I marched up the stairs to my room, and let the boys in, instructing them to just sit on the bed and relax. I took Elizabet with me to Blainaut’s room. It was only right that they be acquainted.

I knocked on the door, waiting patiently. Gods, I was so tired. A stray thought entered my mind. Would my deities exist here? If not, could I bring them with me? A million questions began to filter through my head, but all were silenced when the door opened a crack, revealing Blainaut’s bleary eyes, and then swung wide open when he realized it was me.

“Ivor! I was concerned you wouldn’t make it back.” The tall, thin man wrapped me in a surprising embrace, which I awkwardly returned.

“Um, hi, Blainaut.” I patted his back. “I didn’t know we were this close.” He released me, and I held him at arm’s length, smiling.

“Yes, well.” He cleared his throat, and placed his fists on his hips. “I was concerned. You’ve treated me with kindness, even when I didn’t deserve it. I’ve been up a fair portion of the evening thinking about it, in all honesty.” Shaking his head, he added in a somber tone “I just can’t understand it, Ivor. Here, you would have become my sworn enemy when you discovered some of the things I’d done. Forgiveness isn’t a common trait here.” He looked up, and noticed the six-foot tall woman standing behind me. “Oh! You have made a friend, it seems! A rather comely lass, at that. Forgive my manners, my dear. I am Blainaut Kiernan, Envoy of the Explorer’s Guild.” He sketched a bow that looked a little silly with his disheveled hair and rusty brown bloodstains on his cream-colored shirt.

Elizabet’s eyes went wide at the mention of the guild, and she took an involuntary half-step back. “Um. I’m Elizabet Valortongue, formerly Healer of the Thieves' Guild.” She turned to me and asked with wide eyes, “How did you manage to make the acquaintance of the Envoy of the Explorer’s Guild?”

I shrugged as Blainaut explained, “Those three youngsters in his room; you did retrieve them, yes?” As I nodded, he continued. “Those boys used to be my slaves. Regretfully, I was terrible to them. In the past few days, I’ve come to care for them as the people that they are. And I have even come to like this massive beast of a man over here.” The thin man smiled broadly. “He has shown me wondrous things, and I’ve no doubt I will see more in the days to come. It is my fervent hope that I may come to advise him on matters of finance and progress in the future.”

I looked at him, rather surprised. He’d never mentioned anything beyond his duty to pay recompense for his actions. “I think I’d like that, Blainaut. It could, as you’ve said before, wind up being quite lucrative for us both.”

Elizabet seemed to shrink into herself, her brows furrowed, and a confused look on her face. She looked to me, obviously seeking permission to speak. I nodded. “What do you mean, they used to be your slaves? Did you sell them to Ivor? I don’t understand what’s going on here.”

She looked to be about to say more, but Master Colben took that moment to breach the top of the stairs. “Ah! There you are, sirs; madam.” He mopped his forehead with a handkerchief. “The baths are ready for you. I have three prepared. One for each.”

I smiled at the burly man. “Thank you, Master Colben. I suppose three will do. I’d like to have my slaves bathed, but I suppose they can use my bath when I’ve finished.”

Colben stood there, blinking. “Well… I suppose I can ready a fourth. It will take time, however. The other three will go cold.” He started back down.

“No need, sir. Three will suffice. Is there a partition for the young lady? Or is she in a separate bath?” I called back.

“Um, no sir. There’s only the one bathing room. Why would there be separate baths?” He asked, quite confused.

Realizing my mistake, I smiled, replying with“Oh, it’s no big thing. Customs must simply differ here. That’s all.”

Taking it at face value, he shrugged, and simply said “This way then, if you please.” He trundled down the stairs.

I motioned for Blainaut and Elizabet to go ahead, and popped into my room to find the boys fast asleep in a pile on my bed. I chuckled to myself, and gathered them up in my arms as gently as I could. “Come on boys. It’s time for a good bath.” They sleepily buried themselves into my neck and chest, mumbling about warmth.

I left my room, and headed downstairs where the trio awaited me. None could hide a smile at the sleeping children in my arms, especially when I placed a pre-emptive finger across my lips. Colben led us through the kitchens to a room with five large metal tubs, and several steaming buckets of water beside each. A stool sat beside each tub with a coarse brush and a cake of soap. Wooden rungs stood beside each tub, obviously made to hold clothing.

“Here we are, friends. Hot baths, ready for you. Will there be anything else?” Colben looked us in the eyes with a smile.

“Just see to it that we are not disturbed, sir. It has been a long, smelly journey, and I would like to get this filth off of me.” I replied.

Colben nodded, and went back to the kitchens, shooing off several of his helpers who tried to take a gander into the baths. I smiled, and handed the boys to Blainaut, and went over to Lock the door.

“This is all well and good Ivor, but what of our clothes? Surely we cannot clean them as we wear them?” Blainaut asked, concern etched on his face.

“I have that in mind. Remember the pelt? I can do the same. It didn’t take much magic then, and this is substantially less material.” I smiled and took Ahte-ukum from Blainaut, and woke him gently. “Ahte-ukum? You need to get up, now. It’s time to get clean. You’ll be warm and cleaned after, your clothes will all be clean, and we can get moving afterwards.” He whined softly about being tired. “I want to be out of town as soon as possible, okay? There’s a bad man looking for us all. The farther away we can get, the safer we will be. Do you think you can be brave and strong, and walk for the day?” He sighed and nodded, yawning wide. “Thank you, son. Stand up, now. That’s a good boy. Go ahead and take off your clothes, and hang them on the rungs there, okay? Everything. This is a full cleaning scrub. When you’ve done that, climb on in the tub.”

The other two had woken up in Blainaut’s arms and were yawning. Blainaut set them down, and they copied their brother, disrobing and hanging their clothes on the rungs. The trio climbed into the nearest tub, and visibly relaxed. I looked over at Elizabet and Blainaut. “Go ahead and get cleaned, you two. I will take care of everyone’s clothing, then I’ll get myself taken care of.”

With that, the five of them got themselves a much-needed bath. I took great care to keep my head turned away from Elizabet as she got undressed and into the tub. I gathered up the clothes, and dumped them all into the buckets, and set to work scrubbing the filth and grime from them. The boys splashed and played in the tub, getting as much water outside as they did on themselves. They did get clean, so I didn’t mind. Once I got the clothes clean, I summoned several Hands, and pulled each item out one by one, and Drew the dirty water out of the items, and set them on their respective racks. By this time, the boys were clean and done. They climbed out, and I toweled them dry. They put their clothes back on, and I stood and looked into the tub.

It was absolutely filthy. I looked back at the boys, and noticed that their scales and colorations now gleamed brightly in the light. I wondered just how long it had been since they’d had a proper bath. Sighing, I plunged my hand into the water, and Drew the dirt and grime out, letting it fall from my outstretched hand onto the floor in a dry heap. Elizabet watched me with wide eyes, having never seen anything quite like that before.

“Ivor, what did you just do? I saw clothes floating and dirty water just…falling out of them. Now they’re all dry, and you just…pulled? The filth from your slaves out of the water and into the floor. Just what are you?” The three boys gave her a sharp look, and I motioned for them to be calm.

“First off, they are not slaves. Not anymore. As far as I’m concerned, they are my kids. Until, at least, they get themselves back home. Which is where we’re heading. As to what I just did, and what I am? For now, let’s just say that I’m not from around here. I’ll fill you in in more detail tonight as we camp. Right now, though? This Kentucky boy needs a bath, bad.” I ignored anything else she had to say, pulled everything out of my pockets, and shucked my clothes, setting my Bag on a stool, taking care to not reveal myself to her. I stepped into the tub, pulling my clothes in with me, finding it rather chilly. I placed a palm on top of the water and said “Warmth.” and felt the water heat up significantly. Sighing, I grabbed the cake of soap and brush and set to scrubbing myself, and then my clothes. I repeated the cleaning process on my own clothes, and wondered if I could make them waterproof without using oil. Once I had dried them and a hand, I took hold of them and whispered “Repel water. Bar filth.” and felt my clothes vibrate. I splashed water on my shirt, and smiled as it simply beaded off, leaving it completely dry.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Elizabet came over, clad in her soft towel. She took hold of my shirt, floating in the air, and shook her head. “How you perform such miracles is a secret I wish to know. I would pay anything to learn these magics of yours.” She gave me a pointed look. “Anything, Ivor.”

I turned red, and moved my hands to cover myself. Clearing my throat, I said “Uh, can…um. Can you go over there, please?” I pointed back at her tub, where her clothes were. “I’d like to get out and get dry and redressed.” I smiled with a confidence I absolutely did not feel, and watched as she retreated.

“Careful, Ivor.” Blainaut began in a low voice. “That one is out for your secrets. And maybe for you as well, eh?” He winked and waggled his eyebrows.

I sighed and quietly addressed the man. “Blainaut, I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but I have placed a ring on her finger. She will do literally anything I tell her to do. Even die, should I command it. I also promised her that she would never have to lie with anyone unless she truly wanted it. She was…used… in the service of the Guild.”

He took a step back. “Oh my. I had no idea. Please, forget I said anything.” He bowed his head.

I climbed out, drying myself with the towel. “It’s okay. It happens.” Once I was dry, I redressed, stomping my feet into my boots.

“Okay. Would anyone else like for their clothing to be made waterproof and dirt-repellant? All we would need otherwise is a cake of soap.” Five people clamored to be first in line.

I completed the spells, and felt weak. I had used a fair bit more magic than I had intended. I reached into my Bag, pulled out the last fruit pie, and downed it. Feeling a little better, I Unlocked the door, stepping into the warm kitchens.

Colben was standing at the entrance to the kitchens from the common room, looking irritated. “Ivor! Would you care to explain all the blood in your room? It’s going to take ages to remove, and I’ll have to charge you for the cleaning.” He planted his hands on his hips and glared at me.

I smiled and patted the man on his arm. “Not to worry, Master Colben. I shall have the room cleaned myself. I simply nicked my hand while I was sharpening my knife. Bled more than I thought. I rushed out so quickly last night that I hadn’t had time to clean it up. But, don’t worry! I’ll have the blood up and gone within the hour.” I pushed past the man, and continued up the stairs, leaving him working his mouth like a fish out of water.

“As I said, old friend. He grows on you.” Blainaut chuckled and patted the big man on the shoulder as he squeezed by.

Elizabet simply cleared her throat, causing Colben to start, and he slid out of the way of the lady. “Thank you, sir. I have no doubt that Ivor can do as he says. Nor should you.” She smiled disarmingly and continued up the stairs, flanked by three small lizardfolk children who chattered amongst themselves.

Once upstairs, I Drew the blood from the floors and the bedsheets, sprinkling the fine powder out the window. I sat down on the bed and yawned. It would have felt so nice to simply lay down and sleep, but we needed to leave town and fast.

Blainaut stuck his head into my room. “Ivor? Are you ready to go? We can see my tailor friend some other time. I think it prudent to leave now. Once we are far enough away, we can make camp.”

I nodded. He was right. We needed to leave before Amos found us. It would be too easy for him to do so. “Yes. Let’s go. As quickly as possible.” I did a sweep of our rooms, making sure we had everything, shouldered my Bag, and we left.

Once downstairs, I spied Colben at the bar, and made our departure known. He stopped cleaning his glass, and huffed as he went upstairs. I knew he was going to check on the room, and I waited patiently for him to return.

With wide, disbelieving eyes, he wandered back downstairs and picked up the glass he was cleaning. “How? How did you do six or seven hours’ worth of work in thirty minutes?” He leaned forward on one elbow, fixing me with a stare.

I lay my head to the side and said “Magic. That’s how.” Smiling, I waved goodbye to the innkeeper, and the six of us headed out into the morning air.

“Blainaut, take us out of here, quickly, quietly and safely.” I urged the thin man forward. I had no desire to run into Amos again. Not as tired as I was.

“Sure thing, Ivor. Let’s go.” He took us out of the city via a warren of roads and alleys. It took about an hour to leave the city gates, and we followed the river South toward the Lizardfolk territories.

I didn’t relax until we were hours away from the city, and I couldn’t even see it on the horizon. I turned to Elizabet and asked, “Tell me something? How could Amos tell that I had bespelled my clothing? He said something about it, and I tried to not rise to the bait, but now I’m curious.”

She looked surprised and said “You don’t know? It’s the first thing we are taught in the academy. How to hone our magic sense. It allows us to see magical traces. How are you able to cast the magic you can cast, and not see traces?”

I smiled and shrugged. “It’s a story best left to camp tonight. You will learn everything Blainaut knows, and afterwards, it will be up to you if you continue with us.”

“Oh, no. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. I want to learn what you know, and I will, one way or another.” She huffed.

Blainaut and I laughed and he replied, “Elizabet, if he chooses not to reveal his secrets, you will never get them out of him. Trust me on that. I doubt even your feminine arts can ensorcel this man.” Blainaut laughed softly as I turned bright red.

Coughing, I stopped walking, and placed a hand to the ground, whispering “Seek followers.” I let my consciousness expand outwards, and found nobody within five miles of our location. I returned, and stood. “We are safe here. It is just past midday, and I’d like to set up camp. Let’s go over there in the field, away from the road and closer to the woods.” I trotted off in that direction, and chose a suitably flat place, and began setting up.

The boys assisted me in setting up tents, when they realized that there were only two tents. “Mr. Ivor? Where is Miss Elizabet going to sleep?” Ahte-naah asked.

“Well, that’s up to her, boys.” I looked up as Elizabet and Blainaut approached. “She can either sleep in one of the tents with us, or I can make her one of her own.” I looked her in the eye as I spoke. “Which will it be, Elizabet? Would you like to sleep in one of our tents, or shall I make one for you?”

She looked between Blainaut and myself, then at the two tents, each with a number. “With one of you? Won’t that be a little…cramped?”

Blainaut smiled and led her to his tent. “Not at all, Elizabet. Come. Look inside. I shall stay here.”

Elizabet did as instructed and returned a moment later. “H-h-how? How is it bigger on the inside?” She fidgeted, wringing her hands.

I replied by kneeling and placing my hands on the ground, whispering “Dome of Concealment.” I watched her face as the dome grew from the ground up in a shimmering haze. Just before it closed at the top, a crow landed on my tent, cawing loudly, startling us all. “Well, it looks like we have a guest.” I stepped closer, and reached into my bag, pulling out a piece of dried meat, and ripped off a chunk. I stretched my arm out, and the crow landed, and pecked at the meat in my hand. “Unless I miss my guess, you’re the same crow I spoke to when I took down the Dire Bear. And you’ve been following us the entire time. I wonder why.” The crow paused in eating the meat, and cocked its head, fixing me with one beady little eye, and croaked softly. I could swear it was laughing.

The boys, however, fell to their knees, hands clasped.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I slowly lowered my arm, and the crow waddled up and perched on my shoulder, and began preening its feathers.

“It’s the Great Mother, Mr. Ivor. She has favored you with a visit.” Ahte-tan looked up at me and the preening crow with reverence and awe.

“The Great Mother, huh? Neat. I assume she is the goddess of you Lizardfolk?” The boys nodded. “Blainaut? Any insight?”

The younger man shook his head. “No, Ivor. No real study has been done into the Lizardfolk. Or the Orcs, for that matter. Nor any of the other enslaved peoples. Perhaps we can ask when we get to their lands?”

I nodded. “Sounds good. Where I’m from, ravens are sacred to one of my gods. They are seen as his messengers, bringing him news of all the world for him to know.” I turned to Elizabet. “Now. Would you like your own tent, or will you stay in one of ours? We are completely safe here. Nothing can see or hear us. Nor can we be detected by any magics. Anything entering our area is magically moved outside of it.”

As Elizabet opened her mouth to speak, the crow flew to her and flapped in front of her until she extended her hand, landed in it, and fixed her with a black eye. “Ivor.” It croaked with a decidedly sultry, feminine voice.

We all stared at the bird, too shocked for words. Had it really just spoken? Elizabet was the first to recover. “You’re saying I should stay in his tent?” The crow bobbed its - no her head. Elizabet looked up at me in wonder. “I guess the decision has been made. Who am I to deny a goddess?”

With that, the crow flapped away, and perched onto my tent, croaking contentedly. The boys stayed on their knees, and I shrugged, and set about making a fire.