We drank on.
Somewhere between drinks five and six, Tandor set bowls in front of us, stating that the servings of stew were on the house. I dug in gratefully. I scarfed the mixture down so quickly that I could hardly taste it, my thoughts bubbling and churning dizzyingly.
I couldn't find the courage to explain my situation to Velline. I was sure the news would spread eventually, and for now, I was just grateful for the company.
With unsteady legs, I hoisted myself up and tossed my arm around Velline’s delicate shoulders. She was so short that she tucked under my armpit perfectly.
“I think it’s time for me to go–one more goblet and I’ll be crawling home. Bye, Velline!” I leaned on her a little harder than I intended to, but she kept us upright.
“I think that’s a good idea. I need to get home too.” Her words were slightly slurred. “Thank you for the company, Fiella.”
“Any time, honey! We both needed it. I hope your–” I gestured my hand around vaguely, “–situationgets better.”
She stepped out from under my arm as we exited. “Yours, too. See you later. Get home safe!” She turned in the opposite direction, walking more steadily than I expected her to.
I meandered towards my own cottage. I really didnotfeel like being alone at home, and I missed Sookie desperately. The thought of my heavily pillowed bed, my collection of thimbles, and my prized ficus usually brought me peace, but right now they just made me feel sad.
The moons were high in the sky when I glanced up. I had spent longer than I thought inside the pub. Night had fallen and the air was chillier than I had expected–crisp enough to seep through the drunken fog clouding my senses.
Kizzi would surely be asleep by now, and I couldn’t bring myself to wake her. This late, there was nowhere else to go. We really needed some businesses for the night-dwelling folk of Moonvale.
The brisk wind smelled like icy leaves and a shiver went down my spine. I loved the freeze season. I preferred it when I was bundled up in front of my fireplace with a book in hand, but it was pretty nice if I was properly dressed for it while out and about, too.
The problem was, I wasnotdressed warmly enough today. This time of year was typically warmer and I hadn’t bundled myself with my knits and feather-stuffed puffy cloak.
I yanked my thin hood up around my ears, ducked my head, and speed walked towards my cottage. Running was one of the things I hated most in life–I only did it when absolutely necessary. Speed walking wasmuchmore practical.
I was so focused on reaching my destination that I hardly paid any attention to my surroundings. I was making great progress until I suddenly found myself sprawled on the ground with my feet knocked out from under me, my face fortunately missing the cobblestones and smashing onto the grass lining the walkway.What in the realms?
That was going to leave a bruise. Or ten. The pleasant buzz in my system was dulling my nerves but I knew I’d feel that one tomorrow.
Ouch.
I yanked my hood off my head so I could pinpoint my attacker, prepared to knock someone out. Oh. It was just one of those old mailboxes. Whoops. I could’ve sworn I was zooming in a perfectly straight line on the walkway.
Those mailboxes were so ugly and crumbly. Someone should really fix them up, or at least knock them down if they weren’t worth the effort. It was a shame to watch them slowly rot away.
Grumbling, I got myself back onto my feet. Mustering as much balance as I could, I lifted one leg to deliver a revenge-kick to the mailbox to hopefully dismantle it once and for all when something caught my eye. Was that… a sign?
CHAPTER 5
Fiella
Ileaned closer, squinting through my slightly blurring vision to read the message atop the stone box.
For you, sweet, lonely soul. Drop your thoughts into the box and find companionship.
I stared at the sign for a long moment, trying to determine if the message wasactuallymeant for me. Iwaspretty lonely, after all. And sweet.
I had already hit rock bottom and lost everything that I cared about–I had nothing left to lose.
I didn’t make a habit of ignoring signs from the fates. If this message was literally going to knock me onto my ass, I’d better listen to it.
“Huh. Well alright fates, if you say so!”
I made my way home, shivering but without any more incidents.
Gods, my cottage was such a mess! I wasn’t always a messy folk, but I tended to get sidetracked easily. I lit a lantern and went on a search mission. I didn’t have the silvers to pay for fancy enchanted lighting anymore, so I made the old-fashioned fire lanterns work.
