The Halfway Inn Pt. 03

The outhouse was a rough brick building with a dishevelled tile roof, situated at the far end of the beer garden. Goomluga had led Rowan hastily along the flagstone path that snaked toward the treeline where a low stone wall separated the Inn from the wilder parts of the floating island. Within the rustic confines of the outhouse was a rather cosy interior, faded drapes hung across the otherwise bare walls to keep the chill morning air at bay, while a small cast-iron stove simmered contentedly in the corner. A tin bathtub sat already steaming in the center of the room, inviting swirls of steam slowly wafting from the water's surface.

'How did you manage all this so quickly?' Rowan remarked with awe. A bath such as this would have taken quite some time to prepare even in the most well-staffed tavern, yet there wasn't even a kettle left steaming upon the stove.

'Magic,' Goomluga replied with a shrug, her hands already busy tying her chestnut hair into a tight bun. 'Now let's get out of these clothes, t'water won't stay hot fer long,'

'Both of us?'

'yeah, no time if we go one after t'other,' Goom was already folding her apron neatly across her arm and had turned her attention to the tight knot of her corset. Feeling the blood rushing to his face Rowan began to slip out of his clothes. Goom caught sight of his embarrassment and let out a snort that was somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

'no need t'be embarrassed luv, ya were letting me choke on yer cock a moment ago,'

she let her corset slip over her wide hips, taking a huge sigh of relief now her waist was no longer constrained. Rowan couldn't help but stare as the goblin tugged herself free of her garments. She was plumper than her corset let know, not that Rowan minded. Travelers had always described goblins as scrawny, gangly creatures, Goom was nothing of the sort, and Rowan liked that. Her curvaceous figure was exaggerated perhaps by her short stature, which Rowan couldn't help but admire. Goom's large breasts almost covered her stomach, the dark green of her nipples contrasting nicely with the olive tones of her skin. A neatly trimmed nest of pubic hair sat between her thick thighs, shielding her most intimate parts from his sight. Rowan turned his gaze away, not wishing to be rude by staring for too long.

Rowan slid himself into the bath, allowing the warmth to engulf his whole body. Hot water was a luxury seldom available to weary travellers, and Rowan was not going to allow this opportunity to go to waste. He could already feel the tension recede from his aching limbs. He did not have much time to immerse himself before he felt Goomluga enter the tub opposite him.

'Enjoying yerself are we?' she chortled mischievously, submerging herself up to her shoulders. Rowan felt her feet brush against his leg inches away from his groin.

'The water is nice, yeah,' he responded with a courteous smile.

'we've a bit of time before the bar opens,' she continued coquettishly, 'it'd be a terrible shame if we were t'leave without finishing what we started,'

her foot brushed along his thigh once more, its touch teasing yet insistent. A wave of nervousness swept through him, Goom had already sucked him dry of all he had, Rowan doubted he would be ready for more so soon after.

'I don't think I'd be able to right now...' Rowan began, but Goom interrupted him with a wave of her hand.

'Oh don't ya worry about that,' a devilish grin spread from ear to pointed ear as she glided through the water toward him, 'ya don't need that for what I have in mind,'

Before Rowan had a chance to stop her, Goom had straddled his face. Looking up, he caught a glimpse of a toothy smirk between the mounds of her breasts before it was eclipsed by the plump flesh of her thighs. A firm tug on his hair pulled him upward, he could smell the sweet scent of her arousal as she positioned him comfortably beneath her.

'I hope ya know what yer doing,' Goom chuckled, 'I'd hate to explain t'Vornalla why yer late on yer first day,'

Rowan went to work, the warm water mingling with her salty taste as he pressed his lips firmly against her. He started slowly, feeling his way with his tongue, sensing what spots elicited the most pleasure before committing fully to his task.

'Oh, you have done this before...' Goom's words trailed off into sharp gasps and sighs.

risking a glance, Rowan saw her throw her head back in tremors of pleasure, one hand desperately pinching a dark-green nipple while the other gripped the tub for dear life. Rowan took this opportunity to grope the smooth skin of her arse, feeling her flesh soft and supple between his fingers. Goom only moaned louder, grinding herself against his jaw, already aching from his efforts. Still, he powered on, he could tell she was getting close as her breaths grew short and sharp, and her moans turned into whimpers. Rowan could feel his own arousal building, he was sure his erection was growing by the second, yet could do little to address it. Instead, he busied himself with groping as much of her as he could reach. His roving hands moved across her waist, over the pouch of her stomach to her huge tits, squeezing handfuls as he went. He paused only for brief breaths. Trapped between her legs he had no choice but to keep going. His hands gripped her firmly, keeping her as still as possible while he summoned his last reserves of strength to bring her over the edge. With a final piercing shriek Goom climaxed, almost collapsing into the water were it not for Rowan's secure hold around her.

They rested for a few brief moments, Goom sitting neck-deep in the water panting soflty, while Rowan gently massaged his aching jaw in one hand and his erection in the other. Usually, he needed an hour or so before he was ready to go again, however his cock was rock hard and ready to go. Perhaps the residual sexual energy from sleeping with a succubus had something to do with it, Goom might even be willing to lend a hand or two to help. First, Rowan wanted to take a few moments to really enjoy the water.

He could not enjoy it for long. Rowan barely had time to dry himself off before Goom was ushering him out.

'We've dallied long enough,' She hissed, pulling her dress over her head, 'Best t'get going before they come looking,'

'Hold on,' Rowan struggled into his woollen trousers, stumbling over himself in his rush, 'have you seen my shirt?'

'ya tossed it in t'corner, now hurry, we've spent enough time here as is,'

'Alright, alright,' Rowan secured his bent around his waist, noting that his erection was still noticeable through the thick fabric. Goom was already at the door, tightening her corset around her waist.

'Wait,' he called after her, 'I can't go out with my cock like this,'

'Take care of it then,'

'I can't, it'll take too long,'

'just try not t'walk like a three-legged goose then,' Goom retorted, disappearing into the beer garden. Rowan huffed in annoyance, scrambling into his shirt and bundling his apron in his arms before scurrying out to catch up, hoping his throbbing erection would go before he encountered any of the other workers.

There was a hum of activity in the tavern as Rowan and Goom slipped back inside. Chairs and tables could be heard scraping across the floorboards in the main room, the indistinct chatter of conversation emanated down the corridor, and a comforting smell of woodsmoke floated on the light breeze wafting through the latched windows. Hurrying down the hall toward them scampered a vermilion-skinned figure with a bundle of tablecloths tucked under each arm. They were dressed in the familiar black dress and white apron common to housemaids, complete with a ruffled lace mob cap.

'There you are Goom,' a strangely soft yet masculine voice exclaimed, 'and I expect you're the bartender,'

Rowan gave a courteous nod, his mind puzzling through whether this strange person was a man or a woman. The clothes and general figure were certainly feminine, however, their flat chest and oddly pitched voice suggested otherwise.

'I was just about to go looking for you, Caja needs your help in the kitchen, and I believe Vornalla wanted someone to check the casks were full before we open,'

'I checked t'bar yesterd'y,' Goom huffed, 'she can't say it's empty already,'

'as long as Krugga hasn't snuck a tankard or two during the night.' they retorted, turning to Rowan 'sorry I'm in such a rush, I promise I'll introduce myself properly when I have a moment,'

'don't worry about it,' Rowan began, but they had already scampered off to attend to their chores.

'Who was that?' he looked quizzically down at Goom one eyebrow raised.

'That's Kazir, he's one of the maids,'

'ah, I see,' Rowan nodded, not sure how to process that he had just spoken to a man wearing a dress, 'and he... like's that uniform?'

Goom snorted, shooting Rowan a humorous glance.

'Likes it? You should see what he wears on his days off, that's t'most modest he ever dresses,'

'I'm not sure I want to see,'

'Suit yerself, now, I'm off to see what Caja wants, you know where t'bar is, go do yer thing.'

With those parting words, Goom proceeded toward the end of the hallway, leaving Rowan to his responsibilities.

The main hall of the tavern was occupied by three figures. Rowan immediately recognised Vornalla's slender physique as she bent over one end of the bar, apparently counting the number of rundlets under the counter. The other two were at the far end of the room near the stone fireplace, one a buxom elf maid with shimmering golden hair, and the other a brawny orc whose burly form surprisingly did not detract from her obvious femininity. They were standing at either end of a long pub table, and apparently in the middle of a heated discussion.

'If you weren't so clumsy with it we'd be done by now,' the exasperated elf snapped, 'it's bad enough without you dropping it on me every five seconds,'

the orc glared daggers at her elven assistant, pointing accusatively at her with one meaty fist

'That wouldn't happen if you pulled your weight and lifted the damn thing,' she looked ready to smash the troublesome table to splinters.

'I was lifting, it's just too heavy for me, I'm delicate, I'm not suited to such menial tasks,' a string of excuses flowed from the elf's tongue while she stood nonchalantly at her end, apparently unaware of the death stare directed toward her.

'Need any help?' Rowan interjected, making his presence known.

'At last!' the elf exclaimed, 'here's someone who can help you Krugga, he seems far better suited to manual labor than I,'

'Shut it she-elf,' Krugga snapped, 'if you're not going to help you can fuck off,'

Rowan took his end of the table, it was definitely heavier than he anticipated, though the orc seemed to lift it with ease. The coarse wood bore many rings and stains from years of spilled ale, mead, and beer that its surface looked like a patchwork of veneer.

'where does this need to go?' he asked trying not to sound too strained,

'just over there,' Krugga indicated a spot roughly three feet behind him.

'I'm Feralith by the way,' the elf cordially introduced herself, while watching Rowan struggle with the awkward length of the high table.

'Rowan,' he grunted in response, gracelessly shuffling backward trying to ignore the feeling his shoulders were about to pop out of their sockets.

'I guessed, your name popped up outside your room the other night,'

'not now elf,' Krugga scowled, carefully positioning her end of the table neatly in position.

'no need to be so aggressive,' Feralith huffed, flicking her golden hair aside indignantly, 'I'm only saying hello, besides, we did the job now didn't we?'

'no thanks to you, she-elf,'

'an ounce of gratitude wouldn't go amiss, I did what I could, not my fault I was given such a lowly task,'

'you listen here you little shit...' Krugga spat, balling her hands into fists and stepping intimidatingly closer to Feralith.

'Enough,' Vornalla's voice rang across the tavern floor, 'I've done nothing but listen to you two bicker like children all morning,'

she strode between the two, annoyance etched into her otherwise comely features. Both Krugga and Feralith immediately took a step back from each other, even Rowan instinctively flinched at her approach.

'you've moved the table like I asked?'

'Yes miss,' Krugga responded rigidly, Feralith gave a quick nod in answer.

'good, Feralith can set the chairs and the tablecloths without you, Rowan you're up behind the bar, I trust you know what to do,'

'of course,' he nodded, 'It won't be my first time,'

'Excellent, I've made sure the barrels are full and the tankards are clean, hurry yourselves, we open shortly.'

The afternoon went slowly. Hour after tedious hour passed without so much as a shadow darkening the door. Rowan had not expected many patrons until much later, but as the sun began to dip below the jagged horizon of the floating isle Rowan began to wonder if anyone would come at all, and if people could even reach the solitary island. He had seen others like it drifting about the void that was the Halfway, so there must be a means to travel between them. It suddenly struck him, as he slouched behind the bar, if demons even frequented Taverns. True, he had met Xeryix in one the previous night, but she was a succubus looking for prey. Perhaps there were some mortal races that lived here, like himself, who had been spirited away in some illicit deal with a supernatural being. He was pondering all this when the tavern door swung open.

Rowan had met many strange people on his travels and heard stranger still from the many companions he had travelled with, yet he could not have anticipated the sight that would cross the threshold. A long dark cloak concealed most of its form, two skeletal hands grasped the dismal fabric tightly about itself. From beneath a ragged grey hood protruded a mass of writhing tentacles that slithered repulsively around themselves, splattering a pale viscous slime over everything within their reach. Rowan breathed a sigh of relief as it glided past the bar toward the rows of tables. Whatever it was, it left a sickening smell of decay as it passed that hung offensively in the air. Rowan watched curiously as the being sat down in a far corner and waited patiently to be served. It wasn't long before Vornalla appeared, somehow managing to make a tavern-maid uniform look as elegant as anything you might find in a royal court. A few unsettling minutes passed as the creature waited for its order. Rowan thought he saw a pair of pale milky-white eyes glance his way and did his best not to look uncomfortable. Finally, Goom emerged from the kitchens, carrying a plate of apparently raw meat of unknown origin. She flashed Rowan a mischievous wink as she walked by, which he returned as a cheery wave. The demon pondered its meal momentarily, then deliberately waved one gaunt hand over its meal, which immediately began to decay at a rapid pace. Rowan watched in abject horror as the flesh withered and rotted, turning into a nauseating treacly black soup. Slipping from between the folds of its cloak came a purplish serpentine appendage, dripping clear slime along its length. it lurched toward the plate, diving into the defiled remains and draining it like some vile larval straw. Satisfied, the demon arose and hovered silently away, leaving nothing but the acrid odour of decay in its wake. Rowan peered curiously at where it had sat, its plate was spotless, save for a small collection of bones and three silver coins.

That was the only patron they had that day. By midnight Vornalla had instructed Rowan and Feralith to begin putting things away.

'That's it for tonight I believe,' She had told Rowan dolefully, 'You can just leave things as they are,'

'That's it?' Rowan echoed, 'One customer?'

'Unfortunately yes,' Vornalla nodded, 'not unusual here,'

'is that as busy as it gets?'

'Sovardaye is when most people come,' Feralith chipped in, 'but no more than a handful, I don't blame them really, Taverns aren't the most savoury of businesses, if Xeryix weren't so stubborn I'd reorganise this whole place into something less resembling a whorehouse,'

'what we need is better advertising,' Vornalla shot a crimson glare at Feralith, 'but you're right about Xeryix, she won't have anything to do with Shadewald,'

'I'm assuming that's one of the other islands?' Rowan's curiosity about the Halfway was coming to the fore. The gossip about Xeryix was certainly interesting, however, his interest in this strange new realm far outweighed idle chatter. Wanderlust was one of the reasons he had set out to be a wayfarer after all, and it wasn't often an ordinary human had the opportunity to explore a different dimension.

'it is more of a collection of islands,' Vornalla answered, 'a small town of sorts for travellers between realms to visit from time to time, but for some reason Xeryix won't go near the place,'

'Whyever not?'

'Probably because they're worried that bitch will sleep with half the population,' Feralith snorted, lounging in one of the bar chairs and examining her nails. 'Honestly, I can't say I disagree, you know what Succubi are like,'

'how'd you end up here then?' Rowan retorted, crossing his arms and slouching against the bar.

'I didn't sleep with her if that's what you're implying,' she snapped indignantly, 'I have standards, I'm stuck here because of a misfortunate alignment of circumstances,'

'Don't you two start arguing,' Vornalla rolled her eyes, 'I can barely handle her and Krugga. Now I suggest we close for the night and all have a good night's sleep.'

Rowan couldn't have agreed more. The idea of sleep had suddenly imbued all his joints with a dull ache and his eyes a weary strain. Feralith left immediately, ignoring the several chairs she had not put away as she strode out. Vornalla seemed too tired to call her back and just turned to finish the job herself, leaving Rowan the unenviable task of extinguishing the fire and clearing the ashes.