Chapter 38 038
Chapter 38
Thalia's POV
I woke up to sunlight streaming through the small window.
For a moment, I didn't know where I was. The ceiling was unfamiliar. The sounds were different. Then I remembered—Greystone. The inn. I'd left the pack three days ago.
My body ached as I sat up. Every muscle protested the movement. I looked down at my feet. The blisters looked worse in the morning light, red and angry against my skin.
I needed to take care of them before they got infected.
I stood up slowly and walked to the washroom down the hall. It was empty, thank god. There was a large basin with fresh water and some clean cloths stacked on a shelf.
I filled the basin and soaked my feet in the cold water. It stung at first, but after a few minutes, the pain dulled to something more manageable.
I cleaned the wounds carefully, trying to be gentle. When I was done, I tore strips from one of the cloths and wrapped my feet as best I could.
It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.
Back in my room, I ate the last of the bread from my pack. It was stale and tasteless, but I chewed it slowly and washed it down with water from the pitcher.
The innkeeper had mentioned breakfast. I should probably go down and get it before they stopped serving.
I put my boots back on, wincing as the leather pressed against the bandages. Then I made my way downstairs.
The front room was busier than it had been yesterday. A few people sat at small tables eating breakfast. The smell of cooked food made my stomach growl.
The innkeeper stood behind the counter. She looked up when I entered and nodded toward an empty table near the window.
"Sit," she said. "I'll bring you something."
I sat down and looked out the window. The street was more active this morning. People walked past carrying baskets or leading horses. A wagon rolled by slowly, its wheels creaking.
The innkeeper brought me a plate of eggs, toast, and some kind of meat. It wasn't fancy, but it was hot and it was real food.
"Thank you," I said.
She nodded and turned to leave, then paused.
"You passing through?" she asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Where you headed?"
I hesitated. "I'm not sure yet."
She studied me for a moment. Her expression wasn't unkind, but it was assessing. Like she was trying to figure out what my story was.
"Well," she said finally, "if you need work for a few days to earn some coin, Miller down at the general store is always looking for help. His daughter just had a baby and isn't around as much."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said.
She nodded again and walked away.
I ate slowly, savoring each bite. Real food tasted better than I'd expected after days of dried meat and stale bread.
When I finished, I sat there for a while longer, watching people through the window.
I thought about what the innkeeper had said. About work. About staying here for a few days.
I had enough coin for another night, maybe two if I was careful. After that, I'd need to figure something out. I couldn't keep wandering with no destination and no resources.
Maybe staying here for a bit wasn't a bad idea.
I stood up and left the inn.
The morning air was cool but not cold. The sun felt good on my face. I walked slowly down the main street, taking in the town properly for the first time.
Greystone was the kind of place where everyone probably knew everyone else. Small enough that a stranger would be noticed, but not so small that there was nowhere to go.
The general store was easy to find. It was one of the larger buildings, with big windows displaying various goods. A bell chimed when I pushed the door open.
Inside, the store was packed with supplies. Shelves lined the walls, filled with everything from tools to fabric to food. The smell of wood and spices filled the air.
An older man stood behind the counter, writing something in a ledger. He looked up when he heard the bell.
"Morning," he said. "Help you find something?"
"Are you Miller?" I asked.
"I am," he said.
"The innkeeper mentioned you might need help," I said.
He set down his pen and looked at me more carefully. "That so?"
"I'm passing through," I said. "But I could work for a few days if you need someone."
He was quiet for a moment, considering.
"What kind of work you done before?" he asked.
"General labor," I said. "I can lift, carry, organize. Whatever you need."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Pack life had involved plenty of physical work. I just wasn't going to mention the pack part.
Miller nodded slowly. "I could use someone to help restock shelves, move inventory from the back, maybe mind the counter when I need to step out. Nothing complicated."
"I can do that," I said.
"Pay's two silver a day," he said. "Fair?"
It was more than fair. "Yes."
"Alright then," he said. "When can you start?"
"Now, if you want," I said.
He smiled for the first time. "I like that attitude. Come on, I'll show you around."
Miller spent the next hour showing me where everything was kept and how he liked things organized. He was particular about the layout, but not unreasonable. Everything had its place, and he wanted it kept that way.
"My daughter usually helps with this," he explained as we moved boxes in the back room. "But she just had her first baby two weeks ago. Beautiful little girl, but it means I'm on my own for a while."
"Congratulations," I said.
"Thank you," he said, and his face lit up. "She's perfect. Got her mother's eyes."
We worked steadily through the morning. Miller was patient, explaining things clearly and not minding when I asked questions. The work was physical but not overwhelming. My feet hurt, but I pushed through it.
Around midday, a woman came in to buy flour and salt. Miller introduced me as his new helper, and she smiled warmly.
"Good to have extra hands," she said to Miller. "Especially with Margaret out."
After she left, a few more customers trickled in. I watched Miller interact with them, learning how he conducted business. He was friendly but efficient, and he clearly knew everyone who came through the door.
"You're doing good," Miller said during a quiet moment. "Better than I expected for your first day."
"Thank you," I said.
"You from around here?" he asked casually.
I'd been expecting the question. "No. I'm from further north."
"Traveling alone?"
"Yes."
He nodded, not pressing further. I appreciated that.
By late afternoon, my feet were throbbing despite the bandages. Miller must have noticed me shifting my weight.
"You can head out if you need to," he said. "We've got through most of what I needed done today."
"You sure?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said. He reached into a small box under the counter and pulled out four silver coins. "Here. Two for today, two as an advance for tomorrow if you're willing to come back."
I took the coins. "I'll be here."
"Good," he said. "Same time tomorrow morning?"
"Yes," I said.
I left the store and walked back toward the inn. The coins felt heavy in my pocket. It was strange how something so small could feel like security.
The innkeeper was at the counter when I walked in.
"How'd it go with Miller?" she asked.
"Good," I said. "I'm working for him for a few days."
She nodded approvingly. "He's a good man. Treats his workers fair."
"I noticed," I said.
"You'll want to stay another night then?" she asked.
"Yes," I said, and handed her three silver coins. "And maybe a few more after that, if you have room."
"I've got room," she said, taking the coins. "You planning to stay in Greystone a while?"
"Maybe," I said. "Just until I figure out where I'm going next."
She studied me again with that assessing look. "Well, you're welcome here as long as you need. Name's Ruth, by the way."
"Thalia," I said.
"Nice to meet you properly, Thalia," Ruth said. "You need anything, you just ask."
I went back upstairs to my room and sat on the bed.
The day had been long, but it felt different from the past few days. Productive. Like I'd accomplished something instead of just surviving.
I counted the coins I had left. Enough for a few more nights at the inn, plus food. If I kept working for Miller, I could actually build up some savings. Maybe even buy better boots and supplies.
I didn't know how long I'd stay in Greystone. A week, maybe two. Long enough to rest and figure out what came next.
For now, I had work. I had a place to sleep. I had food.
It wasn't the life I'd imagined having. It wasn't what I'd planned for.
But it was mine.
I lay back on the bed and closed my eyes. My body still ached, but it was the good kind of tired. The kind that came from honest work.
Tomorrow I'd go back to the store. I'd help Miller. I'd earn my keep.
And slowly, maybe, I'd figure out who I was supposed to be now that I wasn't part of a pack anymore.
The thought should have scared me.
Instead, it felt almost like relief.