Their hoods covered them as they kept on, Briar trying to focus as she kept getting distracted by a familiar yet unwanted figure. Silver white hair, a white shirt, dark brown pants, and a featureless face. As she walked, they kept appearing at the side of the road, almost reaching out but backing away each time. The figure kept antagonizing her, softly voicing Briar's doubts and insecurities each time she looked its way. "It's not too late to turn back, the tower is just a few days that way. We were comfortable there, no one could hurt or bother us...well...no one could physically hurt us or bother us for long. You won't like what's out there, listen to me and turn back". The rain began to fall harder and louder, but she could still hear it talk. "Idiot, useless, you can't do anything right. Go back, we have to go back and wait...GO BACK!", the figure yelled, anger almost forming on its featureless face. However, Briar did not concede, she could only move forward. The tower was behind her and she refused to go back.

     

     The rain grew heavier and the ground grew softer as they walked. Briar thought of controlling the roots underneath to propel them forward, however, she was exhausted. No sleep, anxiety rising, and she was unable to see anything in front of her. Then, as if by a miracle, a light was spotted with the outline of a house. As they walked closer, there was a stable with a few horses and an inn that looked sturdy enough to withstand any storm. The duo began to run to where the stable was and shivered as their drenched cloaks dripped,  the horses becoming wary. Clovis wiped his face and looked inside his satchel for anything of value to see if he could trade it for a night's stay; there was nothing but fruit and vegetables among small trinkets. Briar deduced what he was doing and then asked, "Can hair carry any kind of value?". Clovis didn't want Briar to cut her hair but answered her question, "It can, the longer it is the more its worth, even the color can add value, but-", Clovis was interrupted as he saw Briar grab all her hair up to the nape of her neck and slashed it with a sharp muddy rock. Beautiful red and gold-like strands danced in the rain as she cleaned and folded her hair around her arm, Clovis held back his tongue and decided to smile and lead them both inside.

     

       The Innkeeper stood behind the bar, cleaning and wiping. He became startled as the door creaked open, letting a thunderous roar seep in. "Why are there people so far out here, did they get lost?", the Innkeeper thought to himself, "Well...I hope no one is missing them on the outside". "Welcome, pretty harsh storm out there?", the innkeeper said with a wide grin.  Clovis giggled, "It is, can't seem to catch a break honestly. We would like a room for...well, for how many nights can we get with this", he gestured to Briar. She began to step forward and the innkeeper was immediately intrigued by the woman in front of him. Her scent was sweet, not overbearing, but just enough to entice you. The cloak hid her shape and her face, but he felt a sort of attraction toward her as if he needed to offer her something. Then, as the woman took off her hood, the innkeeper could not even fathom what he was looking at. Short blonde hair, radiant olive skin, a strong build, and eyes a clear hazel that were almost too innocent for this world. Such a beautiful woman was right before him, it took his breath away. His eyes darted at each part of her face as he could not believe what he was seeing. "How could a sublime being travel with a dirty and penniless man. He said how much for a room...in exchange for the woman? Is he insane?", the innkeeper thought to himself. His thoughts were interrupted as Briar set the long strands of hair in front of the innkeeper. He suddenly came out of his daze as her angelic voice spoke to him, "If this is not enough, we have something el-", the innkeeper stopped her and turned around. He rummaged through boxes and then lifted a key from a wall, "It's fine...I will take this as payment. Here is the key to your room and some dry clothes for you and your partner", he avoided Briar's eyes, but then snuck a quick look. She was staring back at him and smiled, or he thought she was.

     The duo left the hair and quickly got to their room, drenched and exhausted, Clovis closed the door and examined the room. A candle, a closet, a window, a single mirror, and a single bed. Clovis was embarrassed and was about to tell Briar she could take the bed, but, she was already undressing. Clovis quickly yelped and covered his eyes, "Briar Please! let me step out so you can have your privacy-", Briar swiftly interrupted with a sigh, "Stop talking, we are both drenched. Hurry up and change into the dry clothes before you fall ill", she said sternly. and with that, he complied.

     Briar laid on the bed as Clovis sat on a chair dozing off. "Clovis, don't tell me you are planning to sleep in such a position", she stated as she looked at the ceiling. Clovis looked at the clothes they set out to dry on the floor and then at the burning candle, his eyes growing heavy, "I don't have anywhere else, the floor may give me splinters, so the chair is the only option". Clovis then closed his eyes as he heard Briar sigh again, suddenly he was picked up from the chair and held bridal style. He quickly opened his eyes and saw as Briar carried him to the bed. "Wait Wait Wait! I'm heavy, put me down! ", Clovis exclaimed. Briar kept walking unfazed as she laid him on the bed, "Please, you don't weigh any more than the bag that I carry over my shoulder". Clovis blushed as he covered his face, Briar now beside him. 

        The duo laid in the darkness as the storm continued. Clovis was unable to sleep and wondered if Briar was the same, then, his curiosity was sedated as he heard her whisper out to him. 

    "Clovis...is this the route you took to get to the tower?" she asked.

    "No, there were more mountains. I figured since it was raining we could slip and fall so I took a detour".

    "Did you start out in a town when you came to this island"?

    "Yes, but the town is a few days from here, I didn't even know there was an inn so far out, it's a little weird".

    "Clovis isn't it a little odd that there are a lot of horses outside and multiple carriages".

     Clovis was beginning to show concern due to Briar's sudden talkativeness but then saw what was odd about the Inn. Since they arrived, there were no guests. The keys on the wall that the innkeeper picked from seemed to be all there, and even now, no footsteps or snores can be heard. Briar turned to look at Clovis and she saw that he was questioning the lack of people. "You have seen what I can do, so believe me when I say that the ground here is much softer than the trail we have walked. Also, even if there is a lack of people inside this inn...I can almost feel something moving...underneath us."