Lokenth stood naked and dripping from the tub of now-lukewarm water and the not-unattractive wench scrubbed his body of the remaining filth. He had arrived here coated in dirt and dried sweat, caked in blood and bits of black gore from the undead he'd slaughtered recently, and felt a new man, and relaxed to the point of near stupor.
As he lay down on clean linens hands pulled and tugged at his sore muscles and flesh, and he let out a half-chuckle half-groan as relief set in his body. This truly was the best thing he'd felt in a while. Very much worth ten silver coins pulled from the claws of the dead undead.
He closed his eyes happily and reflected. He was well-off. Well-equipped, too. His rusted sword had long been traded in for a sharp two-handed longsword, his battered shield replaced with mail and gleaming plate armor. His purse was stuffed with coins. He even had books - books on monster hunting and daimon banishing, near as he could tell. Who knew their worth? He carried with him letters of recommendation - from the High Lord of Kindara and from the King of Arcaea - and letters of correspondence from royalty and gracious dukes. He had supped with a great general, now a king, and had had discussions with a great noble, the former King of this realm who had even hinted at being a friend. And he carried with his equipment a dragon-scale shield as good as a knighthood. All he needed to do was wait, meet up with a duke, and then see about getting some weapon repaired. Simple.
Not bad for one who only recently was an outlaw, harassed by guards everywhere and spat on by surly peasants who begrudged him for two silvers in exchange for an uncomfortable night in straw and pig!@#$ in a stinking barn. Soon, he knew. Soon. Soon he could leave the life of bashing beasts and unmaking the undead in crypts and caves, sleeping in tents on the sides of rural roads and hiding from the authorities.
But might I miss this simple life? he wondered.
"Done already?" he asked after a while. "Indulge me some more, why not?" The wench blinked a few times, a blank look on her face. Happily his purse was full. He reached in and pulled out a gold coin and offered it to her. The coin disappeared and she got to work. He closed his eyes again.
No, he thought. I won't miss it.
