Short Story: The Innkeeper

“Do you have any empty rooms?”

“Sorry, sir. We’re full up at the moment. But the inn two doors down should still have some space…”

The man bowed his head before leaving. I’m just glad that he wasn’t the type to explode into a sudden rage over a simple customer service issue. I’m currently in one of the Silver Moon Inns. Specifically, the Brunhild branch. The inn has come a long way from its roots in Reflet. My parents founded the original one, and now I’m the proud manager of the Brunhild branch because of just how busy it ended up becoming. Technically, this inn is state-run, but it uses the Silver Moon name and I’ve been hired by the local government to manage it.

The Brunhild Silver Moon is a sizable building with a few extensions built into

it, but there are still cases where I have to turn away potential guests. Recently, the problem has become much more prominent, since the grand duke’s wedding is only ten days away. Rumor has it that it’s going to be a very special ceremony, so people have started showing up well in advance. Thanks to that, our rooms are fully booked right up through the wedding.

I’m glad for the customers, but we’re seriously running low on staff. We don’t just run a hotel, there’s a restaurant as well! All these newcomers are hungry, and it’s wearing us a bit thin. I figure I’ll have to go ask the guild if they can contribute a few lucky volunteers for part-time work. “Welcome to— Dad?!”

Suddenly, as if right on cue, a familiar face walks through the door.

“Hey there, Micah. Lookin’ pretty busy.”

My dad, Dolan, has been invited to the wedding by the grand duke himself, and it seems like he’s finally arrived.

“Nice to see ya, Micah.”

“Man, it’s crowded in here…”

Barral, owner of the Eight Bears weapon shop, walks through the door. Right behind him is Simon, owner of Reflet’s general store. They’ve also been invited by the grand duke. As luck would have it, they managed to secure the last three rooms.

“Nice to see you guys. Hey, Dad. How about helping me out in the kitchen?

The menu’s the same as the one in Reflet, so you’re good to go.”

“Aw c’mon! I just got here! You’re gonna put me to work right away?!” Dad’s sulking, but he’s arrived just in time to help me. “Desperate times, desperate measures, eh?”

“I’ve never heard that saying before, Dad.”

“The grand duke taught it to me!”

Dad’s grumbling a bit, but he’ set down his bags, so I can tell it’s for show.

“Guess this’ll pay for my accommodations, then.”

“Fair enough, just help me through to the wedding!”

With Dad and the other two helping out, I feel like everything will be smooth sailing. I’ve been invited to the wedding itself, so I still have to hire a few parttimers to cover for me on that day, but I’ll still save a lot of money with my newfound staff.

At that moment, another guest walks through the door.

“Do you have any rooms?”

“Sorry, sir. We’re full up at the moment. But the inn two doors down should still have some space…”

I’ve been saying that line a lot, lately. And I have a feeling I’ll be saying it a lot more over the next ten days…