416 CDXVI. The Anarchy (1/2)

A small well from which drinking water could be extracted was just a few meters from the entrance, with a bucket lowered inside, hanging from a rope.

Crossing the small square courtyard, bordered by the four observation towers and its walls, Orvar led all the warriors inside the stone building that would house them at night.

Dag could not help but examine the size of that place, immediately realizing that it had been adapted to the few hunters that had lived there in recent decades: the beds were not enough for everyone and the bedrooms were too small, so they would have to settle for the floors of the entrance and maybe even the bathrooms.

The property was old and dilapidated and the decoration was almost completely absent: an old, heavy candlestick hung in the entrance room, under which there was a massive wooden table, which for a moment reminded Dag of the episode of the giant found dead in the hut.

One door led to a second room used as a kind of supply warehouse, from which they could access a hatch for the basement, and then another door led to the bathrooms.

Going back, Orvar proudly showed Dag and the other Masters the upper floor, where the bedrooms were.

”So? Do you think it's okay?” the clan leader asked, explaining to them that by piling the straw used to make the horses eat, everyone could sleep on the floor.

”Are there any horses?” Gridd asked, before answering the question.

”Yes, they're in a barn to the right of the entrance. I think you haven't seen them because, in this cold, they all get in the back of the stable, next to each other. Anyway, they are 4 horses, but they are not in very good physical condition, unfortunately... they don't get much out of here” Orvar said, who wanted to please his new allies.

Gridd did not reply, merely thinking how useful those steeds would be for exploration, allowing them to cover large distances in less time than usual.

”Anyway, Orvar... this place is perfect. By tightening up a little, we're all going to get some rest. We can never thank you enough to share it with us, thank you” Dag replied, trying to be as courteous as possible.

Despite the poor condition of that place, the heat between its walls and the roof that would protect them from the weather, somehow made them feel at home.