Sounds and Smells

Astra, still blindfolded, still discovered a few things about Doazda's manor. There were a multitude of smells, some that were familiar barnyard smells, and others that were not. There was a heavy smell of kerosene, which she interpreted has "heavy lamp oil." She knew that it could be burned for nighttime entertainments, and had some use amongst artisans of a type. Being a noble, she did not concern herself with those sort of things, but now she felt that it would be very useful to know. There was also the expected smells of animal manure of various kinds, horse urine, wet straw, wet grain, wet dog fur, and wet sweaty guardsmen. There was also a more pleasant, but entirely unexpected smell of exotic spices and fruit. Bananas, cloves, cinnamon, molasses, anise seed, vanilla - it was as if there was a hidden fair or hidden warehouses here. She heard the lowing of cattle nearby, and the slow trot of horses off in the distance. She heard some human voices, too, but faintly, off at a distance, as one would hear the soft bleating of a couple of sheep. She heard the sound of the wind rustling through some leaves, so there were some trees around. She also heard the honking of geese, the chatting of gulls --- of course! These were the same gulls that flew from the tar covered beach, toward the northeast. She was in the heart of the alchemists' country!

She had to be on her guard now. This was not what she had in mind when she accepted Hesht's invitation. Was he duplicitous, more daring than he let on, or perhaps just hopelessly naive? She feared for the first, hoped for the second, and expected the third. There was another sound - an odd sound that she had not heard in nearly two weeks. It reminded her of home. Listen. *Ye-urhm. Ye-urhm. Ye-urhm.* She was stunned. Peacocks! A bird kept by royalty! Either they were shockingly common in Hespan, or Doazda was extremely rich. Or, perhaps the alchemists needed peacocks for their concoctions?

Astra also noticed that the rocks and thorns had given way to finely ground sand and short grass. She could hear a pump squaking, and the sound of water falling into a metal bucket.

Nevad spoke, "Here is a towel, Astra. We will leave you alone and let you wash. Polly will give you an apprentice's robe, hose, and sandals."

"Polly is not a Hespaniard name," thought Astra. She wanted to talk to Hesht, alone, as soon as she could. Astra replied, "That sounds fine. Could you do me a favour, and sing 'Cool Water,' while I wash and dress? It would cheer me up." And it will give me an idea where Hesht and all you guards are, thought Astra.

The man in the booming voice shouted, "Most assuredly. However, I have to go back to check on some of a couple of men out on the eastern boundry, to make sure that no one has shown without being properly greeted. Hesht, Sog, and Nevad will have to carry the tune."

Astra asked, "May I removed the blindfold before washing? You are not going to be staring at me, are you?"

The leader said, "No, no, the servants of Doazda are more disciplined than that. We are not ruffians. Go about your business."

Astra removed her blindfold, and found that she was in a narrow enclosure, behind a tall fence about half as high again as she was. There was a peasant woman who, as she expected, was dressed as, but did not look like a Hespaniard. Polly, while not hostile, was cool and efficient, and Astra could get little information from her. Astra could hear the trio of Hespaniard men lustily singing and laughing from time to time, enjoying singing old folk songs.

"At least the hose is warm, and apparently free of bugs", Astra thought, as she slipped it on. Now fully dressed, she put her blindfold back on, and emerged from the enclosure. "Your turn, Hesht," said Sog. They continued to sing, and Astra, having little better to do, decided to join them. Astra could tell that the three knew each other from somewhere, and that there were little jokes that she could not quite understand.

Hesht them emerged wearing the same style of robe and hose, although it fit him much better, as one would expect. Nevad said, "A little change in plan. You all are going to sleep in the barn tonight."

"Any port in a storm," said Astra, "But I was hoping for someplace warmer."

Sog replied, "Oh, this is where you want to be tonight. I would rather be in the barn tonight with you tonight, myself, khanomam." Astra then heard Sog hesitate a bit, and then continue, "Well, you know what I mean, khanomam. No offense intended."

"None taken," Astra said. Either Nevad, Hesht, or both must have given him a dirty look.

The barn was not as Astra expected. Once inside, she was invited to remove her blindfold. The barn was dark, the stalls appeared to be large. The stall Astra was to sleep in was spacious. There was a ring of foul-smelling tar around it, but the straw inside was scented, with herbs and spices that smelled mostly of clove. For that alone, it would be considered luxurious in many parts of the world. But the thing it gave her, that was of great value to Astra, was privacy. Her hosts were actually being very considerate of one thing that she needed right now.

Hesht noted, "The black ring around your stall keeps fleas and bedbugs out. Y- Y- You and I should have a p- pl- pleasant sleep. The barn door will be locked as a p- precaution against p- p- prying eyes." Astra had a lot of questions, but with Nevad and Sog standing there, she did not want to ask them just yet. Hesht betrayed a little nervousness, although she was surprised to see him control it as well as he did, knowing his past problems with speaking. He seemed to have some things that he wanted to tell her, but he wanted to be free of Nevad and Sog as well.

Meanwhile, Doazda was getting ready to retire for the night. There was little use in riding out the storm. Just before doing so, Bakhtar stood up, walked across the room, and opened a small box. "Doazda, the woman that ran away had a set of rings. Cheap costume jewelry from the Court of Polabi for the most part. But here is one of her rings. She gave it for us to examine. She ran off without taking it. I do not know if you can make out anything from it more than I can. I know that you know people who might have seen something that I, as a jeweller may have missed." Bakhtar was alluding to Doazda's clients amongst the alchemists.

1. After the barn door is locked and Nevad and Sog, leave, Astra has a number of questions for Hesht.
2. Doazda holds the ring between his thumb and index finger.

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