Racing Towards The Ol' Hotel

The trudge through the woods still wasn't as miserable as the run out of the undermanned quarry, with Lero chopping down the branches in their way with a small machete. Behind him, Keru kept focused on the map in hand, making sure they were moving in the right direction of the nearest town. Allegedly, that was around two miles away from their current location, heading north.

"This is the right way, right?" Lero repeated the last word just to make sure.

"I mean, I would think so."

"What do you bloody mean by that?" he continued onward, despite slowing down.

"Based on the position of the marked streams and rivers, as well as the position of the sun, I would think that we're moving where we need to go." Keru stared him down, as the man looked back at her for a few seconds.

"As you say then. Better be right too." Lero finally responded back, as he cut down a large log in one swoop cleanly in the middle.

Not responding back to him, the pair continued to move about within the thick woods, dealing with the elements that they were greeted with. The sun was hard to find, as the clouds from the night before stayed above them most of the time, holding up any possible showers that were yet to come. The march on the wet muddy dirt and grass was already difficult enough to cross through, but the even smaller creeks not marked on the map made the journey harder.

Several minutes of slashing through the terrain later had only led them to a small open field and thinning trees which gave way to a larger opening and a small paved road. At least it was a sign of life before a loud crunch interrupted Lero's observation. Turning quickly to the sound, the man was about to pull the hunting rifle off his shoulder, only to see Keru biting into an apple and looking up to see his reaction.

"All that walking has made me pretty hungry. I'm so sorry for that." she ended with some sarcasm before walking past the man. "Anyway, the map's indicating that if we follow the road here, we'll make it to the small town of Hersk. Hopefully a nice hotel and a hot shower finally!"

"Or even better, some good bloomin' food to fill me belly." Lero added with a smile, as his stomach growled from hunger.

"I guess we best start to hurry too." Keru looked above to see some darker clouds roll above. "I do not wish to be in the rain anymore."

Before Lero was able to move, Keru rushed past him and onto the open road, before waving him down. There was no way, she had all that pent-up energy now, but one could guess the determination to finish this adversity was quite powerful at that moment.

"First one there doesn't have to pay!" he could her shout from ahead, as the man finally made his way onto the road himself.

I guess he didn't really have a choice either on taking his time, as a drop of water landed on his cheek. The signs of rain were now coming down, literally, and that answer to his question would be solved rather quickly as a result. If she wanted a challenge, the man would give her one, Lero could not help but chuckle, before starting to sprint on the wet road.

.....

The Hersk Hotel was rather quiet on this weekday, as it usually was. Traffic to the town was often bare besides the small local population, with those only stopping by for either family or a quick stop. There was simply nothing to do around here unless hunting. In fact, most of what the people here did for a living revolved around agriculture or hunting for money and left little room for improvement. Nothing of the sort could keep tourists here in the long run, which brought quite the shock when a flash of lightning conveniently struck just as the door to the hotel opened up.

The sole manager and employee of the establishment almost jumped in fright as the silhouettes of two people hovered over the doorway for a few seconds, before moving inside. Seeing what they actually looked like, actually had calmed them down, as both Lero and Keru were soaking from head to toe moving through the area, whilst also trying to finish their race first.

"I think I won that." Lero let out a sigh of relief, as Keru grabbed his arm.

"Nah, I know I really won that. I was already ahead." she stared down at his face, "You gotta be better than that."

"Uh, hey guys?" the manager interrupted their conversation with the wind from outside closing the door for them, "Can I interest you in a room?"

"Oh, yeah that's what we came here for." Lero started off, "How much for many a week or so?"

"About 450 Youds."

"Alright, sounds like we can arrange that." Lero nodded in agreement, before turning towards the woman still holding onto him, "Hey, we're going to have to pay no-."

"I am aware, even though I shouldn't have to be the one doing so," she fit a quick peck to his cheek before pulling out the luggage, "I'm really just ready to finally end this charade and feel the comfort of a shelter once again. Thank you."

"I'm just as ready as you are." Lero grinned with excitement, as he watched Keru pull out the stolen money needed for the room.

From here they could finally plan out their next objectives or even what to really do at the current moment. The possibilities were endless for the duo, as now guarantee warmth and shelter of a build was going to do wonders for the body and mind. It was simply what they both needed.