Axion's P.O.V.
I wake up to my stomach rumbling. I'm very hungry. When I look out the window, I can see a bit of the sun peeking out, it's only dawn. I change into some of the new clothes and trash what I was wearing. These clothes are much easier to move in. I put my hair into a high ponytail with the blue elastic from the satchel. I grab my room key and head into the hallway, locking the door behind me.
Quietly, I walk to the stairs and head down for the dining area. There's a few people sipping hot coffees and one guy passed out at the bar. I grab the same seat as yesterday near the window. A few kids are playing ball while another group of kids are drawing in the dirt with sticks. Some women go by carrying baskets giggling and whispering.
"Can I get you anything?" a voice asks, startling me. I look and it's the same waitress as yesterday. She gives me a warm smile.
"Yes, um, may I have a coffee and some eggs?" I ask shyly.
"Of course, how would you like your coffee? Sugar, milk, cream?"
"Two sugars and some milk, please."
"Alright, and how would you like your eggs?"
"Scrambled."
"Will that be all?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Alright, it'll only be a moment." She smiles again and heads to the kitchen.
I look out the window again as I wait and watch a mother go by with a baby in her arms and little girl clutching her skirt. It reminded me of when I was little and I used to hold my mother's skirt too. The memory made me miss my mother. I wonder what the Elder told her. Is she even okay? What am I going to do without her? I haven't been on my own before. Mom was always with me. Teaching me, and helping me with school work, and caring for me when I was ill.
I've been berry picking before outside the edges of Cobblestone, a job for the herbalist in town. I helped at the herbal shop a lot, but I wasn't alone. I knew the lady who ran it and gave me the jobs.
I don't know anyone here. I don't even know Rick. I've always respected Elder Ryo, protector of Kunari and the wisest in our realm. He was like a great grand-father. He cared for each of his people and made an effort to know each person. I look up to him and I trust his judgement. So when he told me to go with Rick, I did. I knew I didn't have time to question things with danger overhead. Rick is the Elder's apprentice, the one who will take his place when the time comes, but he was always off training or on missions. Never with the Elder except for the rare occasion when the holidays came around, but even then he never stayed long.
I'm supposed to just travel with this random guy whose age I didn't really even know. I don't know what he's like or how I should refer to him. If the Elder trusts him, then so can I but travelling with a stranger is- I snap out of my thoughts when I heard footsteps.
Rick yawns as he came down the stairs. He comes over and sits down, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Surprised I even got any sleep after yesterday's events. How about you?" He asks.
"I slept good," I say, but leave it at that. I'm too nervous.
"Great. We have a ways to travel today, but first," he stands up and bows, despite him still being in his night clothes. I blush at the sudden gesture, thankful everyone is too tired to notice or care. "My name is Rick Greenair and I pledge to protect you."
He sits back down and then laughs at my confused expression. "Sorry, the Elder likes me to do things formally, but I don't care for it much." He gives a wry smile.
The waitress comes back with a plate of eggs, scrambled and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper and a mug of hot coffee. She sets them in front of me and smiles at Rick, "Can I get you anything sir?"
"Yes! I am starved. I'll have a coffee, a plate of two helpings of eggs sunny side up, and do you have banana bread?" he replies in one breath. He looks as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"Not prepared, but we can make you some. It would take an hour," she says.
"I'll take the whole loaf, please. I'd like to take it for our travels."
"Alright and how do you want your coffee?"
"One sugar and a bit of cream," he grabs a small bag from his pocket and pulls out a few gold coins from it. "Will this be enough as payment?"
The waitresses mouth opened wide. Gold coins were rare, unless you were rich. This town probably mainly sees bronze coins and a silver here and there. Gold coins hardly ever showed up.
"That's too much, sir-" but he gives them to her anyway. She doesn't argue and leaves hurriedly.
"Alright, ask away. What do you want to know?" Rick looks at me and sits back.
I bite my lip, trying to pick what to ask first. Then I blurt out, "Is my mom okay? Does she know whats going on? Does she know about this?" I raise my arm to show my mark and then put it down.