"So... Tired... So hungry... So-Achoo! Much pollen..." Lyra was absolutely miserable. She had intended to reach the town four days earlier. She would have likely been able to travel unaffected by the pollen that spring provides. But she got lost in the woods. Little did she know she was going around in circles and the town was literally a mile away. She was forced to spend four more nights out in the woods. She also ran out of her food rations the second day she was out. All she managed to find were a few berries. (After she picked the only bush clean, she kept walking in circles to see the same bush, but empty.) But at long last. Civilization in the form of a rundown farm.

She walked into town. No matter how blurry her vision was from her allergies, and lack of sleep, she could always spot the inn. Slowly, she crept through town, bag slung on one shoulder, lute slung over the other. Her heap was pounding, what with hunger, fatigue, and allergies. It was almost surprising she was walking. She kept up. "One step... One step... One... no wait, that's not right... How many have I taken?... Uuuuuugh." Now standing in front of the door of the inn, she had only one more job. "Raise your hand onto..." As soon as she lifted it, it flopped down again. "Stupid lute and bags, cutting my circulation in my arms!... Ow, ow, too loud..." 

Finally her arm stayed in place, and she somehow mustered the strength to turn the knob and open the door. After the door swung open, it became apparent where the strength came from as she fell face first into the floor of the inn with a painful sounding smack. She didn't say anything for a while, but soon reached into her bag and pulled out a small sack, without moving anything else. "Excuse me? I will gladly give you everything in this bag for some food and plenty of pain killers..." Too bad the bag only had a little money.