Iron

5

Note: Part 6 was originally published in this chapter, but this is the real chapter five. Sorry for any confusion!

Within a few minutes, Plato had forced her back up onto her horse and they moved onward. It was torture for poor Aune, who was infinitely sore from their earlier ride. At some point, Plato snapped at her.

"Well, I certainly hope you adjust quickly because we ride much farther than we're going to today. This is only a little jaunt in my world, and you now live the same way I do." This remark stung Aune and only worked to infuriate her. Angrily she twisted the metal cuffs around her wrists. They chafed her where they touched and she wished dearly that they could come off.

It felt like years later (but judging by the sun, it had only been a few hours) when they first passed a farmer with a wagon full of hay.

"How much farther to North Soanaff?" Plato called out to him. It wasn the first time Plato had spoken since the incident in the woods. The farmer tipped his hat in greeting and called back "Ain't much further sir, jus' a few miles up thataway." He pointed up the road in the direction they were heading. "Have a good day, now." He chirruped to his horses and they moved on.

It doesn't feel like "a few miles". Aune thought grumpily. But they reached the border of North Soanaff. She was weak with relief at the very thought of getting off her horse.

"It'll be dark soon." Plato called back to her. "We're going to find a place to sleep and eat and we'll get our supplies tonight." Aune nodded. She couldn't find the strength to respond with words.

A few minutes later, Plato stopped next to a rather large building with sounds of badinage coming from inside. "Stay nearby." He muttered. "I don't want you running off." Hefting a small pack that Aune had not noticed before, he tethered his horse to a pole with a complicated knot. Grabbing the rope on Aune's horse, he did the same for her. Then, unexpectedly, he helped her off her horse. Aune blinked, not believing it. She glanced at him and he glared back at her.

"I'm not making this a habit, I'm just doing this so you don't embarrass me." With that, he turned around and headed inside. Annoyed again, Aune and followed Plato in. As she did so, she noticed a sign on the wall showing the name of the building:

The Enchanted Nightingale Tavern and Inn.

Inside, Aune could tell right away that it was more tavern than inn. Round tables filled most of the room, with a bar in the far back. Uncomfortable, she slid quickly and silently in Plato's footsteps.

He, on the other hand, seemed confident, and it irked her. He stopped at the bar (which seemed to serve as a desk and a bar) and it took him but a moment to rent two rooms. Instead of going to find their room, he turned and beckoned Aune.

"We'll go get our supplies. Then I'll get us some supper." He grunted. Aune sighed. "Alright."

Later, after Aune had acquired a few pairs of leather pants, several simple shirts, tall leather boots (these were the hardest to get without letting Plato see the knives), and a thick woolen jacket, they returned to the inn. Aune hadn't realized how hungry she was until she smelled the thick stew that the tavern's cook was making. She hadn't had anything since her meager breakfast in her room. How long ago that seemed already!

The cook thrust a bowl of soup at Aune and she gratefully took it, thanking him. Plato merely grunted in reply. The cook grinned at her. "You're welcome." As Plato left, the cook hissed "Watch your back around him, girl." Aune spun around, surprised, but the cook had already turned away.

Her heart pounding, Aune went over to Plato. He was holding a keg of beer and his stew was half gone.

"Finish your stew." he growled "Then I'll take you upstairs. I've got business to do and you wouldn't help me." Aune stared back at him, tired of his commanding ways and tone.