The food at the inn was quite delicious; Elyn was enjoying a bowl of tomato soup with bread. It was a meal perfect for the wandering traveler—cheap and filling. Not to mention, according to Mr. Zittles, the cook had a garden filled with all types of herbs and vegetables. Well, technically, tomatoes were a fruit, but it was easier to claim them to be a vegetable.

Either way, after a long night of not getting the proper recommended amount of sleep, one needs nutrients to get through the day.

"May I get you anything else, ma'am?" asked one of the waitresses working to serve other customers.

"No, no, but thank you." She answered, scooping another spoonful of soup.

You should be doing your job," ,a voice hissed. The sudden spook made Elyn drop her spoon. It was funny, really; here she was eating a nice, piping hot meal, yet she felt cold.

Don’t you want to know what happened to your precious brother? You shouldn’t be eating ravishing, delicious, tasty food. The voice mocked.

As always, the voice was right. Of course, the voice isn’t a stranger, not an acquaintance, and especially not a friend. It was perhaps Elyn’s biggest critic—the part of herself that wouldn’t let her forget that dreadful day. It wasn’t her fault; she was too young and therefore too weak to save Elias. This was the excuse that every adult gave her.

"Scue me,miss yer okay?" Mr.Zittle asked, his voice breaking through the silence.

"Oh yes. um thank you... I’m sorry for the inconvenience." She answered, getting up and placing a few coins down for the food.

"To think Lillian humans spend up to half of their short life spans in this bed." Toll Keeper said The pair were in Elyn’s room. How they got in, well, that was thanks to some illegal means or magic, whichever you prefer.

"Master, I thought Elyn wanted her privacy." Lilian pointed out the fluttering around him.

Toll Keeper sat the same tattered red book he received as a gift on the desk the rooms provided.

"King Elzra, master?" She asked, studying the book closely.

"Of course, my dear, what better way to help our little apple than the wise old king Elzra?" Toll Keeper answer.

Elyn took a nice, deep breath before entering her room. Taking a fresh breath of air was supposed to calm down one’s nerves, right?

‘We’re here for one more day.’ She thought while turning her key. ‘I need to be able to relax, even for a little bit.