I made Starlight gallop for a long while before I felt guilty and let her slow to a trot. The whole time I'd been racing down the roads, skirts flying behind me, tears had been streaming down my face. My heart had severed its final ties with Quill. I'd mourned for my lost happiness, the foolish naivety that had ever let me imagine a future. I'd wept for the man I'd known Quill to be, and the man his heartbreak had unleashed. I'd shed angry, burning tears over the injustice of the kingdom. But eventually, my tears had dried.
A realization struck me. I was free--as free as one could be in Klymor, at least--and had been for some time now. Any decisions I made would only affect me. I could do as I pleased. The thought made me smile, brightening my mood. Some part of me had been holding on to the past, but that was over now. It felt like a great burden had been lifted from my chest.
The temperature was dropping rapidly as night fell. The snow had stopped and the moonlight was reflecting off the still, white blanket of the landscape. It was beautiful, but not something Starlight and I could spend the night in. Thankfully Wipsop was not a long ways off now. I'd headed backward on my circuit, to the nearest village I knew. Thankfully Presh was the furthest point I stopped at along the main road, so by the time I made it there again Quill would be far ahead of me, preventing our paths from crossing.
The snow muffled the sound of Starlight's hooves as we entered Wipsop. Smells of warm, comforting foods wafted from the nearby buildings. My stomach rumbled. I hadn't eaten since breakfast. After leaving Starlight at the stable I always boarded her in, I went looking for food and shelter of my own. The streets were mostly empty. I made my way to Gherhart Inn, a humble pub with beds above it, situated on the corner of a street. I'd stayed here before and knew most of the locals who frequented the pub.
I pulled open the door and was greeted by toasty air and the jovial sounds of chatter.
"Evenin', Lynarra!" A woman's voice greeted me. "We weren't expectin' ye back so soon."
"I was not expecting to be back so soon," I said with a smile as she handed me a small mug of warm cider. "Thank you, Clara."
"Will ye be needin' a bed for the night, dear?"
"Aye. And one of your delicious meat pies, please."
I took a seat at an empty table, mug in hand. When I took a welcoming sip, my eyes widened and I coughed in surprise.
/There's more than cider in this!/
I shot Clara a look. The kindly old woman just winked a pale blue eye at me and continued with her tasks, humming lightly. As I savored my beverage I looked around the room. It was relatively quiet in here tonight. Four older men sat at a table nearby. Two other men and a woman my age were at another table. I recognized all of them from earlier visits, and knew a few by name. My eyes landed on the only other person in the place. Sitting alone in the corner was the most handsome man I'd ever laid eyes on.
His gaze was on the world beyond the window, and I was grateful for this, as I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from him. Even seated it was apparent that he was quite tall and well-built. His strong jaw was shaded with a few days' scruff. He had dark, alert eyes. A straight nose centered his features, all of which were framed by the mahogany waves of hair that hung almost to his shoulders.
"Quite the looker, isn't he?" Clara whispered, giving me a playful nudge as she set my food down.
"Who is he? I've never seen him before."
"Nor have I. Perhaps ye should ask 'im."
I flushed at the cheeky suggestion. Instead of responding, I turned my attention to the delightfully flaky pie on the plate in front of me.
As I ate, the ambient chatter rose to a new volume, though the pub had even fewer people in it. Two of the older men had joined one of the younger, their companions having left for the night. I had a feeling many pints of ale had been purchased even before my arrival. From my seat I could hear their entire conversation, listening in as their topic turned to that of the rebels.
"They've been goin' city to city, screamin' 'bout "DOWN W' THE CROWN," and the like," one of the older men, Drewe, practically yelled. "The message is strong, but what are they truly hopin' to accomplish?"
"Did you hear about the man in Roulm a few weeks back?" the younger one chimed in.
"Aye, the damn fool got 'imself killed," Drewe tutted.
The violent scene of the rebel's death flashed before my eyes. The spurting blood, the sound, the wicked quickness of it all. I shuddered and attempted to push it from my mind. A small wave of embarrassment hit me, shaming me for not having found some way to fight back yet. I'd been so inspired by the man's words, and still was, but I didn't know where to begin.
"Now I'm not saying it was right or wro--"
"But it was wrong," I cut in before I could stop myself. I'd meant to think it, not say it, but now it was said...loudly. And it appeared I was not done yet.
"The bastards killed him without a second thought. Without a care in the world, as if his life held no meaning! We are disposable to them; they treat us like ants, expecting us to labor to our death for the sake of the kingdom, but why? What do we get for it but more pain and suffering? It's wrong, all of it!" I finished, my voice rising.
The men stared at me, mouths hanging open. Clara looked alarmed, as she held a mug and cloth in her hands, frozen. I wanted to kick myself.
/Here you go again, putting yourself in another predicament. Idiot! When will you learn?!/
"It's a good thing you find yourself among only like-minded individuals tonight, Miss," a smooth, deep voice said from the corner of the room.
All heads turned to look at the fine specimen in the corner. He'd been silent up until this time. His dark eyes were now fixed on me, a small, approving smile on his lips. I felt my heart quicken and I couldn't be sure if it was from my current situation or his gaze.
"Doesn't she, men?"
He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head toward the others, his eyes still not leaving mine. I swallowed. A small chorus of "ayes" arose from their table and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you," I mouthed at the stranger once the others had returned to their own conversation. He nodded at me and rose from his table, apparently preparing to leave. He /was/ tall. Easily over six feet. And the broad, square set of his shoulders...I couldn't help but let my eyes follow him as he walked out of the building. I shook my head, clearing my mind before heading up to my room for the evening.
/No sense in day-dreaming about a man you'll never know, silly girl./