I was happy to finally reach civilization after, gods, it must have been seven or eight hours easily. Walking, fighting, resting, moving through pain. I am lucky that I made it to Winterwood in one piece! I hope that I’ll be able to find a nice feathered bed with a possibility of a meal. It is quite late, and the inn may no longer have food available. And the cooks and serving girls are likely all asleep! Even a morsel would do, I need something to eat today other than nuts and berries.

I descend the hill toward town where I find a gate flanked by two guardsmen. “Hello, sirs. I am Lady Jane of the noble House of Kormack in the seat of Wolfspire. I come here to fulfill an iron vow to the healer of my village. If it isn’t too much trouble, I’d like to rest for the night at the inn. Might you could point me in the direction and I’ll be on my way.”

The guards glanced at each other before looking back at me. Each clad in chainmail and holding a spear by their side, I felt so much smaller in their presence. “Lady Jane of the House of Kormack, eh?” said one, looking me up and down. “I’ve never seen a noble woman who looked so much like a boy. Where is your hair, ‘Lady Jane?'” The other guard snickered. My stomach sank to my feet. I made it this far and now I was to be turned away. “A jest, Lady Jane,” the guard laughed, motioning me through the gate. “I have my scruples. I would not turn away a Lady even if she did look like a boy, if you are who you purport you are.” He sized me up and gave me a hard look. “Just don’t make trouble. You’ll find the inn just up the road to the left, the only stead with candles still flickering in the windows.”

I thanked the guards graciously and pressed forward with a sigh of relief. Had it been a few hours earlier I would have had no issue entering the village, but this late at night? They had reason to be wary. Nevertheless, I made the short traverse to the inn and entered through the doors to be welcomed by the mouth-watering smell of soup from the cooking pot. The coals under the pot smoldered lightly; not the most confident sign. The plump innkeeper welcomed me with an air of impatience. “My, you appear to be quite the impish boy. Where are your father and mother, boy?”

I was starting to get rather indignant by all this “boy” nonsense. Is this how every village treats its wanderers and passers-by? “I’d like a room and possibly some of the delicious soup I smell over in the pot in the corner. I don’t have coin, but I’m willing to offer other services. Perhaps I can clean the rooms in the morning after your other patrons take their leave?”

The innkeeper snorted. “These may be the Ironlands, but I haven’t known many travelers to have no coin on their person. Very well, but be awake at sunup. I take in many travelers who leave at dawn and I need those rooms made for my next guests. As for the soup, you’ll find the pot to be empty. It’s quite late, you know. We can’t be making food all damn day and night. Go on upstairs now. There is an unoccupied room all the way down the hall on the right, the fifth room down. Don’t cause trouble.”

Again, graciously, I thanked the innkeeper and found myself seething as I moved myself upstairs. How dare I be treated this way? Does he know who I am, nobility of a House that he and his ilk swear fealty to? I could make his life miserable indeed if I had half a mind to! Ah, but I was too exhausted to give it much more thought. I could hear the rumblings of loud snoring from many of the other rooms, some snoring even loud enough that I worried about being kept up through the night. No matter, the thought of a warm breakfast in the morning was enticing. I removed my bow and quiver and sack and placed them in the corner, laid myself upon the soft feather bed and fell asleep before I even re-poulticed my wounds. Even before I had another thought.

My night was interrupted by nightmarish visions of screaming priests, melting chapels, Hellish voices, swirling mists, three pillars rising from the ground connected in a triangle. I awoke yet again in a cold sweat and hazy with sleep. There must be a deeper meaning behind these dreams, but why me? What did I do to deserve such agony in my slumber? I was desperate to find a cure for these dreams, whatever it took. I cared not about the ramifications of a dangerous or experimental potion at this point.

I couldn’t ruminate upon this any further. The innkeeper rapped smartly on the wall inside my room. “Are you quite done screaming, driving off my patrons? All night I had to coax very impatient men back to their rooms with promises of peace and quiet to no success. I’d like you to leave immediately before I send for the guards.”

Everything kept getting worse. Now was the time to charm. “My apologies, sir. I will offer to clean every room in your inn, including the kitchen and the commons. You will find that I can do this work quickly, in exchange for your composure and understanding. I will not even accept a bite a food this morning,” I added while my stomach rumbled. It was going to be more nuts and berries this morning.

“You most certainly will not get any food from me, not a crumb. The broom and mop are in the storage room beside the commons and you best get started before I lose my temper further. You will work alone. Go on.”

This was certainly a setback. It appeared that I wasn’t going to find any help anymore help here, but as I was fluffing bedding a man dressed as a scholar of entered the room. “Oh, my apologies, sir. I didn’t know anyone was still cleaning up here,” he said. I decided not to correct him. “I traveled all the way from the Havens to attend university here in Winterwood, but I won’t have room and board situated for a few days time. I may have to clean rooms myself for my extended stay!”

This man seemed friendly, but loquacious. It was a perfect opportunity to gather information on the whereabouts in town of the college. The man’s name was Eren and he endeavors to pursue an education in alchemy. “Potions are a thing of beauty,” Eren gushed. I asked if he knew anything about the Draught of Healing Miasma, but he did not recognize the name. “Healing Miasma? I have not heard such a notion!”

After a spell of pleasantries, Eren told me he was planning to go to the college in the afternoon to collect a stack of books. “I can show you the way,” he said.

“That would be simply wonderful.”

Click here for all the boring game-related notes! On second thought, don’t bother!