Chapter 11

As I continued down the stairs, a loud groan rang through the inn. I had stepped on the eighth plank in my morning stupor. Caen’s eyes snapped open. The old man had been napping, sitting up on one of the shaky front chairs. He looked like he wanted to strangle me for waking him up.

“Uh, hey.” I waved while sweating bullets and scuttling down the stairs.

His shout rang across the entire inn. “Girl!” There was a pause as I froze on the spot, before he cleared his throat.

“Charlotte. Snow’s falling.” His statement implied much. He expected answers from me, and one way or another, he would get them. I rushed over to placate his worries.

“I’ve got a plan!” I panted, whipping out my pack and frantically searching for my chart. He raised a hand, signaling for me to stop.

“I don’t need no chart. Ran through the whole thing last night with Aria. Tell me a plan.” Being put on the spot like this…I swallowed the butterflies in my stomach and tried to do my best.