It had taken Seth and Gloria two days to reach the top of the fjord. While it grew colder with each passing day, no heavy snow had come while Seth and Gloria were on the road. As they got closer to Westfjord, Seth felt the woman receding in his mind. Her presence remained within him, but she felt distant.

  Doesn’t matter to me, he thought staring down at the town below. I’m just glad for the break, he sighed in relief – his mind felt clearer than it had for the last week.

  The sun set behind them as they stood at the top of the cliff and stared down into the fjord. Westfjord rested at the bottom next to ?lskare Delar, the now-frozen river that cut between the cliffs. From here, Seth could barely see docked ships stuck fast in the river with their sails tightly furled.

  Wind brushed past his hair as Seth peered at the steep trail leading into town. Long way down, he thought, staring at the trail. Heights didn’t bother him; when he sailed into Stormvale two years ago, he enjoyed being in the crow’s nest. Another gust of wind pushed against him. But the wind and steepness of the path are a bit concerning.

  He looked over at Gloria. She gripped her coat tightly and hesitantly peered over the edge. Her face was pale, and Seth noticed her clenched hand tremble.

  “Do heights bother you?” he asked.

  Gloria shook her head and tried to give him a brave smile. “Not terribly.”

  Seth hid a smile. It bothered her more than she let on. He walked to the trailhead and started down the rocky path. “Stay close to me,” he said gesturing for her to follow. “We’ll take it slow.” Gloria gulped, but slowly followed him down the path.

  The wind pushed against the two as they descended the cliff face, but they steadily made their way down until they reached the bustling cobblestone streets of Westfjord and gazed around them. The stone buildings were tall and smooth, weathered from years of persistent wind. Bundled townsfolk hurried home, and shivering street vendors packed up shop.

  Hmm.. Seth thought, looking around him. Which way to the temple? Despite the darkening sky, Seth was eager to get some answers. But before he could start in a direction a voice called out him.

  “Ho there! You look like travelers looking for a place to stay!” Seth looked around and saw a blonde beardless dwarf striding up to them, a handful of pamphlets in his hand. “You should come to Lovers’ Respite!” The dwarf said, pressing a pamphlet into Seth’s hand. “Tonight, we’re hosting the magnificent Treedle, a bard all the way from Fremur! Dinner and drinks included if you stay the night!”

  Seth was about to hand the pamphlet back when Gloria peeked over his shoulder and shivered. “Sleeping somewhere warm would be nice for a change.”

  The dwarf smiled at her. “Not only is it warm, but we’ve also got good hearty food – perfect for strange weather such as this! You’d better hurry before they run out of beds!” Then the dwarf left to continue handing out his pamphlets.

  Gloria gripped Seth’s arm. “Do we have enough money? Can we go?” she asked hopefully.

  Seth looked at the paper. The cost to stay the night was reasonable, and hot food came with the bargain. His stomach growled and Gloria’s hand shivered against his arm.

  Seth pursed his lips, and his shoulders sagged. He really wanted to go to the temple tonight.

  Remember, he told himself. You’re not on your own.

  He sighed and looked back at her. She was cold, and they were tired and hungry. He nodded and put the pamphlet in his pocket. “Yeah,” he sighed. “We’ve got enough. Let’s go.”

  It wasn’t hard to find Lovers Respite, Seth noticed other people wandering through town with the same pamphlet in hand and followed them until he and Gloria reached a tall stone building with three spires accented with black oak timber. Warm light poured out of the windows and music drifted from the open door.

  “Come on!” Seth said, quickening his pace. Gloria ran behind him and the two squeezed through the packed door into the inn.

  Woah, Seth thought looking around at the crowded inn. That dwarf wasn’t joking. I hope we can get a room. The tables were nearly full. Bars maids danced through the crowd delivering bowls of steaming stew and tankards of ale and at one end of the room was a half-elf man – Tweedle, Seth guessed – playing a fiddle.

  Seth noticed a line forming by the bar, where an innkeeper stood writing in a book. He glanced back at Gloria, who was already starting to look much better in the roasting room. “I think we need to go here first,” he said, then they pushed their way through the crowd and patiently stood in line.

  When it was their turn, Seth stepped up to the innkeeper. She scribbled something in her book, before briefly glancing up at Seth and Gloria. “Are you staying the night or just enjoying the show?”

  “Staying the night,” Seth answered.

  The innkeeper handed Seth a key and scribbled another note in her book. “Third spire, on the third floor, second door on your right.” Seth took the key and tried to memorize the directions. “Three silver,” The innkeeper said holding out a hand.

  Seth rummaged in his money pouch and handed her the silver coins. The innkeeper took them, then gestured to the dining area. “Find yourself a seat and one of the girls will be by to give you and your wife some bread and stew.”

  Seth’s face instantly grew hot, and his voice caught in his throat. Those damned feelings were coming back! “Oh, she’s not-!”

  “He’s not my-” Gloria said at the same time.

  But the innkeeper had already moved on. “I can help who’s next!” The crowd shuffled Seth and Gloria away before they could finish correcting her.

  Seth looked at Gloria, his face flushing. “I-um…” he stammered before his throat went dry and he couldn’t speak.

  Gloria blushed and pulled at her hair before shrugging. “Mistakes happen,” she said before awkwardly looking away.

  I suppose… Seth thought, growing even more embarrassed. The air between them became stiff and awkward. He looked around the dining hall and fidgeted with their room key. A seat… Dinner. We need to eat…Yes! Focus on that!

  He cleared his throat then looked around him and put the key in his pocket. “Should…should we find a table?” He tried to smile at her.

  Gloria tucked a curl behind her ear and nodded. “That…that sounds like a good idea.”

  Seth spied a couple of seats on a long bench at a table near the hearth. He grimaced – It would be hot for him. He glanced at Gloria. But I bet she’d appreciate it.

  “Follow me,” Seth said, starting to push through the crowd. “I think I found us a couple of seats.” He shoved his way through until he reached the bench, then he approached the gap and noticed two hulking men sitting on either side. “Excuse me?” he asked. “Is anyone sitting here?”

  The men turned back and gave Seth once over before giving him a death glare. Seth nervously took a step back. "Okay then,” he answered. “Sorry to have troubled you."

  He was about to look for two new seats when Gloria stumbled through the crowd to his side. “Sorry!” she panted. “I got stuck behind a couple of people.”

  She looked at the seats that Seth had found. “Oh, this spot looks lovely.” She looked at the two men. “Are these taken?”

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  The glares on the men’s faces vanished and they both shook their heads. “Oh, no miss," they said in unison, their tones suddenly brightening, "the seat next to me is open.”

  “Oh excellent,” Gloria said breathlessly, then she looked back at Seth, beaming. “Which seat did you want?”

  Seth glanced back at the two men. He didn’t like their sudden friendliness; something about their tone shift bothered him. “I don’t know…” he muttered to Gloria and cast a quick glance about the dining hall, surely there was an alternative, but there didn’t seem to be any other spots open.

  “I’ll sit here then,” Gloria said taking the seat on the left.

  If she sits there, we’ll bump elbows, Seth thought. His chest tightened slightly and for some reason, the idea didn’t sound so bad, but he wasn’t sure why. “Alright,” he said sitting down.

  As soon as Seth was settled on the bench, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The raging fire in the hearth was already becoming uncomfortable. He tried to subtly wipe his brow. Gloria needs the warmth, he reminded himself.

  Then Seth flicked his gaze between the two men. The man on Seth’s right looked disappointed and turned back to his food, but the man on Gloria’s left eyed her with a hungry curiosity. Seth narrowed his eyes – he’d need to keep an eye on him.

  A moment later, a barmaid came by with two bowls of stew and bread in one hand and two tankards of mead in the other. She set them down in front of Seth and Gloria. “Enjoy!” she said, before walking off.

  Seth picked up the mead and took a long swig, the cool drink washing down his throat. After the long trek today, it felt good to drink something sweet. Soon a burning fire from the mead radiated through him. He put the tankard down and blinked – his head felt a little fuzzy.

  Then to his left, Seth heard a gravelly voice speak. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?” he looked over and saw the man on Gloria's left, leaning on one hand and holding a tankard of mead in the other. The man pushed back oily black hair and Seth watched as his gaze traveled up and down Gloria.

  Seth clenched the handle of his tankard and glared at the man. Something burned within him, he couldn’t put his finger on it, but something about this guy just irked him.

  Gloria blew on her stew and took a bite. “Just here to spend the night,” she answered, curtly.

  The man inched closer and tried to make eye contact. “You got a name, love? My name’s Agmundr.” Seth noticed Gloria’s hand tighten around her spoon and she tried not to make eye contact. Nope — He decided he hated the guy now.

  “You know,” Agmundr went on, now eyeing Gloria’s hair. “You don’t see too many humans with hair like yours, makes me think of-”

  Gloria slammed her spoon on the table and sharply turned to Seth. “This is some good stew, Seth!” she said with a forced smile. "Have you tried it yet?"

  “Not yet,” Seth answered glaring at the bastard.

  Agmundr shifted his attention to Seth, sized him up, then smirked. “You know," he said straightening. "In Westfjord, it’s customary to share a drink when you share dinner with a stranger.” He grinned, showing rotting teeth. “Care for a drink, stranger?”

  Seth narrowed his eyes. “I’d be glad for one.”

  Agmundr signaled to a passing barmaid, who came by and refilled their drinks. He raised his tankard high. “What should we toast to first?” he asked. “Ah! To the Lovers Respite! Skal!” Then he tipped his tankard back and began to chug, dribbles of mead trickling down his bearded chin.

  Two can play at that game. Seth grimaced, then raised his own mug. “Skal!” He toasted and started to chug his drink as well, but he coughed and sputtered as mead went down the wrong pipe. He quickly glanced at Agmundr and watched his movements. Seth copied him and soon he found his rhythm.

  Soon, both Agmundr and Seth slammed their mugs on the table and glared at each other. The sound resounded throughout the entire inn and a few heads turned their way, but Seth didn't care. He was focused on only one thing– beating Agmundr.

  Agmundr laughed. “Not bad for a beginner. How about another?”

  The warm mead made Seth feel bold. “As long as I get to make the next toast,” he said with a confident grin.

  Gloria shifted uncomfortably between them and fidgeted with her hair. She nervously turned to Seth. “Seth, you should eat something – we had a long day."

  “In a minute,” he answered, not breaking eye contact with Agmundr. He held out his tankard for a refill and held it up for a toast. “To Weath-” Seth’s stomach dropped and he caught himself just in time. “To Westfjord!" he corrected. "Skal!”

  Agmundr laughed and held his tankard high. “To Westfjord! Skal!”

  Seth drained his second drink and slammed it on the table. His head now was full-on buzzing, and the inn was beginning to spin around him. What are you doing? he scolded himself. That was too close! Stop! You’ve never drunk this much before! But Seth found himself already holding out his tankard for a third drink. I’m not stopping now! he thought, raising his tankard.

  “To The Fjord Plains!” Agmundr toasted. “Skal!”

  Seth held his tankard high. “To The Fjor...Plains!” Seth paused, why did his tongue feel funny?

  "Slowing down?" Agmundr taunted.

  Seth glared back. "Of course not," he slurred, his tongue felt like it was swimming through molasses. "I'm just giving the toast a proper pause of respect. Skal!" He raised the tankard to his lips and started to chug. This one took a bit longer to drain.

  Come on, Seth! he thought, pushing himself. Don't let this stupid bastard win! Finally, he drank the last drop, and slammed the tankard down on the table again, this time a bit harder than he meant to.

  He looked up at Agmundr with a victorious smirk. "See?" The table wavered in front of him.

  “Seth…" Seth looked up into Gloria's concerned face. "You’ve proved your point now." She nudged his stew towards him. "Please! Eat something or at least drink some water!"

  Seth grinned stupidly at Gloria. The firelight cast an elegant glow on her red curls and the flickering flames sparkled in her eyes. She was... “So pretty,” he mumbled.

  Gloria’s eyes widened and her cheeks turned bright pink. “What did you just say?” Her voice was a mix of surprises and something else Seth couldn’t put his finger on.

  His heart froze and he clutched his tankard tight. Did I say that out loud? He wasn’t sure! Seth swallowed and could barely hear Agmundr laughing.

  Gloria blinked and shook her head, regaining her composure. Then she rose from her seat and glared at both men. “Alright, that’s enough!” she cried. “Look at the two of you!”

  Seth looked from Gloria to Agmundr. His eyes looked a little bloodshot, but he grinned. “Is she always this cute when she’s angry?” Seth stammered and blushed.

  Gloria, however, growled and grabbed Seth by the arm. “We’re going now before you can’t walk.” Then she stormed through the crowd, pulling Seth with her.

  Seth stumbled after her. Wow…she’s strong!

  Agmundr laughed after Seth. “Looks like tonight’s going to be fun for you, boy!”

  Fun? Seth blinked. What did he mean by that? He started to whirl back to demand an answer, but Gloria yanked him along behind her.

  “Gloria?” Seth slurred, stumbling through the crowd. “Where…where are we going?”

  Gloria dragged him to the bottom of the steps, then she spun around and held her hand out. “Key!" she demanded. "Now!”

  Seth patted his pockets. Where did he put the key? Ah! Yes! He pulled it from his pocket and handed it to Gloria. She snatched it from him, then pulled him up the stairs. As they climbed the staircase, Seth stared at her vibrant bouncing red curls. They made him think of a rolling river at sunset. "Your hair…” he mumbled. “It’s so pretty…”

  Gloria tripped on a stair and Seth noticed her shoulders tense. He frowned. “Are…you alright?”

  Gloria didn’t answer, she tightened her grip on Seth’s arm and continued up the stairs. Concern filled Seth. “Gloria?” he said, tripping up the steps. “What’s the…matter?” No answer.

  When they reached their room, Gloria let go of Seth, pulled the key out, and struggled to unlock their door. Seth swayed, before falling and catching himself on the hall wall. Is she mad? he wondered, watching Gloria’s red face. “Did I do something to upset you?” he asked breathily.

  Gloria avoided his eyes and finally opened the door. “Go…” she pointed inside. “Go wash up and lay down!”

  “But…” Seth slurred again. His vision was getting blurry.

  Gloria rolled her eyes and sighed. Then she took his arm and pulled him into the room. Gloria sat him on the bed, then went to a pitcher and bowl. “Honestly!” she exclaimed, pouring water into the bowl. “What were you thinking?” she scolded and wet a washcloth.

  The room spun around Seth, and he lay down. “I had to,” he said, struggling to speak.

  Gloria came over and placed the washcloth on his forehead. Seth wished he could feel the coolness of it right now; it would make him feel so much better.

  “No, you didn’t,” she replied. “He was just being a harmless flirt.”

  Seth closed his eyes and hoped it would stop the spinning. His stomach began to churn. “He was bothering you.” He was began to feel nauseous. “I had to do something."

  “Getting drunk isn’t exactly the first thing I would think of,” Gloria retorted.

  Before Seth could say anything else, he put a hand to his mouth – all that mead was about to come up. He heard Gloria run and grab something. When she came back, Seth rolled over and threw up. He opened his eyes and saw Gloria holding a chamber pot with his vomit swirling in it. She raised an eyebrow at him.

  Seth squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment. “Sorry,” he groaned lying back.

  Gloria sighed and put the chamber pot down. “The thought was sweet,” she said, touching a hand to his cheek. “But you really didn’t need to do that for me.” Seth opened his eyes and saw Gloria smile faintly at him.

  She took her hand away and started to pull the blankets around him. “You should get some rest. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

  “Wait!” Seth tried to sit up. “You should get the bed.” As soon as he sat up, fatigue and dizziness hit him. He put a hand to his head and groaned again.

  Gloria gently laid him back and shook her head. “I’ll be fine,” she whispered, trying to soothe him. “I’m used to sleeping on hard surfaces.” Then she began to draw a sigil and a faint golden glow shimmered around her hand.

  Seth struggled against the blankets and her tender touch. “No…” he tried to sit up again. “I can’t let you sleep on the-” Before he could finish, Gloria reached out and touched his forehead.

  A comforting warmth overtook Seth like a gentle embrace, and he felt his eyes drooping shut. “I’ll be alright,” he heard her say as sleep dragged him down. “You need it more than me anyway.”