Chapter 8: Welcome to The Silent Scream Inn!
1123 Words
Jamie was desperately trying to breathe through her mouth, as she walked along the streets of the capital. Even this did not help as the smell of rotting meat overwhelmed her senses.
“Stop moaning! In this realm, you smell positively delightful!” Vanth mind linked. But, Jamie was not convinced.
“Where is this place, Ragnarok?” Jamie asked Tracker, who seemed to have managed to lay across Jamie’s shoulders. This had caused much indignation in Fluff, who viewed it as his spot. Even though he had not used it since he was an adolescent! Jamie had felt a cool sensation in her arms as a large black cat appeared. “I am feeling very tired and I know you won't mind carrying me for a bit!” Fluff had mind linked, whilst glaring at Tracker. Jamie had not to dare refuse! It was not a wise thing to upset a guardian and a cat!
“It is in the Ancient Quarter of Adenaphia. But it is not open for hours yet, so it is probably best if we get some rest!” Tracker advised.
“No, we can’t wait. I don’t want to leave my Mate longer than necessary!” Jamie snapped as she unconsciously rubbed her Trickster’s Queen Mate Mark.
“I hate to agree with him, but I think it is wise. You have been up the equivalent to days in the mortal realm and are tired. You know Eric is not being hurt or tortured as you would have definitely felt it. I very much doubt they can get past the rune marks, especially with the amount of power you are giving him!” Fluff pointed out.
“Your furry flying friend makes a good point!” Vanth said in Jamie’s mind.
“I can hear you, you know!” Fluff snapped.
“I suppose you are right!” Jamie said with a sigh. Normally, mind linking was extremely beneficial. But, when there were arguments there was no escaping and often resulted in a large headache. Besides, Jamie had a distinct impression that she was being followed!
“Excellent, I know just the place!” Tracker said.
“Of course he would!” Fluff muttered, making Jamie smile. She had never known Fluff so jealous.
“Well, Tracker, led the way!” Jamie said.
Tracker whispered instructions into Jamie’s ear and they eventually arrived at an in. It looked tired, with peeling paint, broken windows and a squeaky tavern sign. What was worse, was a couple of chaos crows were sat on the sign and were defecating on beings to who they did not take a liking to.
“The silent scream? Wow, that sounds ….lovely!” Jamie said, trying to sound convincing.
“You know the famous chaos saying, the more horrific the name the better the service!” Tracker said happily.
“That is not a saying, you know!” Vanth said.
“Yeah, I kind of guessed that!” Jamie mind linked in reply.
Mother Universe seemed to choose that precise time to bring home the point, as the chaos crows started to caw, “It’s - a - shithole! It’s - a - shithole!”
“Wow, even the chaos crows don't like it and they sleep in heaps of dung normally!” Vanth commented.
“Come on, we should never judge a book by its cover!” Jamie said encouragingly. Jamie had slept in a loft over a stable for years, so she was used to roughing it.
“Don’t worry, I know the owner personally and we will get a good deal!” Tracker said confidently.
They all walked in and the stench hit Jamie’s nose. It was a mixture of rotting meat and latrine. “Well, at least it smells alright!” Vanth said.
Jamie didn't say anything as she walked to the reception desk with Tracker. The reception was painted in a depressing grey and was peeling. There was a painting of The Empress on one wall and the floorboards were uneven. There was an active carnivorous plant on the reception desk that seemed to be panting and snapping at invisible flies.
There was a stern-looking green-skinned demoness dressed in a black robe. She had snake-like yellow eyes which were covered by glasses, black hair and a pair of brown horns.
“Ah, Gogrun!” Tracker said.
The demoness sighed and looked up from the scroll she was reading. “Tracker, what a somewhat unpleasant surprise! What do you want?” Gogrun said drily. The carnivorous plant started to growl.
“We would like to rent one of your rooms!” Tracker said.
“Would you, now?” Gogrun asked before an awkward silence.
“Well, this is fun! I think we need to get one of those plants!” Fluff mind linked wickedly as the carnivorous plant started to snap at Tracker.
“You are not helping Fluff!” Jamie mind linked before saying, “Yes, please. Anything will do!”
Gogrun slowly looked at Jamie. Jamie prayed that Vanth’s glamour magic and the Scale Stone Ring worked. “And, who are you?” Gogrun said suspiciously.
“I...I am…” Jamie started to stutter.
“Yes?” Gogrun asked as her eyes narrowed.
Jamie was desperately trying to think of a good name, but the first one that popped into her head was… “Xic, my name is Xic!” Jamie blurted out.
“Xic?” Gogrun said, raising her eyebrows.
“Yes, Xic! It was a family name!” Jamie said confidently. She felt Vanth sigh and roll her eyes in her mind.
“Well…..Xic, are you willing to pay the extra cleaning costs that were incurred last time your little friend stayed?” Gogrun asked.
“Cleaning costs? Jamie said, confused.
“Now, Gogrun we don’t have to…” Tracker started to say.
“Yes, cleaning costs. Your little randy friend had a little orgy for a group of mucus demonesses. The room had to be deep cleaned!” Gogrun explained.
“Mucus demonesses?” Jamie said surprised.
“Apparently, they use the mucus excreted from their skin as a s****l lubricant. It is most pleasurable apparently. Pleasurable, but messy!” Gogrun explained.
“Oh, wow! Yes, of course, I pay for any cleaning costs!” Jamie said.
Gogrun's green face cracked into a smile, revealing her long fangs. “Welcome to The Silent Scream Inn!” She said as she handed Jamie a bone key with a small skull key fob.
Jamie smiled as she took the key before saying “Thank you!” Jamie started to walk down the corridor just as the whole building started to shake.
- Writer
