Chapter 8

   The sun was high in the sky when Vilsarana began to move again. She sat up and looked around her. "Where am I?" She muttered. She looked to the purple flames and saw Arkus laying down on the ground. She stood up and went to wake him, but hesitated. "Maybe I should let him sleep." She walked outside and looked at the sky. She felt a pain on the side of her head and winced. "What happened last night?" She said, placing her hand on her forehead. She felt the shawl around her shoulders move and grabbed it. She held it in her hands and turned around, walking back into the cottage. She laid the shawl on top of Arkus, smiling. She moved to go back outside when Arkus grabbed her wrist. "You're awake," Vilsarana said.

   "Come down here." Arkus pulled her to the ground next to him. Vilsarana sat next to him and smiled. Arkus sat up and pushed her hair back. "Your neck. It's bruised. Are you okay?"

   "I'm okay. What happened last night?" Vilsarana asked.

   "You don't remember?" Arkus said. Vilsarana shook her head. "Oh. Um… you met my father. He tried to strike a deal with you. You refused and he attacked you. You passed out and I carried you here. I was so afraid," Arkus said. 

   "Oh. That explains my headache. Did he hurt you?" Vilsarana said, her smile turning to a frown.

   "No. He only chained me to a chair," Arkus replied. He sat up and wrapped his arms around Vilsarana. "I'm so happy you're okay." Vilsarana blushed and hugged him back. "We should probably get going soon," Arkus said releasing Vilsarana. As he saw her blushing face he laughed and smiled, his cheeks getting a little red. "Is it a little hot in here or is it just me?" He said nervously.

   "It might just be the fire. We should get moving. It's high noon and we don't have a lot of time," Vilsarana said. She stood up and held her hand out for Arkus to take. He grabbed her hand and pulled himself up. Arkus slid his shawl over his shoulders and clasped it shut as Vilsarana grabbed her sword from against the wall.

   "I think, since we need to get there quickly, we could fly. I know what I said earlier, but I think it might be a good decision for now. I can shapeshift into a bird or something and you can use your wings," Arkus said, stepping outside.

   "Okay then," Vilsarana said. She planted her feet on the ground and raised her wings. "Are you ready?" She asked. Arkus looked at her and nodded. As Vilsarana shot into the sky Arkus changed his form into a raven and flew up after her. 

   The sky was clear and the forest under them was green. Vilsarana looked at Arkus, flying at her side, and smiled. She looked ahead of her and saw the village in the distance. She pointed and began to fly a little faster. Arkus flew after her, following her lead.

   Vilsarana's feet touched the soft ground outside the village entrance. Arkus landed next to her, instantly changing back to his original form. "We're here," he said looking at Vilsarana.

   "Yep. We should find someplace to stay," Vilsarana said beginning to walk into the village.

   "Wait. We need to be careful. Who knows what could happen," Arkus said running to catch up with her.

   "We'll be fine. C'mon. I think I see an Inn!" Vilsarana said. She grabbed Arkus' wrist and dragged him behind her as she began to walk into the village. As they walked to the inn people stopped and stared. Vilsarana and Arkus approached the Inn and opened the doors.

   A young man sat at the desk playing with a pencil. He looked up as the door opened. He took one look at Vilsarana and smiled. As she looked at him, he perked up and dropped his pencil. "Oops," he said. He bent down to grab his pencil off the ground. As he looked back up, he saw Vilsarana directly in front of the desk. His chair slid out from under him and he fell to the ground.

   "Oh my! Are you okay?" Vilsarana questioned.

   "Yes. I'm okay," The boy said nervously as he scrambled to stand up. "I'm Calio. What's your name?"

   "I'm Vilsarana. This is my friend Arkus. We would like rooms please," Vilsarana said smiling.

   "There's only one room left," Calio said, smirking.

   "Does it have two beds?" Vilsarana asked.

   "No. Only one king size," Calio said.

   "I guess that'll have to do," Vilsarana replied.

   "How much?" Arkus asked.

   "Uh, no charge. Her beauty is enough," Calio said, smiling at Vilsarana. She smiled and brushed her hair back behind her ear. He grabbed the key off the wall and held it out. "Your beauty outshines the sun. How about tonight we have a picnic, and you show me what else about you is beautiful," Calio said, smirking as he looked Vilsarana up and down. She gasped and went to grab the key. Calio grabbed her wrist and dropped the key. "Come on. It'll be fun. And I want to see what's under that corset," He said, pulling her close. He brushed his hand across her neck and smiled. Vilsarana tugged her wrist from his grasp and backed away.

   "No!" Vilsarana said. Tears began to well in her eyes as she picked up the key off the floor.

   "C'mon sweetheart. No one says no to Calio," He said as he began to walk out from behind the desk. Arkus stepped in front of him. He grabbed Calio's shirt collar and slammed him against the wall.

   "You leave her alone! No means no. If I ever catch you touching her again, I will tear you apart, limb from limb," Arkus growled. Calio smirked and sighed. "Do you understand?" Arkus said. Calio nodded. Arkus dropped him and he fell to the ground. "Vil. Let's go to our room." Arkus walked up the nearby stairs and led Vilsarana to their room. Vilsarana slid the key into the lock and opened the door.