Whispering Atlas

Chapter 3: Daunting

Regina was startled awake by an arrow whizzing past her face. The wind that was carried by it was sharp and shocked her by the closeness. She gasped and lifted her head from the comfy shoulder she rested on.

"Keep your head down, idiot!" Ethaobeth shrieked. She clutched Regina's legs tighter as she engaged in a run to dodge the oncoming arrows streaming towards them.

"I thought you said no one would find us here!" Regina growled. She didn't like being lied to, nor did she like feeling helpless. Which at the moment; she was feeling a mixture of both.

"I did. I-well- just didn't think they would find us." She tried to find the right words to explain her failure, yet she was unsuccessful, and her words only proved to make Regina angry. "Okay, I'll admit, I miscalculated." Ethaobeth breathed as she evaded another arrow.

She could easily do this on her own, but with Regina on her back, well, that was different story. With someone else to care and protect for, it proved to be far more difficult to traverse. Especially if that person has been rid of all their magic.

"You've miscalculated." Regina repeated with venom.

"Yes..." She paused, "-but I truly did not expect them to find us here, but I was proven wrong." Regina glared at Ethaobeth even though she could not see it, she hoped she could feel it. Feel her rage, her anger, and maybe even her fear.

The sound of galloping horses and rustling of armor came from behind them. Snow's knights' did not shake off of their trail, and instead gained on them. Another arrow passed dangerously close to Regina's ear. Ethaobeth felt Regina stiffen and could feel her fear rising. She decided to make a sharp turn down a steep hill to loose them. The hill was filled with fallen tree, logs, and moss.

Regina gasped and gripped tighter around Ethaobeth's neck as they slid down the hill. A large log came into view and Regina's eyes widened in horror. She dug her head in the crook of Ethaobeth's neck and clutched tighter until her nails turned white.

She jumped over it with ease and landed on the mossy terrain of flat ground. Ethaobeth heard the halt of horses from above and turned around to see that the knights stopped at the edge of the hill. She made eye contact with one of the knights and her eyes flashed. Her vision was advanced enough to see that he was trembling. They turned back, willing to find another way to get them, but Ethaobeth was not going to stay long enough for them to find a way and started walking.

Regina opened her eyes to see they were on the ground and not dead. She breathed a sigh of relief and slowly unclenched her hands from the clothed neck.

"You thought I was going to let you die, huh?" Regina looked at her, perplexed.

"I can't exactly trust you." She replied. Ethaobeth 'tsked'.

"Why not? I saved you from her majesty's kingdom, away from that cell." Regina sneered at her, thinking of her as foolish to mention such a thing.

"That matters not. I could have saved myself, eventually."

"Truly." Ethaobeth murmured. Regina arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" Her voice deepened, yet there was no venom in her voice.

"It's nothing."

Ethaobeth reached a dirt path near their destination. She set Regina down on her feet and she surveyed the field to see if there was anything off with the area. "Don't worry; this area is safe." Ethaobeth said with a slight smile. Regina rolled her eyes, "That's what you said last time." Ethaobeth looked away sheepishly.

"And because of that, I almost died. I thought you were supposed to protect me?" Regina glared at the darkly tanned woman.

"I'm sorry, Regina. I'll make sure I can see the future next time so this never happens again." She replied mockingly. They argued like this for a while, well, only Regina was arguing. Ethaobeth was more nonchalant.

It was sun down and Regina ground her teeth together as they entered the village. She walked ahead of the violet headed women, examining the entrance of the village. The village was bigger than a normal village. It was more like a town. There were so many people going about their business carrying food baskets, knapsacks, and small children.

The people paid no mind to Regina and Ethaobeth as they entered the crowded town. That was good, they didn't need anyone noticing them. As they got further into town, their eyes were drinking in the food stands in the market place near by, clothe shops, and black smith weaponry's.

Ethaobeth adverted her attention to the oncoming building, 'Captain's Inn' was what it was called. She smiled and gained Regina's attention. Regina looked at her, then looked at what she was staring at. It clicked in her mind and she moved forward.

They both entered the Inn, Regina entered in first and Ethaobeth closed the door behind them. A bell chimed above them as they closed the door, alerting the desk clerk of their presence. The entrance hall was empty except for a mahogany desk and a book. A man sat in a stool in front of the desk. He stared at the two strangers in front of the door curiously.

He was middle aged, balding slightly, baby blue eyed and slightly tanned. He was not really muscular, but he was not chubby either. He stared for a bit, and Regina moved forward to his desk. He coughed to snap out of his gaze.

"Two rooms, please." Ethaobeth said politely. He sighed and flipped through his book. He moved his hand inside a small drawer on the side of his desk to grab a quill and ink.

He looked through the book to see if a two bedroom was open. He shook his head and looked up at them.

"I'm sorry, but we're full. We have a one bedroom open. Are you willing to take that?" Regina sighed. Of course they were full. This was just perfect. She looked at the man irritated. Ethaobeth breathed through her nose, sensing Regina's irritation.

"Yeah, we'll take it." She said quickly. He smiled and jotted something down in the book. He reached behind the desk and grabbed a key.

He reached over and handed the key to Ethaobeth. "Room 13 is yours. It's upstairs, down the hall, make a left. It's the third door to your right." She nodded, clutching the key. She waved for Regina to follow her, already memorizing the directions to the room. She climbed up the stairs with Regina trudging begrudgingly behind her.

'Down the hall, now make a left.' She mused as she made a left at the end of the hall. Regina followed, but kept her distance. She stayed quiet and Ethaobeth wondered what was going through her mind.

'Third door on my right.' Her eyes scanned the hall, looking to her right she passed two doors and eventually stopped at door 13. She took the key and inserted it through the key hole. Turning it until she heard a 'click', she turned the knob and opened the wooden door.

The room was decently sized. There was enough room for a queen sized bed, a dresser, side table and and a small room connected where she supposed the bathroom was. There was a small chandelier above them. It was plain, but it was good enough. Luckily, it was already lit so it saved more time. Ethaobeth heard Regina move behind her to close and lock the door. The room had two medium sized windows on either side of the bed. The sun behind them had already set and the night sky was starting to settle in. Ethaobeth found a chair in the corner of the room and sat on it.

Regina walked to the bathroom without saying a word and closed the door behind her. Ethaobeth sighed and wondered what was wrong. She hasn't said anything since they've entered the village. She wasn't going to pry into her thoughts though. When Regina needed to speak to her, she will.

Ethaobeth got up and took the key with her. She left the room and locked the door behind her. She planned on getting some food for Regina. She guessed that she was probably hungry from the long trip and since she hasn't eaten in two days, she supposed that it was best to go back into town and get something for her.

Ethaobeth didn't require food so she didn't bother getting any. She walked up to a stand that was still open at this time. She reached into her belt and opened her satchel. Grabbing a few silver coins, she bought a small loaf of bread. Flipping a few coins to the man owning the stand she headed back to the Inn.

Climbing the already familiar stairs, she took her time to walk back to the room. Hoping that when she gets back, Regina will be done with her bath.

She was right. She found Regina sitting in the chair she was sitting in before in front of the dresser with a small mirror on top of it. She was combing her wet hair with her fingers. Regina was wearing the same dirty clothes before.

'Not like she has anything to change into anyways.' Ethaobeth locked the door behind her. Regina didn't say anything to her as she entered the room. Ethaobeth mentally sighed and sat herself on the edge of the bed facing Regina. Regina had her back to her and didn't even bother turning around to face her.

"I went into the market and got you some food." Ethaobeth informed. Regina didn't reply to her and continued combing her now short hair. Ethaobeth waited for a bit, hoping for a response or some snide comment, but of course she didn't receive any. She got up and placed the small loaf of bread on the dresser next to Regina.

Ethaobeth left the room, feeling as if Regina needed to cool herself off and maybe be alone for a bit. Ethaobeth explored the Inn and found a small room which was dedicated to books. She smiled and looked through the small collection. She wondered if she could borrow one for a bit. She wasn't planning on keeping it, just needed something to entertain her for a while.

She looked through the spines, reading and memorizing each name. She wanted something that sounded interesting, something that would distract her from the uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding Regina.

"Tales of the Spiral Dragon" Caught her eye. She took the book out and skimmed though the first few pages. Feeling confident that this book would entertain her, she headed back to her room.

When she returned, the loaf of bread was gone and Regina was laying down on the bed. Ethaobeth heard her breathing and could tell she was pretending to sleep.

'So, she is avoiding me.' Ethaobeth shrugged and turned the chair around and plopped down on it. She eluded her attention away from Regina and started reading her book.

Eventually, Regina's breathing evened out and Ethaobeth knew she was truly asleep. It was late at night and it was about time Regina fell asleep. Ethaobeth lifted her eyes briefly off the page to glance at Regina's sleeping form. She saw the rise and fall of her chest. The creases on her face relaxed and she looked almost at peace. The corners of her lips twitched and Ethaobeth returned her violet gaze to the book in front of her.

Ethaobeth heard the familiar sound of thunder outside. Then, soon after came rain. The rain poured onto the glass windows, pattering softly in a rhythmic tune. Ethaobeth relaxed in the wooden chair, enjoying the sound of rain and a good book. She loved rain, well, more like the sound and look of rain. She didn't like being caught in the rain because it messed with scents of things and mussed with her senses, but she loved the look of it. When the clouds crowded together, graying and dull. Releasing the sweet musk of precipitation. The pattering on glass windows was soothing.

It set the mood and relaxed her. The only thing that could make this better was a warm fire place next to her. She flipped to the next page in her book.

Another rumbling of thunder came through. It wasn't fierce, just mellow. Then, she heard a whimper.

She glanced over at Regina and found her shaking. Her breathing was unstable and she could smell her fear. She was having a nightmare. Ethaobeth considered going over to Regina. She wasn't good at comforting people; especially humans. They were just so complicated and she didn't have enough 'human emotions' to say or do the right things.

She sighed and pushed her book aside. She stood up then padded over to Regina and sat on the edge of the bed. She wondered what she should do next. 'Should I wake her? Hold her? What should I do?'

She saw a trail of sweat run down the side of Regina's forehead. Ethaobeth reached over hesitantly and pushed aside some of her hair. Then, she trailed her hand down to Regina's and took grasp of it. Lightly, not to wake her, she held it in her own. She hoped her own coolness could calm her.

After a while of holding her hand, Regina's expression calmed. Her body relaxed and her breathing steadied. Ethaobeth slouched her tight posture and release her hand. She stood up and sat back on the chair. She removed her book off of the dresser and opened it to her marked page. Before she continued reading, her gaze lingered on Regina, making sure she was okay before continuing.

It was first light when Ethaobeth left Regina alone to sleep in the room. She went out to do some shopping. She needed to buy Regina new clothes. That was a propriety. Then, she would buy weapons from the local black smith, food, and maybe ask around to see what village was near by because they needed to head out soon. They couldn't stay there or they would be found. They had a better chance in another village farther away.

She ended up at a tailor's a few blocks away from the Inn. She requested two outfits that would be made for traveling. She paid extra for the type of cloth they used because she needed something that would last on Regina. After ordering what she needed she was given a time to return back for the clothing.

"Return back tomorrow morning and I will have both of the outfits you require." The tailor informed as she wrote down Ethaobeth's order. "Oh, and don't forget the undergarments." Ethaobeth reminded. The woman nodded at her, explaining how everything should be finished at the break of dawn. She left the shop. The clouds were gray and rain was still pouring down. Ethaobeth steered clear of the rain and stuck to the sides of the buildings, being shielded by the roofs.

Her next stop was to order some weapons. She entered the Black Smith shop and was greeted by a burly man and his son. Ordering a small tactical knife along with throwing knives, she figured she probably needed to buy something for Regina as well. So, she ordered a claymore. A simple sword, since Ethaobeth did not know of Regina's skills in sword fighting. She'd probably end up teaching her if she didn't.

She exited the weaponry and then headed down the food market. She bought a few small baskets of fruit and two small loafs of bread. She made sure she didn't buy too much, not wanting the food to go bad before Regina finished eating them. She ran over to the Inn and ended up getting wet from the rain anyways.

When she returned, Regina was already awake and looking at the book Ethaobeth was reading last night.

"Good morning, Regina. I supposed you slept well?" Ethaobeth wanted to start with basic conversation. Maybe Regina was feeling better and was willing to talk now?

"Yes...I did." She replied, still staring at the book. She then put the book down, noticing the baskets Ethaobeth carried in her hands. Her stomach ached for the food she had brought. Her eyes starred as she placed the hand baskets down on the floor. Ethaobeth motioned towards her, "Go ahead, it's all for you." and that was her cue to grab some food. Ethaobeth reached for her satchel and grabbed her pouch. There was clean water in there now and she handed it to Regina. "Drink." Regina nodded and placed the spout to her mouth, downing the water. She handed the pouch back and continued to eat the fruit.

The apples and peaches she ate were juicy and fresh. It satisfied her hunger as the fruit slid smoothly down her throat. Licking her lips to remove any remaining juices, she looked at Ethaobeth, who was now sitting in the wooden chair gazing at the foggy glass windows. She bit her lip and considered her options. Her brain was running over everything that just happened. She took one of the small loafs of bread and broke off a piece.

She lifted her hand up towards the woman, "Here, have some." Ethaobeth turned her gaze over to Regina. She stared at her for a bit before looking at the piece of bread in her hand. "I don't require human food."

Regina scowled. 'Oh, of course. I'm being foolish.' Regina thought as she put her hand down, then raised it again to her mouth and stuffed the bread through her lips. She still ate with etiquette and manners of a queen, even though it was unnecessary, for she was not queen any more.

Regina was lost in her thoughts again. Her past life was so far away now, being replaced with this new one. She started to wonder.

Being here in this Inn, sitting on the floor and munching away on bread and peaches, made her wonder if she was ever queen to being with.

To Be Continued!

Author's Note:

So, that was the end of another chapter. Nothing much is happening here. Just getting some character development in. This one was a little long than the first two chapters. Hopefully you liked it. Well, tell me what you think, and I'll see you guys next time! Bye!