The Blue Dragon’s Inn (1)
Anti-Hero combat weapon.
The King’s summons.
The situation was undoubtedly changing.
It wouldn’t just be about rectifying the chaos in the border region. It was clear that an even greater mission was waiting for Temarr. That mission was something that could take his life at any moment.
Temarr couldn’t help but think.
Was it truly advisable to take Ren to the capital?
He’d insisted on taking him out of worry, but he kept thinking it wasn’t a good decision. Even if they went to the capital, they wouldn’t be able to stay together. There was a high probability that Hero Temarr would have to go to war under the pretext of suppressing ‘the chaos in the border region.’ Taking fragile Ren, who couldn’t even endure this journey, to the middle of a battlefield was truly absurd.
Perhaps it would have been better to leave him in the safe cabin after all.
Why did he bring him?
Temarr reproached himself and asked himself that question, but in truth, he already knew the answer.
It was because of the fear in his heart.
The horrors of the battlefield, the wound that left deep marks on his back. The ‘Hero’s miracle’ experienced on the battlefield and the sensation when his life hung by a thread. If even one thing had gone wrong, Temarr would surely have been beheaded on the enemy nation’s battlefield. He could die at any time, and the farewell he left at home might be his last with Ren. It could happen at any time. So even if it was a short journey, he wanted to be together. That thought had dominated Temarr.
He… lacked confidence.
Rolling and tumbling through snow-covered paths, even as his hands and feet froze cold, he no longer had the confidence to turn his back on Ren who chased after him saying he wanted to see Hyung’s back, saying he wanted to see even those footprints. Because his own appearance seemed like a pathetic Hero… because he couldn’t face that feeling. That’s why he had Ren accompany him.
It was all his own stubbornness and obstinacy.
Facing his true feelings hidden behind the excuse of doing it for Ren, Temarr felt dismayed.
This wasn’t the honorable Hero Ren wanted.
Temarr swallowed the thoughts rising like flames.
Think of the mission.
He subdued his restless heart for a long time.
***
Even though day had broken, snow was still falling.
Gepetto really loved snow so he felt refreshed, but the Hero’s party didn’t seem to feel the same. He thought their oddly sunken, pale faces reflected in the snow looked just like ghosts. The sleet hadn’t stopped either, so it had piled up thickly like this. When morning came, the snowflakes grew thicker. The mountain path covered in hazy snow was mysterious and beautiful. The snow reflecting the early sunlight was white and clean as it sparkled.
“Ren.”
“…Yes.”
Ren, who had been blinking blankly, answered belatedly.
“Where’s Hyung?”
His green eyes hastily scanned the surroundings. Temarr was nowhere to be seen.
“He went on patrol. He’ll be right back.”
Ren exhaled the breath he’d hastily inhaled. Saying he’s coming, Ruman patted Ren’s shoulder. Indeed, parting the trees, Temarr was coming this way.
Swish.
A branch that couldn’t bear the weight of the snow bent sharply downward then bounced up from the recoil. The thickly piled snow fell to the ground making a sound. The fallen snow flew white through the falling snow.
“Nothing wrong?”
“Yeah.”
Temarr answered briefly while avoiding the snow. He didn’t even give a glance toward where Ren was, but Ren was the same. Normally he would have run to Temarr or called out ‘Hyung!’ but he didn’t budge. He just kept his mouth firmly shut and stared at the back of Temarr’s head.
Ruman wondered if the two had fought while he didn’t know, but that couldn’t be. Because Ruman had stayed by Ren’s side with his eyes open all night. It still felt awkward as if the weight of Ren who had lain with his head on Ruman’s thigh remained.
“We’ll reach the village today.”
At Ruman’s words, Temarr nodded.
“Ren. Come here.”
“……”
Ren, who normally would have asked back ‘Why?’, approached Ruman wordlessly. Temarr stood still and looked at the two.
“……?”
Ruman placed his palm on Ren’s cheek that had become more bruised overnight. The light emanating from his fingertips moved as if caressing the cheek, then disappeared along with the bruise. As Ruman straightened his bent back, he prepared feed for the horse. Ren touched his cheek while looking at Ruman.
“Um, aren’t you having breakfast?”
It was early dawn to call it morning. The surroundings were just white and bright from the snow that had fallen all night. The bluish fog and dawn air penetrated the skin densely.
“Since it’s cold, maybe a simple stew… Rather, if we just go down this path there’s a village, so let’s eat there.”
When Ren’s expression turned bad at the mention of stew, Ruman naturally changed the subject.
Gepetto, who had spoken up more from awkwardness than hunger, regretted it. The atmosphere seemed to have become more awkward.
“Well then, shall we go?”
Ruman, who had fed the horse, patted its rear. The horse neighed vigorously and swished its tail powerfully. Its glossy mane, clearly showing it was a fine horse, flew in the snowy wind.
Ren and Gepetto got in the carriage and Ruman climbed onto the driver’s seat. When he made a small gesture, a light closer to white than yellow appeared and moved the reins.
The time for Ruman to leave was approaching.
When they finished descending the mountain path, a village stretching out in the distance came into view.
It was small enough to be embarrassing to call a village, but more importantly, past that village was a fairly large village called Tempesto. The road after that was well-paved so it would be quick to get to the capital. Though it would take 1-2 weeks even if they rushed as much as they’d delayed.
Conscious of people’s gazes, Ruman withdrew the light that had been moving the two horses, and Temarr dismounted from his horse. Then Temarr led the two horses he’d received from the princess by hand. The horse Temarr had ridden followed behind them on its own without needing to hold the reins.
“Hello! Are you looking for an inn to stay at!!”
As soon as they entered the village, a short boy popped out and blocked their way.
“Yes, we’re looking for an inn. Which one is the cleanest and best?”
“That goes without saying, ‘The Blue Dragon’s Inn’! I’ll guide you!!”
The boy’s bright voice seemed to shake off the gloom of the snowy road. The sunlight that suddenly rose licked at the snow, melting it, and the thick snowfall disappeared without a trace when day came. The snow was melting without freezing. The white piled snow was trampled by people’s feet, dirtying the streets messily. The sky that had been hazy since dawn remained the same, but the ground underfoot was mottled with gray.
“‘The Blue Dragon’s Inn’ has a big stable too!”
The boy explained while spreading both arms. The freckles full on both cheeks were cute.
“I see.”
Ruman responded gently to the boy who was Ren’s age.
He’d always responded well, but he hadn’t been the warm type. Ruman swept back his side hair that had been blown by the wind.
The boy seemed pleased by Ruman’s kindness, his mouth corners loosening happily.
“We’ll arrive soon if we go a little further!”
“Should we get off?”
At the boy’s voice, Gepetto stuck his head out the carriage window.
Temarr stepped aside from Gepetto and looked at Ren who was inside.
“No. Let’s get off in front of the inn.”
“Yes!”
Gepetto quickly closed the carriage window again.
As the boy craned his neck curiously about the passenger in the carriage, Ruman spoke to him to distract his attention.
Though it was a small village, it was on the route to the capital so outsiders seemed to frequently come and go. The village was small but lively and open. The gazes looking at Ruman and Temarr’s party weren’t bad. Rather, most eyes held curiosity and favor toward their large builds and dignified faces, and Ruman’s handsome appearance.
“Buy apples!”
“Selling accessories from the capital. Ahem.”
Ruman naturally smiled at those looking at him.
The boy walked with his chest puffed out proudly at bringing such fine people as customers, his waddling gait amusing.
“Who’s that?!”
“A customer!”
“Wow, he’s really handsome……”
“That level of looks are everywhere if you go to the capital!”
“Does he have a wife?”
“He’d match well with the fruit shop’s daughter……”
“Hey! Don’t gossip about customers and get lost!”
Not only were their ages similar, but their manner of speaking might be similar too.
But there were no shadows on the boy’s face. Ruman’s gaze followed the boy.
“We’ve arrived!”
The boy’s boast that this was the best in the village wasn’t wrong.
For such a small village, it was a decent and large building. The door was thick and the flag with the emblem indicating it served as both restaurant and inn was clean.
<The Blue Dragon’s Inn>
The sign written in rough letters was also intact. Meaning there were no guys who would tear it off, indicating the village’s public safety was on the decent side.
For such a small village without even security to have outsiders coming and going yet maintain this level of public safety.
“The dragon is cool.”
“Right?! My grandfather drew it!”
“Grandfather?”
“Yes! My grandmother and grandfather made a bet, and Grandmother won! So she named it and drew the dragon picture next to the sign….”
“Inseok-ah!”
“Eek!”
“If you’ve brought customers you should hurry inside instead of making them stand around, what are you doing!?”
“I-I brought the customers, didn’t I!”
“You rascal!”
An old woman came out and vigorously swung her cane. The boy who dodged the first strike well couldn’t dodge the second swing of the cane and got hit directly. Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes.
“G-give me the horses. I’ll move them.”
The boy rubbed his aching head while forcing his eyes wide. But pitifully, tears were already rolling down. Ruman smiled and came down from the driver’s seat.
“Let’s go together. It’ll be hard alone.”
“Th-thank you!”
Ruman knocked on the carriage door.
“Let’s get off.”
Meanwhile, Temarr handed the gentle horse’s reins to the boy then untied the horse bound to the carriage.
The carriage door opened and Gepetto got off first, then Ren got off. The carriage step was high so Gepetto reached out to help, but Ren pretended not to see and jumped down lightly.
The boy craned his neck curiously about Ren who wore his robe’s hood pulled deep.
The old woman seemed uninterested in them despite bursting out with ‘You should bring customers in quickly!’ She scanned the party’s faces then went inside first with the door wide open.
“Well, we’ll put away the horses and come back, so you two go inside first.”
“Yes! Ren, shall we go?”
“……”
Gepetto awkwardly scratched his cheek.
Ruman stared intently at Ren entering the inn.
‘His gloomy mood is lasting long.’
What memory did he recall from seeing the snow to be like that?
A quiet Ren who doesn’t snap or grumble!
“This way!! Come over here!”
“Yes.”
“Um, please speak comfortably like before!! You’re much older!”
The boy kept talking in a friendly manner. Ruman chuckled at being called much older. He nodded saying he understood, then opened his mouth with a curiosity that suddenly arose.
“How old are you?”
“Fifteen!”
“Oh.”
Similar to Ren, maybe?
The boy moved diligently to tie up the horses then brought feed and water. He wrapped the carriage tightly with iron chains so no one could steal it and staked it to the inn’s post.
“There are no thieves, but…! Just in case!”
The boy, who seemed anxious and muttered to himself, brought a black cloth and covered the entire exterior of the carriage.
Watching the boy firmly tie ropes around the cloth covering the carriage, Ruman opened his mouth.
“How old is Ren?”
“……”
“What. You don’t even want to tell me your younger brother’s age……”
He was about to playfully rebuke him saying that when Temarr’s face hardened.
“Don’t tell me you really don’t know?”
Ruman’s incredulous voice echoed in the stable. A chilly wind blew.
***
The inn was full of warmth.
Since it was well past lunch, there weren’t many people and a few travelers drunk from early afternoon were asleep with their noses buried in tables. But there seemed to be quite a few lodgers in the second-floor inn, as the ceiling intermittently thumped.
When people entered, cold wind came in together so the gazes of those in the inn briefly turned forward then scattered.
Gepetto was fairly tall himself, but he didn’t have an impression that drew interest, and the slender boy standing beside him was wrapped tightly in a robe so there was nothing of interest. The robe did look somewhat luxurious. But still, it was just a robe!
“Sit here!”
The old woman who had been randomly hitting the boy with her cane was courteous to customers. Though her voice was somewhat scolding, Ren, who had frequently gotten into disputes in the village, wouldn’t be afraid of such a thing.
Ren, who had been carefully looking around curiously, carefully sat on the wooden chair at the old woman’s guidance.
The eyes visible inside the deeply worn robe had vitality unlike before.
Gepetto spoke with relief.
“The inn is clean and very nice!”
“Hmm. Well……”
Ren hummed and finally opened his mouth!
Oh, my goodness. The green eyes beneath the pressed-down robe sparkled with curiosity.
Getting angry or grumbling, or deflated from being scolded by Hero Temarr! Gepetto, who had only seen Ren’s somewhat sullen appearance, cheered inwardly. Was this like when a stray cat lets you pet it once?! Ah, is it a bit different from that? Not quite petting? More like not running away when you approach? That level?
As Gepetto pondered various things by himself, and Ren, whose gloomy mood had improved somewhat, covered his face with his hands while looking around various places in the inn from beyond his hood, it happened.
Thud!
Five heavy cups were placed on the table. The drinks full in the cups sloshed as if about to overflow, but amazingly not a single drop splashed!
