Runaway in Hyrule Chapter Eight - The Day Awaits

Instructions

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*Chapter 8 - The Day Awaits°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ I head toward the changing stall, the lantern outside casting a soft circle of warm light on the ground. Two travelers are already waiting in line—perfect. I don’t want anyone watching me too closely. I stand quietly behind them, hugging Kael’s borrowed clothes to my chest. The night air is cool against my skin, and I can still hear faint laughter from the last few people settling down for the night. When it’s finally my turn, I slip inside and close the wooden door behind me. The stall is small—just big enough for me to turn around in. A single lantern hangs from a hook above, its glow soft and steady. I take a slow breath and pull off the dress I’d worn to that awful dinner with Lord Eldric. The fabric feels heavy, like it still carries the weight of everything I left behind. Kael’s shirt is soft when I pull it over my head, falling almost to my mid-thigh. His shorts are loose around my waist, and I tighten the drawstring until they stop sliding down. His clothes smell faintly of pine and sun-warmed stable hay—comforting, somehow. They’re much too big for me, the sleeves swallowing my hands, the shorts baggy and loose. But… they’re comfortable. Safe. Warm in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. I step out of the stall and walk toward my cot next to Kael’s. He glances up from unlacing his boots—and then he chuckles softly. “You look really small wearing my clothes,” he says, amusement flickering in his eyes. I laugh, tugging at the sleeves that fall past my knuckles. “Yeah… I guess I do.” We talk quietly for a little while, our voices low so we don’t disturb the others. Just soft conversation—about traveling, about which stables he likes, about how different life is outside of a village. Eventually, the lanternlight dims, and people begin settling into their cots. I lie down, pulling the thin blanket up to my chin. The stable creaks softly as the breeze blows through the wooden beams. It takes me a while to fall asleep—it’s a new place, unfamiliar, filled with sounds I’m not used to. But Kael is right beside me. And somehow… that makes it easier. A soft rustling pulls me awake. The sun is just barely rising, washing the inside of the stable in pale gold. Travelers move quietly, gathering their things, stretching, yawning. I feel a gentle shake on my shoulder. “Celest,” Kael murmurs. “It’s best we get up now if we’re planning on adventuring today.” I rub my eyes and let out a long yawn. “Okay… okay, I’m awake.” He points toward the far corner of the stable. “Over there is a donation bin—actually two bins. If you want, you can pick out a few outfits. They’re for travelers who need them.” I look over and see two wooden crates, one labeled women and the other men. Clothes spill over the sides—some worn, some surprisingly nice. “Oh, okay,” I say, curiosity already pulling me toward them. “I’ll take a look.” I sift through the women’s bin, the fabric whispering beneath my fingers. I find a beautiful emerald dress—light, flowy, far softer than anything I’ve worn. It’s definitely not travel-friendly, but… maybe for a special moment. So I fold it gently and set it aside. I keep digging and find a few good travel outfits: soft shirts, sturdy shorts, a couple of warm leggings. Then—boots. Two pairs. One pair is ankle-high and cute. The other rises almost to my knees, perfect for long walks and rough trails. I pick out a short-sleeve blue shirt, dark tan shorts, and tan leggings. Then I choose the tall boots—they’re surprisingly comfortable when I test them against the floor. At this point, the changing stall is empty again, so I slip inside. I pull off Kael’s shirt and shorts, fold them neatly, and set them aside. Then I put on the blue shirt—it fits perfectly, snug but breathable. The tan shorts slide on easily, and the leggings hug my legs warmly underneath. Finally, I pull on the tall boots. They reach just below my knees and fit like they were made for me. I run my hands down the outfit. And for the first time since I left home, excitement stirs in my chest. Adventure is waiting.