But they weren’t by the sea. They were in the middle of dry land and he wasn’t going to live in fear.
“Have you ever been in the mountains?”
She pursed her lips, then raised a single finger. She almost looked like she was enjoying herself.
Today was definitely a good day. “Once?” he guessed. “What did you think?” Then, realizing his question was difficult to answer, he reworded it. “Did you like it?”
Her eyes drifted away and her face fell. She shook her head.
“What didn’t you like about it?” Erich asked, enjoying this game of questions and wanting her to enjoy it too. “Was it too cold... or did you go with the wrong company?”
She looked over at him, her face open and surprised. She nodded with the smallest smile.
Erich wanted to throw his fist above his head. He had guessed correctly again. “Well, perhaps we can change that on this trip.”
He happily asked her questions throughout the rest of their ride. She seemed to enjoy the interaction and responded as animatedly as she could to his simple “yes” and “no” questions.
As the sun fell, he kept pushing them forward. “There’s a village not too far ahead,” he explained. “I stayed there recently and everyone was very kind. It was a fun place to stay for the night and I’m excited to repeat the experience.”
Lamp-lit windows in the distance soon proved him correct and they pulled their horses to a stop outside a small wooden tavern.
“This is the place.” Erich slipped from his horse and approached hers to help her down. “Delicious warm food. A soft bed. A close but welcoming community. Sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Her smile was proof enough that she heartily agreed.
Helping her down, he again caught her in his arms. “How’s the ankle?”
She grimaced.
“I don’t mind,” he responded. “You’re easy enough to carry.”
She was surprisingly light, but it made sense. She barely reached his shoulder while standing. It wasn’t her fault he was taller than most men. He liked being able to scoop her off her feet, too. Not that... no, he stopped that thought. He was just thankful she was small enough to carry or traveling would have been far more complicated.
“I can take your horses, my lord,” a young voice sounded at his side.
Erich smiled down at the stable girl. “Thank you. See that they get a good rub down and I’ll pay you well tomorrow.”
She grinned back at him and grabbed the horses’ reins. “You’re smile is payment enough.”
Erich grinned. In a few strides, he and Azel were at the door, and she reached down to slide the handle open.
Once unlatched, he kicked it slightly with his foot and strode in.
The wood-walled room was as cozy as he had remembered. Lanterns, candles, and a blazing fireplace gave the room with an orange glow, and the three long tables that lined the room were filled with local farmers and hunters, winding down their day with a good meal and a drink. Their weather-beaten faces were pink from heat and laughter.
These were the good citizens of Iseldis. Innocent, friendly folk who had never hurt another person and who merely wanted to live out their days in peace.
These were the people who were threatened by everything that the sorceress represented. Maybe spending time here at one of the tables before they retired for the night would help her understand that.
Erich decided not to hope for it. The whole point of this day was to not care what Azel thought. It didn’t matter if she changed her mind about anything. She had already done a bad thing and she would be prevented from doing further damage.
But he did want her to understand.
“Your Highness!” a pleasant voice welcomed him from across the room.
“Heidi!” Erich called back, remembering the tavern keep’s name.
The middle-aged woman deftly worked her way through the busy room, wiping her hands on a large towel that hung from the belt around her waist. “Welcome back.” She leaned forward in an ungraceful attempt at a curtsy. “I didn’t think we would see you again so soon. And with a guest.” She winked.
