Fragments, 2

[shosen]

“What have you got today, dear?”

“Peacebloom, some Mageroyal, oh, and a bit of Kingsblood!”

“Hmm, you’re getting better at spotting the plants. Here you go, dear.”

coins clinking

“Thank you so much, this really helps.”

“Well, I’m getting too old to go traipsing around the countryside. Tell me, dear, are you still working at the inn?”

“Yes, though you’d think I’d have been there long enough to stop dropping things by now.”

“Ah well, it may not be where your talents lie.”

“I’m starting to agree with you.”

“So, have you heard the stories then, dear?”

“Stories?”

“They’re saying the inn is haunted.”

“Haunted? That’s nonsense. As if ghosts need to eat.”

“Do you know something, dear?”

“Me? No! Of course not.”

“Dear, if there’s--”

“Sorry, I should get back. My shift starts soon.”

run

*******

“I can’t believe you’d betray my trust like that.”

“It wasn--”

“Years, I’ve kept you here. I should’ve fired you a long time ago.”

“Please--”

“No, none of that this time.”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“I don’t care, not anymore.”

*******

“Where ya headed, luv?”

“The Highlands. I’m going home.”

“That’s a long walk, ’specially fer a pretty girl like ya.”

“I’m not really in a hurry.”

“Still, how’s about a ride, luv?”

“Might as well.”

*******

“This isn’t the right way.”

silence

“You have to go under the wall, not around.”

silence

“I think I’ll get out here.”

“Where do ya think yer goin’, luv?”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll walk from-- ow!”

“Yer not goin’ anywhere, luv. Not until we’re done that is.”

pocket

dagger

“Let me go!”

deep breath

“Not a chance. Not until we’re out of the way and ya show me what a pretty girl like ya ki-- Damn it, you bitch!”

red, red, red

“What did you do?”

so much

“… oh dear.”

run

*******

howl

run

more howls

run faster

too many

“Leave me alone!”

pain