The Kiss From a Dragon by C.D. Pennington

Author:C.D. Pennington [Pennington, C.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-15T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31 – Homeward Bound

It was almost dark by the time the sisters reached the apothecary’s premises, their way through the town lit by the flames of torches and the orange glow of lanterns. Mercifully, a dim light shone from the upstairs window of the shop. Jana had grown weaker still as they arrived, and Cerana had to all but carry her to the door. She tried the handle, but it was locked, so she used the flat of her hand to bang on the door, flakes of dried paint crumbling away as she did. When there was no immediate answer or signs of movement from the dark room inside, she banged harder.

“Darmon!” she yelled to the upstairs windows. “Are you in?”

The commotion caused a dog to bark from further down the street. “Darmon!” she called, banging again. Dismayed, as clearly Darmon was not there after all, Cerana helped a near-motionless Jana back to Winter. She had to drag her sister across the path to the horse, such was Jana’s swift decline.

Cerana realised she would never be able to get her sister back home in this state, so she had to find rest - and quickly. Luckily, there was a small inn just a little further down the road from where they stood. Cerana dragged her sister through its front doors and staggered inside. “I need help!” she announced. The inn was deserted aside from a middle-aged man and woman talking together behind the bar.

The man rushed round to help Cerana hold up a limp Jana. “Of course, what can we do?” he asked, wrinkling his nose at the odour of Jana’s clothes.

“I need a room for the night, with a bathtub,” Cerana replied. “And privacy.”

“Of course,” he said again. “Come with me. Do you require food?”

“Yes, that would be kind. And please, see to my horse, I’ve left her outside.”

“Certainly. Marion! Prepare these girls some supper and bring it to the room, and get Maz to sort out the horse,” he barked to the woman behind the bar. “Come, it’s just this way.”

The man, who had a balding head, an enormous nose and a pot-belly, led them to a passageway leading off from the main bar area, down a narrow corridor and into a vacant room. The room was narrow but long, and had two single beds with grey blankets next to the far wall. A dressing table, wooden chair, empty bookcase and metal bathtub were the only other items of furniture in the room, which was well lit by large candles and an oil lamp.

“The chair,” Cerana said sternly, and they placed Jana gently down on it.

“Is there anything else I can do for you, miss?” the innkeeper asked.

“Do you have moon syrup?” she asked.

“Err, yes, I believe so.”

“Please bring me a dose. And clean bandages.”

“Your friend, is she okay?” he inquired, a look of concern etched on his fat face.

“Please, just get me what I need,” Cerana snapped at him.

“Right away miss.” He nodded and scurried out of the room.

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