The Village Innkeeper

Welcome to The Hearth and Horseshoe, where every guest has a story—and every story leaves its mark. In a quiet village, tucked along a bustling trade route, lies a cozy inn that serves as a sanctuary for travelers, nobles, merchants, and adventurers alike. The Hearth and Horseshoe is more than just a place to rest; it's a crossroads of lives, laughter, and even a few secrets. For Gerard, a humble stable boy with dreams of something greater, it's the start of an extraordinary journey. Taken under the wing of Tobin, the inn's wise and weathered keeper, Gerard learns what it takes to run an inn that's as alive as the people who pass through its doors. From hunting parties to rowdy adventurers, missing stew pots to runaway pigs, Gerard discovers that being an innkeeper is more than just pouring cider—it's about creating a home for the world-weary. But the Hearth hides secrets of its own. Why does a prince answer a simple innkeeper's summons? What's so important about this quiet village? And what lies behind Tobin's cryptic warnings about the inn's mysterious history? In this charming collection of short, self-contained flash fiction stories—each exactly 500 words—you'll laugh, cheer, and be transported to a world where the everyday becomes extraordinary. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, slice-of-life adventures, and heartwarming tales, "The Village Innkeeper" invites you to pull up a chair by the fire and discover the magic in the mundane. Where will the journey take you next? Only the hearth knows.