Alex threw two copper coins to the smiling boy, who was waving his fluffy tail, and answered, “One coin for each of you! I suppose we can use the communal baths unless anyone wants a private hot tub. Take care of the rooms. I think two people per room will be enough. Can you see if there are four rooms available? If not, see how many are free so that we can decide how to divide them among us.”
The other Dog-kind boy was staring at the big grizzly bear Suijin was mounting, and asked, “Mister Alex, is that beast safe to be inside the stable? I don’t want to find the horses eaten in the morning!”
Suijin answered with a big smile, “Don’t be afraid, boy. He has already eaten, and he is so full that he won’t even look at the horses. Just put some water near him, and he will sleep all night.”
Alex nodded to the worried Dog-kind boy, and he opened both doors of the stables, waiting for the bear to enter before going to grab the reins of the horses.
James Macdonald faced Alex and said, “Mister Alex, for the rooms, I think Gabriel could share a room with Suijin, Wenammy with Pearl, Bethany and me in one room, and Anika with Miss Sarutahiko Okami. As for you, you can have a room for yourself if you don’t mind paying for it, or share the room with Suijin and Gabriel. If there are not enough rooms, we may need to think about other arrangements.”
Suijin overheard them and interrupted, “There is no need for a room for me and Okami because we will help the guards secure the City during the night so that you can all have a good night’s rest without worrying about Monsters attacking the City during the night.”
James Macdonald vigorously shook his head. “No, that won’t do. You also need to rest in a proper bed!”
“What I and Okami need is to make sure that Alex is safe, or else Shinatobe will take our heads without even batting an eye. I am a little surprised by your boldness in wanting a room for you and Miss Bethany Mathews. By chance, are you and she a couple? ”
“Yes, long before we created this Party. So, what about if we went for that communal bath? I don’t know about you, but having a nice bath in a big hot tub before we go for dinner sounds like an excellent idea.”
Alex followed them to the bathhouse, which the young Dog-kind stable boy pointed out, with Anika Wright almost glowing in happiness. She mumbled in a low voice, “I will have my opportunity… If I am alone in a room, I just need to seduce Alex to join me…”
Pearl Pearson whispered to her, “Better if you forget that idea. I am sure the Spirit of the Wind is not far away from him.”
Anika jolted at the sudden realisation that Pearl could be right, and she followed the others to the baths.
The bathhouse was a large, two-storey building next to the Inn, and it communicated with it through a large door so that the guests could come and go without the need to walk on the street. Inside, a very attractive Rabbit-kind woman with long white hair and long pointy white ears smiled at James Macdonald and gave him towels enough for the men, and another set for Bethany Mathews, for the women.
James and the guys went to the door with a picture of a man holding a shield and sword, while the women went through the other door, which had a picture of a woman with a bow.
Alex chose an empty rack and placed his weapons and clothes in there. As he was undressing, James Macdonald and Gabriel Dawson noticed that Alex’s body was covered in scars, and some of them looked like they were life-threatening in the past.
Alex noticed their gaze and pointed to the long scar behind his right shoulder. “This one was my father while we were practising. I was a second too slow to avoid his spear, and he pierced my shoulder from one side to the other. This one on my left thigh was also him with a sword, but I almost took his arm out when I counter-attacked. I sacrificed my leg to win. I only have one tiny scar on my forearm from a Harpy that attacked me several months ago. That was the first and last Monster to harm me. After that vicious mean Harpy, I made sure not to let another Monster approach me or the people I was protecting. I bet any of you have more scars than me, caused by Monsters.”
James Macdonald averted his gaze and answered while entering the three-meter round bathtub. “I have a few caused by Monsters, but I never got one from my father. It seems you don’t have a good relationship with him if he even tried to kill you a few times.”
“What are you talking about? I love my father, and he loves me! The scars I got from him were during practice. He also has a bunch that I gave him as a souvenir, far more than I do, actually. I endured some harsh training, but I never complained when I got hurt because of my distraction or carelessness. It served as a lesson to not get myself distracted again. That was why, until now, only a Harpy hurt me. And even that one was because I sacrificed my well-being to protect the Merchants of the caravan I was guarding. One Merchant died even with all my efforts, but it was only one death, and over ten Harpies died during that surprise attack.”
James Macdonald rested his head on the edge of the big hot tub and sighed, letting the heat of the water calm his tired muscles. “This World is difficult for us Adventurers, is it? It is even worse for ordinary people who only try to live a peaceful life. I wonder how life would be if Monsters didn’t come out of those weird Magical Voids in the sky. I heard that centuries ago, this was a paradise, with Humans, Beast-kind, Elfians, Mermaids and Fairies, living in peace. Well, besides a few bickering and one or two occasional fights between Races, nothing so dangerous as a full-out war or Monsters attacking in hordes.”
Alex entered the hot tub and answered, after splashing his face, “If you don’t count the war caused by ‘The Galtian Khaganat’ that tried to conquer every country around to create an enormous army to fight the Monsters. The intention was good, but the means, not so much.”
While Alex and the other men were indulging in some peaceful talk and relaxing, Anika Wright was in the women’s bathtub, slowly splashing her large Mermaid tail. The Fairy Wenammy was carefully washing her six wings, and Bethany Matthews let out a profound sigh before asking, “Pearl, what do you think about our new companions? Alex was suspicious enough during our last voyage, but everything went way better than it would have if he wasn’t with us.”
Pearl Pearson answered while washing her long hair, which was normally tied in a high ponytail. “I trust those two more than any Human in our Party, you included. I am sorry if I sound too harsh, but things are like they are. Don’t look at me like that and don’t even try to question me, because I won’t answer. We are lucky to have them with us, and Alex as well. Don’t be so worried. I can guarantee you they won’t cause us any harm, and they won’t hesitate to save our lives in case of need.”
“That’s good to know, I suppose. I feel a bit insulted, but you probably have a very good reason for being so secretive. Will you tell me one day what it is?”
Pearl Pearson shrugged and avoided looking at Bethany. “It’s not my place to say anything about them. If they feel comfortable talking about it, they will tell you. In the meantime, worry more about relaxing your muscles, considering that you will have our dear Leader all to yourself tonight, without a bunch of us crazies meddling between you two, like we usually do.”
Bethany Mathews turned bright red and splashed water over her face. “Yeah, it has been a while since the last time we were all alone. I was missing him… Not that I don’t like everyone else’s company, but he is… my partner, after all…”
Pearl Pearson smiled and washed her upper torso. “Lucky you. I am still searching for the right mate. I once thought that Gabriel could be it, but after hearing his girlish scream for the first time, it completely ruined my mood.”
The girls laughed, remembering the last time Gabriel Dawson screamed like a little girl on their previous Quest.
After almost thirty minutes, they were all in the dining room of the Inn waiting for their food, fully refreshed and chatting. The other tables were full of either Adventurers or Merchants. Suddenly, the noise from the other tables came to a halt, and Alex frowned at the entrance of the room, where two men were approaching because he immediately recognised them.
When they got to his table, Alex got up and made a slight bow. “City Chief and Priest, I am glad to see both of you in good health.”
The Priest made a light bow and said, “I was told that you arrived, and after the afternoon service, I had to come and visit you. Your friend Shinatobe gave me last week your usual monthly donation. It was more than enough for the Orphanage, as it always is, and I used some of it to repair the Church. I hope you don’t mind, considering that you specifically said that your donations were for the orphans.”
“I guess that’s okay, Priest, considering that your service in the Church also benefits the orphans. How are they, by the way?”
“They are all missing you. I was hoping you could find some time tomorrow for a quick visit before continuing your voyage, but the City Chief has some urgent news, and I am sure you will leave the City really early tomorrow, or maybe even tonight.”
Alex blinked in surprise and faced the City Chief, who was nervously fiddling with his fingers. “Yes… I am sorry for being the bearer of bad news. I received a message this morning, and I sent it to the Capital to be delivered to you. If you are here so peacefully, it can only mean you didn’t receive it.”
“We were riding during the past few days, but I didn’t see a courier. What’s the matter?”
The City Chief narrowed his eyes and answered, “It concerns Earl Kayden Burke from ‘The Republic of Beliersia’. He is on his deathbed, and he called for you.”
Seeing the worried look on Alex, the City Chief quickly continued, “It was not caused by Monsters, only old age. The King of ‘The Republic of Beliersia’ sent his finest Healers, but they could only prolong his life a little and stop the pain. The Chamber of Lords, which, as you know, rule over Beliersia, already had an emergency meeting, and they are also waiting for you because Earl Kayden Burke made you the heir of his title and lands.”
Alex slowly nodded while everyone at the table was surprised to hear that Alex would get a Noble title. He sat down slowly and looked at his hands over the table for a few seconds before continuing, “That means I also got another vote in the Chamber of Lords to go with my father’s and mine. I bet there are a bunch of Lords waiting to convince me to support some of their causes, since I now have three votes. The King sent a message as well?”
“Yes, presenting his condolences and his deepest sympathy.”
Alex remained silent and neither the City Chief nor anyone else made a sound. Alex then raised his head and said, “Thank you for coming here. I need to make a few changes in my voyage because if my friend is dying, I must go to him as soon as possible.”
Alex bit his lower lip, and he then faced the serious Spirit of the Water that was in front of him. “Suijin, we are still two days away from my friend’s land. Can you do something to make him more comfortable so that I have time to get to him?”
“I cannot make him younger, but I can strengthen his body, and he will wait for you in almost perfect health for as long as you need. As soon as my Magic ends, he will have a peaceful and painless death. I am not allowed to do any more than that because I can’t interfere with the natural end of a life.”
“Can you go now? I don’t want to risk it and wait for the morning. ”
Suijin got up and made a slight smile. “I was already counting on that. In a few hours, I will be next to your friend. You can rest assured. Do you want me to give him a message?”
“Tell him I am arriving and that I am sorry for not being at his side until now. I didn’t know he was so ill.”