Arteline

II

"We do," Arteline said firmly, pulling out a handful of coins from her pack. "We can pay."

The man's eyes lit up at the sight of the money. "Alright then," he said, grabbing a large key from behind the counter. "I have a room for two, upstairs. First door on the right. But you'll have to clean up before you go up, I don't need you tracking mud all over the place."

"Thank you," Arteline said, already handing over the coins. Easley looked around and lowered his voice, speaking discreetly to Arteline. "Think we can trust this place? Or the people here?"

Arteline gave him a sidelong glance. "I doubt they'd try any funny business with the innkeeper being right there," she replied, her gaze drifting to the burly man who had gone back to cleaning mugs behind the counter. "Besides, we need the rest, and we don't have many choices."

Easley nodded, silently agreeing with her reasoning. "Yeah, you're right." He glanced around at the tavern's patrons, who seemed absorbed in their drinks and conversations. "Just keep an eye out, okay?"

"I always do," Arteline replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "But try to relax. We're not in the woods anymore, we'll be fine."

They made their way through the tavern, some of the patrons glanced at them but quickly resumed their conversations and ignored them. They climbed the stairs at the back of the room and followed the narrow corridor until they reached their room.

The room was simple but clean, with a single, wooden bed, a small dresser, and a window overlooking the square below. Arteline looked around, taking in the modest surroundings. "It's nothing fancy but it's better than sleeping under the stars."

Arteline noticed Easley's blushing cheeks, but was too tired to question it. "I'll take the floor," she said, yawning. "You take the bed, you look like you need it more."

Easley's blush intensified as she said this. "No, no, I couldn't take the bed while you sleep on the floor," he protested.

Arteline chuckled slightly at his chivalry, amused by his shyness. "Don't be ridiculous, you're the one with the injury. You need a soft bed more than I do, especially your hand."

Easley opened his mouth to argue further but ultimately let out a sigh of resignation. "Fine," he mumbled. "But I owe you."

Arteline just laughed, amused by his chivalry again. "Consider it a favor from one friend to another. Now go rest before you drop from exhaustion."

With that, Easley sat down on the bed, wincing slightly as he did so. Arteline rummaged through her supplies, unrolling a thin woolen blanket on the floor and making herself comfortable.

Easley woke up to the sunlight filtering through the curtains. Rubbing his eyes, he looked around the room and noticed that Arteline was not there. A small note on the bedside table caught his attention. Picking it up, he read the note in Arteline's neat handwriting:

"Eat your breakfast, I am outside to paint this village. See you in a bit."

Easley looked at the note, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Leave it to Arteline to find an excuse to paint even in such a place. Rolling out of bed, he stretched out his aching muscles and groaned slightly as his hand protested.

Remembering the tavern's promise of breakfast, he decided he could use some food, so he made his way downstairs. The tavern was much quieter now, as most patrons had left for work, only few farmers and late risers still occupied the tables, chatting over their ale.

The burly man from the day before gave him a nod of recognition. "Morning, you're lucky to have a traveling companion like that, always up before the sun." He gestured in the direction of the street. "Saw your girlfriend head out a few hours ago. Said she wanted to paint."