The rain refused to desist, soaking the heavy wool travelling cloak around Aveline's shoulders. Driving her horse down the Longroad in such weather exhausted the poor creature twice as quickly as it would have otherwise. If not for its long journey, the horse might have been frozen by the rain pelting its coat. With this in mind, Aveline directed her companion to the only light for miles around. The keep and her brother would wait one more night.

Cart and horse tracks became illuminated with every flash of lightning, but she didn't think much of it. This was the Longroad, and the Night-Raven Inn was the only place to rest for a long way.

Swinging out of the saddle, she guided her horse into the stables and tied it to one of the posts. With a handful of hay she dried most of the horse's coat. “Sorry about that, Bella.” She brushed tangles from Bella's dark mane and turned to inspect the other horses. From what she could tell, the inn would be very busy. She gave each horse a moment of attention, then went inside.

Her stomach woke up at the scent of roast pork and simply [i]insisted[/i] that she go over to the barkeep and request a dinner. She started towards the counter, blissfully unaware of the bodies littering the floor until she almost tripped over one. Damned roast pork, so enchanting. She regarded the groaning bodies without alarm; bar brawls weren't uncommon, and she had seen many in her years travelling. She was even a little amused.

The barkeep, a young man and an elven woman conversed at the bar as Aveline stepped over the bodies. She briefly wondered how long they had been there, before returning her attention to the counter. The man was talking about Valuun Keep; its name pinned her attention to him. Aveline leaned on the bar near the elf, leaving enough space between them that they wouldn't be uncomfortable. The legends were nothing she hadn't heard already.

She turned to the barkeep and dropped enough coin on the counter to pay for a meal, drink and a room. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”