The inn was warm and inviting as Vanya stepped over the threshold. The room was round with a large fireplace in the far end, the walls curving upward in the same shape as the exterior. Along the walls were large, round canisters that looked to made of clay, a couple of chairs, and piles of ash that seemed to have been swept up recently. A large staircase stretched out ahead of her, leading down to what she guessed was the main hall. These structures were obviously much larger than they appeared, having been built mostly under the ground. An ash-colored man was tending the fire when he noticed her. "Can I help you?" he asked, casting a skeptical eye her direction.

"Are you Geldis?"

"He's down at the bar. If you're here to ask for a handout..."

"No, no! I was told to ask for him," Vanya cut in. "By Teldryn." She hoped Teldryn was someone of enough importance that dropping his name would help. The man looked unconvinced but he gave in, turning back to his work with a 'hmph'.

She hesitated for a second but when it was clear the man would say no more, she advanced down the steps. The tavern hall also consisted of curved walls, the large room segmented by thick archways, their shape accentuated by the soft light of the paper lanterns that hung on them. There were a few patrons scattered about chatting and eating lunch.

"Ah, a new face!" The man standing behind the bar greeted. "Come, come, what can I do for you?" He had a lighter blue tone to his skin, and light brown hair pulled into a high ponytail.

She smiled weakly and slid onto a barstool. "Are you Geldis?"

"Indeed, that is me. And you are?"

"Vanya. Er...Teldryn told me to tell you he sent me."

"He did, did he? Well, how may I help you, sera?"

She glanced around. "I guess I need a room?" She looked back to Geldis, who was nodding with a curious expression on his face.

"Um...I have money. Teldryn told me it's ten...septims?"

"Yes, that's right." Geldis did not look away as he picked up a mug to wipe out the inside.

Vanya lifted the bag of coins, opened the drawstring and timidly fingered the gold coins inside. This would be a fortune back home. After a few moments, she realized she was being waited on. "Oh, uh, two nights please." She gathered twenty pieces and stacked them on the counter.

By now Geldis looked like he had a thousand questions, but thankfully he took the gold and merely replied, "Very well, sera, I'll show you to your room."

He walked around the counter, leading her across the dining area and down a hallway. He stopped in front of the second door on the left and unlocked it, turned and held the key up to her. "Here you are, I see you brought provisions but feel free to come to the dining hall for a hot meal and a drink."

She grasped the large iron key. "Thanks," she breathed.

"Let me know if you need anything. You can also ask Drovas, he should be around," Geldis said as he turned to leave.

"Uh, one question."

The man turned back expectantly.

"Where would I go to find, um, clothes?" Her cheeks reddened slightly as she looked down at the ragged shirt she'd worn for...she wasn't sure how long.

"Talk to Fethis, or perhaps the blacksmith, Glover. They may have something to suit you," Geldis offered.

Vanya nodded wearily. Geldis turned to leave again, but turned back once more. "I'll have Drovas bring you a bucket of hot water and some rags for you to bathe. I may have a spare dress that you can borrow until you make it to the shops."

She could again only nod, not trusting her voice she tried to express her gratitude through her watery eyes. Geldis pursed his lips uncomfortably and left. Her limbs suddenly heavy, she shuffled into the room and shut the door, not even bothering to lock it. She stood there, rooted to the spot, consumed with such overwhelming emotions she wasn't sure her body would move if she wanted it to. Confusion, shame, guilt, loneliness- all of these in magnitudes she had never known possible. Through the muddle of thoughts swirling in her head, there was one feeling that drowned out the rest- hopelessness. She'd lost her home and her family. If she could even get back, what was there to go back to? Why had she been spared their fate only to be brutally used? Yes, there was kindness here, Teldryn- and now Geldis- had shown her that, but what kind of life could she lead in a world in which she did not belong? Her shoulders heaved as she finally gave in to wracking sobs, crumpling to the floor in exhaustion.

By the time there was a knock at the door, the tears had dried on her face and it took great effort to lift her stiff limbs in an attempt to answer. A louder knock startled her as her hand touched the door handle. When she opened it she was greeted with the scowling face of the man she'd met at the entrance.

This must be Drovas. His already disapproving look deepened as he gazed on her filthy appearance. "I've been asked to inform you that supper tonight is fried ash hopper and saltrice bread ." He stiffly placed the bucket of steaming water just inside the doorway, tossing the rags and clothing down next to it. Before she could thank him he turned away muttering in a low tone so that she did not hear.

Vanya bit her lip and closed the door, feeling thankful for the hot water despite Drovas' manner. She washed as best she could and dressed in the plain, rough cloth dress. It was a tad short in length and needed a belt or vest, but it was clean so she found herself feeling much better. She decided to not venture out to the common room for dinner. The food in her satchel would suffice and she needed to save her money. How much would clothes cost her? And how would she provide for herself once she ran out of gold?

She put those matters to the back of her mind for the moment. She reclined on the bed and enjoyed the first bit of comfort she'd had since she arrived in this strange world. Soon she was fast asleep.

Vanya woke from a dreamless sleep and sat up, rubbing her eyes as she swung her feet over the side of the bed. She didn't know how long she'd slept, but it felt like a long time. Her stomach growled in confirmation.

She padded across the room to the small table and chair where her satchel laid and rummaged for something appetizing. What was left of the bread was tough and a bit stale and the meat was dried and salted so she suspected it was safe, it was the cheese that worried her. She eyed the wedge of cheese suspiciously. The last thing she needed right now was a case of food poisoning. Suddenly her body reminded her of another necessity. Where do I go to pee?

She sighed, scratching her head absently. Now that she thought about it she really had to go. In the cave there had been an old rusty pot, so she assumed that a chamber pot was what she was looking for. She searched the room, wondering if that guy Drovas had to clean them, and to her great dismay found nothing resembling a chamber pot. Throwing her head back in frustration, she groaned as she resigned to the fact that she would have to go ask.

She snatched a bite of bread and chewed while straightening her clothes and running her hands over her hair to hopefully not look too disheveled. "Okay," she whispered to herself just before opening the door and stepping into the hall. Vanya stopped and listened. It was quiet. It must be pretty late. With fingers still on the door handle to her room, she peered into the dimly lit main hall. She swallowed nervously and seriously considered just peeing in the corner of her room.

She rolled her eyes and chided herself, "Don't be stupid." It was the middle of the night and this was a pretty small town from what she'd seen, of course it was quiet. She pulled her door shut and forced herself to march down the hall to ask Geldis or Drovas where to find a restroom, smiling at the sudden intrusive memory of her middle school Spanish class. Donde está el baño? The smile melted when she reached the main room. There was no sign of life and the lantern light drew long, eerie shadows along the curved walls.

As much as she tried to keep calm, the hair on her arms was standing on end and a cold shiver crept up her spine. The idea of wandering around a strange place in the dark gave her very distinct horror movie vibes. She would go back to her room, she decided, and not come out until she heard life on the other side of the door...except...

Vanya moaned uncomfortably and hopped up and down as the pressure in her gut insisted on relief. Then she stilled, remembering the bucket Drovas had brought with bathing water. Without a second thought, she turned quickly and nearly ran to her room. Drovas would likely be angry, he'd think she was a complete idiot, but she'd deal with the consequences later.

Minutes later, feeling relieved in more ways than one, Vanya stretched back out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She wondered if she was being crazy. She should have at least gone to the bar and seen if one of the guys was resting nearby. Surely they did not leave the place unattended at night. Maybe they were on a bathroom break, too?

She rubbed her face with both hands. "Oh my God, that was probably it. " She pulled up the blanket and rolled on her side facing the door, now properly locked. What was done was done, she would apologize and find out where the bathrooms were in the morning.