Beyond the Rabbit Hole

Ina

Benard waited at the gate as the first shimmer of gold pierced through the darkness of the canopy. He wore a tall backpack with a sleeping bag tied to the top.

"Sorry, if we're late." Morgyn said as he approached. "We wanted to double check that we had everything for the journey."

Alyss walked closely behind him.

"No, you're right on time." Benard turned toward them. "If you're both ready, we should head out now. We need to make sure we reach Riverlet before dusk."

"All right." Morgyn nodded and walked toward the gate. "Let's head out then." He turned around. "Alyss?"

Alyss was looking back at the fort with a slight grin on her face and stars in her eyes. "It's nothing. I'm just taking it all in one last time before we leave." She turned back toward Morgyn and headed for the gate. "We have to make sure we remember this place." She said as a titter escaped her lips.

"Wait!" A voice called out from the darkness of the fort.

Alyss and Morgyn turned back around as they reached the other side of the moat. The bridge started to raise again.

Tels soon emerged from the darkness panting lightly. He stopped before reaching the bridge and waved. "Have a safe trip! See you guys again some time!"

Alyss and Morgyn smiled back at him and returned the wave. "We will!"

The trio reached the end of the forest by late afternoon. Morgyn stood at the top of the hill overlooking Riverlet as Alyss and Benard descended the hill ahead of him. The small town sprawled out below them. Several water wheels lined the side of the river on the opposite end of the town. On the other side of the winding river, acres of wheat covered the fields as far as the river stretched out into the horizon. Morgyn soon followed Alyss and Benard down the hill.

"This girl you're looking for – do you know where we might find her?" Benard asked, as he averted his gaze from the stares of the villagers.

"About that – I'm afraid I never did find out where she lived." Alyss scratched the back of her head and laughed.

"That's all right." Benard stopped. "It just means we need to ask around. Folks around here would all mostly know each other. I pray you at least learned her name."

"Her name's Ina." Alyss said. "At least, that's what she told me."

"Do you have reason to believe she lied to you?" Benard guided Alyss to a nearby building with several people going in and out of it.

"I don't think so." Alyss replied.

"Then we should assume she didn't." Benard opened the door and held it for Alyss.

Like a wall, stopping her in her tracks, a pungent aroma attacked her nostrils as she entered the building. Alyss stood in the doorway and stared at the crowd of men filling the tables. They were laughing, shouting, and paying her no mind.

"Something wrong, miss?" Benard asked from behind her.

"Ah, sorry." Alyss stood aside, while Benard squeezed past her. "What is that stench?"

"Booze?" Benard asked. "What, you never had any before?" He asked.

Alyss shook her head and headed straight for the bartender. "One pint, please!" She demanded.

The tavern owner scratched his scraggly beard and gave her a strange look.

A metallic clang rang beside Alyss's ear as four silver coins rolled onto the bar top. "Make that two," Benard pushed the coins toward the owner.