The Art Of Thawing A Frozen Heart

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I would already be halfway across the small kingdom of Berk when the knights from the neighboring country, Merk, could realize they had lost me. I was staying at a small inn and tavern while I still could. It was nice to take my time when it was given to me. But soon enough they'd let the knights of Berk know I had made it across the border and the chase would begin anew. The woman behind the bar was rather chunky and in her late forties, with crow's feet gracing her cheeks and wild, curly red hair that still retained the shine of its youth. Or maybe that was just the oil coating left from not washing it. I couldn't really tell. "Anythin' I can get for yah, love? Yah didn't come down for breakfast this mornin'… I would remember seein' yah." She said, tapping her head for emphasis. Managing to keep a sigh down, I gave her a small, fake smile of appreciation. "Yes, actually. I've got a bag up in my room. It would be nice to have some things to fill it with before I head out again. Think you could help?" I asked, not wanting to piss anyone off this early in the morning, even though that seemed to be my specialty.

She wiped off a few crumbs from the bar top and smiled knowingly. "You're on the run, aren't you boy?" My eyes widened in surprise at her insight. "Well, I guess I'm not doing a very good job of hiding it, then." I said, finding a new sort of respect for the woman who had been able to pick me out so quickly. She only shook her head. "No, it's not that. I just know the type's all. Get 'em a lot through here. Not very hard, really. You don't go tradin' at the market wearin' that sorta thing." She gestured at my attire pointedly. I took a drink of the water she had brought me and leaned on the back of the tall stool chair I sat upon. I had hoped to look homely with my ratty cloak draped over my shoulders and too-short brown trousers tied up with twine. Guess I'd overdone it. Quite honestly, though, I liked the look. Better than green tights for sure. Those things ride up too much. Not very manly if you ask me, no matter what they say about mobility or whatever else have they.

"Oh well, then. I guess that makes the charade just that much easier. Gives you a better idea of what I'll need I suppose." I told her, bringing us back to the point. She left her towel on the bar top and left to bring me something to stuff my bag with. I sipped on my water again, intending to fully enjoy my leisure before I had to leave again. It was never a good idea to stay in one place for too long, no matter how safe you thought you were. I had learned that the hard way when I was ten, the year I had first started out on my own. The ten day long ride-run-and-hide it had taken to get to Berk was still taking its toll, and the rough mattress I slept on last night had felt heavenly. The good thing was that I'd had a horse for over half the trek, so my feet weren't blistered.

Summer was the best and simultaneously the worst season for these kinds of jobs. On one hand, food was easy to come by and shelter unneeded apart for rain, and on the other hand, the days were longer, hotter, and more humid than the rest of the year, so you had to stay close to the rivers, close to where the guards would be searching. At least it was better than freezing to death in the snow and ice. I blended in nicely with the snow, however, with my white hair and pale complexion that only burned, never tanned, (much to my misfortune). It was hard to think about snow for too long in the heat that seeped in through the wooden walls. Needless to say, it was going to be a long trip.

The woman re-appeared three minutes later with a small basket in her hands. "There yah go, love. That should last yah for a little while." I rifled through its contents and found a handful of hard (but not stale) bread, a jar of fruit preserves, a sealed demijohn of water, some shelled nuts of all sorts, and five apples. Apples were good. Apples would last for some time, as would the preserves. I would save those for last, eating the bread first later that night, I decided. I handed her a few coins that I thought would suffice for the amount, since she hadn't stated a price. I could've easily taken it all and left, but I felt like I should pay when I had enough to, a philosophy none of my former comrades could understand. I thanked her and returned to my room with the basket of provisions in hand.