The sun had been down about an hour as Renno and Gia approached a small town called Bands. As darkness has started to pass over them, a very fierce set of clouds were also pushing in from behind them further darkening the sunset. The wind had started light but cool but was now almost pushing them forward and it carried a deep chill with it. Renno’s cart tried to topple twice already, which limited them from increasing their speed as much as they felt like they should.
“I didn’t bring any coins.” Renno said, just now realizing they would need rooms on this journey. Sure, there would be times they could sleep out in a field or under a tree, but with the storm coming behind them, he knew this was not one of those times.
“I have it covered,” Gia said with a smile. “I planned to leave. It’s not like you planned to leave, and we did so in such a rush. I hope I have enough MoF coins for both of us the whole trip, but I only planned on me, so we might have to camp when we can, which isn’t tonight!” she said as she pulled hair out of her face that wind had blow into it while she was talking. The wind was loud, but Renno was pretty sure he heard her growl as the hair flew back into her face.
It has just started to rain with heavy but spread out drops of water, almost like someone was throwing gravel at them when they made it to the inn. Renno tied his cart to the hitchrack and grabbed his clothes bag and the food, glancing at the inn’s sign as they ran inside. He smiled at the name Soft Beds and Light Heads. It was considerably warmer inside and they could both feel the heat coming off the large fireplace, which felt good with the chill they acquired from the brief encounter with the hard rain drops. The place was only about a quarter full, and most looked local insomuch as they were not covered with the dust from the road.
The older gentleman behind the bar smiled warmly at them and motioned them over. He had short fully gray hair and a waxed mustache that pointed up at the ends, and while his face showed a kindness to it, his face was weathered enough to show he had not always run an inn and had spent a good bit of time working in the sun. He was stout looking but had a belly on him that showed he enjoyed a good bit of food and ale himself. “Looks like you two could use a room and a nice bowl of my famous duck soup,” he said as they approached.
Before Renno could get words out, Gia replied, “Yes sir, to both. Also some tea would be really nice.” The last request made him cock his head and lower one eye at her.
“Tea? If I had tea it would cost more than the room,” he said quietly, bringing back his warm smile. “I’d keep my voice down asking for tea. People who can afford to buy tea can lose all of their money and sometimes more in places like this, and this isn’t even a bad place.” Speaking louder now with a bit of a laugh, he said, “Yes, that would be nice. I almost took you seriously.”
Gia was blushing and embarrassed as she realized maybe her life thus far had been a bit more entitled that she had assumed. “H-how much for the room, soup, and something to drink?”
“Three MoF for the room, and one MoF for the soup and drink each, so five MoF coins will get the job done, young lady,” he said as he put a key on the counter and turned around to ladle soup out of a big pot hanging above a small cooking fireplace behind him. He set two wooden mugs on the counter and poured wine into them. In a quiet voice he said, “This is rather weak wine, but probably healthier than the water for you and it has a pretty good flavor.” Gia pulled out the five Ministry of Finance coins and set them on the counter. Renno grabbed the bowls and Gia grabbed the two cups and the key.
“Thank you, sir.” Renno said.
“He talks!” the bartender said, with that same ever-present smile. “Just messing with you. Call me Bayrn.”
“Renno, sir. And this is...”
“Kayten,” Gia quickly said, giving Renno a look that told him he almost messed up. The look was not lots on the bartender.
“Well, nice to meet you Renno and... Kayt.” He nodded at them and left them to take care of other customers.
Renno led them both to a nearby table and set down the bowls. Gia set down the cups and put the key into the pocket on her dress.
“Sorry, Kayt,” Renno said with a sigh, followed by a smile. “We should get you some travelling clothes.”
Gia looked down at her dress, which was now brown and somewhat torn up from the bottom to the knees. The fabric was clearly not suited for travel. “Ugh, I said I prepared, but I really did not. I didn’t even bring a change of clothes, and even if I did, you are right, they are not right for travelling, at least not travelling this way.”
“I’ll run out and get you some in the morning, and I’ll get a rag to cover your hair. A different name is important, but you also need to look different. Travel clothes and a rag over your hair and no one would think you are the one they are looking for.”
Gia gave him a sad smile, “I think this trip is going to force us to adapt and change quite a bit. There is so much I did not think about.”
Renno nodded and after downing half of the wine, started into his soup. Gia looked at him a moment longer and started her meal as well.
After the meal they set their bowls and cups on the bar and went up the stairs to their room. It was small. One small bed, one stool, and a small table by the bed with an oil lamp on it. The sound of the rain and the window and the wind on the building was intense, but rhythmic. “You can have the bed.” Renno said. “I’ll take the floor.”
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Gia cocked her head at him. “No, that would not be right. We can share the bed. The floor will make you wake up in pain and we have a longer walk tomorrow than today.”
Renno grabbed one of the pillows off the bed, set it on the floor and lay down. “I’ll be fine.” Gia shook her head. She sat on the stool and took off her shoes and shook out her dress as much as she could and climbed into the bed, rolling the wick on the oil lamp down until the light was barely still aflame.
Both drifted off to sleep quickly. For a while both slept very deeply because of all the energy they had used walking here to Bands. Some time deep in the night Gia awoke to the sound of rustling. After living in her own room with heavy stone walls within the Ministry of Science, she was not used to sounds like this. Her heart was racing. She looked over to wake Renno to alert him to the noise and realized he was the noise. He was rolling around on the floor, still asleep but desperately trying to find a comfortable way to sleep. Gia sighed, got out of the bed, and pushed on his shoulder until he looked up at her.
“Get in the bed.”
“Oh, I am fine,” he replied with a smile.
“No, you most certainly are not. I cannot sleep with you rolling around like that trying to get comfortable. Get up here.”
Gia lay on the bed and scooted close to the wall. Renno bowed his head, pushed himself up and lay in the bed as close to the edge as he could, which made Gia giggle. Her giggle made him smile and they both drifted back to sleep.
When they awoke in the morning the rain was still going, but not near as fiercely. Gia woke first but looked at the beams in the ceiling thinking until Renno woke. He reached into the food bag and grabbed a couple fruits, handing her one. They both ate quietly at first. After Renno was almost done with his, he said, “I’ll need some MoF to get you travelling clothes. We might both need something to keep the rain off of us, too, unless we are going to wait out the rain.”
“I really am beginning to think I am very ill prepared for this trip,” she replied. “Yes, I’ll give you the coins. I still have enough for now.” Renno nodded and went back to eating. After a few moments she sat hers half eaten on the table and pulled some MoF out for him, handing it to him. He quickly finished his fruit and took the coins.
“I’ll be back soon,” he said, and went out the door. After he went out she looked in her pocket at the key to the room and smiled, knowing he would have to knock when he came back.
“We are so ill prepared for this,” she said breathily.
After a while there was a light knock on the door. Assuming it was Renno, she got up and opened the door. She was quickly pushed inside by a large burly man who kicked the door shut with his foot and held her tight with one arm. She found herself too shocked and too crushed about the ribs to yell. He threw her on the bed face down holding her down with his knee while he lashed her hands and feet. She started to yell but her face was smothered in the bed. She heard him laugh as he put cloth over her head and into her mouth. She tried desperately to fight to get loose from the bindings as he rolled her over. She could see his face now, smiling at her with his yellow teeth, holding her down with his enormous arm.
“I’m going to take that tea money, and maybe a little more,” he said as he put his face right up to hers. She could smell his foul breath. He sniffed her hair and then licked her face. “Mmm mighty sweet.” She struggled harder to get loose. He took his large hand off her and started undoing his belt. Try as she might, she could not get free or even work her way off the bed. She saw the door slowly open and stopped moving. “That’s right,” he said. “Might as well settle in for the ride.” He dropped his pants and started pulling up her dress. She could not see the door behind him anymore, but she heard a loud wet cracking sound and the big man fell onto her. She fought hard to get him off of her, but with his weight and her bindings, it was impossible.
Moments later, she felt the immense weight lifted off her and saw the face of Bayrn, the bartender. He came over to her and gently untied her bindings and gag. “I was hoping none of this riff raff heard you ask for tea. When I saw the boy leave without you, I started watching. Very sorry I did not make it up here sooner. I’m going to holler down and get some help getting rid of this trash.” Bayrn went to the door and yelled down the stairs. Gia did not move, nor did she make a sound. She could not stop shaking.
Two men came in, took notice of the large body on the floor, came in and silently picked him up, taking him out the door. As they were taking him out, Renno came into the room with a sack in his hands. Looking at her and then back at the door where the man had just been carried out, a look of fright and sadness came over him. Bayrn looked at him for a few moments with a strong look in his eyes. “I do not know where you kids are going, or why, but...” Bayrn trailed off. Tears were starting to drop from Gia’s eyes. Renno ran over to hug her, but she stopped him with a shaking hand on his chest. She held it there for a moment and then pulled him in tight for a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he said, tears now running down his face.
After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and pushed him back. “We are not prepared for this,” she said. She stood up, still shaking but in control. “Thank you, sir,” she said, looking at Bayrn.
Bayrn took a deep breath and sighed. “I cannot tell you anything that is not running through your heads right now. There are a lot of towns much worse than this out there, and there is not always a watchful and caring inn keeper.” He let his shoulders go slack. “Come see me before you leave.” He walked out of the room.
Renno closed the door behind him. “I...” he started to say, before she held up a hand for him to stop.
“Give me the clothes.”
He handed them to her. “Do you want me to step out?”
She gave him a sharp look. “No, not ever again. Just turn around.” He did and she quickly got dressed. They gathered their belongings and went downstairs and came up to Bayrn, who was behind the bar.
He motioned them to the end of the bar and pulled out a sword and dagger, both with accompanying straps from behind the bar. “Young man, strap this to your back. You probably do not know how to use one, but it being there will keep you from looking like such an easy target. And young lady, put this around your waist. Somebody tries to hurt you again, you just poke them until they leak out everywhere.” Renno and Gia stood there quietly looking at the weapons until he pushed them into their hands.
“Thank you,” both said together.
“Truly, Bayrn, thank you,” Gia said with a glint of tears in her eyes. She gave him a huge hug that Renno swore brought glimmer of tears to his eyes.
They both attached their weapons, put on their new cloaks, and headed out the door to start the next part of the journey with a new sadness and fear instilled in both of them.