"I’ve got money," Ella said, opening her palm.
"Ah, no problem, no problems at all. Come with me, lass, and we’ll get you settled. It looks like you’ve a story to tell, but you’ll be wanting to tell it clean, I’m thinking." She caught Ella’s expression. "Or not at all, as the case may be. Ahem. Yes, now come with me. That’s the way. Wait here and I’ll see if I can get you a nice warm room."
Ella followed her to a set of stairs. It felt so nice to have someone show her a bit of care. Even in Sarostar she’d always had to look after herself. The woman gestured.
"Here you go, top of the stairs and second on the left. Number four. You won’t be needing help with your bags? Good, good. You have a nice wash and come down for some supper when you’re ready. Any clothes you want washing just put them outside your door and I’ll see to it. Any mending also. I’ll send some hot water up in just a moment."
The woman trailed off as Ella closed the door behind her.
Ella couldn’t believe the sight that greeted her. A bed, a real bed. With a real mattress, and warm woollen covers. And pillows! She suddenly felt completely, utterly filthy. Turning and encountering a mirror only confirmed it for her.
There was a soft knock on the door. Ella opened it to see a young round-faced girl holding two large buckets of steaming water.
"Water, for the bath," the girl said.
"Come right in," Ella said with a smile.
~
EVEN though she was wearing one of her dirty dresses — the least damaged of the bunch — Ella felt wonderfully clean as she descended the stairs and smelt the first aromas of a hot dinner wafting from the public room.
There were far more tables than people. She chose one near the open fire, the warmth finally driving the last of the cold out of her bones.
The innkeeper’s wife approached; she’d changed into a matronly white costume with a black apron. It seemed amazing that she’d found one to fit her immense girth. She was all smiles as she approached Ella.
"Look at you, dear. Now who would have known there was a beautiful woman under all that dirt? I’ve just now realised I never gave you my name, how rude of me! Never forgive me, my old mum would. I’m Tessa Lowellen and my husband’s name is Oerl. What’s your name now?"
Ella smiled. "My name is El…" She suddenly had a cautioning thought. "…Eldwina," she finished.
"Eldwina, that’s a nice name now. And where might you be from, Eldwina?"
"I’m from... Wrenmark, near Castlemere, on the Basch Coast."
"My, my! Such a long way away! I would have picked you to be from Sarostar, myself. Your voice; and you’ve got that your look. I spent some time round there, when I visited the Dunfolk."
"Dunfolk? You know the Dunfolk?" Ella blurted, before she caught herself.
"Oh yes, I spent some time there learning about medicine, when I was younger. I’m Rowen’s local healer, you see. Learned a lot about herbs! Hopefully it shows in my cooking, speaking of which, what will you have?" She dropped her voice to a confidential whisper, "I recommend the hunter’s pie with gravy and black bread."
Ella laughed. "I think I’ll have hunter’s pie then."
"An excellent choice!" the woman laughed, departing.
The food lived up to the woman’s reputation, it was delicious. Ella found herself warming to Tessa Lowellen, but she cursed herself for some of her lapses, the woman was cleverer than she pretended. While she ate Ella firmed up her story. Surprisingly, Tessa asked no more questions.
Ella retired early, she needed the rest. As she went to sleep she thought about Layla, and Miro, and Amber. Killian’s face danced in front of her own. His devilish smile. His soft touch. Gentle eyes.
~
"WILL you be staying longer? Ah, all right then. Thought you might have only been staying the night," Tessa said as she took Ella’s breakfast plates away. She suddenly dropped down onto the bench opposite and looked at Ella with serious eyes.
"Just remember, dear, no matter what you are running from, family is what counts. I just hope that’s who you’re running to."
"My parents are dead." Ella didn’t know why she said it.
The woman’s eyes grew sad. Ella knew she genuinely felt for her. Tears came unbidden to Ella’s eyes. She tried to blink them away.
"It’s this Skylord be cursed war," Tessa said. "Just be careful, do you hear? A young girl like you, alone, with rampaging soldiers about. Don’t trust anyone, hear me? Not even the soldiers on our side, not unless you see a lord or an officer about and are pretty sure you know what you’re doing."
"I will do my best. Thank you."
"Take care, dear." Tessa’s face grew uncomfortable. "My Oerl, he wants to see you now. The room, you see."
Ella smiled, "Thank you."
She went up to her room and gathered her things. Tessa had mended and washed her clothes. She felt eternally grateful.
Oerl was at the front of the inn, polishing the nightlamp that lit up the Steady Hand’s sign.