Resilience Run

Chapter 7

Finding shelter for the night that wasn't a tent was much easier than I thought it was going to be, as Rhys found an Inn almost immediately, one that was much nicer than the others we'd been in before. Unfortunately, being nicer also meant staying for a bit was much more - double the price of the previous rooms we'd been staying in.

"Sixteen gold pieces for one night, that's just ridiculous!" said Felice as the three of us piled into one room, all we could afford with our dwindling purse.

"To be fair, you also thought seven pieces for a room was ridiculous," I said, "You've been dead for a century Felice, prices get worse as time goes on. Inflation is a thing in every world, I guess."

"But there's just no reason for it!" Felice said, "Why would gold prices get lower as time goes on?!"

"That's not a question I could answer, even in my own universe." I said, "Maybe if we find a financial advisor somewhere around here, we can ask them."

"I'll keep an eye out." said Felice as she crossed her arms and pouted. Rhys stifled a chuckle.

"I'm going to have to get some supplies from the local store," said Rhys, "You two need to stay here and keep on the down-low."

"This is gonna be super boring." I said as Jagos flopped down onto the bed, "Having to stay away from all the hot grocery-shopping action."

"It's better than anyone seeing you and recognizing you," said Rhys, "That's the last thing we ever need."

"Fair enough." I said as I flopped down next to Jagos, "Hurry back."

"I will," said Rhys as she handed me a quarter of the gold from the coin purse, "Keep your head down if you want to get some food."

"I'll get some mead for you for when you get back," I said, "So take your time."

Rhys nodded and made her way out.

"And now we wait." said Felice.

"Ah yes, the fun part." I said, "In the meantime, I'm gonna get something to eat, I'm starving."

"I'll go with you." said Jagos. I chose not to argue; this was the first time Jagos had taken the initiative on something and said he'd do something without being prompted, so I wasn't going to tell him no.

We made our way out, and I told Jagos to take a seat while I made my way to the bar. The man behind the counter was doing what all the innkeepers I'd seen up to this point had been doing; polishing the cups with a rag.

"What can I get you, miss?" the man asked in a rough and gruff voice.

"What do you have?" I asked.

"Not too much, delivery's been slow," said the innkeeper, "We got some goat meat, some grilled vegetables, mead, water, and that's about it. Though, I can make a wicked meat pie."

"Pint of mead, some of water, and three meat pies then." I said.

"I'll call you when it's ready." said the innkeeper. I nodded to him and walked over to the table Jagos was sitting at, looking at a sign on the wall and squinting his eyes in frustration.

"What's up?" I asked, "Anything troubling?"

"I... I don't know," said Jagos, "I can't read."

"Oh, really?" I said, "Well..."

"I can teach you!" said Felice, "When we're on our own, I can read you some spells from the spell book moor-acu keeps with her."

"I... I would appreciate that." said Jagos. For the first time, I realized I heard emotion in his voice, a small amount of hope. I felt so proud of the kid.