Chapter 16 Trapped At The Swan Inn

• A weathered wooden sign swinging violently in the wind read The Swan Inn. It was a miserable, tiny tavern clinging to the edge of the slums. As they entered, the thick scent of rotting wet wood and acrid fireplace smoke assaulted them, though the heat provided a small mercy against the chill. The interior was dismal—the hallways were claustrophobic, the peeling walls were mapped with dark, damp stains, and the flickering, meager candlelight barely pierced the oppressive gloom.
• “Need rooms?” a gruff, booming voice demanded, causing Luna to jump right out of her skin. A heavily portly man sat slumped lazily behind the scuffed front desk. His jowly face was twisted in an unfriendly scowl, looking entirely put out by the prospect of actual patrons.
• “I require two rooms,” Rex stated with absolute aristocratic authority, skipping the pleasantries. He cast a brief, unreadable glance toward Luna. A wave of profound relief instantly washed over her; thank God, he had booked separate rooms.