I'm alive!??!?! I know it's a tad late, very short, and not up to my usual standard, but it is what it is.
*****
What on earth did I just see? Was... was that a nymph? There's no way I just saw that. I must have been in these woods for too long, I'm starting to see things. What's next? I'll be seeing fairies?
No. I've just been in this forest for too long. It's starting to get to my head. Because if that truly was a nymph, then could Garrick have been telling the truth after all?
Not possible. There must be something I am missing.
It was a trick of the light! The sun reflecting off the river must have made her skin appear greenish. And her ears! She must not be from around here, maybe she is from some far off land where ears are just like that. And she did not disappear into the river. She must have swum down stream before I got to the bank.
It all makes sense. She was just talking to herself, not to the river, and it only looked like she was talking to another person. Not a nymph talking to the river. Because nymphs aren't real. Yes, exactly.
If I follow the river downstream, I should come across a town eventually. I wish I knew where I was, that would make finding where I am going easier.
Luckily, Garrick did not completely ransack my satchel. I still had a few pieces of bread and cheese left. And those questionable mushrooms. If I'm not careful how I ration my food, I won't make it to a town at all.
I should've waited until nightfall to make my escape. Maybe then I could have taken some of their supplies with me. Or maybe Roman would not have had to help me.
Why did he help me? I hope he's okay, it sounded like he went down really hard. He sacrificed himself for me, someone he hardly knew. I doubt Garrick will take this betrayal lightly.
Stop thinking about him. He made his choice, I didn't ask him to. It's not my fault, whatever happens to him. It's not! He decided to tackle Triton, all on his own.
I had gotten so stuck in my thoughts of Roman, I hardly noticed the town in front of me. It wasn't until I started to hear voices and sounds of the city that I realized it was there. Following the river had led me straight to it! Wow, I am so smart sometimes.
The sun was already dipping below the horizon by now. I suppose it would be too late to try to sell my tiara and rent a room at the town's inn. I'll just have to find a sheltered spot at the edge of town.
First thing tomorrow, I'll head into town and stock up on supplies. I won't need much. Just a map, a better disguise, and some food. I don't even know where I am in Talfkar or how far I am from the castle. That map will be my number one priority. Hopefully, this town is small enough and far enough from the castle to not recognize me.
***
It had only been two-ish weeks since I ran away, but I'd grown accustomed to the quiet of the forest. It was peaceful, comforting even, to know that I could do what I wanted and all I had to do was survive. It was a good two weeks.
This town was the polar opposite.
The streets were crowded and everyone was yelling out to each other. The town center had a market where stalls had been set up, some selling produce, some selling wool and clothes, and some didn't seem to be selling anything but always had customers. I tried asking some of the merchants for directions back to the castle or about some maps, but if I wasn't buying something from them, they wouldn't give me the time of day.
I can't give up. I have to find my way back to the castle, if I can make it back to Adrienne, everything will sort itself out. It has to.
After hours of searching, I had found my way to the town's tavern. Disheartened and in a bit of distress, I made my way to a seat. If I had thought the town was loud and chaotic, the tavern was a whole other realm.
"You can't sit there unless you got food." One of the barmaids called out to me.
Are you kidding me? I just wanted to sit for two minutes and organize my thoughts. I guess I'll eat while I'm here.
"I'm about to order something, just give me a second." I moved to open my satchel and get my coin pouch.
"I don't like your tone."
I looked up at the woman. She continued to stare at me, her gaze reaching into my soul.
"I'm sorry? I was just saying, I'm going to get food so don't kick me out."
"That's not an excuse or an apology."
Did this woman want me to feel bad for trying to sit down in her tavern? This is pathetic. Fine, if I have to make amends just so I can eat and decide my next course of action, then I guess I'll have to.
"Oh. Okay. I'm sorry-", I started to apologize.
"Now why doesn't that feel sincere?" The barmaid rubbed two fingers together and looked expectantly at me.
What? Why is she doing that? I can see her getting more frustrated the longer I look at her but I do not understand why.
Suddenly, with a loud clink, a bag of coins landed on the counter.
"Chill out Norah, she's with me." A gruff voice said.
You have got to be joking.
YOU ARE READING
Between Two Vines
Adventure(Formerly The Forest of Life) Saviors aren't always as expected. They're people too. They make mistakes. But how they choose to live with those mistakes is what matters.
