Jeremy Laszlo - The Choosing

Sara was in heaven. She had dreamt of this night since they had met, how she had wanted to lay in his arms, warm and safe, her head to his chest, listening to his heart. Curling up in his arms as he sat had been nice, but this was ecstasy. She felt the heat of his body encompassing her, felt his strong arms around her, his leg wrapped within her own. Their bodies touched in ways that might have made her blush before, but now she felt just as comfortable with his body around her as she felt with her own clothes. Sara hoped they could spend every night from this one until forever just like they were now.

Seth lay, intoxicated by Sara’s scent. Her hair in his face, her warm body pressed in pleasant ways into his. He could feel the rise and fall of her breasts against him with each breath she took. He knew this was something she wanted, she had stated as much on more than one occasion. But tonight it had been his idea, so he lay still, holding her to him lightly, allowing her to release herself if she wanted. Seth waited for a long time, enjoying their close proximity, breathing Sara in with each breath. He waited until he was sure she had no intentions of removing herself from him, then reaching back behind him, he wrapped their blanket over them both, tucking it under Sara as best as he was able, and again kissed the top of her head. Sara lifted her head in response to his kiss and looked up into his face.

“I love you Seth.” She stated simply

“And I love you my beautiful Sara.” Seth replied.

Again Sara pulled her face into his chest, and Seth pulled her tightly to his body. This way they remained until darkness took them, and they passed into sleep.

The following morning both Seth and Sara awoke together to find themselves much as they remembered. Their bodies remained entwined with one another’s, and they enjoyed the feeling once again, but only briefly. They had awoken to a muffled conversation Garret was having with Ashton across the long room, and seeing Seth and Sara stir, the conversation had ended.

Seth and Sara shared a soft, secret kiss and rose to greet their companions. Garret related to them they had been discussing whether to remain in raven’s hold a day, and continue their journey tomorrow, or leave this morning to spend more time exploring the Capitol city of Valdadore. Ashton also told them that he had counted the days since their departure from Vineleaf, and by his calculation they still had six days to finish their journey. They again processed their options, this time the four of them together, and decided it was best to continue on to Valdadore, lest something else delay them. They gathered their belongings and headed back out the door, down the hall, and down the grand stairs to the first floor.

The common room looked exactly as it had the night before, rows of lanterns in the windows and along the walls. People sitting in groups or solitude at the various tables throughout the room talked quietly amongst themselves. The bar this morning was unoccupied of guests, however Whalen stood behind it and waved the travelers over to join him. They accepted his unspoken request, and quickly seated themselves upon the same stools they had occupied the previous night.

“G’mornin young masters.” Whalen greeted them his grin spread naturally across his face. “I hope ye all rested well.”

The companions each nodded that they had, and Whalen’s grin seemed to widen with their unspoken approval.

“It’s good to see you all rested then. Will you be leaving Raven’s Hold today then?” Whalen asked the question in earnest, though he actually only wanted to know if they would be staying another night at his inn.

“Yes.” Garret stated. “We have decided to make haste to Valdadore to enjoy it’s festivities before the ceremony.”

“Indeed that should be enjoyable.” Whalen said matter-of-factly, nodding to himself as he did. “Then I shall send for your horses, is there anything else you will be needing then? A hot breakfast? Some supplies for the road perhaps?”

“I’m sure we would all welcome some more of your delicious hot food, as well as two days worth of food and water for the four of us.” Garret replied, and then added as if it were an afterthought. “That is if it isn’t too much to ask.”

“No…no of course not Master Garret, I will see to it that your supplies are gathered quickly, and I shall send for your horses.” Whalen stated all the while speaking in his jovial tone. “But in order to fulfill your request I had better get cooking.”

With his last statement the short, bald headed, older man turned on his heel, and wheeling his round body away from them strode through the door behind the bar.

The companions sat silently, each wondering what they might be eating for breakfast, and how long it would take for the horses and supplies to be gathered. Not long after the door closed behind Whalen that it popped open again and a young boy poked his head out from the room beyond the door. Eyeing the companions briefly the boy nodded as if deciding something to himself, and then his head disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. A few moments after the boy vanished, the door again sprang open and another boy darted out the door, around the bar, and across the large common room to the door. He boy quickly exited the building, closing the door softly behind him. Having watched the boy dart across the room and out the door, none of the companions had noticed that Whalen had too emerged from the room beyond, and each of the companions were started when they spun back around in their seats to face the bar and saw the short man where just a moment ago there was no one.

Whalen handed them each a plate of food from a tray he had sat on the bar, and handed them too a mug each of fruit juice. The companions each in turn thanked Whalen for their food and as he had done the night before, he accepted their thanks and again disappeared through the door.

Upon each plate was a large half circle comprised of several eggs. It had been fried and folded back unto itself. Within its fold was placed bacon, cheese, onions, and chopped red peppers. Beside it, on each plate was placed a stack of sliced, toasted bread, cooked until crisp. Each slice of bread was generously buttered. The food still steamed from being freshly cooked, and the aroma convinced each of the four companions to attack the food vigorously until it was consumed. They washed the food down with the large mugs of juice which they decided together was mostly orange juice, with a hint of raspberry. The juice too was fresh and cool, and complimented the food nicely.

As they finished their food and drink the companions saw the boy who had rushed out of the inn return. This time they watched him walk around the bar casually, with no speed or purpose in his pace, and he wandered through the door behind the bar without even so much as a glance at the four people at the bar. As soon as the door swung shut behind the boy it burst open once again, bringing with it Whalen and his naturally grinning face.

“Well folks.” Whalen said. “Your supplies will be here momentarily. The horses are tied out front. If that be all you will be requiring then I suppose it is time we square your tab.”

“How much do we owe you Whalen?” This time it was Sara who spoke to the round barkeep. Her voice and attention seemed to please the man and his grin widened stretching almost unnaturally across the entire width of his round face.

“Well miss.” Whalen started. “The room is six silver, and the combined eight meals another twelve silver. The horses will be costing you fifteen silver apiece, and your supplies another five silver and fifty copper each.” Whalen spoke the prices, each with a nod, obviously calculating the numbers in his head.