15 Chapter. 14 - Back at The Inn

The travel was half the time it took for the enlistment wagons, this is due to the use of the coach provided for the transferees, prioritising speed and comfort for the its customers and less hindered by the weights of many passengers.

"We're here."

The coachman spoke as the destination has been met.

Upon stepping down the carriage, the coachman told Miyata of his return in three days time for the return to the fort and joint departure for the capital.

After taking the few belongings she had in the carriage, Miyata quickly heads forth to the Inn to see Tina and the innkeeper, her mother.

On the way, many people looked with shock to see Miyata return after departing, some even greeting her back with her returning the words that she is to depart again in three days. Pleasant conversations were also started as some of the passerby were the store and stand owners from which she had interacted with and had pleasant relationships with.

As she walked, she couldn't help but smile after the heart warming encounters.

After a while, she finally met with inn's front door. Her heart felt fluttering to meet her friend again and somehow remembering their short but happy time together.

Upon entering she was greeted by the inn-keeper-mother. She had a surprised but happy look.

"Oh! Miyata-chan! You're back! How did it go with the soldiers? Did they hurt you? Bully you? Just say the word and I will storm that stupid fort with its Iron Brained commander!"

From caring to menacing in just a few seconds, Miyata was at a loss for words.

Before even being able to speak her words, mother instantly cut her off, explaining as of she knew exactly what she was about to say.

"If you're looking for Tina, she's left a week ago despite my warnings for her."

This shook Miyata as to why would she leave her mother, and would it be safe for her? Miyata couldn't help herself but ask the mother.

"Tina left!? But why? Will she be alright?"

The bright inn-keeper-mother gave a deep smile and laughed.

"Bahahah! That kid always was like that, she always had an adventurous spirit! And don't worry, she's much more qualified than you think, afterall, surprisingly, she's only ever soft towards you! Don't worry, she'll be back."

She wiped her tears of joy and held Miyata on both her shoulders, reassuring her.

"Come, eat and stay the night. You're probably tired from coming back so it would be good to rest."

She went back to the counter and took some keys to give to Miyata.

Miyata bowed as she took the keys, making the innkeeper chuckle, and afterwards went on to the second floor to her room.

As she had laid down on her bed, a faint gray light set itself on the bed.

Stella, the small fairy sat and looked around the room.

"The accomodations seem sufficient. Definitely better than the testosterone infested fort."

Miyata chuckled as she realized how much better it was to be back here.

"Haha, yep, it's much better here..."

Stella looked through the window and into a lush forest not far ahead, with multiple mountains behind and fewer roads.

"Is the item you were talking about located there?"

This surprised Miyata as she never told her of where it was specifically located.

This prompted her to ask Stella how she knew.

Stella gave off her smug looks and smiled at Miyata.

"Huhu~ of course I would know. A great spirit such as I would definitely feel magical and spiritual energy no matter how strong or weak it is..."

Though, she paused for a bit and looked at the window again.

"This thing though... Will it be able to fit inside my space?"

The two pondered for a moment but before they could talk, Stella immediately returned back to the spirit world.

And a knock was heard from the door.

"Miyata-chan, dinner's ready, come take it downstairs, you could take it up if you want."

Miyata quickly opened the door, thanking the innkeeper and went down to eat.

A hearty meal was laid on the table. Chicken, sausages and greens were of substantial quantity.

"If you're gonna be a soldier, ye better grow thick and get some meat on your bones. Bahahaha!"

Miyata's cold sweat dripped but she had to take it all on either way.

"I'll leave ye to your meal!"

Miyata couldn't help but be happy with her changing of accents, the old innkeeper certainly gives off a pleasant vibe.

♦

After Almost half an hour of eating, Miyata took the left overs upstairs.

When she reached the room, Miyata called on Stella as she takes form on top of the bed.

"Here, have you tried eating some human food?"

She placed a plate with a chicken leg and a pair of sausages on top of the bed.

Stella stared at the plate for a second and stared back onto Miyata.

"Hng... Y'know, we spirits don't need these for sustenance?"

Miyata looked at her and laughed.

"I assumed that, but at least try'em they're good."

Stella, hesitated at first, but gave in and tried out the food brought over by Miyata.

Like a little hamster, the small looking girl clumsily ate the meat.

Her faced puffed up and she smiled and looked at Miyata.

"Mmh! Ish good!"

Her face was filled with bliss and quickly finished all the food.

Despite spirits not needing food for sustenance, she looked as if she was full.

"What was that? Did human food always taste that good?"

This made Miyata giggle.

"Maybe it's because the inn keeper filled it with love and care to feed us."

"Is love an actual possible ingredient?!"

The spirit showed a demeanor of a child and acted like one despite previously not trying to.

The night went on and Stella returned to her realm and Miyata laid down and slept, her day being a little slow but happiness was all around. She smiled for a moment before being taken by the darkness that is sleep.

♦

"Oh? Are you going to leave so soon?"

The mother-inn-keeper looked lonely as she asked with the departure of Miyata.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I need to bring back something that I've lost on the way here before. And we were said to leave for the capital in three days."

"I see, stay strong Miyata-chan! And since you're going to the capital. If you ever see that daughter of mine. Give her a good hit for me! BAHAHA!

She must be real busy now too, so go easy on her! I'm sure you're both bound to meet again!"

From sadness to laughter real quick, the old woman sure is full of happiness, though Miyata couldn't feel but guilty for leaving her so soon.

"I will! I hope to return again someday!"

"Mm! I'll cook you a lot of food by then!"

As she said those words, a space behind Miyata generated a pressure that she could feel. {Stella must have heard that}...

She waved her hand for the inn-keeper and left the village, going towards the place where she first came through to this world.

Some memories came back to Miyata. Those that were before her coming here, when she came and what she had done after. She clenched her fist, still wanting to return home, but the feeling of another world pumps her heart with anticipation and excitement, yet uneasiness with her current situation sits on top of her, looming thoughts of anxiety.

She spoke to Stella...

"Alright! Let's go back to that lake!"

-END-