Bounty Hunter Bash River Towns Lock Part Three

 The First Town

They arrived at the first town away from the swamp. It was good to smell the fresh air. Bash looked at the huts and buildings that looked like large sheds. The men and women had dark skin and narrow eyes that were blank or brown. Yet, as they rowed on, they saw that the buildings were tightly stacked together and others were on top one another like different buildings built on top of the lower floor. The bridges were made of wood and a strong straw-like material.

“They’re made of wood and bamboo.”

“Bamboo?”

He smiled and nodded.

“Bamboo.”

She nodded as she looked at the paintings of interesting artwork. (In our world, it would be ancient Chinese characters) They were all interesting and she could not help but find it difficult to drink everything in as they rowed. Yet, as they were getting thin on supplies, they got off.

“Tell me, Cerpheres, is this a safe place to stay?”

“Only if you have a lot of money.”

He nodded.

It’s a good job that we do. Although, even more so now that we’re out of the sun. Bash thought as they docked.

“Right, where can I get a bath?”

“I know where!”

“Is it appropriate?”

“More than you think. See, there is a rather nice hot spring here.” He purred, pointing to an inn that was small yet beautiful that was on the side of a volcano.

She nodded.

So she walked there first.

“Why here?”

“I need a proper wash after all of that.” 

Chashathrophogh nodded. Soon they walked in. They were greeted by both men and women. That spoke.

“Welcome.” Cerpheres translated.

“We need to book for one night. Full monté.” He spoke before using the native language with a wink at the end.

They smiled and nodded. The women took Bash and Strena to the side, yet booth girls kept their guards up. Soon they were taking their clothes and went onto cleaning them. During this time, they cleaned themselves up with a wooden and horse hair brush. This made them all wet. After, they put on a strange slime on them that smelt like mint and cleaned it off them. Then gave them some towels each and a smaller towel as they went onto cleaning their hair and massaged her legs and arms. This helped them both to relax as they went into the hands and feet and clipped the nails. Bash noticed that Strena was smiling blissfully and the harshness of her face had melted away as her nails were painted white as she had hers painted black.

They were led to a hot pool of water. They soon climbed into it and were about to take the towel off but Bash saw one shake their head. So she did not and sank into it with the towel on. Now she felt clean and, somehow, at peace. Soon they rested into a light nap.

Afterwards they were all robed in silk and in the same room.

“There, that’s better, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Is this what it’s like to be an ordinary girl?’

“Yeees. If you were an ordinary princess.”

She looked aside with a shy smile.

“I think that I like it. Am I allowed to?”

“Yes, you are.” Chashathrophogh spoke before Zaryb could open his mouth.

“Yes. And after all of this you will be able to enjoy more.”

“Thanks! And thank you Master Cerpheres!”

“Well, it has been quite tense as of late, so I thought we all could take a moment to relax. It’s good for you, you know!”

“Now, what should we do next?”

“Well we need more weapons. After all we’ve been through, I’m low on arrows.”

They nodded as they finished their food.

“Anyways, good night sleeping beauties!”

Soon Cerpheres was asleep. Yet the next was Strena,this was followed by Strena, then Zaryb and Chashathrophogh and finally Bash.

Soon Bash was looking at two others. They looked exactly like her, however their eyes were different. One had white eyes, which unnerved her as it looked like she was looking into her very soul. The other was a stunningly beautiful scarlet. The white eyes had a strange bow in her hand. One that was smaller and held in only one hand and needed only one hand. The scarlet eyes had a bulky silver thing with a silver thing pointing out, connected by a quarter circle with a tiny stick coming from the angle.

She looked down to see her own bow. Then she looked back up, wondering what this was all about and who these girls were and how to get a bow like that.

Her eyes opened. She looked up at the daylight. Her mind was clear and both her mind and body were well rested.

Soon she got up and did a few morning exercises and noticed that her muscles were looser and moved fluently than the day before. She punched the air several times. Then moved onto kicking the air with both legs making sure the amount on each leg were the same. She did one hundred squats and a few push ups and sit ups.

When did my body get so light? She thought as she left the room to the area where they were eating. She got some rice, potstickers, chicken and ended with dumplings. She ate them and she found that she liked some things and others she did not. Yet once they all changed into their clothes and left they all got their supplies. Yet she noticed that her thoughts were focused and she was able to notice that there were arrows that had an off balanced head. Some had too many feathers. 

Yet, they returned to the barge and knew that they needed to take more days off before the journey ahead.