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Chapter Three ‘Evangeline Athraele’ Nothing is ever quite
what it seems. “Just ignore her.” “But, River…” “I said just ignore her, Maroshi,”
River grit his teeth. “Don’t give her the attention that she wants.” Maroshi cast a doubtful glance
behind them. Sure enough, the redhead was still there, just as she had been
since they left Grapetown that very morning. “Yoo-hoo!” She waved. “I think
I’ll walk with you guys now!” “Oh, Tiger, give me strength…”
River closed his eyes and pretended not to hear. Jogging up the cobblestone road,
Tabitha fell in step beside Maroshi. “Boy, you guys sure walk fast. Lucky I’m
so strong.” Maroshi chuckled while River
growled. “I wouldn’t call that strength…” “You’re right, River-kun.” She
beamed a smile at him. “It means I’m stealthy, like a NINJA!” Maroshi laughed and missed the
glare River sent him. “River-kun?”
the teen huffed. “What are you? A samurai?” “Naw.” Tabitha stretched her arms behind her head. “Just someone who
remembers the language.” “Well, Maroshi doesn’t even use those dumb –chans and –kuns!” “That’s just because I don’t know
them all properly, River.” Maroshi chuckled and turned to the woman. “Think
you could teach me some time?” Tabitha seemed delighted at the
idea. “Sure thing kiddo.” “Don’t get too attached,” River
interrupted. “We’re ditching this bozo at the next town!” “Aww,” Tabitha pouted. “Then I’ll
have to teach fast. Rocvale is only a few miles away.” Maroshi sighed; River could be so
difficult sometimes. “Well, Tabitha, why don’t you come with us? We can’t pay
you for your… ‘protective services’, but it’d be nice to have a guide. And
don’t listen to what this blue-haired idiot says; you look strong enough to
hold your own. How about it?” River gagged. “I’d love to! Uh, where are you
going?” “ “Hmm… My path is a little
different than yours—“ “Like a drunkard has anywhere to
be,” River mumbled. “—but I’ll stay in touch as long
as I can,” Tabitha concluded and waited for the boys’ responses. “Sounds good.” “Whatever.” “How about this one, Maroshi?”
River held up the spear for his friend to see. “Nah. The height’s all wrong for
you—you’d need something taller.” River sighed and placed the spear
back on the rack. “That’s what I thought.” The two had been in the market for
an hour already looking at mostly weapons. Rocvale was to shopping as
Grapetown was to wine. The central market was divided into four sections,
each a fourth of a mile by a fourth of a mile in a neat little square. River
had bypassed house wears, walked through food, window shopped in clothing,
and spent the last hour in weapons and armor. Maroshi stretched as they left the
store. “I don’t see why you need a weapon. Your fists always did the job in
the temple.” “Yeah, well… Things are different
in the real world.” River had always been a little wishy-washy when it came
to choosing weapons. He was pretty good with anything someone gave him.
Whether it be bashing, chopping, piercing, or slashing, he had the uncanny
ability to get the gist of any weapon in the first day. Maroshi and other
students as the “Hey…” Maroshi turned around.
“Where’s Tabitha?” “Must have lost her in the crowd,”
River said. “What a shame. Oh look! Scimitars!” Maroshi shrugged and ran after
River. The woman seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. He shouldn’t
worry. Tabitha had lost River and Maroshi
two minutes after they entered the gates. It wasn’t her fault she had the attention span of a gnat and ran off to the
pet store without even telling anyone. “I guess I’m just a sucker for
animals,” she said to herself. The redhead had been all through
the market and even half the residential area looking for those two. If she
hadn’t known better, she’d say the brown-eyed one in the orange garb cast an
invisibility spell on them both. “The only place I haven’t checked is the A short man with an odd yellow cap
and miner’s clothing walked by her. He seemed to be in a bad mood. Tabitha leapt
up and pointed a gloved finger at the grungy fellow. “You sir!” He looked up. “Me?” “Yes, you, good sir!” Tabitha
stood with one leg on the bench seat and one on the back. Her voice was powerful
and commanding—even some other by-passers had gathered to watch. The green
cape fluttered in the wind, and it seemed as if she was some sort of noble
lady. “Why are you so glum, sir?” “I… I lost my job at the mines
today.” He stared down at the road and rubbed the back of his neck. A few
other people ‘awwed’ in sympathy. “That’s terrible!” Tabitha
declared, tears forming at the edges of her sparkling green eyes. “Yeah, but what’re you gonna do?”
he shrugged. “I’ll tell you what we’re going to
do!” She hopped off the bench and put her arm around his shoulder. “We’re
going to drink our problems away!” The man blinked. “Huh?” Tabitha straightened up. “Anyone
who wants to get plastered… Follow… me!” She began to march towards the
nearest tavern. A good number of people cheered
and followed her. The man shrugged. “…Nothing to lose.” “Pleeeeease?” “No.” “Pretty please?” “No, River.” “But I want the piiiiike!” River
pouted. Maroshi rubbed his temples. “Look,
it’s great you finally found a weapon, but it’s too darn expensive. We don’t
have the money.” “Yes we do! I counted it!” River
crossed his arms. The conversation had gone on like this for ten minutes and
the storeowner finally went in the back room to give his only customers some
privacy. “I’m gonna call the owner out and
tell him we want it.” River turned away to seek out the manager. “River…” Maroshi’s voice was
threatening. “Fiiine!” Rive went back into the
little annex where pikes and spears were displayed. “But we do have enough!” “Yes, but once we pay for the
pike, there’d be barely enough left over to get a room at an inn for one night,” Maroshi tried to explain. But River was stubborn as a mule.
“So? We can camp.” “It could rain.” “I don’t care.” “River…” “Please Maroshi?” River stood next
to the warrior who had since begun to lean on the wall. “No.” “Please? I’ll do anything!” River
continued to plead and inched closer to his friend. The ‘seven-two’ score loomed in
Maroshi’s mind. “I’m not losing this argument, River.” “I’ll do anything!” River
repeated, this time throwing his arms around Maroshi’s neck in a hug. He gave
his black-haired friend a silly grin. “Cut that out!” Maroshi’s face
turned red like a tomato. “Quit acting all mushy!” “Not until you buy me that pike!”
River knew his friend hated close-contact; it was probably a side effect of
having lived the first few years of his life utterly alone. Maroshi thought he caught on to
River’s ploy. He pressed back against the wall so he could look down into
River’s eyes. “I’m not going to buy the pike, even if you promise to stop
embarrassing me right now. Give up, River.” But River’s ploy wasn’t easily
undone. “Fine by me. Myabe I can tell the owner we just got married and we’ll
get a discount.” Maroshi swore he had a nosebleed
coming on. He pushed River back with all his strength and collapsed to the
floor. As the samurai caught his breath like a claustrophobic, River leaned
against the opposite wall with a steady pout on his lips. It was a moment
later the storeowner returned. “Have you gentlemen decided?” Maroshi regained his breath and
stood up before River could answer. “Yes, we have. I’m sorry, your weapons
are the finest we’ve seen, but we just don’t have the money right now.” “Ah, I understand,” the storeowner
nodded. “Then perhaps you would like to know of a way to make some money?” “What is it?” “There is a young woman in the “In other words, gambling,” River
mused out loud. “Yes,” he nodded. “But I must warn
you. None have beaten her enchantment. Even I lost a bit of money—I’m telling
you this because I’d greatly enjoy
the thought of someone putting those damn priestesses in their places.
Besides, you look like strong you men!” He guffawed, River raising an
eyebrow. “I’ll warn you though—it’s not as easy as it looks. This is her last
day here too, so you must hurry.” “How long has she been here?”
Maroshi questioned. “Less than a week, but I hear she
has made a good sum in that time, giving half of it to the temple. Honestly,
in all my days I’ve never seen such a sad display; I would never have thought
that a temple would resort to cheap trickery and magic, stealing even from me, a humble merchant whose only wish
was to…” The rest of the old man’s ramble
was lost to their ears as the two men left the weapon’s shop. River grinned
and poked Maroshi in the chest. “You’re
gonna get me my pike!” “What!? Why do I have to—you do
it!” “Let’s just call this your first
act to profess your love to me.” “WHAT!?!” “I’ll make the score seven-four.” “…Deal.” “I’ve never seen this many people
in the tavern!” the waitress commented as she served another glass of wine. “It’s that woman in the green
cape,” the bartender replied. “She said she’s buying the rounds for
everyone.” “Wow! She must be really drunk!” “Nah, just insane. She said that before
I served her!” “The rules are simple,” the
priestess for Sheep, god of crafts, declared. “The man goes into the room
with the Enchanting Eva. If he comes out with her mark, he looses that which
he has bet! If he comes out with her charm, he wins what he deserves!” It had to be the hundredth time
River heard it. Each time a man went in and came out with Enchanting Eva’s
‘mark’; red lips on his forehead. Guys could be idiots sometimes. The temple kept ‘Eva’ shut behind
two sets of doors with the spectators lined up behind the golden fences on
either side. This way the non-participants couldn’t see inside. But from what
the men had to say she was beautiful—and was worth losing all their gold. The line to participate was very
long, but finally Maroshi was up. He looked out of place in his samurai
outfit, everyone else sporting the peasant look. Stepping off the marble stairs, the
priestess and cleared the path for Maroshi. The first set of huge purple
doors creaked open, allowing him inside. “Good luck.” River whispered from behind the
golden fence as the doors shut with an ominous bang. They had bet all their money on
this one thing—that Maroshi could resist the advances of an extremely
attractive person. River sighed and rested his chin on his elbow. With the
way Maroshi freaked out in the weapon store, he had little doubt that they’d
lose. Three minutes had passed slowly
and the crowd ceased to murmur as the doors creaked open. River was counting
the extra money in his head and what they could spend it on when he finally
saw Maroshi emerge from the doors. The samurai had a stain of red
above his left eye. “Say, missy,” the ex-miner
hiccupped. “What did you get fired from?” “Me?” Tabitha wavered a little in
her seat and tried not to puke over her new drinking buddies. “Why d’you
think I got fi’rd?” “Cuz you drink so much,” he
replied. “Oh.” Tabitha held a finger to her
lips to try and remember. “Well, people’s ‘ay Imma priestessessess.” “A prithess? Wow. Dath cool. So
yer not fi’rd?” “Naw. Why’d you gets fired?” “The said I drank too much ontha
job. Cannyou believe that?” Tabitha stared blankly at the wall. After a moment she said, “No, I
can’t.” “Amen sisther.” “BASTARD!!!” River’s knuckles were
white as he gripped the edge of the fence. People around him stared, but he
didn’t care. River leapt over the barrier and ran to Maroshi. In turn, Maroshi walked down the
stairs in a haze, barely noticing when River grabbed him by the collar. “Huh?
Oh, hi River.” “Don’t you ‘hi’ me!” River shook
him as the priestess tried to usher them away. “Stay back, lady!” he roared.
Surprisingly enough, she obeyed. “You should see her Riv…” Maroshi
smiled the way a drunk does. “She’s real pretty.” River dropped the blue collar. “I
can’t believe this… Maybe Xyo was right…” River shook his head. “But he said
I’d be dead! Being poor is way worse!” The priestess stepped up again.
“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave—“ “Forget it!” River snapped. “I’m
going in! Do you greedy bastards take weapons?” “Uh, yes,” she said, not really
sure how to answer. “But you’ll have to wait in line.” River turned around to face the
sixty-odd men who stood in waiting. “Do any of you dumb asses care if I go!?” There were some protests from the
front and way back. River unsheathed the St. Clare
from Maroshi’s belt and held it in his right hand. “Okay… Now do any of you care!?” He struck such a menacing figure
that this time there were no protests. “Good!” River grabbed the sheath
from a still dumbfounded Maroshi and all but threw it at the priestess. “This
katana is worth twice as much as that enchantress has! Now let me in!” The doors creaked open and River
rushed in without turning back to Maroshi or the priestess. The doors shut
behind him and the second set opened. The room was very spacious. Bird
cages, pictures, exotic rugs, a huge fireplace, books, couches, pillows, candles,
burning incenses, silks… You name it, the room had it with a marble floor and
gold pillars. The scent of jasmine scarcely reached his nose as River looked
angrily ahead to a large white couch with a dove birdcage behind it. On the
couch sat a girl who didn’t look to be any older than River. “Hello,” she said. She had a voice
sweet as honey and golden, wavy hair down past her shoulders. Her bright eyes
were violet, her skin pale, even in contrast to the white priestess robe she
wore. Golden bracelets chimed together as she placed a dove back in its cage. River would have run over and
glomped her in a lovesick heat, had he been any other guy. But he was not any other guy. He was River Bluefate. And he was gonna kick her-- “Hello,” she repeated with a
sugary smile. “My name is Evangeline, but you may call me Eva.” She pushed
aside velvet pillows and walked over to a vanity dresser by the fireplace.
“So, what is your name?” “River Bluefate,” he said sternly,
noticing the girl applying red lipstick and looking vainly in the mirror. Evangeline mistook his sternness
for nervousness. “Well, why don’t you come over here? I’ll give you a kiss.” “No.” Evangeline looked up form the
mirror. “What was that?” “I said no.” River rolled his eyes
and stepped away from the doors into the middle of the room. “Don’t tell me
looks are all you have going for you.” Evangeline’s eyes went wide as she
turned to face River. “You… you’re not…” “Affected? Hardly,” River sneered.
“I see a prettier face every time I look in the mirror. Now where’s that
charm or symbol or whatever I need to take outside to end this twisted game?” The enchantress immediately
dropped the act, proving to be more than River ever would have expected from
a girl who looked like her. He was even shocked when he heard her speak. “Now
you listen here, you ignorant punk!” Eva stalked over to River until they
were nose-to-nose at exactly the same height. “I’m getting my money so I can
pay my debt to the temple and get out of this town!” “Like I care! Go tell your sob
story to some knight in shining armor! I’m
getting my friend’s money back so
Maroshi can buy me my pike!” River glared daggers and knives and spears at
the girl. “You mean that man Maroshi who was
just in here? He was the easiest of them all! I barely had to do anything!”
she lied. In truth, Eva just wanted to rile this kid who had the audacity to
resist the ‘charm’ in the air. It had worked. River glared even
more. “You take that back.” “Why? You know it’s true.”
Evangeline yawned and covered her mouth delicately with her hand. River’s teeth clenched and he
tried to not pay attention to the things she said. “Where is it?” “Where’s what?” “The charm I need to take outside.” Eva crossed her arms and looked
away. “I simply don’t know what you’re talking about.” River resisted the urge to strangle
Eva. Then he saw it: on the couch where the vixen had been before rested a
hand mirror. It was golden with a beautiful face carved into the back of it.
It glimmered in the evening sun and River could think of no better ‘charm’
for the Enchanting Eva. Eva felt him rush past her. She
turned around just in time to see the little brat grab the mirror and dash
back to the doors. All the years of training his speed and stealth abilities
at the “Hey!” the enchantress yelled. “Nyah nyah!” River stuck out his
tongue as the doors shut and Eva was trapped inside. “No!” She banged on the doors.
“No! I need that money!” The Enchanting Eva could dimly
hear the second set opening as she slid to the floor. Then a loud cheer met
her ears. She could just see it now. The boy—River was his name?—holding up
the mirror for all to see… He had defeated the ‘enchantress’. All the money
Evangeline had gotten for the temple—that those priestesses hadn’t spent so far—would belong to
River now. A warm tear trickled down Eva’s cheek
and soaked into the lap of her robe. “How am I to leave here now?” “Miss Tabitha?” “Mmhn…” Tabitha turned away from
the person who was gently shaking her shoulder. “Five more min, Jack…” The waitress sighed and got up. It
had been an hour since the tavern officially closed and the other drunkards
left. All that remained was this lone woman and the tab. The waitress pushed
open the door to the kitchen. “Hey,” she said to the chef. “Can I borrow that
and a ladle?” The chef looked up from the pot he
was drying. “Yeah sure. That lady still here?” “Yes, but not for long.” “I don’t think I’ve ever seen
someone drink that much.” “There must be something pretty
painful she wants to forget.” The waitress nodded. She had learned soon after
taking her job that few people drank alcohol for the taste. “Must be… That was enough booze to
tranquilize a steer.” The waitress headed out to the
dining area and Tabitha’s booth. The ‘priestess’ hadn’t moved significantly.
The waitress took the pot in one hand, dangling it above the sleeper’s head.
She swung the ladle, and it hit the pot with a noisy CLANG. River was in a very chipper mood
the next morning. With all the extra money he’d acquired, the young man slept
in the softest bed in the biggest room at the best inn. Maroshi slept on the
floor. Coincidentally, after sleeping in
such a luxurious state, River had decided that he really didn’t want the pike
that much after all, and would rather enjoy the finer things in life. Such as
a warm bed to sleep in. …With room service. …And a balcony. Maroshi just kept quiet. Now the two sat at Maddy’s Outdoor
Café on “Am I out of the dog house?”
Maroshi asked as he finished his omelet. River chewed thoughtfully on a
sausage before answering. “I guess. But you’re still a moron to fall for a
woman’s cheap tricks.” “I don’t know what came over me.” Maroshi
sighed and traced the edge of the table. “I thought I had everything under
control. Then she started talking… I think we had a conversation… Then she
kissed me and I didn’t back off.” River rolled his eyes as a waiter
cleared their table. “Yes, I dimly remember something like that. I wonder how
she did it though. I mean, she wasn’t that
attractive.” “Why don’t you ask her?” “Because I don’t feel like walking
half a mile to the temple only to be arrested for attempted murder.” “Well, I don’t know about that
last part. But she’s right over there.” Maroshi pointed to a stack of food
crates sitting by the café’s main entrance. River turned around in his seat.
“What!?” He saw a familiar face and felt his blood boil. “Yeah, she’s been there for a
while now. I think she was hiding or something.” River swung his head back to
Maroshi. “She has!? Why the fug’ didn’t you tell me!?” Maroshi shrugged. “You didn’t
ask.” Drat, Eva thought to herself. They’ve
seen me. Then again, she never was cut out
for the hide and follow routine. It was just dumb luck she spotted the two
walking out of an inn while she was moping around the streets this morning. The original plan had been to wait for an opportunity to snatch their
Rem. Then she could leave Rocvale and the temple, finally able to get traveling once again. But Eva stopped
herself. No more dishonesty, Evangeline
shook her head. The gods are obviously
punishing me for that foolish scheme I tried to help pull at the temple. I
knew I should have refused their offer… “Oh.” Maroshi continued to stare. “It looks as if she’s coming over
here.” “Great,” River sulked.
“Why do we attract all the idiots?” “More like why do I.” “What was that?” River’s
head snapped up. “Nothing, Riv.” Evangeline walked
through the entrance and came towards the pair. A few heads turned to watch
her glide by, and Eva returned the smiles and polite ‘good mornings’ that
were tossed her way. Her outfit was much different than
what she had worn in the temple. It was an aqua-blue dress that clung close
to her body. She wasn’t as ‘formed’ as Tabitha, Maroshi thought, but still
pretty. The dress hung low on her chest and two large, golden lace-trimmed
straps wound around her shoulders. Had Eva’s hair not been so long, you could
see the open back. The bottom of the dress hung loosely enough with slits in
the side for her to walk, perhaps even run. Evangeline had flawless white
leather boots on that must have cost a pretty Rem. But the thing Maroshi noticed was
her matching jewelry. Evangeline wore large, dangling red heart earrings. The
same heart appeared on her golden bracers, thin gold-banded necklace, and a
gold belt. Evangeline was a very pretty picture indeed. River thought he would barf. “May I have a seat?” Evangeline
asked Maroshi sweetly. “Certainly.” The warrior smiled as
she sat down beside him. “…” “…” The three shifted in awkward
silence for about two minutes before River couldn’t take it any more. “What
do you want, woman?” Evangeline looked up from the
table. “You’re still here?” River fumed. “Yes. I am. Now what
do you want.” Evangeline looked the boy up and
down. “Is that a bowl on your
back?” “Quit changing the subject!” “All right,” Eva sighed and turned
to face Maroshi only. “Hey!” River glared. “Don’t ignore
me!” Eva ignored him. “You’re Maroshi,
right?” Maroshi nodded. “I’m sorry about yesterday…” Eva
took his hands in hers earnestly. “But I hope you won’t be mad once you hear
my story.” “Uh… No, not at all,” Maroshi
stammered. His face felt hot as the blonde released his clammy hands. Evangeline giggled. If she
couldn’t get her money back, perhaps she could get some help instead… “Well,
it all started about a month ago… “I had just received a letter that
would change my life forever. I was at home with my parents in “I left “But I’m afraid I did a rather
poor job calculating my funds…” Evangeline bit her painted lip in
embarrassment. “It was just a stupid little error, but it cost me dearly.
With only a number of weeks until the letter’s deadline, I wound up here
without cash. That same day, a priestess of Sheep asked me if I wanted to
help them make some money for food and get a warm bed to sleep in. The temple
needs money in order to fund their crafts. Apparently Sheep is a very
expensive god to worship. “I didn’t want to help them,
honestly, Maroshi.” Eva ignored River’s sarcastic ‘I’ll bet.’ “But Ginger
Forest and Plumb City are both so far away from here, by the time I get a
letter to my father or my master, I could have made the money here anyway and
saved a deal of time. The plan was foolproof, and I honestly didn’t think
anyone would gamble their life savings away to the temple. I guess I was
wrong in that respect. But it doesn’t matter now. I’ve left the “Wait a minute,” River
interrupted. “Just how did you con all of those people anyway? I can hardly
believe I was the only one to defeat you.” Evangeline sighed and folded her
hands in her lap. “It was the priestesses’ idea. They have very talented
craftsmen in the temple, and one makes incense.” “Incense?” River dimly remembered
the smell of jasmine in that room. “Yes. It has special properties
that make a person drowsy and not quite themselves.” “I remember,” Maroshi piped up.
“There were two incense holders by the door in the shape of two golden rams.” Evangeline nodded in the
affirmative. “That’s why I sat all the way back on the couch, so I wouldn’t
be affected.” “Then why wasn’t River affected?” Eva’s mood seemed to darken a bit.
“Usually I engage the men in a conversation, so they inhale the incense. I
thought it would only take a short duration… But he was quite intent on getting the golden hand mirror.” “I didn’t stay near the doors very
long either,” River added. “And you were so angry, you were
breathing through your mouth.” Evangeline gave a haughty smile at River’s
surprise. “Yes, you looked like a wild bull about to be killed in a bull
fight. That or take a mate.” “You…” The two teens glared at
each other in equal spite. “Oh look! The bull-er …bill!”
Maroshi snatched the paper up from the table. “I think I’ll go pay this
before someone dies…” Maroshi left the two, hoping it would be resolved by
the time he got back. Fat chance. “Just why are you here?” River
asked coldly. “Taking your advice,” the blonde
returned in an equally icy tone. “Telling my ‘sob story’ to a knight in
shining armor.” “Well you did, so leave!” “No! You caused this torment in my life, and now you’re going to help
me back on my feet!” “Look, I highly doubt your ego is
any bigger than your breasts.” River snickered at Eva’s growing anger. “Just
write you dad, mum, master, your cat, whoever a letter to get you out of this
place!” “I don’t have enough time! Look at
this!” Evangeline rooted around in one of her belt’s satchels and pulled out
an envelope. “This letter says I have to be at River stared blankly at the
envelope thrust upon the table. It was of any old paper, but sealing the back
was a very familiar green insignia. River thought he was going to die.
“Oh no…” “What? What is it?” Evangeline
looked at him, very confused. One second the boy had been ranting and
arguing; now his face had turned very pale. “I can’t believe it…” “Believe what!?” “Cool!” The two looked up to see Maroshi
standing behind Evangeline, munching on a biscotti cookie. “You’re on my team!” Evangeline blinked at the young
samurai. River let his head gently fall to
the table. “Oh crikey, my brain…” Tabitha sat
up, blinking at the sun’s harsh rays. “Well, hello there.” A black and white
cat stared at her from atop a trash bin, its yellow eyes studying her with
intent curiosity. Yellow eyes… “OH SHIT!” Tabitha was suddenly
wide-awake. Where was she? The woman looked around and decided she was in an
alley behind a tavern. “So, you’re finally up,” a voice
came from above. “Eh?” Tabitha looked up to see a
window open, and a very familiar waitress staring down where she sat. “When the pot didn’t wake you up,
the manager told me to drag you outside and chain you in the alley.” Sure enough, upon further
inspection, a manacle held Tabitha’s right arm in place. “So… What do I have
to do to get unchained?” “Pay your tab.” “That all? How much?” Tabitha
reached for her purse. “1,534 Rem.” “That all,” Tabitha muttered dryly
and forked over the cash. Wow, she must be pretty rich, the waitress mused as she counted
the bills one last time. “What day is it?” “Huh? Oh, now let me think… It’s
been two days since you came in here, miss.” “Two days!? I’ve been passed out
for that long!?” “Yes; the manager says it’s a new
record.”. “Not for me personally,” Tabitha
mumbled. “I’ve got a long way to go if I’m to catch up with River-kun and the
kiddo… Say, what’s the next city south of here?” “ Humming softly, she pulled the key
out of her blue apron and walked out the front door. The morning air was
crisp, and people were just beginning to wake up from last night’s slumber—except
for waitresses and storeowners, who had been up since dawn. “Here you are, The woman was gone. |
