Chapter 5
Yanar opened her eyes and lay perfectly still. It was still dark but the moon was full. She rolled over slowly and looked to see a dim figure laying nearby. She listened to his even breathing and knew Arvinthal was still asleep. Silently, Yanar unwrapped her ankle then eased to her feet. The previous evening, she had counted the steps to the campsite and, after another glance at the sleeping man, retraced those steps carefully. Nineteen, twenty, and Yanar felt the road beneath her slippers. Thanks to the full moon, she could see the road quite clearly and did not hesitate in beginning her journey.
By the time daylight replaced moonlight, Yanar calculated she had been traveling more than two hours. That should put enough distance between she and the stranger. But Yanar did not slacken her pace. She hurried along the rutted road, making sure she stayed near the edge where the going was easier. She felt her stomach growl hungrily but Yanar knew she did not dare stop to search for berries or apples. Arvinthal would be awake by now and would know she was gone. Although she felt sure he would think she had went the other way, Yanar did not want to take any chances. Occasionally, she would glance over her shoulder and would breathe a sigh of relief when she saw no signs of the stranger. When Yanar reached the crossroads, she stopped long enough to survey the ravine where the coach had disappeared. She said a little prayer for those who had died there then turned right and hurried down the other road. Only then did she feel safe enough that, when she saw some berry bushes along the road Yanar stopped long enough to pick several handfuls and stuff them into her pockets. The stranger had said it was two full days journey to the first village. Then another day’s journey to the castle. Yanar glanced at the sun. When she realized she had several hours of daylight left Yanar quickened her pace and, as darkness fell, was sure she might be close to halfway. After a quick meal of more berries, Yanar found what she thought was a safe place among some bushes and lay down on the soft grasses. As she closed her eyes and slept Yanar thanked the Gods for keeping her safe on her journey.
The following morning, Yanar awoke just as the first lights of dawn touched the distant horizon. She listened to the birds singing and realized she had slept longer than she had wanted to. She arose quickly and, after picking berries and stuffing them into her pockets, she returned to the road and hurried on her way. Today, she felt happier about her long journey and hoped, by nightfall, she would be in Modenista. And then it would only be another day's journey to the castle. How happy she would be when she could bathe and sleep in a real bed again. As she hurried along, Yanar hummed happily.
It was just after Yanar had finished the last of her berries when she heard what sounded like thunder behind her. She scanned the blue sky for clouds but found none. She listened and realized it was not thunder at all. No, it was horses! And they were coming her way! Yanar moved off the road quickly, taking refuge in some thick underbrush as the thunderous roar grew closer. Yanar gasped as the ground seemed to shake from the pounding hooves and she covered her face to keep the dust out of her eyes. Only after the thunderous sound had faded into nothing did Yanar extract herself from her hiding place. She glanced up and down the road. Seeing no one she hurried off in the same direction the riders had went. Yanar had not gotten a look at the men and wondered if they had been highwaymen. She knew, no matter who they were, she had been right to hide from them. Heavens knows what they would have done to her if they would have found her on the road alone. For a fleeting second Yanar wondered if she should have stayed with Arvinthal. Of course not! If she had, she would be miles and an entire valley from the castle by now.
Back on the road, Yanar hurried along, determined to reach Modenista before dark. As Yanar rounded the next corner, she saw a brown dog sitting under the shade of a tree. She eyed the dog cautiously. Wild dogs were known to inhabit the kingdom and Yanar wondered if this was one of them. She decided it might be best if she went to the other side of the road and did not look at the dog as she passed. Perhaps he would ignore her as well. As Yanar moved closer the dog rose and came toward her, his tail wagging wildly. He came within a few paces, sank to his haunches and yipped, as if he were saying 'Hello'. Yanar noticed the wagging tail and was sure she saw a smile on the dog's mouth. She swallowed hard, said a little prayer then responded. "And hello to you too," she said gently. The dog's smile seemed to widen and he yipped again then came to her. He nuzzled her leg and Yanar reached down and scratched his ears, which made him nuzzle even closer. "I am sorry fella," she said gently. "But I must keep going. I have to reach Modenista by tonight." When Yanar hurried on, she was surprised to see the dog trot alongside. She grinned at him. "Are you following me?" The dog trotted ahead a few paces then turned and yipped back at her, as if he were asking her to join him. "Alright," Yanar chuckled. "I am coming."
When Yanar saw a small village come into view in the distance she smiled. Modenista. She had made excellent time. "It looks like we made it," she told the brown dog who had been her companion for the last several hours. Near the village, Yanar stopped at a small creek and washed her face then ran her fingers through her hair and retied it with the threads. She watched the dog play in the water as she ate some berries she had found near the creek bank. Yanar thought about staying there for the night then starting out the next morning and she glanced at the sun then frowned. There was at least two hours of daylight left. Spending that precious time sitting here was senseless. Yanar got to her feet then looked around for the dog. Not seeing him she returned to the road and headed toward the village.
As Yanar entered the small village, she saw several of the townspeople eyeing her curiously and could see them whispering amongst themselves. Yanar did not think they did not look very friendly and decided it might be best if she traveled on instead of staying here for the night. She was just passing the far end of the village when;
"Lass, hold up a minute!"
Yanar looked over her shoulder to see a stout woman standing in the doorway of the last building on the road. She eyed the woman curiously then, after a second glance at the building, realized it was the town inn. Yanar stopped in the middle of the road and looked at the buxom woman she thought was about the same age as Mimina.
"You are a traveler?"
Yanar nodded.
The woman waved her closer. "We do not get many travelers in this valley," she said with a growing smile. "And certainly not young women who are traveling alone." She swung the door open and gestured inside. "You must be hungry. Please, come and enjoy a meal."
Yanar looked up and down the road and was going to tell the woman 'No thanks' until she heard her stomach growl. Well, maybe it would not hurt, she decided. Besides, she was only a day's journey from the castle now. Yanar joined the woman on the steps. "I thank you most kindly madam."
The woman led Yanar into a small dining area and sat her down at a table. The room was very clean and the tables had red and white linen cloths on them. "I'm afraid we do not have a vast selection of things to eat," the woman told her as she pointed toward a board that was attached to the wall at the far end of the room. "But, I assure you, our food is quite delicious." She beamed. "King Garron often chose my inn as one of his eating places when he used to visit his ancestral castle in Tartania."
The sound of her father's name sent warm tingles along Yanar's veins and she smiled up at the woman. "Your food must be superb if you cater to kings." She looked at the board. "I think I will choose the chicken and rice."
"An excellent choice lass. It is a favorite of the king as well. I shall return with your meal shortly."
Yanar settled back into the chair and looked around the otherwise deserted dining room. Odd, she thought with a curious frown. If this was such a great eating location why was there no one here eating? "'We do not get many travelers in this valley,'" the woman had said. Perhaps that explained the lack of customers. When the woman brought a tray, Yanar marveled at the size of the portion.
"If you wish more all you need do is ask," the woman said and
disappeared through a distant door.
Yanar relished every mouthful of the delicious food. She was just finishing the last bit of bread when the woman returned.
"You definitely were hungry," the woman said with surprise as she examined the empty plate. "Would you care for more lass?"
"Oh no thank you," Yanar smiled. "It was more than enough. I thank you kindly for your hospitality. Your food is, indeed, delicious."
The woman bowed graciously. "You are very kind, lass." Her gaze slid over the tattered, dirty dress. "I have a spare room available if you would care to bathe and rest here for the night before you continue your journey."
Yanar thought that sounded delightful. "I am afraid I cannot madam. I have no money to pay, even for this delicious meal."
"Most travelers have no money lass," the woman smiled. "I did not expect you were any different." Her gray brows descended. "But it is not safe for a young woman such as yourself to sleep along the highway." She picked up the plate. "The room and bath are yours if you would like them lass." Her smile returned. "There would be no charge."
Yanar watched the woman depart. The idea of a bath and a comfortable bed sounded wonderful and, when the woman returned, Yanar accepted her hospitality and was escorted up a wooden stairs to a second floor.
"You can have this room," the woman said and opened the first door on the left. The small room held the meager furnishings well. A small dresser stood against the left wall and, beside that, an open doorway that led into a bathroom. A window covered by lacy curtains was next to a large bed that was draped by a snow white fluffy comforter. Next to the exit door sat a wooden chair. "It is quite comfortable, as you can see."
"It is lovely," Yanar said with a smile. Of course, it was not as beautiful as her own rooms at home, but it was lovely just the same. "You are most kind madam," she told the woman.
"I have prepared a bath for you through that door," the woman informed and pointed to the bathroom door. Her gaze took in the dirty, tattered dress. "If you would like I will wash your dress for you and have it clean for your journey tomorrow."
Yanar did not think that was necessary and told the woman so. But, after some insistence, Yanar agreed. She went into the bathroom, disrobed, and handed the dress out.
"There is a nightgown behind the door," the woman said. "I will have your dress ready first thing in the morning." With that she disappeared out the door, closing it behind her.
Yanar slipped into the bath tub and relished in the warm lapping waters for more than an hour before she donned the cotton gown. Back in the bedroom, she spared a second to glance out the window onto the distant hills, then slid between the cool sheets. She said a prayer for all of those she had met on her journey then thanked the Gods for watching over her. Seconds later, Yanar was asleep.