Another place; Another time

3: A New Town

        At the edge of the forest, the road forked once again, this time having several roads to venture. The left lead into another wood that wound up higher into the eternally snowy peaks. The right forged its way into a deep cave. The path that continued straight lead into the village. Further down the one moving toward the town stood a man dressed in heavy armor, his back to the young girl.

        There was a three way sign at the edge of the fork. It was marked in a language Hedi would normally not recognize. The words, however, seemed to rearrange themselves into words she could understand. The letters were old and twisted, but readable. The broken sign pointing to the right read "Alby Dungeon. Enter with caution." The worn sign to the left read "Sidhe Sneachta". The sign pointing toward the village read "Tir Chonaill".

        Being a rather intelligent girl, Hedi decided the best way to go was into the village. It wouldn't be safe to wander around on my own since I don't have a clue as to where I am, she reasoned. She remembered what Tin had told her, and began walking down the dirt path. She passed the armored man- who nodded at her- and a building marked "Healer Dilys" until she stopped at the top of the stairs that lead into the large town square.

        More buildings similar to the one she had passed surrounded the square. There was a large ovular bank to the right of the square. A mailbox stood near the staircase of it. Some people loitered around the mailbox speaking with one another and shifting through the letters and parcels until coming across their own. A church lay in the distance further down the road that bypassed the bank.

        Across the square were two other dwellings. One of them had bags of flour and potatoes outside of the entrance. A cardboard chef protected the store with a cheerful grin. The other one to the left of the path had healthy flowering bushes surrounding the side of it. Against the wall facing the square was a loom and a spinning wheel. A girl in an aproned dress sat by the wheel as she spun thread from wool.

        The tree Tin spoke about was growing on the side of a small hill. Hedi climbed the stairs winding around the trunk. At the top stood an older man whom she assumed was Duncan. He smiled warmly at her as she approached, the setting sun casting a soft glow around him.

        "Welcome to Tir Chonaill, young Milletian. My name is Duncan, and I'm the chief of this town. I understand that being in a new land is exciting yet terrifying. I will do everything I can to assist you during your stay. I'm sure you have a lot of questions. For now you should get some rest. If you travel down the road that passes the general store, there's an inn at the bottom of the hill. They'll have a room for you."

        "But I don't have any money."

        "You shouldn't worry about that. The payment is taken care of. We've been waiting for you after all." Duncan finished, smiling.

        Hedi thanked him before returning to the square. She went down the road that would take her to a warm bed. Outside of the inn was a young woman with honey-blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She glanced up from her sewing to see Hedi standing close by. She beamed and set her tools down before standing and straightening her dress.

        "Hello and welcome! I'm Nora. My uncle and I take care of this inn! Is there something you need?"

        Hedi spoke timidly, "Uhm I'd like a room for the night? If you have one..."

        "Yes, of course we have one! Come with me." Nora strode over to the door and held it open. Hedi stepped inside as Nora followed. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter seeming rather bored. He looked up when the door shut. Nora gestured for Hedi to stand next to her, and she addressed the man. "Uncle, there's someone here who'd like a room."

        He nodded, turning his gaze to Hedi. He extended his hand toward her. "My name is Piaras. How many nights will you be staying with us?"

        Hedi shook his hand as she responded, "I don't exactly know. I just woke up here, and Duncan told me you had a room."

        "Ah I see, so Duncan sent you. Welcome, then, to our humble inn. Let me grab a key for you." He disappeared under the counter for a moment before returning with a silver key. Piaras handed it to Hedi. "If you go upstairs, your room will be at the end of the hall on the right. If you need anything, Nora and I will be down here."

        "Thank you." She replied quietly. She slowly took to the stairs and proceeded to find her room. It was small with a bed in the corner by the window, with nothing but a simple oil lamp on the nightstand. A brown wooden dresser sat next to the door with a mirror above it. A hand carved hair brush lay by a vase of cheerful sunflowers.

        Sighing happily, Hedi clutched the brush and began to run it through her raven hair. The sun from earlier had tanned her mocha skin further than it already was. The freckles on her face were hardly noticeable because of this. Her light grey eyes were unusual to her since she had naturally dark features. As she set the brush down and lay back on the soft bed, she wondered if anyone would treat her any differently as they did back home.

        It was evident that she'd be in this world for a while, and she decided, as she grew drowsy, that she'd try to make as many friends as possible. Then, maybe, just maybe, she'd find someone like her. Maybe her wish would come true.

        This thought was plastered in her mind as she fell into a deep sleep. And, for once, she was content.