Another short one, I think, but it probably has more dialogue than the whole first part of the fic ^^;;
Once morning came around, Amelia was hungry. She hadn't eaten for two days. She buckled her cape and belt on, and stomped into her boots. Then she unlocked her door, and went downstairs. She returned the key to the innkeeper, who said, "Thank you for your stay, Miss Greywords." It felt strange to be called that. Amelia paid him the three gold it cost to stay overnight, and then sat at a table and waited for a waitress to come.
"What will you have, Miss?" the waitress asked, holding her notebook and pencil ready.
"Something hot," Amelia said.
Nodding, the waitress said, "We've got some hot cereal or you can have eggs and toast?"
"Eggs and toast please," Amelia asked. "And a glass of juice."
"Right away, Miss." The waitress hurried away after jotting down Amelia's order.
The service there was quick, and Amelia soon had her breakfast. She ate quickly, and then looked around. Would maybe one of the people here help her get to Seyruun? Cautiously, Amelia stood up and went back to the counter.
"Good morning, Miss Greywords," the innkeeper said with a smile.
Amelia nodded, and asked, "Um... Would you know if there would be anyone willing to help me get to Seyruun?" She fiddled with her fingers behind her back, hoping the innkeeper would say he knew someone.
Unfortunately, the innkeeper shook his head. "No one here would want to go to Seyruun, Miss Greywords. I don't know why anyone would want to."
"O-oh..." Amelia stammered. "Um, th-thank you anyway." She managed a smile, and started to back away, but the innkeeper asked her, "Why do you want to get there, anyway? Seyruun is full of no-good doers and the like."
Amelia was hard pressed to hold her tongue at the insult against her home. "N-no reason," she told him nervously. "Um... just wanted to, um, see the sights."
The innkeeper looked at her strangely, but Amelia dashed off and went back to her table. She rested her chin in her hands, her elbows on the table, and wondered if she could find anyone to help her to Seyruun. Even just directions would be nice, though a guide would be better.
Amelia nearly jumped a mile when someone tapped her shoulder. She spun around, and found herself facing a young man with soft brown eyes and hair, and a pleasant smile on his face. "U-um... H-hello, sir, I..."
The man smiled, and laughed a little. Amelia relaxed at the sound of his laugh. It was very gentle and smooth. "I don't mean to intrude," he said to her. "But I overheard you talking to the innkeeper, Miss Greywords."
"Um... C-call me Amy," Amelia told him. She felt very awkward being called Miss Greywords.
Smiling again, the man nodded, and sat down across from her at the table. "Well, Amy, as I said, I overheard you asking about someone to help you get to Seyruun."
Amelia nodded, nervously clicking her fingernails beneath the table.
"I think I could help you," the man said.
"Really?" Amelia asked excitedly, lighting up. "You really really would?"
"Yes, I would," he answered with another dazzling smile. "My name is Landen. I'm a woods guide. It's my job to help people through the woods."
Amelia suddenly had a thought. What if he was against Seyruun as well, and was just saying that so he would have an excuse to get to Seyruun? And then what if he found out who she was? What would he do? Could she trust him? Amelia didn't know what to do. She desperately wanted his help, but she wasn't sure.
"Do you doubt my intentions?" Landen asked politely.
"I... I... well..." Amelia stammered. "I just..." She bit her lip, and said, "Okay. I do need your help. I don't even know which way Seyruun is."
Landen laughed, and said, "I can help you there. When do you plan on leaving?"
"Right away," Amelia said quickly. "I want to be ho-- there as soon as I can."
Apparently, Landen missed her slip, and stood up. "All right," he said. "Wait here while I get my things." He then walked away up the stairs.
"I hope I didn't make a mistake in accepting his help," Amelia said to herself. She looked down at her outfit, and tugged at the collar a little. It was too tight. Her clothes were too restricting. They weren't lose like her other outfit was.
"Ready?"
Amelia jumped again, and looked up. Landen was standing right at her side, a pack slung over one shoulder and a smile on his face. "Y-yes..." Amelia said, standing up. Landen nodded, and headed out the door. Amelia prayed to Ciepheed that Landen was trustworthy as she followed him out.