A couple traversed over the hills and through forests, carrying heavy packs along with them. Other travelers might have presumed them to be a husband and wife, albeit a rather unusual marriage. The woman wore armor and looked rather rugged compared to her partner, who was obviously unaccustomed to traveling on foot. He walked slower and was noticeably winded despite carrying a lighter load than she was.
"How much further must we go?" Francis asked, growing weary of carrying a heavy bag full of coin and loot. It was only the first day of traveling, but he could already tell he wasn't going to enjoy this journey. "Couldn't we have gotten a carriage on our way out of England?"
"Quit your whining." Morgana said back, hardly a sign of fatigue in her voice. "The horses would just get spooked by my wolf form and run off into the night, then what? Would I draw the bloody carriage myself?"
"You certainly have the strength of a horse..."
"You have some horse-like qualities yourself." She said back, before looking at the sky. It was a cloudy day, the sky mostly appearing white with some twinges of grey, but she was able to figure out the sun's position. "Besides, you'll get your rest soon. It won't be too much longer before the sun sets."
"I grow weary of sleeping in a tent..." he sighed "I miss warm beds and eating fresh meals regularly...is there an inn coming up?"
"I got my hands on a map, but it doesn't list such things. Just rivers, mountains and cities." Stopping for a brief moment, she pulled out the map in question and looked at it again. "This road should connect us with several towns and cities. I had considered running all the way to the Highlands, but we'd be lucky if we even made it to Glasgow if I'm dragging your useless arse the whole time. We may have to settle for a smaller place in the Lowlands, maybe..." she squinted at the map "what does that say, anyway?"
"Perhaps the literate person should be holding the map." He said, taking it from her and looking at it himself. "I'd also feel safer if we were further from the border, but I can already tell this journey is going to make me quite miserable." The map was not nearly as detailed as he would have preferred, but it was better than trying to map things out in his head or working off memory. "Perhaps Dumfries is a safe bet." He announced, placing his finger on the location. "It's closer, but it still has some distance from the border."
"Ah, good. Dumfries it is, then." She picked up her things again. "Now let's hurry and make some headway. The quicker we move, the sooner this will be over."
"Fine." He rolled the map and put it in his pack, before resuming their long trudge.
After traveling a little longer, they finally did come up on a roadside inn. The sight of the wooden building with little stacks of smoke coming out its chimneys was like seeing a vision of angels in the dawn.
"Ah, see?" Francis smiled. "There is an inn! Why don't we stop there?"
"Hm..." Morgana didn't want to admit it, but the idea of having a bed and a hot meal sounded nice. Although, there was something of a glaring problem. "Perhaps, but aren't we forgetting my wolf form? An inn feels risky to me."
"You can just stay in our room after dark, I'll cover for you."
"I suppose. Well, might as well take the chance. No use in having stolen coin if we can't spend it sometimes."
He nodded. "And of course we'll need a cover story. We'll convince everyone we're a husband and wife, and I'll say you're not feeling well if anyone asks about why you disappeared into our room. I'd play the part of a delightful husband, don't you think my wild wolf?"
"You're hopeless..."
The inn proved to be a fine enough spot, with fresh food, drink and some available rooms. It appeared it was mostly a spot for travelers, as they saw merchants and what looked to be a wandering minstrel chatting beside the crackling fireplace.
"A bed for one night, please." Morgana announced, setting her coin on the counter.
"Very well." The innkeeper said, before retrieving a room key. "Will that be shared between you and the gentlemen beside you, then?"
"Yes." Francis spoke up, before reaching out to hold Morgana by the arm. "We're a recently married couple, visiting some relations in Dumfries."
"Ah, congratulations!" He said, smiling as he handed the key to a thoroughly unamused Morgana. "Your room will be upstairs, third door on the right. Let me know if there's anything else you need."
