“While the nobility and the rich in this world often looked down upon others less well off as beneath them, and depending on the nation, might not even socialize with their kind at all, seeing the lessers as lowly things, there was one constant exception to this behavior.

That exception applied to healers, particularly skilled ones. The reason thereof was as simple as it got, because no matter how noble your identity, or how much money you have in hand, just about everyone would have need of a good healer some day, and to worsen your relationship with such healers over a point of pride would merely be utter folly.” - Laeviniel Al’rediad, elven researcher of history and history Professor at the Levain Institute of Higher Learning, circa 673 FP.

“How did they let us in so easily? Can’t just be the bribes, this place ought to be messier otherwise,” asked Celia, full of curiosity, once they refreshed themselves with a bath and settled down in their comfortable room at the inn. Aideen had not made her move that discreet on purpose when she palmed some coins and handed it over to the guards, and Celia, who was right behind her, saw everything clearly. “I don’t think adventuring types were even allowed into this district from the looks of things.”

Celia had also grown more observant - a trait Aideen was glad to see - of her surroundings, and after they passed through the gate to the second innermost district, she had not missed the odd glances directed their way by passersby. Nor had she failed to notice how literally everyone in the district - other than the patrolling guards - were dressed in finery that indicated wealth and riches.

Her observations were apt indeed, for the second district was mostly meant for rich merchants and other well-to-do folks, as well as minor nobility not important - or rich - enough to have a house in the innermost district. Had the Count of Lavinja arrived at the Imperial City, he would at most be able to stay in an inn not unlike where Aideen and Celia currently stayed at.

“The bribe was one reason, but yeah, the main reason we could get in without issue is this little thing,” said Aideen as she tossed over a small metal plate to Celia. The metal plate had letters engraved into it, both in the dwarven runic script and in the more commonly used trader’s tongue, the one used by merchants to ease trades in foreign land.

Celia was not literate in the dwarven tongue, but even commoners generally learned bits and pieces of the trader’s tongue since it directly affected their living and well-being. She was not that fluent or literate in it, but knew enough to tell that the metal plate proclaimed Aideen’s identity as a certified healer, backed by the authority of the Kingdom of Knallzog’s more recently established union of healers.

“Healers are always welcomed everywhere, unless they’re fools who believed in their invulnerability too much,” said Aideen as if it was plenty of explanation. “Everyone would have need of a good healer some day, so nobody would consciously make things too difficult for them. It’s just common sense, though lately some assholes have tried to abuse that.”

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“Was that the… guild you told me about?” asked Celia. Aideen had talked about her more recent doings with her during their travels, and had let slip about her dislike for the guild of healers who charged exorbitant fees and tried to monopolize magical healing back in Posuin. “I’ve heard stories that they tried to establish themselves here as well, but little more.”

“From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think they’ve successfully done that,” said Aideen with a nod. She had kept an eye out for signs of the Guild of Unburdened Healers throughout her travels in the Empire so far, but had not seen any overt signs so far, despite having heard that the guild expanded towards the Empire more than a couple decades ago. “Maybe we could ask around a bit while taking a stroll around town.”

“Would that be fine? We’re outsiders here,” asked Celia with some worry.

“This whole area seemed to be set up for temporary visitors anyway, so outsiders wouldn’t be that unusual around here,” said Aideen to alleviate her concerns. “Besides, if you’re worried about the guards, I’ve seen how they do things. Once you’re allowed in the gate, as long as you got that token they gave you, you’ll be fine even if you meet some who questioned you. Just show them the token and say you’re my apprentice or something.”

“Is that fine?”

“Why not? You are learning from me, so it’s not even a lie, isn’t it?” said Aideen nonchalantly. “Either way, no need to worry your pretty little head over such things. Those like us have too long a life ahead, so long that we’d go crazy before long if we worry about every little thing like that. For now, let’s just get ourselves some food, then we’ll see about asking around the town.”

“O-okay.”

When they went down to the front desk to order some food, Aideen learnt that the inn would send the food they ordered up to the private rooms, as apparently the sort of guests the inn usually entertained wouldn’t deign to eat in a common room with others. Both Aideen and Celia just shook their heads at that, but placed their order anyway, before they returned to their room to wait for it to arrive.

Not twenty minutes later, their meal arrived. Just from the quantity and quality of it, Aideen could tell that the inn likely employed a mage - likely a fire affinity one - in the kitchen, for it would be hard to create some of the dishes in such a short time otherwise. Stews one could simply keep warm on the fire for prolonged periods, but no inn would normally have freshly roasted meats unless the customer happened to arrive just as it finished cooking.

There was a whole roasted pheasant amongst the dishes brought to their room, which from every angle, was freshly taken off the flames. It had not shown the typical dryness that meat gained if they were kept warm for prolonged periods of time either, which meant that it was freshly - and rapidly - cooked just as they ordered for it.

Along with it came a basket that had a variety of local breads, from ones with a crisp crust and fluffy white insides to dense, chewy bread made with a darker colored grain. A bowl of stew that smelled richly of cheese and meats were also presented to dip the bread in, along with a platter of cold cuts, all with a couple urns of good quality wines and ales to wash it down.

Celia was somewhat flabbergasted at the luxurious spread before her, and it took some encouragement from Aideen before she finally gave in and tucked herself into the meal. Despite the large quantity - apparently a norm at such inns - both of them polished off the entirety of the meal within the hour, and relaxed on their bed after a servant took the plates and mugs away.

“You know, Miss Aideen… For all that the food was… luxurious, I can’t help but feel that the stuff you usually cook on the road tasted better,” said Celia after they relaxed for a while. Her words garnered a bark of laughter from Aideen, one that was both amused and satisfied at the same time.

“Well, they can’t help it, girl,” she said in reply after she finished laughing. “After all, I’ve likely got a couple centuries of experience ahead of their chef.”