"Isn't your master taking too long?"
Jaya didn't respond and continued enjoying my pets.
"You... don't really care about Len, do you?"
Jaya stomped his foot and let out an angry neigh.
This kid.
I cupped Jaya's face and swayed it gently.
"Okay, I was wrong for doubting your devotion."
Jaya snorted and looked away from me.
"Oh, come on... Jaya~ I was just joking alright? I know your master is strong."
Jaya looked back at me and held his head up high, snorting once again.
I blinked at his proud stance.
Smug kid.
'THUD'
Both of us flinched in surprise at the sudden noise. Jaya whinnied and walked towards the tree nearby. He lowered his head and nudged a black, round thing with his nose.
A rock...?
I walked closer.
Fuck, that's a bird!
I basically sprinted towards the bird. I carefully placed the bird on my palm, my other hand covering the little guy from the rain as we ran back towards the cabin.
Jaya neighed and shook his body, causing droplets of water to spatter.
"Hey, manners!"
The bird in my hand had soaked black feathers, the same color as Jaya, and it was so small. Probably, a fledgling.
"Little guy?"
Despite my poking, the fledgling did not open their eyes nor move.
At least tremble.
Jaya grunted worriedly. He got closer and gently prodded the little bird.
'Twi'
?!?
Jaya and I looked at each other with surprise. To make sure that it was an actual sound and not just something that we mistook for the rain, I swiftly brought my palm closer to my ear.
Chirp, little one.
I hoped, my fingers desperately stroking the bird's wet body.
'Twit.'
It's alive!
I quickly but carefully dried its body with the fabric of my skirt, then, I placed it on my neck.
Hopefully, the warmth from my neck and palm will help.
We stayed in this position until Len came back on one of the wagons.
He jumped from the wagon whilst brushing his hair back, the amethyst earring swaying in the wind, his white shirt was completely drenched, greedily hugging his muscles.
I was so stunned by him that I was frozen, my mouth wide open.
Jaya tapped my shoulder with his wet nose as if to say that I should get back to reality.
"What.. Huh... Wait." I took a deep breath to compose myself. "What happened?"
"There was a landslide."
"Oh..."
Shit.
If I don't get back by today or by dawn tomorrow, I'm done for.
Kia would be in such a panic and the drugs... the drugs would wear out before I come back.
He'll surely get mad and report me to Archen.
Then, what?
I already made the usually calm and collected, ice duke furious twice.
I don't think it'll end with just a cold shoulder this time.
Fuck...
Realizing that the consequences of my actions are catching up to me is scary.
Holy shit.
"Do you think I can go home today...?"
Of course not, idiot.
Len shook his head, his brows furrowed as he looked at me with those guilty eyes once again.
"If the weather clears up tomorrow, it's possible to go home by tomorrow."
If, and possible is not a great combination, at all!
Len must have seen the panic in my eyes because he spoke, "This is my fault. I'll or... ask Duke Aillard to give you a pardon."
"How the fuck..."
Oh, shit, that just came out.
"...I work with him, so I..." Len crossed his arms, his eyes on the ground.
"I'm sorry."
"Len, you've awfully been apologizing a whole lot today when you have done nothing wrong. Did you cause the mountain to have a landslide? No, you didn't. It's nature fault-"
'Roar.'
I'm not taking it back.
'ROAR.'
"The sky's denying it but it's the truth-'
'ROAR.'
"Ha... haha..." Len covered his mouth to suppress his laugh.
"You can laugh."
"Hahahaha!"
Len patted his chest to calm himself from laughing any further.
...
"We should go to the inn nearby, you might get sick."
"Okay."
"Is that... a bird you're holding?"
"Ah! Yeah, I think it fell from the tree earlier." I showed him the little fledgling whose eyes were still closed, but the way its chest moved up and down was clearly visible. "It's weak but it chirped earlier."
Len scooped up the bird from my palm which made Jaya suddenly erratic.
'f...re.'
'zzzzzzzz- ire- zzzzz'
This damn static noise.
I reached into my pocket before realizing that I didn't bring the pouch of bitter candy with me. Luckily, when Len spoke, the annoying buzzing went away.
"Jaya, calm down. I know what you're thinking, but that's not what it is, alright?"
Jaya let out a whinny.
Len glanced back at the wagons and carriages, then to the little bird. He tapped the fledgling's head and a spark, similar to a gem's shimmer glowed.
He placed the now fully dried and fluffy sleeping fledgling back in my palms. Jaya, for some reason, hurriedly checked on the bird.
Len caressed Jaya's nuzzle. "Am I such a bad person in your eyes?"
The two engaged in a conversation that only they knew.
"It's just sleeping, don't worry." Len patted my head and took my free hand. "I've talked to the merchants. You ride in the carriage with them to the inn. I'll be following you with Jaya."
***
...
I sat on the bathing barrel filled with warm water in silence.
Stay calm...
Sienna, stay calm.
I held my tied-up hair in frustration.
AHHHHHHH!!!!! HOW CAN I STAY CALM IN THIS SITUATION?!
30 minutes ago.
"What?"
"Excuse me?!"
The innkeeper gave us a smile, "The rooms have all been occupied because of the storm. There's only one left yet."
"But..."
You have got to be kidding me.
A one-room trope in this situation?
This fucking wig is killing me!
Yesterday, I was so tired from the journey that I fell asleep without taking the wig off, and now, I won't be able to take it off because I'll be sharing a room?!
Len tapped his fingers on the table, and I heard him murmur, "It isn't appropriate for a woman and man... to stay in one room..."
!!!
I was so preoccupied with the wig that only irritation filled my head.
That's right... It's inappropriate...
Heat rushed to my head, and I felt lightheaded.
Heat... I pressed the sleeping fledgling to my face.
Len stopped tapping his fingers and asked, "Is there any other inn nearby?"
The innkeeper placed her finger to her chin and looked out the window.
"There is one five minutes away and another one near the beach, however..." She looked at us and smiled, "I can't guarantee that there will be any available rooms there. A lot of people from neighboring towns and region have visited for the festival, after all."
I know that glint in her eyes!
Uncle Kiel has the same glint in his eyes when trying to sell something!
She does provide a solid reason though...
"Will you be alright, Sienna?"
I averted my eyes, "Mhm."
"Are you sure you'll be comfortable?"
"We... We have no other choice anyways."
"..." Len put two silver coins on the table. "We'll take it. Add a sleepwear for the both of us."
To be continued.