He glanced about the Hotel restaurant.  Still hopeful. Jese felt a jolt of surprise. Had Nova Radcliffe turned him into an optimistic man?

No. He told himself firmly. It wasn't optimism, but simple statistics. She'd had a measly head start, slowed by her mother's presence and her vehicles lack of engine - it was inevitable that she couldn't have got far. Jese had flown far beyond the distance she could have traveled that day, before carefully zig zagging back, eyes strained in his attempt to focus on the landscape... and yet, he hadn't seen a hair on her pretty head.

She'd outwitted him... but it wouldn't be long before the tides would turn.

"What can I get you?"

Well, that was a loaded question. Jese glanced at the Hotelier. "Food and a bed."

"The grubs free, if you buy a drink."

With food being cheaper than alcohol (in the West) Jese was accustomed to hearing this popular gimmick. He knew he ought to stay away from alcohol. He couldn't afford an aching head the following day, but - with his frustrations - how could he resist? A drink would numb his mind to the situation at hand, and the memories it dredged up. "Ok." He shrugged his shoulders. "A whisky, please?"

"Traveling far?" The Hotelier asked, after he served the beverage.

"I hope not."

The man raised his eyebrows at Jese's cryptic answer.

"I'm searching for someone," Jese continued. "A pretty, blue-eyed, native american.  She's traveling with her mother. Have they passed through here today?"

"I haven't seen a pretty lass." The Hotelier's brow puckered.

Jese lifted his glass. "Pity."

"There is a middle aged woman traveling with that group of men." He prodded his finger at a table in the distance. "She's seated in their wagon."

"Mmm," Jese grunted in disinterest. He hadn't seen Helaku in any of the wagon's outside the establishment. And besides... he wasn't looking for anyone traveling with men.

"Struck me as strange that they're dining so well while she's looking so miserable."

"As I said, I'm looking for two women traveling together, alone."

"Well, it's not this one then. She's all by herself. I walked past, earlier, and heard her muttering all kinds of things."

"She's delusional?"

"Delusional... lost the plot... Call it what you will."

"Where did you say the wagon was?"

"They've parked it terribly. Jammed up under a tree behind the Hotel. I'm nearly tempted to take her out some food myself. Indian she is."

Jese's heart palpitated. He hadn't even thought that a cart might manage to access the back of the property. Peeking a side glance at the group that the Hotelier stared so vilely at, Jese caught sight of Brandon. He was taking the last bite of the meal in front of him, before brandishing a napkin.

"I could take the poor lady something to eat, now." Jese said, trying to control the tone in his voice. "Let me pay for it." He needed to get out of the Tavern before he was spotted. "Perhaps you have some bread?"

Once the Hotelier had fussed about preparing a small plate he directed Jese to the wagon's whereabouts.

Trying to maintain an easy stride, Jese left the building.