They climbed to the very top and turned right, toward the intricately carved doors of the rooms. Ali respectfully opened the first one and gestured invitingly with his hand. The companions entered, and the servant remained outside.
"Wow!" Alexandra whistled in admiration. The beauty of the room made her momentarily forget her troubles.
The room was impressive in size. Expensive carpets lay on the floor, and compared to those they had seen on the stairs and in the corridors, they seemed like rough rags. Silk pillows filled with goose feathers were scattered around the room.
On the left stood a wide bed with a delicate canopy to protect from insects, and soft bedding. Across from it was a semi-circular window with a wooden frame and transparent glass, while the walls featured oil lanterns and bowls with aromatic oils.
In the corner was a small, round table with a thick candle burning on it.
"Not bad," Amon agreed, casually surveying the room. "And free. We were lucky to meet a host with such a big heart."
"Old fool," Alexandra muttered angrily. "Did you hear what he said? 'Women, oh traveler, the repository of foolishness. Don't listen to a woman, or your brain will wither,' she mimicked, imitating the host. "Ha-ha! The Supreme and her angels are women, and who do they worship, if not her?! He kept grumbling as if he didn't need money. How has he not gone bankrupt yet?"
"What's the difference?" the warrior shrugged indifferently. "Don't take his words to heart. As for women, I've encountered worse traditions. Just ignore it. If everything goes as planned, we won't be staying here long."
"It's easy for you to say. You're a man, a warrior, and you speak so smoothly," the girl said with barely concealed resentment. "In the Emirates, they respect such things, it's their ideal. But here, everyone stares at me, ugh! I don't like the Emirates. I don't like the Caliphate either. And how are women treated in your lands?" she asked innocently, pretending to study the carpet's pattern.
"With respect," Amon opened the window, letting in some fresh air. Then he scattered the pillows and sat down on the carpet, crossing his legs. "Complete equality: in science, at sea, in war, everywhere. There are entire orders of female warriors where men aren't allowed. It's a shame, though, they're on the enemy's side."
"Awesome!" Alexandra chose a larger pillow and flopped down next to him. "Now that's the way it should be! Women are people too. They can drink, fight, and be friends just as well as men."
"Who would doubt it?" Amon smirked.
"By the way, how about some wine?" the girl innocently asked. "I think it's a bit late to go to the Mage Academy. Let's sit, chat, drink, and then sleep."
"And the monsters?" Amon smirked again. "What if they catch us off guard?"
The girl blushed slightly and lowered her gaze. Did he understand?
"Just a little... for taste..." she muttered uncertainly.
She was saved by the servant entering the room.
"Honored guests," he said. "The food is almost ready, and the pools are filled with hot water. Shall I bring your meals here, or will you deign to come downstairs?"
"Bring it here," Amon commanded. "And wine for my companion. How much do you need?"
"Aren't you having any?"
"I'm afraid the host won't understand such behavior."
"Exactly," Alexandra thought. She desperately wanted a drink, but what if Amon thought badly of her? The knight was so proper...
"Two jugs," she said cautiously, glancing at Amon. He showed no emotion. "No, three! Better make it four. What if you change your mind?" she added quickly. "And you can never get enough servants..."
"Four it is," the knight agreed calmly. "Bring four! And one with water."
Alexandra smiled brightly and gave Amon a grateful look. She had endured for an entire week, but now it was time to let go!
A few minutes later, a silver platter was placed before them, with pieces of fragrant meat, bread, and jugs of wine. The servant also brought two goblets decorated with engraving.
"My throat's dry..." Alexandra quickly filled her goblet and glanced at Amon. As his gaze was fixed on the dishes, the girl drank the sharp liquid in two greedy gulps.
Amon grabbed the meat with his hands and began chewing. A strange expression of enjoyment never left his face, as though he was eating this kind of food for the first time.
"Good?" the mercenary asked, pouring more wine and handing it to Amon. "Maybe you'll have some after all? Relax after the journey... and the conversation will go better. We'll get to know each other better... Come on, don't be shy!"
"No," the knight refused with his mouth full. He waved his hand, indicating that Alexandra could drink as much as she liked. "Drink alone, as much as you want."
"Ah, wonderful," the mercenary sighed, drinking more wine. She took a piece of meat and placed it on a piece of bread. After biting into it, Alexandra drank again. And again. And again.
Meanwhile, Amon had eaten half the meat, wiped his fingers on the bread, and pushed the platter toward her. He looked out the window, watching the setting sun caress the roofs of mud-brick houses.
"What are you thinking about?" asked the tipsy Alexandra. The wine had gone to her head. She felt warm and cheerful. She'd forgotten about the day's worries, and now it seemed like everything was within her grasp.
"About tomorrow."
"Why? The future is unknown. You should live in the present! Like me, for example, I don't think about the future at all. To hell with it!" she said, slightly stumbling over the words. "And you?"
"Constantly," Amon tore his gaze from the window and looked at her intently. "Among my comrades, it's customary to make long-term plans. Multi-step ones."
"The future is known only to the goddesses," Alexandra said profoundly, reaching for the third jug, but she fumbled so awkwardly that she nearly tipped it over. Amon caught the vessel and stopped it from falling. "Thank you."
"Sometimes the gods share their knowledge," the knight said mysteriously. "But sometimes, it has a bitter aftertaste."
The mercenary laughed merrily. The alcohol had lifted her spirits.
"I can imagine what they might say! The goddesses are self-absorbed fools, especially the Supreme. Oh, except for Fallen Goddess," she quickly corrected herself, putting her hand over her mouth. "Fallen Goddess isn't bad. She saved you... And the Supreme and she are enemies... You know, I used to think she only knew how to seduce."
"I spoke with her," Amon replied calmly, as if he had only been talking to divine entities all this time. "Seduction is a forced measure: she needs faith to survive. By the way, what goddesses do you have in your lands?"
"They're the same in all lands," Alexandra took a sip of wine. "Ares – the goddess of war. She respects martial virtue and fights to protect the weak."
"In our lands, we call her Khorn," Amon interjected. "Go on."
"Then there's Eros. She protects love and marriage. Poseidon – rules the water element and the seas. And of course, the Supreme. I hate her!"
"Why?"
"It's hard to explain..." Alexandra hesitated. "You know, monsters weren't always women. In the past, they were real monsters. Back then, the principle was – either we, or them! But now, most of the monsters are harmless girls. Just don't let yourself be harmed, and they won't rape you. Some are even reasonable, like people. But the Supreme, she doesn't seem to understand that things have changed. She still craves the destruction of monsters. All of them, without distinction. No, I'd happily kill some myself, like succubi! But not all of them."
"I think the reason is different," Amon said thoughtfully, stroking his spiky hair. "Fallen Goddess said she's the true supreme goddess, though in exile. It seems the current Supreme usurped the power. Perhaps she follows outdated principles so that no one suspects a switch."
"In the lands of the Order, you'd be burned at the stake for such heresy," Alexandra cheerfully said and took a long gulp from her jug. She wasn't holding back anymore. "Ugh!"
The mercenary wiped her mouth with her elbow.
"Very interesting. They didn't tell us that when we were being trained... never mind," the mercenary laughed foolishly. "Training, ha-ha-ha! Training, but didn't finish training, ha-ha-ha!"