Dragonborne

Chapter 8

We arrived at a small town just before nightfall. Alyse and I went ahead to the tavern as Levi went somewhere else in town to meet someone.

Alyse tethered the horses as I went inside the tavern. Inside, people were eating and birly men were sitting on the bar, drinking.

I approached the barista, and probably the owner of the tavern. "One room for two please and another room for one." I said. "Also, we have horses. Excuse me..." I trailed off as I noticed he wasn't paying attention. The barista was still busily talking to the man sitting in the bar. I observe the man he's talking with.

The man was probably between his late twenties or early thirties. His white tunic was pristine and so is his shoes, hinting on his prominent status in this town. There was something in the man's vibe, something foreboding that prevented me from interrupting their conversation. I lightly drummed my fingers on the bar as I waited for them to finish.

"May I help you, young miss." The barista said when he was done talking with the man.

"Room for one and a room for two," I said. "We also have horses, is the stable still good?"

"Yes, it's all good." He disappeared through a backdoor and reappeared with a young boy. "Lead this young lad to your horses."

I returned to Alyse with the young boy following me. Alyse directed him to the horses which he took to the stables. Alyse and I went into our room upstairs.

The town clock tower hit ninth in the evening when Levi knocked on our door.

"Your room's still two doors down the hall," I said, then I noticed that he was carrying a bundle. "What's that you're carrying?"

"It's your change of clothes." He said. "Start getting accustomed to these clothing so that there won't be a repeat of what just happened on the road."

I took the bundle from Levi and with a mumbled word of gratitude, I closed the door. I placed the bundle on the drawer beside my bed. Alyse emerged from the bathroom and I entered next.

I just finished drying my hair then I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

-oOo-

Morning came quickly and I found myself trying out the clothes Levi bought yesterday. "I didn't know that commoner's clothing could feel this comfortable." I said, I was wearing the clothes in the bundle that Levi gave me last night.

"Well," Alyse said, contemplating. "Commoners do have the right to be comfortable as they are our workers, farmer, tailors and bakers. In other words they feed the nobles and should they be gone..."

"I get it," I said. "It's fine. I know that now. I've heard it from mom a dozen times." Upon the mention of mom, I felt an ache somewhere within my chest. I struggled to relieve myself from it. In my effort, I slumped on my bed.

"Are you feeling sick?" Alyse placed a hand on my shoulder. Then her eyes looked at me with understanding and concern.

"My chest suddenly ached." I told, Alyse. I could feel tears on my face.

"It's called grief, Feyre." Alyse sat beside me and wrapped me in her arms. "It'll pass. I'll be here to see you through."

My grieving moment passed when Levi barged in. I abruptly stood up and turned away from the door, wiping my eyes.

"Can't you knock?" Alyse, reprimanded him. ""What if we were naked?"

"But you weren't," Levi replied. He must've noticed me turning away. "What's wrong, Feyre?"

"Nothing," I said, turning to face him. "Something just got in my eye."

"You were crying," he said.

"I wasn't."

"You just told me an age old lie for not crying."

"Let's just get a move on." I said. "Where are we going?"

"You just changed the subject." Levi leaned on the doorway. "You know-"

"Stop talking or you'll lose your throat." I said, resting the point of my saber on his windpipe. "One more word and I swear..." I was so enraged that I lost the ability to continue.

Alyse took my hand. "Feyre," Alyse said. "Calm down."

Levi assumed an insensitive mask. "Let's go down," he said. "There's someone waiting for us downstairs." And he left.

Alyse and I followed a few minutes later and I found out that the man we're meeting was the same man that the bartender was speaking with yesterday.

"Feyre," Levi said. "This is Lord Erys. He is the mayor of this town."

"Nice to meet you, Lady Corvette." He said, taking my hand and planting a light kiss on the back. "I am dearly distressed by your recent predicament. To lose both parents at such a young and delicate age..."

"I appreciate your sympathy, good lord." I said. Lord Erys then addressed Alyse, I noticed that the latter somehow looks at the good lord with slight apprehension.

I sidled up to Alyse. "Were you intimidated by the Lord Erys?" I asked. Alyse and I may be childhood friends but she was never really comfortable in the presence of other nobles.

I remember it well that every time my father would hold a gathering, a ball or a feast, Alyse would just be observing from the shadows while I mingled with the other noble children.

"You look like you've seen a ghost." I said with humor.

"Worst, actually." She is still looking at Lord Erys. "I think Lord Erys is a vampire."