Alythia

Taking my first steps into the busy streets of the city, I felt a rush of excitement and apprehension. The smell of fresh bread wafted through the air, drawing my attention to a small bakery nearby.

“Freshly baked wheat bread! Only a copper coin a loaf!” The baker called out.

Sounds of laughter and spirited conversations between merchants trying to score contracts filled the streets, blending with the neighs of horses and the creaking of wooden carts. Amidst the inviting aromas, there was also the occasional foul smell, likely from sewage, that reminded me this was a lived-in city with its imperfections. I began making my way through the bustling crowds, the cobblestone streets under my feet, trying to remember Baelor's directions to the inn he had recommended. It was called Slumbering Bear Inn, and apparently offered affordable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere.

As I navigated the streets, I encountered a group of children playing with a small, leather ball. One of them accidentally kicked the ball towards me, and I caught it with ease. I noticed grey feathery wings sprouting from the back of one of the kids, likely a flugel. Besides that, he just looked like a normal person.

"Here you go," I said, tossing it back to them with a smile.

They giggled and thanked me before returning to their game. I continued my journey, passing by various stalls with merchants selling everything from exotic fruits to intricately woven fabrics.

"Juicy Evergrove apples, a few small copper coins each!"

"Beautiful silk scarves, enchanted to be both fireproof and durable! One of a kind from Lorendor, a steal at 3 silver coins each!"

Here, a silver coin was around a dozen or so copper coins, and small copper coins being an even smaller denomination at ⅕ of a copper coin. There are larger and more valuable coins like the true silver or gold coins, but I'm not rich enough to worry about those yet.

Eventually, I realized I had taken a wrong turn and was now in an unfamiliar part of the city. The streets were narrower, and the crowds had thinned. The buildings around me were older, some of them showing signs of wear and disrepair. Feeling a little lost, I approached a kindly-looking elderly woman with slightly pointed ears and delicate features, sitting on a bench, feeding pigeons.

"Excuse me" I asked politely, "Do you know how to get to the Slumbering Bear Inn? I seem to be a bit lost."

The woman looked up at me, her wrinkled face breaking into a warm smile. "Of course, dear. You're not too far off. Just head down this street, take a left at the blacksmith's shop, and you'll find it on the next corner."

I thanked her and followed her directions, my footsteps echoing through the now quieter streets. The clang of metal against metal grew louder as I approached the blacksmith's shop.

Finally, with the sun about to set, I turned the corner and saw the welcoming sign of Slumbering Bear. It was a modest, two-story building squashed between other buildings of similar sizes. As I entered the inn, the door creaked loudly, announcing my arrival. The common room was dimly lit, with a large fireplace crackling in the corner providing the only source of light. Behind the reception desk, a young boy lay sprawled over the desk, idly tapping his fingers. He seemed bored.

Noticing me, he straightened up. He looked at the door behind me a few times before finally welcoming me.

"Hi there! Welcome to the Slumbering Bear, are you looking for a room?"

"Yes please, how many days is this good for?" I said as I put a silver coin on the desk.

Taking the coin, he inspects it for a bit before replying "Two days."

Two days… Even though I won't need to eat or drink, all my money still wouldn't last me a week.

Seeing my hesitation, the boy nervously corrected "Three days!"

Eh? I stared at him for a bit as he grew increasingly fidgety, with his hands twisting his shirt all over. 3x3=9. I should, hopefully, be making money by then, but I'd still like a bit longer in case stuff doesn't go as planned.

"Can you do four da-"

"Okay four days!"

Quickly pocketing the silver, he rummaged through a small wooden box behind the counter for a key.

"Here, you'll be in room seven upstairs and the second door to the right."

"... Thank you" I said, taking the key and heading towards the staircase. The boy waved and went back to his seat, already looking for something else to occupy his time.

I feel I’ve been scammed, I definitely should have done some research on room prices. I climbed the creaky wooden stairs, which led to a narrow hallway lined with several doors. Upon reaching room seven, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The modest room was well-kept, with a comfortable-looking bed, a small table, and a wooden chair. A single window allowed a sliver of the outside world to peek through. I closed the door behind me, feeling a sense of relief as I took in the cozy surroundings of my room.

Using magic, I was able to gently settle my belongings down on the table from afar, saving me the trouble of doing some manual labour. Feeling a bit grimy after my journey, I decided it was time for a bath. I turned my attention to the empty tub sitting invitingly against the wall. It was a simple wooden tub, but it looked sturdy and large enough for a comfortable soak. I focused and channeled my magic to fill the tub with steaming hot water. With a flick of my wand, my clothes flew through the air and landed on the wooden chair in the corner of the room.

Slowly, I lowered myself into the soothing water, feeling the warmth envelop my body and the tension in my muscles begin to ease. I closed my eyes, allowing the heat to work its magic on my tired, aching limbs. It was a simple pleasure, much better than the cold water baths back in the forest. As I relaxed in the tub, I reflected on the events of the day and the city that now surrounded me. It was true that the city wasn't as grand or magical as Elric had described, but there was still something charming about the place. The sights and sounds of the bustling streets were a refreshing change.

After soaking for a while, I felt refreshed and revitalized. I decided it was time to get out of the bath and prepare for bed. Rising from the tub, I grabbed my wand and used another simple spell to dry myself, the water droplets gently shaken off my skin. I glanced at the tub still filled with water and decided to dunk my dirty clothes in for a quick wash as well.

What to do with the water left in the tub? Well I didn't need to worry about that. One of the perks of creating stuff with magic was that it would eventually disappear on its own, leaving no trace behind. Though I guess this also meant that drinking water made from magic wouldn't help with hydration.

Dressed in clean, comfortable nightclothes, I approached the bed, ready to unwind for the night.