Chapter Thirteen

Ariya let out a long yawn in between bites of her breakfast bread. It must have been fresh, considering how fluffy and warm it was. Every bite of it made her feel like curling back up in bed and going to sleep.

“I am uncertain how you are tired,” Lusya said, staring at Ariya. Lusya had already finished her bread and her eggs. She ate so fast, Ariya wasn’t even sure she had tasted the food. “You slept for over ten hours.”

Ariya yawned again. “I know, but I can’t help it. I still feel sleepy.”

It was true that she had gotten a good night’s sleep. Maybe she was still tired from yesterday. It hadn’t all been fun, but it had sure been exciting. Things had calmed down a little after they found the inn, but they had still had to sit in the loud dining room while they ate.

Then there had been the incident at the bathhouse down the street. There hadn’t been enough soap, so Lusya had gone to ask for more and forgotten to grab clothes or a towel. She hadn’t seemed like she had minded, but the man at the desk had gone red as a tomato and refused to look at her when they were on their way out. Ariya knew you weren’t supposed to look at other people naked, or let them see you naked, even if Mama and Papa had never gotten around to explaining why.

On the bright side, Ariya finally had new clothes. That had been a nice surprise, even if it hadn’t been nice to have Lusya wake her up a little early to tell her. Luckily, Lusya had just wanted to take the old clothes to wash, so Ariya had fallen right back asleep. She hadn’t even been sure that whole thing had happened until she had noticed she was wearing one of her new dresses.

They were all kind of the same, just different colors, but Ariya didn’t want to complain. Lusya’s clothes were the same way. She always wore the same thing under her cloak: a blouse, short pants, and tights. As far as Ariya could tell, the only differences in her sets were that one shirt was white and the other light gray and one set of bottoms was dark brown while the other was black.

“I hope you will gain energy as the day goes on,” Lusya said. “We will be leaving Gavamir as soon as you finish your meal.”

“Aww, but why?” Ariya asked in a high-pitched whine. But a grown-up whine. She was a big girl, after all. “I wanted to see some of those towers. I heard this guy last night saying there was this really good play at the theater too.”

Lusya shook her head. “We must complete our journey with haste. Shows at the theater are too expensive anyway.”

“I’ve always wanted to see a play though…”

“The play is incompatible with your duty.”

There Lusya went using big words again. Ariya was pretty sure Lusya was saying they could only do one. Being a hero did sound cooler than watching grown-ups play pretend for a couple hours, as much as seeing people act out a proper story seemed fun. She had, of course, played at stories herself, but there was only so much she could do with just her and, when they decided to go along with her, her family. She could use imaginary actors, but since they stopped acting right if she got distracted, they weren’t quite the solution she had thought at first.

“I guess we can go then,” Ariya said.

“I was not offering you a choice, but your cooperation is appreciated,” Lusya replied.

Ariya sighed and hung her head. She really did want to see a play someday, but she supposed it could wait. Maybe if she waited long enough they would let her in for free as a hero. They might even write a play about her. That thought brought a smile back to her face and she went back to eating.

The dining room was pretty plain. It was just kind of a square with round tables placed in a haphazard fashion. There was a bar counter opposite the door, which the innkeeper stood behind now, looking over the area with a frown and his arms crossed. A door behind him led into the kitchen. The floor was dark colored wood without any decoration and the walls were painted a solid white.

It wasn’t as loud or busy this morning. Last night, there had also been a half-dozen women bustling around, getting dozens of people their food as they competed to see who had the loudest voice. Right now, there was just one serving girl, and at the moment nobody needed anything, so she was just leaning against a wall and staring off into space.

There were still a few other customers scattered around, talking to friends or other guests as they ate. There was even a tiransa man, but he was by himself at a table. Even sitting down he looked so big Ariya was left wondering how he had gotten through the door. And now that she looked closer, he wasn’t even sitting in a chair, but cross-legged on the floor.

“Where are we going—” Ariya started to ask, but stopped when Lusya gave her the shushing gesture.

Ariya wasn’t sure why she had to be quiet, but after yesterday she figured she should listen to Lusya for at least the next couple days. That didn’t mean Ariya had to be happy about it, though. She dug back into her food with a scowl and decided to entertain herself by listening in on the conversation the two men seated closest were having.

“…the northern road, really?” one asked. He had a very distinctive, nasally voice. “What’s the trouble?”

“Well, the road’s basically unusable, for one,” the other replied. His voice was deep and booming, even though he was talking at a normal volume. “Lord Inthal had a whole bunch of traps set along it in case the war came this way and hasn’t gotten around to taking them down yet. But even the safe parts have been soaked so bad by the snow melting and the rain last week you can barely walk through the mud.”

“Weird that it’s just that road,” Nasal said.

“It’s a lot of the ones around here,” Boom said. “That one just has it the worst. Luck of the draw, I guess.”

Nasal gave a thoughtful hum. A loud one, like the kind Papa gave when he was pretending to think about something he was going to say no to. “Still, doesn’t sound that bad.”

“Maybe, but then you factor in bandits cropping up all over the place. Never know when some might show up around here. Not to mention I hear there’s been some demon problems up there.”

“Even though they barely touched us during the war?”

Boom sighed. “I know, crazy. I guess we’ll just have to find another way through.”

“Sounds like a real pain,” nasal replied.

Ariya heard them push their chairs out and looked to see them standing.

“Thanks for the grub,” Boom said with a wave to the innkeeper.

Nasal gave a similar thanks and the two of them left. As she watched them go, Ariya noticed that the tiransa man was staring at her, but he looked away as soon as their eyes met.

Ariya knew staring was rude, but she didn’t let it bother her. Maybe he was just as impressed by how small she was as she was with how big he was. In size, of course. Ariya was a big kid in the ways that counted, like being smart and stuff.

She was almost sure it wasn’t because he wanted to eat her like some of her books said. Mama and Papa always told her those were bad books and that tiransa were nice people who didn’t eat little girls. She was sure they were right. She sure hoped they were.

Not that she had to worry. Lusya was there, and Ariya was sure Lusya could beat up a tiransa just fine.

Ariya went back to eating again. This time, nothing interrupted her before she finished a couple minutes later. She let out a content sigh and put down her fork. She was feeling much less tired.

“You have finished?” Lusya asked.

Ariya nodded. “Yup. I’m ready to go…Are you sure we can’t just see a tiny bit of a play?”

“I am sure,” Lusya said as she stood up.

Ariya groaned and lowered her head until it rested on the table.

“Perhaps I will consider it if we find a less prestigious theater in the future,” Lusya said. “Or if we come across a traveling troupe.”

“Really?” Ariya asked, bolting upright with a smile so big it almost hurt her face. She noticed the tiransa standing up and walking toward them. Maybe he needed to talk to the innkeeper. He would have to pass them to get there.

Lusya nodded and held out a hand. “Now, let us depart.”

Ariya stood up and grabbed Lusya’s hand.

“Excuse me,” the tiransa said in a low, gravelly voice. He had stopped right behind Lusya and loomed over her like a mountain with his slate-gray skin. From farther away that had made it look like he was made of rock, but up close it was just skin that was colored kind of like stone.

Lusya turned and craned her neck to look up at him. She was as small next to him as Ariya was next to her. Despite herself, Ariya half-hid behind Lusya. Just in case Mama and Papa had been wrong.

“Can I help you?” Lusya asked.

“I couldn’t help but notice those two gentlemen speaking just now,” he said. “I’m sure you overheard them as well.”

Lusya nodded. “I did. It is unfortunate news.”

“Ah, so you’re headed that way, are you?” the tiransa replied with a sympathetic smile. “Real shame about the roads.”

“Indeed.”

The tiransa gave an exaggerated hum in consideration and tapped a finger against his chin. “Well, it just so happens that I know this area like the back of my hand. If you like, I could guide you to minimize your detour. For a reasonable price, of course.”

“I see,” Lusya said. “So, you planted those men here.”

“…what?”

“You can plant people?” Ariya exclaimed.

She hadn’t noticed anything like that. When had he done it? And how had they escaped? If he was planting them like vegetables, did he eat people after all? So many questions, so few answers.

“It means he told them to sit there and have that conversation in order to make us more likely to accept his offer,” Lusya said.

Ariya blushed. “Oh. That makes more sense.”

“We are leaving, child,” Lusya said.

She led Ariya toward the door, but the tiransa hurried to keep pace with them.

“Wait a second,” he pleaded. “You’re right, but everything they said was still true. I promise I’ll shave some time off your journey. We’ll even pass by the traps and ruined parts of the road so you know I’m not lying.”

Lusya stopped and looked at him again and cocked her head. If Ariya was getting as good at reading Lusya as she thought, that was the “you’re annoying me but you have my attention” head tilt. Ariya didn’t have a good view of Lusya’s face, but she had probably blinked and had a tiny hint of a frown too.

“I am sure you understand that I cannot take your word for it,” Lusya said. “But thank you for the information. I will attempt to confirm it on our way out of the city and seek out another guide if necessary.”

“For what it’s worth, miss,” the innkeeper said from behind the bar, where he was wiping a section of it clean with a cloth. “I’ve been hearing the same thing from travelers for a while now. And there’s no love lost between me and that oaf. I’ve lost three chairs and a table to him forgetting how big he is.”

“That was over the course of two years,” the tiransa grumbled.

“Let me break four of your things in two years and see how you feel about it.”

Lusya opened the door. “Your contribution is appreciated.”

The tiransa whirled to face her again. “Wait, give me a chance. It’s not like you can just find a guide wherever, you know, we don’t have guide centers…Maybe we should, actually. But that’s besides the point!” He sighed. “Look at it this way: you can spend who knows how long trying to find another guide, or you can hire the one standing right here.”

Lusya blinked, glanced at Ariya, and nodded. “Very well. However, I will pay you after your services have been rendered.”

The tiransa frowned and shook his head. “Normally I charge up front, but make it half when we start—when we get out of the city, that is—and half later and you’ve got a deal. Total price will be two silver kolars.”

“That is acceptable,” Lusya said.

He grinned and held out a hand. Lusya took it and shook. It looked pretty funny. His hand was so much bigger than hers that Lusya just kind of held the edge of his instead of the whole thing.

“However,” she said, “if it turns out that you are lying, I will be taking back my money.”

The tiransa gave a nervous chuckle. “Are you threatening me?”

“I am merely informing you of what will happen.”

“…Right. Well, let’s get going, shall we?”

“We shall.”

Lusya finally led Ariya out of the inn and into the street beyond. She turned and they waited for the tiransa had joined them. Ariya had heard of tall people needing to stoop to get through doors, but the tiransa man needed to crouch to get outside.

He then stood to his full height and stretched, rolling his neck and arching his back. Ariya realized then that he had, in fact, been stooping the entire time they were inside. When he reached his hands over his head, he looked almost as big as one of the towers in the distance.

“Wow,” Ariya breathed. “You’ve gotta be, like, twenty feet tall!”

“He is closer to nine,” Lusya said.

He held up two fingers and Ariya thought she saw him blushing. “Nine and two inches.”

“Average height for a tiransa male.”

“You don’t have to put it like that,” he said with a scowl.

“I assume we are still exiting from the northern gate?” Lusya asked.

The tiransa sighed and nodded. “Yeah, the problems don’t start until a little down the road. Come on, we can get to know each other while we walk.”

He started walking and Lusya and Ariya followed alongside him.

“The name’s Izurb, by the way,” he said. “I didn’t catch your names.”

“I am Lusya.”

“And I’m Ariya!”

“Nice to meet you,” Izurb said. “What exactly gave my little scheme away?”

“The men implied they were also departing to the north,” Lusya said. “It would have made more sense to offer your services to them if they were not your collaborators.”

Izurb clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Shit, you’re right.” He gave himself a few light slaps on the forehead. “Stupid, stupid Izurb, you should have proofread the damn script!”

Ariya looked at him, her eyebrows knit together in concern. Meanwhile, Lusya stared at him for a second, then returned her attention to the road ahead.

“Oh, turn here, it’s a shortcut,” Izurb said as they passed a tiny side street.

He veered onto it and Lusya followed, practically dragging Ariya along to keep up. There weren’t as many people here, just a few walking and a few more loitering. It reminded Ariya of the alley, but she knew there was nothing to worry about with a big, strong tiransa and Lusya around. Well, after seeing Izurb literally beat himself up, she wasn’t confident he would be much help, but at least he looked kind of scary.

“If you don’t mind my asking, how do you two know each other?” Izurb asked.

“I mind your asking,” Lusya said. “It is not something I wish to discuss with an outsider.”

Izurb shrugged. “Not a problem. It’s just you two are an odd pairing, is all. A reltus and a little human girl. You’ve got a human-sounding name too.”

“Lusya picked me for a secret mission,” Ariya said, beaming at him.

Lusya looked down at her with a gaze that managed to be piercing despite her expression barely changing. “Silence, child.”

Ariya hung her head. “Sorry, Lusya.”

Lusya was silent for a second, then nodded. “You are forgiven. However, we will be having my supplies for dinner if you do it again.”

“I’ll be quiet,” Ariya said. She knew it was stupid of her to have said it. That was the whole point of a secret. Sharing secrets could be fun too, but she knew she wasn’t supposed to do it.

“Your supplies?” Izurb said.

“Common food for traveling,” Lusya said. “She is a picky eater.”

He shrugged. “Kids are like that. Or so I’ve heard, anyway. I don’t have any.” He swerved down another turn. “Anyway, I won’t pry into your business. I’m just here to get you past the rough spots and get paid.”

“That is suitable,” Lusya said with a nod.

“Um…” Ariya said, but then she clamped her mouth shut. She had promised to be quiet. She squirmed. The words almost felt like a physical force, trying to muscle their way out of her.

“You may speak, child,” Lusya said. “Just mind your tongue.”

Ariya smiled at her and nodded, then leaned to look at Izurb. She had to look almost straight up to make eye contact.

“How old are you, mister?” she asked.

He didn’t have any wrinkles and his short hair was solid black, but she didn’t know what tiransa looked like when they got older. They didn’t live as long as relti, but for all she knew this was what an eighty-year-old tiransa looked like.

“Just turned thirty last month,” he replied.

“That’s the same age as Mama and Papa,” Ariya said. “Do you know them?”

He gave a confused frown and shook his head. “Can’t say I do.”

“It is doubtful anyone here knows your parents,” Lusya said.

“Oh,” Ariya said. “I thought he might since they’re the same age.”

“That does not make any sense.”

It made perfect sense to Ariya, but she wasn’t about to argue over it. Not when she had just gotten in trouble.

“I kind of assumed she was an orphan,” Izurb said to Lusya. It sounded like he was trying to whisper, but his voice was too loud.

“You are easily audible,” Lusya said, which Ariya thought meant pretty much the same thing.

“Mama and Papa are fine,” Ariya said. “They just let me come with Lusya. Oh, and Jak’s fine too, I guess.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Jak?”

“Her brother,” Lusya said.

Izurb shrugged. “I guess all’s well then. Let’s pick up the pace a little, I want to get to that gate.”

#

By the time night fell, they had walked so far that Ariya couldn’t see Gavamir’s walls anymore. Watching something so big shrink and vanish had been just as weird as when she had first approached them and watched them tower over her.

The area around here was flat and mostly clear of trees, so they had set up camp on the side of the road. Lusya had made a fire and was stirring the contents of a pot hung over it with a ladle, working on some kind of meal. She kept stopping to check the book she had left nearby. Ariya wasn’t sure what it was supposed to be, but she had seen Lusya putting some meat and a whole lot of salt in. At the very least, it smelled nice and made a satisfying pop and sizzle in the pot.

“Is that Elberto’s recipes?” Izurb asked. He was sitting close to the fire, but he was still almost as tall as Lusya. “Love that book. Those things are tastier than they have any right to be.”

“It is,” Lusya said. “I promised the child I would start cooking after she threw a tantrum.”

Ariya pouted and stomped a foot. “That wasn’t a tantrum.” Big girls didn’t throw tantrums. “I was expressing my greases.”

Lusya looked at her, tilted her head, and blinked twice. Then she just stared for a second, which made Ariya very suspicious that she had said something stupid.

“Do you mean ‘grievances?’” Lusya asked.

Ariya blushed. She hoped being bathed in the fire’s orange light made it harder to tell. “Yeah. That.”

“Hey, she’s got a better vocabulary than I did at her age,” Izurb said with a chortle.

Ariya beamed and nodded so quick her neck kind of hurt. “Mama says I talk good for my age because of how much I read.”

“What a smart girl.”

Ariya gave a smug chuckle and nodded again. She might not have been as smart as Lusya, but at least Ariya knew not to let strangers see her naked.

“I have a question,” Lusya said. She was looking at Izurb now.

He frowned, but not like he was angry, just confused. As if he wasn’t sure what she could have to ask him. “Yeah? Go ahead.”

“Who is Elberto?”

Izurb blinked and didn’t answer for a couple seconds, like he hadn’t heard her. “The guy in the book’s title?”

Lusya nodded. “Yes. The author’s name is listed as Lusor Reve. So why is the name Elberto in the title?”

“Well, I can’t say this is true for sure,” Izurb said, then he hummed in thought. It was more natural this time, not like the fake one from before. “I think I remember hearing that Elberto is the one who actually came up with the recipes. He died a while ago, and Lusor put together and published the book. The Lusor guy is Elberto’s son, if I’m remembering right.”

“I see,” Lusya said.

“That sounds kind of like you,” Ariya said. “He’s doing a job his papa left for him.”

Lusya glanced at Ariya and nodded. “There is a faint similarity.”

She returned her attention to the pot and took a taste of whatever it was she was making, then looked at the spoon and cocked her head. That was her “confused” head tilt, same as before. She even did the two blinks. Ariya was getting better at this.

“I do not think this turned out how it is supposed to,” Lusya said.

“What are you trying to make?” Izurb asked.

“The salty beef and mixed nut fry.”

He beckoned to her. “I’ve made that plenty. Give it here.”

Lusya filled up her ladle again and brought it over to him. He took it between two of his giant fingers and slurped up the food. Then he gagged and started coughing into his free hand.

“I think I’ll have the supplies tonight,” Ariya said.

Izurb shook his head. “No, no, it’s not that bad. It just surprised me is all.” He handed the empty ladle back to Lusya. “You may have overdone the salt just a little bit.” Ariya was pretty sure that little was sarcasm. “But it’s…edible, and practice makes perfect.”

“I see,” Lusya said. “Your impressions are appreciated. In any case, I believe it is done. We will eat now and then rest.”

“No complaints here.”