As Androcles passed the rows of small round stone houses, he began to associate them with the Cetal people as a whole, and the hundreds of idle inhabitants looked at him with interest. And it's not just knee-high people and the elderly; healthy, strong men and women sit there bored and chatting while their children run around uncontrollably. The only explanation Anchorex could come up with was that no one was allowed out and there were too many people inside for everyone to keep busy.
The inside of the town was bigger than it looked, though; it took him a long time to cross the river and find what the guards had called a good inn. As the man said, it really stands out from everything here, and not just because of its green door. It was the only square building he had ever seen, stately and proud, built of flat stone, with a second story as complete as the manor house in the Honor District. The painted boards appear well-made and waterproof, although they are not the hardened clay one would expect. The only thing it's missing is paint on the stone front, or at least clean plaster. All in all, he was delighted to have found such an unexpected outpost of true civilization.
Upon entering, the large and inviting common room immediately reminded him of his city and hometown. The lights are bright and warm, and the fire is burning brightly in the central fireplace, making the room cozy and inviting. Sturdy, well-made tables and chairs line the common room. Near one corner, there was an area with suitable sofas around a shorter table for people to lie on while eating, waiting for civilized people to come and inhabit it.
The fairy shrieked in surprise and immediately began flying around the room, looking at everything more closely. Six or seven patrons in the room gasped in surprise and stared at him with their mouths open; one spilled his drink on his dinner and didn't even care. Of course, Gabby remained unresponsive.
A confident, friendly voice said, "Master, I suppose you'd like to take a bath?" You looked like a glorious old philosopher. For just one silver coin, I can have my servants give you a bath and take good care of you. "
Androcles turned and saw a stately and handsome woman approaching him. She wore a light-colored linen dress with bright red cloth embroidered around the edges. Her shiny, oiled hair was curled and surrounded by a silver net. A
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okles thought it would be expensive to stay here and frankly, this was perfect.
"Yes, please tell your master that the girl and I need to take a bath with water and oil immediately, and I also need to clean my spear. I'm not sure about the fairy, but he's not very big, so don't worry about him. I'd like to have a big bowl of hot food waiting for me while we clean up, and a jug of mixed wine. I'd also like a room with a good bed, and a window upstairs, if you have one words. Take care of my needs and I will reward your master handsomely." He said, happy to be among civilized people. He shook the purse out of his robe and asked her to hear its contents.
She nodded gracefully and said: "I am the master here, and I am honored to have you. I am Gotzo
e. Shall I tell my servant your name?"
He blinked in surprise, but figured it wasn't too weird. If the Keltars had their women digging in the fields, there would be no reason not to look after the inns. Dikai'an widows were allowed to keep their property, but they usually bought slaves rather than work for themselves. "I am Androchus the Giant-Slayer, son of Palamonos of Decea. Remember this name. One day you will tell your grandchildren that I lived here."
"Of course, Master Androx. Does the fairy want a bed too? Or is he with you and the woman?"
Thinking of this, Androx smiled happily. "Do you have a doll bed that's suitable for him?" Whether he wants it or not, I want to see him wear it. Let's imagine!"
"I happen to have something that I'll give to you for free if you let me see what it's wrapped in," she said, her eyes flashing with desire, betraying her composure.
"Deal," he said.
She nodded again and said, "Please wait for my servants. I'll call them right away." After that, she bowed politely and left. As she walked deeper into the building, he heard her calling the servants' names, telling them to take care of things.
The fairy sat on his shoulder again and asked: "This place also has a door. Do they want to keep everyone out?"
"No, I'm pretty sure that door is to keep the hot air out. And keep rats and dogs out, that sort of thing."
"What is this place for?"
"I gave them money and they let us sleep here and gave us food and anything we wanted." He wondered if the master had any women for him. Where he would have put Gabby if she knew. Would the little girl notice if Androx was in the room with a woman? It occurred to him that one day she might come to her senses and remember it, and he would be sorry for letting her in at such a young age. Responsible for ruining her by being exposed to adult things. She is so cute, so cute.
After a while, a shaved young woman and two young men arrived, both wearing clean light-colored woolen coats, and led him and Galbi through the common room and into a garden surrounded by buildings. Androchus wondered, across the room at the end, if there was a woman's garden beyond; Decian women, like most other honorable women, usually had their own quarters, keeping the men out. But there are women everywhere here, so that may not be the case.
As the seasons pass, the garden itself fades. There were some trees Andros didn't recognize, colorful red and yellow leaves scattered along the stone walkway, and with the wall blocking the wind, it seemed warmer here than outside the town.
The servants led him and Galbi through the garden to a small but not crowded bathhouse, where two stools were waiting for them. Young man taking care of A
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okles, while women take care of Ga
bi, this is appropriate. The servants deftly took off the guests' clothes and set them aside to be washed. They placed Androchus' coin purse next to the fragment of his robe, where he could see it. The servants then sat them down and poured water from a heated metal basin over their hair and bodies, doing their best to wash away the dirtiest of dirt. They unbraided Androx's hair, combed it, and rinsed it carefully, bit by bit.
A
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okles found himself more content and relaxed than he had been in months. He was treated like an aristocrat, which reminded him of his own childhood; before his father committed suicide, he had servants bathe him almost every day. It rarely happened in the army, and Della never let her maids do it when they came home at the end of the war season, but it was an unforgettable pleasure. It brought back the best parts of his life and warmed some cold places in his heart.
Fortunately, Ga
The bi did not react negatively to being cleaned and cared for. She sat and stood passively, listening to the maid's gentle nudges and whispers. She still seemed distracted, but to Androx's eyes, something about her seemed comforted as she began to clean up.
Wolf Scar sat on an unused chair, watching curiously. On several occasions, he flew over to inspect the process, curiously noticing Ga
bi's hair changed color while washing. It turned out that the girl's hair was whiter than Androx expected; in the cave, he thought the soil was light brown, but it turned out to be even lighter than light brown, like a golden wheat field. The maid cooed at it, wolf scowled.
Agree enthusiastically.
After thoroughly scrubbing the ancros and gabi with warm water and a rag, the servants applied a layer of scented oil from head to toe and wiped off the remaining dirt with a smooth pumice stone. Afterwards, they gently scraped everything off with a sharp scraper, leaving the two perfectly clean. Servants then oiled their hair, rubbed it in, and squeezed most of it out. Finally, they braided the guests' hair and dressed them in comfortable woolen coats to wear while doing laundry.
When everything was over, Wolf Scar asked sheepishly: "When will it be my turn?"
The dwarf asked, "Do you want one too?" I think now. Which of you wants to do it?" The two young men looked nervous, and the young woman was eager, so he chose her. She turned over the bucket on a narrow table next to her and let the fairy sit on it, Then the same treatment was carefully done to him, and everyone watched with interest. Except, of course, Gabi, who stared blankly in the direction of the wall.
When the maid poured some water on Wolf Scar's wings, he shivered uncomfortably and shook his wings to shake off the water. Then he patted his chin thoughtfully and said, "Wait a minute." He closed his eyes and clenched his fists. After a second, his wings completely disappeared, and his back was as smooth as if it had never appeared before.
"I didn't know I could do that," he said with a proud smile.
Because the fairy was smaller than the average doll, it was quite difficult to wash him, but the young woman was undaunted and very gentle, not to mention dexterous, as she washed between his toes and fingers. Wolf Sca
Staying quiet and still, this is A
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There were two things okles didn't know he could do, with a lazy half-smile on his face, pure relaxation and contentment. The fairy obviously enjoys being pampered - maybe he's more like a normal boy than he looks. After serving him, the woman found a clean handkerchief and wrapped it around Samson as a coat.
The fairy smiled from ear to ear after hearing this, showing her sharp teeth. Clutching his new cloak in both hands, he jumped up and spun around.
"Thank you!" he said sincerely. Then he said: "Look, princess, I have this dress to wear! This is my first dress." I also took a shower! Now we are both clean. "She didn't respond, and he was just a little disappointed. He gradually got used to it.
A
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Okles picked up the fairy and pulled Ga
With bi's hand, the servants led them back to the common room and lay down on the sofa, where a plate of roasted vegetables and meat was waiting for them, steaming hot and fragrant.
As expected, A
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Word of okles spread and the hotel was filled with people, every chair and bench occupied by a curious customer. The innkeeper looked a little anxious, but she remained polite and calm as she supervised a small group of servants. Androx noticed that not all of them looked very experienced as they were carrying wine and food around the room; no doubt she had rushed to recruit when she realized how many people were coming Some local young people came to take their place.
Andrew relaxed and ate slowly, projecting a leisurely look that everyone remembered. He had to pass every bite to Gabby because she wouldn't eat it herself. Her head was down, her arms at her sides, and Ankerex wondered if she realized what was happening, just unwilling or unable to react.
Wolf Sca
Got a taste of everything. At first, he tried to pick up a large piece of yellow vegetable, possibly pumpkin, and yelled when his hands got too hot. Then he carefully leaned down and took a small bite from each bite of food without using his hands. A
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okles not sure if this is actually safer, but looks interesting. The fairy did not let his wings grow back. He was still playing with his cloak, as he whipped it hard every time he turned around.
A young man came over, knelt before them, and took out his spear. His hands were covered with cloth to prevent fingerprints, showing his impressive attention to detail. "Master Androx, according to your instructions, it has been cleaned up."
He sat up and picked it up. He looked it over and said, "That's great." He leaned the spear against the head of the couch so it wouldn't fall over, and went on eating.
However, the young man did not leave immediately; he looked at the ground and asked humbly: "Mr. Androcles, please forgive your servant, but everyone wants to know: did you kill the Tartar with that spear?" Tartar? "Is it really dead?"
"Oh, so you heard?" This is the spear, and Tatarro is dead. ” the crowd clapped and cheered. It wasn’t as deafening as it would be in an arena, but it was still a heart-warming sound.
WolfScar looked around in surprise, his cheeks bulging with food. He looked at Androx, then jumped into the air and fell flat on his face. A
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Okles picked him up and put him on his shoulders. The fairy swallowed hard and said into his ear: "I forgot that I took off my wings. What are they doing?"
"That's what humans do when they're impressed, they clap and sometimes yell. All these people were impressed that I killed the Cyclops," he replied.
When the cheers died down, the fairy thought for a moment.
"I wanted my wings back, but then I'd have to take this off and then I'd have nothing to wear, and everyone else was doing it, so I figured I should do it too."
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Okles snapped at the waiting footman: "Go and tell your mistress that I want the softest, thinnest cloth she can find, about the same size as that handkerchief, and in a nice color. I also want a Scissors or a sharp knife, and a needle and a thread." The young man went off to find what he wanted.
Someone in the crowd asked: "Master, we would like you to tell us about your battle with Tartalo."
"I will, as soon as the young man comes back. I will make my little friend a beautiful robe so that he doesn't have to fly around naked." He was not sure whether the fairy was really his, Since he wasn't dependent on the fairies, it wouldn't hurt to let him dress up a bit, especially since it might affect Androl. It will also please the fairies, and besides that all watching barbarians should learn how to make them.
The fairy patted his cheek excitedly and said, "You want to make me a robe? What is a robe? Is that what I wear?"
"Just like the one I was wearing before. Don't fall off that, little one. But first," he told the crowd, "I want to ask if anyone has seen or heard of a woman named Della. She probably So tall, with red hair and fair skin. She has a pointy nose and freckles, and her eyes are green if you look at them in bright light. She, like me, is a traveler from the glorious land. She is related to Four bodyguards came with her. It's possible that only her guards entered the city. Maybe just one or two to buy supplies."
After a while, it became clear that no one wanted to answer, and Androx frowned in disappointment.
Someone in the crowd asked: "I have not seen her, master, but would the fairy like a drink?" I have some here if he would. "
Androx looked at the man who gave him the money, trying to read his expression. Then he said: "Maybe later. He needs two hands to close the cloak." Many people snickered at this.
The young man came back and handed the most exquisite linen to A
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okles, the linen dyed a light blue that almost matched the fairy's skin, then placed the tools he asked for on the table. He nodded to express his satisfaction with the cloth. Then he spread the robe on the table, and having the fairy lie upon it, he stretched out his arms to measure it, and then began to make the robe, doing everything conspicuously so that all could see it.
As he sewed, he told them every detail of his battle with the Cyclops, for he had already won, so there was no need to hide anything. He told of his attempts to hide and warn the young men, of being caught but surviving, of finding Galbi and Wolf Scar in the cave, of his fight in the meadow, The heroic details are told. The only detail he withholds is the exact location where he stabbed Cyclops, as he doesn't want the story to end on a comic note. Some of them looked around nervously when he admitted that it was still alive when he left it, but no one questioned that it must have been dead.
None of them knew who the young man with the spear of Androcles was, or whose daughter Gabby was. Kelsers has black hair and eyes, while Galbi does not; if she were a native, she would be easily identifiable. He doubted he'd ever figure out where she wandered in before the Cyclops caught her.
With such a large group of people staring at him, he felt that now was the best time, so he said: "I can't stay here for too long, I can't take care of this girl. I have to keep my oath, so I have to do it as soon as possible Leave. Someone is willing to take Ga in
bi? I have no gift to leave her, but her courage should be enough. The girl who outsmarted the Cyclops would bring honor to any family, and her fame should outweigh any possible dowry. "
The crowd fell silent, looking nervously at each other, wondering if anyone would agree. After a minute, no one came forward, An A
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Okles found it strange that no one thought they were rich enough to feed and clothe a little girl. After all, this is not an orphan. She hid from the Cyclops.
Finally, someone said: "I have a place for her, if the fairy comes with her." He was a bald old man with a haggard face. He was trying to look sympathetic, but he looked very scheming. Several people came forward and made such conditions: "If you give her to me, I will give you twenty yuan!" "I can give you a donkey to ride on!" They are bidding? Treating them as fairies. As a prize?
Androcles thought this was appropriate since for all intents and purposes Gabi was now a slave, but it was inappropriate for him. Didn't he promise to deliver her safely to the arms of someone who would take care of her? He had a feeling that the people here were only interested in fairies, and once they scabbed the wolf
Coax into the box and she'll retreat.
So he said: "Wolf sca
will go with me. You will just accept this girl. "
