Yet there were no fires around her now. Only a silent darkness pressed into the room and a glance out of the window showed that the moon was obscured by a heavy cloud cover. Dragging fingers wearily through her hair, Eilin sank back down into the comfort of the covers. She still had hope for a few hours of reprieve, yet it did not come. For the rest of the night she tossed and turned yet could not regain the sweet embrace of slumber. Eventually, she gave in.
***************
Darkness still prevailed outside as Eilin sat down in front of a small mirror. She had lit a few candles, bathing the room in a flickering warm glow. In the dim light, she studied her reflection, lost in her own thoughts. She had staked her entire life on finding the pack of demons who were responsible for burning her village and killing everyone around her, only to somehow stumble into answers that she had not expected. How could Sverre have been part of the cause? Had they all really been so disillusioned with him?
Idly, Eilin's gaze dropped down to her hands and a small round container she was holding. It was made of dark wood and when she removed the top she found herself looking at a blue paste. Her mother had taught her how to make it when she was young. The white and blue mask colors were the signature of her people. The colors she could not wear now with Sverre around. Not unless she was willing to trully show him who was. At the present moment, she did not care enough to reveal her identity.
With a sigh, the young woman shut the container and set it aside on the table before turning away from her own reflection.
***************
By the time the sun rose on a new, cloudless, day, Eilin was gone from the inn. Another visit past the gates had given her no indication that a threat was imminent, yet she knew quite well that it could only be a matter of time. The pack would get hungry and restless eventually and if there is one thing she saw it was that they were not dutifully passing by. She found no tracks of them leaving the forested area.
Slowly, the young woman made her way back down the main street. The shops were just beginning to open and the village was only just beginning to wake up. For the inhabitants, it was a simple and quiet enough existence that would last forever. Eilin simply hoped that this would hold true.
She stepped back in the inn just in time to hear the barmaid giving another guest a good morning greeting. There was already a man seated at the bar and only two other guests settling near the windows. Eilin only glanced around briefly before ignoring them all and proceeding to a table near the fireplace where the last of the embers had gone out hours ago in the night. She needed to think. More importantly, she needed to find someone who was trustworthy enough in the village to warn them of a possibility of an attack. Perhaps the commander of the guards would be a good start.
It was the approaching barmaid that caught Eilin's attention a few minutes later. She was carrying a plate of food and a mug that she set down before her with a smile. “Here you are, a nice meal for your morning,” she said as Eilin arched a brow slightly in confusion.
“I did not order food yet,” the young huntress noted. Yet the barmaid continued to smile gently.
“The gentleman from last night has generously paid for it,” she replied.
Eilin's look of confusion dissolved into something akin surprise before being wiped clear by her impassive mask. She faltered for a moment, unsure of how to respond, before she finally gave a slight nod of her head.
“Thank you,” she spoke briefly.
“Let me know if I can do anything else for you,” the smiling barmaid offered before turning and retreating back to her post. Eilin was left, looking after her in mild confusion. Just what was Sverre really trying to prove? Now she remembered, however. It was this very same personality in him that had thrown them all off-guard. Her entire family had grown to trust him this very same way.
Normally, she would have pushed the meal aside, yet she had not eaten the previous night and the hunger was setting in. After mulling over her options, Eilin picked up the fork, deciding that he owed her a meal either way. It still did not change a thing between them. For now, however, she dug in, finding that the morning meal was fresh and well-made.