Resilience Run

Chapter 2

Rhys and I had been at opposite ends of the bed that night. So waking up in her arms, and my arms wrapped around her, was a bit of a shock. Enough of a shock that I scrambled away and promptly fell out of the bed, grunting when I hit the floor. The sudden movement must have woken Rhys up, since there was some shifting in the bed and she sat up.

"What's happening?!" Rhys asked, "What's wrong?! Riley, are you okay?!"

"I'm fine." I said as I stood up, trying to get my bearings. There had been some chill last night, and Rhys' body was basically a giant space heater, so it made sense that I'd be drawn into her. At least, that was what I was telling myself.

Rhys rushed over to me and helped me up.

"I'm really okay," I said, "Just a nightmare, nothing else. Sorry to worry you."

"You sure?" Rhys asked.

I nodded. Rhys shrugged.

"I'm gonna go check us out," said Rhys, "Be right back."

With that, she walked out of the room. As soon as the door closed, Felice giggled.

"What's up?" I asked.

"You didn't have a nightmare," said Felice, "I know that for a fact, one of the benefits of sharing your soul with me. And considering you woke up in Rhys' arms... I can guess what happened."

"You can also guess I'm gonna ask you to keep quiet about it." I said.

"I'll do my best." said Felice. I could tell that she wasn't going to say anything. I got back to my feet, put my dad's jacket in my bag since it was too hot in the room to put it on, grabbed our bags, and went to join Rhys out in the pub.

As soon as I saw the guys standing around Rhys at the bar, I dropped my bags and moved my hand to my sword. I could feel Felice on my back, ready to take over should the need arise.

"We ain't gonna tell you again, bitch!" one of the men said, "Pay up or else!"

"Not gonna happen," said Rhys, "Get out of my face."

"Is there a problem, gentlemen?" I asked. The man who was in Rhys' face turned to me, but the other two guys had their eyes on her, so she couldn't do anything without them knowing. I tried to think of a plan.

"Your travel partner here doesn't seem to know the Craven Mill rules," said the man with a beard, who had been in Rhys' face, "Anyone who stays a night's gotta pay the toll, or else... bad things seem to happen."

"A superstition toll?" I said, "That's a new one to me. Why don't you show me that law?"

"Why don't you just pay up and quit wasting our time?" one of the men yelled.

"I got a better one," I said as I pulled my sword out, just enough that the men could see the blade, "How about you back off my partner and we go on our merry way, and things don't get ugly?"

"I would say we're past that part," said the man who was getting in my face, "But you're actually kind of cute. How about we skip the banter and go to the love-making?"

"Excuse me while I throw up." I said, and then I did an exaggerated gag for good measure. Felice and Rhys laughed, while the man just glared at me. Then, something changed in his face, as if he recognized me.

"You're that bitch maiden from the Requiem Run," said the man, "The one who ruined all the fun. Did you know the emperor's put a big price on your head?"

"Huh, you don't say?" I said, "What's that got to do with anything?"

"What's that got to do with?" the man echoed, "Well, that means all we have to do is..."