Sleepwalker

Chapter Twenty-One: A Drinking Song

“You idiot! I cannot believe you! I know I can win. What type of manure were you trying to spoon feed me? You dolt! It’s just a few coins. You lost everything!”

He snapped, “Would you calm down? It is nothing to panic over.”

Though I repressed a screech, my voice was still thick with tension. “Nothing to panic over? You just lost every Tyan we had to some scum bag with rotted teeth. How do you think we’re going to get lodgings? If we even reach Eirodin at this point, it’ll be far too cold to camp out all night,” I seethed through my teeth, as calmly as I could.

He went to snarl, but exhaled. “I don’t know. Something just came over me. It’s always been like this, cards, dice, and coins, they just spellbind me. It’s my vice, Jen.”

“Dill, that’s not…good. It’s done already, though. We’ll figure something out for money, alright?” I assured both of us, more myself than him. I yawned, rubbing my eyes.

“For now though, the public library is free and it is near the university. Dunver is a very historical area, you know. Most of those wanting to learn and profess history come here, which disturbs me more than anything. Spending time in Dunver.” He shuddered.

“How do you not see the beauty of this city, Dill? It’s amazing.”

He smiled, “You only say that because you’ve never been to the city before. Where’s the farthest you’ve been from Yondrin besides this little trip of yours?”

I sighed at his amazing smile and adorable curiosity before I replied, “Um, nowhere, almost always I was at the inn. Occasionally, my father and I would take a trip to Yondrin, but it was rare. It’s breath-”

Before I could finish, a woman jabbed her elbow into me. Her hand pressed back against my throat. As I nearly toppled over, she held onto my back right over the shot.

When I turned to snap at her, all I could see was a dark mop of curls lost in the crowd, far down the road. “That was rude.” I rubbed the soreness out of my back.

“Are you even going to check your pockets?” Dill asked, bluntly. “You probably just got pick-pocketed.” He lowered his eyebrows.

I muttered grumpily, “And what gold do you suppose she stole off me? Could it have been all of the money that you gambled away?” I touched my neck; it stung a bit.

Tugging on my collar, Armadillo inspected the irritated area. “Jenny…the cut is gone. Well, not gone, it’s a scar now.” He ran his finger along it. His touch didn’t prickle my skin as it had been. When our gazes locked, he brought his face nearly to mine.

Our noses almost touched. I frittered nervously and my thoughts lingered on a kiss, but the emotion for the faintest brush of his skin wasn’t despairing. “Nothing,” I lied, grinning up at him. My feet left the ground while he twirled me around in his arms.

He smiled, still cradling me in his arms. “So, why are we going to Eirodin?”

“To find my mother,” I beamed. I couldn’t help but notice the slight decrease in his enthusiasm when he released me. “So, should we see if your cousins are home?”

“Good idea.” He led me along the nearly empty streets. His footing was so steady, my own so unsure. When I stumbled, he caught me. “Careful. Are you tired?”

My muscles were stiff and my head was clouded. “A bit. It’s not a problem though. I’ll rest later on.” I stretched out my toes, which only caused more ache.

“If no one is here, we’re going to be vagrants tonight.” Dill reminded me.

“Then let’s hope someone is home.” Prudently, I stepped onto the creaking porch steps. The boards curled under Dill and me. “This feels safe.” I muttered sarcastically.