It was a windy day.

Any leaf that had been holding on to the crooked trees was now falling, shaken off every branch that stood against the howling wind. His home, normally grim enough, was now less inviting.

He leaned his head, tucking closer his thick jacket to fend the cold.

“I know you are there.”

Uriel had walked through the path like a shadow. His horned figure would have been ominous to any who stood in his way. His tall and inhuman stance would have scared anyone, but that was not the reason why the human was hidden. He could see the new sign that decorated the side of the road; he could see the flowers that had been planted, and the small stones thrown on the sides to make it seem prettier. While he kneeled besides the flowers, she stepped around the tree where she had taken cover from his view.

Ayako pulled at her long coat and sniffed at it.

“Does it really smell that much of herbs?”

Uriel smiled, looking up from the ground. While she neared slowly, he plucked one small flower, glancing curiously at the petals between his claws.

“Not only your coat, but you. Of herbs, of balsam, of freshly baked bread…” His free claw took hold of her hand when she neared, and then he pointed out something more. “And I think I can discern the smell of some splinters on your hand.”

There were indeed some scratches. She freed her hand from his sharp claw, not because those nails could cut her, but because she wanted to dismiss his worries for her self inflicted bruises. With a pout, she looked sideways, tapping a little her foot.

“You demons and your sharp senses. Can’t a girl do her job without being questioned?”

Uriel grinned and leaned closer to her face, pointing a nail at the road. His tail brushed the flowers at their feet.

“I wouldn’t dare question you, if not for one thing. Is it your job to intrude in people’s homes and go around changing things without their permission?”

She pointed at him as well, shaking pridefully her tied hair.

“Hey, you did give me permission, when you caught me with your silly puppet.”

Uriel shook his head, still smiling.

“I may have let you make some signs.” He nodded at the flowers, with a little trace of concern. “I didn’t say anything about planting flowers by the paths.”

“What’s wrong with planting some flowers?” She crossed her arms, while leaning onto the signpost she had built in this area. “Don’t they highlight this fancy post I crafted? You saw them from the end of the road, and before I hid, I saw you smile.”

“It is not their appearance what bothers me.” He placed the flower he plucked into her hand, holding it between his claws. “Look at it, Ayako. I really appreciate that you try to make this forest bloom, but it won’t. These flowers will die, they will whiter soon. I have tried before.”

“They won’t.”

Her remark was quick and sure. He gave her a puzzled look, but soon snorted at her confidence.

“You are very sure of your skills. You almost make me want to believe it myself.”

She pouted, and then grabbed his claw. He stopped smiling jokingly, expression changing into a curious one. She was serious, and eager to prove it.

“The flowers won’t wither, Uriel.” She began to pull at him, for him to follow her through the road. “Come and see it for yourself.”

His confused mumble was ignored. Ayako pulled at him strongly; anyone would be amazed of a human dragging along such an imposing demon.

Both had been at the border of his territory, at the first visible paths towards the manor. He had come from Alexis’ forest, from the clearing, to check if she was still here. The more she dragged him along, the more he realized she had roamed more than he could have imagined. He blinked at the multiple flowers that they passed. All were blooming with a beautiful yellow color, swaying with the wind. None were being torn by the weather, not even their fragile looking golden petals.

“You can’t possibly have brought all these flowers.”

“I didn’t, only brought their seeds. There’s no way someone could have transplanted all these flowers so far, not without a cart.”

He stared at her, still walking with a fast pace.

“I don’t understand.” He frowned, bewildered. “Only five days have passed since you left the clearing. They couldn’t have grown in such a short span of time. What kind of flowers are these?”

She laughed, noting how curious and imaginative he was now.

“Oh, Uriel. They are completely normal flowers. You can stop looking at them like that.”

He closed his mouth, swaying his tail.

“What have you done?”

“Me? I did nothing.”

He felt something else. He discerned one scent. One of his kind. Ayako stopped pulling, but did not let go of his claw. Ahead, they finally could see a small field, which was now void of the thick branches that prevented its view and access before. In it, a huge shadow stood, darkened by the tall trees that loomed.

“It was him.”

Uriel felt a shiver. The huge beastly figure turned, very subtly. Somewhere along that black fur, two red glints flashed, moving to fix on them both. Lykaios spotted them, watching him. Violet eyes met at first with red ones, but soon moved to glimpse at what was at the end of those huge haired claws. Lykaios had been holding something between his thick nails; a small sprout, green, lively.

Ayako did not lose her proud smile when Lykaios bolted. The big beast moved into the shadows, out of sight, leaving behind him all the sprouts he had grown.

——————–

 

“Imagine, travelers, crossing these paths again. Your home, remembered once more. This region, safe for everyone to stay in.”

Her words, they made his heart beat with hope, something he felt foreign. He couldn’t avoid asking, even if he knew multiple answers.

“Why are you doing this?”

It could be because of selflessness. Maybe to repay his aid against an evil devil.  Perhaps due to wonder, longing. Or… because she needed to fill the void he had left in her heart and mind.

Do I really deserve this?

He stared in a trance at his manor, at the gates, where most of the flowers were. The two tall trees that blocked most of the view of the patio were gone, once having loomed with their rotten carcasses. Only some stumps remained, no sight of the void trunks that had been falling apart.

She looked at him. Only a few words left her lips, but they were enough for him.

“It feels right.” She smiled bright, at him. “Doesn’t it?”

He smiled, nodding. She luckily didn’t see the tear that left one of his eyes.

————————–

 

A sigh escaped him. His hands secured firmly his bag on his shoulder, and once he was sure none of his tools would fall off, he kneeled.

“Come here, Aby.”

The rabbit squeaked angrily, taken away from the acorn he had been munching on. Alexis was not faced by the insistent pawing; he looked around him, at the cave he had lived in for so long. With a last sigh, he turned, ready to leave it behind.

Nearby, Uriel stood by the cabin they had built together. He stood side by side with his demon, both looking up at the place where they had been supposed to live.

“I can’t believe you’re agreeing to this.”

“I agreed long ago, didn’t I?”

Uriel looked at Alexis, tail down on the ground. One of his claws was clenched, firm on his chest.

“You only had the cave then.” He sighed, grimacing. “I keep dragging you along, everywhere I go.”

“Yes, I will miss this cabin.” Alexis let out another sigh and then turned around, not giving any more looks to their creation. “Are we leaving? I kind of want to settle back in my old room already; maybe I will make you light the fireplace in the living room.”

It took Uriel some time to answer. Alexis was avoiding looking too much around him. This clearing had been where he had met them both, where he had lived, where he had always hid when in doubt. And now, he had agreed to leave it behind, for good. Once more, he would call the manor his home. No arguing, no laments; both he and Ayako, they knew what was bound to happen.

Alexis waited for Uriel to come to his side. His demon took his time; once near, one claw slowly rested on his shoulder, and the words came out kindly, knowingly.

“Alexis, I think we can take some time by the lake, don’t you think?”

The angel stared up at him, calmly. He smiled a little, amused by his demon’s concern.

“Not a bad idea. Maybe we can catch something to eat in the way.”

They began to walk around the tall cliff. Both looked back for a moment… but both had to look ahead.

——————–

 

They walked back and forth. It was a busy day. All had been, and they were not exactly happy about it.

Godric kept checking on every detail in the apothecary, cleaning and moving any misplaced tools and ingredients. Meanwhile, Cecilia kept running from shelf to shelf, eyeing all that was stored, diligently noting how much they had used or lost of their stock.

Since Ayako had helped that group of travelers, she had only come to the clinic once. Maybe there were not many sick people to tend to, but her absence left them to deal alone with every single detail, all at once. It was something Godric could deal with, but if she was not in an official hunt, it bothered them a lot that she did not report of her doings. She was a healer, a hunter; she was supposed to be responsible of her time. She had not even told them she was going to help those travelers. She had the idea, and she went away to do it; they only had found out when she came back. Even then, after that, she was gone again.

It was not something Godric liked.

Her visits were never announced, she was always roaming. Before, that had been the norm, given that she hunted angels and searched for herbs. But lately… she did neither. No angel had fallen, that they knew; she had not brought herbs in the last ventures she had.

They did not turn to look when the main door opened a little. Cecilia sighed, hearing Ayako invite herself in, shyly but with no regret. The hunter stepped deeper into the main room, closing the door silently behind her. She stood there in silence, seeing that the other two did not greet her. It took Godric a minute to address her presence, which did not face her.

“Do you bring any wings or bones?”

Ayako answered, with no shame.

“I do not.”

Godric finally turned to look at her. Their expression was serious and demanding.

“Have you brought any herbs?”

Ayako shook her head. Cecilia made a face and looked away with a whistle, deciding it was best to keep her mind on her notes. Godric was not a person who showed much emotion, their tense stance only indicated that they were not in the best of moods.

“Ayako, come into my office.”

The hunter did as told. She followed Godric; in the way, Cecilia shot her a supportive look, knowing that a less than pleasant discussion was bound to happen there.

Godric entered first, but they held the door open for her to step in. Once she did, they closed slowly and calmly, leaving the office in a very dim light. Her mentor remained silent for a minute; they walked past the drawn runes on the floor, closer to their long desk, where she had laid all the prey she had slain.

“Ayako.” She stood firm, looking at their back while they spoke with their arms crossed. “I know you have been… shaken lately. But this cannot keep going.”

They looked at her with a small turn of head. Their voice was supportive, but scolding as well.

“Your last kill left you with troubled thoughts. You are having trouble keeping focus, and I won’t ask you the details of that hunt. Whatever that last angel did to you, I won’t make you have to dwell on it again.”

She frowned, trying to remember how that last kill went. She only remembered her crossbow, and the angel falling; then her bloody knife and two wings in her hold. She couldn’t remember what color they were; she couldn’t remember the angel’s face, just the moment when it had pushed her to the ground, flashes of what seemed a fight.

Godric kept going, careful to not be disrespectful to her best assistant and hunter.

“I have haunting thoughts of my own, but I try to not let them get in the way. You need to get back to work, in a consistent manner.” The next words made her look up worriedly. “I think it’s time you seek the hunt of another angel.”

She stuttered, knowing well that no angels would soon fall around here.

“But, you haven’t sensed any. For me to find one, I would need to-”

“Search in another region, yes.”

“Godric, I’m not leaving this place.” She laid a hand on her chest, laughing nervously. “I mean, you know I prefer to work alone; if I go anywhere else, I will have to cooperate with other angel hunters. I don’t work well under the orders of a group.”

“You’re a free spirit, that’s why I’m suggesting it. You are roaming a lot. You tend to disappear. Before, you did so in search of prey, but now, you do so for other reasons. You are distracted, unfocused. This last absence has been for nothing; you brought no herbs, not even the assurance that you were in the chase of an angel I had not felt.”

“It was not for nothing; I was away for a very good reason.”

Godric raised an eyebrow, noting her nervousness.

“And that reason is?”

She sighed and stepped closer. She pointed to the door, trying to sound believable.

“Not long ago, I met… two people.”

“Are you referring to some of those noisy travelers you helped?”

“No. Two others. I’ll save you the details, but I must confess that I wasn’t always doing the errands you told me to do. I felt I was needed, and I set aside my duties momentarily in order to be there. They are important to me.”

Godric gave her a really curious look, showing a rare trace of surprise on their face. Her expression was one of trust and care, different from what she gave to most out of kindness.

“You? Getting attached to someone? Ayako, I think I’m losing sight of the firm lone hunter I trained.”

She shot them an offended glance, laying her arms around herself. She retorted, not without a trace of apprehension; Godric had been a good mentor, and had always understood her way of doing things.

“I may like some singleness sometimes, but that does not mean I can’t feel for somebody.” She stopped looking to a side, to stare fiercely. “Look, Godric, I’m really sorry for not bringing any kills or herbs; hell, I’m not around anymore. You may thing that I have lost time prancing around, that the help I’ve given does not aid this apothecary in any way… but you’re mistaken. I’ve been useful, not only to those travelers or those two, but this village. Even more, what I’ve been doing could really make the lives around here much easier.”

Godric sat slowly on their chair, their eye was fixed on her. They held their hands together, leaned a little onto the desk, and then questioned with interest.

“What could be more helpful, than the blood of an angel, which can cure almost any wound or disease? What can you offer, to keep your reputation in our guild?”

“Honestly, you know I don’t care much for a reputation.” Godric was not offended or surprised by her next remarks. “For all I care, the guild can shove its pompous opinion in those putrid headquarters of theirs. They don’t care about the people; they just care about showing off, enwrap themselves with the pride of the kill of a powerful being. They glutton on the needs of the needy, which is fast to gather and throw gold at them. You know damn well why I chose you to be my mentor, even if you were retired, even if you only had an old apothecary in this undistinguished village; you care for that stupid hierarchy as much as I.”

“Get to the point. I’m not asking you why, but what you did.”

She let out an irritated huff. She walked past a nearby table, where many hunting tools laid. Knifes, used to rip bones. Arrows, perfect to pierce the flesh above. A bow, a weapon Godric had used many times long ago. All that was in this office was a reminder of what she had been dedicating her life to. She had killed, and only now she had real haunting thoughts. She still felt bound to that part of her life, but she longed for something else. With one last step, she stood right in front of Godric’s desk, stance sound. She spoke, one last time, clear as water.

“I helped restore a derelict inn.”

The only sign she needed to feel she did right came; Godric’s eye glinted. Her mentor leaned on the desk a little more, and asked with a curious whisper.

“Where?”

She smirked, ready to explain.

————————

 

“This place is going to be great.”

“It is already, it only needed some tweaks.”

He huffed and hammered in the last nail. He stepped back, and nudged her shoulder with a laugh.

“So, what do you think?”

Ayako leaned her head to a side, then to the other. She kept staring at the small stable Alexis built; unfazed by his proud and expecting stare.

“Well, even if a little crocked, it will do the job.”

“Crocked?” Alexis growled at her, irritated by her lack of admiration. “Excuse me but it is not crocked! I took days building this thing and I took all the correct measures to ensure it would stand perfectly! It was you who suggested a stable for any possible guests that came with horses.”

“It is fine, Alexis.” He relaxed a little, but still glared while she knocked on the small wooden coverage. “I’m sure it will help draw some more attention to this place.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes tiredly.

“It better; it’s been two weeks, and yet we haven’t had one single guest.” He smirked slyly, eyeing her slowly. “Maybe I am not the one who’s at fault here… but the one who was supposed to endorse this place.”

She turned sharply to look at him. He snorted and took a quick step back when she snatched the hammer from his hand, to point at him.

“I did give the news around my village. Information just travels slowly when it comes from a small town. Just you wait; you’ll have to help Uriel so much you’ll beg me to kick some signs down in the paths. You won’t have enough room for all the guests that will come.”

“Not enough room? Please, we have too much room in here. We could have a whole town in here. You can get inside, and never come out. Do you know how many hours it took me to find Abiel a couple days ago? He somehow wound up in the second floor!”

“Well, surely you left the door of your room open and fell asleep by your working desk. If you can’t even control your pet, I can’t imagine you giving Uriel all the help you swore to give.”

“Hey, I’m helping as much as you are. Do not taunt me for taking some naps.”

She smiled a little and then nudged him playfully.

“I know. You are hardworking when needed. I just like teasing you, because then you really shine as you should.”

He snatched back the hammer in her hand, glaring at her jokingly.

“Can’t stop telling me that since Uriel muttered how golden my wings were, huh?”

She laughed a little, eyeing his shoulders while he inspected the small stable.

“A shame I couldn’t get to see them.”

He smiled a little; he was glad she couldn’t see him sigh tiredly. It was a good thing she did not remember a thing; her own mind fought against her, fogging any little remembrance she could have of his wings, little by little. Uriel did an impressive job with that spell, but not in a good way.

Before they both could think more about that matter, a sound took their attention. Footsteps echoed from the main doors of the manor, walking down the steps and then turning left in the patio. Uriel came around to them, holding something.

The demon was not surprised at all when both of them reacted immediately to what he brought.

“Food!”

“Yes!”

Even if Ayako was faster, Alexis also bolted out the stable as quickly as he could. The two dashed to his side, only having eyes for the small pastries he carried in a plate. He sighed contentedly, seeing that even if he had brought four snacks, there was only one left. He asked with a smile and slight lean of head.

“You were really hungry, huh?”

Ayako nodded while biting down on the second pastry, Alexis talked with his mouth full, waving around the half bitten snack in his hand.

“I’ve beenph here for hourfs!” Luckily, he swallowed before continuing. “You have a brand new stable, Uriel. You’re welcome.”

With that, Alexis stuffed what remained of his food in his mouth and proceeded to walk away. Ayako called at him, questioning.

“Where are you going? Didn’t you say something about hanging some lights by the stables’ sides?”

Alexis only waved a hand at her, not looking back. Uriel smiled at her, shaking his head.

“Let him be. He worked a lot; some rest will do him good. You know the task won’t leave his mind, he always has to end any craft he begins.”

Ayako was not looking at him. He blinked, because she was staring at the last snack, intently. Her next point of finger and question were expected.

“Are you going to eat that, Uri?”

He chuckled and took the last pastry, only to hand it to her. She shot him a happy thankful smile and proceeded to bite on it. He couldn’t avoid feeling amusement to hear her talk with her mouth full as well, a little more gracefully than Alexis.

“I can’t avoid telling you again, Uriel; when guests do come, they are going to get addicted to your cooking.”

He blushed a little, while brushing his arm with his tail.

“I hope so.”

He eyed the gates.

The path was still empty, even if many signs directed the way to his home.

———————

 

She peeked from behind the bushes again.

Her eyes stared at the long path ahead of her, her hearing focused intently on any sound that echoed in the forest. She was hidden in the shadows, like a wolf waiting for a critter to wander into its sight.

Her ludicrous hiding spot had a reason; she was not wary of intruders setting foot near Uriel’s home, but expectant of it. She had waited, and waited, and at last, she eavesdropped some sellers in the village, talking about crossing the new restored paths. It took another week, in which she stayed in the village to promote the inn, but it happened at last.

“…There you are.”

A cart, slowly making its way towards where she hid. Past her, not too far, stood the manor, all ever inviting. The trees around here had gained a little color, and flowers swayed by the sides of the road. There was no way of getting lost, not with all the signs that indicated the right way to get here. Past the manor, they had put more, that led the way north and east. It was perfect, it was like if travelers had always roamed here; commerce should not resist of flowing.

The cart was not big. There were only two men, and only one of them was a seller from the village. The second man was just the biggest looking patron in the tavern, who the scrawny vendor had bribed to help him. She knew both of these men; the merchant was a nervous but humble man who made trinkets with shiny stones, the other usually worked in a farm and was a little buff. Neither of the two were bad people, all the contrary. Still, she felt nervous of them coming.

She eyed the path ahead, the tall roof in the distance. There was smoke coming out of a chimney, all was ready.

“Ok, guys… don’t screw this up.”

She would step aside to let them deal with this. They wanted to, and they had to.

In the manor, all knew what was coming. A lynx licked its paw again, without a single worry. He was unfazed by the argument that echoed in a nearby hall, as he was not guilty at all of the news he had carried to those two. Ayako had told him to get ahead to tell them, and so he did.

In there, at the top of the stairs, angel and demon whispered, exchanging quick and harsh words.

“It’s been too long. I can’t.”

“You have it in you, you are the true host. They won’t take out any pitchforks.” Alexis pulled at Uriel again, but his demon kept holding onto the rail of the stairs with a dead grip. “Come on; just get down there and receive them like you used to do.”

“You don’t get it.” He swatted Alexis’ pull with his tail, and kept looking down from above with sweat on his forehead. “My parents were the ones who held the reputation; the guests only accepted my presence in the lobby because they were in charge. The guest always looked at me like if I was a novelty, perhaps a tamed animal. If I am the one to receive these two men, they won’t stay.”

“They will stay.” He pulled at his arm again, pushing aside Uriel’s tail when it tried to shush him away. “Ayako has already said in her village that you’re in charge, and that you’re not human. They trust her; she has a big name in that place.”

“First looks matter, Alexis. Remember how scared you were when you first saw me?”

“Man, you literally leaped to grab me, and then towered over me with a glare; it was nighttime for fucks sake.” He let go, because he noticed those nails. Uriel was holding on like a cat scared of a bath. “You can’t be serious. You dreamed of hosting guests again, and now you don’t even want to receive them when you have the chance! Don’t tell me you are just going to let them wander in without a welcoming word!”

Uriel stared at the entrance below for a minute, with a thoughtful nervous look on his face. Then, he slowly moved to glance at his angel, hopefully.

“They’ll trust a human.”

Alexis crossed his arms.

“Well, there are none here. Ayako won’t come; she wants to see if you can deal with this.”

Uriel smiled a little, now eyeing Alexis.

“There is one human…”

Alexis looked around; they were only the two of them, and Lykaios. At last, he looked back at Uriel, with an unamused frustrated blank stare.

“Oh, come on…”

Below, Lykaios heard the hopeful plea, and the reluctant acceptance. He stayed put, knowing that both dorks were as nervous as they could be.

He waited; he paid mind to both parties, both inside and outside. He heard the slow steps nearing the entrance through the gates, and the deep breaths of the one who stood by the doors.

Those red eyes fixed on the doors, the moment finally arrived.

The two travelers did not knock, and more or less, it did relieve the one who was supposed to welcome them. The humans opened the doors by themselves, setting foot slowly into the huge inn they heard of. They looked in, and to their surprise, they did not see the demon they were told about and that they were apprehensive of. They blinked, at the sight of a blond. They would have felt a little relief, if it weren’t for the fact that the one person they saw looked more like a statue.

Alexis was rigid, hands on top of the long desk that served as a reception counter. He was wearing a smile, but it was as trembling as it could be. He was silent, and only after a long gulp and a glance at the two he managed to mutter something.

“W-welcome?”

The two men exchanged confused glances, never having heard an innkeeper mutter that word like a question.

Not far, a demon facepalmed, watching hidden in the shadows above.

The angel grew more nervous. He quickly rummaged through the papers on the desk, glancing everywhere for a note Uriel had left there. He kept mumbling words and staring at the papers, completely unaware that the men decided to near him. When he raised his gaze again, he had them in front of him, right by the desk.

“…!” Alexis tensed even more if it was possible. He subconsciously took a step back, subtly but not without notice. He managed to speak somehow, under the confused stare of the two men. “H-how may I…?”

He shot a fast glance at the papers. After finding the one Uriel wrote, he finished his sentence, in a very awkward manner.

“…Help you?”

The farmer pulled the merchant to a side, and then whispered with an eyebrow raised at the blond.

“Are you sure you this is the right inn?”

The manor was eerily silent, only seemingly inhabited by a cheerless blond. The salesman nodded slowly, whispering back unsurely.

“There have never been other inns around here… ”

This was not going as well as planned, and all knew. Uriel threw his hands onto his horns, pulling more strongly with every second that passed.

“No, no; that’s not how you should…”

His eyes opened a little more, dreadful. The two men were now inching away, surely to discuss their options outside.

Uriel stood sharply; he stopped crouching and peeking from the second floor above. He puffed his breath, slapped his cheek, and then glared with a determined look in his eyes.

“If you want a job well done…” He stepped down one step, head bowed and eyes fixed. “You have to do it yourself.”

He was not blaming Alexis, far from it. His angel had willfully agreed to do this, even if nervously so; but that did not mean he would manage. No matter how much he wanted to help, the anxiety he had around humans was still there. Uriel feared scaring the men, but he realized he would get nowhere if he did not courage through it.

Alexis winced, seeing the men move aside towards the doors, probably intending on discussing a night in their cart. He opened his mouth, not wanting to lose what could be their first chance. He wanted to help Uriel, no matter how awkward he was around humans.

“W-wait, I-”

He did not take the attention of the men, another one did. He jumped a little when another voice echoed through the hall, loud and sure of itself.

“Wait, gentlemen, if you please.”

A loud gasp escaped the travelers when they turned to look at the hall. Uriel walked elegantly towards them, out of the shadows, with the most servile and classy stance. His gentle smile managed to prevent the two from cowering, only getting a subtle tremble out of them for his demonic traits.

While Alexis stared nervously, Uriel walked around the two, hands out and open as he greeted them charmingly.

“My apologies; I should have opened the doors for you.” He bowed a little, making sure keep eye contact and a reassuring smile. “It would be my pleasure to welcome you into this humble inn. We have spacious chambers, warm food, and everything that you may need in your tiring journey.”

The farmer was eyeing Uriel’s claws, even if they were laid out in a friendly and honest manner. The merchant, on the other hand, was less wary, somewhat more interested in resting after the long journey. He was as well apprehensive of course, but he had already heard this inn was hosted by a demon.

Uriel nodded. With years of experience in bargain, he sidestepped gracefully near a cabinet behind the desk. Alexis watched his demon snatch away one key, twirl it in one of his nails, and then lay it down for the merchant to take.

“You can call me Uriel, and pronounce my name anytime you need service. You have to excuse the way we let you in; Alexis here, my loyal helper, is the handyman. I was busy, and without expecting your coming, I told him to guard the entrance. Don’t mind his zealous demeanor, for he is very hardworking and keeps everything from breaking in here.” Alexis sighed silently, while Uriel kept taking the attention of the two, who didn’t seem interested in leaving anymore. “Now, let me show you your rooms. I have a perfect chamber for you; two bedrooms, connected through a nice antechamber.”

The farmer tensed when Uriel dared to lay his arms over their shoulders to lead them towards the chamber, but said nothing, because his contractor seemed pleased with the idea of a good room to stay in. The merchant questioned, looking up to a smiling Uriel.

“Such a big chamber, though it’s not a surprise seeing how big this inn is.” He frowned at the demon, thoughtfully. “How much will this cost me? I enjoy nice blankets and drapes, but not losing my coin in a large sum.”

Uriel laughed, and then waved the point of his tail dismissively.

“Oh, sir; no need to worry for the golden coins in your pocket. This stay only costs twenty silver coins.”

The eyebrows of the man shot up, with pleasant surprise.

“My, that really is a cheap price.” He eyed the demon, up and down. “It is too cheap in fact, considering how secluded these roads are. There won’t be any tricks to gain out of us, right?”

“Wouldn’t ever think of it.” He gently led them away through the hallways, proudly stating all that the inn offered. “Food is included, cleaning time is at any hour you leave the rooms, there are no disruptions, you have a large library at your disposition, the architecture is of great interest with many…”

Alexis stopped hearing Uriel ramble about his dear manor. He let himself plop on top of the desk, frowning with mental tiredness. While glaring at the note Uriel had left him with instructions, he heard Lykaios speak from below the desk.

“It is funny how he regains his coolness when you lose yours.”

“Oh, shut up.”