I sniffed myself and recoiled. One of my least favorite things about taking a mortal form was the body odor that came with it. the unpleasant wild onion smell that permeated my clothes since the last time I had taken a bath. I set my belongings on the bed and grabbed the bucket to fill the wash basin. the innkeeper watched me as I moved and arched an eyebrow.
”Could you bring me to a place where I may fill the bucket so I can clean up. I’ve been on the road and haven’t bathed in a few days. I would greatly appreciate a chance to freshen up.”
His tone cordial and friendly he responded, “Of course good sir. Follow me.”
We marched downstairs and stepped outside. Following along he brought me to an old well not but two streets further into the city where a square lay. Several vendors called out to people on the street showing wares and goods to the public and calling out what their specialties were. Lots of town criers called out and held signs of pubs and taverns calling out their delicious food and how their prices were the best in town.
I filled the bucket and returned with the innkeep. A scrawny boy manned the counter upon our return. He was the spitting image of the innkeep with the fuzz of youth on his face so either was a much younger sibling or an older child.
”Boy, fetch a few hot stones from the kitchen and bring them to this man’s room. It’s room two.” He turned to me, “That’ll warm up that freezing well water to make the bathing a little more comfortable. We just ask that you bring back the stone so that we may use it once more should another customer wish for a warm back.”
Hauling the bucket to the room I filled the basin most of the way. As I stripped off the shirt the boy came into the room without knocking. His eyes were drawn to my naked chest and I could see his throat bob in a dry swallow. I shook my head and motioned towards the wash basin. “If you would young man. I need to wipe myself down.”
His cheeks flushed with either desire or embarrassment. I couldn’t tell which one it might be. He placed the stone in the water and it bubbled and hissed in the air. I opened the shutters slightly as I felt the boy eye me. I turned to him, he was so young and in the throws of youthful want and desire, “What is your name young man?”
”Terrance sir,” His voice shook every so slightly and cracked near the end.
”It is impolite to stare, you need to keep your eyes to yourself and get back to your father. I won’t speak of your rudeness but next time I might not be so generous.” I gave him a firm stare as he swallowed and walked away.
He turned as scarlet as his hair and left the room quickly keeping his eyes on the floor and away from my bare chest. the door closed gently and the only thing I could hear in the room was the bubbling basin as the stone heated up the water. I closed and locked the door with the bar upon the inside. I stripped the rest of the way and retrieved my soap. I tested the water and it was gloriously warm. I grabbed a rag and hung up my traveling clothes. I wouldn’t be able to wash the leather right now but the inner padding needed a good wash so I set to the task and soon had them hanging by the window to dry. I began to scrub my body with the now cooling water with the moist cloth wiping all that I could reach and then with a second rag wiped away the soap upon my skin and sighed contently now that I smelled much better.
I let myself air dry as I opened the chest and started to load my pack full of my belongings and pulled the scroll out and set it upon the bed for me to finish reading these next few days. As I finished with the task my skin was finally dry so I pulled free my minstrel clothes and two pouches for my best. In one I put a quarter of my currency that I would use and the other I pocketed the two keys I would need for this room upon my return. I opened the shutters to the room wider and moved the hanging clothes closer to the breeze and tossed the water out the window into the alley.
Holding the stone and my lute I exited and locked up the room behind me and brought the heating rock to the front desk, “It worked wonderfully to help warm the water. I’ve never seen something like that used for travelers, but I’ve heard nobles have been using it as of late. I want to thank you for your hospitality, I will be out of your hair momentarily and I’ll be back much later. I work far into the darkness of the light. Would you happen to have a lantaern for me to use to navigate my way back should it be a moonless night?”
the innkeep shook his head and said, “Nay, if I loaned a lantern to everyone that needed one to make it through the streets I wouldn’t have anything to keep my own establishment bright for travelers to spot it. Most of the shops hang lanterns outside their doors come nightfall though so you might not need one. Just stay out of the alleys, lots of people dump their water at night.”
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I nodded and placed a pence upon the counter. “For my stay good sir. Should cover me for quite some time, wouldn’t you agree?”
He picked it up and eyed it. “I only charge a half bit per night plus a small charge for leading you across town. I think that would be about fourteen nights worth of stay.”
His math was slightly off but I didn’t bother correcting the man. It wouldn’t be polite and I needed this place to stay and on good terms so that my belongings and room would be kept safe while I was away from it. “Sounds about right to me, I’ll see you next, most likely tomorrow. I’m going to go fill my belly and ply my trade a little.”
Waving goodbye to one another and I step out of the shop taking in the air now that it has warmed up with the day. I made my way back to the square that housed everyone and bought a loaf of softer bread and a hunk of fresh soft cheese. I brought them with me eating them while I walked looking for the spitting goat sign that would be where I would work for the night. I waved to others and received a lot more looks now that I was in nicer clothes against the almost judgemental stares that I received before I was dressed in my working clothes. As I walked I noticed one creeping feeling crawling along my neck. I was being watched.
Scanning my eyes slowly around trying to find where this culprit might be I hoped it might just be some cutpurse and no one of true consequence. I would hate to part with more coin but I could afford it. But, being interrupted by the Blood Hunt and having to deal with dragon hunters would spoil my location and if I wanted to stay here it would take some risk of others coming looking for their comrade or even myself. Whoever was following me was awfully skilled though. I couldn't find hide or hair of the person. Trying to keep part of me aware of everyone around me I finished my bread and cheese and finally spotted the spitting goat sign and made my way over to the two story affair. the windows were open now and a much more jovial sense about the place radiated through the air.
I entered and some of the more drunk customers cheered noticing my return. they were much more drunk compared to what they were when I left and more soldiers had joined them. One of them yelled out, “Barkeep, a drink for the bard!”
the mole bearing twin poured out a drink from what I knew would be water instead of real mead or ale as part of our agreement. I took it and made my way over to a table. I sat upon it propping myself up and pulling my lute free of its protective case and started to tune it.
I smiled broadly at everyone and called out in a booming voice, “Who wants a song!”
Everyone started calling out a dozen different songs for me to sing and I listened to them all. Listening for one that might give me a modicum of power from the crowd and I knowing it.
One voice cut through it all and I latched onto it, “A hundred day flight!” I snapped my finger and pointed to the man with a smile.
“Dragons rise into the sky!
They come and we will fly!
So rise up and dont be shy!
To our loves we say goodbye!
A hundred days we’re off the ground!
The biggest mountain is just a mound!
Don’t fall or the ground you’ll pound!
Your screams would be the only sound!
Don’t worry about your sight!
It won’t be gone in the night!
Let your heart be free of fright!
Your only worry is the cold wind’s bite!
A hundred days we’re off the ground!
The biggest mountain is just a mound!
Don’t fall or the ground you’ll pound!
Your screams would be the only sound!
Over the land you fly so fast!
You won’t worry about your past!
I hope you make it last!
You will learn that the land is so vast!
A hundred days we’re off the ground!
The biggest mountain is just a mound!
Don’t fall or the ground you’ll pound!
Your screams would be the only sound!
Now we fly to go to war!
The enemies land onto the shore!
Your sword arm will surely be sore!
You better smite more than four!
A hundred days we’re off the ground!
The biggest mountain is just a mound!
Don’t fall or the ground you’ll pound!
Your screams would be the only sound!”
Everyone was singing along with me by the end and so we started once more from the beginning. Men were clapping and chugging their drinks, my music weaving through their minds as I filled it with the desire to party and let loose their worries. Several more men called for me to have a drink with them and I signaled to have the actual drink and not water. It wouldn’t hurt to wet my desire for a strong drink. I walked over to the table and cheered for their health and luck in battle.
I heard someone call out that they needed dice to play a game and call to me to join them after a song. So I repeated the tale of the tawdry wench and the men roared with laughter and the wenches at present looked less than pleased at the sudden smacking of their arses as they walked by. Men whistled at them and wagged their eyebrows. I got glares from them after that and I held my hands up in mock surrender.
It wasn’t long that more people streamed in from outside and they didn’t wear the garb of a guard or member of the military of the king. I waved at them with joy and motioned for them to sit upstairs as I saw very few patrons up there besides the dice game. Late into the night I played dozens of songs from epic calls to battle to soft ballads meant to be sung to ladies when soldiers returned.
As one more cheers was called through the room I raised my hands for attention. “Tomorrow night will be a tale! I’ll be happy to share it with you all.”