Continuing through the various mountain passes, Ovid arrived at a flat stretch of wetland, where many rivers gathered, forming the Straton Confluence, which the city it sits upon is named after.
The Theme of Charsianon is rathered decentralised, lacking a standard army to garrison the theme, as it’s governor, Martha, is one of the strongest individuals in the empire. This is quite surprising, as to the South, lays the Aelian forest, where Silver elves would constantly launch raids against the Empire’s territories.
Compared to the desolate grasslands of the north, the abundant plains in the South possesses far more elegance and sophistication, Though still not nearing the sheer magnificence and scale present in the capital of Julia, with only one building truly grand building, located atop a cliff overwatching the city.
The building possesses numerous statues that were present in Alexander’s time, though many of them became overgrown, while entire parts were swallowed by the ground below.
This was naturally, the manor of Martha.
Lining in front of the city gates is a very ordinary carriage, pulled by two ordinary horses that could be seen everywhere in the North.
Looking at the peasants carrying their harvest into the city after handing a portion to the local militia, Ovid could not help but reminisce the tolls gates that were present in his old world.
Perhaps due to the comparison he made, Ovid could not help but internally criticise the backwardness of this feudal city, particularly in the fields in the sciences, as the from what he had heard, the Theme lacks a university.
Tugging the veil on his head due to discomfort, Ovid did not look at Anna, who had reentered the carriage after paying the fee for entrance into the city.
“Usually, the hair would be tied in knots, but since you said it was irritating your scalp, I don’t have much choice but to place the veil without doing anything,” Anna, noticing what Ovid was feeling, quickly acknowledged
“If you really need to change it to something else, I can give you my small-cap,” after looking at Ovid continuing to struggle with the veil, Anna then offered with some reluctance.
“No, I will just bear with it,” Ovid said.
Anna asked, “Why? If it’s uncomfortable, you should just change it.”
Ovid said, “Mother told me that if anything is unbearable, just bear with it long enough, and I eventually got used to it.”
Anna looked at Ovid sympathetically, but said nothing.
After a brief knocking on the door of the carriage by one of the guards, the horses began to lead the carriage through the crowded roads. Trodding along one of the tributaries rivers, the carriage arrived at a hospitium (fancier, Roman inn) overlooking where the tributary merged into the larger river.
When the horses stopped in front of the hospitium, Ovid pulled the sleeve of Cai Hua a few time, forcing him out of his mediation.
Looking at the hospitium, Cai Hua gave a peculiar smile, handing Ovid and Anna a few precious materials, he said, “It would be easier for me to recover in a minor realm,” before withdrawing.
After the incident regarding the silver river, Cai Hua frequently would enter mediation, only regaining consciousness when Ovid, very specifically, would pull on Cai Hua’s robes a few times. Strangely, even with the mediation, Cai Hua’s vitality seemed to have decreased, his cheeks become sunken while heavy bags appeared under his eyes.
Bringing the two horses to the servant of the owner, Ovid did not give many instructions, only mentioning to feed the horses with fodder before paying the servant a few dozens follis.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Weirdly, the hospitium lacks a dining room, so Ovid and Anna did not enter the building. Walking into a nearby restaurant on the same street, Ovid ordered a private room on the fourth to escape the loud commotion caused in the public spaces.
Ovid ordered a few cheap dishes, ignorant of the peculiar look given off by the waiter.
Regardless, a complimentary cup of coffee was still given to the two.
Adding a few bits of brown sugar into his drink, Ovid took a sip as he said, “I am a bit surprised with how sound-insulating these rooms are, and the lack of a window makes it even better.”
Coffee with sugar was not popularised yet, but Anna still followed Ovid’s method of drinking regardless, she asked, “Why having no windows is a good thing, considering the position of the restaurant along the river, the scenery should be quite good.”
“I don’t know, but the sunlight hurts my eyes, so I have no complaints,” Ovid said.
Anna made a ‘hmm’, asking a few more questions.
Unknowingly, the servant arrived with the food.
Behind the servants, was two elven women, dressed in a promiscuous manner with see-through silk gown, after taking away the cups of coffee, the servant whispered a few words into the chiselled ears of the elves.
Her words were spoken softly, to the point in which normal humans could not hear, but Ovid was not a normal human, his senses many times keener.
“The customers are quite young, so you should take the lead.”
Ovid could not understand the meanings of these words.
After pushing the two elves into the room, the servant closed the door, checking that the sound insulating speed was still in place, she then thought of the high profit such wealthy customers would bring.
Within the rooms, the elven courtesans have numbly stipped off their see-through silk gown, revealing their bare bodies.
(Medieval orientation, is pretty liberal, so ‘rubbing tofu’ is actually quite common, particularly in early Christan Rome, which the setting is particularly based on in combinations with some other.)
(Oh god, why am I reasoning this)
The two courtesans appeared rather similar, though one of them was significantly taller than the other, causing on to think of them as sisters.
Ovid diverted his eyes as he asked Anna in a monotone voice, “What are they doing?”
Anna was rather uncomfortable as she answered, “I think that the restaurant also functions as brothels.”
Ovid tilted his head and asked, “What are brothels?”
Anna covered her face in shame as she replied, “Places where people seek pleasure.”
Ovid, hearing Anna’s response, diverted his eyes further, though no blush appeared.
Massaging the bridge of his nose, Ovid took out the previous materials Cai Hua had handed him.
“Could you… please put on your clothes,” Ovid said.
The courtesans were quite shocked, but seeing the items Ovid had taken out, they thought that perhaps the two had eccentric tastes.
Ovid cleared his throat and said, “With this much, I think should you be able to quit your jobs.”
The taller of the two courtesans asked, “Are you purchasing us? If that’s the case, it would be better to talk to the master of the place.”
Ovid waved his hands hurriedly, he said, “Of course not! Human lives cannot be exchanged with money, no matter what, your existence is a miracle in the history of evolution.”
The shorted courtesan started at her sister, appearing fearful as she asked, “Are we going to kidnapped again?”
Ovid felt his heard hurt as he said, “I’m asking you to retire and live a peaceful life.”
The two courtesans both hopefully asked, “Are you sent by the goddess Sehanine to rescue us then? If that is the case, there should be six other sisters in this building, eight in the building next door…”
Ovid wiped the imaginary sweat on his forehead with his stola, looking at the hope present in the eyes of the two elves, he said, “I’m not sure who Sehanine is, so I’m not sent by her, but I probably can purchase all the courtesans, including those who aren’t elves.”
The taller of the elven courtesan’s ears slightly twitched as she said, “Even if you could, you are not going to stop the influx of elven slaves.”
Ovid asked, “Why is that so?”
The taller elf said, “Since this place is so close to the Aelian forest, where we silver elves live. Look at us, we’re tall, slender and beautiful, with our natural beauty, of course, we will be desired by humans.”
The shorter elf said, “As long as you can return us to our clan, we will be full of gratitude.”
Ovid picked one of the dried seeds on the table, fidgeting it in his hands, he asked, “You and the other elves are one kind of people, shouldn’t I return all of the silver elves?”
The two elves both laughed after the shorter elf nudged her sister, the taller elf answered, “Of course, it is because that the other clans captured us, that we are here in the first place.”
The dried seed Ovid was toying with became crushed, and he did not speak any further.
It was at this time that Anna chucked thrice and said, “Then, how about you just follow us? As long as you can fulfil two of my requests, I can purchase you, then let you return to the forest.”
The two elves blinked a few times, causing their eyelashes to flutter in wonder as they asked, “That simple? What are the demands?”
Anna asked, “The first; how did you come to the conclusion that Ovid was sent by one of your goddesses?”
The shorter elf replied, “Silver elves usually have much paler skin than humans, like your companion there, though the most convincing features would be the traces of metallic colours in her eyes.”
Anna nodded in understanding, then said, “As for the second demand; let me explore your body.”
The taller elf replied in a cheerful tone, “Such a simple demand as having sex, of course, I can fulfil.”
Anna shook her head slowly, she said, “I mean, to explore the inner workings of your body, the organs, muscles and tissues. Of course, I would provide anaesthetics, and could heal any possible damage caused.”