by J. B. North
“Your rooms are numbers three and four. Numbers one and two are quarters for our live-ins. Probably the only reason why this place is still running,” he grunted.
He handed us both a key, me the 3 and Roland the 4, and then hobbled back down the hallway to see about the things downstairs.
Roland and I opened our rooms and inspected them. Mine was dusty, with cobwebs in the corners, on the bedframe, and underneath the chair that was placed in front of a vanity. The mirror was caked with grime. I brushed at it with my fingertips, and they came away almost black. I flopped on the bed, sending billows of dust flying into the air. I coughed and hurried to get away before any more of it could get in my lungs.
Roland came in and examined my room. “So yours isn’t much better,” he said.
“I think I’d prefer sleeping outdoors,” I replied.
Roland shrugged. “Well at least we don’t have to build our own fire here.”
“That’s about the only advantage.”
He studied his fingernails, which were ragged from use. “Perhaps… Are you ready to go eat something?”
“Are you kidding?” I asked. “Of course I am! I haven’t eaten anything all day.”
I followed Roland down hallway and then down the stairs. We sat down at the bar, a few feet down from where Roger was standing, cleaning the glass that he had been drinking from. “What can I get you to drink?” Roger asked.
“Water,” I said. I had never been fond of alcohol. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Same,” said Roland.
Roger seemed disappointed, probably wishing that we had ordered something a bit more pricy, but he went into the kitchen and came out with two glasses of cloudy water.
I tried not to think about what made the water cloudy as I took a sip. Rema came out soon afterward with two bowls of soup and a loaf of bread. There was no plate for the bread. She just slapped it on the counter as if that were the most normal thing to do.
I cautiously tried the soup, worried because of everything else that had gone wrong in this tavern. I was rewarded with a burst of delicious flavor. Rema had cooked a perfect chowder, creamy with fresh cow’s milk. She had added to it some sausage, potatoes, corn, and though I couldn’t see it, I tasted just the slightest hint of onion. It was garnished with some sort of red, powdery spice and chives.
“Mmm,” I said involuntarily, following the first bite up with another.
Roland didn’t come up for air as he inhaled his. Rema smiled at our reactions. “I’m glad you like it. At least someone shows a little appreciation.”
She shot Roger a glare. I hid a smile as I took another bite. I could handle the dusty room now that I tried this soup. It made everything worth it. Rema disappeared again and Roger sat down and rested his head on the counter. Even before Roland’s bowl was empty, we could hear snores.
I had completely forgotten about the bread, but I knew as soon as I tasted it that it was sourdough, something I'd tried for the first time at the conservatory only a few weeks before. It was toasted to where the outside was crunchy but the inside was soft and moist.
It was easily the best meal that I’d ever eaten.
Roland smiled at me when the food was all gone. “I told you the food was good.”
“That was an understatement,” I replied, licking my spoon again.
Rema peeked out at us, and seeing that our bowls were empty, she picked them up, sweeping the crumbs off the counter.
She looked over at the still snoozing Roger and sighed heavily. “I can’t tell you about one day that Roger didn’t fall asleep at the bar. Although I do believe that this is the most sober he’s been in ages.”
I smiled uncomfortably, but Roland just chuckled.
After Rema went back into the kitchen, I stood up and stretched.
I tried to cover a yawn. “I’m going to bed,” I said after it had passed.
“Go ahead,” he answered. “I’m going to see if Rema has any more soup left.”
I raised my eyebrows mockingly.
“What?” Roland asked. “I have a big appetite.”
I rolled my eyes and started up the stairs. “Goodnight!” Roland called.
“Goodnight,” I replied.
The meal had made me so drowsy that I didn’t really care about the dust all that much. I turned the pillow over to the clean side and slipped under the filthy, but warm covers. I was soon asleep.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I was awoken by sudden brightness. Rema had come in and opened the curtains, causing light to filter through the dust she had stirred up. “Your friend asked me if I would come in and wake you. He says you have to get an early start today.”
I didn’t reply, but instead yawned and stared sleepily down at the covers.
“I’ve already made breakfast—“
The thought of Rema's food made me sit bolt upright.
Rema chuckled in her hoarse way, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “I’m glad you’re looking forward to it,” she said. She poured water into the washbasin with a pitcher that she must have set there beforehand.
After that, she stepped out the door. “I’ll leave you to yourself. Come down when you’re ready.”
The only thing I could do for my appearance was brush through my hair with a dusty comb that had been left on the vanity. I washed my face, hoping that it would help me wake up. The water was icy cold, providing a shock to get my mind spinning.
I stepped out into the hallway and went down the stairs to where Roland was waiting for me at the bar. He had already tucked into his breakfast which was bacon and eggs and toast. It was good, although nothing like the meal we had had last night.
Roger came toward us and slurred, “So are you leavin’ now?”
Roland nodded, and hurried to swallow his food before talking. “Yes. And I wanted to know if you knew how to get to Achron?”
Roger mumbled something under his breath. I could smell the alcohol on him.
Roland leaned in, but he still didn’t catch what the man had said. “What was that?” he asked.
Roger sighed, irritated, and I held my breath until I was certain that the smell was behind me. He hiccuped as he talked. “I said, I haven’t, hic, been anywhere but here...for seven years.”
Roland raised his eyebrows. “But do you know how to get there?”
“Of course I do!” Roger drawled loudly. “Hic!”
Rema came out and studied the scene. Once she took in Roger’s drunken state, she pushed him into the kitchen, furiously whispering, “You've brought shame down upon us, Roger! I've told you over and over not to drink anything when we have customers!”
I looked at Roland, and hid a smile. The inn was already shameful except for the food.
Rema came back out. “I hope you will forgive my ridiculous husband,” she said, her voice still resounding annoyance.
Roland shook his head. “There is no need to apologize. I was just asking him if he knew the way to Achron.”
Rema studied him and said, “Achron? I suppose the easiest way to get there is to go south until you hit the tanner’s shop. Or rather it will hit you with the stench. Either way, you’ll find it. Then, once you’re there, you head due east. You’re sure to find Achron that way.”
Roland nodded. “Sounds easy enough.” He stood and I followed his example. He pulled out the purse of money that the headmaster had given us. “And what do we owe you?”
Rema studied the bag greedily. “I think five silvers would do,” she said.
I choked disbelievingly. Five silvers was a lot for what we had been given! The right price would’ve been five coppers.
Roland didn’t appear perturbed. He took out one gold coin and laid it in her palm. “That’ll be five silvers in change,” he said.
Rema studied the coin. “Oh, we don’t have that much in change—” I had a feeling that she was lying. “—but we do have some food that we can give you for your journey.”
She didn’t wait f
or Roland to reply before going back into the kitchen. She came out with a bag. “I’ve packed you two loaves of bread, a parcel of cheese, and some dried meat.”
We were paying a ridiculous price for everything. Even with the wonderful food, I didn’t think it was worth that much.
Roland didn’t seem to care. He took the bag and placed it on his shoulder.
Rema smiled at me, as if reading my thoughts. “Have a good day!” she said. Then she disappeared into the kitchen, probably to hide from the protests that had yet to come out of my mouth.
Roland pushed me toward the door.
“But—” I started.
“It’s okay,” he said. “I doubt we’ll need all the money that the headmaster gave us.”
I felt like protesting more, but I knew it was no use. I followed Roland unenthusiastically.
Luckily, it was very early in the day, and we weren’t swarmed by villagers. The tanner’s shop was about a ten minute walk from the tavern. I wished that I had long sleeves because I had to cover my nose with a lock of my hair, which probably made me look like I had a mustache. Roland chuckled at me and braved out the stench.
Woods surrounded us as we headed east. “How can you be sure about the directions that Rema gave us?” I asked Roland.
He shrugged. “I figured it’s worth a try. It’s somewhere on the coast, and if we don’t find it with her directions, you can just fly up and look for it.
“True,” I admitted. “I guess we’ll get there either way.”
We continued on, making little conversation. I went ahead of him a little ways. I wondered what the city looked like. Roland had told me he'd been there before, so I looked back at him. “Is—?” I stopped.
He had been watching me. He looked away quickly and tried to disguise it by saying, “Is what?”
I tore my gaze away from him. “Is the city very big?”
Behind me, he answered, “It’s bigger than any city on our island.”
“Are there very many people?” I asked.
“Of course. There are thousands.”
Thousands. I tried not to think about how crowded the market place was. If we were swarmed in the small village, how many people would swarm us in the city? They would crush us!
“Perhaps we don’t have to go in the city…” I said, disconcerted. “Perhaps we can circle around it to get to the docks.”
“You sound like my mother…and your idea won’t work. The city surrounds the docks.”
“Is it very horrible?” I asked with dread.
“I find it exciting. There are so many wares in the market, so many inns to choose from, so many places to see,” I could hear in his voice that he loved the city. Perhaps if he liked it, it wouldn’t be so bad.
Two hours passed. At one point the forest ended and we were on a farm, but soon after that, the forest took over the land again.
“Should I go see if the city is anywhere close?” I inquired.
“Yes,” Roland said. “I’ll stay put until you report back.”
I shifted in midstride, and took off into the air. Shifting had become second nature.
I flew straight until I saw the sea. If we had kept walking, we would’ve been on the wrong path. Uncertain of which way the city was, I kept going straight. If the city was as big as Roland said it was, I would be able to see it from a distance.
Only the sea stretched out ahead of me, but after a while I saw a ship, heading to my right. Headed more south. I circled above it, and started in the same direction. Then, I saw the city. I’d never seen so many buildings in one place! They were seemingly stacked up on one another. With my second form's enhanced eyesight, I could already see the people. It was not so different from where I was from. The amount of citizens compared to the amount of space was about equal. Achron stretched as far south as I could see.
I soared over it. The slum was clearly defined against the other buildings. The houses of the poor were made out of an orange-ish clay, while the wealthier neighborhoods were made out of stone. A cathedral tower stood taller than the other buildings and I perched on the tip of the steeple to look down at the city in wonder.
Below me, the bell rang loudly, and I took off in surprise. It rang eight times: eight o’clock in the morning. I had to get back to Roland. He was northwest of me. He must’ve known that I’d have trouble finding him because he built a fire, obviously with green wood.
Roland looked up at me from the clearing that he’d found and waved. I landed near him, changing back into first form. “Did you find the city?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered. “It’s a lot farther south than Rema said.”
“But it’s not far?”
I shook my head. “I’d say it’ll be another half hour before we reach it.”
“Good,” Roland said. “I’m ready for it.”
He stomped the fire out before we set off.
Roland was walking fast, anticipating the minute when we would step foot inside Achron. I had seen what it looked like from up high, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it while I was earthbound. I struggled to match Roland's long-legged pace and his enthusiasm.
The first houses that we came across were log cabins, but they soon filtered into the stone houses of the city. There were people milling in and out of the structures. These people didn’t stare at us like the people in the small village had. They were used to the sight of strangers, as most of the citizens of the city probably were to them.
Roland looked over at my expression. “It’s not so bad, is it?”
I shook my head. “No. It’s not so bad.”
He smiled in triumph. “Then perhaps I can persuade you to go to the market with me.”
I rolled my eyes, but a hint of a smile played on my mouth. “Perhaps.”
The buildings were getting taller, the streets wider, and the people more numerous.
“We’ll go to the docks first, to see if there’s a ship that’s about to depart for Kislow,” Roland said.
Kislow was one of the countries in the mainland. It would be the easiest country to get to from where we were.
The docks took up a good part of the seaside. I hadn’t realized how big the ships were until we were standing next to one of them. I stood in its humongous shadow, staring up at its daunting height.
“Excuse me!” shouted Roland to one heavy-set crew member coming off the ship. “Where is this ship headed?”
“We just docked,” said the man. “We won’t be leaving until a week from now.”
Roland thanked him, and we moved on to the next ship, one that was even bigger than the last. A man was about to go on board with a crate, a sign that they were leaving soon. “Excuse me, sir—” Roland started.
The man didn’t even turn around. “We don’t take passengers.”
Roland didn’t reply but moved on to the next ship. It was about the size of the first one we stopped at, but it was fancier. Its figurehead was carved into a mermaid. There was a person standing outside of it, advertising their departure.
“Leaving for Kislow this afternoon! Leaving for Kislow this afternoon!”
Roland stopped by him. “How much will it cost?”
The man took us both in and smiled. “Five gold coins for the both of you, but with the best of service,” he announced. Roland took a while to consider this. I had no idea what the normal amount of money was for a voyage.
“Well! If it isn’t our old friend, Roland!” said someone loudly behind us.
I turned around and winced at the sight of a big, burly man, eyes squinting in the sun, face withered from days upon days at sea. He looked at me, and then back at Roland. “This your girlfriend?” he asked, spitting onto the dock.
I studied the man with distaste.
Roland turned away from the advertiser and laughed. “Burton! I was wondering if you’d be here.”
“Low and behold, I am,” he grunted. He spat again.
“Is your ship here?” Roland asked.
&nbs
p; “Of course it is! You think I’d be here without my right arm?”
Roland forged ahead with his questions. “Is it in good repair?”
Burton nodded. “Why? You headed to Kislow again?”
“Yes,” Roland answered. “Where are you headed?”
Burton smiled. “To Nalla.” I’d heard of Nalla. It was one of the main cities in Kislow.
Roland grinned back. “Would you mind a few passengers?”
“I suppose I’ll let you on board if you pay. Can’t be givin’ out free food in this economy.”
“Would two gold coins work for both of us?” asked Roland.
The man scrutinized Roland. After a while, he nodded his head. “Fine… The ship’s leavin’ tomorrow morning. I’ll expect you on board and the money in my pocket.”
“I’ll just give it to you now,” said Roland, pulling out the bag.
Burton shook his head anxiously, and looked around. “I don’t want the money until we’re on board. There are too many pickpockets here, and the rest would probably get stolen if anyone saw the exchange.”
Roland seemed to understand. “It really has gotten worse here, hasn’t it?” he mused sadly.
Burton nodded gravely. “You’ll find many changes. Just try to keep your little lady out of danger.” He winked at me before continuing on down the row of ships.
I was blushing at the statement he had left us on. I was not Roland’s 'little lady'.
Roland grinned as we headed back into the city. “We can relax until tomorrow,” he said. “That means that I can take you to the market. I heard talk that there are going to be fire dancers today.”
The mention of them spiked my curiosity, and made me forget about Burton for the moment. “Fire dancers? What do they do?”
“They dance with fire,” he answered, saying it slowly as if I were a child.
“I guessed that!” I said defensively. “I just wanted to know how.”
“You'll have to wait and see.”
He led me into the crowded market. My shoulders must've brushed against hundreds of people. I felt my heart hammering in my chest. What if something bad happened? We could be trampled.
