Reflection of Fire

Part I Chapter 6

The strange interview seemed like a dream – or a nightmare. It was a relief to find that she was in the same inn as before, just on the top floor of it. She found the stairs and took them two at a time. The common room was clearing out and it took only a moment to realize Finn was not one of the remaining patrons. The wings of panic fluttered in her chest and it took her a moment to force her thoughts along a rational line of thinking.

Effort was required to not to sprint out of the room, but she managed a cool walk. Still, it seemed like forever before she got outside. Clearly, they were not the only ones who had been delayed by the fog. The courtyard was bustling and full of people and luggage and horses and carriages. She blinked at the sight and strained her eyes in search of any that were familiar. There!

"Finn!" she couldn't resist shouting as she hurried over.

He was overseeing their trunks being loaded and turned to her with a smile. "I wondered where you'd gotten to. Good timing, we're nearly ready."

She didn't know if she should explain where she'd been or not. The heavy feeling in her head had decreased, perhaps as a result of being outside. And she couldn't begin to think of what to say about the whole interview with the figure in black. It felt more dreamlike than real anyway.

"Have you eaten?" Finn asked, disrupting her thoughts.

"No," she admitted, immediately realizing she shouldn't have said anything. She'd already eaten better today than many days before.

"Let's fix that," was his amicable reply. "Go ask the landlady for something for the road."

"Oh, I don't think," she began.

He waved off her protest. "Travel is always better when you have a snack. Go on, Rey."

Relieved at his insistence, she headed back inside. The crowd was thinning somewhat in the courtyard and it was easier to reach the door. Fewer people than before were in the common room, making it no trouble to find the landlady.

"Mr. Finn would like something for the road," she told her dutifully.

"Would he, now? Well, let me just put something together. Sit yourself down there, dear, I'll just be a moment," the woman said with a kind smile. "Tis a busy day, with so many high-quality guests."

"Like whom?" Rey asked as she sank into the chair, smiling a little herself. Finn had not left without her. And probably wouldn't have.

"Well, your Mr. Finn, of course." The woman's smile faded. "And that Kylo Ren is here."

"Who?" The sinking feeling in her chest made it difficult to get the question out.

The landlady considered, leaning close conspiratorially. "He works for that man Snoke. I hear he bullies lords who want to support the princess into supporting his master instead. He's a hard man to cross, they say." She straightened abruptly. "A fine guest, though, to be sure," she said a little more loudly, and walked away.

Rey stared after her in confusion and some trepidation. Was that who she had seen? Oh well. Best to focus on the present. Finn was still here and soon they would be on their way to her new home. It looked like food would be plentiful where she was going, which was always good news. She wondered what sort of student Beatrice would be. The girl was clearly inquisitive but seemed generally well-behaved. So perhaps she would make an excellent pupil. Not that Rey could afford to be picky.

The feeling of someone sitting down beside her brought her out of her thoughts, and she looked sharply at the man from earlier. He looked different here, maybe. Younger. Less frightening than when she'd awoken to find him staring at her. His hood was up again but she could see his face.