Proper Greetings

Chp 158

The magic bath turned out to be properly odd in Ban’s opinion, as Icarus gave them a tour. There was a small room where clothes were left in cabinets and lengths of cloth to wrap about their waists.

The bath itself was large, likely able to seat ten in its steaming water which Icarus assured them would stay warm and clean on its own. Ban just nodded at that, looking at his own fur and sincerely doubting it would stay as clean as the man was suggesting it would. The bath lived up to Icarus’s word about its capabilities. It didn't cloud and the unavoidable bit of shed fur that did happen was swept away.

“Ugh, this is fucking lovely,” Ewen said, only his face above water.

“Right? When we bring the band here I think they’ll all want to live in this dorm thing forever,” Mac joked.

“Can't say I wasn’t just thinking about that,” Ban agreed. They lived in warrens naturally, but the dorm was comfortable enough and well appointed. It would do as a place to live while they looked for a more permanent settlement option.

“We'll have to see how the town folk take to us. I mean, the hermit and Dawn are too powerful to bother with lying to us, I think, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all welcome us,” Ewen said after a while.

“I know, and we’ll look into it. Even if the rest aren't happy about it though, I think the hermit has the final say in such things, or shares power with the mayor. If they permit it, I think this is a place worth resting a while even if it's not entirely friendly,” Ban said. It wasn’t happy circumstances that brought them to the valley. If it was even slightly better than their prior situation it would be worth trying.

“Fair,” Ewen agreed.

No serious talk followed after that and they all came back to the first room to find clean clothes laid out for them. They fit well enough and didn’t smell like a month of burned-in wear so they were accepted.

“Is it good or bad that I feel spoiled now?” Mac asked.

“More like reasonable, I felt spoiled just waking in a bed instead of on the floor,” Ewen replied.

When they exited the bath they found a light meal was being served under the roofed sitting area. Everything felt almost too nice to be real. Ban didn’t dare question anything, though he did keep his eyes open.

Ban hadn’t expected the entire local population to be amenable to hosting refugees of any sort, but he found the few he met strangely friendly. There was no grumbling about wasting resources on outsiders or complaining about danger. They simply seemed curious, almost hungry for information about the lands beyond the valley.

The ones who called themselves librarians and had burnt pumpkin-colored eyes in particular. They were quite nearly insatiable about learning not only the larger world but the band and the Lepusan themselves. As if every single thing was of interest to them.

Despite his resolve not to make a bad impression, Ban was growing a bit restless as one day became two. He wanted to ask after the temple Hetcha had mentioned, but couldn’t bring himself to ask Dawn. Lorel wasn’t her goddess and he wasn’t sure if there actually was one, let alone if it would be impolite or not to ask her for its location.

On the third day thankfully, Ban was informed he could have a meeting with the mayor if he wished. Something he readily agreed with. Thanks to that he found himself journeying through the almost eerily quiet town toward what had been called the town hall. It was lively enough to his eye, but the people just didn’t seem inclined to make much noise or speak.

Dawn brought Ban to a truly odd building, one he’d certainly not call a hall. It was built up one of the gentler of the sloping walls of the valley. This gave it a triangular appearance. The height alone would have been impressive. It was three stories high and mostly glass from what he could see, he’d never seen anything like it.

“Dwarven make, the Mayor thought it best to let in as much light as possible,” Dawn offered.

“I see, they are a talented lot,” Ban acknowledged.

“Don’t be too nervous, she’s odd but…. mostly odd… and informal… kind?” Dawn added, giving Ban a pat on the shoulder. He didn’t draw as much comfort from the gesture as he might have. She left before he could even think of a question and he found himself staring at an imposingly large entry door.

Stepping inside Ban’s surprise only deepened. He hadn’t been able to make out much about the interior as the glasswork started above his head. Once through the door, he found a flat floor leading to what looked like giant stone steps climbing the slope. Were it not for a collection of pillows and quilts he might not have realized he was looking at some manner of raised seating.

“Hello Ban,” a low female voice called. Ban turned, dropping low and ready to kick in surprise. Fortunately, the woman wasn't close by and the mishap stopped at his embarrassment. She was seated at a long table on the same level as him. She sat at the center, six seats on either side and one across from her.

“I apologize for the arrangements, I haven't a proper office just now, but please join me,” she added, gesturing at the chair across from her.

The woman had stood up as she’d spoken and Ban was left blinking in surprise. Her skin seemed colorless along with her hair, leaving him with the impression of her being made of milk. She wore a red and gold tunic over black trousers with no insignia and tied her hair back simply.

Even sitting she’d been tall, but in a filled-out way instead of lanky. Seeing she wasn’t standing on a platform or wearing heels of some kind, Ban was forced to accept the reality that she was honestly two or three feet taller than him.

“Yes, thank you… uhm, Mayor?” Ban asked, stumbling over his tongue. He assumed that was who she was but didn’t actually know. Drawing closer he found her eyes which had looked odd from a distance were blood red.

“That's right, I’m Quarante Deux, the Mayor. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said with a closed-lipped smile. “Call me Deux or D if that’s easier by the way.”

“Mayor… Deux, thank you for agreeing to see me,” Ban replied with a nod. He felt like he should be bowing. He’d never been in the presence of someone so naturally imposing, particularly one with such an obviously cheerful demeanor.

“Ha, I’m not one for titles. Deux is fine,” Deux said dismissively.

“Very well,” Ban acknowledged as he sat down. Seeing the mayor, the subtle wrongness of the valley felt beneath notice. What did it matter if things were too nice and designed oddly? They appeared to be ruled by a descendant of the giants.

That made the unfamiliar races Ban had encountered and the magic of the bunkhouse seem tame in comparison. It was no wonder such a being could operate a relic device, giants were as old as the world itself. Even a distant descendant would be privy to all manner of lore and secrets no one else would know.

“So, getting straight to business, Hetcha informed me your entire band needs refuge but she didn’t have a number. So preparations have already been made for about four hundred people, but we’re prepared to make room for more. How many of your people should we expect to join us?” Deux asked.

“Pardon?” Ban asked, feeling like he must have heard wrong.

“Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. We’re happy to help supply you if you prefer, but I was hoping you and your people would want to settle down here,” Deux explained.

“And you're fine with and have a place for four hundred of us?” Ban asked. He pinched himself mercilessly to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Yes, though like I said, we can accommodate more with a bit of time,” Deux said.

“And you don’t mind that we’re hunted? I know you have the maze to send the Seekers astray but more will come and that might not always work,” Ban said. He desperately wanted to agree but wouldn’t replay kindness with cruelty. Deux had to understand the danger she was inviting or he couldn’t accept.

Deux looked perplexed for a moment then laughed. It was an off sound, merry but layered with a higher and lower note to it that sat wrongly in the ear.

“They were led astray I supposed, but I think trapped is the more apt word,” Deux explained, expression turning more serious.

“Trapped and slain by the valley's guard in the night. I’m not one to catch and release anyone who poses a threat to this valley or its residents. Current and potential ones included,” she added with a grin. One that showed sharper teeth than Ban had ever seen in such a human-looking face before.

Ban wasn’t sure if he was terrified or in love, but either way, he spit in his hand and offered it to Deux, ready to strike a deal. A gesture he realized might be rude to such a noble creature only to have her spit and take his own in kind.

“I thank you for your aid and offer of hospitality. I can't speak for everyone, but I’ll bring my people here and allow them to make up their own mind, with your permission,” Ban said. He was the band's leader but that didn’t give him the right, particularly not outside of emergencies. He was meant to lead where decisiveness was required, but not to rule.

“Wonderful, I do so look forward to having new neighbors,” Deux replied simply and smiled, close-lipped, again.