The Unsuspecting Mage - Brian S. Pratt [114]
Looking hurt, Miko replies, “Haven’t I been a big help so far?”
“Yes, you have,” he admits.
“Then I want to come along,” he insists. “You are about the only friend I have and if I can help, then I want to.”
Seeing that Perrilin is awake and has been listening in on the conversation, James looks to him for help. “Would you please tell him that going over to a kingdom at war is not the best of ideas?”
Miko looks anxiously to Perrilin as he carefully considers his answer. “Though there may be dangers, Miko is old enough to make his own decisions and has proven quite helpful thus far. From all I have gathered, he has been someone you have been able to trust and count on. That can be a rare thing to find.”
Miko beams at the praise while Perrilin continues. “A lengthy venture should never be attempted alone and there are too many things that may happen where you will need someone else, such as if you get hurt. Also, he has been quite good at ferreting out information in the city which could prove most useful since you are in search of information. And…”
“Okay, okay, I’m sold,” James says holding up his hands in surrender. Turning to Miko he says, “If you are going with me then we will need to get you a horse in the morning. We won’t make much time with you walking or us riding double.”
Eyes lighting up, he exclaims “My own horse? Can I pick it out?”
Smiling at his exuberance, James says, “We’ll let someone who knows horses pick it out okay?”
“Alright,” Miko agrees.
“Now go downstairs and see if you can arrange for a couple of baths here in the room. Also have dinner sent up.”
“Okay James,” Miko says as he practically skips out of the room.
Perrilin chuckles from the bed, “He sure is happy.”
“Yes, he is,” James says. “I hope he still feels that way later on down the road.”
“There is some strength in that boy,” Perrilin observes. “I think you could do worse in traveling companions.”
“I suppose so,” James admits. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I’ll be fine,” he says. “Miss Gilena will allow me to stay here for a while, at least until I’m much better.” Lowering his voice he says, “Actually, I’m pretty much okay now, just a bit stiff and sore. But I like the attention.” Smiling, he lays back on the bed.
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” James says as he smiles back.
Miko returns saying that the baths will be up shortly and that dinner will follow. They don’t have long to wait until there’s a knock on the door. Miko goes over to let in the staff bearing the bath tubs. To James’ surprise they bring in three tubs, not two that he had been expecting. Mystified, he turns and looks over to Miko who is blushing slightly, “Three?”
“One for each of us,” he says slightly embarrassed. “Well, I kind of liked it last time. I didn’t think you would mind.”
“Mind?” James replies. “Of course I don’t mind.” Laughing at Miko’s expense, James relates to Perrilin the circumstances of the last time they had a bath. “But I thought we were to keep Perrilin a secret?”
“Miss Gilena said that she has talked to her staff and if they want to keep their jobs they better be quiet about the whole thing. She feels that they will keep the secret, at least for a while.”
They wait while the staff begins bringing in buckets of hot water. Soon the tubs are filled with steaming water and towels are laid out for the bathers. Miko is the first undressed and submerged in the tub. James asks Perrilin if he needs any help but he refuses, saying he can manage getting undressed and into the tub himself.
James undresses and climbs into a tub filled with hot, soothing water. The heat suffuses every muscle and sinew, slowly taking away the aches. Perrilin manages to get in well enough on his own and soon all three are laid back, relaxing in the tubs.
A knock at the door is immediately followed by Miss Gilena