Jenn couldn't help but sigh as the capital came into view. She'd been on the road for nearly eleven days. Although, while one of those days was spent at the forest settlement, it hardly felt like she'd really had time to feel like she was able to rest like she tended to do when she wasn't travelling through wilderness.
"Reminds you of last time we were here, huh?" Yaelish asked, clapping a friendly hand on Jenn's shoulder.
"Not really, just glad to be able to get a real bed tonight," Jenn replied, wondering if their budget would really allow her that luxury.
"Yeah, would be nice, but whose to say if we're too late to apply for that contract guarding the queen."
"Regardless of if we still have a shot at the contract, I'm looking forward to not sleeping on the ground the most. I mean, even if we have a chance at the contract, at least we'll be able to sleep in an inn instead of on the ground wherever we make a campsite."
"Well, only if we make it before the gates close," one of the others remarked as they walked past where Jenn was standing.
Jenn couldn't help but grin. "Well, unless something happens, I think we'll make the gates well before the sun goes down. I mean, we can see the gate now, so it shouldn't be more than an hour or two to get there and I think we should still have a few hours of sunlight left."
"Then best not dawdle," Yaelish remarked, slapping Jenn on the back, though it was done harder than Jenn thought was necessary. Though, she'd come to expect such gestures from Yaelish. Almost as if she was incapable of moderation with some of her more 'well meaning' gestures.
While Jenn had been feeling a little footsore with how much walking she'd been doing the past several days, the sight of the city seemed to make her forget about the discomfort. Something she'd only been considering complaining about since she had been starting to believe that her feet wouldn't ever stop hurting.
True to Jenn's estimate, they made the city gates with plenty of time to spare. While it hardly felt like any time at all had passed since they'd last left with all the people whom Jenn had gotten to agree to join her people after helping so many of them get free from being under the thumb of debt collectors that she suspected had set terms that appeared favorable but would end up with them being forced into being slaves just to repay the last of their debt, which likely would be less than however much they'd sell as a slave.
Jenn wasn't sure who thought up such a scheme, but she had not doubt that whoever it was had to be highly intelligent. She just hoped that they didn't hold grudges about things like that, since she seriously doubted that she'd made a friend of that person with what she'd done to that scheme the last time she was in the capital. As if they held a grudge, she had a feeling that she'd be more of a target than she'd like.
At least considering how she had been the one who primarily had disrupted what they had been doing.
The only thing that didn't make sense was the urgency at giving so many a chance to repay their debt at a much lower amount than they would have otherwise, just for the chance to call in their debts early. She doubted it was her paying off the debts for Maelias, since that was the only person she'd paid up to that point, which made her wonder why there had been that urgency. What was going on that caused them to feel the need to move up their timetable that allowed Jenn to have been able to take in such a haul of craftspeople who likely wouldn't have had much interest in joining her otherwise.
However, regardless of any other details, Jenn knew that she probably should watch her back while she was there, even if she was guarding the queen, where fewer people would be able to reach her.
"How do you plan on checking to see if there's a chance for us to get the contract still?" Yaelish asked as they walked through the streets.
"Well, we can ask the guild in the morning," Jenn answered promptly. "I mean, wouldn't they know about things like that as well as how to respond to it without risking getting in trouble if we ask the wrong people?"
"If you say so."
Jenn felt like she should feel offended that Yaelish would doubt her like that, but she was too tired right then to care. Maybe if it was closer to the morning, then she'd have had the energy to care more about things like that.
"Let's go to that inn," Jenn said, noticing an inn facing a monument that seemed vaguely familiar to Jenn. She wasn't sure why it seemed familiar, but she doubted that it mattered anyway. Not when she was so tired and had so many things on her mind. Maybe she'd have a moment in the morning to think about it, but at that moment she was more interested in getting a place to sleep, even if they couldn't afford for her to get a room.
"Any particular reason for this inn?" Yaelish asked as they started walking towards the inn.
Jenn merely shrugged. "Maybe because it's closer? I'd like to get off my feet as soon as I can and it's just as likely to have rooms as any inn closer to the royal palace or guild."
"Maybe, but you're probably right at least in regards to the guild. I'd expect other mercenaries wanting to be closer to the guild, whether or not they were invited to apply for the same contract we were."
Jenn sighed, not wanting to really discuss the subject any more than they had already. She could feel the bed calling to her and she wanted to answer as quickly as she could, getting something to eat only an afterthought for her as they entered the inn.
The inside was much busier than it appeared from the outside, though Jenn hoped that most of the business going on was from locals coming for something to eat. Something they wouldn't have to make themselves.
Jenn was nearly knocked off her feet by one of the servers who bumped into her, but was saved by one of her Silverthorns catching her. Jenn didn't blame the server, since it really was busy, and crowded, in the inn.
"We should find a table," Yaelish commented.
"Is there an open table with this crowd?" Jenn asked, feeling her question was rhetorical since she couldn't see anything through this crowd.
"Only one way to find out," Yaelish replied, a smile in her voice that made Jenn wonder if she was thinking of doing something that Jenn wouldn't be happy with. Something that she suspected would run the risk of them getting thrown out of the inn before they could even ask about the availability of rooms.
Yaelish led the way through the crowd and Jenn couldn't help but wonder if she'd be able to sleep with the noise in this room in the event that all the rooms in the inn were taken up or that they couldn't afford it.
"Here's one," Yaelish said, surprising Jenn with finding a table that didn't have anyone at it. Though, when Jenn could see the table, she could see why no one was sitting at it. The chairs had been pulled away from that table and were likely stationed at other tables.
Still, it was an open table that they'd be able to work with. It was at least a start.
"I'll get us something to eat and drink," one of the others said, disappearing into the crowd before Jenn could say anything.
"Don't forget to ask about staying the night," Yaelish called after her. Though, Jenn wasn't sure if the woman had heard or not as she certainly didn't show any signs of having heard Yaelish.
Although, with how tired she felt, as well as having nearly gotten knocked down already in this crowd, Jenn wasn't feeling very optimistic at the moment. She really hoped that they'd be able to get the contract, but right then she wondered if anyone would notice if she crawled under the table and went to sleep there. Despite the noise, Jenn had a feeling she'd be able to fall asleep so long as she could at least sit down somewhere.
Jenn was seriously considering trying that when the Silverthorn who'd gone out to check on food came back. "They said they'll get someone to bring us some stew and a pint for each of us."
Jenn wasn't sure what was meant by 'pint' but she was too tired to care. She assumed it was whatever beverage they were serving here, though she found it hard to care at that moment. At least with the fatigue she felt.
Yet, when the drinks came, she realized exactly what it was and refused to drink the ale given to her. Not so much because she considered herself underaged in this world, but more because she recalled how her uncle Max was a recovering alcoholic. She wasn't sure if that meant anything directly in regards to her, but it did make her leery of anything alcoholic. Not that she supposed anyone in this world would understand her hesitancy about drinking something like ale.
"Uh, any chance I could just get water?" Jenn asked, feeling more alert now, though she wasn't quite sure why that was. "I think I'd rather not have something that could affect my judgement in case there's competition for the contract still."
Jenn wasn't sure where she came up with that excuse, but she felt a little proud of herself for coming up with something that actually sounded reasonable to her own ears. Especially since she hadn't even thought out how to say it.
"You do make a good point," Yaelish said, looking at her own beverage, having already taken a drink out of it. Then she turned to the others and quickly ordered, "This is the only one each of us gets. No more after this. We need everyone to stay clear headed."
Jenn couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. She wasn't sure how this subject hadn't come up before, but she was glad it hadn't. She wasn't sure how many excuses she'd be able to come up with in order to keep from having to drink, but she was glad that she'd been able to come up with one at this time. Not that she expected to get so lucky in the future.
"Though, since we're all having one, why not drink yours?" one of Jenn's other guards said, sounding half-drunk already. "Even if you're a lightweight, you should be able to handle your liquor, right?"
Jenn couldn't help but feel like she wasn't out of the woods yet on this issue. Not like how she had initially thought she was. "Well, if I'm not fully capable of fighting, then I'd only be a liability," Jenn said, staring at the mug of ale, not able to deny that she was curious about how it tasted. She just didn't want to end up an alcoholic like her uncle.
The woman nodded, seemingly satisfied with Jenn's response, but then added, "If you don't want it, why not give it to me? I'd be more than happy to drink it for you."
"I said only one for each of us," Yaelish reiterated. "If she doesn't want hers, why not see if we can resell it to another patron. We might be able to get a little more for it if we try the right person."
Jenn looked at Yaelish out of the corner of her eye. She wasn't sure how serious the young woman was, but she looked as if she already had someone in mind to try to sell the mug of ale to.
However, as someone handed her a mug of water, Jenn stopped caring. As she drank the water, she felt the fatigue returning. She supposed it was because she felt the mini crisis about having to drink something alcoholic was over and she just wanted to go to sleep right then.
"Looks like your friend is ready to find her bedroll," an unfamiliar voice remarked, drawing Jenn's attention to the speaker, a man who wore a dress that looked like it'd seen its fair share of work related mishaps. "My wife runs this establishment, though we're all out of private rooms at the moment, you can sleep in the common room here for a single tist for each of you."
"Sounds good to me," Yaelish replied, counting out the money for the man. "Would it be fine for us to sleep at this table?"
"Sleep wherever you like when this room clears out. We don't get many overnight guests stay in the common room, but we guarantee that no one will disturb you while you sleep."
Jenn wasn't going to complain. She quickly drained her water after taking a few bites of stew. She couldn't say that she was very hungry right then. Mostly she just wanted to get some sleep. Which she doubted that she was alone in that point. Even though she was clearly the only one who was showing signs of being fatigued.
However, she couldn't say that she really cared. So, she crawled under the table and made herself comfortable. She trusted that those who were with her would keep her from getting stepped on, or at least on the parts of her that weren't under the table.
_
Even though Ralph knew why they needed to wait more at the settlement, he couldn't say that he was happy to have had to wait in this settlement for ten days after Lily had woken up. If it was up to him, they'd have left as soon as Amelia had finished making sure that everyone had been treated, as well as describing how to treat anyone who came down with the same problem in the future. Which had barely taken more than a couple days.
Yet, those in charge of the settlement refused to lift the quarantine.
While Ralph couldn't say that he disliked having to remain close to Embris, he wasn't sure if it was going to be something that lasted. After that kiss he couldn't be sure if she'd given him after he went to sleep when Lily had woken up, he received one that he was sure of when he'd asked Embris about it the next day. Which was the beginning of a fling, at the very least.
As it is, he was waiting in Embris' bed for her to return from her shift while her siblings, including Feon, and Lily were sound asleep. He couldn't say that he didn't enjoy sleeping next to Embris, but he wasn't sure if she wanted more than that. In fact, he wasn't sure that he didn't want more than just that. Yet, he couldn't say if now was the time to broach that subject, as he knew for certain that they were going to part in the morning, as Tchisa had told them that the quarantine would be over in the morning, since they hadn't had any new cases of any illness pop up during the past week.
Though, while he wasn't sure if it'd be good to part like that, he didn't think that doing more than just sleeping next to Embris would be something that should be done the night before they parted. Especially since neither of them were committed to each other. A point that nagged at him while he waited for Embris. He certainly wanted to see what it would be like to actually sleep with her, but he didn't want that if she wasn't interested.
At this moment he wished he had Charlie's ability to read minds, but he supposed that this would be a time that would be more important to not do that. Simply because of the respect issue. If he really respected her, which he did, and he had the ability to peek into her mind, then doing just that would be showing a serious case of disrespect. Which he knew would be more damaging to a blossoming relationship more than anything else he could think of possibly doing.
The door opening to Embris' shed made Ralph sit up. The room was completely dark, aside from moonlight shining in through cracks in the walls. Ralph could make out Emris' form, though he wasn't sure just how tired she was. As it was late and he knew she'd been up since early that morning.
"Ralph? You awake?" Embris whispered, sounding as if she thought he had fallen asleep rather than waiting for her to return.
"I'm awake," Ralph replied, sitting up in her bed. "Why're you back so late? Nymis and Rephis said that you typically come back in the afternoon."
"I had to take someone else's shift for them taking mine another time," Embris replied, sitting next to Ralph. "I wish I could have gotten out of it, but they wanted tonight to be when I repaid them."
"Well, I guess I can accept that," Ralph replied, feeling like a dork for how he was sounding. He certainly knew he wasn't sounding like himself, yet he couldn't find a way to turn it off. Even as Embris kissed him, he let her take the lead, not sure why he was being so submissive right then. In the past he'd always done what he wanted without apology. Yet here, he was letting someone else take charge. Something he wasn't sure if he really liked or not.
Ralph lay back on the bed, letting Embris follow him, until she was laying on top of him, only their clothing separating them.
"Tonight's our last night before I leave," Ralph murmured in a brief break in their kissing. "Would you like to do more than this or just leave it here?"
Ralph wished he could have put it more eloquently, but right then it felt like his brain had turned to mush. A fact that made him wonder if that's how Beth was when she'd been sleeping with Aerbris and Raeys.
As it is, he felt his hands start to lift Embris' tunic before he'd even consciously thought about doing that. Then he felt Embris starting to pull his dress off, making his heart race that they were actually doing this.
Even as he felt their bare bodies press against the other's, he wasn't sure if they should continue. Even as he knew that he wasn't going to be the one to put on the brakes. Something that felt like he should do now if he didn't want it to escalate any further.
Yet, before he knew it, they were one, Embris moving on top of him while he moved under her. A union of two people from worlds that probably had no business getting together. Yet, despite that fact, Ralph found he didn't care. Not while he was sharing this moment with Embris, her body more of a magnet for him than anything else he could imagine right then. Something he felt deep inside as they continued their intimate dance.