Quote:
Spring storms can often appear without little notice and last for days. They are filled with strong winds and heavy rain, which means one must halt their travel if they are able to even get outside during the downpour. Your character has found themself stuck away from home in an area with others seeking to avoid the storm. Who do they meet? What do they talk about? How do they feel about the storm?
The rain had begun as a light drizzle, barely noticeable as Cassia made her way along the well-worn path that connected Oba and Tale. She had been travelling since early morning, her cart laden with freshly picked tea leaves and other ingredients she had acquired from local suppliers. The air was cool, and the scent of blooming flowers lingered in the breeze, a pleasant reminder that spring was in full swing. Cassia had planned to reach the next village by dusk, where she would spend the night before continuing her journey. However, as the day wore on, the sky grew darker, heavy clouds rolling in with an ominous swiftness.
By mid-afternoon, the drizzle had turned into a steady rain, and soon after, the storm unleashed its full fury. The wind howled through the trees, bending their branches as if they were nothing more than thin reeds, and the rain fell in thick sheets, pounding the earth with a relentless force. Cassia’s simple cloak, meant to protect her from the occasional shower, was quickly soaked through, and she could feel the chill of the water seeping into her bones. She had no choice but to seek shelter, her planned destination now impossible to reach in such conditions. Fortunately, she recalled a small inn not far off the main road, a place she had passed by on previous journeys but had never needed to visit. It was an old building, nestled among a cluster of trees, with a thatched roof and stone walls that had withstood countless storms over the years.
As she approached the inn, Cassia could see that she was not the only one seeking refuge. Several horses were tied up outside, their heads bowed against the wind, and a few other travellers were hurrying inside, their cloaks held tightly around them. Cassia hurried after them, guiding her cart to a sheltered spot before making her way through the heavy wooden door. The warmth of the inn enveloped her as soon as she stepped inside, a stark contrast to the chill outside. The interior was dimly lit by a crackling fire in the hearth, and the air was thick with the scent of burning wood, damp clothes, and something savoury cooking in the kitchen. Cassia stood just inside the door for a moment, letting the warmth seep into her cold, wet limbs. She could feel the tension in her body begin to ease, though the sound of the storm raging outside was a constant reminder of her predicament.
The common room was small but cozy, with wooden tables and benches arranged around the fire. A few travellers were already seated, their clothes dripping wet, but their faces showed relief at having found shelter. Cassia hesitated, her natural shyness making her reluctant to approach anyone, but she knew she couldn’t just stand there forever. She should have expected there to be people in the inn with the weather going on outside. She didn’t know why she thought it would be emptier. Anyone caught out in this would immediately seek out the closest shelter possible.
As she moved further into the room closer to the fire, a woman behind the counter caught her eye and smiled warmly. “Welcome, traveller,” the woman called out, her voice carrying over the crackling fire and murmured conversations. “Come in, come in! You look like you’ve had quite the journey.”
Cassia managed a small smile in return, her shyness making her dip her head slightly as she approached the counter. “Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely audible over the storm outside. “I wasn’t expecting the weather to turn so quickly.”
The woman, who appeared to be the innkeeper, nodded sympathetically. “Spring storms are like that around here,” she said her tone understanding. “They come out of nowhere and can last for days. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. There’s hot stew in the pot and plenty of space by the fire to dry off.”
Cassia’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and she realized just how hungry she was. She hadn’t eaten much since early morning, and the thought of a warm meal and a place to rest was more appealing than ever. “That sounds wonderful,” she replied, her voice a little stronger now that she was beginning to relax.
The innkeeper gestured to a table near the fire, where a few other travellers were seated, talking quietly among themselves. “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable,” she said kindly. “I’ll bring you some stew and something to drink. You look like you could use it.”
Cassia thanked her and made her way to the table, her wet boots squeaking slightly on the wooden floor. The travellers at the table glanced up as she approached, offering polite nods of acknowledgment. Cassia returned the gesture, her shyness making her feel a bit awkward, but she was grateful for the warmth and the company, even if she wasn’t quite ready to engage in conversation just yet.
As she settled into her seat, the fire’s warmth began to work its magic, chasing away the chill that had settled in her bones. Cassia allowed herself to relax a little more, her thoughts drifting to the storm outside. She had never been fond of storms, especially ones as fierce as this. They reminded her of how small and vulnerable she could feel in the face of nature’s power, a feeling that was only intensified by the memories of the past she carried with her.
The innkeeper soon returned with a bowl of steaming stew and a mug of hot tea, placing them in front of Cassia with a smile. “Here you go, dear,” she said warmly. “This should help warm you up.”
Cassia offered her a grateful smile, the warmth of the gesture easing some of her lingering discomfort. “Thank you,” she said sincerely, her voice more confident now that she was starting to feel more at ease.
The innkeeper gave her a nod before returning to her duties, leaving Cassia to enjoy her meal. The stew was rich and hearty, filled with tender pieces of meat and vegetables that had been simmered to perfection. It was exactly what she needed after the long, cold journey, and she savoured each bite, the warmth spreading through her body. As she ate, the travellers at the table began to talk among themselves, their conversation drifting in and out of Cassia’s awareness. They spoke of the storm, of how it had caught them all by surprise and how they hoped it wouldn’t last too long. One of them, a tall man with a weathered face and a thick beard, mentioned that he had been on his way to Tale when the storm hit, and he was now unsure if he would make it there in time for the market.
Another traveller, a woman with long, dark hair and a cloak that was still dripping with rain, sighed in frustration. “I was supposed to meet someone in Oba tomorrow,” she said, her tone tinged with annoyance. “But with this storm, I doubt I’ll make it in time.”
The man nodded in sympathy. “These storms can be unpredictable,” he said. “Sometimes they pass quickly, and other times they settle in for days. The best we can do is wait it out and hope for the best.”
Cassia listened quietly, her own thoughts echoing the concerns of the others. She, too, had plans that were now disrupted by the storm, but she also knew there was little she could do about it. The weather was beyond her control, and all she could do was wait it out like everyone else. Still, the uncertainty gnawed at her, and she couldn’t help but feel a little anxious about what the next few days would bring.
As the conversation continued, one of the travellers, an older woman with kind eyes and a soft voice, turned to Cassia. “You’ve been quiet, dear,” she said gently. “What brings you out on the road in this weather?”
Cassia hesitated for a moment, her natural shyness making her reluctant to speak. But the woman’s tone was kind, and there was no judgment in her eyes, only genuine curiosity. Cassia took a deep breath, gathering her courage before she spoke.
“I’m a tea merchant,” she explained softly, her voice carrying just above the crackle of the fire. “I was on my way to Tale to pick up some supplies when the storm hit. I didn’t expect it to get so bad so quickly.”
The woman smiled warmly, her eyes lighting up with interest. “A tea merchant, you say? That’s a wonderful trade. I’m sure you have some lovely blends.”
Cassia nodded, her shyness easing slightly at the woman’s kind words. “I do my best,” she said modestly. “I’ve been working with tea for as long as I can remember. It’s something I’m passionate about.”
The man with the beard chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, you’ve certainly found yourself in the right place, then,” he said, glancing around the cozy inn. “There’s nothing like a hot cup of tea on a cold, stormy night.”
Cassia smiled at that, the simple truth of his words bringing a sense of comfort. “That’s true,” she agreed, her voice a little stronger now. “Tea has a way of making even the worst days feel a little better.”
The conversation continued, the travellers sharing stories of their own journeys, their plans, and the unexpected turns that had brought them all to this inn on such a stormy night. Cassia listened more than she spoke, but she found herself feeling more at ease with each passing moment. There was a sense of camaraderie among the group, a shared understanding that they were all in the same situation, bound together by the storm outside. As the night wore on, the storm showed no signs of letting up. The wind howled fiercely, rattling the windows and causing the flames in the hearth to flicker. But inside the inn, there was warmth, light, and a sense of community that made the storm seem a little less daunting.
Cassia found herself drawn into the conversation more and more, her shyness fading as she realized that these were just ordinary people, each with their own stories, their own struggles. They weren’t strangers to be feared or avoided, but potential friends, fellow travelers on the same road. At one point, the woman with the kind eyes asked Cassia about her tea stand, and Cassia found herself speaking more freely, sharing stories of her travels, the different tea blends she had created, and the people she had met along the way. The others listened with interest, asking questions and offering their own experiences in return.
As the night wore on, Cassia felt a sense of connection she hadn’t expected. She had always been shy, reluctant to open up to others, but here, in the warmth of the inn, with the storm raging outside, she found it easier to let down her guard. These people weren’t judging her; they were simply sharing in the experience, finding comfort in each other’s company. Eventually, the conversation began to wind down as fatigue set in. The travellers made their way to the small rooms the innkeeper had prepared for them, leaving Cassia alone by the fire for a moment. She stared into the flames, her thoughts drifting as the warmth and the quiet began to lull her into a sense of calm. The storm was still raging outside, but inside the inn, Cassia felt safe, sheltered from the chaos beyond the walls. She thought about her journey, the uncertainty that still lay ahead, and the plans that had been disrupted by the storm. But she also thought about the people she had met, the conversations they had shared, and the sense of connection that had formed in such a short time.
For the first time in a long while, Cassia felt a sense of peace, a reminder that even in the midst of a storm, there could be moments of calm, of warmth, of human connection. She wasn’t alone on this journey, and that thought brought her comfort as she made her way to her room, the sound of the storm fading into the background as sleep began to claim her. The storm would pass, as all storms did. And when it did, Cassia would continue her journey, carrying with her the warmth and the memories of the night spent in the old inn, a night when the storm outside had brought strangers together, if only for a little while.
Word count: 2102
