Chapter 42 Mamono Everywhere!
"It can't be! It's even more dangerous here than outside."
"Is it really that bad?" Amon asked doubtfully. "I thought mamono avoid cities."
"Cities are their favorite place!"
A light blush appeared on the mercenary's cheeks.
"At night, succubi fly over the walls and steal men. Before you can even blink, they'll catch you off guard and rape you. They'll sit on your face or seal your mouth with a kiss, and you won't be able to say a word!"
Alexandra's ears turned crimson.
"You can't even call for help. The energy drains away, and then, just like that, you turn into an incubus. Even experienced warriors can't always stand up to a succubus. And you... you can't even fight. You're defenseless! A monster will rape you on the spot. You'll spend the rest of your days under her heel!"
Amon remained silent with an unreadable expression, but the girl could tell he was listening closely. Alexandra gained some confidence. She began pacing back and forth, gesturing with her hands, hiding her embarrassment behind the appearance of an experienced warrior.
"Succubi—well, that's something!" she continued with passion, "But vampires? What a plague! And their magic, it's unusual, dark magic. They can turn into mist and slip through any crack. One bite is enough for a person to forget everything. I've seen it with my own eyes, I swear! A man can't even move a finger, just moans in pleasure while they suck his blood. And not just blood…" She blushed deeply.
"Believe me, Amon," she said ominously, lowering her voice, "The night is dark and full of monsters. Bats, undead, all kinds of filth. You let your guard down for a second, and they'll saddle you, ride you, and marry you. And not just once! From this way... from that way... from underneath, from above, from behind! It's safer with me. I'll cover you if anything happens. Even from serious monsters. Got it?"
Alexandra gave Amon a triumphant look.
"We'll take one, and don't argue!"
The girl knew very well she didn't have the gift of eloquence. During past campaigns, she either remained silent or spoke briefly and to the point. But now, Alexandra was proud of herself. Her speech sounded quite convincing.
"Maybe you're right," Amon agreed slowly.
"What are you talking about?" the innkeeper interjected unexpectedly, glancing at the mercenary and raising his hands in indignation.
"El-Farrah is under the reliable protection of the Prophet and the Goddess, peace be upon them both! In all my time here, monsters have never breached the walls. Yagdarbeq, our sun and moon, a loyal servant of the Emir, drove the mamono away for two days' journey. Under his protection, we, the faithful, and you, the righteous foreigner, have nothing to fear! And especially not at my inn. I swear by the Prophet, peace be upon him! Take two rooms. If you wish, O master of my heart, I'll give you adjacent ones."
"Don't rush, think carefully, my good man," Amon turned away from the mercenary. "My companion says monsters like to hunt in cities. I have no reason to doubt her words."
Bakhityar adjusted his turban, stroked his beard, and spoke with dignity:
"I don't know about others, but in El-Farrah, mamono don't dare to enter.
The great Emir, whose wisdom is equal to that of the angels of the Goddess (praise be to her!), rules with a merciful but firm hand. He is not afraid of monsters, faithfully follows the Prophet's teachings (peace be upon him!), and even the pharaohs awakened in the sands do not risk crossing Shivan. What more can be said of the cowardly wild mamono, whose breath reeks and whose brains have withered under the burning sun?"
'Damn old man,' Alexandra thought angrily, glaring at the innkeeper, who was convinced of his own righteousness. "Stay out of it!"
Bakhityar's words were spoken with such confidence, and his indignation was so convincing, that even the knight agreed with his reasoning.
"So, you were worrying for nothing," Amon said with a smile to the mercenary. "It's perfectly safe in this city."
"I've heard that a lot. People talk, not knowing what they're saying," Alexandra muttered, pressing her lips together in frustration. "Don't you trust my experience?"
"I trust you. That's why I'll take the rooms next to each other. Don't worry, they won't catch me off guard. If I feel threatened, I'll knock on the wall."
The mercenary drooped, lowering her head sadly. Her failure shook her already fragile self-esteem. If only she were more beautiful...
"I like your sense of responsibility," Amon said, patting her on the shoulder like an old friend. "But tonight, I planned to be alone, to think in silence. I don't want to crowd you."
"I won't bother you," Alexandra said, her voice full of unspoken hope, looking up at the knight. "I'll be as quiet as a jinko in ambush."
"I don't know who these 'jinko' are, but it's not necessary."
"As quiet as a jinko in ambush, just before the attack."
"No."
"As quiet as a jinko in ambush, right before the attack, on a low start."
Amon laughed.
"Let's take the adjacent rooms," he said to Bakhityar.
"You made the right choice, noble foreigner," the innkeeper said gravely.
"A man who listens to a woman shortens his life. A woman's words are like a mirage in the desert – they lead one astray, and the traveler who follows them is doomed to be prey for the jackals!"
Alexandra huffed angrily and placed her hand on the hilt of her sword. Amon took the mercenary by the elbow.
"Calm down," he said quietly, leading her aside. "You said it yourself, restraint is needed here."
The mercenary relaxed. She felt both annoyed and comforted. Annoyed that the old man had interrupted her plans to share a room. Comforted by Amon's firm presence, gently pulling her close.
Meanwhile, Bakhityar blinked, and, as if by magic, three servants appeared in the hall.
"Ali! Take the noble guest and his companion to the upper rooms. Hussein! Heat the water in the baths! Bajja! Slay the best ram and roast the meat. We have been visited by a wise and worthy man!" the innkeeper ordered in a creaky voice.
The first servant approached Amon and the mercenary. He bowed deeply and mumbled about the celestial happiness he would bring by showing them the way.
"Let's go," the sorcerer didn't let go of the mercenary's hand, fearing she might do something inappropriate. He had already understood the rules of the game in this backward society.
They climbed the marble stairs with copper railings, covered with carpets, to the third floor. On the way, Amon had time to admire the luxury of the inn. Long, wide corridors stretched on both sides, with a stone floor laid in intricate mosaics.
Expensive fabrics adorned the walls with ornate golden patterns, and oil lanterns in colorful glass bulbs hung from the ceiling. Tall columns carved from an unknown stone with fine green veins supported the high ceilings.
"I see, such an inn isn't affordable for many," Amon said with a smirk as they neared the top of the stairs.
Indeed, they saw only one other guest on the way—a fat, mustachioed merchant, strolling through the second-floor corridor, affectionately stroking his ample belly.
"Hey, Ali!"
The servant ahead turned and bowed deeply, almost to the floor. Performing such a trick was no easy feat, especially standing three steps above, but the servant managed the difficulty, impressing Amon and Alexandra with his spine's flexibility.
"We didn't agree on the price with your master," said the sorcerer.
"If the honorable Bakhityar didn't name the price and time, then it will be free, indefinitely," Ali said quietly, looking down. "The master is a god-fearing and devout man. And you, too, noble sir, must be, since you've cleared the clouds over his heart."
Amon smiled at the corners of his mouth.
"Lead on, Ali."