Chapter 4 - A journey of consequence

Frozen stiff, Amira and Ethan stared into each others eyes from less than 2 inches apart. The warmth of their breathes cascaded over each other's faces, their lips nearly touching.

While this moment lasted no more than a few seconds, it felt like an eternity had passed for the two.

Suddenly, Amira's emerald green eyes went as wide as sauce plates as she scrambled to get off of Ethan

Several minutes passed while Amira hurridly got dressed.

Ethan simply stared at the sky with his steel grey eyes, complicated feelings that he couldn't describe welled up inside him.

Now fully dressed, Amira arrived near Ethan

who sat up and was wearing an apologetic

smile

"I'm so-"

"There's no use in apologizing" she said, cutting him off "What's done is done."

After an awkward silence, Ethan noticed the sun setting

"It's getting late. We should set up camp." He suggested

Amira gave him a puzzled look

"Why not head for Lorik Village?"

"Lorik Village? Is it nearby?"

"Near enough. we should be able to reach it by sundown."

Ethan nodded and went to grab his pack, returning shortly after.

"Lead the way."

"Hmph!" she replied, then turned and marched back into the forest.

Ethan shook his head and smiled bitterly following after her

'Women...'

After traveling for about 2 hours they finally exited the forest on to a dirt road.

Torches could be seen burning just ahead so they picked up their pace

Once they reached the village gate they were stopped by a rough looking guard who had a scar on his left cheek

"Who goes there?!" the guard shouted, his voice sounding like gravel.

"We're travelers. we would like to stay the night in Lorik." Ethan stated plainly

The guard looked them both up and down. He wondered wether he should turn them away since it was already so late.

After a pause

"Fine, you can come in. However, its going to cost you a bronze coin each."

before Amira could say anything, Ethan was already handing over two small bronze coins to the guard.

"Heh, welcome to Lorik Village." The guard said while adding the coins to the pouch hanging from his belt. The guard then stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

when they were a reasonable distance Amira finally said something

"You know that guard just scammed you right?"

Her words stopped Ethan in his tracks

"What do you mean? Isn't it common to pay an entrance fee?"

"Sure, at a city maybe. But in a village? even if it were needed, it wouldn't be so much." Amira explained. She began to think he was either naive, or stupid.

'son of a...' He thought while kicking himself mentally.

After wandering around the village square Ethan and Amira stood before a two-story building. The sign hanging above the door said Blue Moon Inn.

when they entered they were greeted by a attractive middle age woman with long black hair that hanged loosely over her shoulders and showed a warm, motherly smile.

"Welcome to the Blue Moon Inn. My name is Brianna, you can call me Ms. B, and I'm the owner. Are you two here to eat, sleep or both?" Brianna asked with a warm tone of voice.

When Ethan first saw the inns owner, he was nearly struck dumb. He couldn't help but think that if her were still in his older body, this mature woman would definitely be in his strike zone.

"ouch!"

all of a sudden, he felt a pain on his waist. When he looked down he saw Amira's small hand pinching him roughly.

"What the hell was that for?" Ethan asked with a frown.

"staring" was her one word reply.

Amira then stepped to the counter

"One room? or...?"

"one room please."

"One bed or two?"

"One bed."

"And meals?"

"Yes please."

"How many nights will you be staying?"

"three nights."

Ethan watched their conversation from behind with amazement.

"Alright, One room, one bed, for 3 nights and meals included. that'll be four bronze coins." said the owner.

After reaching in to his pack, ethan pulled out four of his remaining bronze coins and set them on the counter.

The owner took the money and then handed him a room key

"Yours is room number four. it's just up the stairs and it'll be the second door on the left." she said with a smile.

After giving their thanks Ethan and Amira proceeded up the stairs to their room

"What a cute couple..." Ms. B said lightly with a chuckle watching them disappear upstairs.