After the fall

Chapter 7

The surrounding silence was disturbed by the noise of what sounded like peoples voices talking over each other, metal hitting metal as well as the distant sounds of animal life. Lapisa slowly arose from her slumber and was immediately greeted by a pounding ache in her head. Lapisa slowly opened one eye to take in her surroundings and was met with a foot laying not even an inch away from her face. Lapisa, still a bit groggy from sleep, rolled over from where she slept and smacked her head against one of the boxed cargos. She groaned lowly as she felt throbbing pain centered around her forehead add to her upcoming headache and slowly sat up trying to ignore the aching pain coming from her shoulder and rubbed at her forehead.

A snicker was heard from behind her and she turned her head to look at its source knowing full well who it came from. Lo and behold, there sat Lan snickering and covering his mouth with his hand as he stared gleefully back at Lapisa. "Are you having fun?" Lapisa said lowly as she frowned at the man who sat opposite of her giggling away. "Very." Lan somehow got out as he slowly composed himself. Lapisa turned back around from Lan and grumbled to herself when she caught a whiff of newly baked bread, suddenly all she could smell was the inside of a bakery and she felt her stomach cramp up and then let out a low growl. Yet another snicker was heard from the same source and Lapisa this time decided to ignore it and took to looking outside the carriage instead. As she poked her head outside the drapes Lapisa was met with the sun sitting high up in the sky and people bustling around.

On the cobblestone road wandered adults and children alike alongside a few free roaming animals like chickens and a few dogs. Multiple stalls surrounded the road and buildings were scattered around. Women were carrying baskets filled to the brim with various produce and the children were running around and playing. As her gaze wandered around the road, when all of a sudden the carriage must have run over a bump, Lapisa felt herself lose her balance and begin to tip forward out of the carriage. The ground moved closer to her face when she was pulled back by the back of her shirt and hit the floor. Lapisa looked up at Lan who was still clutching at her shirt and felt her beating heart calm down. "Thanks." Lapisa mumbled to Lan and took a second to breathe. "I swear to God, you're like a newborn calf. Can't even stand on your own two feet," Lan said as he exhaled slowly and rubbed his fingers between his eyes. "It's like taking care of a child." He let go of Lapisa's shirt, shuffled back to where he had placed his bag and put it on his shoulder and then moved to the front of the carriage where he pulled the drapes aside.

He stuck his head out to speak to a man that sat on the other side and handed him a small bag of what seemed like coins. Lapisa felt the carriage slow down as Lan returned to her side and felt a soft touch on her shoulder, "This is our stop." Lan flung his legs over the edge, jumped off and stretched out his hand for Lapisa. Lapisa warily placed her hand in the palm of his and jumped off stumbling a little. Lapisa let go of his hand, turned to look at the carriage that had picked up speed again and was on its way. When she turned back to Lan he had already begun to walk and was soon swallowed by the crowd. Lapisa hurriedly began walking after him and soon caught up with him. "It's just around the corner," Lan said as he glanced at her and continued walking. "What is?" Lapisa said cautiously as she continued to look around at all the people. "The inn that I work at, it'll help get you on your feet again." As they walked through the crowd Lan suddenly took a turn into an alleyway and they soon emerged into a less crowded road. Lan made an abrupt stop in front of a wooden building with people going in and out of the entrance. Lan made his way inside the doors meanwhile Lapisa remained in front of the building taking it in. Noticing that Lan had made his way inside, Lapisa followed after and went through the doors.

What Lapisa was met with as soon as she came in through the doors were the distinct smell of food as well as the smell of what she thought was newly cut wood. As Lapisa ventured into the building she took notice of the tables scattered around with a few of them being occupied, as well as the many small chandeliers hanging from multiple places on the high seiling. She spotted Lan leaning on what seemed to be a bar and he was speaking to a middle aged lady that stood behind it and cleaning a mug with a rag. The lady had a bit of curve to her and had her slightly curly, hazel hair tied up in a messy high ponytail, the long sleeves to her shirt were pushed up on her arms and she had an apron tied around her waist. Her face adored a small smile as she spoke softly with Lan who mirrored her expression while he leaned his crossed arms on the counter.

Lan had placed his bag by his feet and pushed into resting against one of the bar stools that lined along the bar. Lapisa shuffled her feet as she gradually made her way to the bar and came to a stop behind Lan, not really sure what she was supposed to do. "And who might this wild flower be?" A soft voice said curiously. Lapisa, startled, looked past Lan's shoulder from where she stood and made eye contact with the lady behind the counter. "This," Lan said and gestured to Lapisa who had shuffled forward and now stood next to him "is Lapisa, a stray I found while out collecting scrap." At the introduction, Lapisa carefully lifted her arm and waved slightly at the lady. "Hi..." She said lowly. "Well aren't you lovely! There's no need to be scared, I don't bite!" The lady behind the counter said as she put down the mug and the rag. "She doesn't bite but she sure knows how to pinch" Lapisa heard Lan mutter to himself looking like a sulking toddler.