He spoke a few words to her in Greek and saw the confusion upon her face.
“Everyone speaks English in the town where I live.”
Nay, he would not ask her anything else. Let her tell him when she would. The longer she waited, the more time he had to spend with her as Christian the merchant.
“I would like to see this town someday. You have done well today.” He helped her up and they continued on their journey, the leaves underfoot telling all they were approaching. A while later, they rested by a small stream to quench their thirst.
Late in the day, they passed a small hut. Before she asked, he shook his head.
“Not there. The inn is not far.”
She looked at the home as they passed by. “Is that a face carved in the wood?”
He peered at the stump. “Aye, to keep the spirits of the dead away.”
“Wait. Is it Halloween? I mean, All Hallows’ Eve?”
“’Twas last night. Are you superstitious? Believing in ghosts and spirits?”
She scoffed. “No. I don’t believe in ghosts, but in my town, we bake sweets on All Hallows’ Eve to celebrate our ancestors.”
Two men on horses thundered past them as Christian pulled Ashley close. “Whoresons,” he called out, but they were too far away to hear the insult.
They continued onward. The smell reached him before they came upon the inn.
Ashley pulled him forward. “Is that someplace we can stay tonight?”
“Nay, we have no coin to pay for lodging or food.” Her hand was warm in his, and she did not pull away.
“I’m dirty, tired, and hungry. There’s something I’ve been hiding.”
Was she going to tell him she was from the future? He would profess surprise. She stopped, removing her hand from his, and he felt the cold wrap around him again.
As he watched, she pulled something from her dress and opened her palm to show him a gold ring.
“I hid it before those men could steal it.” She shuddered, and he thought she was remembering the men who had attacked them. “Is it enough to pay for our supper?”
He took the ring, examining the gold band inset with tiny rubies. “Aye, more than enough. With this we can purchase a horse along with a bed and supper.”
Christian gave her back the ring. “You should not part with it. ’Tis yours.”
“No. It was my mother’s, and she would approve.” Ashley placed the ring in his palm, curling her hand around his. “I want us to use it.”
“I will repay you.”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
The heatfrom so many people crowded in the small inn made him sweat. The smell of meat and ale made his mouth water.
“What is that stink?” Ashley clapped a hand over her mouth. The look on her face made him want to laugh, but he dared not, knowing she was powerfully hungry and likely to stab him with his own dagger if he did so.
“It smells like these people haven’t taken a bath in at least a month. And the stale beer. Don’t they ever clean the floors?”
“What can I get you two?”
The innkeeper showed them to a small table against the wall, next to the fire.
’Twas like being in hell. Christian showed the ring to the man.
