The Lost Storm

Chapter 29 - Mauve Inn

Almost a week into the trip and already Isa was not feeling it. Her thighs sore from the saddle and her hands raw from the reins...she was ready to drag her fiance ALL the way back to her castle. That's if he's still her fiance by the time she's ripping into him, IF she finds him. She finally came into Mauvebend Township and to say it was quaint was an understatement. The center of the town had cottage style buildings, petunias in every other window sill, and the people as friendly as one could imagine they would be; welcoming, in fact. 

She now walked through the town, looking around for a stable, she spotted the local Inn. She tied her mare in the front of the building and went inside. Spotting the lady at the counter, Isadora kept a cool and collected demeaner remembering Finn's words. 

"Hello deary," greeted the innkeeper. Looking to be later in age, the lady seemed sweet of the face with a sincere smile. The woman had on a white scarf over her graying hair and wore a simple light blue dress with a gray apron over it. "Were you looking to stay?"

Isadora smiled at her, "Good afternoon ma'am. Yes. I am looking to stay until tomorrow morning."

"OH! How splendid," exclaimed the innkeeper.

"How much," asked Isa taking out 10 uni trying not to alert anyone she was carrying more than anyone owned in town could ever imagine.

"With the new decree from the King, 15 uni. We are trying to pay the dues, but this new price does not attract newcomers anymore," explained the woman. Little did she know the woman before her seeked to rectify that.

"No need to feel bad, it's your inn," she took out another 10 uni, "did you have a stable in the back?"

"Yes, you will be on the second floor and second door on the left-hand side," answered the woman. "My husband keeps it, your steed will be taken care of. Supper is at 6:30, would you like me to bring it up?"

"Sure, thank you," she handed the woman the money and walked back outside. The mare was still waiting for her, but she did look a bit tired. Isa undid the knot and pet the mare's snout, "Come. Rest for tomorrow. After that, we will be camping again. Maybe that asshole will drop from the sky and onto my lap." She walked her friend towards the back of the inn. 

"Whoever built it really put some thought into it. It's beautiful."

"Well thank you, young miss," said a voice coming out of a small barn. "I did not put thought into it, it was mostly my wife. I just went and built it from the ground up."

A man came out of the barn, he had gray hair and a leather apron on. He slowly walked to her while wiping his hands on a piece of cloth.

"Your wife tells me you can take care of my friend here," she smiled at him.

"Of course. Bring her into an empty stall and unsaddle her. I'm sure you will want to take your belongings. I will take care of the poor thing from there," he smiled pointing at a sweaty Hadassah.

Isa looked at her poor best friend and ran her hand along the steeds long face. "Yeah. She needs a bath. Goddess knows how long we will be traveling."

"Unsaddle her and do not fret, your friend will be as good as new by tomorrow lass."

She took her steed in, eyeing two bay horses and a palomino before finding an empty one and started to work quickly on taking the saddle off so the husband did not see the royal saddle. She managed to take it off and put it on the floor of the back wall and used the spare blanket she had to cover it. The man suddenly walked to the opening of the stable, "Pardon me miss. Oats and hay okay for her tonight?"

Isa jumped a little and faced him, "Yes, of course."

"Great. I will start her a small bath and a good brushing before feeding her. Run along now and do the same. You look a bit drained. My darling honey wife makes the best roast in town. My own daughters fail to replicate it."

At that Isa smiled widely, "I will hold you to it. Please do leave me some," she started to walk past him and out of the stables. 

He chuckled as she walked past him and took the reins of Hadassah calmly petting her and whispering to her. Before Isadora walked out she turned around and asked, "Do you by chance have a market? I would like to buy some things before I continue on."

He turned back around and led the mare, "Sure thing miss. Right across the street from our inn."

"Thanks," she continued out. Around the inn, she made her way across the street, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Finally finding the small market, she picked out more apples and carrots for Hadassah then she knew they could carry. Passing by a stand of a family selling soap and paying them for a bar, she saw the bakery and smelled the divine things that were being baked. 

Isadora went inside and the wave of sweetness hit her. She looked at every single danish and pie and custard she could. She finally settled on some Iumbolls, and called it quits before she bought the entire damn bakery. Holding her sweets tight, she strolled her way back to the front of the inn where she found the innkeeper lady out in the front giving her daughter a basket of what looked to be freshly bought items, too. 

The lady waved at her and Isa began walking towards her when-

SLAM!

She was hit from behind, knocking the air out of her, by a group of three men who seemed to be singing...

"Hey love! Watch out. We are singing here," one shouted at her. 

They got throught to her and finally passed her, the smell of stale ale following them. The one who yelled at her seemed to be older, short, stout, robust in the belly (probably from all the ale), and bald. He was laughing and singing and slurring the words. The other was a bit taller, lanky and similar to his friend. Also singing and laughing and slurring his words. The third seemed to be mid height and younger, resembling the shorter man. His light brown hair accentuating his round facial features. He too slurred his words, but as he passed her he smiled and winked at her.

"Come dear!" the innkeeper waved her over  and finally getting her off her trance.

I need to rest. Tomorrow knows what the wind will bring.

"Don't pay them any mind dear. The town drunks get together every Friday for a few pints of extra ale. The skinny taller man is Tim, his friend Frank is the short stout one and his nephew Richard. They are harmless."

Isa made her way to the short woman. "Ok. Did you go shopping too?"

The woman laughed, "Yes dear. My daughter is taking you a nice satchel of lavender and salts for a bath, my other child drew you a small warm bath after the extra tip you gave. Go on and wash up, supper is almost ready."

Isadora did just that and went up to bathe. The satchel was a nice touch. She made mental note to return and thank them if she came back after everything.

IF.

She dressed up in her nightgown and opened the door when someone knocked.

"Eat up dear. Leave the plate on the hallway once you are finished. Rest well, sweet. We break fast at 7 sharp," with that the old woman smiled sweetly at her and left to finish delivering supper, no less. 

As she ate her delicious stew, she saw through her back window her dear friend finished up being brushed. With that the old man coaxed her back into the stable to eat.

I will not give this bastard anymore thought. He does not want to fulfill his duty, fine. But, he will not stand in the way of mine. Plans have changed, and I must protect the people. I will get him back to the altar for my blessing now. By now my family has sound off the alarm, and my siblings no doubt being protected. My father will have his men and bannermen at the ready because if its one thing I am certain of is that I am his daughter and my mother's daughter, which gives me the advantage to say: I am most certain this bastard King of Kings will have his war one way or another. And his son has just given it to him. No right man does not mourn his wife, marries 2 more, keeps his first and second-born heirs locked up, and magically sends word of raising banners against the only other dominant force. He is mad. I will most certainly die...even if it means saving the people.

She left the plate in front of the door and brushed her hair. Once done, Isadora blew out all the candles and got under the covers of the small bed.

Isa felt a peace she had never encountered, it encompassed her like a blanket. Her nerves may have been on end when she heard her fiance escaped, but...THIS WAS peace. And she went to sleep with it. The best she ever had.