(A/N: R&R!!!)

Chapter 8: The Hungry Dragon

Ellenia soon learned from Phillip that they were going to Providence, where the king’s court was, and where they would part ways, Phillip claiming to have some important business to attend to. All of this she obliged to, glad to have somewhere to go, at least.

The rest of their journey was quite uneventful, and they were soon greeted by the city gates, the inside lavishing with bustling crowds and well kept shops.

Her eyes wandered all around with interest as they entered, the city’s center was lined with curious looking stores and street vendor selling anything from fish to “visions from the future.” Here and there were people trying to make a living of the street, jesters forming crowds around their acts, while drunks slumped in the corner with nothing more than a cup to help them collect their earnings.

Phillip, however, didn’t seem to notice any of the excitement and kept at a steady pace until they reached the front door of what seemed to be an inn, with a sign reading “The Hungry Dragon” dangling over the door way.

“I should be able to get you a place to stay here, though you will have to work for your keep,” said Phillip, tying his horse on a post at the front.

“Okay, thank you,” replied Elle, tying her horse beside his.

From the inside, The Hungry Dragon looked rather cozy, the front of the inn was dedicated to tables and chairs where numerous people sat (mostly men, and mostly drinking), there was a fireplace to the corner where some huddled for comfort, and a woman stood behind the bar, cleaning a glass and talking to a rather haggard looking man who sat on a stool, empty beer mug in hand.

“Please, Maregereet, just one more...” said the drunk to the woman, stumbling over pronouncing her name.

“No, Bill, you’ve had enough. And besides, who’s gonna pay for that one? Certainly not me,” she replied sensibly, looking up at the approach of Phillip and Elle to the bar. “Look who’s finally come back. ‘Just two days’ he says, ‘just two days.’ Shoulda known better,” she chimed, putting down the glass.

“Hello to you too Margaret, and I didn’t say just two days, I said around two days,” said Phillip with a smile, taking a seat on the nearest stool.

“Sure...sure... And what news do you bring today? The news I was supposed to have three days ago?” asked Margaret.

Ellenia took a seat beside Phillip, eager to hear what this urgent news was.

“That can wait,” said Phillip calmly, “I’m here to introduce the reason I am so late. Margaret, this is Ellenia Courday, I was wondering I you might have a place for her to stay in your inn for a little while, until she can find a more permanent residence,”

Elle shook hands with Margaret, trying to think of when she had told Phillip her name, and shying away from the evaluating look given to her my Margaret.

“Do you know how to cook?” asked Margaret bluntly.

“Uhh...well...” stumbled Elle.

“Cleaning it is,” concluded Margaret, “Bring your horses round back and I’ll show you to your room.”

Finished settling in her room, Elle went downstairs to see Phillip and ask when he was leaving. But he was no where in sight when she reached the common room, so she decided to rest a little by the fire and wait for him to return.

Warming her hands to the flames, she mused over the past days events. Kieran...Phillip...Margaret...she had a strong feeling that they were all connected somehow, though Phillip obviously, but there was something else as well. And what was this news Phillip had for Margaret? She said he was late...he said it was Elle’s fault.

Her train of thought was interrupted by a man beside her, singing of some far away land.

This land I live

This land my home

The hills are green, and when I go

All I wish is to come home

To Roma, to Roma, and when I go

I wish, I wish, I didn’t roam.

His voice was soft and sincere, contradictory to his ripped brown coat and shaggy grey hair. She smiled at him as he sang, and felt a sudden wave of homesickness. Not for the home she had left, but for the home it used to be. Running though the fields with her village friends...riding through the country with her father by her side...her mother’s soothing voice in her ear.

I will come

I will return

To that land loved, I will soon go

To you who waits for my return

To Roma, to Roma, I will soon go

I go, l go, to that home I yearn.