With My Last Breath

Chapter 5

She awoke to a gentle hand shaking her shoulder. Ari looked up bleary-eyed. Steel stood, looking concerned, his armored hand on her left shoulder. Ari's blone hair had escaped her braid, cascading in gentle waves down her back. Steel removed his hand, knelt down for a moment and returned with a small piece of knotted leather in his fingers. Ari sat up straight, stretching for a moment. Steel offered Ari her hairtie. "Thank you Steel. It must have fallen off." She reached over and took it with a sleepy smile. Steel nodded and walked around the table to her right to sit accross from her. Weaver arrived at the table with bowls of some hot stew of some sort. She passed them out. Lining up two bowls to Steels left and sat next to Ari. Weaver also looked quite tired but still as cheerful as ever. "Hello Anna, Myra and I ended up on a small supply run. I'm sorry it took so long. Myra should be joining us shortly. Has anyone seen Scout?" Weaver looked around. "Oh, nevermind, him and Myra are headed this way." Myra and Scout joined the table, sitting next to Steel. Weaver turned to Ari after eating a bite, "I'd like to invite you to see me perform. It's a lot of fun. I hope you'll consider coming." Ari broke into a smile, "I'd love to." Myra cleared her throat. "Speaking of the performance, to inform everyone now, Anna will be helping set up tomorrow for the first show in the late afternoon. Which means, Anna, you will need to meet me, in this room just after sunrise so we can set up together." Ari watched as Scout rolled his eyes and motioned to Myra glancing at Ari's arm, "How is she going to help?" Myra gave Scout a firm look. He shook his head in disbelief and starts shoveling food in his mouth. "Anyway... your room Ari is upstairs, the first door on the left." Myra slides Ari a key. "I've taken the liberty of a bath being drawn for you and the rest of YOU ALL" she said with a waving pointed finger. "Quite frankly Steel, I'm surprised, your usually not this bad. I wasn't sure if it was you or your horse earlier today." Myra said with a laugh. Her eyes twinkled in the firelight. Steel broke into a grin. "See Myra, I can impress you." His voice was deep and gravelly. Ari hadn't heard the man so much as cough in the last twelve hours and was absolutely transfixed. "Well your'e going to have to try another approach Steel. This is just impressively bad." Myra continued. "Let's eat, I'm starving." The meal continued in companionable silence and Ari felt incredibly relaxed considering the many circumstances. The food was warm and good. The ale was sweet and warmed her cheeks a rosy pink color.

Ari raised her tankard “I would like to propose a toast. To the group’s ever increasing good health, ever increasing wealth, positive fortune and fame. May neither your coffers nor throat go dry, may that sweet gold and honey’d ale be always avail!” The group’s tankards clunked together and they all drank deeply. Ari finished her drink and set the cup down with a light tap.

“That was a lovely toast Anna.” Weaver said. “Well, good night or morning to you all. I’m off to sleep. If you need anything Anna. Myra and I will be in the room next door to you and Steel and Scout are just down the hall on the right. Myra, we are off duty for now, yes?” Myra nodded and replied, “Yes, of course. For this last escort I’l pay you, Steel and Scout first thing in the morning.” Weaver nodded. “Sounds fair. I’m off” With a wave, Weaver left. Ari watched as she made her way up the stairs across the room. Taking a deep breath and yawning. “I think I will most joyfully accept that bath and a warm bed. Truthfully, its been a few days since I’ve had either.” Myra gave her a friendly smile and said “Well, we will see you later then.” Ari stood, a bit wobbly at her feet. “You got it alright Anna?” Myra asked. “Yeah, yeah. No problem.” Ari replied. She slowly made her way across the room and stumbled up the stairs. Her tired, sore body struggling with each step. When she finally made it into her room, she almost wept with joy at the sight of a copper tub filled with hot scented water. Closing the door behind her, she immediately stripped of her many layers next to the door. Everything, down to the insides of her boots was sopping wet in cold semi dried mud. Sitting next to the fire had made her clothes feel so heavy as they dried the mud into the fabric. Even her nice cloak was not immune. The only difference being the mud wasn’t as visible on the deep brown fabric. Ari dropped her new bag by the bed and quickly sunk into the hot bath. The smell of minty soap filled her with delight when she held the tiny bar in her hand. Ari’s head swam from the journey and ale alike. She leaned back in the tub, letting the warmth cure the aching in her muscles and bones. Ari hadn’t felt this good since the night before she’d left home. It felt like a lifetime ago. As much as she tried to fight it, Ari found herself fading from consciousness and into a deep sleep. Some time passed and Ari awoke when her nose touched the water, startling her awake. Thankfully the water was still war. She quickly washed, wrapped herself in a warm towel by the lit fireplace and glanced around the room. Ari didn’t have anything clean to change into. The thought of putting on her dirty, travel worn chemise was downright foul. She sighed with dread at the thought. Looking towards the wall, next to the door, to her horror. All her clothes were gone. Ari began to panic. “Where are my clothes?!” She looked around the room and on the bed was a brown papered package with a note attached. Ari ripped the note open and it read; “Anna, I noticed you packed rather light. The road was quite rainy so Weaver suggested we help you get something to sleep in at least. Hope it fits, we kinda guessed on measurements. Don’t worry, it’s freshly laundered and your clothes, which I’m sure your looking for, are being laundered as you rest today. They should arrive when you wake.” Myra’s signature swooped the bottom corner of the paper. Ari breathed a sigh of relief. “That was quite considerate of them” She mused aloud. She donned the new chemise. It was a little long on the sleeves and short on the ankle but quite comfortable. Ari climbed into the bed, happily spreading out on the large and comfortable mattress. Watching the shadows on the ceiling, she thanked the stars above she was safe, full and warm. It was all she could’ve ever asked for.