A tall man walked into the town; his steps were labored telling of a long, weary journey behind him. He was mostly ignored by the few dozen people present as they went about their business, some spared a glance but nothing more, quickly returning to their task at hand. He walked slowly through the town, glancing around just enough to gather a basic layout to formulate a mental map. His top priority though, he was looking for an inn. The town itself he considered to be on the smaller side. There was a single main brick road leading straight through the center of the town, with gravel side streets sparsely leading beyond the buildings along the main road. He trudged along the main road, maintaining an even pace as he glanced at the various buildings and the signs hung on each and then he finally saw what he was looking for.

His main goal secured, he turned his attention to the sounds of the town. Mostly he heard the sounds of footsteps; some landing on gravel and sand while others landed on brick. As for conversation, there was little more than people discussing buying and selling tangible goods. He turned his head to the sound of rapid footsteps, seeing some kids playing around on a side road.

A decent town, he thought, hopefully it stays that way.

He turned to the inn, pushed the door open and entered the building. Everyone present turned their attention to the door at his entry, they seemed to be taking in the presence of the newcomer, but they quickly lost interest and returned to eating and chatting. The innkeeper maintained a friendly smile while he observed the sad state of the man's tattered cloak, the worn leggings and most importantly, the lack of a money pouch on his belt. Even so, he courteously waved the man to approach the counter.

"What's yer pleasure, stranger?" asked the innkeep sincerely while he noted the onyx, no-nonsense eyes of the man.

"A room for a night and a meal," came the simple but hoarse reply.

"Six copper," replied the innkeeper.

The man extended his hand a moment later, depositing nine copper on the counter. The innkeeper pulled out a ledger and opened it to where a pencil had been placed between the pages.

"Name?" asked the innkeeper.

"Xopil," came the reply.

The innkeep smirked slightly at the odd name, but marked it down in his ledger all the same. He collected the coins and disappeared through the door behind the counter. Left alone, Xopil turned around and examined the room properly. There weren't many people here leaving the room mostly empty. There was one table with three patrons, the remaining four guests were sitting and eating quietly by themselves. Xopil wordlessly walked into a dark corner and took a seat.

The innkeep returned a short while later, glanced at the room and approached Xopil carrying a tray with three plates and a mug. The patrons present cast curious gazes at the innkeeper.

"Enjoy yer meal, and here's yer room key." the innkeeper deftly arranged the plates on the table, with the key off to the side. Xopil gave a quick nod and despite being extremely hungry, began eating at a relaxed pace. The innkeeper returned to the counter and rotated his gaze around the room, before stopping at the door and waiting patiently for his next customer.

Xopil ate his meal in peace, he observed the other patrons as they finished their meals and left the inn. Finally, he washed it down with the contents of the mug. He picked up the key from the table and gave it a quick look. Just a standard key, with an ornate '24' built into it. Xopil gave a quick look around the place, noting that his available exits were stairs leading up and the door he came in. Rising from the table, he gave the innkeep a nod and headed upstairs to the second floor.

The second floor hallway was narrow and only had doors on one side. The first door he came across had an embossed "9" marked on it.

Well, that's a bit odd, he thought as he paused in front of the door, then he walked down the hallway. The floor boards creaked under his weight, pairing noisily with his heavy footsteps. The next rooms he passed the embossed numbers had descended sequentially to "1". And then that was the end of the hallway.

Back on the ground floor, the innkeeper sighed and then he headed upstairs after the guest all the while mumbling something. When he reached the second floor, he threw his arms up while waving his hands dismissing any notions that he was here to cause trouble.

"Please, that look in yer eye could stop a man's heart. I've long learned not to judge a book by it's cover, and by extension a person by their clothes. But, that still doesn't prevent all misunderstandings." explained the innkeeper, "You've never stayed at an enchanted inn before? You'll need to take the door number two, and then the door number four after that."

Xopil relaxed and gave the innkeeper a nod, "Thanks. And... sorry. More than a few want me dead at present."

"Please rest easy, here only yer key can access yer room," the innkeeper smiled lightly as he casually headed back downstairs; however his back was drenched in sweat.

Xopil gave the key in his hand another look. Indeed, the "2" and the "4" were slightly different. A distinction he would have normally noticed immediately. With a sigh, he pushed open the door. On the other side of the door was a scene he was not expecting at all. His impression of the innkeeper improved greatly as well. Through the door was an expanse of hallways and doors as far as the eye could see.

If every floor is like this... Xopil stepped through the door, a sensation of space and time bending around him. When the sensation touched the key, the hallway he was stepping into shifted. I've sorely underpaid for my stay here.

Xopil walked directly forward three steps, and touched the door in front of him with the key. The door reacted, and seemingly pulled him inside. But more accurately, if a person was watching, the room actually moved and surrounded him. The room was little more than a bedroom and bathroom, but it was far more luxurious than it should have been, considering the rental fee.

This... Xopil looked around in utter shock. There was an ornately decorated fireplace, even the walls themselves held a sense of regality, decorated with paintings and tapestries in an appropriate manner without appearing gaudy. Then his eyes fell upon the bed. The first thing that caught his eye was the canopy over the bed. Upon looking closer, the sheets didn't look ordinary either. Almost robotically, Xopil stepped forward, and fell upon the bed. His weary body demanding rest, he was asleep instantly, completely unaware of the exquisite silk sheets he was laying on.

A vast courtyard. A simple, but elegant fountain. Columns stood tall, holding up the surrounding walls, leaving a clear view of the sky overhead. Smiles visible all around as people set about their daily chores. Well, all but one. A child was mischieviously dashing through the people, taking just enough care not to bump into any of them.

An aged man looked down from on high at the scene of the boy running through the crowds of people, and in his wake a group of armored men trying to catch up. His eyes were sparkling while his mouth was frowning. Yes, his pride was his son. But at the same time, the scene he observed filled him with a little frustration.

"Were you any different?" a soft voice sounded behind the man, as two arms wrapped around his middle.

"That..." the man placed his arms around his middle, covering his wife's arms in a gentle embrace.

"Shh. If you're any example to go by then your son, -------, will grow to be a fine king one day."

"He's training his legs... and thus far he hasn't interrupted the servants from their chores." the king's gaze never left the courtyard, watching his son zig-zagging through the people.

"He'll get tired eventually. Always does, then they'll work him to the bone after they catch him." the aged woman spoke with unrivaled pride as she watched her son along with the king.

The boy stopped and looked up at the terrace overlooking the courtyard, and saw the two happy figures talking casually while observing him. He looked back behind him, and noticed the armored men had collapsed on the ground. A smirk grew on his face.

"Good effort today, let's go do the scheduled training now." the men groaned in agony as they were led away by the prince.

The king chuckled softly, "It's more like he's working them to the bone."

A roaring fire burst forth from the ground as the scene faded.

Xopil woke with a start, tears in his eyes and sweat on his forehead. I was dreaming... how long was I asleep?

Wiping his eyes, Xopil hardened his heart once again. As he climbed off the bed, he removed his cloak, and discarded his armor and hidden sword to the floor as he approached the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. Gone is the boy he used to be, his fair hair now an unruly mess; his face bearing a couple scars like his chest and back. Close encounters with death for sure, but that didn't matter. What mattered was he had survived.

After a proper bath, Xopil felt and looked like a new man. He picked up his old and battered armor, looking it over as he recounted all the times it saved his life. He fondly traced his hand over the armor riddled with scratches and dents before he put it back on. He slid his fingers through his hair, donned his cloak, and then left the room.

He walked downstairs, and when he caught the eyes of the innkeeper, he flicked the room key and a silver coin at him and continued out the door without stopping.

"Who was that?" the innkeep was beside himself with worry, as he hurriedly opened his ledger. He quickly matched the key to the entry, but there was no name written. A bead of sweat slowly ran down his face as he closed his ledger, trying to act like nothing happened.