Snippets

Noise

Two people sat side by side on a small flower speckled field. A long winding cobblestone road coiled passed this place, and lead to the beginnings of the town. A homely tavern sat nearby, only a few meters off to their right. Voices could be heard, singing, and the low whinneys of horses from the stables.

The woman was scarred and cold, her skin pale and her eyes narrowed ice. Hair that was wild and seemingly made from strands of melted raven feathers rolled down her shoulders and back.

The boy was frail yet warm, skin rich chestnut and eyes grounded in earthen soil. Hair that was coiled and spongy sat short upon his head with visible glittering jewels hanging from his ears.

The woman starred at the sky as the boy starred at her. He spoke gently, "Ma'am, I don't wish to be bothersome, but why sit here as it grows colder and not come inside to gather by our fire. We own a good tavern here, are ale may be weaker than others, but our place is more homely than most."

She did not regard him, merely closing her eyes for awhile. The wind whispered to her and she stated in a voice that was harsh as a crow's caw, "It is too loud. I will sleep when I must, but I do not care for drinks and foolery. Pleasures may bring peace to mind, but it does not heal scars."

The boy was quiet, rubbing his own scarred wrists, though they were not visible under his small colored cloak. Then in a voice still gentle, he responded, "I see.  But scars don't mean you have to dwell on pain and such, is that what brothers you, ma'am?"

She opened her eyes and turned to look him over, eyes narrowed as she growled, "This is no matter for meek little errand boys, if you wish for money, then so be it, I will pay when I must sleep."

He gazed at her quietly before sighing, a weak smile now on his face as he faced her. "I am much more than I appear, as you are, isn't that so?" 

She looked away and shuddered, "It is just too loud in there."

He tilted his head, smile fading, "Too loud?"

She rubbed her face, fingers tenderly stroking scars and cuts. Then they traveled down to hug herself, still she said nothing, but merely nodded. 

He turned away and stood up, and she closed her eyes believing him to be leaving before he said, "I know somewhere quiet, and it still has a good view, wanna see it, ma'am?"

She sighed seeing he wasn't to be driven away so easily, then with effort, her leg straining with it, she stood. The boy was at her side, glancing up at her with something akin to concern, "Are you alright?"

She chuckled at the question before merely croaking out, "Where is this place then?"

He looked at her and gave a smile beginning to trot off, pausing to wave her over as he slinked to the backside of the building.

Steadily, she followed suit, the clink of weapons sounding as she adjusted her fine gray cloak back onto her slumped shoulders. 

The boy was there waiting for her before climbing up a pair of stairs, which twisted upwards and then to the right as she continued, her heart now frantic at the darkened hallways and unknowing of what may lie ahead. 

Suddenly she was in a room, the boy having opened a door and motioned her inside. It was a good size, a table in good condition resting beside a small bed that had seen some wear. It was dimly lit by candlelight and on the floor a rug showing scenes of child stories lay upon the middle of the floor. There were a few pictures on the wall, and beside for a chair in the corner, it held not much else. He continued towards the far wall and the woman relaxed lightly before following out onto a balcony.

There she could see much clearer over the fields and also at the town. The voices downstairs were dimed and the dying sunlight flitted across her face. The woman closed her eyes and breathed. The boy, pleased now, watched her with a growing smile, "Nice right?"

She opened her eyes and regarded him, noting how he'd rolled up his sleeves to reveal small scars along his arms, yet he seemed unbothered by her gaze. She looked into his eyes and felt her gaze soften slightly, "Yes."

His eyes crinkled and he looked back out at the field and town, "This is one of our more helpful guest rooms, not one of the main guest rooms mind you, these are for those we see that need it, you can stay here if you wish, ma'am."

She looked at the sky and nodded, "Yes. Yes this will do, thank you."

He nodded and slipped away now, "Hope you enjoy your stay, you need anything just come and speak with us. Ma and Papa are usually about downstairs and I'm just about anywhere else. Night, ma'am."

Then he was gone to leave the woman to herself. She stared down at herself and breathed out slowly. She would be just fine.