They were able to get out of Wrexon with no further run-ins with Sir Thomas. Before they left the inn, Lola managed to break away from Russel. She went over to the desk where the inn owner sat and quietly handed him the envelope with instructions to give it to the knight.

“I have a feeling he will be coming in here to ask questions about us,” she said. She had no idea if that feeling would actually pan out but she didn’t have a whole lot of other options. “He’s a shorter knight. Probably my age or a little bit older. Has blonde hair. You know him?”

The owner nodded. “I’ve seen him a few times.”

Lola breathed a minor sigh of relief. She pulled out her letter and gave it to the inn owner. Then she brought a small purse of coins out and discreetly placed it on the desk. She had managed to “liberate” them from an obnoxiously drunk man she marked after Russel went outside to wait for her. His training had been a valuable asset there but the guy had also been so full of booze he was an easy mark regardless. She didn’t like thieving and had always valued putting in the work for everything she got in life but in her current circumstances, beggars couldn't be choosers. She needed a bribe and fast.

She pushed the purse of coins closer to the inn owner.

“I would appreciate you waiting maybe an hour, possibly two, to give him the letter. If he comes in here directly after we depart, stall him.”

He reached for the purse but eyed her suspiciously. His eyes darted toward the entrance to the inn where he’d just seen Russel leave. He leaned forward a little and started to whisper. “Are you in some danger, miss?”

She jerked the coins back.

“No. It’s not anything like that. The man I’m with is no danger to me,” she said hurriedly, suddenly feeling very foolish and worried that she had made a colossal error in judgment. She forced that thought out of her head and strengthened her resolve. This was the right move. She had to believe that. “This is in regards to something else. Something urgent and extremely important. Understood?”

He didn’t look as convinced as she hoped he would but there was little she could do now. The proverbial first step had already been taken. She couldn’t back out.

The inn owner took the purse of coins and after a few seconds of hesitation, he took the letter as well. It disappeared under a ledger that kept track of every person staying in the inn.

“I will see that he gets this,” he said. “He doesn’t normally come into my establishment but if he does come asking about you, I will do what I can to stall him. I make no promises, however. If you are to be leaving Wrexon, do so now and with haste. The main road has checkpoints every ten miles. If you do not wish to be…questioned, perhaps a different route is in order?”

Lola nodded, feeling waves of relief hitting her. She grabbed his hand in hers.

“Thank you for your kindness. I will not forget it,” she said.

Feeling much better about the whole situation, she turned and quickly walked out of the inn. The drunkard had since passed out over a table in the main dining room which was good for her. It meant she wouldn't have to deal with him a second time.

Once she passed through the entrance doors, the bright, morning sunshine shone right into her eyes. She screwed them shut and threw a hand up to shield her face. Once she acclimated to the sudden light, she found Russel waiting for her at the foot of the inn’s porch steps. She made her way down to them and over to him.

“Forget something?” he asked, curious.

“Just wanted to extend a personal thanks to the owner of the inn. I really loved it here,” she said, which wasn’t untrue. The place was extremely beautiful and oddly peaceful being on such a busy street in Wrexon. “You never know when a person might need a compliment.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that advice for the future,” he said with a broad smile. “Such a wise sentiment from one so young. I like it.”

“I’m not much younger than you,” she joked. Then she looked at him, questioningly. She moved in closer and whispered, “Wait. How long do werewolves live? And how old are you really?”

“We do have extended lifespans but only about double what a human would live. Most of us live to be between two and three hundred years old,” he explained, chuckling when he saw her complete look of shock. “I am still young, especially in regards to my kind. I am twenty-six.”

She nudged him playfully.