In His Name

Chapter 16 - Worth it

The inn keeper's idea of a simple meal was still far grander than anything he was used to, warm vegetable stew and a hefty chuck of soft bread to dip in it. Rosco is used to infrequent meals and much smaller portions, so the equivalent banquet laid out before him has left him more queasy than hungry. He doesn't want to seem rude or ungrateful so he stows the bread in his coat for later and forces down as much of the stew as he can manage. What he did eat was delicious, but rich and flavorful in a way that only made his stomach more upset. Since he doesn't want to draw attention to himself and the too small amount he was able to eat, Rosco hides in a corner of the kitchen, watching the rest of the inn staff enjoying their own meals. He learned the old woman at the desk was Mrs. Rosewood and her husband Mr. Rosewood was master of the kitchens. Mrs. Rosewood bustled in and out, snacking while she worked. Mr. Rosewood keeping her well fed by hand feeding her morsels of whatever he was cooking every time she passed through. Every time she left the room the old man began gushing to anyone present (mainly Rosco because he was new.) about how lovely his wife is. How well she managed the business his father had left them. What a wonderful mother she'd been to their three now grown children. The other workers all roll their eyes at the lovesick look the old man throws at the door each time it closes behind his wife. Mouthing along to his stories with pinpoint accuracy so it's very clear he'd told them many, many times before.

Sitting in the corner by himself, Rosco finds himself gingerly twisting the ring on his thumb, blushing brightly when he realizes he's doing it. He gives an experimental tug, but the ring won't slide past his knuckle. He tries again, pulling on the ring with all his strength, but once again, little band of metal would not budge. Every attempt to remove the ring with no success, gives Rosco's faith in Hayden's word a little smore strength. By the time he gives up, a heat has solidified in his chest. A feeling almost tangible in nature, aching in a dangerously pleasant way.

Mrs. Rosewood pushed in, distracting her mister and Rosco took the opportunity to escape, heading out to meet Hayden behind the stables like they'd agreed.

The sun was just beginning to set, gray of night draining the world's colors. Outside the city everything had smelled of pine trees but here the scent was muddied, layered in with too many others. It smelled like people and horses and stove fires; the rich foods Mr. Rosewood had cooking away in his kitchen and sun heated hay.

Rosco rounds the corner to find Hayden sitting on the ground, leaning back against the wall of the stable, his hands resting easily in his lap. His posture is relaxed but the boy can see a wrinkle in between his closed eyes.

"Are you thinking about the missing kids?" Rosco asks, plopping down to sit in front of him.

Hayden blinks, tilting his head, "How did you know?"

The boy shrugs, fingers going to the band on his thumb, mindlessly twisting, "Just a guess, or that's what I was thinking about, so it was the first thing I said. Do you know where they are?"

"No," Hayden answers slowly, "I have a suspicion, but it would require further investigation."

"So, what do we need to do first?"

"First?"

"To find them."

The corner of Hayden's lips twitch into a sort of smile, "Aren't we already finding my sister?"

Rosco chews his lip, mulling it over, "We're multi-tasking." He decides.

"I can't spend the next thousand years here, solving every problem that comes at them." the god counters, they are more capable than they give themselves credit for. And whatever is wrong here, is most likely tied to the imbalances affecting everything. Like I said before, treating symptoms will not alleviate the cause. Would our time not be better spent finding the original source?"