On the way to the bathhouse, Jesus said to her, "Aren't you afraid of making the noble men angry?"
"They owe me too much to raise their fists against me, Master Androx, even though the customs of the land allow them to harm me in my home," she explained. Androx looked sideways at her, wondering how rich she was. There's no doubt that an inn like hers isn't cheap.
This time, four servants were waiting for them in the bathroom. Gabby and the wolf sca
Each is put in charge of a young woman, A
d
The okles are in charge of two young men. As the young men performed their duties, one of them said calmly: "I wish I had a body like this."
A
d
Okles giggled and said, "Where I come from, a man's body should reflect the beauty of God. To me, a man with thin arms or legs looks lazy. Embarrassing."
"Of course, Master Androx. Are you all born with this?" he asked shyly.
"Ha! No, boy. We have gyms. It's a large building or open area in every city, usually more than one, where every worthy person is supposed to work out. Many women do similar things, but in Different place. If we let women watch us train, society would fall apart overnight. I bet they can imagine why." He nodded to the maids with a subtle smile. The one who cleaned Gabby rolled his eyes, cleaning wolf sca
The one blushed and turned his head. A
d
Okles smiled.
"Soldiers have to do a set of exercises every morning because we can't do calisthenics on the road. I'm not as diligent as I should be, but I'm going to take it easy for a month before I start looking like I belong here," he said.
When everyone was finally cleaned up and ready for the day, the young men waited sheepishly until the young women were out of earshot, and then one of them asked A
d
okles: “Can you show us the exercise you do every morning?”
"We, um, we want women to look at us as much as they look at you," said another.
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen," one said.
"Eighteen," said the other.
"Very well. Meet me in the yard tomorrow morning, before the first meal. Come naked so we can exercise like civilized people." This sentence made both young men blush and thought After a while, Andros said: "Think again, Gotzo
There's no way to keep girls from looking at us, right? Not naked. Gird up your loins and prepare for the punishment. It's not easy and I hope you can keep up. You can bring friends if you want, but no one under 13 years old. Do what you need to do, and get your master's permission," he said, tying his coin purse inside his coat.
"Thank you, Master Androx." The older one nodded and left, and the younger one asked, "Can I summon some music for you in the common room? Or would you like a drink?" Me The owner wants every need met. "
As if in reply, the fairy suddenly darted towards a tree and returned with a belated moth in her hand. Androx and the servants watched with curious distaste as he gleefully tore off his wings. "I love these!" he said, biting it in half. This made Androx feel a little uncomfortable.
The servant said, "Do you eat bugs?"
Wolf Scar chewed and swallowed contentedly, and then said: "I used to only eat bugs, but now I eat other things too. But I still like bugs. At least the good ones." Then he ate the moth's The other half.
"I think I know where you can find more," said the servant. "In the pantry, where we keep the food."
Andrew laughed loudly. “Let him fend for himself, huh? That’s a good idea!”
"I just want to please my master's guest," the servant said mischievously.
Android replied: "Of course you know. Go find him something to make a spear for. Wolf Sca
, it’s time for us to see what you can do. "
The servant hurried away again. Gotzo
e really trained them well. Androchus wondered if they were servants, or just slaves, but he supposed it made no difference to him. "He wants to bring me a spear?" asked the fairy.
A
d
Okles nodded. Scar the Wolf flew to the door and back to Anrox several times, each time with a new question. "Will it be sharp?"
"possible".
"Can I keep it?"
"possible".
"I'm going to use it to catch bugs?"
"That's the idea."
After a while, the young man came back, waving a thin and sharp leather needle as tall as the fairy. The servant held the small spear in his open palm, and the fairy rested on his fingertips, rubbing her hands together. He picked it up respectfully and bowed solemnly to the servant, who bowed politely in return. Then the fairy leapt into the air and flew in circles as fast as she could, holding her spear before her and celebrating loudly, mingling with battle and joyous laughter.
Then he floated up to Gabi and said, "Princess, look! I have a spear. Look at it, Gabi!" He tried to slap her on the nose, but it didn't work. She didn't react. After a while, he gave up and lingered a foot in front of Anjax. "Can you teach me what to do with it? Like how do you move it?" he asked excitedly.
A
d
Okles pushed the fairy back and said: "Little one, watch my eyes." Then he said to the servant: "Go and get my spear. I think I will teach him some basic attacks. Tell your master , because I bet she’d like to see it.”
The servant returns with Androcles' spear, Gotzo
e glided gracefully behind him. Wolf Scar stood on a round table next to a bench in the yard, and Androx spent a few minutes teaching him how to hold a gun properly to assassinate someone, explaining how to keep his wrists and feet positioned so he could focus his maximum strength. On to the tip of the spear. Wolf Sca
He studied with a very funny seriousness, but no one laughed at him, at least no one laughed at him loudly. Gotzo
e covered her smile with her hands, blushing and unable to look away. The look on her face was like seeing a kitten playing for the first time.
Once the wolf sca
Mastered some basic movements, A
d
Okles decided to teach him how to make a proper war cry, mostly to please his kind master. The wolf scar is perfectly imitated, although it sounds like a bird imitating a bear. Gotzo
e covered her heart with her hand and gasped in mock horror, which greatly encouraged the fairy.
"Come on, little one. It's time to test your new skills." "Where's the storage room?"
Gotzo
e took them to an underground room behind the kitchen, where it was cool and dry. Each space has a cupboard or bucket filled with a variety of foods, from cereals to cheeses to meats. Wolf Sca
Running around the room. When he got too close to one of the cheeses, Androcks told him sternly: "Don't take a small bite of everything. You are here to protect the food from bugs."
Wolf Sca
He nodded and began to search around the room, the others cheering him on. A few minutes later, he had five fat cockroaches impaled on his spear, with unabashed pride on his face. "Look how many I caught!" I bet you can't do it! He said proudly.
Gotzo
e clapped his hands and said: "Well done! You are definitely the most noble hunter I have ever seen, Wolf Sca
. Would you like to toast it and butter it?"
"Bugs?" asked the fairy. "Cook them like human food? Are they delicious?"
"I believe we can improve the flavor with herbs and fats. Ganix, take the prize off his spear and go to the cook. Tell him I want him to get ready at once and do his best for our little Guest, get ready. Then bring our guest a suitable cloth and let him wipe his spear clean."
"Right away," the young man replied. He stuffed the cockroach from the Wolf Scar needle into the palm of his hand, doing a good job of not turning green, and left the room quickly.
Gotzo
e took them back to the courtyard and explained that the common room was still crowded with nobles and merchants and they wanted A
d
okles came to visit them. "Of course, while you are free to go where you like, I thought you might enjoy a little more peace and relaxation before you entertain us with your travel stories tonight. In fact, I anticipate there will be More people are coming. I have sent more than half of my servants to the market today to search for food and wine."
He sat down on the bench and placed Gabby next to him. Wolf Scar flew to the treetops to play or hunt or something. A
d
Okles said, "Oh, I'll make them happy, don't worry. I think I'll just sit back and point at the fairies and they'll be satisfied. But it makes me regret not taking the Cyclops head away so I can Just sit down and point at his head. Then they'll give me gifts instead of bribes." "Flower" and "Pepper" came to mind, adding, "Sometimes I feel like I'm building a menagerie."
"As you can see, the Keltars are more greedy than honorable. This makes it easier for me to do business with them. I owe my fortune to their subterfuge, and my ability to outwit them. Of course, if you If you choose to stay, you will have the same experience, respected master."
"I don't have the patience for it. These scars make it hard not to get nervous when I flatter people. Sometimes, I feel like they feel like my intelligence is diluted because I'm twice their size. Della always Look at me like that,” Androcks said. Then, in a moment of self-awareness, he frowned at the ground. It's none of her business.
"Mr. Androx, to me you are the epitome of honor. You remind me of my noble father, though he was not so tall," she said, sitting down beside him. She relaxed, crossed her legs, and put her arms on the back of the chair. Her posture was obviously not as dignified as what he had seen from her before. "But I know what you mean. Half the time, I'm dealing with some old fat guy who thinks they can get me into bed with just a touch of their wallet. The other half is surprised that I can actually read. Your face probably makes People are nervous, Master Androx, but my face will make everyone want to tell me their problems. At length."
She sighed and rubbed her neck. Androx felt a little uncomfortable with her frankness. "However, I always nod, smile, and guide them because that's how I get their money. But I want you to know that my respect for you is genuine, Master Androx. I'm being honest with you in this regard. . You are an extremely respectable person and I am honored to have you. Even if all these goats who look like Keltal don’t realize it. I respect you because despite all you have accomplished , but you still take care of little Galbi as tenderly as a nurse, and she’s not even yours.”
"I had no choice. I swore to leave her safely in the arms of someone who would take care of her, that's all." He explained. Being praised for being nice can make men uncomfortable.
"Yes, you said you had another oath, that's why you came here. In your situation, nine out of ten men and nine out of ten women will sell her to a brothel for thirty silver coins. , and then go away. But you are an upright man. You have compassion in your heart for the weak, and you never waver in what you say.”
"I'm afraid you misunderstood me. I just have to keep my vows, and then I will leave her and move on with my life."
"Yes, I believe you will. But you abide by the spirit of the oath, not just the words. Even if it goes against your interests, you have not given up on your promise at all."
"My descendants keep their word. That's all," he said testily.
"Then why do you always keep her within arm's reach?" You are gentle to her and patient with the fairy. If you are not who I describe you to be, why is that?"
Why is there such a conversation? Where does it all come from? He couldn't help but explain: "That's because...well, you remember when I found her, she was just an ordinary little girl, talkative and energetic ." I still remember how precious she was. I didn't develop feelings for her like I did for other children. I haven't known her long, so I'm more careful this time. But I also don’t want to see her get hurt. It would be like crushing a flower for no reason. Or just killing a songbird to test a slingshot," he said. "But all because God was playing a game with me. My possessions were gone, and all I encountered was one obstacle after another on a road that couldn't be clearer. "
Gotzo
e looked away, lost in thought. After a moment of silence, she said: "Mr. Androcles, I have never believed that the gods are cruel. Of course, there are some exceptions, such as the cursed wild mother goddess we have here; but in general, the great men are Be kind. Maybe God is more kind than you realize and they are always trying to give you what you really want. Being strong is having the ability to get what you really want and I have no doubt you are strong enough. Maybe you just don't know yourself What you really want.”
"Even if..." He sighed, thinking about what to say. I have sworn to restore my home. It's complicated, but that's what I think. This is what I really want. I have to keep that oath, and to do that I have to keep moving forward. In fact, I've thought about it ten times today, how I wish it was as good on the road as it is here. Even if I wanted to keep a bunch of kids and a woman, and by the way, I'm not talking about you, no offense; but even if I wanted to keep them all, and I didn't say I wanted to, there's no way I would be able to take them with me. If the gods wanted to help me, they would speed me up rather than curse me to stop my progress. But even if the gods are against me, I will keep going. A man who breaks his oath is not worth remembering. "He felt like he was gibbering, but it was hard to explain. He frowned.
"Master Androx, I am grateful that you have shared this with me. My respect for you grows every day. Your will is unbreakable and your arms unstoppable. I have never seen a stronger man, both mentally and physically." Or physically. Think about it: If you want to take them with you, if you really want to take them with you, if you are determined to take them with you, neither God nor man can stop you."
"Well, they're stopping me now," he said. "I'm stuck here until I find a place for her."
"Maybe. It's hard to tell the way they are," she said.
A
d
Okles leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, lost in thought. One thing he wasn't sure about was Gotzo
Was e subtly and cleverly getting him to talk, or had he become so exhausted inside that he did exactly what she complained about - told her all his problems. They say having children changes a person. Smoothed his edges. Is he like this just because he's been with a few guys for a few weeks? If so, he really needs to get his act together.
He doesn't seem to be getting any weaker. He killed a Cyclops after all. In the basket a few days ago, his murderous intent was as strong as ever. Just as strong as when he'd seen Sewell all those years ago. But he couldn't deny that, in a way, he was different now. Maybe it's just that kids are fun and they cheer him up in the same way regular beer cheers him up.
He treated the children no differently than he treated his comrades. He tended their wounds and kept them safe in their time of need. Teach them not to be fools. So why does it feel different? Is it because brothers are companions and children are helpless possessions? If he needed companionship, a comrade would be better than a pair of Skytha, a skinny nine-year-old boy.
de
Suits, or a little girl having a breakdown and a fairy are much more useful.
Gotzo
e gave him a gentle, friendly look, then stood up and said: "Mr. Androx, please forgive me for drawing you into such a conversation. Sometimes guests from the Glorious Corps remind me of my Father, in the end I treat him as a brother rather than a patron.”
"Huh? Oh, I don't mind at all. You gave me something to think about. Thanks," he said.
Gotzo
e smiled, nodded, and then let him think quietly.
After a while, a servant appeared with a small silver platter containing five roasted and seasoned cockroaches. "Mr. Androx, for your fairy," he said, looking around.
A
d
Okles stood there and looked around, wondering where the little thing had gone. "Wolfsca
!Come here! he shouted.
The fairy had been playing in the treetops, and he landed suddenly on Androl's shoulders. Androx pointed to the plate and said, "These are for you."
The little fairy flew over and looked at the food. He thought for a while, with his fingertips in his mouth. Then he carefully picked one up with both hands and took a careful bite. Then he opened his eyes wide and took a bigger bite, stuffing as much as he could into his mouth. He closed his eyes and chewed with a smile on his face. He swallowed it in one gulp and said, "It's so delicious! I like this. Can I eat them all? Or do you want one?"
"They're all yours, little one."
Wolf Sca
He ate it as fast as he could, then picked up another and explained, "These are really delicious!" Then he stuffed a lot of stuff in at once, and his cheeks puffed up like a squirrel.
"Wolfsca
Like eating bugs," Ga
bi said.
It took Androx a moment to realize what had just happened, but when he did, a rush of hope and surprise left him almost dizzy. She was still sitting there passively, looking at nothing, and he must have heard her conversation.
"Gabby, girl, are you okay now?" he asked.
She didn't respond. What happened? Did she recover? He shook her shoulders, but she was unconscious. "Gabby, stand up." She stood there. "Sit back." She sat, her body still weak. Can children recover from something like this?
advertise
delete
