Fantasy Farewell to Kings: Temple of Hyxia

[alwaystheOptimist]

A plump woman greeted them at the door, her hair powdered with flour and her apron dusted with soot. "Aye, you finished puttin' yer horses en I see?" she asked Rhietz as she walked into the inn. The mithi nodded, smiling, "Yes. Now if we could get a room, that would be splendid." She held up a coin to the woman who took it gladly, "Pardon me miss, but who es we?". She caught sight of Lautrec and blushed, "Aye Rhi, you ne'r told me you had a han'som man with yew!"

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec let out a small chuckle that was definitely forced. “Uh, thank you. Haha” he said awkwardly. “Does this place offer other services? I’m long overdue for a bath.” He hoped saying that would keep her at a safe distance from him.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

The woman grinned, "Aye. I'll draw one fer yew now. Glaydis!" A girl ran quickly forward, "Yes'm?".

"Take this 'ere miss to the suite," she motioned at the girl, "I'll take this un fer a bath," she winked at Lautrec.

Rhi snorted, giving him a quick wave, "Bye! Have fun, but not too much!" she winked.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec was wishing death on Rhi with the glare he gave her before being escorted to the bath room.
“Uh, I’m capable of bathing myself. No need to put yourself out on my expense.” He was starting to sweat. He only had a few minutes before his disguise would wear off.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

Rhi followed the girl up the steps to the suite. The girl, after quickly accepting a small tip, rushed down the stairs at the call of "Gladys!". Rhi smiled slightly, opening the door. Putting her things down at the foot of the bed, she collapsed onto the mattress with a loud sigh. Staring up at the skylight, she studied at the stars occasionally laughing at the idea of Lautrec fending the inn lady off.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec hung up his cloak and turned to see the attentive woman still in the room, waiting for him to undress.
“I’m serious, you don’t have to stay.” He spoke a bit more flatly. He unbuckled his armor and slid it off, revealing his thin, muscular frame. The spell was covering up the horrific scars on his bare body.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

The woman gawked at his body, almost slobbering like a dog. There was a strange look in her eye, dark and gleaming as if she were going to eat him.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec froze in place and looked at the woman. Something was off about her. She didn’t speak, just stared at him. He was more uncomfortable now.
“Leave me be.” He said plainly and opened the door. “I won’t say it again.”

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She growled, the form of a chubby woman melting into black, charred skin. Her mouth grew bigger, her eyes big and flaming red. The creature locked the door, turning to the man. "Why would I leave a snack alone? It's time to eat."

Rhi had taken her shirt off and was resting on the cool mattress, enjoying the cool sensation of the sheets against her hot skin. It felt like Lautrec had been gone for a long time and when she called Gladys to inform her if he left the bathhouse, the girl had answered negatively. She would have thought he would have been done by now, considering his efficiency. She pondered the idea, wondering if he was alright.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec was quick to grab his scimitar and leap across the room towards the creature, which to him resembled an ifrit or some lesser outsider. The disguise he wore melted off as well, revealing the dhampir’s true self.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"Ha! I haven't had a dhampir in a while," it hissed, "what a treat!" It lunged at Lautrec, mouth agape.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec shoved his silvered sword through the mouth of this monster. He’d deliver a swift kick after to get his weapon free.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

The changeling shrieked, the sound echoing through the dark night. Bile colored blood spilled out from the wound that Lautrec had made, burning into the wood of the floor. "You dare try and kill me?!" it shrieked.

Rhi jumped at the sound of a scream sounding from the bathhouse. Without thinking of what state she was in, she bolted out the door shirtless. People in the dining hall stared at the mithi running past dressed indecently. She had noticed her state after passing a mirror but Lautrec's safety was more important. She bounded across the field to the bathhouse grabbing at the door only to find it locked.

 

[Jodyguru]

“You dared first, wretch.” He stabbed it again and lit her up with a burning hands spell for good measure.
He heard someone tugging at the door.
“Rhietz?” He called out.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"You idiot! Always heading into danger! What happens to me if you die? I might get kidnapped!" she yelled through the door at the sound of another scream and a yell that sounded suspiciously like Lautrec. She pulled harder, grunting.

 

[Jodyguru]

The changeling was burning to a crisp after being stabbed multiple times and hit point blank with his fire spell. He unlocked the door and saw the topless Rhietz.
“The handmaiden was a changeling. We should not stay here tonight.” He picked up his cuirass and cloak.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

Rheitz glanced behind Lautrec's figure shivering at the sight of the burning body, gagging at the smell of burning flesh. Turning back to Lautrec she gawked at his well-toned body. She let out a whistle, slapping his arm, "No wonder all those ladies drool all over you, you have a really nice body!" Realizing what she had just said she blushed, hiding her face with her hands, "A-are you alright?"

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec gave her a halfhearted smirk and put his cloak around her shoulders to cover her exposed body.
“I’m fine. She didn’t attack because she recognized me, just an opportunist. We should check the other innkeeper. Get a drop of their blood to be sure.” He started towards the rest house.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She grasped the cloth of the cloak, pulling it tighter around her. She nodded simply, following quietly behind. "I'm sorry. This is my fault."

 

[Jodyguru]

“No, it’s not. Evil outsiders prey on the unwitting. I’m glad it attacked me instead of you.”
He entered the inn and looked around for Gladys. Hearing the scream, they most likely hid or changed shape.
“This isn’t good. Changelings are dangerous if you lose sight of them.”

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

"I rather we just skip the killing and get to the leaving part," she muttered as she pulled the cloak tighter around her. If she had known it would have been this cold, she'd have worn something before heading out. "Plus, I'm pretty sure Gladys isn't a changeling."

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec stopped and looked in Rhi’s direction. He didn’t want to suspect it, but at the same time it made some sense.
“Rhietz, what is our quest? Remind me again.” He said. The way she answered would tell him plenty.

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

Honestly, she had forgotten. Her eye was on the prize, the cash she would soon receive once they had accomplished their mission. "Find the artifact for historians, turn it in, get some money," she said flatly.

 

[Jodyguru]

Lautrec furrowed his brow at her. It was damn close to the mark. Did the real Rhietz talk openly about the quest to the changeling, or was this just his partner being ditzy. He leaned towards the latter.

“Close enough... alright. Gather your things and get dressed.”

 

[alwaystheOptimist]

She squinted at his statement, her mouth screwed into a frown. "You aren't suspecting me are you?" At his expression, her brows furrowed, "I am NOT a changeling! Why would I come out to help you!"