The World of the Ranger

Chapter 4

Jilly approached Wensley village with new hope leading the way. She may have been thrown into Araluen without warning, but at least she was thrown in near some familiar faces. She would go there, reach Will Treaty and the other characters, and find some way back.

She reached the inn and went inside, looking for someone in charge.

"Here for a room, or just a meal?" said someone to her right.

Jilly turned rapidly to see a man behind a wooden podium, examining some papers.

"Oh, um, a room plus whatever you're serving tonight. Joel, right?"

The man looked at her funny. "Mm-hmm. How do you know my name?"

She thought quickly, desperately clawing for a reason as to why she'd know the innkeeper's name. "Met someone on the road that recommended this place," she said casually.

Joel thought about it for a moment, then seemed satisfied. "He gave you a good one, he did," he said, handing her a key. "Up the stairs, and your room is the third one on the right. The meal is included with the room. Turkey and vegetables with bread, plus apple pie for dessert, at the eighth hour."

Jilly smiled at him. "Thank you, sir."

He smiled back. "You know my name. Call me Joel."

"Got it. My name's Jillian, by the way."

She went up the stairs, and saw two rows of four doors in a hall that ran down the center. She went to the right set of doors and tried her key in the third one. It opened, revealing a small, comfortable room. The door was in the center of the wall, and on the left wall a wooden double bed with white sheets. On the right wall was a table and two chairs. The table contained several sheets of paper, a quill, and a tiny- almost travel sized- inkwell. A wide window was directly across from the door with the white curtains drawn back and shutters open; it let in the outdoor scent, so the room had a fresh, clean smell. Jilly looked around for a bathroom, and noticed a small table in the corner with a porcelain basin, pitcher of water, and a cloth. Next to the table was a wooden bucket with a little capped jar. She opened the jar and found it filled with lavender flower petals. She stared at the the jar, then at the bucket, and shuddered at the thought of using it as a "privy".

As she stood up, Jilly also managed to flop backwards onto the bed in the same movement. It was stuffed with hay and covered by a few sheets and pillows, but undeniably soft. She was glad she had made it to a village before night, or she'd be sharing a room with insects.

As she lay there, Jilly began to wonder what time it was. Was it the eighth hour yet? She had no way to know; there were only water clocks here-there was even one on her table- but she didn't know how to read it.

It was getting dark outside, so it had to be about 7:30 or so. Luckily, she heard voices outside talking about the meal. "... A handsome turkey, I 'eard. Bet Katharine's really outdone 'erself on this meal."

"Ay, sure to be a good supper. I'll sleep heavy-like tonight."

"You always sleep heavy-like. 'Ave you heard yourself snore? Like a bull, I'd say. Like a bull!"

Their laughter faded, leading Jilly to the assumption that they had descended the stairs. It must be eight, she thought. If you can't trust a fat man's opinion on food, who's can you trust? She left her cloak on a peg on the door, put her key in a vest pocket, and closed the shutters. It would probably be completely dark by the time she got back. With that thought, Jilly also lit a lamp on a table. Finally, she left the room and went down the hall, following the delicious smell of turkey.

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The turkey was good. It had a slick buttered surface, and steam was released when she cut it open. Jilly savored the flavor on her taste buds. A gravy coated the meat, making it moist. The green beans had a nice, steamy saltiness that made her thirsty. She chugged down tea with lots of sugar. It definitely wasn't the same as Texas sweet tea, but it was a nice little reminder of home. There were carrots, too, but honestly, what's to write about carrots?

She also had a large slice of pie that warmed her insides with apples and cinnamon. While she was finishing her dessert, the innkeeper's wife came over and sat down. "Good evening. Jillian?"

"Yes. Can... I help you?" She wondered why the woman had come up to her.

"I'm Katharine, the innkeeper's wife. I usually try and get a chance to talk with all the guests."

Jilly pretended as if she hadn't already known Katharine's name and position. "Oh," she said. "I'm Jilly. You cooked the meal, right? It was really good."

Katharine smiled. "Thanks. Though it's nothing compared to Jenny's venison up the road."

"Jenny must have to work pretty hard to beat this."

The woman laughed, and they sat there in silence for a few moments. Eventually, Katharine asked, "Are you traveling alone? No parents?"

Jilly shook her head. "No. I'm on my own. But I'm sixteen. I can take care of myself," she replied. She felt that fifteen was a little bit too young to be alone.

Just then, Joel yelled across the room. "Katharine! Two more slices of pie for the fine gentlemens here!"

Katharine sighed. "I should go. It was nice to meet you, Jilly." She stood up and walked briskly through the kitchen door to retrieve more dessert for her eager, and likely drunk, customers.

Jilly took that as her cue to retire to her room. She left a few coins by her plate, requested another slice of pie to take with her, and headed for the stairs. She took them slowly; the food had made her drowsy. On her way up she bumped into someone going in the opposite direction, causing the pie to fall from her hands into a sticky pile on the floor.

It was a boy about her age, with dark brown hair cut in no even pattern, but showed his dark navy blue eyes just below his bangs. He stood about five inches taller than her and held a broom in one hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Didn't watch where I was going," he spluttered. He briskly knelt down and pulled a rag out of his back pocket to wipe up the mess.

"No, it's my fault. I wasn't paying attention," Jilly said. She knelt down to move the plate and scraped the large chunks into a pile. "No worries, though."

The boy finished cleaning up the spill and tossed the rag on the floor. "I'll bring another slice to your room. I know, it's good. Katharine makes the best apple pie."

Jilly smiled. "Thanks. Third one on the right."

He smiled back. "Third one on the right," he repeated. "Got it. I'm Felix."

"Jillian," she said. Felix nodded to her, then hurried down the stairs to get her a replacement slice of pie.

She continued to her room. Even though the bed practically called to her, she picked up one of the sheets of paper sitting on the table and dipped the quill in the inkwell. She thought it a good idea to record each day she was here.

She wrote down her arrival, and the long walk, and her view of Redmont castle, and the inn, and even about Felix and the spilled pie.

Just as the words were on paper, there was a knock at the door. Jilly opened it to reveal Felix holding a steaming slice of apple pie.

He offered it to her with a joking flourish. "As promised: your pie, m'lady."

She giggled. "Thank you, good sir," she replied, mimicking his tone.

He laughed. "You're welcome," he said, dropping the accent.

They stood there for a second, not sure what to do with the conversation. "Well, I have to go. Sorry about the mess earlier," she said.

"Ah, no problem. It's my job. Goodbye, Jillian."

"Goodbye, Felix," she said as the door closed.

He's nice, she thought. Dismissing it from her head, she sat down at the table to devour the pie. Memories of the heavenly meal came flooding back with each bite.

After finishing the dessert, she took off the restraining vest and burrowed into the covers. It was like sleeping in snow, but warm and fluffy. Jilly fell into a hypnotizing sleep instantly.

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Yes! Another chapter at last! You know, the fulfillment I feel right now is unbelievable. Again, super sorry for the delay (I've been caught up in FFA business, but hey, I got fourth place on my chickens!! Awesome for first year!) I should be able to get more chapters out soon since spring break is coming up.

Until next time!
-happy_writing