time. You're better off asking them directly," Lyonel said, ending the conversation on the matter.

"Hmm," Lilith's voice trailed off as she took a deeper look into the shelves of potions while Lyonel counted the bottles and wrote the refill order. The potions were an entire spectrum of colors. Some blue, some black, and even some green and orange, but there was one that caught her eye immediately that hid in the far back of a shelf. A clear liquid with the label "stealth" on it. "Hey, Lyonel!" Lilith called out, raising her voice.

"What's wrong?" Lyonel responded.

Gently moving the potions aside, she took the translucent potion and hung it in view for Lyonel to see. "What does this mean?"

"Stealth," Lyonel said flatly.

"I would've never guessed," Lilith responded‌ in the same tone.

"I mean, it's pretty straightforward, isn't it?"

"Sure, but the details, Lyonel. D-e-tails!" Lilith took broad steps towards the counter, her voice raising with each letter of the word before forcing the potion right in front of his face. "Do you understand how important a potion like this could be for our line of duty?"

"I get it," Lyonel took a step back, using his hands to keep the distance between the two. "You get way too passionate about your job."

"So, what does it do?"

"It won't make you invisible, but in theory, it should allow you to go unnoticed."

"Unnoticed?" Lilith looked at the potion. "So, if I were to drink this, you technically wouldn't see me?"

Lyonel shifted to the side, getting farther away from Lilith. "The way it should work –now, I say sure because I have had no one test it for long– is if you were to drink it right in front of me, I would still know you were there. See you. Like I said, you aren't invisible. However, if you were to walk away, say..." Lyonel nodded his head toward a shelf. "Behind there, waited a second or two, then came out. I wouldn't notice and you would, theoretically, be invisible."

"Is there any way for someone to notice me?"

"Most likely. It's not perfect since it is experimental. I wouldn't attempt to use it around higher tier mages, that's for sure."

"How about demons?"

Lyonel paused, thinking about the question. "That's a whole other story and we could be here all day talking about the what ifs."

"Then let's do that." Lilith leaned over the counter, getting close to Lyonel.

"Sure, if I wasn't so busy. If you want to wait about a week or two after I refill my stock and things calm down, I would be more than willing to talk about potions."

Lilith looked at the potion, reading the name stealth over and over in her head. It would be risky since she wasn't familiar with every demon out there, but if she at least knew everything she could about the potion… "I can't wait that long, but I have a question or two."

"Make it quick. I have a long list of potions to make."

"Would you be able to hear my footsteps? What if you bump into me? Or can a demon go off smell?"

"That's more than two questions," Lyonel commented before answering them, regardless. "Normally? No. But there's always a chance a demon with good hearing could. I wouldn't rule it out. This is the same with smell. I can promise that you'll never be seen, but I can't guarantee any other heightened senses wouldn't notice you, and this can mean humans, too. Now, as for bumping into you… I'm not sure." Lyonel shrugged. "It should work similarly ‌to what I mentioned earlier, but it could also depend if the person even cared to take notice to begin with. As for demons, who knows? I never got to experiment with a demon, nor do I plan to."

Lilith let up from her barrage of questions and leaned back, giving Lyonel the much needed space. "I guess it's experimental for a reason, huh?"

"If I had someone willing to try them…" Lyonel looked over at Lilith. "Then I could improve on the potion or simply sell them normally if they were good enough."

"Do you think you could make four more?" Lilith asked, after thinking about it.

"I could, as long as you come back to tell me what you've discovered."

"If it means you could start mass producing them or improve on them, I definitely will."

"Then I'll make 4 more on the house. They should be ready by the time your other order is done."

"Thank you. How much do I owe you now?"

"I counted 8 bottles, so 13 silver."

Putting the stealth potion away, Lilith handed over the 13 silver for the order. "Thanks again. And Oh, Lyonel." Lilith stopped, holding the door half open. "One last thing."

"What's that?" Lyonel asked, his focus on the vials that were left for him.

"What you just described was far from simple. You should change the name to something else and have an instruction manual alongside it." Before letting Lyonel rebuttal, she waved goodbye and left an unlucky Lyonel to deal with another wave of people who entered.

Lilith's eyes scanned the numbers on the doors, counting each one until she reached 117, where she paused. Double checking the number on the key and the door, she opened the door to a simply room with a bed against the wall, nightstand next to it alongside a small table, 2 chairs, and a closet. Simple, but cheap and what is expected in nearly every Inn unless she was willing to pay more. 

Taking her hat off and placing it on the counter, she sat down on her bed and took out the potion she got from Lyonel. "Demon dogs are out of the question. It's not worth the risk, but what else would it not work on?" Taking off her shoes, Lilith laid down, dangling the potion above her, letting the liquid inside swash around. There were a few demons she could think of, but would she even run into them to begin with? Plus, she had the barrier. 

"Is this worth it?" She asked.

"Of course it is," she answered herself after remembering the drawback of the barrier. The barriers mana drain was no joke. It was something she tested early on, and although she could handle it without an issue, most people couldn't. So, a potion like this would work wonders, especially if Lyonel improved on it.