Resting At An Inn

The sun was still low on the horizon as Garnetta and Raphael made their way down the narrow mountain path that led away from the monastery. The crisp morning air was a welcome relief after the intense heat of the ritual chamber, and Garnetta breathed deeply, feeling the coolness fill her lungs and soothe her weary body. The relic, now securely bound to her will, rested lightly against her chest, its presence a constant but no longer overwhelming sensation.

Raphael walked beside her in silence, his expression thoughtful as they descended into the valley below. The monastery had been a place of refuge and discovery, but now it was behind them, and the path ahead was filled with uncertainty. Garnetta could feel the weight of the journey that still lay before them, the challenges they would face in America, and the inevitable confrontation with the figures from her vision.

They reached the foot of the mountain just as the sun began to rise fully, casting long shadows across the landscape. The small village at the base of the mountain was still shrouded in the early morning mist, the streets quiet and empty. It was a peaceful scene, one that stood in stark contrast to the turmoil that churned within Garnetta's mind.

Raphael paused at the edge of the village, his gaze sweeping over the buildings with a thoughtful expression. "We should rest here for a while before we continue," he said, his voice calm but firm. "You've been through a lot, Garnetta. You need to regain your strength before we move on."

Garnetta nodded, though her mind was already racing ahead, thinking about their next steps. The ritual had taken its toll, but the knowledge that the relic was under her control gave her a sense of confidence that she hadn't felt in a long time. She was eager to move forward, to face whatever challenges lay ahead, but she knew Raphael was right—they needed to be cautious, to prepare for the journey that still awaited them.

They found a small inn on the edge of the village, its doors just beginning to open for the day. The innkeeper, a kindly older woman with a warm smile, welcomed them inside and showed them to a modest but comfortable room on the second floor. The room was sparsely furnished, but it was clean and quiet, a perfect place to rest and gather their thoughts.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Garnetta sank onto the bed, exhaustion finally catching up with her. Her body ached from the strain of the ritual, and her mind was still reeling from the intensity of the experience. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet of the room wash over her, and for a moment, she allowed herself to simply rest.

Raphael moved quietly around the room, setting down their belongings and checking the windows to ensure they were secure. His presence was a comforting one, and Garnetta was grateful for his calm, steady demeanor. He had been her anchor throughout this entire journey, guiding her through the darkness with a sure hand, and she knew she wouldn't have made it this far without him.

After a few minutes, Raphael sat down in the chair by the window, his gaze turning to Garnetta. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Garnetta opened her eyes, meeting his concerned gaze. "Tired," she admitted, her voice soft. "But relieved. The relic… it's different now. I can still feel its power, but it's… quieter, more controlled."

Raphael nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "You did well, Garnetta. The ritual was difficult, but you handled it with strength and determination. The relic is under your control now, and that's no small feat."

Garnetta managed a small smile in return, though the weariness in her bones made it hard to maintain. "Thank you, Raphael. I couldn't have done it without you."

Raphael's expression softened, and he reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "You're stronger than you know," he said quietly. "But we're not finished yet. We have a long journey ahead of us, and the challenges we'll face in America will be even greater than what we've seen so far."

Garnetta nodded, her thoughts drifting to the future. The journey to America was a daunting one, filled with unknowns and dangers that she couldn't fully anticipate. But she was ready to face it, to confront whatever lay ahead with the strength and determination she had gained from the ritual.

"We should rest for a few hours," Raphael suggested, his voice breaking through her thoughts. "Then we'll make plans for the journey ahead. We'll need to secure passage to America, and we'll need to be careful—there are still those who might seek to stop us, or to take the relic for themselves."

Garnetta agreed, though sleep was the last thing on her mind. The ritual had left her drained, but her mind was still racing with thoughts of what was to come. She knew she needed to rest, to gather her strength, but the anticipation of the journey ahead made it difficult to relax.

Still, she forced herself to lie down, closing her eyes and willing her body to relax. The bed was soft and comforting, and the quiet of the room lulled her into a state of drowsy calm. As she drifted off to sleep, her thoughts lingered on the relic, its power now a part of her, bound to her will. The challenges ahead would be great, but Garnetta was ready to face them—no matter the cost.