Chapter 3
THE PAIR REACHED TRIAS WHILE IT WAS STILL BRIGHT outside. As Dominatus had said, it was a large city with many people, and was bustling with life. They were able to find lodgings for the night almost immediately. It looked like a shabby place to Lucianus, but Dominatus had claimed that it was good enough—so he chose to bear with it.
The mistress of the inn asked Lucianus about dinner. He may have had a high-pitched voice for a man, but he sounded nothing like a woman. As he panicked, unable to utter a sound as he tried to scramble for an answer, Dominatus came to the rescue.
“We’d like dinner, please,” Dominatus said. “My wife has been unable to speak ever since birth. Please ask me if you’ve got any questions.”
“Oh dear, I had no idea. You have my deepest sympathies,” the mistress said at Lucianus with pity.
The noble wasn’t used to such piteous gazes. Unsure of how to react, he gave a small bow. The men were guided to a room on the second floor—a simple space with only two beds. When the mistress left, Lucianus gave a huge sigh.
“It’s exhausting acting like a woman,” he said. “And my behind hurts from riding a horse for the whole day.”
“I’ll go tend to the horses,” Dominatus replied. “When that’s done, I’ll massage your buttocks.”
Lucianus was too tired to offer a witty retort to the joke, and he quietly watched Dominatus leave. The noble removed his wig, providing himself with a moment of freedom from the suffocating disguise. He sank into bed with exhaustion, hoping to lie down for only a short while, but he fell asleep almost instantly. When he came to, he noticed that it was getting dark outside. There was no sign of Dominatus. Lucianus hastily put on his wig and went down to the first floor where Dominatus was enjoying some wine with his meal and engaged in a pleasant conversation with a few ladies.
“Ah, you’re awake, Luciana.” Dominatus had noticed that his partner had appeared, and the other ladies bowed before they dispersed.
“I was just about to wake you up,” Dominatus said. “You must be hungry. Why not have a bite to eat?”
“I want to go elsewhere,” Lucianus whispered. He tugged on his partner’s arm.
“This place is just fine. Their food is quite delicious.”
Lucianus shook his head and headed outside as Dominatus quickly followed.
“I’d like to eat food from a proper establishment,” Lucianus said. “I saw a tidy restaurant serving Varisian cuisine on our way here. I want to eat there.”
“That place looked expensive,” Dominatus replied.
“Does it matter? I’ve got plenty of money.”
“We should be more frugal. We don’t know what future awaits us.”
Dominatus was right, but Lucianus couldn’t forget the smile of his beloved as he chatted with those other ladies just moments ago.
“It’s my money,” Lucianus replied pompously. “I’m bearing with staying in this dirty inn, so I’d like to at least eat where I please.”
“All right,” Dominatus relented. “Let’s eat what you want.”
Lucianus had expected to be scolded, but instead, his selfish request had been granted.
“I’m sure you’ll regain your energy if you eat your favorite foods,” Dominatus added, gently placing an arm around Lucianus’s shoulders.
Lucianus was embarrassed by his selfish request, born out of his silly jealousy. He felt like a small child that was being pacified.
The restaurant they went to was more expensive than Lucianus expected. For appetizers, there was smoked boar meat sent from the Nibara region, garnished with lettuce, turnips, and celery. Expensive wine from Caroque was brought out as an aperitif. The main course was the thigh of a crane, seasoned with salt and sauces, coupled with sandpiper breast laid on a bed of sweet figs. Each dish was exquisitely crafted and tasted superb.
“These dishes are worth their cost. They’re all delicious,” Dominatus said. He looked more than satisfied.
Lucianus’s mind was elsewhere, and he found himself unable to enjoy the meal. Once they paid and stepped outside, it was well into the night. Prostitutes stood in the alleys in hopes of attracting more customers, and drunkards were causing an uproar in the taverns. The nightlife of this city had a different kind of noisiness from the afternoon as the two men walked back to the inn.
“Hey,” a voice called from behind. “Is that you, Dominatus?”
Lucianus jolted in shock, and Dominatus pushed the noble behind him. After Lucianus was shielded from view, Dominatus turned around, his hand on the sword by his waist. Lucianus stood terrified, expecting a clash of cold steel.
“Karlthus?” Dominatus murmured. He didn’t sound cautious.
“I knew it was you, Dominatus!” Karlthus cried. “Long time no see!”
With a large, beaming smile, the burly Karlthus approached Dominatus and the two exchanged an aggressive hug. Karlthus’s eyes drooped just a little when he smiled, and he looked like a friendly man.
“I didn’t think you were still alive!” Dominatus exclaimed. “You’re a persistent guy.”
“Of course I am. I’m not gonna die so easily,” Karlthus replied. “I’m an instructor at a gladiator school now.”
“You saved up and became a free man, then?”
Karlthus puffed his chest out proudly. “Yep, I’m no longer a slave. I’m glad to see you doing well too. What brings you to this neck of the woods?”
“I’m in the middle of a little trip. We’re on a journey to visit my wife’s hometown.” Clearly, Dominatus wasn’t willing to tell the truth to even his good friend.
“You’ve got yourself a wife? So, you’re a married man now?”
“Yeah, we married recently. Her name’s Luciana, and she was born mute.”
“Hello there. I’m Karlthus,” the man said to Lucianus. “I used to be in the same gladiator school with Dominatus, and I owe my life to your husband. He saved me countless times in the past. You’re a very pretty woman, aren’t you? You even look like a noble, to boot.”
“She’s had a good upbringing,” Dominatus replied. “Why don’t we catch up and have a drink for old times’ sake? We’re staying in an inn nearby. Will you come back with us to the dining room on the first floor?”
“I’ll never say no to you,” Karlthus said with a smile. “I actually wanted to tell you something.”
The trio reached the inn and sat at a table in the corner of the dining area. They exchanged a small toast as they downed their drinks.
“Your battle with Grucos has reached all the way to this city,” Karlthus said. “I heard you were gravely injured, but are you all right?”
“My wounds have mostly healed,” Dominatus replied. “What did you want to tell me?”
Karlthus lowered his voice. “The emperor’s soldiers came to our gladiator school.”
“The Imperial Guards? When?”
“This afternoon. They were looking for you. What exactly did you do?”
Dominatus glanced at Lucianus, his gaze inquiring if he could tell Karlthus the truth. The noble gave a small nod in response.
“Azerius favored Grucos,” Dominatus said. “Since I killed him, the emperor’s trying to pin me for treason, but I’ve never done anything of the sort.”
“What?” Karlthus replied. “So, did you actually flee Dyna with your wife?”
“Yes. I’m planning on being sheltered in a city in the far north, my wife’s birthplace.” Dominatus still stretched the truth as he feared the worst.
“That’s horrible. Azerius’s popularity has been plummeting around here recently. The increased taxes, tyrannical rule of the officials, and the rotten world of politics have all created a perfectly horrible government.”
“Dyna’s no different. The senators are all Azerius’s pawns, and the senate hasn’t been functioning properly.”
The two men continued their conversation, catching up on various matters as they slammed down several glasses of wine. Lucianus wasn’t good with alcohol, so he nursed his drink before he stood up and left for bed. He’d gotten to sleep first, but when he woke up in the middle of night, the bed beside him was still empty. Is he still drinking? Lucianus thought wearily. But he immediately grew worried that Dominatus could be lying drunk and unconscious somewhere, and headed downstairs after placing a shawl around his head.
The lights were out in the dining room, and only Dominatus and Karlthus were sitting at a table. The faint light of a lamp illuminated the two men’s faces.
“She’s a beautiful woman, but isn’t she still a child? She doesn’t seem very friendly either,” Karlthus said.
“Luciana is an adult,” Dominatus replied. “She may look cold, but she’s very loving and compassionate.”
Lucianus instinctively hid behind the staircase upon hearing his name mentioned.
“That so,” Karlthus mused. “As long as you’re happy, that’s fine with me. I guess you’ve put Havilah behind you now.”
Who? Lucianus pressed his ear against the wall to learn more about this mysterious person.
“That was so long ago. It’s in the past now,” Dominatus replied.
“But you weren’t able to forget her for so long,” Karlthus pointed out. “I can sympathize. She was a fine woman, kind and bright. She took good care of you too.”
Dominatus silently sipped on his drink.
“Sorry,” Karlthus said. He gave a wry smile. “You’re right. It’s all in the past now. I was just worried that you might stay single for the rest of your life. I’m relieved to see that you have married. You deserve a quiet life in her hometown.”