While the members of Direct Karma warmed themselves in front of the roaring parlor-room fire, Wendy and Henrick began preparing a large breakfast of fresh eggs, pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, and fresh fruit. Almost as if they were summoned by the delicious aromas wafting upstairs, the remaining guests awoke minutes before it was served, gathering in the dining room for breakfast. Brief pleasantries were exchanged, copious amounts of food were consumed, and Wendy took some time to review the available amenities and activities with the new guests. Finally, the adventurers retired to their rooms to regroup and unpack.
Although the party had pressed through the previous night, no one was interested in sleeping now that they’d reached their destination. Since Lucille hadn’t ever been skiing before, she’d been begging for most of the journey for someone to show her how it’s done. Nadine had formerly agreed to teach her friend, but after the arduous journey up the mountain, she was keen to spend as little time in the snow as possible. She ran Lucille through the basics, demonstrated on the smallest hill she could find, and left her with Dolfus, who despite their inexperience had taken to the sport like a fish to water.
Nadine spent the rest of the day in the natural hot springs near the Lodge, and for the most part, enjoyed quiet solitude and cleaning waters, breaking only for meals, which she retrieved and returned back to the springs to consume.
Fabien, on the other hand, spent his day inside, reading from his portable, private collection and rocking back and forth in a plush, high-backed chair by the parlor-room fire. He was midway through his copy of “Pre-Historical Ilnor: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of our Planet’s Mysterious Past” before lunch, but after receiving a scathing reprimand for working during his vacation from his companions at lunchtime, he pulled an old favorite out instead: a sappy romance full of class struggles, misunderstandings, and a happy ending that Fabien found somewhat unrealistic but infinitely satisfying regardless.
By the time the members of Direct Karma saw each other again, Lucille and Dolfus were exhausted, soaked to the bone, and almost frozen solid. Nadine was thoroughly pruney, and Fabien was smiling for the first time all week. The day had proven an unexpectedly relaxing respite on a journey that otherwise promised nothing but danger and grief.
The quartet reconvened in the large dining hall, full of chandeliers and intricately carved wooden furnishings. After a dinner of slow roasted goat, root vegetables, and a leafy salad at one of the long, oak dining tables, the group found themselves with full bellies and open evenings.
“Are you sure we can’t stay for one more night, Fabien?” Lucille begged from across the table from the wizard.
“It’s not like our quarry is moving any time soon,” Nadine added.
“I’m sorry, ladies, but I’m sure. We can spend as much time here as you’d like when we return, but our mission is incredibly time sensitive. The longer we wait here, the longer that–” Fabien stopped himself and scanned the room, checking if any of the other guests were listening. Harris Anderson, two tables down and mid conversation with his brothers, tipped his hat and winked at the elf. “–Gods, that man is always listening, isn’t he?” He sighed. “The longer we wait here, the longer the situation will have time to develop, and the longer that the… lasting repercussions might be.”
Harris lifted his left eyebrow to his hairline in an exaggerated expression of interest, but upon doing so alerted his brothers.
“Hey, Harris. Maybe you should stop eavesdropping on the well armed mercenaries,” Henrick suggested rather loudly.
“Yeah, Harris!” Harmon agreed in, flicking his brother. “That chick has a dozen knives on her, and she said she’s on vacation.”
Nadine cackled in a response that was a little too menacing for Harmon’s taste, but Henrick thought it was almost endearing. He stood from his table, and strutted to the adventurers, and announced, “I would like to formally apologize for my brother. How about a round of drinks on us? What say ye?”
Fabien’s face broke into a cheesy smile, and he nodded decisively.
“Aye!” shouted Harmon.
“Aye!” cheered Nadine.
“Aye!” agreed Harris, though he clearly wasn’t invited.
“Well, I suppose I ought to say, ‘aye’ as well!” said Fabien, before turning to Lucille with an inquisitive countenance.
“Oh boy, I sure am tired,” Lucille answered, biting her lip and thinking for a moment. “Sadly, I see naught but sweet dreams in my future. We’ve got a really early start tomorrow, but you two feel free to have fun.”
She looked at Dolfus with an inquisitive expression, and they stood up as well. Lucille waved goodbye to her companions and the Andersons, and crossed over to Wendy’s rocking chair, where she sat reading by the fire. Lucille conjured her biggest smile and asked, “Do you think you might have two of these heating enchantments available? I’d gladly pay extra!”
“Oh, that’s a complimentary service, my dear,” she answered, placing her book on a nearby side table and standing. “And after how much time you two spent outside, I’m sure you’ll need it! Here, I’ll walk you up to your room.” Gesturing to the stairway, she led the half-elf and her orc companion upstairs.
After Lucille left the table, Nadine and Fabien reintroduced themselves to the Anderson brothers. The boys led them to the back of the dining room, where they commandeered Wendy’s fully stocked bar.
“And you’re sure we can just serve ourselves?” Fabien probed.
“Oh, yeah, Wendy says we can help ourselves,” Henrick laughed. “The stay includes all expenses, even booze. She just doesn’t get enough business to hire a full time bartender.”
Harmon started pouring beers, and Harris took up the cocktail shaker, adding shots of rum, vodka, tequila, a handful of ice, and three glugs of an unlabeled, dark green liquid. He shook it and strained into six martini glasses.
Finally, once there were two trays full of drinks, Henrick asked, “So, you wanna play cards?”