17

~Akara

We didn't get very far.

At least we've made it out of the Scarlet Province, from the looming city that terrifies me. But what terrifies me more is sitting in the same space as Marek and Tai. Thankfully they haven't spoken the entire nine hours we have been travelling, preferring to sit in seething silence, which I like just fine too.

Rain started soon after leaving the city, but now that dusk has fallen, has turned into a raging storm. We all mutually decided to stop at a nearby village for the night, which may be the only thing we can agree on for a while.

Marek stays close to my side as we wander into the inn. It's small, but it will do for one night. I'm eager for sleep too, exhausted from travelling and worrying about Marek and Tai all day.

Tai walks up to the front desk, while the rest of us linger back. "We will take five rooms."

"I'm sorry sir, we only have two rooms," she responds, gaze darting between him and us. There are three imposing men in here that would terrify