Part 1

Syndra had heard of Sirene's death during the civil war, but couldn't stop to acknowledge it. Now that it was all over though, she told General Ryul she'd be spending a few days in Isca in the Dragontail Mountains, to reflect on Sirene's life. She broke under the pressure and allowed him to send a pair of rangers with her, because she was already becoming too widely known. Even so, she went in her travelling gear.

"So, you actually met Sirene?" Ranger Cithrel asked Syndra as they walked through Dragonbone Pass.

"Several times over my life. We always fought when we met, but I respected her." Syndra answered.

"You did?" Cithrel asked.

"If I didn't, we wouldn't be doing this, idiot." Syndra said, smacking the back of her head. "Yes she was a violent maniac, but she never tried to hide that fact. Never trying to hide your true self is a trait most people don't have."

Cithrel quietly thought about what Syndra said as they drew closer to Isca. Never trying to hide your true self? Who was Syndra talking about? When they reached Isca, it was dusk, and so Syndra opted for the 3 of them to go to the Inn for the night. When Syndra entered, Vaust looked up and winked at Syndra, before gesturing toward an empty spot at the bar.

"The Innkeeper wants something. Let's go." Syndra said to the Rangers, who nodded and followed her, taking up position on either side of her as they sat.

"Haven't gotten much royalty here before." Vaust said with a smile, his voice barely a whisper. "So, what's the occasion?"

"Nosy aren't you?" Syndra asked, frowning.

"It's why I'm the Innkeeper." Vaust responded, smiling.

"Just some food and drinks, thank you." Cithrel interrupted, before Syndra could get even more testy.

Syndra shot a withering glare at Cithrel, but said no more. Vaust smirked for a moment, then disappeared into his kitchen.

"Ma'am, you should know better than to antagonize the Innkeeper of Isca." Lhoris, the other ranger whispered. "He's been here since the Inn was built, and that was over 700 years ago."

Syndra didn't say anything, but that knowledge intrigued her. Dragon, or something else? Either way, someone to befriend. When he returned with the food and drinks, he stayed to chat, to Syndra's pleasure.

"So, why is Queen Valmaris here in my inn?" Vaust asked with a smile.

"I'm here to pay my respects to Sirene. I was a bit busy up north when it happened, but I have time now." Syndra replied between bites of food.

Vaust closed his eyes and smiled at the mention of Sirene. "I miss her." He said. "She came here every year since I opened this inn for the entire winter."

"Really? Why?" Cithrel asked, putting down her fork.

"Her parents are buried in the cemetery outside. I didn't even know myself until about a hundred years ago." Vaust answered, with a half-chuckle and a shrug.

"How old is this inn?" Lhoris asked. "Nobody I've talked to seems to know."

"Well, only because you asked so nicely." Vaust said with a wink. "I opened it in the Summer of 3820."

"3820?" Lhoris asked in disbelief. "That makes it over-"

"881 years this summer." Vaust said with a smile. "Before you ask, just an Innkeeper."

"So you're a dragon then." Cithrel said.

"Me? Oh heavens no. I'm just an innkeeper, and we'll leave it at that." Vaust said, laughing. "But I considered Sirene my friend over the many years I knew her. She was brash, a bit violent, and drank beer faster than anyone else I've seen, but she was good company."

Syndra nodded. "She was definitely interesting, I'll give her that. Let's just say I have her to thank for why I reclaimed my crown."

Syndra and Vaust spoke for a few more minutes before Syndra mentioned she was tired, and paid for a room for herself and the rangers. Vaust watched them go up the stairs to the inn rooms, which despite the outside size of the inn, there always seemed to be empty rooms, and chuckled.

"Even Syndra, huh?" Vaust said quietly to himself. "Sirene, is there anyone you didn’t help?"

Upstairs, Syndra was already getting undressed, despite Lhoris’s protests.

"Ma’am please!" He pleaded to no avail.

"You can always wait outside." Syndra said, her pants already halfway down. Cithrel, who was already down to her underwear, nodded in agreement.

"NeverLhoris's tookmoans youcontinued, unheeded, for suchnearly aan prude."hour Cithreluntil added.Syndra threatened to make him sleep in the graveyard if he didn't shut up. So it was at nearly midnight he found himself talking with the innkeeper downstairs.

"She’sSurely you thought of this?" Vaust asked, after hearing out Lhoris. "They aren't going to sleep fully clothed."

Lhoris moaned face down on the Queen,bar Cithrel!in response.

"I can’can't seehave you sleep in here, so take this key and go sleep in one of the Queenone naked!bed rooms." Vaust responded, shaking his head and sighing. He placed the key on the table and went back to cleaning.

Lhoris argued.looked at the key, grabbed it, and slowly went back up the stairs, muttering to himself the entire time. Vaust watched him go, and sighed again.