The Golden Fox: Inn/Tavern

[Landra]

The Golden Fox. It was established long ago, created with sturdy bog wood, as a shelter for any soldiers who needed a place to hide during wars. Now it was used as a tavern and inn. A long counter slid from the back wall to the front, with a small flap used as a door to get in and out.

Behind this counter was a number of bottles of drinks, some alcoholic, some containing drinks as harmless as water, and mugs were stored underneath the counter, on a hidden shelf. There were tables, each with two chairs at it, on the other side of the tavern, and at the very back to the right were two doors. One led to stairs that went up to the second floor, where there were three small rooms containing a bed, a bathroom, and a small shelf. The other door led to a closet containing brooms, rags, mops, and other utensils.

Landra stared into the distance with clouded gray eyes. She leaned on the counter, bored, and wished silently for one, just one customer. It was growing later in the day and peachy rays of the setting sun peeked through the small window of the tavern. A dirty wet rag in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other, the nineteen year old sighed.

"Life sucks," she muttered, angrily wiping the alcohol-stained counter with the rag. "No," she said, changing her mind. "Nobles love their life. Only my life is this horrible."

Day after day of waking up, crawling out of her room in the same old gray wool dress, with her pale hair pinned up messily, and throwing old drunk men out of her bar was not the life Landra desired. Still, she didn't want to be a peasant or a noble - middle class was fine.

"All I want is some adventure in my life..."

[Kora]

Kora appeared outside the inn and changed her apperance to that of an middle aged human woman. She walked into the Golden Fox and looked for the mortal she wanted to see. There she was! Sighing over the dullness of her life. Well that was about to change if she took Kora's offer. "Hello dear, how's life been treaten' ya'?"

[Landra]

"What's it to ya?" Landra snapped rudely. Then, realizing that this was simply an old woman, she apologized. "I'm sorry, can I help you?"
Women barely ever entered the Golden Fox. What is this woman doing here? she wondered.

[Kora]

"No I'm fine, just passing by, you remind me of myself when I was your age. Stuck working at my fathers bakery wishing there was somethin' more to my life." Kora sighed "I was so glad when I got out."

[Landra]

"I barely ever get out," Landra replied. "Wait...how do you know about my desires? And how did you gain your freedom?"

[Kora]

"Ahh do you really want to know? Well then." Kora waved her hand and everything stopped. A localized time stop and she was sure to have this girls attention. With the wave the fake form disappeared showing the beutiful and young goddess. "I have a few trick up my sleeves you see."

[Landra]

Landra jumped up from her stool and it fell to the floor with a crash. "You're...Kora!" she whispered in awe. "What are you doing here?

[Kora]

"Granting you your hearts desire, after all you want some excitment in your life. I can do that for you plus more. So dear, are you interested in what I'm offering?" Kora was a little disapointed when the mortals reconized her, for some reason that made them not trust her like they would if they didn't know. But what Kora had said about adventure being her thing was completely true.

[Landra]

"Of course I'm interested!" Landra cried, excited. How great this would be! She could finally go outside, enjoy the fresh air, and have some fun in her life. "What is it exactly that you are offering? Who will run the tavern while I am gone?" More and more questions began appearing in Landra's head, but it was impossible to ask them all.

[Kora]

"Don't worry, part of the reason I came today is that a band of dragon warriors are coming today to try and recruit. When no one is interested they will go on a rampage. I'm sorry to say that this inn will not be here tomorrow, fire will burn it down. So I will give you the adventure you want and save your life since you would most likely be killed by the fire or the dragons. What I'm offering is that in the city of Micae therer is a ship about to set sail for the adventure of a thousand lifetimes. They need a cook and will take anyone since no one else is offering. If you accept you'll be transported thereinstantly with anything you can carry on your back so you can join on. If you don't then you will forget this meeting and go on with your life till the dragons come and then you'll have a very different adventure. It's your choice."

[Landra]

An adventure that would save her life? That was too good of a deal! "You've got yourself a cook, then," Landra said, beaming. "I don't think I have anything to bring. What will I need on this adventure?" She brushed her long, light blonde bangs out of her eyes and pictured herself out in the sea. How great this will be! she thought.

[Kora]

"You will need to be you. Use your natural gifts, and not just the cooking. I will supply you with some things you might want though." Kora waved her hand and a travelling pack appeared. "Now if any questions are asked say your seeing the world, and there is money in there aplenty. If you need anything more use this." She handed Landra a pebble like the one she gave to all those whose lives she was meddling with, it was with this that the bargins were sealed. "But it in a fire, any streangth or kind if you need to talk with me. If has other girts, but for now that's all you need to know. Now your going to fall asleep and when you wake you'll be on a safe beach in Tryaan, near Micae. The people here will not notice so don't worry about that. Goodnight Landra." With that Landra fell asleep and disappeared, Kora became an old woman and time resumed. Kora walked out of the Golden Fox and looked at the approaching shadow caused by dragon wings. With that she disappeared, knowing that really the dragons were her doing as well, extra insurance that Landra would take up her offer.