The Arrival (Birthright Trilogy #1) (10 page)

The others fussed around getting ready and Cat gave Audi a good dunk and clean in a tub. The dog looked pretty miserable until she got to the drying. Then she had great fun, pushing through the towel as Cat worked on drying her and even sat back on her haunches to "yell" at them all about it.

That was their term for one of the dog’s barks. Audrey had a rather decent vocabulary and it varied from whining, grumbling, talking and yelling when she was excited, like at the moment. The angry bark she’d had when they ran from the elgrids was the first time Loi had ever heard her make that noise. It’d been impressive.

We made our way to the kitchen as instructed and then Henja led the way to our rooms.

'Did you girls see the dragon? Such a big one too. What a good example for your first time.'

She beamed at us as we made appropriate remarks.

All I could think about was food. Henja opened the door with a key from a laden iron ring and ushered us in.

'I have given you two rooms that have an adjoining door, so you don’t have to go out into the corridor. As you can see you will have to share two to a bed and please,' she pointed at Audi beside me then to Lucky in Kassie’s arms. 'No animals on the beds.'

I nodded in agreement along with Kassie and Henja smiled, satisfied.

'Well, I will go get your supper.'

She disappeared back down the corridor.

Sian and Laura took the other room and Kassie and I the first. I wandered around the small room. Nothing extravagant, that was for sure, but it had a couple of windows and a little stove. It was nice and cozy.

Much better than a smoky open fire I thought, pleased.

I dressed, not bothering with my boots and rubbed a towel over my damp hair.

There was a sharp knock on the door, then Henja’s voice, 'Here is your supper girls’.'

Kassie and I moved quickly to the door and I took the large tray from Henja’s hands.

She thanked us then questioned, 'Now what would be best for your animals?'

While Kassie placed our orders, I carefully maneuvered my way to the small table in Sian and Loi’s room and placed the tray on it.

Best food ever.

The meat stew was delicious and I wiped the bowl clean with a slice of bread. Sipping at a second cup of water, I banished the thoughts still swirling and slumped back in the seat, leaning against Sian and Loi’s bed.

We didn’t talk, just relaxed. Feeling myself start to doze off, I stood, making Kass jolt.

'Sorry, Kass,' I yawned. 'I’m off to bed now. Night all, sleep well.'

Wandering back to the bed in the adjoining room, I crawled under the covers and fell promptly into a deep and dreamless sleep.

*****

The sunlight woke me, my eyes fluttering open as the rays of light began to descend down the bed. I yawned, then stretched and groaned as all my muscles objected. Carefully, so as not to disturb Kassie, I sat up and looked around the room.

Waking in a strange place for a second time was almost as disturbing as the first, but at least we were safe. Climbing out of bed, I sat on a stool to pull my socks and boots on and winced when I turned my thigh out to lace the back of the boot. It seemed every single muscle hurt, even my eyes. They watered when I let out a mouth splitting yawn.

Audi shook herself awake, staggering off my cloak where she’d been sleeping and bumbled over to give me a big lick. Giggling, I grabbed the dog's head and ruffled the fur round her neck and ears. She grumbled and thrust a paw in my face, so I obliged with the request and scratched the front of her chest. Lucky meowed softly at us and sauntered over.

'Are you guys' hungry?' I whispered to them. 'Come on, let’s go see if we can get some breakfast.'

Picking Lucky up, I draped the cat around my shoulders and eased the door open, ushering Audi out. We headed down the corridor and stairs to the kitchen.

'Hello, Henja?' I called, listening to the rustle and banging of pots.

A maid appeared in front of me.

'Hello, you must be one of those four women the town’s talking about. Come on in I’ll get you some breakfast.'

She whirled around. I followed closely, stomach growling in anticipation of food. The maid led the way to a plain table with slab seats. Removing Lucky, I placed her on the seat beside me and Audi sat under the table, waiting.

A giant bowl of thick, creamy porridge was set in front of me along with a pot of honey and a pitcher of what appeared to be cream.

I grinned in delight, no worries about calories here, what with walking everywhere. I was about to begin eating when the maid interrupted.

'What would your animals like?'

'Umm if you have any of that meat stew left, that would be ideal. And I guess Lucky could have a dish of milk if you can spare it.'

The maid left to look and I pulled the spoon out of the honey, dribbling a thin layer over the porridge and then poured the thick cream over the top.

Mmmm all creamy and sweet.

I'm so glad they don't have calci-trim here.

Kassie and Laura made their way down to the kitchen and stopped at the doorway, peering through.

'Ah. There she is,' Loi pointed and Kassie could see Cat at a table, near the end of the room, enjoying her breakfast, her eyes closed in bliss.

Kassie’s stomach growled and they made their way to the table, sitting opposite Cat.

'Morning, kitty Cat,' Loi teased. 'Enjoying your breakfast?'

Cat’s eyes snapped open and she stared for an instant, then reverently said, 'Real cream.'

Loi began to look for the pot of porridge.

'Hello girls, you’re awake now.' The maid re-appeared. 'Would you like some porridge?' She chuckled at the enthusiastic nods and turned, 'Oh look, another one. Well have a seat and I’ll bring the porridge over in a moment.'

Sian nodded blearily and slid onto the bench beside me. Letting loose an enormous yawn, she plunked her head onto her arms on the table.

'Do you think they have coffee?' she whispered hopefully.

I smothered a laugh, 'Umm I’m thinking not, otherwise you would have smelt it out by now.'

She groaned, 'How long does it take for the cravings to go away?'

Kassie reached over and patted her head. 'Three weeks, sweetie,' she chirped.

Sian lifted her head to glare at Kassie.

The maid maneuvered her way back to the table with three enormous bowls of porridge and set them in front of the others, then turned to me.

'Would you like a hot drink?'

'Do you have anything to wake you up?'

'Just the thing,' she said, and turned away to fetch it.

'I’ll have one too!' bellowed Sian, making everyone wince at the noise level and startling the kitchen staff.

There was silence as they turned to stare at Sian and then went back to work.

Sian blushed.

'I’m so sorry, I’m really not conscious.'

We chuckled and the maid placed a mug of something hot in front of us. It didn’t give the zing that caffeine did, but was thick and soothing. I savored mine as the others finished eating.

After breakfast we made our way into the main area of the Inn looking for Henja and found her occupied with customers at the front door. After she saw them off she turned with a smile, 'Girls, did you sleep well?'

We nodded.

'Excellent. Now let’s get those food parcels sorted. I have asked Mentan and Lenol to come and give you instructions as to where to go,' she said reassuringly. 'And with all that I’m sure you’ll be fine.' Henja spun on her heel and walked to the kitchen.

We looked at each other and I shrugged, sitting down at one of the tables.

I hope the men don’t take too long, I thought, I’d really like to get going so we can practice with the weapons. Loi drummed her fingers on the table as we waited.

A short while later Henja came out with two big bundles, and the maid following had another two. It didn’t look like we’d be going hungry any time soon. As they placed the parcels on the table, the door to the Inn opened and two middle aged men stepped through, their eyes uncertain until they spotted Henja.

She waved them over and gestured at us, 'Mentan, Lenol, these are the four women the town is buzzing about. Sian, Catherine, Laura, and Kassandra. They would like to know how to reach the castle.'

Mentan sat on the spare seat at the table and Lenol dragged another over.

'Right,' began Mentan. 'It’s an easy trail from the village to the forest, and I recommend you don’t deviate from it.' His face was serious.

Lenol cleared his throat.

'The forest can be a little misleading, as there are often animal tracks which look similar to trails, do you know what I mean?'

'Yes I’ve seen that before,' I said.

Loi relaxed when Cat spoke up. She would know what they’re talking about. Cat frequently stayed at her family’s cabin back home. Loi continued to listen as the men described the track out of the forest and questioned Cat on her river crossing abilities.

'Well, I certainly know when not to cross,' I said to Lenol who nodded in approval. 'And, of course, keeping your feet close to the river bottom, not crossing in the deep bits, and linking arms when necessary.'

Both men looked pleased and Mentan continued.

'You should pass a total of seven villages before you reach the castle. They should all be welcoming, though I don’t recommend bringing the elgrids this time.'

Lenol sniggered.

'We’ll be more careful,' Sian promised.

The men described several landmarks we should watch for, and they recommended a few camping spots. After about thirty minutes of intense conversation with them we were done.

'You girls should be fine,' Lenol reassured us. 'Your kind always is.'

They stood, bowed, and walked out of the Inn.

'Our kind?' Kassie said blankly. 'What does he mean?'

'He means people from the North,' Henja said knowingly. 'After hearing so many legends about your kind, most people here are excited to be able to say they have seen and met some of you in the flesh.'

We stared at her for a moment and Loi said, 'Well, being from the North we wouldn't have heard them.'

Henja laughed, 'No, I guess not.'

We each took a parcel and after thanking Henja, headed out of the Inn.

Walking through the village gates, we paused to look back at the sound of them clanging shut and the bolt being slid across. I shivered, it sounded so ominous.

Sian met my eyes and smiled.

'Don’t worry, Cat; you know we’ll be fine. They did say practically nothing was in the forest at the moment, so even if we do meet something, we’ll be able to deal with it. No sweat.'

I sighed.

'Ten years Jujitsu counts for something, right?'

'Exactly. Let's get going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can practice.'