Chapter 152 - 147: The Crossroads Inn
Morning came with the cheerful sounds of travelers preparing for another day on the road.
Merchants secured crates onto wagons, horses were brushed and fed, and the smell of porridge drifted from a pot hanging over the campfire.
John opened his eyes to find the sun just beginning to rise above the distant hills.
For a moment, he simply lay there, watching the clouds slowly drift across the sky.
"...Another day."
He sat up and stretched.
The Soul Raven was already awake, perched atop the stone shelter.
As always.
"You never sleep, do you?"
The ancient guardian tilted its head.
"I rest."
"That doesn’t answer my question."
"It answered enough."
John chuckled.
"I suppose that’s the best answer I’m going to get."
---
After everyone finished breakfast, they resumed their journey.
The road gradually became wider than before.
More wagons traveled in both directions.
Farmers transporting grain.
Hunters carrying freshly caught game.
Traveling craftsmen.
Occasionally, small groups of adventurers passed by, recognizable by their armor and weapons.
Unlike John, they walked with alert expressions, constantly scanning the surrounding landscape.
Old habits.
John understood them well.
He used to be exactly the same.
---
Around midday, Aerion slowed his pace.
"We’ll reach Crossroads Inn before sunset."
Lythriel looked curious.
"Crossroads Inn?"
"A large inn built where three trade roads meet."
John looked toward him.
"Is it famous?"
Aerion nodded.
"Not because of luxury."
"But because nearly everyone traveling between the eastern and central regions eventually passes through it."
"You can hear stories from every corner of the kingdom there."
John smiled.
"Sounds interesting."
"I thought you’d say that."
---
The countryside gradually changed.
The open fields gave way to rolling hills covered in scattered oak trees.
The road itself became paved with stone.
John noticed fresh wagon tracks crossing one another in every direction.
"This road sees a lot of traffic."
Aerion nodded.
"Trade keeps kingdoms alive."
"If merchants stop traveling..."
"...towns begin to disappear."
John quietly observed another merchant caravan rolling past.
Everyone depended on someone else.
Blacksmiths needed miners.
Farmers needed merchants.
Villages relied on cities.
Cities relied on villages.
Greenhollow had taught him that strength wasn’t built alone.
Perhaps kingdoms weren’t either.
---
Later that afternoon, the group heard laughter coming from farther down the road.
As they rounded a bend, they found a wagon tilted awkwardly into a shallow ditch.
Several crates had spilled onto the grass.
A middle-aged merchant scratched his head helplessly.
"I knew I should’ve replaced that wheel."
Beside him, a young woman—probably his daughter—was trying to lift one of the heavier crates.
John immediately walked over.
"Need a hand?"
The merchant looked embarrassed.
"I wouldn’t want to trouble you."
"It isn’t trouble."
John carefully lifted the wagon just enough for the merchant to slide a sturdy log beneath the damaged wheel.
Lythriel and Sylvara gathered the scattered crates while Aerion inspected the broken axle.
"Hm."
Aerion knelt beside it.
"The axle isn’t cracked."
"The wheel pin snapped."
The merchant sighed.
"I don’t have a spare."
"I do."
Aerion opened one of his packs and produced a carved wooden pin.
John looked surprised.
"You carry spare wagon parts?"
Aerion smiled calmly.
"I’ve traveled for a very long time."
"You learn what people often need."
Lythriel laughed.
"I don’t even want to know what else you’re carrying."
"You’d be surprised."
---
Within twenty minutes, the wagon was back on the road.
The merchant repeatedly bowed.
"I can’t thank you enough."
John waved it off.
"We’re all travelers."
"Today’s your wagon."
"Tomorrow it could be us."
The merchant smiled gratefully.
"I’ll remember that."
His daughter stepped forward carrying a small cloth package.
"Please."
"At least accept this."
John looked inside.
Fresh meat pies.
Still warm.
"You really don’t have to."
"We insist."
Lythriel gently nudged John’s shoulder.
"Take them."
"You’ll only make them feel bad if you refuse."
John finally accepted the gift.
"...Thank you."
The young woman smiled.
"Safe travels."
"You too."
---
They continued walking.
Lythriel looked at the package.
"So..."
John raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"Are you planning on sharing?"
He laughed.
"I had a feeling this wasn’t entirely about being polite."
"I can be polite and hungry."
Sylvara giggled.
"I think that’s possible."
Aerion nodded solemnly.
"I’ve witnessed it several times."
Lythriel looked offended.
"I feel attacked."
John opened the package.
"There are six."
He handed one to each of them before taking one himself.
The remaining two he wrapped carefully.
"For later?"
Lythriel asked hopefully.
John smiled.
"For later."
---
As the afternoon sun began to sink lower, they finally reached the crossroads.
Three major roads converged around a wide stone plaza.
Travelers came and went constantly.
Large signposts pointed toward distant towns and cities.
Some names John recognized from Cedric’s map.
Others were completely unfamiliar.
Standing at the center of it all...
Was a large two-story inn built from gray stone and dark timber.
Unlike the quiet inn in Greenhollow, this place bustled with activity.
Stable boys hurried between horses.
Travelers entered and left every few minutes.
The smell of roasted meat drifted from the kitchen.
Lythriel looked around with wide eyes.
"This place is huge."
"It serves hundreds of travelers every week," Aerion explained.
"No wonder."
---
Inside, the common room buzzed with conversation.
Merchants discussed prices.
Adventurers compared recent jobs.
A bard quietly played a lute near the fireplace.
Despite the crowd, the atmosphere remained welcoming rather than chaotic.
John approached the counter.
A broad-shouldered woman in her fifties greeted him.
"Welcome."
"Need rooms?"
"If you have four available."
She checked a ledger.
"You’re in luck."
"Last four on the second floor."
John smiled.
"We’ll take them."
---
After settling in, the group gathered in the common room for dinner.
Unlike Greenhollow, no one here knew their names.
No children waved excitedly.
No familiar villagers greeted them.
At first...
The difference felt strange.
Lythriel seemed to notice John’s expression.
"Missing home already?"
John looked at her.
"...Greenhollow became home surprisingly quickly."
She smiled softly.
"I know."
Sylvara looked around the crowded room.
"This place feels... different."
Aerion nodded.
"It is."
"In villages, everyone knows each other."
"On crossroads..."
"...everyone is simply passing through."
John quietly looked around again.
Travelers from different kingdoms.
Different races.
Different stories.
Each carrying their own destination.
Just like them.
He took a slow sip of his tea.
Their journey had truly begun again.
Tomorrow, they would continue toward Valenor.
But tonight...
They were simply four travelers among many, sharing a warm meal beneath the roof of an inn where countless roads met before leading people toward their own futures.
---
100 ps = 1 extra Chapter
200 ps = 2 Extra Chapter
1 Golden ticket = 3 Extra Chapter