Arad walked toward the counter, smiling, “Bartender, can we get a room for two?”

“Alcott sent us. He said this is a nice place to stay.” Aella opened her mouth, and Arad glared at her. Why do you bring his name? he wanted to scream.

“You’re Alcott’s friends. I should have guessed from the way you jumped to stop the fight.” The bartender smiled, “But sadly, we don’t have any empty rooms for two.” He looked at the ledger, “The only available room is for one person.”

Arad stared at Aella, “Should we take it?”

“Why ask me?” She tilted her head.

“I don’t have a problem sleeping in the same room with a woman or a hundred women. But do you have a problem sleeping in the same room as me?” He asked, and the bartender smiled.

“You’re right. Women tend to be annoyed about it.” He scratched his chin, “But you have to wait till next week for another room.”

Aella stared at them, “Why would I oppose? It’s not like we have another choice.” Her answer surprised them, but the bartender guessed she was confident.

“How much is the room?” Arad asked.

“You’re Alcott’s friends, and you saved my tavern. I would give you the room for just 50 copper coins a night. Meals included, of course.” The bartender smiled.

“BOO! Not fair old man!” Some adventurers opposed in the back.

“Shut up, lazy noggins. What were you doing when the idiots were fighting?” He glared at them, grabbing a wooden mug.

“Do you want us to face a paladin?”

BANG! The bartender threw the mug at the man, “Silence, lazy ass.” He growled. And then smiled at Arad, “Please enjoy your room,” Handing him a key, “Your meal will be ready in a few minutes, so come back down.”

Arad grabbed the key and paid the bartender immediately. “Where is the room?”

“Upstairs at the end of the hallway. The bathroom is in the back.” The bartender pointed.

Arad thanked him and then headed toward the room with Aella, “This place looks cozy.” Aella said.

“It looks too noisy for us to get restful sleep,” Arad replied, hearing the chatter of the adventurers inside the tavern.

“Gross!” A man cried, “Told you, elves are a disgrace to humanoids!” A woman wearing leather armor barely covering anything yelled.

“A barbarian like you can never understand our refined taste.” The high elf sitting ahead of her growled, banging his mug on the table.

“I told you, we need ten meters of rope.” The man said, trying to be calm.

“Thirty-three feet. It’s easier this way!” The elf said with a smile.

Arad listened carefully, curious as to what they meant, as he also had an elf with him.

“Why do you keep counting with feet and fingers? Stop it!” The barbarian woman fell on her back, laughing.

“You lowly humans don’t understand the prestige of our culture. That’s why we high elf surpassed you in magic.” The elf smiled, dowing his mug.

“Tell me, why feet and nothing else?” The man asked, and the elf got excited.

“Nothing beats the sweet taste of a maiden’s fresh toes,” BONK! The man smacked him in the face with his mug.

The elf rolled on the ground, “We also use arms, toes, and fingers as measurements.” He laughed, standing up.

The barbarian woman helped him up,

“We also count weights in the pound.” He gasped, “It’s how much force you need to use to un-maiden an elvish maiden,” BANG! The man knocked him on the head.

“He’s knocked out cold,” The barbarian woman checked him.

“He had too much to drink,” the man said, carrying the elf away.

Arad faced Aella, “What is he talking about?”

“We have women called the maidens of the world tree. They are all born twins with identical features no matter the time or age, so we use them as constants for measurement.” Aella explained, “The tree just gives birth to them now and then.”

Arad then showed her his staff, “How long is this?”

“About five feet. You call it a meter and a half,” Aella looked at him, “I can convert, so don’t worry about it.” She smiled.

“That isn’t what I’m worried about, but let’s move on.” They headed toward their room, and when Arad pushed the door, it cracked like a screaming monster. CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

“It needs some oil,” Aella looked at the hinges, “I hope other things are better,” She then turned to look inside.

There was a single bed, a table, and a chair, nothing else. “Wow, it’s empty,” Aella gasped.

“I will ask if he has any other beds,” Arad went out and returned a few moments later, “He has non,”

Aella smiled, “It’s fine. I will sleep on the ground.” She looked at the corner.

“No, I’m the one who will sleep on the ground. You take the bed,” Arad said, staring at her.

“Why?”

“Just use the bed,” He walked to the corner and leaned his staff against the wall.

^I’m a dragon and used to sleeping outside. She can get sick from sleeping on cold ground. I don’t have the money to spend on her.^

Arad looked at her face.

“I might be an archer, but I started as a fighter. I have more resilience than a sorcerer.” She used the same logic at him, “You will get sick.”

“Do you think a fighter is more resilient than me?” She stared at him, remembering that he was a dragon.

“Fine, I will use the bed.” She sighed, looking down at the bed.

She threw her bow in the corner and grabbed the edge of her armor, looking toward Arad. His eyes fixed on her.

“I’m going to change my clothes.” She said.

“And I’m here watching. I always wanted to see how an armor worn with all those straps.” He looked intensively at her.

“He?” She gasped, wondering if he was serious.

“I guess you’re an animal, like a pet. I shouldn’t worry about getting naked with you in the room,” Aella mumbled.

“I’m not an animal,” Arad replied immediately.

“Then leave me, idiot.” she glared at him with an exhausted face.

[You better leave for now. Let’s see if the dinner is ready.]

Arad stood, “Fine, I will be going.”

Aella stared at him, confused, “You were determined to watch just a moment ago,” She asked.

“I changed my mind.” Arad replied, “I will go see if dinner is ready.” He then left the room, walking downstairs. 𝚘𝚟𝚕．ｔ

Down in the tavern, Arad sat on the counter. “Bartender, is the dinner ready yet?”

“Still some time. Wait for the lady.” The bartender replied, pushing a glass of water toward him.

“At least give me something to drink.” Arad looked at the water.

“Drinking on an empty stomach is bad,” The bartender replied, “Want me to prepare any ration for tomorrow?”

“No need. We won’t be going far enough to need it.” Arad sighed, drinking his water.

CREEK! Thud!

A woman pulled the chair and sat beside Arad with a smile. She is the paladin from earlier. “Your name is Arad. How are you doing?” She looked at his hand.

He showed her his palm, fully healed.

“You healed it? Impressive.” She gasped. Arad will not tell her that he can change his form at will.

“What do you need? And sorry for breaking your sword.” He stared at her face.

“Don’t worry about it. Catching that scoundrel is worth it.” She smiled, “Are you alone with that elf girl? Need a melee adventurer?” She asked.

Arad thought about her offer for a moment.

[She’s young and strong. She can give birth to a void egg. But I doubt if we can trust a paladin.]

^Why?^

[They are more loyal to the church and their god than their comrades. She will inform the church of your nature.]

Arad shook his head, “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need more members.” He smiled.

“Care to tell me why?” She smiled.

Arad stared at her, “As you can see, I fight at melee range. Aella is the ranged fighter.” He replied, “I don’t see the need for a melee member.”

“But I can heal and buff as well,” She said.

Her argument is valid, striking three birds with one stone. Paladins are melee units that can heal, deal damage and buff their allies.

“The buff is alluring, but I have to refuse.” Arad looked at the bartender, “How long for dinner?”

“Wait a bit more.”

“I’m not convinced. I’m not saying you can’t reject me. I just what to know why.” The woman stared at his face.

Arad sighed, “Want the truth?”

The paladin nodded, “Of course. Why do I need to hear lies?” She smiled, “Tell me, why I can’t join your party?”

“I can’t trust a woman who approached the party before even stating her name. You also damaged the tavern, which no decent person should do. I suspect a lot of our property will shatter in your hand.” He took a deep breath, “On top of that, you lost your weapon to my bare hand. I doubt your skills.” He glared at her.