"We should find an inn," Soomin said, her tone practical though her eyes lingered on the fire-dancers drawing a crowd nearby. "Before you get distracted again."
Wooyun only grinned but didn't argue. They walked past several inns, most loud with music and overflowing with guests, before settling on one tucked just off the main road. Its signboard was carved with the image of a stag, polished smooth from years of weather, and a faint glow poured from its windows.
Inside, it was warm and welcoming. The innkeeper, a kindly woman with her hair tied back in a tight bun, greeted them with a bow and offered rooms on the second floor. The common room smelled of meat and stew. The residents of the city sat around heavy oak tables sharing stories about their hard day at work, their nagging wives, and their relentless children.
