Even on the path to right things how much is too much.
The excitement of the traveling party was almost tangible as we approached the capital city. The castle, Taegoria keep loomed in the distance like it was built on the clouds, we had made the journey of three weeks without any incident and everyone was grateful for it. Everyone had their reasons for coming to the capital, mine was for greener pastures to have a fresh start, a new beginning after the death of my parents it was a necessary means of survival. When we first started the journey I kept getting strange looks from the other travelers because I was too young to be traveling alone, I had explain that my parents were dead and I had a relative in the capital who I was to live with. This was partly true, I had lost both my parents but I had no relative in the capital in fact I knew no one in the capital but they did not need to know that. Taegoria was one of the few countries where slave trading was almost completely absent but it would not be wise to risk myself by betting on that. Although leaving my birthplace and heading to the capital was a dangerous choice, the alternative was not much better so I gritted my teeth and kept moving forward without stopping to look back. All I had was my parents life savings and my determination but I planned on making the most of it. It was a few hours to sunset when we entered into the city and the traveling party disbanded. Some caring members tried to enquire about my relatives who I came to met I simply gave a vague description of my aunts shop and found a way to elude them and set off on my own. I felt anxious as I moved around, I did not have the slightest idea what I was doing or where I was going but taking the advice some of my fellow travelers had given me, I tried not to show that I was unfamiliar with the city, I kept my head down, allowing my cloak to cover all of my body. I did not make the mistake of tying my money pouch on my waist or putting in the small cloth bag that held my meager belongings, my money pouch was kept securely around my waist, underneath my dress. Around my neck, hanging down my chest laid a much lighter money pouch. This only contained very little money and was to prevent any form of curiosity as to where I kept my money. I tried looking around without making it obvious, as I searched for where I could pass the night as it was already starting to get dark. I had seen a few inns but they looked big and I knew that they most likely would be too costly so I searched for smaller ones. After find some small inns in the area I decided on a certain one and went in. It looked nice and was not in the worse areas, looking around I noticed that the ground floor where I was, was converted into restaurant. Walking up to the table
"I need a room" I said to the inn keeper, deliberately keeping my voice low hoping that he would mistake me for a boy. With my head down and my cloak covering me he was none the wiser.
"That will be four copper coins per night, my There is a wash room you can use it is included in the fee per night but if you want hot water or you want a bath in your room it is going to cost you extra. My wife is the cook here and there is no reason to complain about the food". The fees were much lower than what I had anticipated and I could not be more grateful for it.
"I plan on staying for two nights" I said handing him the eight copper coins.
"How much does it cost for the bath in my room?". I asked I had not had a proper wash since I left my small town and that was weeks ago. I would not be able to wash comfortably in a public washroom where any could walk in so this was my only option. After paying for the bath, I got some food and after eating, I was shown to my room. Not long after, a wooden tub is brought to my room along with some soap and a scrub brush, the tub filled up with hot water. After they leave, I made sure the door was locked before stripping and entering the tub. A soft gasp leaves me as I enjoy the warmth of the water after a quick but thorough wash, I decided to enjoy the water for a little more time. So I leaned back and in no time drifted off.
*~~~*~~~~*~~~*
He moved stealthily to avoid detection, not for fear of anyone but rather for their peace of mind. For sure no one would feel at ease casting a glance at his bloodied self so he stuck to the shadows, glad that the blood had at least stop dripping from his body. All he had to do now was to avoid being seen by any one who would report him to the queen before he could wash himself. Although he did not really want to wash off the blood, the dark and violent part of him reveled in it, sated and content. For now. It was never enough, but he could worry about that later. Rounding up on the corridor to his quarters he paused looking left and right with the vigilance of an experienced assassin. He was out of shadows, to enter his room he would have to be in the light where he could be seen for a short while. After confirming that the was no one in the hall way he swiftly exited the secret passage and crossed the bright hallway opened his room and entered swiftly locking the door behind him. He took a deep breath and turned around only to come face to face with the one person he had been avoiding. The Queen.
"Wonderful evening it is your majesty" he said bowing gracefully.
"I do not see what is wonderful about the evening Dorian. You are covered in blood ..." She said tearfully
"None of it is mine" He said interrupting her.
"Then where did it come from?" She asked still quite concerned.
"From a set of people Taegoria won't miss" was his swift reply.
The Queen sighed and said " I worry about you Dorian."
"There is no need to. You worry for nothing" came his reply.
"I suppose you are right" the Queen said somewhat resigned. "Very well I shall not stop you any longer. Good night Dorian" she said leaving the room.
"Good night mother" he responded as she reached the door. She nodded in response and left.
He took off his clothes as he entered the luxurious bathing chambers. Flicking his fingers in a simple rune he heated up the pool of flowing water and leisurely stepped in and submerged himself and in no time the pool turned red but soon flowed in fresh cold water. The hot water was to help wash the blood off faster. He stood under one of the four sculptures that poured water down into the pool for some time washing to make sure that he got rid of all the blood before sitting down with the intention to soak a bit. Closing his eyes he submerged himself but when they opened he was no longer in his bathroom. Opposite him lay a young girl in a wooden tub fast asleep. Looking around he expected to see a rune or whatever means which had been used to summon him here.
Rather he found himself in a small room looking around he confirmed that it was an inn. Focusing his attention back on the girl in the tub he realized that her head was about to be submerged in the tub so he reached out to pull he up and instantly found himself back in the bottom of his pool. Alone.