"Does this money come from the tributes?"
"One way or another."
She frowned as an odd thought occurred to her. "I always thought we were paying to keep him from destroying our towns... but I don't think that would happen... do you?"
"No."
"Then why did this business start"
"Way I hear it, he did some service to the people in these parts way back when. I suspect it's got something to do with keeping this coast clear of invaders, though I honestly couldn't tell you." He was chewing thoughtfully on a piece of cheese.
"So it's payment then... not blood money?"
"Well, it is now. That's how folks see it, so that's how it is. I don't think he much cares one way or the other. Just wants to be left to his own devices."
"He doesn't even use most of it," she mused, thinking of the room full of forgotten treasures.
"Well that's why he started requesting specific things. Sheep he can use.... statues of Apollo however..."
She laughed. "I think it's a delightful statue."
"Clearly. But it does us little good out here, you can't eat it, and it's too pricey to barter easily."
"Has he ever requested... people before?"
"You mean women?" He looked up from his dinner. She shrugged at the sink, missing his grin. "No. This was a first."
"Wasn't he worried it would upset people too much and they'd stop making tributes?"
"You'd have to ask him that."
"Why would he... after all this time?"
"Who can say. Lonely I guess."
"You're here."
"There's more than one kind of lonely girl, and I'm pretty sure you and I ain't providing the same kind of services."She looked over her shoulder at him to see his wry look.
"Why doesn't he just... dally with nymphs. He said his brethren do that."
He shrugged again. "You'd have to ask him that... why you so interested any way. Trying to get yourself off the hook?"
"No, just curious. He told me they were cold."
"Who?"
"The nymphs."
"Well you already have an answer then, why are you pestering me."
"How did you come to be here?"
"Nice subject change."
She rolled her eyes. "No really, you weren't a tribute... and everyone in these parts is terrified of the master. I mean I thought he was a hydra... until I got a little older and decided he must be a flesh eating cyclops. So how did you get past the scary rumors and end up living here.?"
"That's easy. I ain't from around here, and I met him before I heard about him." Her curiosity was peaked and she sat at the table with him, her drying cloth still twisted in her hands.
"How did you meet him?"
"I was a soldier for a long time, and it took me all over the place. Mercenary." He added. "I got a bum leg from an injury that just wouldn't seem to heal properly, and couldn't do that kind of work anymore-- least not so well as I used to--so I started wandering and looking for odd jobs... drifting. Eventually I found myself following the coast here looking for port towns when I climbed a cliff to find a twelve foot demon lookin' right back at me."
"What did you do?" She leaned forward imperceptibly, eager to hear the rest of the tale.
"I said 'pardon sir, but you don't know if there's a town nearby do you?'"
She grinned at him."You lie."
"Swear on my life."
"What did he say?"
"He explained that there was and that it was just a few hours east. Then asked me what I was looking for. I said work and he told me that if I didn't find any in town, he might have something for me. So I went to town, found little or nothing going on and decided to go back. Of course in town I asked about the giant and that's when I heard all the crazy rumors. Course I'd spoken to him already and I've got a knack for sussing people out, so I didn't take much of what was said to heart."
"Did you ever correct them?"
"Why should I? I imagine he prefers it that way."
She harrumphed. "More flies with honey."
"Who wants flies?"
She smirked back at him. "Duly noted."
The next day she dressed herself in the simplest dress she could find. It wasn't seemly for women of standing to enter the market place, but servants were allowed, so she wore the most servant like thing she had. That wasn't saying much since the material was still a little too fine for a servant. It would have to do, she mused as she stepped lightly through the pleasant woods.
How strange the change now. barely a season had passed since she came here and everything that had been foreboding and strange was now familiar, benign. The woods which might have been pretty to her that first day were now delightful. She remembered the fear in the faces of the girls as they were marched through these very woods, and she remembered the same suppressed terror in the soldiers as well. She'd been too scared herself to note it then, but in her memory it was palpable.
The memory gave her a twinge. It was sad that Thelios should be so reviled. It didn't seem fair. Then again, she reminded herself, he did take twenty girls from their families. She sighed and watched the grass turn to tracks and then into a proper road beneath her feet.
The town looked vaguely familiar, though she was entering it from the opposite side this time. She paused in front of a particularly familiar house. It had belonged to the pretty fair haired girl she'd tried to introduce to Thelios. She felt a passing urge to knock... but resisted the urge easily. What would she say to the servant who answered? 'Hello your mistress and I were sacrificed to a giant together... I just wanted to say good morning', not likely. She sighed and kept walking.
The town was relatively small, no doubt because the high cliff leading to the water made for a poor port. She could see a number of fishing boats lashed to the dock below... but the narrow stair way leading down wasn't conducive to trade. The cost of labor and time would seriously cut into the minimal profits of trading this far North when there were so many more natural ports nearby. She smirked at herself. Maybe her father had been right about her being a merchants wife.
The town wasn't very large, and before long she found herself at the entrance of the market. It was much smaller than the one in her own city. But she was delighted to be there walking through it instead of stealing glimpses while being escorted past. It was invigorating the sight of all those people milling around, haggling bumping one another... she remembered herself suddenly and carefully tucked her full little purse under the folds of her dress, recalling stories of thieves and pick pockets. With that thought she collected herself and headed to a merchant who looked like he might carry what she needed. She bought her vine leaves and a few stuffed olives that she couldn't resist and moved to be on her way.