Tangwystl had decided to get a room after all, and it was a good thing. The second ale had gone straight to her head, even though it was accompanied by food.
Rolling over in the bed, she peered out the window. It was still early.
She could make out the light of false dawn. Closing her eyes, she pulled the covers closer and tried to convince her body that slumber was the best idea.
The throbbing in her temples wouldnt go away though, and morning would come soon enough. Getting up she went through the motions of getting ready for the day. She bid farewell to the inkeeper and began to head towards the family homestead.
The pounding in her head wouldnt cease and the bright daylight of dawn did nothing but encourage it.
She neared her family homestead and began to wonder. Was coming back thr right thing? What sort of welcome would she recive.

Tangwystl sat silently for a moment, empty mug in her hand, still observing the room. The people here were her neighbors. Friends of her fathers and mothers. Boyfriends of her sisters, girlfriends of her brothers.
Well perhaps not she thought as she looked at the crowd. No respectable lass would be at the local tavern this late at night.

Flagging down the serving girl she asked for a small supper and another ale. This would go to her head and she'd regret it in the morning. As if she didnt have enough already to regret.

Respectable Lass. She rolled that phrase over and over in her mind. She'd never be a respectable lass. Not in her Fathers eyes, nor her brothers. She took to galavanting off with foreigners at a young age. The first time was at 14. It was a dukes son, and he'd told her they'd go away for a grand adventure. She snorted. grand adventure indeed. Running around after him for 3 days straight playing lookout for him. Once the lady's father caught on it did become an adventure for the dukes son. Tangwystl had scurried away shortly beforehand.

"Your dinner" The serving girl slid the plate across the table with another ale.
Digging into the supper before her. She let her mind wander to her family and what the reaction might be like when she did return home.

If she did return that is. How many times had she made it this far before?

Tangwystl stood at the doorway, took a deep breath and pushed her way in. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the dark . She looked around the smokey cavernous space. Pulling her cloak tighter around her she pushed her way to the counter.
"One ale please." She asked the barman.
"Will you be needing a room to stay?"
"No, No thank you. I might request some supper later but for the moment a mug of ale should suffice."
The barman eyed her closely. Women rarely traveled alone, and few were direct. Tangwystl slid a coin over the counter , took her drink and took a seat where she could see the door.

She watched the room before her, slowly sipping the ale. People in private conversations going about their business unaware of her watching them. She wondered what their stories were, where they came from.

Turning inwardly she wondered how she would answer if those questions were posed to her. Who was she? Where did she come from?