I left the night after that. I rode into the Eastern village at daybreak. I looked around and spotted one of the locals getting water. "Excuse me miss, but do you know when Honua will be here? My harvest this year failed, and I want to ask him to bless my land so that my family doesn't starve." The lady's gaze softened to something resembling sympathy. "I'm sorry, sir, but you just missed them. I hope you didn't come from very far, for they won't be back for another three weeks at least."
I got down from my horse. "Thank you, ma'am. Do you happen to know of a place that I can stay while I wait?" The woman looked up, somewhat.. Startled? "As luck might have it, I have a spare room in my home that I occasionally give to travelers. You are welcome to use it, if you'd like."
"I can't imagine your husband would be very happy with that arrangement." The woman chuckled lightly. "I don't have a husband yet, so his displeasure won't be an issue. Now come. I'll show you where you'll be staying. What's your name, fine traveler?" I didn't know how comfortable Amira would be with me staying with an unmarried woman for a month, but it was my only option at the time. "... Auden. May I ask yours?"
"Ah, Auden. An old friend. My name, old friend, is Morana. My parents did not tell me the meaning, but I've heard it means 'death.' Quite an unusual thing to name a child, eh?" Morana chuckled a bit to herself as she walked up the steps of what I assumed was her house. "I suppose it is." I replied absently. The house was small, but that wasn't what bothered me. The house looked like it'd been abandoned for years. Not always a good sign. As I tied up my horse, Morana confirmed my fears, waving her arm towards the door. "Welcome to my humble abode." I walked in and saw a kitchen with rusted appliances, a torn up couch, and two doors, leading to what had to be the bedrooms. "Our room is over here, if you'll follow me." That was when I really started to regret my decision.
