The wagon started moving again, after they rested for nearly two hours. They left the Cyprus shade and returned to the dusty road. The sun above them kept up the heat, and not a single cloud would be seen in the sky.
Anthony increased his speed, now that he had some idea how fast he could go, without causing tremors inside. However, he also made sure to keep an eye for any grassland creatures he could test the newly acquired occupation on.
Irene would continue kneeling by the window, as the chairs were not comfortable to sit while the wagon moved. She would, from time to time, check on David after every bump. The baby, fortunately, would be undisturbed in his sleep.
The day grew late, and the sun slowly dipped into the horizon, yet not a single hunt animal would be seen. He began fearing that the Thelessian grasslands might be barren all throughout and that his skill would turn out to be useless.
But as the day grew even later, he had to set aside his worries. Before the darkness was fully upon them, they had to stop and set up camp.
Anthony drove the wagon to the side of the road. He instructed Irene to close all the windows, to prevent insects from coming in. Then right outside the door, he started building a fire.
After failing to ignite a fire with a flint and a stone, Anthony resorted to buying a torch. He used the wood from the torn down seats as firewood, and it worked just as fine.
With the bonfire blazing, he entered the wagon and lit the lanterns that were located on every edge of the ceiling.
The wagon was soon bright and warm, and even turned out to be cozier than the village house. Because unlike the building which had gaps through which the cold wind could come in, the wooden vehicle was thoroughly sealed.
"The stars look good tonight." Irene commented, sitting by the bed and tossing her feet. Before she closed the windows, she briefly saw the night sky.
"Do you want to have dinner outside?" He got the hint at the first try, but it wasn't that hard to guess.
"Well… if you want it, my lord."
Anthony painstakingly unbolted the chairs and the tables. Seeing it was much work, Irene suggested that they could just eat inside.
But he wasn't just doing it for her, he also realized how impractical it was, since it wouldn't be used when the wagon was moving.
It was better instead to keep it in his inventory and take it out when they were about to eat. That way, whether they want to eat inside or not, it wouldn't be too much hassle. And that's what he exactly did.
After removing the nails, he took them into his inventory. He then went outside, and there in the middle of the road and beside the bonfire, he placed the table and the chairs.
Irene, immediately went down with him and took the seat without comment, a little ashamed that she made him work after a tiring day.
When Anthony asked him what she wanted to eat, she let him decide. She was too guilty to ask for anything more. And so in accordance to his preferences their dinner consisted of beef stew and a large pitcher of ale.
She still enjoyed the meal, and even if it were anything else, it did not matter. It was the "starlit" dinner she so desired. A thousand stars looked down on them, it was as if the heaven extended its hand to deliver a magical touch.
Anthony also enjoyed the view. Even on earth's clearest day, he had not seen such number of stars adorn the skies.
But the romantic feel was one-sided, he was too tired. He had not slept properly the other night, and also did not take a nap earlier in the noon break. And so while Irene wanted to enjoy the night a little more, his body wanted him to shut down.
"I'm going to sleep, you should too." he said, yawning.
"Alriiight." she said. After seeing him visibly tired, she could not bring herself to say that she wanted more time with him. The night sky looked too good to be soon covered by a ceiling.
Oblivious of her sentiments, he took the seats and the table back into the inventory. Then together, they reentered the wagon, Irene taking one last look at the sky before doing so.
The sight of the comfortable bed was too much to resist any longer, and Anthony yielded as soon as he could. The softness of the pillows and the cushions and the warmth of the blanket, felt almost foreign to him, after spending several of his nights sitting on that hard chair. It was, as Irene has commented, it was softer than any bed he had had.
Irene watched him fall asleep, the first time, since it was always the other way around. It was also the first time, she was able to have a closer look. She laid beside him and studied his features.
Anthony was a handsome-looking fellow, and looked about someone in his mid-twenties. He had black curly hair, thick eyebrows and brown eyes hiding underneath his long lashes. Beneath his sharp nose were his dark red lips, and running across his chiseled jawline was a well-trimmed beard.
All the features paired well with his olive skin, giving him a princely look.
He was the secret crush of every Ausburn young woman, despite his drinking habit… and that included her.
With his eyes still closed, Anthony unconsciously stretch his legs to his side, and it landed on her hips, startling her. Sensing her body, he automatically also threw in his hand, and held her tighter and closer.
She could not dare move. And with a smile on her lips, she continued watching his face. Until the land of dreams, also took her away.