Crossover

Chapter 11: The Summit

After hours of walking, stopping, and sweating, it finally came into view. The small town, perched on the only flat segment of land up at this height.

I looked back, trying to see the dune city, but only saw orange. We were well over 8000 ft now, and most everything blended in with the sand. I scanned the mountains to the north. I knew it wasn't far to the Norami base, but looking out into the mountain ranges made it seem like forever away.

The trees had changed, becoming thinner and more sparsely distributed, but I loved the feel of this town. It felt like home.

The road here was cobblestone, and I could hear the clip of my boots against it.As we walked towards the statue that marked the center of the town, tears pricked my eyes. It reminded of Shal, the village I stayed at, on Ralea. It was where I met Alia's father. I didn’t let myself become awash in memories and feelings. It wasn’t time for that.

Zedron pulled out a small roll of money from a pocket somewhere, and handed it to me.

"This is for your room." He said. "I've got enough for us to each get our own. And besides," he dropped his voice and kind of whispered. "People might assume things if we share."

I understood, and took it from his outstretched hand. I just held onto it tightly for now.

“I’m just going in to one of the shops to get some supplies and see if I can get us our horses for tomorrow.” Zedron said. "Oh and use some of the money to get another set of clothes." He said, glancing me up and down. "The dress is looking a little... Worn."

I gave myself a quick glance too. Worn was also the best word I could come up with. It wasn't very dirty; it had just been through a lot.

I looked over at him, in his torn and bloody shirt.

"Yours is looking a little worn too." I said.

He laughed. “Then grab me a set. Jeans and a shirt or something.”

Zedron pointed me in the direction of the clothing shop.

A little bell rang as I stepped into it, alerting the shopkeeper that she had a customer. It was a small little store, almost twice as long as it was wide, but still seemed bright and airy.

“Can I help you, young lady?” asked the shopkeeper.

I wasn’t sure what to say. I never really bought clothes; if I didn’t just pinch whatever clothing I could find, I wore either a Lravien body suit or something I had made myself. So I settled on something simple and general. “I need some more clothes.” I said.

“Honey,” she said. “You’re in a clothing shop and you’re wearing…. That.” She gestured to my dress. “You really didn’t need to say that.”

I blushed. “Look, I don’t do this often.” I admitted. “I just need something comfortable and easy to move in. Preferably something that will hold up quite well. Do you have anything like that?”

I think she looked a little shocked. But she quickly recovered and jumped into action, pulling dresses from racks scattered around the store.

“Anything that’s not a dress?” I asked, a little belatedly. She gave me a very strange stare before putting the dresses she pulled, back on the racks. I hated how Deressa always thought girls should wear those things. I guess it was one of its weird quirks.

It took almost ten minutes to piece together an outfit I liked and thought I could wear comfortably. It was a purple dress, but it was stretchy and came to my mid-thigh. It was more like a long shirt really. I found a pair of black leggings to wear underneath which I really liked. It was way easier to move in than the jeans I usually wore on Luala.

When the shopkeeper finally left me alone, satisfied I would be wearing something that was even remotely acceptable, I was free to browse the racks for Zedron.

The shirts were easy to find, I a picked a nice blue one, with some stretch. I guessed he was about a medium, because he was so tall, but I was afraid it would be too loose on him.

I was looking for jeans when I found a pair of black pants that I thought might work. They were fairly light, and had some give to them. I hoped they would fit.

I had everything piled in my arms and was heading over to buy them when I spotted something. There were two leather jackets, very similar.

“I’ll be back in just a second.” I told the lady, piling the clothes on the table in front of the register. I went over and tried on the smaller of the two. It was a little big for me, but I loved it. I was about to buy it, when I caught a glimpse of Zedron through the glass window. He was waiting for me outside, and looked positively freezing. I thought I might as well get him a jacket too.

I grabbed both of them and dropped them on top of the table, beside the now neatly folded clothes. “Do you have a sewing kit?” I asked, thinking of Zedron’s arm.

She grabbed a small box from behind the counter, and placed it on top along with the clothes. “This okay?” she asked.

I nodded.

She wrote me up a receipt, and I handed over the money. I was worried I’d spent too much on everything, or that it wouldn’t fit him.

The bell rang as I left with a package of clothing, wrapped in pale tissue paper and tied with twine. I carried the two jackets with me separately.

I could tell that Zedron was a bit antsy and tense when I arrived.

“What took you so long?” he asked, being a bit snappy. He was probably hungry and cold by now. The wind had been biting while he was waiting for me, and I'm sure he couldn't wait to get inside.

I handed him the jacket. “Here.” I said. “This should help.”

We walked together to the hotel, across the large center courtyard with the statue. The jackets made the weather up here infinitely easier to deal with.

He opened the door to the hotel for me, letting me in first. I swear Deressa’s attitude towards the female species was slightly skewed.

It was lovely and warm inside, and a fire crackled in the hearth on the wall to my left. It was more like an inn really, for it was cozy and small, with a key rack for just over 50 keys.

Zedron walked up to the front desk. “Two rooms please,” he said. “Preferably close together though.

“I have two connecting rooms on the second floor.” The concierge said, not even batting an eye. Otherwise, we have one on the third, and one on the first floor.” So much for Zedron’s concern that people would get any ideas about us. “

Zedron cast me a glance. “We’ll take the two on the second.” He said to the concierge. “We’re also paying separately.”

“Certainly.” The man said. “It’s 40 dollars a night, per room, paid in advance. How long are you planning on staying?”

“Just until tomorrow.” I said.

“One night then,” The concierge noted. He grabbed two keys and put them on the desk in front of us. “Rooms 27 and 28. Enjoy your stay.”

We each paid the 40 dollars, and grabbed a key. I got 27, and he got 28. We walked up the spiral stairs to the second floor, and along a carpeted hallway.

“Unlock the inner door when you get inside,” He said. “We need to come up with a plan.”

“Okay.” I said. “But I need a shower first.”

We each unlocked our respective door, and opened them.

“See you in a bit.” He said with a smile.