“Dammit, give me the balm, we’re going to the next town.”
“Ye can do it?”
“What if halfway I can’t?”
“We would hae tae stop, likely in the middle of nowhere.”
“Of course there might be another farm. We could strike an even better bargain or?—”
Torin shook his head. “Tis unlikely. We might hae tae sleep in the woods.”
I said, “Shush, Torin. I made up my mind. Onward.”
He handed me the balm and turned his face away.
“Don’t look, but also... hold me steady. Sorry for sounding like an ass while I put balm on my ass.”
His hands steadied my waist while I smeared more of the pungent paste all under my thighs. It stung like fire at first. I blew on it, wincing, and then relief washed over me.
It felt better, Iwouldbe able to do this. My long tunic was almost dry. It would do.This would be fine.I laughed under my breath, next stop: a hotel. Room service. A dip in the pool. Laundry service. Heaven.
Torin swung up behind me, adjusted my hips so I was settled firmly between his legs, and urged our horses back to the path.
“Need help staying awake? Want me to talk?”
He grunted. “Aye. Tell me of a marvel from yer time.”
“Well, I was just thinking about hotels. It’s like an inn, but... how many bedrooms do your inns usually have?”
“Bedchambers? I would say three?—”
“Three? Only three guests?”
“Och nae, many more. Each chamber has a few beds.”
I twisted to see his face. “Are you lying, Torin? You’d sleep withstrangers?”
“I told ye a tale of it the other night at supper!”
I faced forward again, shaking my head. “I didn’t really believe you. Strangers in the same room?”
“Strangers share a bed! The fortunate share a chamber, sleeping head-tae-toe with men and fleas. The less fortunate sleep in the tavern hall.”
I groaned. “That sucks, Torin. Is that what I’m to expect where we’re headed?”
“Nae, I will strive tae see ye better housed.”
“Good, thank you. Where I’m from, hotels are like big inns. Fifty rooms or more, all private. The beds are so soft, Torin. What kind of mattresses do your inns have?”
“Often a sack stuffed with straw.”
“Ours are so soft. And no fleas. Every room has a hot bath?—”
“Och, ye are describin’ paradise, nae fleas, beds soft as clouds? I can scarce believe such a place exists.”
“And sometimes,” I added, “you don’t even have to get up. You can ring a bell, and a waiter brings food right to your bed.”
Torin laughed. “Och, then ye must hae the fattest vermin livin’ in that room, with the crumbs droppin’ everywhere.”
