Chapter 43 - Forty Three
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dusty road. The carriage rattled on, the rhythmic clatter a lullaby against the backdrop of chirping crickets and the melancholic hooting of an owl. Hours had melted away since they had departed the castle, and both Ryan and Suzy felt the fatigue settling in.
"We should find an inn for the night," Ryan announced, his voice slightly raspy from the dry air. "We won’t make it to the palace before nightfall."
Suzy, who had been lost in a book – a borrowed romance novel that had her cheeks flushed with a mixture of amusement and scandal – looked up with a start. "An inn?" she echoed, surprised. "But won’t that delay our arrival?
"Only by a day," Ryan replied. "It wouldn’t be wise to travel in the dark, especially on these roads."
Suzy couldn’t argue with his logic. She nodded in agreement, a yawn escaping her lips. Travel, especially in such an uncomfortable carriage, was more tiring than she had anticipated.
The coachman, alerted by Ryan’s command, cast a practiced eye around. "There’s The Wandering Stag a few miles ahead, Your Grace," he announced. "A decent establishment, clean and with good food."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. The Wandering Stag wasn’t exactly renowned for its luxury, but it would have to do. "Very well," he said. "Steer us there."
The last rays of sunlight faded as they approached the inn. A two-story building with a thatched roof and a creaky wooden sign depicting a rather ungainly stag, it wasn’t imposing, but it did emanate a certain rustic charm.
The carriage came to a halt with a flourish of dust. Ryan emerged first, his tall figure silhouetted against the darkening sky. He turned and offered Suzy a hand down, a gesture that was both unexpected and oddly considerate.
"Thank you," Suzy murmured as she took his hand, her fingers brushing against his skin. A jolt of unexpected warmth shot through her, sending a blush creeping up her cheeks.
The innkeeper, a portly man with a perpetually surprised expression, greeted them with a booming voice. "Welcome, travelers! The Wandering Stag at your service!"