Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (21 page)

Seth

Seth had washed up quickly, and to be sure he smelled clean for Sara, he washed his body again, three more times in fact. Seth had no idea what all the creams and salves were on the shelves, but he was able to find a small sharp blade and a mirror which he used to scrape away the prickly facial hair that had sprouted across his face in a little over a week since he had left home. He was impressed that he cut himself only twice. Once the bleeding stopped, Seth washed the blood away and quickly dried and got dressed. His clothes smelled exceptionally clean, and he stepped out of his stall feeling terrific.

Sara and Seth smiled at each other. Taking Seth’s hand with one of hers, Sara reached up with the other to feel his face with her fingertips.

“Smooth…I like it,” Sara said with a grin and a giggle.

Looking down at the smaller woman, Seth realized that although she was stunning, she had been no less beautiful an hour before covered in grime from the road. It was both odd and amazing, the attachment he felt to her. Giving her hand a squeeze, they turned and walked hand in hand to meet the others.

Joining their friends, Seth and Sara both greeted them and together they decided to find Sasha so they could take their packs and equipment to their rooms. Exiting the bathing room they walked back down the long corridor towards the dining hall. Rounding the corner they could hear voices. The voices came from the very counter where they had met Sasha earlier, and she was there again speaking to a man who was apparently another customer. They waited patiently for the conversation to end, and when it did, the man handed Sasha some coins and turned and left the inn.

Without warning, Sara released Seth’s hand and he watched as she turned to face him. Motioning for them to remain where they were, Sara turned and walked to the counter to greet Sasha. The three boys were still some distance away and so were unable to hear the women’s nearly whispered conversation but they watched as Sara spoke, pausing periodically as Sasha responded with a nod.

Sara

Sara left the boys in the dining hall hoping they would be far enough away to remain out of hearing range of what she was going to talk to Sasha about. She was a bit embarrassed at having to ask a stranger anyway, and did not want the added embarrassment that would come if her companions could hear her too. Walking towards Sasha, Sara greeted her and came to stand mere inches away from the woman.

“Hello Sasha,” Sara smiled.

“Hello again m’lady,” Sasha replied

“It’s Sara. Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself properly earlier,” Sara said, unused to the title Sasha had labeled her with.

Sasha nodded in understanding.

“You said you could send someone to the market for us if we needed?” Sara asked, already knowing the answer to her question.

Sasha nodded in response.

“I was wondering if you might have someone pick up something for me?” Sara asked in a voice barely over a whisper, and continued without waiting for a response. “I have nothing to sleep in and I plan to share a bed tonight.”

Again Sasha nodded in understanding.

“I would like to get something a bit provocative, yet not too revealing if that is possible,” Sara went on, unable to meet Sasha’s eyes as she said it.

“That can be arranged. Would you like something for your man as well?” Sasha asked mimicking Sara’s muted tone.

“Yes please, if it’s not too much trouble, I’m not sure if he has anything. Though I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t,” she added as an afterthought, smiling as she said it.

“Consider it done,” Sasha stated with an assuring tone. “Would you care to see your rooms now?”

This time it was Sara who nodded in response, and the two of them turned and walked towards the boys. As Sasha passed, she asked them to follow, first led them to the room Sara and Seth would be sharing. Opening the door for the young couple, she allowed them to enter and say a few words to their friends before closing the door behind them.

Sara thought they had stepped directly into a dream and could tell by his expression that Seth thought much the same. The room was beyond comprehension. The floors here were covered from wall to wall with an amazingly soft rug. The room had various luxurious pieces of furniture throughout its expanse, but both of them instinctively looked towards the bed. It was an enormous mass of satin and stained wood. Each corner of the bed was a massive post that rose from the floor to nearly touch the ceiling. The footboard of the bed was carved with a scene depicting nude silhouettes of people dancing in couples, their bodies entwined together in various vertical positions. The headboard was a large frame of stained and gleaming wood surrounding a large oval piece of some sort of metal that was polished to a mirror finish, reflecting the bed back upon itself. From the tops of the four posts was stretched a white satin canopy that fell in tendrils around the entire expanse of the bed, partially hiding the mattress and bedding from view. Pulling back the satin tendrils revealed pillows made from the softest down feathers piled high across the head of the bed. The blankets and sheets were all satin and silk wrapped around an overstuffed down mattress. The bed somewhat resembled a cloud and Sara could hardly wait to see if it was as soft as it looked, but did her best to restrain herself.

Looking around the rest of the room revealed a large writing desk completely stocked with various types of parchment and ink along with small blocks of colored wax. Also opposite the bed there were several upholstered chairs. To either side of the bed was a small stand containing candles and a small vase of flowers. In one corner on the same wall as the bed stood a small woven partition where one could undress or dress unseen, and in the corner opposite to that there was a small room built into the larger one with a single door upon it. Opening the door they found a small private privy. Most inns had a privy room the tenants would share, but this inn spared no expense. Seth and Sara both dropped their packs at the foot of the bed and sat on its edge sinking deeply into the mattress. They were there many long moments leaning into one another, just enjoying each other’s company in the lush comforts of their room.

Garret

Garret and Ashton followed Sasha down the hall up a flight of stairs to the second floor. He didn’t know about his healer friend, but Garret could follow the sway of those hips anywhere. Topping the stairs and walked halfway down the hall, their hostess paused and opened a door. Garret couldn’t help but mourn the loss of his distraction now that they had come to a stop. Glancing inside the room, Sasha held the door open for them, allowing them to enter. Once they were inside she closed the door behind them and placed the key to the room in the lock.

Garret entered the room he would be sharing with his friend and was amazed by its quality. The floor here was the same marble as the floors they had seen before, only this floor lacked the filigree. The room was split in two by a long narrow rug that ran the entire length between the beds, and was furnished such that either side of the rug was a mirror reflection of the opposite side with two beds, two desks, two bedside tables, two upholstered chairs and two wooden chests. All of the furniture looked heavy and crafted from quality materials, which Garret knew was a true sign of the money invested here. Every piece seemed crafted for the room, as the chairs’ red leather upholstery matched the beds’ red satin sheets and spreads. Across the room from the entry door, directly in the center of the opposite wall, stood another door. Behind the door Garret discovered a privy where he quickly decided to test the plumbing.

Seth

After several long minutes enjoying their privacy, Seth decided with Sara to go and wait for the others in the dining hall. It was a little past midday and both were ready to eat. Leaving their room Seth found a key with a ribbon tied to it protruding from the door and as such he locked it. Pocketing the key he turned and with Sara at his side, walked down the hall. Arriving at the dining room Seth found it was completely vacant and so chose a large table in the center of the luxurious room. With nothing better to do, they seated themselves and waited patiently, exchanging smiles and looks of adoration as they did. They did not wait excessively long before the voices of Garret and Ashton came echoing loudly down the hall.

Spying their friends, Garret and Ashton quickly joined them at the table and seated themselves. Each of the four spoke excitedly about the luxurious details of their rented accommodations. It surprised them all. It seemed that a little money could grant a generous amount of luxury, at least temporarily.

As they spoke a young woman, younger even than Sara, walked through the dining hall carrying some packages. She smiled at the group seated there, continued through the room and disappeared down the hall. The group watched her go and their eyes lingered on the hall when she returned, this time without the packages. She approached their table and came to stand near them before speaking.

“Hello gentlemen and Miss Sara, if you would care for something to drink, I would be delighted to fetch it for you. Also, someone will be with you shortly to take your food choices if you wish to eat.” Although only about fifteen, the girl said it with the same practiced perfection of Sasha.

The friends each stated that they would like some cold ale and that they did intend to eat and the young woman turned on her heel and strode back into the hall. Moments later she returned carrying a tray with four mugs and a large pitcher. She placed a mug expertly in front of each of the guests and put the pitcher in the center of the table. The companions all thanked her before she once again walked off, and as she left, a short, lean man came from the hall wearing a white smock and a funny looking fluffy hat of the same material. The man sauntered up to their table with a noticeable limp. The group watched him approach and smiled at him as he did so. Coming to stand beside their table, easily in sight of everyone, the man first looked to Sara as he spoke.

“What will you be having to eat this afternoon m’lady?” he asked, his voice coated in a strange accent.

Sara, seemingly unprepared for the question, turned in her chair as her eyes darted around the room for the answer.  Without realizing it, Seth looked too, curious if the menu items were listed somewhere that they had not previously noticed. Nothing found, his gaze returned to Sara’s confused expression which he found mirrored on the faces of Garret and Ashton as well.

“I’m so sorry, sir. I am unaware of the meal choices.” Sara stated with a meek grin playing across her lips.

“Ah, this is your first stay with us then,” the man observed, and without waiting for a response he continued. “We have no meal choices here, m’lady. Whatever delicious food your heart desires we will prepare fresh for you if the ingredients are available to us and the recipe known.” This the man stated with a look of pride and a wide-toothed smile.

Sara was obviously taken aback. None of them had been prepared for this, but Sara answered quickly after a brief pause, either already knowing what she desired or blurting out the first thing that came to her mind. Seth couldn’t be sure

“If it is possible, please could you prepare a chicken soup with noodles?” Sara asked hopefully.

“It would be my pleasure, m’lady,” the man answered honestly with a smile. “And what might you be having, young master?” This time the man looked to Seth.

Seth had been dreaming about the possibilities while Sara decided on what she was going to order. Several ideas crossed his mind. He had nearly settled on a meat pie like the one he had eaten at the inn in Stone Haven, but hearing Sara’s choice, he changed his mind. Seth had never had a chicken soup with noodles before and the thought intrigued him.

“I will take the same as she ordered,” Seth said to the man smiling first to him and then to Sara.

“Well, that will be two soups then,” the man nodded, making a note of it. “What will you be having, sire?” the man asked, his gaze meeting Garret’s.

“I would like a meat pie,” Garret stated immediately.

“Ah, it’s a hearty meal indeed,” the man replied. “Would you like chicken, beef or pork, sire? Also would you like it with a cream sauce or a cheese sauce?” He asked as if sorting through different recipes in his memory.

Garret thought deeply a moment, his face twisting into compositions that looked incredibly uncomfortable and then he answered the man’s question.

“Since you will already be preparing chicken for two meals, I’ll take chicken as well,” Garret smiled. “I hope it lightens your burden a bit. Also, I would like to try the cream sauce if it isn’t too much trouble.”

The man in the outlandish white garb smiled broadly at Garret, noticeably pleased that the boy had indeed saved him much effort.

“No trouble at all, young sire.” Was the man’s simple reply. “What shall you be having, young master?” The man now spoke to Ashton.

“If you have it available, I would like an assortment of fresh fruit,” Ashton responded politely.

“Indeed you shall have a wide variety, young master. Is that all you require?” he asked the group now as a whole.

Accepting their nods in response, the short man spun on his good leg and sauntered back out of the room the way he had come.

Sara turned to Seth with a disarming smile on her lips.

“Chicken soup, huh?” she asked him teasingly.

“Why not?” Seth asked rhetorically. “Oh, and what is a noodle?” Seth didn’t think he had ever had one before. “Do you think I will like it? I have only had chicken soup with potatoes in the past.”

“Well, my love, a noodle is warm, moist and tender. I think you will like it.” Her smile faded slightly as she continued. “It was the last meal my mother made me before she died.”

Seth had not expected the revelation and so reached under the table to take her hand and hold it tightly.

“I’m sorry, Sara.” Seth did not know what else to say.

“It is OK, my love, she is gone, but I do like to remember her.” Sara said her eyes and expression blank, as if she looked into the distance to see something just out of sight.

Seth, wanting to change the mood of the conversation, but not wanting to take away time from Sara’s memories, decided to ask a question.

“Do you think your mother would have liked me?” Seth asked, his question born out of honest curiosity.

Garret and Ashton were apparently curious too as they leaned in to hear the answer.

“Well love, you are young, strong, intelligent, handsome and have several silver at your disposal. My mother more than liked several men who were either young, strong, intelligent or handsome. So I would say yes, she would most definitely like you, if not try to bed you.” This last part she added with a wink to Seth.

Garret and Ashton burst into laughter. They had both been unsure as to how Seth’s question would affect the girl, but did not expect her sarcastic response. It was true. Sara’s mother had been a prostitute and so would indeed probably try to bed any man who might have coins to pay for it. Seth’s jaw had dropped open at her reply, and Sara beamed at him, smiling as brightly as her face was able in response to his reaction. Sara giggled angelically at Seth, obviously pleased with herself. Laughter, being contagious, consumed even Seth after he was able to somewhat recover from the shock of Sara’s reply. So they all laughed heartily, the mood dramatically changed for the better.

They spoke merrily of the days ahead, making presumptions about the festivities that would be held within the city in the days to come. Garret once mentioned The Choosing ceremony, at which point Seth and Sara shared a knowing look, having already prepared an escape plan in case they would need it. They had been talking for some time when the man in the strange white attire sauntered once again into the room. This time he was followed by Sasha and each of them carried a tray.

The man placed before Sara and Seth large, shallow, steaming bowls. The scent of the food enticed their nostrils and Seth’s mouth began to water. The bowls were filled nearly to the brim with large chunks of meat, small diced vegetables and pale white strands of twisted, soft noodles. All of this was submerged within a golden yellow broth that steamed and smelled of herbs and spices. It looked and smelled delicious.

Sasha walked around the table and placed before Garret a large round plate. At its center sat a flaky pie crust with several slits in the top. From the slits bubbled a creamy white sauce releasing the scents of mushroom and pepper. The crust was baked golden brown and was trimmed into a perfect circle. It too looked and smelled delicious.

Seth watched on as Sasha then went around to Ashton, who smiled as she approached. In front of him she placed a large bowl identical to the ones Seth and Sara were given. Within the bowl sat a small melon with its top carved out in the likeness of a swan. Within the recesses created by the carving were grapes and cherries and other small fruits. Around the melon, ringing the entire bowl, were cut strawberries, orange slices and wedges from various types of apples. The bowl appeared more as a work of art then a meal. It was a fantastic display of the creator’s culinary skill, and Ashton stated as much. His compliment brought a huge smile to the man’s face and Sasha nodded her approval. Wishing them an enjoyable meal Sasha and the man left the group to eat in peace.

The four companions enjoyed their meals with no other sound than an occasional sound of delight as someone was overwhelmed by some succulent morsel or another.

They finished their meals more quickly than Seth thought possible, obviously more hungry than any of them had presumed. Talking quietly around the table, they each graciously complimented the chef and waited patiently for one of the inn’s employees to return. Before long they could hear voices from somewhere down the hall but none of them were able to make out the words. Shortly thereafter, the muted conversation had come to an end and footsteps sounded on the stone floors, growing increasingly louder with each step. Sasha’s heeled shoes clicked and clacked as she appeared from the hallway. Sasha’s face lit up as she responded to their intent gazes.

“I hope your meal was enjoyable,” she said in greeting.

The boys nodded but Sara turned to speak to their host.

“It was perfect, Sasha. Please send my thanks to whoever prepared the soup,” she said in earnest.

“Oh, I shall, darling. Is there anything else we can get for you? If not is there anywhere you should like to visit? There are still a few hours of light remaining within the city walls if you would like me to direct you to some place of interest?” Sasha asked the questions as always with practiced perfection.

“Didn’t you want to visit the knight’s training grounds, Garret?” Sara asked, turning to face him as she did so.

Sara’s question was followed by a gasp from Sasha, causing all of them to quickly return her gaze to the woman to see what had transpired that she must have missed. Sasha stood with a stunned look on her face, unable to believe something, though what it was no one knew. The woman’s lips moved a couple of times as if to speak. She inhaled deeply, regaining her composure, and looked at them once more, this time pausing to inspect each one of them as if looking for something.

“I’m sorry,” Sasha stated. “How rude of me to stand here staring at you all. It’s just that I heard the name Garret recently, and I now presume that the two are the same,” Sasha stated, explaining her reaction of only a moment ago. “I realize it isn’t any of my business, but could I ask you a few questions?” Sasha looked at them hopefully.

“Sure,” Garret answered, intrigued by the woman’s mention of his name.

“Well then, I must ask if you are the same Garret that met three kingdom knights upon the road between Paldoon’s Hold and Stone Haven?” She eyed Garret intently.

“Yes ma’am, one and the same,” Garret confirmed, and then, as if to prove the meeting, he went on. “They approached me looking for signs of a goblin who had visited the area.”

Sasha nodded in reply and her eyes drifted from Garret around the table and fell upon his twin Seth.

“You then must be the brother who sustained injury in the encounter.” Sasha recalled the details she had been told.

Seth nodded in response, uncertain of the direction of this conversation.

“It appears you have recovered then from the injury you reportedly sustained. I suspect it was no great injury if you sit here already, just a couple days later.” Sasha spoke as if making notes of the details mentally as she did.

“Well actually…,” Ashton chimed in, not wanting her to presume incorrectly, “the goblin was able to drive his blade between Seth’s ribs and up into his lung and heart.” He spoke detachedly as a physician might of the injury.

Seth shuddered at the thought, remembering too well the pain of the injury and the grief it had caused Sara.

“Truly?” Sasha asked as if unconvinced. “Yet you sit here with a beating heart, breathing air easily at my table? How is this possible?” This time the disbelief was audible in her tone.