The Pieces Adorned

The Inn

Aphaca and Aurora were deep into the forest by the time the sun began to set. Many creatures had been curious enough to peak at the outsider who traveled through their land.

"Eyes forward. If they try to talk to you, don't talk back. I'll handle them."

Aurora took this to heart since she had heard of many stories of people becoming last, taken, or had a contract bound to them without them knowing. She stuck close to the Dryad.

"I know a place that we can rest for the night. They are good. They won't try to trick you."

"Who are they?"

"Some Fae but they work within the laws of the Forest Kingdom. They were placed outside the border to help any travelers who may be seeking the kingdom."

"I still don't want to accept anything from them, even if they say it isn't a gift." Aurora had heard too many horror stories of contracts extending generations of families just because of a single item being accepted.

"That's fine. Everything can go through me first. They can't try to initiate any contracts with me since I am a magical being like them and we are from the same kingdom." Aphaca moved a curtain of leaves and vines to reveal a stone cottage that was covered in vines and blooming flowers that were just a touch too bright to be fully natural.

"It's beautiful," Aurora said in awe as they walked closer and closer.

"They have worked hard on this inn. It's their pride and joy. A touch of magic can do fantastic things." Aphaca let out a giggle at Aurora's wide wandering eyes. "Come on, they must be expecting us by now."

Aurora trailed behind Aphaca still just looking around this hidden clearing that was encased in forest and vines. She thought she saw something from the corner of her eye but when she tried to see it what it was. However, the moment she looked over fully, it was gone.

Once in the inn, Aurora was floored with how much larger the inside was compared to the small exterior. The walls pushed back into long hallways, lined with doors and doors of rooms. Some were plain wooden doors, others had frosting stretching over the door, vines crawling through the cracks and wrapped themselves tight around, and even little rock formations were protruding from the wood itself like it was speared through the thick wood.

There were decorations lining the walls of the past rulers of the Forest Kingdom. Even some of the earliest Kings and Queens who there were few things known about them since it was before writing and literacy.

"It's beautiful, isn't it. They really wanted to make this as cozy as ever. The darker wood but with all these green, yellow, and golden accents just to brighten everything up." Aphaca smiled and walked down the shortest hallway.

"It's all very beautiful. What's with the doors? Some of them have very interesting aspects," Aurora said as they passed by one of the ice doors.

"Those are special rooms for people who come from various kingdoms. Ice for the Ice Kingdom, Rocks for the Desert Kingdom, greenery for the Forest Kingdom and there are some special rooms in the back for nobles. They really wanted to make this inn a place for everyone."

"It's amazing. They should be very proud of themselves."

"Trust me they are. Both of them are probably already asleep, they get grumpy if they stay up too late." Aphaca let out an airy laugh at the thought of how grumpy her Fae friends can get.

Aphaca stopped outside of a flower-covered door. She reached into her small leather pouch that was tied around her waist. She produced a small golden key before unlocking the door and holding it open for me.

Aurora was in awe and she stepped through the doorway. Branches and fines crawled along the ceilings and walls, soft meadow grass with dainty flowers covered the door. A small bed made out of trees and greenery was in the corner along with a hammock above it.

"This is gorgeous," Aurora said barely above a whisper and she let her fingers trail along a thick branch, feeling the rough bark.

"When they were first placed here. They asked me to help make my own room. They have been good friends of mine for a very long time." Aphaca walked in and climbed up a branch to lay in the hammock.

Aurora took off her cloak and set it down on the bed before sitting down herself. She was captivated by the flowers lining the top of the headboard.

"These are sunflowers, the only sunflowers on this landmass are the great fields on the edge of pediádes. It's outside of the Oasis Kingdom."

Aphaca sat up and looked down at the seamstress who was sitting crisscrossed facing the flowers and gently running her finger along the petals.

"Most people don't even know where that kingdom is. How do you know?"

Aurora looked up at the Dryad and smiled.

"When I was younger and before I took over the business I would study maps and books about the world hoping one day that I could travel and see all of these places. But Mama got sick and I had to push that dream away." Aurora's voice cracked a bit at the end and Aphaca could see a sadness deep within Aurora's eyes.

"I'm sorry. But think of this as you finally fulfilling part of your dream. You'll see some amazing places!" Aphaca tried to make the girl smile.

Aurora thought about it and it would be nice to even see some places on at least this landmass. It still hurt her heart though to be so far away from her ailing mother.

"Aurora, if the King didn't believe you could do this, he would have never even sent me to seek out you and your mother." Aphaca jumped down from the hammock to sit with the girl.

"But why does it have to be me? There are so many other seamstresses."

"From all accounts, you are the best seamstress any noble has commissioned before. The King has seen many pieces of your work at various balls and parties that the kingdom has thrown over the last few years."

Aurora let out a sigh and nodded. She was proud of her work. Her heart and pride swelled at the thought of her work being received so well. But a dark cloud still hung over her head as she thought of her mother.

Aphaca could tell that girl was still not doing so great. She thought for a moment before she nodded to herself. Without a word, the Dryad walked out of the room. Aurora was confused but she shook her head and laid back on the bed after toeing off her boots. It was just now that the long trek they took to even just get here was finally catching up and Aurora could feel herself melting into the soft bedding.

"Maybe I can just shut my eyes for a little bit while Aphaca is gone." Aurora thought before letting her heavy eyelids droop and she was out like a candlelight.

~~~

Aphaca opened the door, balancing a tray of food on one hand just to find Aurora deep asleep. Her bright, wild red hair contrasting against the soft creams and earthy tones of the bed and the surroundings. With soft steps, Aphaca placed the food down, it was food that would still be good to eat when Aurora woke back up and climbed into her hammock.

Pushing some vines aside, a window looking towards the sky was revealed and the full moon's light was cascading through and lighting the darkened room with gently blue lighting.

"I hope that we can send her out on the quest before anything bad happens." Aphaca thought as she looked up at the moon.

In the shadows of the dense forest surrounding the inn, stood a darkened figure. It hid as it watched the two girls in the inn. It had been silently following them since they left the seamstress shop. It knew where they were heading and it was determined to get there first.