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"Well, this does seem like a nice place to stay." Mortimer said with a nod of approval.

Noah, on the other hand, wasn't sure rather to laugh or cry. Compared to Mr. Toto's shop, which was definitely on its last legs, the Moonless Inn was like a high-class establishment that would scare away the poor. The Inn was three stories high and, judging by the candle lights flickering in almost every room facing the road, it was mostly occupied.

Even from outside, Noah could clearly hear the merry tunes of a band playing and the cheers and bellows of drunks trying to sing. Not to mention he could easily smell the delicious scent of roasted meat on an open fire and the sweet smell of mead that lingered on the wind. There wasn't a doubt in Noah's mind that there was no way Mr. Toto's name would get them a decent deal on a room.

"Wow, you're depressing lately." Mortimer said and slapped Noah on the back. "Stop stressing so much. It'll be fine."

Noah's ears dropped, but the warmth of Mortimer's paw on his back eased some of his worries. "Whatever, let's go."

If the Inn seemed lively from the outside, then the inside was a full-on riot. Noah had never seen so many people in one building before in his life. Even the harvesting festival in Crescent Lake didn't get as rowdy and loud as this one Inn got. Noah glanced across the crowd; his shoulders relaxed and there was some bounce to his tail. There were actually a few beastmen in the crowd. There was a Weasel and a Crocodile drinking, a few wolves, and hell, there was even a Bull sitting with a group of humans singing along to the band on stage.

"See, told you it would be okay," Mortimer said. "Though would be better with some booze in my gut."

"If we get a nice price then we'll see about it." Noah said. Besides, after everything that had happened so far, he wouldn't mind some mead himself.

Making their way through the throng of people, Noah walked over to the bar and motioned to a woman that was tending to a younger man and woman who would definitely be needing a room. "Hey ma'am. Is it possible for me to book a room for two people for two nights?"

The waitress glanced over to Noah then at Mortimer and her eyes went wide. Noah could only sigh, because that was the general expression everyone that sat at the bar had when they looked at the dragon. Thankfully it wasn't a look of disgust. "We do have a room, but it only has one bed sadly. Would that be okay?"

Absolutely not!Noah wanted to scream out, but reign himself in and said softly. "Is there any way to have two beds?"

The woman shook her head. "Sadly no, all of our rooms with two beds have been taken."

The tips of Noah's ears started to burn as he felt the Mortimer staring down at him and he wanted to curse his luck. "Okay, that should be fine. Though, I'm not sure this will help, but a Mr. Toto from the armor shop down the road recommended this place to us and to said to give his name to the owner."

A look of interest sprung to life in the waitress's eyes and she gave them a brilliant smile. "One second sir, I'll let him know. Till then, mind if I offer you a drink?"

"Sure, um...can we get a menu?" Noah asked almost to soft to hear.

The waitress never lost her smile but leaned over the bar and said. "Don't worry, pup. It's on the house for both of you. A friend of Mr. Toto is a friend of ours."

Thank the gods. Noah's shoulders dropped as all the weight that lingered on them vanished. Mr. Toto must be extremely good friends with the owner if a place like the Moonless Inn was willing to give them free drinks. It also meant that the forty-two copper Mortimer splurged actually was a blessing as much as it was a curse.

"Well if the drinks are on the house, I'll definitely take a pint of mead, the best in the house!" Mortimer slapped the bar and laughed.

And there went Noah's good mood. He glared at Mortimer and slapped his stomach, making him grunt. "Not the best, any mead would do for this glutton. I'll also take a pint as well." He smiled softly.

The waitress chuckled and shook her head before reaching over the counter and scratched the top of Noah's head, making his tail wag. "Now you are a cutie. One second. I'll be back with your drinks after I talk to the owner."

"Thank you ma'am." Noah smiled.

"Oye, Mira isn't no ma'am! Woman's a she-demon!" One of the patrons shouted out.

"She a demon? Please, even a fallen wouldn't dare to piss off Mira." A woman laughed before downing a pint and falling into the arms of another woman.

Mira eyes narrowed. "We'll see if either of you get another drink." Mira turned around and walked back into what smelled like the kitchen.

"Mira! Wait! We didn't mean it, love!"

"Come on, don't be that way! I promise I'll behave!"

The group of people around the bar laughed before going back to their own conversations. "You seem to be in a better mood." Mortimer's voice whispered up against Noah's ears.

Jumping a bit, Noah looked up to meet Mortimer's gaze. "Yeah, yeah. It seems you didn't mess up completely." Noah said with a grumble, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

Chuckling, Mortimer took a seat right next to Noah. "Good, after we get our drinks let's head up to the room and enjoy the taste of mead both from the cup and our tongues." Mortimer smile quickly vanish as he grabbed his footpaw. "Ow! Why do you always stump on my foot paw?!"

"Because it's the only spot that seems to hurt with you."

Mortimer grumbled and nursed his footpaw. "You're an asshole."

"And you're a sex-crazed lizard."

"Ouch, now that hurt." Mortimer chuckled.

Placing his cane against the bar, Noah took a seat and said, "Oh, you'll be fine."

Mortimer stayed quiet for a moment before hunching over the bar. "You should learn to loosen up a bit. Being too stiff won't get you anywhere."

Noah's ears flicked and he looked at Mortimer. There wasn't the usual humor in his eyes, which was surprising on its own. "Is that suppose to be some cryptic advice?"

Mortimer huffed and smiled. "Nah, that would be along the lines of 'holding the world on your shoulders will not save anyone, but it will break you'."

"I hardly call that cryptic." Noah chuckled.

Shrugging his shoulders, Mortimer leaned his tail against Noah's leg. "I tried. However, it's still the truth. You should learn to relax and enjoy life as it comes."

Noah wrinkled his nose but he relaxed his leg against the comforting pressure. "I'll relax more once we figure out how to fix our money situation and get to Hedge Holt."

"Ugh, you'll never get it." Mortimer threw his arms up.

Noah chuckled then paused as his head snapped to attention when Mira walked out of the kitchen. Following close behind her was an older gentlemen who had a full head of silver, thin hair, but had a strut about him that said I own the place, so don't fuck with me. Even then, the older man still held a smile that put Noah at ease. It also helped that the old man smelled divine, thanks to whatever the hell they were cooking back there.

"So you're Toto; friends! I thought that old bastard would give up the armor gig and take me up on my offer to come work here. However, it seems there are still guys who will give him business," the old man said with a nod.

Noah's ears flicked and he nodded to the old man. There was no disdain in his voice, only gratitude that helped paint him in a better light for Noah. "Well we were in desperate need for some armor for my friend here and heard that Mr. Toto would be able to help us out."

"I see." The old man glanced over at him and then at Mortimer, and a knowing gaze flickered through his eyes. "Either way, a friend of Toto is a friend of mine. I heard you need a room for two nights. So I'll cut you a deal. Normally my customers pay twenty-eight copper a night, however I'll cut that down the middle for you. Fourteen copper per night. How's that sound?"

Noah felt like stake from the heavens had come down and smitten him right on the spot. However, a warm caress from Mortimer's tail against his legs kept him from saying anything stupid. Instead, he forced a smile and held out his paw. "I like the way you think Mr...."

"Cole. Mr. Cole." the man said and took hold of Noah's paw, shaking it firmly. "Mira, get me the key to their room, love." He said without turning away from Noah. "Drinks are on the house tonight and I'll offer a meal as well. However, don't expect a hand out except for this time."

Noah's ears perked up. If it was just half off on the inn he would consider it a nice deal, even though the price was still too high. But, when free food and drinks for a single night from such a high class Inn, then Noah no longer had any reason to complain! "Of course not. You're already going too far out of your way for us, and we'll definitely remember this favor! If you have anything you want from us, just let me know."

"Actually there is one thing." Mr. Cole crossed his arms. "When you go back to Toto, tell him the everything has been satisfied and I'm waiting on him. He'll know what I mean."

"Here we go, Cole." Mira said as she walked over to the bar. In one hand she held two pints of mead on a tray, and in the other was a key that she handed over to Cole. "Now, here you boys go. A pint for both of you. Drink up and if you want anything to eat, let me know, okay?"

"Trust me, love, I'll let you know for sure." Mortimer smirked.

Mira rolled her eyes, but her gaze lingered on Mortimer for a second longer than it should before she went back to taking care of the other customers. Cole chuckled, "Seems like you got your standards set high. However, don't expect much. Mira's our little succubus. She'll tease ya, but you won't get far."

"Oh, I'm sure I can handle myself." Mortimer smiled as he kept his eyes on Mira.

You really are something else. Noah said to Mortimer while he traded Cole the key for his silver coin.

What, I can't enjoy myself?

Noah huffed and moved his leg away from Mortimer's tail, which earned him a puzzled look from the dragon. He ignored it and gratefully took the change from Cole. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, now let me show you to your rooms." Cole said.

Noah nodded, but paused as he noticed Mortimer looking off towards the other end of the bar. "Are you coming?"

Mortimer smiled softly at Noah and took a drink of his mead before he got up without saying a word. Cole took them to a room up on the third floor. "Here you go. If you need me, just tell Mira and she can get me. Now if you excuse me, I'll leave you two gents alone."

"By the gods..." Noah wanted to tell Cole it wasn't what he thought, but the man had already slipped away. "Why can't anything be normal with you?"

"Because nothing is ever normal when you have a dragon around." Mortimer chuckled.

Shaking his head, Noah tossed his travel pack on the small table that sat by the windowsill. "Isn't that the truth?" Noah shook his head before looking back towards the door hesitantly. A sliver of ease seeped into him from the dragon as Mortimer closed the door with his tail. Without a second thought, Noah whispered a few words and flicked his finger towards the candle, making a flame burst to life. "By the gods, casting a spell was more relaxing than I thought it would be."

"Of course." Mortimer said. "You've been stressing out so much about being found out that you've been as stiff as an old oak."

"Well, can you blame me?"

"No. This is your first time out of that cramped little village, and everyone had been telling you about how everyone in this god-loving country despises magic. So it's only natural."

Sighing heavily Noah said. "You really need to stop diving into my memories."

"You could dive into mine, you know?" The corner of the dragon's scaley muzzle perked up, showing off his fangs.

Noah rolled his eyes, but smiled. "I'm not as rude as you."

"More like not as daring."

That was also true, but he wasn't going to admit it to Mortimer. Looking at the candlelight, Noah said, "So when do you plan on teaching me about how to be a druid?"

"After my pint of mead?" Mortimer tilted his head.

"Seriously."

"I'm serious." Mortimer said. "I left my drink down stairs and I want to enjoy it. Especially since it's free!"

"Oh, now you care about how much something cost?" Noah crossed his arms.

Shrugging, Mortimer grabbed the door handle. "Of course, else my little pup will get upset at me if I cause more harm to his pocket."

"You're completely unbearable." Noah smiled. He wasn't going to deny that Mortimer was right for a change. Free drinks and a meal to go along with the mead wasn't something that he was going to pass up on either. Especially since they had time for their "teaching" session.

Nothing much had changed since Cole had walked them to the room. Mira wasn't up at the front of the bar, most likely grabbing a few orders for some of the patrons. The band on stage had changed to a new tune that had more people on their feet dancing. Even Noah had a bit of a bounce to his tail as he followed along with the tune, but that ceased as Mortimer had stopped abruptly in front of him. "Hey, I almost ran into you!...Mortimer?" Noah felt his spine grow cold, like ice was creeping up it.

Looking up at Mortimer, Noah saw the dragon's eyes had grown slanted and his fists squeezed the stair railing. "Mortimer, what's gotten into you?" He looked off to where Noah and Mortimer were once sitting. Two drunks were now sitting in their spot, both wearing cloaks and a pair of swords strapped to their back, and in their hands were both Mortimer's and Noah's drinks.

"Who the fuck gave them to right to drink our mead?" Mortimer's words were low and cold, which made the room feel like it dropped several degrees in temperature.

"They were free Mortimer. Leave it be."

Mortimer slowly turned to look Noah in the eye, making the husky's breath turn white. A single thought popped up in Noah's mind and he inwardly cursed. Mortimer was a dragon, and if there was one thing dragons hated was their belongings being taken. Without giving Noah a chance to speak up, Mortimer walked over to both of the men sitting in their spot.