Chapter 14: The Last Night in the Shack
"Wake up, you two," I said softly. "It's time for dinner."
Finn and Elera rubbed their eyes, still careful not to wrinkle their new clothes. We left the house and walked towards the border of the Royal Street. We didn't go to a place as expensive as The Gilded Mirror, but we found a respectable establishment called The Hearth & Hops. It was a common hotel, bustling with merchants and travelers, warm and inviting.
We asked for a table for three. The waiter gave us a round wooden table near the fireplace.
I opened the menu. The prices were reasonable—not cheap, but not exorbitant. I looked at my siblings, whose eyes were wide with hunger.
"Order whatever you want," I said.
We decided on the house special.
Soon, the waiter returned with a feast. A whole honey-glazed roasted chicken sat in the center, its skin golden-brown and crispy, smelling of rosemary and garlic. Beside it was a bowl of creamy mashed turnips with melted butter pooling on top, and a basket of freshly baked sourdough bread that was still steaming.
Finn tore off a piece of the chicken. As he took a bite, his eyes rolled back.
"It's… so soft," he mumbled, his mouth full. "It melts."
Unlike the tough, stringy meat we cooked yesterday, this was tender and juicy. The sweetness of the honey glaze mixed with the savory herbs was an explosion of flavor. We dipped the warm, crusty bread into the meat juices and the buttery mash. For dessert, we shared a simple apple tart with cinnamon.
It was, without a doubt, the best meal of our lives.
With full bellies, we walked back to our shack. The night air was cool, but we felt warm inside.
When we got home, we carefully folded our new suits and dresses and changed into our old, loose sleeping clothes.
"Goodnight, brother," Elera whispered, curling up under the blanket.
"Goodnight."
We slept peacefully. For the first time in years, no debt collectors banged on the door. No wind whistled through cracks in the walls. It was a silent, restful night.
The sun had barely risen when I opened my eyes. Today was the day.
"Up. Now," I commanded gently.
Finn and Elera groaned but got up. We didn't have much to pack. We took a few sentimental items, but we left the rags and the broken furniture behind. We were done with this life.
We washed up and changed back into our new clothes. I buttoned my charcoal coat, checked my reflection—crimson eyes sharp and clear—and nodded.
"Let's go."
We walked to the main road and flagged down a carriage. I paid the driver in silver.
"Where to, sir?" the driver asked, eyeing our fine clothes.
"The Wen Dor Hoven Estate," I said calmly.
The driver raised an eyebrow but snapped the reins. As the carriage lurched forward, I watched our old neighborhood disappear through the window. We were never coming back here as beggars again.