{"id":2338,"date":"2022-01-15T14:39:08","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T21:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/?p=2338"},"modified":"2022-01-15T14:39:08","modified_gmt":"2022-01-15T21:39:08","slug":"and-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/2022\/01\/15\/and-child\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2026And Child"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

prompt:\u00a0Your\u00a0character runs an inn for resting mountaineers. It\u2019s a calm life, until they\u00a0encounter a twist of fate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

available at Reedsy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen had always had a warm welcome for visitors to his inn, until this<\/em> one. It was his nature to be warm and open with his guests. She didn\u2019t feel like a guest, though, more an invader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had crashed through the door with a wordless cry like a soldier storming an objective, disturbing the quiet calm of the lobby. The fire still burned cheerily in large stone fireplace, the morning sun still shed its beams of warm light through the windows, yet the atmosphere was shattered by her arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under her large pack and bulky layers of outerwear, Galen could not make out any details. The only clue he had that she was, in fact, a she<\/em>, was the slight stature combined with the pitch of her voice as she cried out with a, \u201cRaaahhh,\u201d as she barreled in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid I\u2019ll have to ask you to keep it down, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said as politely as he could. \u201cWe have guests still asleep, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She let out a grunt as crouched down until the base of the pack was on the floor, then released the waist strap and wriggled out of the shoulder straps. The gloves came next, placed on the pack neatly. She removed the heavy parka to reveal a figure that seemed too small for the size of the pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After folding the parka and placing it atop the gloves, she unwound the scarf that covered her pale, freckled face and removed the thick stocking cap, releasing a cascade of frizzy flame-colored hair. Her eyes darted side to side, a wildness\u2026possibly panic\u2026driving them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m Galen,\u201d the stocky innkeeper said, offering a large, work-hardened and sun-darkened hand to the woman. \u201cWelcome to Mountain Springs Inn.\u201d His usual friendly expression was absent; the smile line around his eyes in contrast to the concern his face wore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She looked at him, starting with straight, black hair cut short, down his bulky frame to his pale, sandal-clad feet, then back to his deep brown eyes. \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m sorry. It\u2019s been a long trip. Are there any\u2026official types<\/em> staying here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen cocked an eyebrow. \u201cWhat do you mean by \u2018official\u2019?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGovernment types?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNope. Nobody like that around here unless there\u2019s an avalanche or lost climber or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She relaxed visibly, letting out a heavy sigh. \u201cOkay. Can I get a room for a week? And I may need to extend it later or leave early. I\u2019ll prepay for the whole week, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Galen said, his normal smile returning as he walked behind the registration desk. \u201cYour name?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, sorry. Celeste Davies.\u201d She pulled a wad of cash from an oversized pocket on her bulky snow pants. \u201cDoes the room come with meals?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt can. A room and three meals a day would be\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She cut him off by dropping the wad of bills on the desk. \u201cWill this cover it for a week? Room service for meals, don\u2019t worry about cleaning the room until I\u2019m gone. Privacy is a must. As such I won\u2019t be leaving the room until it\u2019s time to extend my stay or leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen picked up the bills and began counting them. \u201cThis is enough for a month in the master suite, would you like\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA plain room\u2026just the most basic you have. And keep the change. If I need to extend, I\u2019ll be paying the same again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell, Ms. Davies, allow me to carry your bag up to your room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can call me Celeste, and I can carry my own bag. Could you, uh\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCould you not put my real name in the register? I didn\u2019t think about it until just now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you in some sort of trouble? Running from the law? I won\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing like that. Trouble, yes, but it\u2019s not what you think.\u201d She sighed. \u201cI haven\u2019t broken any laws, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re worried about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen handed her a key and put a false name in the ledger. \u201cSecond floor, third door on the left. Room 2-H.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celeste took the key. \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen watched her as she threw her parka back on and sat to strap the pack on again. She rose with some effort, holding her gloves, hat, scarf, and key. \u201cI assume lunch is at noon?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes. If you would like, breakfast is in an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot today. Tomorrow, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen watched her make her way up the stairs. He wondered what was so precious in the pack. Packs were usually dropped to the floor, especially when they were so bulky and heavy as hers seemed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He counted the bills again and put them in the strongbox beneath the desk. A glance at the tower clock in the corner of the lobby reminded him of what he should be doing. Breakfast would be starting soon, and the lobby would be filled with the quiet murmur of those eating, enjoying a hot drink by the fire before checking out to go up the mountain or return to civilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True to her word, Celeste remained in her room, never showing her face. Her meals were left outside her door, and the empty dishes were left in their place an hour later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The morning of the third day, two men entered shortly after breakfast. They bore no packs and carried no bags. Their parkas were too light for the weather and their shoes were not the sort that the adventurous mountaineers wore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow can I help you gentlemen?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking for Celeste Davies,\u201d one of them said. \u201cShe may be using an assumed name. Short, pale skin, red hair, green eyes. Possibly traveling with a tall man with a blonde beard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was alo\u2014,\u201d he began, realizing too late that he\u2019d let it slip. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just looking for Celeste. You were saying?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe was alone. Stopped in for breakfast the other day and left. Didn\u2019t say whether she was going up or down, but since I didn\u2019t see her before then I would guess up.\u201d Galen hoped that was good enough for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe other day,\u201d one said. \u201cWhich day would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDay before yesterday,\u201d he said. As much as he hated lies, the behavior of the two men raised his hackles. If they were officials, they would have identified themselves and shown proof of their identity. Instead, they\u2019d deflected the question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan we see your ledger?\u201d the other asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I see your warrant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first man shook his head and whispered to the other. They moved away from the desk and spoke in low tones for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be on our way now, but we\u2019ll be back. If you see her again tell her to stay put.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen leaned on the desk. \u201cI\u2019m not a message service.\u201d The first man began to reach into his parka before the other stopped him. \u201cBut<\/em>,\u201d he said, \u201cI\u2019ll make an exception for you gentlemen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They left and Galen watched the door for a long moment before letting out the breath he didn\u2019t know he\u2019d been holding. It only felt right that he should warn Celeste, but he worried that they may be watching him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He went into the kitchen and put together a snack for her room with a note under the plate explaining what had happened. Galen carried it up to her room himself and set it down outside the door. He gave a quiet knock and began to walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He heard the door open, then a quiet hiss. \u201cGalen! Come quick!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rushed to the room and Celeste whisked him inside before grabbing the tray and pulling it in as well. She closed and locked the door behind her. Her hair was disheveled, her clothes rumpled. On the center of the bed the blankets were in a pile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told her about the men, and she nodded. \u201cThey\u2019ll probably be back. Don\u2019t change your story or add anything to it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She opened the pile on the bed and there, in a nest made of blankets, sat the largest egg he\u2019d ever seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I\u2019m protecting,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen moved closer and heard a faint scratching noise from the egg. It rocked on its own. \u201cHatching?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celeste nodded and lay down next to the egg, warming it with her body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Galen wasn\u2019t sure how long he stood there, transfixed, before the egg began to open at the top. A small egg tooth appeared first, followed by a dark green snout. After the unmistakable head emerged, the hatchling struggled to drag its leathery wings, clawed feet, and serpentine body free before collapsing next to Celeste. It breathed in short, quick breaths. As it warmed and dried out, it opened its eyes and began to chirp at the woman that petted its head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He watched as she chewed up a small piece of meat and dropped it into the waiting mouth of the hatchling. She made a cooing noise as she chewed the next piece and fed it. She kept this up until the hatchling slept again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she said. She pulled out another wad of bills like the first one. \u201cOne more week before it\u2019ll be strong enough to travel. Then we\u2019ll get out of your hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo hurry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to get out to the wild where he can hunt and be free,\u201d she said, stroking its head. \u201cIsn\u2019t that right, little Galen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLittle\u2026oh, you\u2014you didn\u2019t have to name him after me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe needed a name, yours was close to hand.\u201d She rose, careful not to disturb its sleep. \u201cNow, if you don\u2019t mind, I should return to my privacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCertainly.\u201d Galen returned to the desk and checked the ledger. He looked at the false name he\u2019d signed into the room, and scribbled in, \u201cand child.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

prompt:\u00a0Your\u00a0character runs an inn for resting mountaineers. It\u2019s a calm life, until they\u00a0encounter a twist of fate. available at Reedsy Galen had always had a warm welcome for visitors to his inn, until this one. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[208],"tags":[216,210,209],"class_list":["post-2338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-trunk-stories","tag-fantasy","tag-fiction","tag-short-story"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pxT7i-BI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2338"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2338\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2339,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2338\/revisions\/2339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.evardsson.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}