The Wandering Inn Novels & Stories

“The staff, the guests, the pigeons, the mice...” “We need somewhere cheaper.” Biadet took us to four other establishments, each a little less impressive than the last, until we ended up outside a small inn at the end of an alley so narrow the carriage only just managed to squeeze into. It was called ‘The Faraway Near’ and the only occupant appeared to be the ruddy-faced and mildly inebriated manager. The rooms were small and the plumbing was dicey but it was clean and cheap. And it was out of the way, which meant less likely to attract trouble.

I took out the bottle of beer that Kael gave us and I climbed up the stairs through the fire exit and I went to room 407 and dropped the bottle by the door and I made sure to knock too so the guy inside comes out and sees the bottle. Aira was staying in the car while I was inside the apartment. I needed her to stay outside just in case anything happens. She’s also in charge of calling the cops but only after I send her the signal to do so. I need to make sure that the guard is knocked out before. Kael said that it would only take at least 5 minutes for the medicine to kick in. I waited by the fire exit for 5 minutes. To test if the guard was finally asleep, I needed to knock on his door. If

“Nikolai, my birthday cake was accidentally knocked over today. Could you pick up a new one for me on your way over? Otherwise, my birthday won’t be complete…” Nikolai narrowed his eyes in slight annoyance, yet his body betrayed him as he immediately turned and walked toward the door. But just before stepping out, he paused. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t be so petty, Vivienne.” Before I could say something, the door clicked shut, and he was gone. The sound of his retreating footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, a stark reminder of how easily I had been replaced. He didn't even realize that his petty wife had already packed her heart away.

"If you want to leave, I'll turn around right now. No questions asked." Nell thought about the bus station bench. The cold. The hunger. The man who followed her for three blocks. "Keep driving," she said. Lena smiled. She started the car. Haven House sat at the end of the gravel road. Three stories of gray stone covered in ivy. Stained glass windows. A wooden sign that swung in the wind: Haven House : All Who Wander Are Welcome. Inside, it smelled like woodsmoke and old books. A fire crackled in a stone hearth. Mismatched couches circled a low table covered in half-empty mugs and a chessboard mid-game. Bookshelves covered every wall.

Yes, they had seen a woman with dark hair. Yes, she traveled south. Yes, she looked angry enough to kill someone. That sounded like Alina. By the time I reached Black River town, night had fully fallen. The small town was crowded with traders and travelers escaping the storm. Lantern light spilled across muddy streets. Music echoed faintly from taverns. My horse stopped outside the only decent inn. The Silver Moon. The scent hit me immediately. Jasmine. My entire body went rigid. Inside. Without waiting for the stable boy, I shoved open the inn doors.

She nods, gathering up the empty wrappings. “Somewhere cheap.” “Somewhere clean,” I corrected her, offering my hand to help her up. She takes it without hesitation this time—another small victory—and lets me pull her to her feet. Luna stretches lazily on the ground before jumping back into her preferred position on Elara’s shoulder. The inn is easy enough to find. The building is modest but well-maintained, with flower boxes under the windows and a sign that reads “The Copper Crown Inn” in faded paint.

"Let's go there. Looks like we won't be able to ride the gondola in this storm!" Running, William held Emmy's hand as they headed toward an inn. Lauren's Bed and Breakfast—with a "vacant" sign—caught his eye. He hoped there was still a room for them to take shelter and stay until the next morning. They were greeted by the bellboy of the simple but well-kept inn. "Welcome, Sir, Ma'am. Would you like to rent a room for the night?" the early-twenties young man in a black-and-white uniform said.

“It’s fine, it’s fine, hahaha…” Callum sighed. “Really sorry. Could you help us check in now?” The innkeeper readily agreed. After handling the registration and payment, Callum finally dragged Reid upstairs. … The inn was small, with only six or seven rooms per floor. Since only two rooms remained, and—just their luck—they were directly across from each other. The walls weren’t well-insulated, so any louder sounds could be clearly heard from the opposite side.

I left in embarrassment as I roamed around till I saw a small abandoned hut. “Let me relax here for tonight … I’ll search for a place to stay by dawn tomorrow.” I said to myself as I dropped my belongings and set a corner to rest. ______ Few weeks passed, in the city i had chosen, i found a small room to live in and a work scrubbing tavern floors. The innkeeper barked, “Do that quick, girl. If you can’t keep up, don’t bother coming back.” “I’ll keep up,” i said, forcing strength into my voice.

She unloaded her three pieces of luggage from Jared’s truck—and liberated his bottle of whiskey. A six-foot neon sign shaped like a cowboy boot, announcing The Silver Spur Motor Inn, flashed “NO VACANCY”. Luckily she’d already secured a room. She dragged her belongings across the highway and let herself into number 111. Once locked inside, she panicked. What was she going to do? No way did she want to turn tail and run back to the tiresome life she’d fled. Served her right for trusting someone. It would’ve been nice, for once in her life, not to have to be so damn self-reliant. Wrong again.