The Inn of the Seven Stars

By Kevin Beckett

A tale of an inn with good music, tasty food, strong beer ... and inadvertent necromancy.

Travel is hard work and, for the Fiddler named Cal, any stop at an inn is a place to perform, to share the songs and music he has loved and, perhaps more importantly, use those in exchange for a warm bed, good food, free drinks, and maybe some extra coin.

However, the roads we travel are roads that have existed long before we set foot on them and, at the crossroads where Cal finds the Inn of the Seven Stars, he encounters an demonstration of inadvertent necromancy. To put matters to rest, an immortal must be queried, an inquisition must be stopped, and an inn must be saved.

But not before he finishes his beer in front of him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Water Dragon Publishing
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959804574

Book preview

The Inn of the Seven Stars

Kevin Beckett

Copyright © 2023 by Kevin Beckett

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, except for the purpose of review and/or reference, without explicit permission in writing from the publisher.

Cover design copyright © 2023 by Niki Lenhart

nikilen-designs.com

Published by Water Dragon Publishing

waterdragonpublishing.com

978-1-959804-57-4 (EPUB)

FIRST EDITION

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The Inn of the Seven Stars

Cal came upon the Inn of the Seven Stars at the crossroads when the sun was still high, casting chiaroscuro shadows through the branches of the old oaks crowding the road. Looking up at the sign held by rusty chains that screeched overhead, he stepped around hoofprints in the mud, which had filled with morning rainwater. The faded yellow paint on the flaking wood was indistinct, but Cal could see on it the seven stars that were the inn’s namesake. The heavy door was half open to let in what sunlight there was.

Poking his head through the gap, what greeted him was the sight of a stout woman wiping down a large circular table. Other than her, the place seemed empty. His shadow blocked enough light that she looked up, revealing a round, tanned face of uncertain age and deep blue eyes. The few wisps of hair escaping her white kerchief were an equal mixture of auburn and grey.

You here for a meal, or will you stay the night?

Cal doffed his sagging brown hat, revealing a high pale brow and swept-back thin black hair that had receded from his scalp over the years. Eyebrows grew wild and black over his green eyes. A long aquiline nose peered over drooping mustachios, which would be less prominent if he didn’t have several days of growth of white beard spread across his narrow face and coming to an angle at his pointed chin.

I have silver enough for perhaps some bread and water, milady. Though if you trouble me for a song, I will give you more than its weight in gold.

Quickly, so as not to allow her to think too hard on what he said, long fingers unbuckled the pouch he carried with him, and he pulled out his prize. It was the