Meeting Ethel again

Morning arrived quietly at the Chestnut Inn. A soft light filtered through the front windows, cutting across dust motes and casting long slats of warmth onto the wooden floor. Behind the counter, Merra stood wiping spoons with a cloth, her movements slow, mechanical, almost meditative. A hum escaped her lips, a tune without a name, as steam curled from the pots in the nearby kitchen.

"Big Sis, breakfast is ready! Should we start waking up the guests?" a voice called from the back. It was a teenage girl, no older than sixteen, her brown hair tied back into a loose braid, apron slightly askew as she peeked her head out from the kitchen.

Merra blinked, pulled from her reverie, and looked up. She gave a small smile and nodded. "Yes, Alin. See if Raine is up. Let him handle the knocking today, would you?"

"On it!" the girl chirped, and with a skip in her step, she vanished down the hallway. A few seconds later, the muffled sound of a cheerful conversation followed by the faint thudding of light footsteps echoed through the upstairs corridor. Alin had fetched Raine, a shy boy of about ten, who flushed red when she kissed his cheek and handed him the task.

Merra shook her head as she returned to wiping utensils. "Hah. Youth. What a blessing and a handful."

Soon after, guests began trickling down the stairs, groggy and tousle-haired. Greetings were exchanged, coffee was poured, and the smell of breakfast began to mingle with chatter.

But there was one missing.

"That boy's a late riser, isn't he?" Merra muttered under her breath as she glanced toward the staircase.

Moments later, the wooden steps creaked. Liam appeared, dragging his feet slightly, rubbing his eyes. He let out a long yawn as he reached the bottom of the stairs.

Merra smirked.

"Late again, are we? Should I have sent Elli? I bet you'd have leapt out of bed in record time."

Liam gave her a tired look, scratching the back of his head. "Please don't start teasing me this early, Big Sis."

She chuckled. "Alright, alright. Come sit. Breakfast's still warm. Make it quick before you head out."

He gave a tired nod and made his way to the bench. A plate was already set out: garlic toast, two slices of bacon, and a boiled egg. Simple, hearty, warm. Liam dug in without a word, the food helping chase the fog of sleep from his mind.

As he ate, Merra leaned on the counter. "If you're serious about booking a carriage to Thornmere Hamlet, go find Ethel. He's on gate duty this week, and he knows everyone—merchants, peddlers, traders. If anyone can get you on a wagon without getting overcharged or stabbed mid-route, it's him."

Liam paused mid-chew and looked up. The unexpected warmth behind her words didn't go unnoticed. He swallowed, then nodded. "Thanks, Big Sis. I'll find him."

Merra gave a faint smile, then turned back to polishing. Liam finished his meal in silence, wiped his hands, and left the inn.

---

Outside the gates of Redfern Hollow, the morning bustle was already in full swing. Merchants haggled over grain prices, carts rolled by carrying barrels and crates, and travelers prepared for departure. Amid the noise, Liam moved steadily, watching, listening. His coin pouch had grown heavier again, six more gold pieces added to his stash, courtesy of the unexplainable "luck" that now seemed to follow his steps like a shadow.

But for now, his focus was elsewhere.

He scanned the crowd for Ethel, the town guard he had met upon arriving in Redfern. A tall man with a halberd and armor that looked more worn than ceremonial. Before Liam could even start asking around, a familiar voice called out.

"Oi! Liam, that you?"

He turned and spotted Ethel waving from a corner near the staging area where carriages were checked before departure. Liam approached quickly.

"Mr. Ethel, good morning. Nice to see you again."

Ethel snorted and slapped Liam on the back. "You sound like an old noble's butler. Just call me Ethel, alright?"

Liam gave a sheepish smile.

"Merra sent word this morning. Said you were looking for a ride to Thornmere. Figured I'd run into you if I waited around long enough."

Ethel grinned. "Smart, eh?"

Liam didn't reply, but he gave a respectful nod.

"C'mon. I know a guy. Trustworthy, not too chatty, and doesn't overcharge, at least not when I'm standing beside him."

Ethel led the way through the busy crowd, occasionally stopping to nod at familiar faces. As they walked, he glanced at Liam. "So, which academy you aiming for, kid?"

"Aetherreach Grand Academy."

Ethel came to a sudden stop and turned slightly to look at Liam, his brow furrowed in surprise.

"You're serious about this?"

Liam gave a quiet nod. "Yes."

The guard regarded him a moment longer, then exhaled through his nose. "Aetherreach. That's no ordinary academy." He folded his arms. "Floating island. Arcane teleportation. Those damned storm wards that chew through unlicensed ships. That's... quite the place you've set your sights on."

His eyes narrowed slightly, not in suspicion, but in curiosity. "Didn't take you for the academic sort. Or the ambitious one, either."

"I have my reasons," Liam replied, his tone level.

Ethel gave a thoughtful nod. "I won't pry. But if you're determined, then I wish you luck. You'll need more than just determination up there."

He turned, motioning for Liam to follow. "Come. I'll introduce you to someone reliable. Been running the Thornmere route for longer than I've worn this uniform."

They weaved through the traffic near the outer gate, passing merchant wagons and townsfolk hauling crates of dried vegetables. The road smelled of hay and leather. Horses shifted impatiently in their harnesses. Several carriages were clustered nearby, surrounded by packs of travelers and the clatter of metal buckles and wooden wheels.

Ethel raised his voice slightly. "Charlie! You around?"

A voice answered from behind one of the larger carriages. "In the flesh."

A man in his late forties stepped out from beneath the shade of the wagon's canopy. He wiped his hands on a faded cloth, removing the grease from the wheel axle he had likely been working on. His vest was well-worn, the blue faded from long travel. A wide-brimmed hat sat crooked on his head, casting a shadow over his eyes. His mustache twitched slightly as he smiled.

"Well, well. If it isn't Redfern's most diligent gatekeeper. Come to book a ride, or just here to borrow my tools again?"

Ethel allowed himself a short chuckle. "Neither. This young man here is looking for safe passage to Thornmere. Thought of you first."

Charlie studied Liam with an appraising eye. "He doesn't look like trouble. Quiet sort, eh?" He extended a hand. "Charlie Chapman. Trader, driver, and on good days, someone who knows which roads have the fewest potholes."

Liam took the hand and shook it. Charlie's grip was rough, solid, not for show, but the kind that came from actual labor.

"Liam Ashborn," he replied simply.

Charlie gave a small nod. "Pleased. I'm heading to Thornmere with a small convoy later today. Usual deal, five silver now, three on arrival. You'll be responsible for your own food. I don't ask what's in your bags, and you don't ask what's in mine. Sound fair?"

Before Liam could answer, Ethel interjected. "Big Sis Merra sent him. Asked me to find him a trustworthy ride."

Charlie scratched his stubbled chin. "Merra, eh? That's a name I don't take lightly. Fine, for her sake, let's make it three silver now, two when we get there. Consider it a favor."

Liam gave a small bow of his head. "Thank you. That's acceptable."

Charlie glanced toward the other carriages. "We'll be leaving just after mid-afternoon. I've got a few other wagons joining the route, some merchants, two mercenary groups, and a pair of traveling healers. Should be a decent mix. The more people, the less chance we get harassed."

Ethel nodded. "And for the record, Charlie's not just a driver. He's Grade C with a talking skill that can make merchants cry."

Charlie frowned. "That's a bit dramatic."

Ethel smirked. "Fine. Let's just say he's good at negotiating. But he won't cut corners. Not when someone's vouched for."

Charlie looked back at Liam. "You seem like the quiet type, and that's fine by me. Just don't fall behind when we're on the road. Five days to Thornmere, give or take."

"I understand," Liam said. "I'll be back before departure. I need to gather supplies."

Charlie gave him a nod. "Good. Bring enough water, some dry rations, maybe a tonic if you can afford it. Weather's been strange on the northern trail."

Ethel placed a hand on Liam's shoulder. "You'll do fine. Just remember, once you're on that floating island, it's a different world. But they've taken people from smaller places than Redfern before."

Liam gave a brief, rare smile. "Then maybe there's room for one more."

Charlie chuckled under his breath. "Well said. Go on then. Market's open. I'll be by the southern gate when it's time to leave."

Liam gave them both a final nod and turned back toward the town, already making a mental checklist, bread, dried meats, water flask, maybe a spare cloak if the nights turned colder. Potions were expensive, but he might talk his way into a discount.