Chapter 45: The floor

Koth made sure to keep close to Irin as they walked along the town's streets. The people seemed friendly, but he wasn't in a trusting mood. Irin nudged him in the side.

"Relax, try to look like you aren't going to kill someone for saying 'hello'," she whispered.

"We don't know these people," he pointed out.

"If you keep looking like that, you'll make your own fear come true, as they'll think you're out for trouble. Now smile," she told him. He did his best to smile. "You know what? Don't smile. Just act normal. Think happy thoughts." Her comment made him smile genuinely. She was right.

"This is the commerce district. We may not be a big town or city, but thanks to our port and the fact that we're close to both the capital and the Arbendum kingdom's only port, we get a decent amount of merchants. You can find most things you'll ever need in our shops and in the market," Lokhue told them. They entered a bustling marketplace.

"Oh, this is perfect," Irin said as she quickly looked over a couple of stalls. Koth wished he had brought more money with him. He would have loved to let Irin go on a spending spree amongst all the exotic things. "What's that?" she asked. Koth looked where she pointed. There was a stand that had what looked like dried leather in the shape of big fish. Lokhue chuckled.

"That is lutfisk," he told them. "It's fish that has been dried to be easy to store." Irin looked at it.

"It looks... crispy," she said. Lokhue laughed.

"You don't eat it dried. It gets soaked in lye so it will reabsorb water. Then you need to wash it and soak it in fresh water for a couple of weeks. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. You'll have to try it during tomorrow's feast," he explained.

"Sounds interesting," Koth said. He wasn't sure he would like to try the dish; lye was corrosive, and in his opinion, it shouldn't be used in anything you ate.

"My father has invited you to celebrate tomorrow with our family. You helped us a lot with the fishing, and he would like to talk to you about news from the north. Most of the news we get is from the south and east part of the country," Lokhue said.

"Oh, that was kind of him. We would be happy to join you, wouldn't we, honey?" Irin told him. Koth felt his heart skip a beat as she used her new endearment for him.

"Yes, thank you for the invitation," he agreed.

"Just prepare to be questioned by Melir. It's not often he comes across someone who knows about magic, and he is a curious boy," Lokhue warned them.

"We don't mind. Curiosity should be encouraged," Irin said. Koth nodded in agreement. It was how his trade survived. Seasoned wizards took apprentices when they came across a youngling with a curious mind and a basic talent for magic work. He found himself looking forward to talking to the boy. Koth was in no position to take on an apprentice at the moment, but if he had talent and was willing, Koth could reach out to one of his contacts.

As they walked along the street, it was becoming more evident that they were preparing for a celebration. The streets were decorated, and the mood was relaxed and happy. Lokhue was an excellent guide, and it was clear how well he knew the town.

"There you have the harbour master's office. He will be able to answer your questions regarding booking a passage," Lokhue told them.

"Would you mind us talking to him?" Koth asked.

"Not at all, I'll wait for you."

"No need. We can find our way back. Thank you for the tour, but you should get back to your family," Irin told him. He smiled at her.

"Very well, I will stop by the inn after lunch tomorrow, and we will go to my family's house." They said goodbye, and Koth took Irin into the harbour master's office. It seemed the news about them had travelled quickly.

"Ah, the visitors that helped the walkers. Hello, please step in. How can I help you?" the man said. He looked to be an old sailor with white hair and beard. He had a pipe in the corner of his mouth, and he watched them with intelligent eyes.

"We need some information about booking a passage to Osegas," Koth told him. The man nodded.

"For you and your...?"

"Wife," Irin said.

"And our two horses," Koth added and placed his hand on Irin's shoulder, just to cement her statement. The man smiled and nodded.

"That is good. Most sailors have a superstition regarding women on board ships. It's usually easier when she has a husband, especially when her husband looks like you would end up less alive if you try something than you did when you woke up," the harbour master chuckled. Koth felt himself get angry at the mere thought of Irin getting harassed by some sailor.

"It won't be an issue," Koth told the man.

"I didn't think it would. You are in luck. The ship 'Neprim's Joy' came yesterday. That's the big one over there," the harbour master said and pointed out of his window. Koth could see the big ship that was anchored in the harbour. "They will be here for a week and then return back to the capital. They are big enough to take passengers and horses as well," he added.

"What will it cost?" Koth asked.

"I will ask the captain, but I would guess around one sun and fifty stars," he said. Koth nodded. It was a tidy sum, but he had expected more.

"We will return the day after tomorrow," Koth told him. They left the office and turned to walk back to the inn. "You don't need to worry, I will keep you safe," he said to Irin. She smiled at him.

"I know. And if you are busy, I will just split them in half with my sword, or teleport them into the sea," she said in a cheery voice.

"You were quite impressive with that sword of yours," Koth agreed. They hadn't talked about the fight, but Koth remembered looking at Irin as she was taking on a group of armed men and how she had decimated them. He had almost lost focus on his own fight as he got transfixed by her movements with the sword.

"Thank you." When they got to the inn, Lerina was busy serving dinner to other guests.

"Let's eat before we go to our room," Koth suggested. Irin agreed, and they sat down and ordered. It was nice sitting down to eat. Koth found it made him long for their time in the house. It was almost as if he was homesick, which was strange. He had never felt like that before. With Irin, things were easy. He had always been able to talk with her about everyday things. She understood his connection with magic, and she offered a perspective on the subject he had never heard before. Dinner was done, and they had lingered long enough. Suddenly Koth felt nervous. First, there had been a line between him and Irin, friends. Then, when they had crossed that line, Irin had still been weak, and then the men came, and privacy was an issue. Now... He took a deep breath. Now they had their own room with one bed. As they walked to their room, he tried to figure out what to do. He could offer to sleep on the floor. That would be the right thing to do. He would miss falling asleep with her in his arms, but he could live with it as long as she felt safe. In the room, he saw that someone had collected the tub.

"So, time for bed?" he asked. Irin turned around and gave him a smile.

"Yes, that is a great idea," she agreed.

"I will take the floor; you can have the bed," he offered.

"What?" There was a sharpness in her voice that made him look at her. She didn't look happy any longer.

"I don't mind," he hurriedly told her.

"You don't mind sleeping on the floor?" she asked. He didn't understand why she looked upset.

"Right."

"Koth, you have a, at least somewhat, nice-looking woman who you know likes you. Likes you enough to share kisses with you and that you have shared a bed with for almost two weeks. And you are okay with sleeping on the floor instead of in bed with her?" Irin asked. When she put it like that, it did sound stupid, he thought.