Chapter 151: Journey 9
The journey from this point has been noticeably more boring. I've been sat around for the last 3 days, camping, driving, camping, and on and on. Finally, a break in the monotony has appeared.
Seeing the large town crest upon the horizon. “Brings a tear to my eye,” I say in exaggerated joy.
“As you have been saying for the last 3 hours.” Jengal retorts, rolling his eyes.
“You try handling snarky comments and a grumpy Jengal for a change,” I say, glaring at my companion.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Long-distance travels really bring out the worst in you,” I say, laughing at his perpetual frown.
“Yeah, and I have to put up with a wonder-eyed crazy person,” he bickers back.
Smiling at him, “yeah, sorry for enjoying the sights.”
“Yeah, the sight of the countryside is so… amazing.”
“Enough you two!” Hanna scolds. “I don’t want the guards to see you guys bickering.”
“Why?” I enquire.
“First, I am a noble, estranged, but noble nonetheless. Second, it just doesn’t look good. Third, you would put us under the spotlight.”
We both quiet down at the response. “Fine!” Jengal says in angsty defiance while simultaneously shutting up. Crossing his arms like it’s she offended his bloodline.
Laughing at the two quietly while watching the walls increase in size. They are clean brick with glass windows dotted throughout, bars to protect the windows and watchtowers dotting the wall. It is a beautifully built defensive structure, forcing me to admire its majesty.
“Is this the large city we were teleporting from?” I ask Hanna, the travel knowledge bank of the carriage.
“It’s the sister city to the one we are aiming for. Sadly, it does not have teleportation facilities. The next city over is 4 more day’s and has the teleporter.”
“I see, thank you.”
“So, who is paying?” Hanna asks me.
“Pardon?” Confusion rising.
“For the spa, we are going together after all.”
“The fact alone you are asking tells me you want me to pay.”
“Log 5, he is not as socially inept as first theorized.” She says jokingly. Causing me to scowl at her. She smiles ear to ear, “something the matter, darling?”
I mumble, “no.” Having long since learned of her terrible tendency to prank you into submission.
Saying a quick prayer for Jengal, given he has to live with her. All I did was say it needed less salt, yet I can still feel the itching powder. Shivering at the fact I woke up in it.
Putting the thought out of mind as we approach the gate. A reasonable-sized line is running down the road, moving at a steady pace. Looking over at the guards, I see them in full reinforced iron, checking each cart and carriage with eagle eyes. They seem rather noble in that armor engraved with gold decorations and a small red cape draped across their back.
Watching, as they, with practiced grace, glide through the carriages, inspecting the under the carriage, the roof, walls, cargo, and people.
Once they are satisfied with the check, nodding them through with little wasted time. One of the carriages, the third after when I started watching, failed. One of the guards, with lightning speed, strikes the side of the carriage. Revealing a hollow space containing a small package. A few in-audible shouts later, and the whole carriage is moved into a side passage. The driver and merchant were arrested and brought with the carriage.
A shame; the carriage was a beautifully made piece of art. A solid block of redwood, carved into a carriage with all the bells and whistles; I liked how it looked.
It jolted my memory of the giant redwood trees. Mentally noting to gather some saplings to grow my own tree of mammoth proportions. Further reminded of an even crazier tree, the sacred rubber tree. That single tree could hold a kingdom above the clouds. Recalling the first time I grew one, destroying half my base in the process.
The staff, without being prompted, just came and removed it. Telling me that it would be wise not to grow the tree by accident. Must have gotten a log of some kind about the tree. My friend insisted that it stay gone, whereas I liked it.
Lost in my musing, I didn’t realize we reached the gate. Watching as the guards begin inspecting the carriage while one speaks with the driver.
“Destination, passengers, cargo!” The guard states, hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Capital, Lady Mor, Child of Mor, Aeternum, travel cargo!” The driver states, not moving more than needed.
The guards look at us, face hidden behind whole head helmets. They gaze over the passengers, lingering on me. “Aeternum, correct?”
“Yes,” opting to not move at all.
“Please come with us.” He says, allowing no discussion.
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Hanna, without a moment’s pause, interjects, “may we ask why he needs to do so.”
“You may; he is on our watch list.” Before we can reply in shock, he continues. “Not the criminal watch list.” He says, calming the carriage.
“I will go with you,” I say to the guard. Turning to Jengal, “please wait by the entrance of the city. If I fail to appear in an hour, message me.”
The guard nods, beckoning me to follow, guiding me through into the side door, leading into a glowstone lit corridor; “sorry about this.” He says in apology.
“Why apologies?”
“Because I had to separate you from your travel companions. Don’t worry, this is likely to be nothing bad.”
I smile, appreciative of his respectful and polite disposition.
He brings me to a large set of double doors. Knocking, resulting in a term to be said through the door. “Favourite pie?”
“Meat with peas, mash, and candy, your honor.” He says with little hesitation.
I can’t help but grin at the entre code while the door swings open. A middle-aged white-haired gentleman in dark robes, tied together with a red sash, “hello, what brings you here today?” He says in a calm voice, hands behind his back.
His eyes quickly meet mine, a powerful and aged gaze; “I see we have a guest.” Moving towards an unadorned oak desk, perfectly preserved, as if it wasn’t used at all. “Please, take a seat.” He says, gliding his hand over a red cushioned oak chair. Sitting behind the desk on his own, slightly more grand chair.
Sitting down, I watch as the guard disappears behind the corner. He quickly grabs a file from the desk’s draw, flipping through. He quickly finds a page, pausing and looking at it, then me.
“Aeternum, interesting name.” Setting the document down, he looks at me. “Sorry for bringing you in so suddenly, but you are on a few of our lists.”
“Might I ask what lists?” Curiosity permeating my voice.
He lightly chuckles, eyeing the folder once more. He begins to read out a list, “high-value, high-danger, High-wealth…” Frowning as he continues looking down the list. “Wow, I have never seen someone on so many lists at the same time.” Wiping some sweat from his brow while subtly clicking a button under the desk. The quiet room doesn’t hide it well, the click making him sweat even more.
“Just get this over with,” I state, far calmer now I know he is scared of me.
He continues to flick his eyes to the file, “yeah, okay.”
He reads a short passage, “the document states you are freely distributing a new device. May we have some?” He states matter of factly.
Finding this whole situation comical, I stand up. This simple action made him flinch back reflexively.
Taking out a linked ender chest, I open the lid and tip it upside down. Pouring out a literal pile of phones, amazing the man. “Happy?” I enquire, glaring at him.
“Ye… Yeah, please, you may leave.” He stutters out.
Walking out of the office and following the previous route, quickly finding the same guard leaning against a wall with some kind of pipe in his mouth. “Smoke break?” I say, startling the guard slightly.
He quickly tips out the brown contents, stuffing the pipe in his pocket. “Ready to go?” He asks me.
“Yeah, please lead the way.”
We walk through the same path, exiting out at the gate. Walking through, I find Jengal patiently waiting right outside.
“What was that about?” He idly asks.
“It seems my quiet days are over. Endless I vanish off the face of the planet, that is.”
He laughs, “seen that coming.”
Rolling my eyes as we walk alongside the carriage. “How long we in the city for?”
“6 hours.”
“Not bad,” I say with a smile.
Hanna quickly approaches from behind, locking arms with me. “Spa time,” she says with a bright smile.
Instead of shaking her loose, I keep up with her. Skipping through the town with ease. The roads are wide, allowing for easy traveling.
She seems to know her way, guiding us through the roads without pause. “Been here before?”
“A handful of times.”
Nodding, “how far to the spa?”
“We are here!” She says, startling me as we come to a sudden stop. We are in front of a reasonable sized building made of a combination of granite and eucalyptus.
The pink wood accentuates the orange granite very well, producing a lovely building. Hanna begins to walk us through the doors, entering into a mostly marble room.
The female staff great us quickly, bright smiles. “Hello, lady Mor, back for more?” She says jokingly.
“Of course!” Almost jumping in excitement.
“You brought a guest?” The woman says.
“He has never had a massage.”
The woman clutches her mouth, gasping, “this cannot do.” Quickly rushing to our side, bring me away.
“Give him, her,” Hanna says mysteriously. Sending a chill down my spine as I watch the woman guiding me nods.
I’m guided to a side room, “strip.” She says, pulling a curtain around me.
Quickly slipping out of my armor and clothes, placing them into my golden bag. Grabbing a white towel, I tie it around my waist.
“I am done,” I say, followed by the curtain being swung aside.
Whatever she was expecting to see wasn’t what she spotted. Quickly recoiling in surprise upon looking at my unarmed form. Her face returns to normalcy quickly, “wow, what a body you have there.”
“Thanks,” I say, not knowing how to respond.
“Okay, let’s go to the massage room.” Walking me through a small corridor and then into a room on the side. It has a pile of oils, creams, and chemicals on the side, a bed with a hole for the head to sit face down, and a few other strange implements. “What are the bells for?”
“Sound therapy,” she says.
Simply nodding at the pseudo-science.
“Lie down; the masseuse will be with you shortly.”
Doing as she asks, I lie down on my back, admiring the room. It smells of incense, fragrant herbs permeating the room in a lovely, all be it pungent odor. It isn’t long befor the door opens, allowing me to see who will be massaging me.
I was expecting some giant to walk through the door, but what I see surprises me, a small, stocky dwarf. The surprise must have shown on my face; she quickly speaks.
“Ya, ya, stare at de Dwarf.” Rolling her eyes.
“Sorry,” I quickly apologize. “I’ve never seen a dwarf in person.”
She mumbles, “shudent a left da stones.” Walking to my side, she finally takes a good luck at me. “Odd one, iy?”
“Yeah, yeah, stare at the none-human,” I retort.
She smiles lightly “datta be fair.” Shrugging. “What ye be needin, den?”
“Never had a massage before; just do what you think you should.” Being honest with my lack of information.
She cracks her knuckles menacingly, “ah, ye in for a treat i tell ya.”
“Great, now im terrified.”
She smiles like a wolf, “ly down da panze.”
All I can do lay facing down onto the bed, praying fervently to Felix and Lilith.