The inn had a thermal spring, but I was very impressed with their bathrooms. Apparently, they were from a white magical stone, carved in the shape of a throne, and so clean that they were shining. There was no toilet paper, as the paper of any kind was very expensive to them as far as I could figure out, but there was a white cloth that after use cleaned itself with a spell, and the toilets were equipped with a gem imbued with a water spell that flushed the waste. The water taps of the sinks were all in the shape of a silver snowdrop. In front of the mirror was a glass support and when you placed your chin on top it would've cleaned your teeth. In that matter, they were very advanced, not at all medieval as I had imagined. They even had showers, which I used to wash away all that dry blood from my body.
"Whoever designed these bathroom tools was a genius. Seems like I've underestimated this world. That was arrogant on my part."
Overall, while walking around the half-illuminated halls towards the spring, I realized that this was quite an expensive inn, the equivalent of a 3 or 4 star hotel from my world. It was a shame it didn't have any guests, except me. At one moment, I stopped in front of a window, as the hall ahead of me was quite dark, and looked outside where the stables were.
The blizzard was calmer, but still snowing with big, fat lazy snowflakes. It was quite beautiful and soothing.
"Hm? What is that?" I thought, my eyes capturing something moving differently in the falling snow, and my heart started to race for some reason, my breathing becoming heavier.
Near the stables there was a large pile of snow resembling a tall, humanoid shape. I kept staring at it, having the impression that it was staring back at me, making me feel very uncomfortable. I blinked. "What the heck? That form is closer now or my imagination is playing tricks on me?"
I waited, holding my breath and leaning my back on the wall, as I wanted to put more distance between me and whatever that was. A strong gust of wind blew apart that creepy pile of snow, then the blizzard became even stronger. It snowed so hard and fast that it seemed like a white curtain was covering the windows. That didn't make me feel at ease at all, on the contrary, and I had no idea why. I moved towards the thermal spring.
"I am still tired, I guess. And the innkeeper scared the hell out of me with her prophecies. If I get out there I won't be able to survive. I'll just freeze to death. The innkeeper knows that too."
My feet felt like lead. It was like in one of those nightmares where you try to run but it's like you are moving in slow motion.
The hot water was so relaxing, that my fears got away for the moment and I could breathe normally for a change. I opened my system's stats:
Name: Elamiha Amber
Age: 29
Race: Human
Level : 1
Vitality: 122
Strength: 25
Dexterity: 13
Intelligence: 17
Unique skill: Storyteller (Allows Master to tell stories, Secondary treats: History - allows Master to remember everything she reads; Story Walker – allows Master to convince others to tell their stories; Keeper of Stories – allows Master to grow her powers each time she uses successfully a skill; Story Forger - ???; ??? - ???)
"Oh! What is this? Why did only my stats grow, but not the level? But these are still too low. And now I know what my other two skills do. I don't know when I activated them though or how to use them."
"Story Walker, activate!" I said out loud.
Nothing happened.
"Huh? Why isn't it working? Is my system defective?"
"History, activate! Keeper of Stories!"
Nothing and nothing.
I tried to touch the screen, but it was like a ghost, my hand getting past it.
"I should've known by now. This is so annoying! It's broken?How exactly is this system working? What did I do to raise my stats? I don't remember telling any story. Seems so random. Damn it! If I can't rely on my broken system I should forget about it and quickly find another way. It didn't do anything to me from the beginning, so there's no point in checking it anymore. Maybe I should do something that I wouldn't expect either? But what if that will lead me to my doom? No, I can't do that again. I must learn more..."
I got out of the water and dressed with the new clothes.
"What if I return to the castle? To find a secret room there to live for a while. Hmm, doesn't seem like a bad idea, but if they caught almost all the prisoners that I released, they sure found out about the secret tunnels and if Bezmal has something at least half as valuable as what I took from the king, then she will take extra measures to defend those secret corridors, same goes for the king too. By now, they may have learned there was something strange that night and must wonder where a spy managed to get right into the castle's bowels without being seen. The thieves didn't see my real appearance, but the guards surely compared the testimonies with what little they got from them, plus their own encounter with me, twice, that's why they were looking for a woman... And the only strange one, that appeared in secret... was me. They already know!"
The realization almost made me lose my balance.
"They wait for me outside..."
I went outside the bath.
The wooden floor made creakings that I didn't hear before and those noises seemed so loud in that silence. I didn't want to make any noise. I had a really bad feeling, one that made my stomach ache.
"Damn it! I feel like throwing up. Since I came into this world there is this stupid fear that I can't get rid of. If not for this pearl, the stress would kill me for sure."
I stopped. It was near the window from earlier. I could hear the snow falling on the roof and the icy snowflakes hitting the glass. I looked in the direction I last saw that creepy form. One of the stable's doors was slightly ajar and was moving in the wind.
"Did the innkeeper go outside? Is that part of her plan or something? Should I go back to my room or wait here? I shouldn't rely on her too much. Who knows what she is up to? Or… could she be genuinely trying to help me? I don't know what to think anymore. What should I do?"
I returned to my room, but there was only a note on my pillow. It said:
"Soldiers outside. Avoid them at all costs! If you read this, then I'm no longer alive or I'm dying. Don't try to save me! This is fate. You can't defeat this creature, but there is hope. Behind the stables there's a gate to the forest. The left path leads to a mine. Dangerous place, so be careful not to take a wrong turn. There are shafs that can crumble beneath your feet like glass. Three lefts, one right, crossroads mid tunnel, river. Follow the stairs until you reach the church below the waters. A smuggler's ship awaits there. May the Luck Goddess smile upon you!"
I sat there baffled.
"Just what is going on here? Why would she risk her life for a stranger like me?"
A sudden crackling noise made me hold my breath. It came from outside. A second later a scream made me freeze with terror.