《Tales from the Whispering Waves Inn》


 Hearthjockeys & Hard Hearts

    The fire crackled in the old weathered stone hearth of the Whispering Waves Inn as many beleaguered travelers huddled around its cascading warmth. They¡¯d all ventured far from home to be here, a last ditch effort to earn coin where all else had failed for them. Some might call them heroes, but most called them vagabonds, cutthroats, waste-aways or worse.


    Owen, the stout innkeeper and proprietor, announced to the crowd. ¡°Evenin¡¯ Stew is up for ye folks! Get over here and scuffle it down before it¡¯s all gone!¡±


    The shivering mass of folk scurried towards the central oaken bar where two strapping teenage boys muscled cauldron onto a platform on its interior corner before ascending steps to ladle out bowls. Their march was halted by the clank of armor of a few dingy men plodding across the creaking floor from an outlying table, a hand motioning them to stop.


    ¡°You¡¯ll take your turn last, you lot,¡± he said in a firm, commanding tone. ¡°Realmseekers eat first!¡±


    The crowd grumbled and shuffled but dared to get no closer. ¡°That¡¯s Gareth Ironheart,¡± one of the rabble whispered. ¡°They say he single-handedly defeated the Iron Golem of Obsidians¡¯ Labyrinth and ripped its cold heart out to replace his own impaled organ.¡±


    Gareth¡¯s chiseled jaw and scarred armor confirmed the credibility of the rumors and demanded respect and fear for those who dare cross him, but a single lass pushed to the front, bold and reckless. With her teeth gritted in frustration and hunger, she chucked a mug at the back of his head. ¡°Says who? These rules are just things you lot made up on your own! I don¡¯t recall having a say in any of it!¡± Ravena shouted as her tangled black mane cascaded down over her left eye as she palmed her hair pick, ready for a fight.


    The glass twirled through the air as the rabble watched with bated breath and the ensuing drama about to unfold, but Gareth Ironheart snatched it in a quick snap. ¡°Thanks for the mug! You¡¯ve got good aim, but telegraph your intent. You¡¯d never last down below!¡± he said as the other Realmseekers erupted into laughter.


    Everyone was distracted during the raucous. Every single person except the frustrated Ravena, eager to put Gareth¡¯s pompous ass in his place. She watched him with the focus of an eagle spying its next meal while the crowd of Hearthjockeys shouldered past her, returning to their pitiful accommodations near the fire, waiting hopefully to be picked up by a troupe of Realmseekers in need of a bag carrier or torch wielder. Anything to get their foot in the door.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    That¡¯s when she noticed Gareth¡¯s hand reaching behind the bar while everyone was distracted with stew and laughter, palming a distinctive stone disc into his belt pouch. It was green and bore wavelike etchings on its smooth surface. ¡°Thief!¡± Ravena shouted as she pointed at Gareth.


    The crowd stopped and stared as she marched up to confront him. ¡°He stole a Realmkey from behind the bar!¡± she said.


    Owen bent down to double check. ¡°No lass, they¡¯re all here, all accounted for.¡±


    ¡°I just saw him take one! It was green and had waves on it!¡± Ravena said, thrusting her hand into his pouch as Gareth placed his hands in the air, smirking. Her search turned up empty. Frustrated, she pivoted to explain to Owen, meeting his gaze.


    Owen¡¯s blue eyes matched the water at the shore outside and he had a softer look that was inviting but belied a firm manner. ¡°Lass, ye know I don¡¯t like people accosting my customers, now get your hands off Gareth here. Ye are, but just an upstart and haven¡¯t contributed a thing to the Whispering Waves yet. These men understand where they eat. Besides, the disc you¡¯re talking about goes to the Emerald Seas and its green glow is known to poison the body of those who venture there without proper attire.¡± Owen said, holding up Realmkey.


    ¡°And those who could tame its crystalline waters would hold the power to forge the waves as he saw fit!¡± a patron announced, sloshing his mug into the air before gulping it down.


    Ravena relented. The key was plainly in Owen¡¯s hands, but what did she see Gareth take? She faced him to stare him in the eyes as he chuckled and responded. ¡°Look girl. You¡¯ve got some spirit, I¡¯ll give you that, but you¡¯re the one with the biggest motive to steal around here. Why don¡¯t you turn out your own belongings since you¡¯ve already turned out mine?¡±


    The crowd gasped at Ravena¡¯s hesitation. Owen nodded as his two bouncers grabbed her by the shoulders and Gareth stepped forward to rifle through her pockets, revealing a bit of unpurchased bread from her tattered dress. ¡°What have we here?¡± he said, holding the food up to her eye and then aloft for all to see before handing it to the innkeeper.


    ¡°Egads girl! Ye could¡¯ve asked me. No need to thief your way to the top! Get her to the dungeon for a few days until she shows some respect, then she can take on some cleaning duties after that!¡± Owen demanded.


    ¡°No! You can¡¯t! That wasn¡¯t even in my pockets. It¡¯s a setup!¡± Ravena shouted as she was dragged to the basement steps that were known to descend into the dark depths of the Inn¡¯s jail cells. Out here in the wilds beyond civilization, law was kept by coin, agreement, and force if necessary.


    As the light of the common room faded, she saw Gareth turn to her and grin. Before she knew it, she was hurled into a dank cell below with a stinky filth of a man bearing sharp teeth and an unsettling look of excitement on his face. She grasped the back of her head that had impacted the rocky ¡®furniture¡¯ chiseled out of the hewn stone and felt blood. Her attempts to remain conscious as the crawling, disheveled prisoner approached failed as she slipped from the surly bonds of wakefulness.

 Bargains in the Dark

    Ravena woke with a start, gasping for breath, eyes scanning for danger nearby. A throbbing overcame her skull, and she laid back down, wrapping her arms around it, groaning. As a tear streamed down her face, she forced a peek into her surroundings, realizing the cell door was wide open and the creepy prisoner had escaped. I have to escape. Gods know how long I could be down here. I¡¯ve heard people don¡¯t get a quick trial and the fickle rabble of Realmseekers already hates me. If I am apprehended, I¡¯ll be guilty of something for real and no amount of innocence on the bread theft will save me.


    Ravena vaulted to her feet, pausing to grasp her throbbing head that pounded with the new physical activity. She hobbled to the door and looked in both directions. The rows of rusty barred cells sat facing one another, and a central rocky, dust covered path stretched to the left and back up the stairs, or to the right, further into the dungeon. I¡¯ll surely get caught if I just emerge from behind Owen¡¯s bar at midday, but who knows what is down further, and where did that creepy man go?


    Ravena¡¯s indecision evaporated as she heard the clang of metal keys unlocking the underground prison entrance up the flight of weathered stone stairs. Her feet scurried forward into an intersection of rough hewn passages, and her racing thoughts caused her to zone out from her own arbitrary choice of direction. She just knew she had to get away fast and would plan later. A haze of rock and dark corners illuminated by minimal oil lanterns scattered halted as she came into a dead end cellblock.


    ¡°Whoo! Look at the perty thing the guards dragged down!¡± a red-haired, imprisoned man erupted from the glimmering cell block, causing a domino effect of cat calls and howling.


    Ravena thrashed her hand, breaking into a hushed shout. ¡°Shut up! You¡¯ll get everyone in trouble, you filthy wretch!¡±


    ¡°Oh, looky here, boys, a judgmental wench who thinks she¡¯s better than us!¡± the red-haired fellow howled again.


    A group of prisoners from the right all heckled her in unison. ¡°Perty lady, nice and strong, listen here to our song. Maybe stay a bit down with us, and then you¡¯ll learn not to fuss. Like a steed runnin¡¯ wild, we¡¯ll make yer temper much more mild!¡±


    Ravena¡¯s dark eyes squinted as her dingy but tan complected cheeks scrunched in disgust. ¡°You lecherous lot are going to get your just comeuppance! Now shut your trap! I can hear the guard coming!¡±


    The red-haired man chuckled and motioned her over. ¡°Alright, lass, I¡¯ll help ya out, but I want something in return.¡±


    ¡°What? I don¡¯t own anything, only this--¡± Ravena said, grasping at her necklace under her blouse. ¡°Wait! It¡¯s gone! That other prisoner must¡¯ve taken it!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss terms later. Simply get behind that barrel and we won¡¯t make a peep!¡±


    The men remained quiet as the guard emerged, muscular and covered in sturdy but well-worn armor, with a blade at his side. His helmet only shown his eyes and part of his mouth. ¡°What are you rabble all on about down here? We¡¯ve got an open cell ahead, and if you don¡¯t cooperate in spilling the beans on their whereabouts, I¡¯ll extend your sentence!¡±


    One of the prisoners gulped. ¡°Eh, Sir Branson, I--¡±


    ¡°We were merely singing a song, sir! Just down here biding our time is all we aint seen nothin¡¯ have we boys,¡± the red-haired man said, glaring at the snitch with piercing blue eyes.


    The guard walked up, grasping him by the collar and yanking him up to the bars. ¡°You best be telling the truth, Blaze, or I¡¯ll come back down here and run you through myself and tell Owen you tried to escape!¡± Branson stated, staring him in the face through the rusty cell gate.


    Blaze sniggered. ¡°I look forward to our time spent together Brat-son, sir!¡±


    Branson shoved him onto his backside before leaving, as Ravena prowled from behind the stout barrel, baring nothing but fumes of long gone spirits and a single dim lantern on its top.


    Blaze stood back up, dusting himself off. His tunic and vest looked like it once was a brilliant bit of attire, as if it¡¯d been worn by a gentleman. ¡°Right, lass, you owe me, and Uncle Blaze always comes collectin¡¯.¡±


    Ravena positioned herself in front of him, looking into his eyes. ¡°Correct. I guess I do. I don¡¯t enjoy owing anyone, but I have limits on what I¡¯m willing to pay, so keep any filth out of your dealings with me.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t ya worry, dear. I¡¯m not that kinda¡¯ criminal. I can¡¯t speak here for me boys though,¡± he said as the group burst into laughter. ¡°You take this here, orb. It will let you spy on old Toothless Marley that escaped your cell and figure out which way he went. Don¡¯t get too close. He obviously has an idea of where he is going and if you interfere too soon, he might not lead you out.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Ravena reached in and took the small transparent sphere. ¡°Right, but this is another favor I now owe you? Cut to the part of what I you want for hiding me. I¡¯m not digging myself into further debt.¡±


    ¡°Nothin¡¯. You just gotta promise to bring the key he thieved back here and let us out is all. That¡¯s yer end of the deal. And if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll escape eventually and make it me mission to come settle up with ya. Ya don¡¯t wish to find out what penalty is for not makin¡¯ good on our agreement, miss.¡±


    Ravena got closer to his face. Close enough to smell his stank breath. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about your panties, little ginger. I keep my word!¡±


    Blaze smirked as she walked away, standing tall amidst the group of men staring from the opposite side of the cell block. They were all clearly afraid of him and shocked at her lack of fear. The crystal ball in her palm began to show a hazy image of Toothless Marley, he was up ahead down the right-hand path of the intersection, she could see he was hiding under a corpse in an otherwise vacant prison wing and when she pointed the orb in his general direction, it got warmer.


    The dimly lit corridors relented at the soft white glow of the sphere, and Ravena was careful to detach her attention from it lest she run afoul of the wandering Branson with her guard down. Most of the cells were empty, and she avoided all other ones filled. Just how many folks are down here? I guess this is Owen¡¯s way of bringing law to the lawless lands and protecting his business. What crimes, I wonder, have they all committed? Must be serious...


    As she rounded a corner of the various intersections, she had done the very thing she was afraid of, let her guard down. Her forehead bumped into Branson¡¯s armor, and she fell backwards, startled, dropping the orb as it rolled to a nearby cell. Illuminating the hiding Marley¡¯s face.


    Branson picked her up by the scruff before she could point out the fugitive¡¯s presence. ¡°Well, what have we here? You¡¯re the one that accused Gareth? And now you¡¯re wandering about the cellblocks looking to make your getaway! Looks like you are digging yourself a deeper hole--¡±


    A slit noise halted his lecture, blood splattering across Ravena¡¯s agape face. He dropped her and fell forward, gurgling and holding his throat as his descent revealed Marley standing behind him, staring mischievously at her. He grasped the orb in one hand, and a small blowgun in the other.


    Ravena gasped. ¡°What kind of blowgun is that? Is it enchanted? How did you get over here so--¡±


    He simply put his finger on his lips to shush her and spoke no sounds. She bent down to place pressure on the wound, despite the seeming futility, and offered comforting words to the dying Branson. There were no signs of a dart or knife. ¡°It¡¯s ok, I won¡¯t let you die alone!¡± For a moment he grasped her hand with a firm grip, staring into her eyes with a look that said ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Marley¡¯s shuffling feet drew her attention, and she reached out and grabbed the orb from his control. He turned to wrestle it from her and then sprinted away. She quickly realized why: more guards approached, jogging and clanging down the halls.


    ¡°Stop right there!¡± the new watchmen ordered as they descended on her position.


    She didn¡¯t even try to escape, as she held Branson during his dying gasps. Gareth emerged behind the other two. ¡°See. I told you she¡¯d be responsible. Can¡¯t trust her. You¡¯ll need to probably throw her in the pits.¡±


    Shocked, Ravena stood up, gritting her teeth. ¡°Why you! I didn¡¯t do this! Why are you doing this to me? What are you even doing down here? You¡¯re not a dungeon guard!¡±


    ¡°Just lock her in there, boys. I¡¯ll keep an eye on her while you tend to your wounded. She¡¯s crafty and obviously more skilled than she lets on, but she¡¯ll not get past my watchful gaze, I assure you,¡± Gareth said coldly.


    The guards drug her into a nearby cell with some rats, before locking it. They conferred with each other before dragging Branson off. Tears welled up in Ravena¡¯s dark eyes. She didn¡¯t really know a wounded gentleman, but despite their differences, he seemed like a good man and he didn¡¯t deserve this fate.


    Gareth stepped forward, grinning. ¡°Well, to answer your question, I needed you. I did some digging and you¡¯re an unspoiled lass unlike the other few women about. I need one as a sacrifice to open the Emerald Seas.¡±


    Ravena screeched and spit in his face. ¡°You bastard! What did you bribe them?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. I informed them I was going to come down and conscript you on a mission as penance. Owen agreed to it, but I had my doubts and told the guards you¡¯d be up to no good. In truth Marley was working for me, trying to find the location of Whisper Well to the Emerald Sea. I was the one that got him the key. Didn¡¯t expect him to procure me my sacrifice too. I¡¯ll have to pay him a bonus,¡± he said, smirking.


    ¡°So what, you just kill me and spill my blood all over the rocks before chanting some unholy ritual to unlock a forbidden isle? It¡¯s warded shut for a reason, Gareth!¡±


    He yawned at her altruistic response. ¡°Not quite yet. The only code here at the Whispering Waves is to take what you can, by the might of your hand. Keep what you find, and the fortunes there mined.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m aware of your kind¡¯s cutthroat sayings. Not all Realmseekers are greedy cowards like you.¡±


    ¡°Lucky for you, there is a bit of time left to make peace with this mortal coil. I still need to gather one more ingredient: Owen¡¯s Red Sash of Seeking. It will help me hone in the well to the proper place since it¡¯s unbound. Don¡¯t want to end up in the astral eddies, floating for eternity,¡± Gareth said, walking away. ¡°At least I know where to find you! See you in the morning!¡±


    Darkness descended on Ravena as he snuffed out the nearby lantern, leaving her in pitch black with every rat¡¯s squeak and drip of water, a cacophony of imminent threat, like waves crashing relentlessly on the rocky shores, eroding all stability of mind.


    ¡°Hey, fair lady? Whach¡¯ya doin¡¯ in the dark?¡± a raspy voice pierced the anxious veil of shadow.


    Her heart leapt into her throat. Who was lurking nearby?

 The Geists Gambit

    Ravena sat in the dark contemplating her further entrapment when a voice yet again billowed out from the blackness, heralding new uncertainties and possibly more opportunities.


    She called into the unknown, echoing halls in front of her cell. ¡°Who is there? Is that you, Marley? I¡¯m going to get you back for killing that guard! He was just doing his job!¡±


    An unearthly laughter emerged from the very cell she occupied. ¡°Ha, ha, ha, ha! Dear girl, I am not that foul-mouthed fool working with Gareth,¡± a male voice said, approaching in uncomfortable proximity to Ravena¡¯s ear.


    Ravena jumped with fright. ¡°Who is there? Show yourself vagabond!¡±


    A brightening glow intensified from the cell, illuminating her face like a dawning sun. Before her stood a sight she¡¯d only heard in rumors and tall-tales, a bona-fide ghost!


    The ghost approached her face at an uneasy distance. ¡°I do not work for Gareth, not anymore. I am his late brother! His better familial half!¡±


    Ravena smirked at the bravado of the otherwise anti-climactic revelation of a supernatural entity. ¡°A gong farmer would be better than your brother, to be fair,¡± she said, laughing at her own joke and slapping her knee.


    ¡°Well just for that, no help for you!¡± He said, disappearing into the darkness.


    Ravena reached her hand out as if to grab him by the shoulder. ¡°Wait! I¡¯m just cranky, having been down here is all! Lighten up, I need your help!¡±


    The ghost brightened its incorporeal form into a blinding blue light that made Ravena squint and shield her view with her forearm. ¡°Hilarious! That¡¯s enough now! Let¡¯s talk already.¡±


    ¡°What, you don¡¯t like our banter?¡± The ghost crossed his arms and stuck his nose in the air, peeking playfully out the side of his eye to spy her reaction.


    ¡°By the Gods!¡± Ravena huffed. ¡°Who would have thought a ghost would be such a drama queen?¡±


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re going to continue insulting me, madam, I¡¯ll take my leave,¡± he said, dimming the light of his form. ¡°You need me more than I require you at the moment.¡±


    Gritting her teeth in frustration, Ravena kicked a rock at the spot where the ghost once stood, letting out a primal yell into the air. ¡°Gods! I¡¯ll go mad before I¡¯m executed, for sure!¡±


    Crossing her arms, she turned her back to the cell¡¯s interior, facing a corner of the wall before spinning around to announce her surrender.


    ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll help you if you aid me in my escape!¡±


    The ghost emerged, hovering in front of her, staring directly into her eyes. ¡°Not before you apologize, madam!¡±


    Ravena pinched the bridge of her nose as she looked down, closing her eyes to contain the frustration. ¡°Great then. I¡¯m sorry, okay! Sorry, I¡¯m taking out my anger at your brother on you! Why are you down here, anyway? And why are you helping me cross Gareth?¡±


    The ghost brightened in excitement. ¡°Oh, because it will put him in a right state of irritation that his prized sacrifice slipped from his arrogant self assured grasp! Besides that, the least he deserves after double crossing his own kin!¡±


    Ravena grinned. ¡°Well, it will feel good to see that smug bastard¡¯s look when he gets what¡¯s coming to him. How will we do it then?¡±


    ¡°Oh, very simple indeed!¡± he said, grasping his ethereal hand on the cell door lock.


    His form brightened and a distinctive hum developed until a sharp metallic snap shot through the otherwise silent corridors. The rusty cell groaned open as he pushed the gate with his hand, revealing his ability to affect the physical world around him.


    ¡°Oh! So you¡¯re a poltergeist-class ghost?¡±


    The ghost chuckled. ¡°I haven¡¯t even told you my name yet, nor have you asked! What, am I just some magic object to you?¡±


    Ravena sighed. ¡°No, you¡¯re a valued member of my new party,¡± she said halfheartedly.


    The ghost giggled. ¡°Well, you¡¯re making an effort, even if your heart isn¡¯t in it! That counts for something and so I shall introduce myself merely as Walt,¡± he said, closing his eyes and bowing as if they were in more respectable circumstances.


    The two meandered through the corridors, backtracking several times before stumbling onto the proper path to the top. Several guards patrolled, complacent and unsuspecting and thus unnoticing of their skulking in the dark. Walt led the way, dimming and brightening his form to illuminate the way. However, the way up the stairs beside the tavern counter presented another obstacle: An unavoidable guard next to the stairwell, and the late night stragglers keeping the bar-staff burning candles at both ends.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Ravena whispered a little too loud.


    The guard snorted, almost coming out of his slumber. He was leaning precariously back on the two hind legs of his stool, his hands placed behind his head for a bit of respite.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± she whispered to Walt.


    ¡°what you can¡¯t sneak last one sleepy head?¡± he paused as the guard rusted and snorted before returning to peaceful slumber. ¡°What kind of Realmseeker are you?¡±


    ¡°The new kind. But my point is when we storm through that door above, it¡¯s full of other Realmseekers who watched me get taken down here. That isn¡¯t the door to the lavatory. We all know it goes to the dungeon. I can¡¯t clear my name while a room full of rowdy upstarts is chasing me down as a fugitive. ¡°The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Walt placed his hands on his ethereal hips and looked down, shaking his head. ¡°You do realize I¡¯m a ghost, ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll just spook them and distract and you sneak up. Certainly, you can get to your room during the ruckus.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Ravens scratched her head. ¡°Well, yes, that would work. Why didn¡¯t I think if that?¡±


    Walt smirked before floating up the staircase and emerging into the common room. A loud ruckus emerged as glasses crashed and multiple drunk slurs erupted in unison. ¡°It¡¯s a ghast!¡±


    A seemingly endless pause punctuated the situation, followed by a muffled rebuttal. ¡°Eh? No, I¡¯m a ghost, you filthy humans!¡± Walt shouted.


    Meanwhile, Ravena snuck past the sleeping guard. Thankfully, he was a heavy sleeper, but she was sure he would rouse once the door opened and the noise could be heard clearly. Several steps creaked, and she paused for what felt like an eternity to see if she¡¯d woken him.


    But nothing seemed to wake him. So she carefully turned the knob of the door above. Click. Damn! It¡¯s locked. Of course it is Ravena! She smacked the butt of her palm to her forehead.


    ¡°What? Who goes there?¡± the guard jumped to his feet, kicking the chair behind him in a clamor that drew his attention.


    ¡°Great...¡± Ravena said, letting out a heavy sigh.


    With the guard¡¯s attention diverted momentarily by his own clumsiness, Raven grabbed hold of the rafters and swung down onto his shoulders, clasping his neck with her thighs before back flipping him onto the floor.


    The guard groaned loudly, collecting himself from the shock of the moment, and she seized the time to steal his keys and sprint up the staircase again as he clamored to his feet. ¡°Wait! Thief!¡±


    She fumbled through the keys one at a time, shaking in the rush of adrenaline before finally shoving the correct one in. The guard was taking lunging steps up, skipping several stairs at a time to reach her in his heavy, lumbering armor. She felt his hand graze her backside as she spun around, sliding the opening of the door with time to spare before shutting it and locking it back.


    The room was a full on brawl, but Owen turned at the sound of the clasp with a preternatural sense. Gazing at her, she held still as the brawling raged around her. Her saving grace was Owen getting clobbered by an errant mug. Her eyes widened in fear. ¡°Owen!¡± she shouted, but as he rubbed his head, she felt assured he was ok and darted up the staircase behind her to the upper floor.


    As her worn shoes hit the lush carpet above, a hole in her sole allowed the carpet¡¯s soft texture to brush against her skin. It felt cozy, and her anxiety abated amidst the silence above. She knew she had to find Gareth¡¯s room if she were to gain the evidence needed to implicate his treachery, but which one was his? The hall reached out in all four directions, in what appeared to be an endless cascade of doors. Ravena had never been up here before and was surprised at how lavish the d¨¦cor was, given that she¡¯d only seen a few employees working for Owen. Magic is afoot in these halls.


    Her feet wandered as her mind flushed with awe and curiosity, like a small child in a playground. Every door looked the same and her attention began to become hazy as she looked for any discerning detail that could separate her quarry from the sea of entryways.


    A familiar voice called out to her. ¡°Who goes there!¡±


    She was startled and recognized the face marching towards her. ¡°Um, I¡¯m just trying to stay out of the drama downstairs!¡±


    ¡°I know, I can hear it! I was instructed to remain up here lest wanderers like yourself meander this way in the commotion!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just searching for my room! I want some silence, not a brawl.¡±


    ¡°Ravena, I remember who you are, so don¡¯t start with me. You¡¯re supposed to be in the dungeon...¡±


    She grimaced, clenching her fist in preparation for a wild swing and tensing her legs for a sprint, but the guard with the flat of his palm aloft to halt her unease.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to arrest you. Look, I was there before Gareth arrived. I know what I heard my dying colleague say to me. I know you didn¡¯t kill him. But Gareth has a powerful influenced here and I¡¯m new. Nobody would believe me and I might lose my job... or my life to implicate him.¡±


    Ravena squinted her eyes in disgust. ¡°So you¡¯re just a coward, then?¡±


    The guard curled his lip at the judgment. ¡°Look. I¡¯m no good to anyone dead. I can¡¯t find evidence to bring to him just as a newcomer shouting his mouth off. You saw what happened to you in the bar earlier. He has the crowd¡¯s ear and Owen¡¯s benefit of the doubt.¡±


    ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Maybe I should be more subtle, like a game of chess. Lure him into his own demise.¡±


    The guard put his hand out. ¡°Exactly. You can call me Ben. I think I¡¯ve found his room, but I cannot get in to save my life. Even the guard¡¯s master key isn¡¯t working.¡±


    Ravena shook his hand. ¡°I think I have the answer,¡± she said, anticipating the arrival of her new friend as the hair on her neck stood up. ¡°Walt, you can come out now.¡±


    Ben stepped back as Ravena smirked. The glow of Walt¡¯s form emerged behind her, lighting the dim hallway devoid of windows. The guard was speechless before the ghostly form spoke.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t just stand there, boy. Lead me to the room!¡±


    Ravena stood in front of Walt. ¡°Wait, if you¡¯re not down there, why and who are they all fighting?¡±


    ¡°Well, each other, of course! I disappeared rather promptly, before pulling some belts and slamming some glasses. Before they knew it, they were all accusing each other of foul play, and I¡¯d incited a proper ruckus!¡± Walt said, looking rather proud of himself.


    Ben stared alternatingly at the two. ¡°So your answer is a spirit? Can he turn into a key or something?¡±


    Ravena chuckled, turning to Ben. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t think so,¡± she said, referencing Walt¡¯s shaking head to discern the answer. ¡°But he can pass through walls and he¡¯s a poltergeist-class ghost. So he could open it from within.¡±


    Walt moved forward, passing through Ben¡¯s body as his face took on a pale complexion and his hair wafted in the accompanying breeze. His eyes were wide open and pupils dilated at the sudden movement. Ravena took the opportunity to reassure Ben of their loyalty.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ben, he¡¯s on our side. Gareth betrayed him too, and he just wants a little justice. Why are you doing this, though?¡±


    Ben sighed a deep breath to release the tension. ¡°It¡¯s very simple. I grew up in the city and watched the level of deceit and selfishness on the streets. Dog eat dog it was. I dreamed of being a hero, like the tales I heard about the far off Inn here. But when I arrived I¡¯ve seen nought but the same behaviors. So I became a guard to try to keep people in line in hopes of getting rid of the bad apples that are keeping people like yourself from rising the ranks.


    Ravena smiled with her eyes at the genuine altruism and felt seen for the first time in many months. She leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek and Ben blushed, stammering his words.


    ¡°C¡¯mon Ben. Don¡¯t get your armor in a bunch there. Let¡¯s go back to Gareth¡¯s room and end this,¡± she said, waving an inviting arm to motion him forward. ¡°Lead the way.¡±


    The trio arrived at Gareth¡¯s room, a door adorned much like the rest, but with a golden trim. Walt passed through its solid frame, and a familiar click heralded the opening of the lavish door. Ben and Ravena entered to find a plain bedroom, completely devoid of anything of interest.


    The troupe spoke in unison to each other: ¡°What the hell?¡±