SELENE POV
A towering brick wall stood strong and imposing. People carrying baskets and pulling wagons moved in and out of a big metal gate.
"Wow, that's huge," Katherine exclaimed, her mouth wide open.
" It's good that we changed our clothes," I said, scanning the people's clothing. Women wore long robes while men wore tunics. I felt like I was at a film set -except I'm in the real deal.
"Yes we would have stood out like a sore thumb" Katherine said, nervously looking around.
"We are going to enter the kingdom now." Eve said, facing us " The knights standing over there are going to search us".
"Alright," I said walking towards the gate, rubbing my chin.
"What brings you to Camelot?"
"To exchange monster cores," Eve said, her voice firm.
"You can do that anywhere, Elf. So why here?"
"I don't think that's your business" Eve said, her eyes looking down at the knights.
" Why, you_"
"Let her go, we can't start trouble," whispered a fellow knight.
"Are both of them with you?" he said, pointing at us.
"Yes, they're my companions," Eve said, calmly.
" Enter!"
We quickly followed Eve into the bustling kingdom. I looked at the thatched houses, and wooden stalls in awe. I could hear the sound of hammers, vendors shouting, the sound of animals and most importantly the aroma of food in the air. It made me feel hungry, yes it did. I haven't eaten real food for days.
"Eve please can we eat" Katherine said, saliva slipping out of the corner of her mouth as she stared at the pork in the corner.
The pork was also making my mouth water. I turned towards Eve, blinking at her. " Can we, please"
" I thought you guys don't like meat," Eve said, folding her hands.
"That's not true! This meat does not compare to that earthy, gummy meat we have been eating." Katherine said, her shoulder slouching.
Eve sighed and walked towards the vendor, untying a little tiny sack tied to her waist. " How much is for three sticks of pork"
"Ten coppers, miss"
"It's too much, can't you give me for eight copper coins," Eve said, looking at the pork.
"Miss I can't, I can only give you for nine"
"Hmm, sure. Wrap it up"
"No!!'' Katherine and I shouted in unison.
Some people stopped in their tracks when they heard our shout, glanced at us and walked away.
" You don't have to wrap it up , just give it to us like that" I said, picking up one stick of pork.
Katherine took one and Eve requested for hers to be wrapped up.
The aroma of the pork in my hands made my stomach growl in anticipation. I quickly took a bite. Yes, salvation.
"Are you guys seriously crying?" Eve said, speechless.
"You won't understand. This is the first normal thing we've eaten since getting to this godforsaken place" Katherine said, her eyes moist.
I nodded my head in agreement, wiping away the tears in my eyes. Of course I'm crying because of the meat. Even though there's not much seasoning in it apart from salt and herbs. It's still tasty.
Eve stared at us, shaking her head as she walked forward. We trailed behind her while devouring our meat with no class. I didn't care. It's someone that has a filled tummy that can be embarrassed.
"You can stop licking your hands now, Katherine," Eve said, glancing at Kathy.
"It's my hand, so it doesn't matter what I do with it," Katherine said, her tongue licking her fingers with gusto.
"Ugh, let's go to an inn and get freshen up" Eve grimaced, trying not to look at Kathy. I'm sure she is very embarrassed right now.
However, we don't care.
In front of us, a wooden house that looks like it has passed its prime stood.
Eve stared at the house for a few moments. "We will stay here"
"Then let's go, I really need a bath," Katherine said.
"Me too," I said, sniffing my body. Trust me you won't like to be near me right now, that's how bad it is.
"How much for a room?"
"One silver coin"
"Can we have a room that's enough for three people?" Eve said, her finger tapping on the wooden counter.
"Yes"
"And please make sure we have water " Eve said, scanning around the inn.
The people sitting around the inn keep glancing at us. I think it's because of Eve after all she is very beautiful. My teeth ached and a warm sensation was blooming at my back.
"Let's go"
We climbed the creaking steps to our room.
"It's only a single bed and a dirty old cupboard here" Katherine said, her tired eyes moving around the room.
"What do you expect?" Eve said in confusion.
"Where we're from hotels is not like this" I said, gently sitting on the old bed.
"Hotel?"
"I mean inn" I said
"What's it like?"
"I will tell you some other time" my eyes barely staying open.
"Where's the bathroom?" Katherine said, stark naked, two towering peaks standing. " I really stink like rotten eggs, right now"
"Over there" Eve said pointing to the left corner of the room.
"Where is the tap or shower head?" Katherine said , walking out of the bathroom. "The only thing in there, is a big bucket of water and a small bowl"
"What's a shower head?"
"Are you kidding me, Kathy? After everything you went through and saw, what made you think there's a shower head here" I said , my gaze on her in disbelief.
"Can't I wish they do" Katherine said, going back into the bathroom. " Eve, where is the soap,"
"If it's not there then they don't have it. Soap is expensive, not everyone can afford it" Eve said, lying down with her arms stretched out on the bed. "Use the water and cloth there to scrub".
"What has my life turned into? Even Cinderella took a bath with soap" Katherine said, her voice sounding sad.
"Kathy, hurry up," I said, scratching my shoulder. Why do my fingernails feel sharper? They weren't like that before.
"You can use it now," Katherine said, drying her hair with an old, rough towel. She frowned at the dress on the floor . "Wait, what are we going to wear? I'm definitely not putting that stinking dress back on. Not after finally washing up."
"Let me ask the innkeeper if she has spare clothes to sell," Eve said, getting to her feet. She paused at the door, her pointed ears twitching slightly at the noise below before she slipped out of the door.
The damp dress slid down my body . I stepped into the bathroom. The cold water from the bowl startled me, but as it dripped down my spine, it soothed the persistent, low warmth that emanated from my back. "Mmm…" A sigh of relief escaped me. That's it.
I walked out with one of the inn's towels wrapped tightly around me.
"What's our next plan?" Katherine asked, picking at her teeth with a fingernail _a habit from when she was nervous. "Now that we're not running for our lives or starving."
"To meet the person Eve told us about," I said, lying down on the creaky worn out bed. The woody smell and noise downstairs was oddly comforting compared to the forest . "He might know how to get us home."
"What if he doesn't?"
"Then we find my supposed aunt," I said, the words feeling strange and heavy in my mouth.
"I can't believe this is real," Katherine muttered, not for the first time, staring at the wooden floor.
"Me too," I whispered, my voice barely audible as my eyes closed.
________________________________________
EVE POV
They are already asleep. I stared at the two of them sleeping with a towel tied to their chest, without any care in the world.
The first day I saw them in the forest, looking so lost and confused. In weird clothing and shoes I have never seen before. It wasn't their explanation that made me believe them but their reaction to everything. " Mmm" a sigh escaped from my lips " why did I agree to help them" I muttered beneath my breath.
I just decided to help them on a whim but now I'm curious to find out about them, especially Selene. My gaze fixed on her. She looks unreal. People kept staring at her immediately as we stepped into Camelot. She was so oblivious of all the glances on her.
"Ugh" It's time to take a bath. I quietly entered the bathroom, splashing water on my skin "We have to meet Alford tomorrow" I whispered, my fingers untying knots in my hair.
The dress is a nice fit. "should I wake them up to dress." I wondered, sitting on the edge of the bed. " No, let them sleep and dress tomorrow." I placed my hand on Selene.
Her body is very warm.
"Selene, who are you?" I murmured, the moonlight from the window casting a long shadow across the wooden floor .
I will find out who you are.