Chapter 3 A Dry Nest
The middle-aged innkeeper always worked at night. She had been a woman of the streets for many years. Her adult children could manage the inn during the day when guards and many people were about. At night, she had to protect herself from criminals. She only rented her rooms to honest girls and sober men who would not destroy her property or harm the girls. The old man and the girl entered the inn, and Lupe looked at the owner who had been a friend of her mother.
Lupita cheerfully: MLady, a room, please. The gentleman has a coin.
The Innkeeper looked at the state of Clemente: Are you drunk?
Clemente hoarsely: No. I am old, wet and cold. I need a room with a fireplace, hot tea, and hot stew, if there is any.
Clemente placed a coin on the table in front of her. Candlelight illuminated the golden color. The innkeeper opened her mouth as if she were the woman about to receive his cock. She grabbed it and quickly put it in her purse.
The Innkeeper with a smile: There is a stew that will be served tomorrow. The potatoes are not tender, but it is hot and there is plenty.
Lupita took the key and helped the man walk down the hall to a familiar room. They heard the innkeeper giving orders. After half an hour, there was a fire for drying clothes, two bowls of stew, a teapot, and two cups. The servants received two copper coins each from the priest and hid them among their clothes. They left the two guests sitting in front of the fire, naked and wrapped in blankets.
Lupita shyly: Sir, I do not mean to be rude, but everyone has coins in their hands except me. If you want my mouth for the food and shelter, I understand. But a little copper for me, if possible, mLord.
Clemente in a sad voice: A little copper and a bad meal for your body? Tell me, have you eaten today? It seems not. I cannot eat all of that. Please eat the rest of mine.
The girl took the bowl and quickly ate the meat. She mixed what was left and placed a bowl near the fire, hoping the potatoes would soften overnight.
The priest took his purse and looked inside. He took out a large gold coin and placed it on the small table. A face, raised in profile, was clear and perfect, with no visible marks. A handsome man, with a long beard and loose hair. She gasped at the sight of such a large coin. Its value to her meant a week or more of warm accommodation and good food.
Lupita asked: Sir, what do you want for that?
Clemente replied: Less than you think. I need an errand tomorrow. Something simple. That and the help you gave me walking here are the price of that royal coin. You saved my life tonight. And your reward will be great, but less than you deserve. Do you know who is on that coin?
Lupita: A dead king?
The old man laughed and coughed for a few moments.
Clemente while smiling: You are right. A king from the past. Reynaldo the Conqueror. The king who defeated the king of Weisse Halle. White Hall in the language of the king. That coin was minted to celebrate the victory, more than fifty years before today. That royal coin was given to me by the king himself.
Lupita sat up straighter: Goddess bless me! Who are you, mLord?
Clemente: Today, I am no one of importance. But in the distant past, I was the high priest of the Pegasi in the royal castle. For thirty years, I was a rider of an All-Mother. Before Prince Edgardo the Long Lived, killed her.
Lupita said sincerely: I am sorry, Your Excellency. I did not know. Forgive my stupidity.
Clemente in a tired voice: My dear young girl, you need not worry. The days when titles mattered to me are over.
Lupita: What do I need to do for you tomorrow for that coin?
Clemente: I will explain it to you in the morning, and the coin is yours now.
Lupita with pride in her voice: I am not a thief. I earn my coins honestly. When you tell me what you need and I have completed your request, I will accept it. If you do not need my body tonight, you can use it tomorrow when you feel better.
Clemente: Well, you are more honorable than most people in the royal castle. I have no intention of using your body except for errands. Now, I need to sleep. The bed looks fine. You can use it. Many days I fall asleep in my chair, it suits me.
Lupita: MLord, the bed will be warmer with two bodies and two blankets. If you do not want my body, you can use my warmth, and I yours.
They lay down on the bed and arranged themselves. She was surprised when he turned his back towards her. She had expected his hands to be on her soft parts while they slept.
The old man thought before falling asleep: She is afraid that the guards will cut off her hand for thievery if she accepts the coin that I offered her. But she sells her body to any man who has a few coppers. And people think she is a low and base woman.
While they slept, she remained comfortable and calm. He woke up many times due to persistent dreams. For decades, he had slept poorly because the magic of the All-Mother had no place in the human mind.
The stone nest.
Floriano woke up in the night because he needed to piss. He stood near the chamber pot, peed, and looked up at the sky through a small window in the dormitory for riders. When he saw the Pegasus land on the high road, he almost dropped his nightshirt in front of his penis and the stream of urine. He finished and grabbed a wool cloak and his boots to investigate.
Little Feather trotted along the high road, the splashing sounds of her hooves drowning out the approaching biped. The smell suddenly entered her nose, and she stopped and reared up at the young man.
Floriano: Calm down, beautiful! You know my scent, Little Feather. I clean your wings and bring you food. You know me, precious girl.
Little Feather pushed her thoughts toward him, even though she knew he could not accept or understand them.
Little Feather: Stupid biped! Move! I need my nest and a pile of dry hay.
Floriano: Calm down girl. Where did you go? Whose rope is this?
Little Feather: Girl! I am older than you, skinny biped.
The young man approached and untied the rope. It was very thin, with silk threads. The rope resembled those on the curtains in the castle. He accompanied her to her nest and brought more hay. Her body felt very cold, and he wondered why she had flown on a night like this. When she was settled, he returned to his own bed.