Chapter 226: Leaving The Stable

The night passed quietly, or as quietly as a stable full of animals could be.

Darion woke to the sound of chickens clucking and goats bleating, their voices mixing with the soft snorts of the horses and the heavy breathing of the Moatts.

The candle had burned down to a stub, its flame flickering weakly in the dim morning light that filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls.

He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the stiffness in his shoulders and back.

Sleeping against a wall had not been kind to his body. His neck was sore from being twisted at an awkward angle, and his legs were cramped from sitting in one position for too long.

He groaned softly as he stood, his joints popping.

Around him, the others were waking up too. Garren was already on his feet, his movements slow and deliberate as he worked the stiffness out of his limbs.

He had slept sitting up, his head resting on a rolled-up bundle of cloth, and he looked like he had done it a thousand times before. Which he probably had.

Seren was stretching, her arms reaching toward the ceiling, her back arching in a long, satisfying stretch. She let out a small groan as her muscles loosened.

"Morning," Darion said, his voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," Seren replied, her voice equally tired.

"Morning M’lord," Garren said to Darion then to Seren: "Morning Seren."

The wagon men were already awake, moving among the animals, checking on them, making sure they had enough water and hay.

They worked with so much efficiency, their movements quick and doing the task. They had done this many times before, and they knew exactly what needed to be done.

Darion walked to the entrance of the stable and stepped outside. The morning air was cool and fresh, carrying the smell of dew and earth. The sky was clear, the sun just beginning to rise above the horizon. It was going to be a good day for travel.

He turned back to the others. "We should get moving soon. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get back to Percvale."

Garren nodded. "Agreed. But we need to eat first. We have a long journey ahead of us."

Darion thought about that. The journey to Percvale... they should arrive by night.

Jiopk on its own wasn’t that far, just an early morning to afternoon journey if you were riding one of the best horses, well-fed and moving at high speed.

But with this many animals, it would take triple that time. The cows and Moatts moved slowly, their pace dictated by their heavy bodies.

The goats were restless, and the chickens needed to be kept in their cages. It would be a slow, steady crawl back to Percvale.

"Where can we get something to eat?" Darion asked. "Something more than just travel rations?"

One of the wagon men, a grizzled older man with a weathered face, spoke up. "There’s a place in the barony. A small restaurant, they serve good food. Nothing fancy, but it’s warm and filling."

Darion nodded. "Good. Take us there."

The wagon man led them through the barony’s streets.

The settlement was waking up, its inhabitants emerging from their homes to start the day.

A baker was setting out fresh bread, the smell of it drifting through the air. A blacksmith was already at work, his hammer ringing against metal. Children ran through the streets, laughing and playing.

The restaurant was a small building, its wooden walls dark with age, its windows glowing with warm light. The door was open, and the sound of voices and clinking utensils drifted out. Darion stepped inside.

The atmosphere was simple and welcoming. Several tables were scattered across the room, each one occupied by people eating and drinking. A few travelers sat together, their packs leaning against their chairs. A group of locals shared a large pot of soup, their laughter filling the space. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting warm light across the room.

Darion, Garren, and Seren found a table near the fire and sat down. The wagon man who had led them here took a seat at a nearby table. A woman appeared, her apron stained with flour and grease, a smile on her face.

"What can I get for you?" she asked.

Darion looked at the menu scratched onto a wooden board. "We’ll have bowls of soup with meat, and bread. And we’ll take extra for the road."

The woman nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. The soup arrived quickly, served in large wooden bowls with thick slices of bread on the side.

The broth was rich and savory, filled with chunks of meat and vegetables. The bread was warm and crusty, perfect for dipping.

They ate in comfortable silence, the warmth of the soup spreading through their bodies. It was the first proper meal they had had since leaving Jiopk, and it was exactly what they needed.

When they were done, they stood up and paid the woman. Darion handed her a few extra coins for the food they would take on the road. She wrapped the bread and meat in cloth and handed it to him with a smile.

"Safe travels," she said.

Darion nodded. "Thank you."

They left the restaurant and made their way back to the stable. The owner was outside, tending to one of the horses. He looked up as they approached.

"Leaving already?" he asked.

"Yes," Darion said. "We have a long journey ahead of us."

The old man nodded. "Safe travels, young lord. Take care of those animals."

Darion smiled. "I will."

They packed up their belongings, secured the animals, and began the slow journey back to Percvale.

The road stretched out before them, long and dusty. The wagons creaked behind them, their wheels grinding against the dirt. The cows and Moatts walked slowly, their heads low. The goats bleated and the chickens clucked.

Darion looked at the road ahead and felt a sense of determination. It would be a... pretty long and ’boring’ journey, but they would make it home.