Chapter Thirty
So it was, the people of Spirit entered the city and the
beauty of the place astonished Bold Fox! They made their way to a
palace at the end of the valley down the great main street at the
end of the city. People waved to them from great balconies crying
"Greetings to The Children of The Lords! Greetings to The
Healers of Sickness!"
2 Finally, they mounted the steps of the palace, and the great,
armed guards opened the huge doors and knelt on one knee as they
passed.
3 The inside of the hall was more beautiful than the outside.
Great columns and balconies adorned it, and though they were in a
great, inner room, with only the open door, it was well lit.
4 Bold Fox wondered how, and Strong Wall must have sensed his
question, and he pointed to mirrors on the ceiling. "There
are more mounted on the roofs of the buildings outside," he
explained. "The light lands on them, is reflected through
tunnels that you cannot see, onto the mirrors. When the sun does
not shine, we use lamps, which burn the oil of a fruit tree that
is abundant in these mountains and foothills...the ones that have
the little green, sharp-tasting fruits!"
5 Bold Fox was amazed. At the end of the hall was a great throne,
and an ancient-looking man sat on it, wrapped in many blankets.
As they approached, an attendant roused him. The old man's head
came up, and he spoke. Strong Wall answered and went forward. But
Bold Fox could not understand the words, for they were in the
Giant's own tongue. For several minutes The Old Chieftain and his
nephew conversed.
6 Then, Strong Wall motioned Bold Fox forward. "My Uncle
says that he is truly excited that I bring news of a cure for the
Fever. Many are ill. He does not wish to be inhospitable, but the
need for your Healers is great. He would much prefer to have them
refresh themselves before they go out. But even now, as we speak,
his people are dying, and it breaks his heart. He asks if they
will forgive his laxity, and go out immediately, to his
people."
7 The Healers, hearing the translation, stepped forward.
"Sir," they explained, "our duty is to heal and
tend the sick, not to worry about hospitality. We ask you to take
us to those in need as quickly as possible."
8 Strong Wall translated for his Uncle, who broke into a great
smile, and gave instructions to his nephew. Strong Wall clapped
his hands and several people appeared, some of them dressed as
Trns.
9 "These people," announced Strong Wall, "are you
interpreters and guides. They will take you to those in need.
There is one for each of you."
10 The Healers and their helpers were quickly gathered up, and
disappeared out the palace doors. The rest of the party stood
around, while Strong Wall continued to converse with his Uncle.
Strong Wall clapped his hands three times, and more people
appeared.
11 "Quarters have been arranged for you," he announced,
"at the houses of the rich throughout the city. Bold Fox and
The Healers will stay here, so my Uncle may have early word of
all their progress.
12 I hope you will understand. We can not call on the chieftains
from the mountains until we know the epidemic is under control.
These people will show you to your quarters."
13 The rest of the party politely bowed to The High Chieftain and
departed. "Come!" said Strong Wall. "I will show
you to your room. The day grows late. We will bathe and rest
awhile, before the evening meal."
14 Bold Fox did not mind the idea of a bath, after many days on
the trail. Strong Wall led him through the palace, deeper into
the mountain. He opened a door into a lavish room. "This is
your room," he explained. "The servants will put your
things in here."
15 Strong Wall went to another door and opened it, then quickly
shut it. "I was afraid of that!" he sighed. "They
have not finished the repairs on that bathroom yet. We will have
to share mine. " He opened the door across the hall and led
Bold Fox in. On one side of the room was a great sunken tub.
"This is the bath," explained Strong Wall. "You
put this wooden plug in the hole in the bottom, like this. Then,
you turn these stone knobs on the wall, and hot and cold water
comes out of this pipe. When you wish to relieve
yourself..." he crossed over to a stone chair on the other
side of the room, "lift this seat, and go in this
hole."
16 Bold Fox looked down the hole. He could see rushing water
flowing beneath. "Where does it go?" he asked.
17 "To a refuse plant down the valley," Strong Wall
told him. "There they use heat from the fire mountain to
boil it down into powder. And then, we use it on our crops to
make them grow! Be very careful of the hot water. It, too, is
brought through earthen pipes from the fire mountain, and it is
very hot!"
18 For a man like Bold Fox, who relieved himself in earthen pots
and bathed in leather tubs, these things were miraculous!
19 "There is soap in these tubs on the shelf," Strong
Wall told him, "and also, towels. You may bathe first. I
have some errands to attend to. Do you wish a girl to bathe you,
or is that not the custom among your people?"
20 "I think," answered Bold Fox, "my mates would
prefer I bathe myself! Our women are particular who bathes their
men!"
21 "So are ours!" laughed Strong Wall. "The girl
who tends me would break another woman's neck if she tried! We
are a little short of interpreters, so while you are here, I will
serve as yours. Now, if you will excuse me, I must attend to
those errands." He quickly departed.
22 Bold Fox gathered clean clothes, and enjoyed a long, leisurely
bath, having told a servant to let him know when Strong Wall
returned so he could get out. But he was well finished before his
friend knocked on his door.
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