Chapter 11

They rode for hours before coming upon the main city of Eyrotia. And as expected it was crowded. At the center of the city was a high wall surrounding the king’s castle, the bricks were strong and the irons were used in barring the windows of the towers were painted black. Flags bearing the Eyrotian arms of the rising Phoenix blew in the wind. Soldiers stood with spears, swords and arrows on the towers overlooking the city. Helena drank in the sights of all of these. Around them, people moved about their business speaking loudly or whispering to one another. They were dressed in fur clothes while some were dressed in rich expensive-looking silks, cotton and amongst these were those who wore shabby raffia clothing. Soldiers on horses passed theirs, Demeus nodded to them as they passed.

These were his people, the ones who worshipped him, they offered sacrifices to him for blessings and protection. It never ceased to amaze how easily he could walk among mere mortals and non of them could sense his immortality. Sometimes he could come as a beggar or a wizard and no one would be the wiser. Never once did he experience mistreatment from his own people no matter what form he took. To them, he was just one of them and that was all they cared about. But today all eyes seemed to be glued to his horse and he didn’t have to look down to know why everyone was so interested in looking his way.

They were staring at the beautiful Helena who was whose eyes kept darting around as though she could not get enough of all she was looking at. Her mouth hung open as she stared at the people, the buildings, the food, everything. People like her were not a strange sight in Eyrotia, like he told Helena before, many merchants of all colors and sizes came to Eyrotia to trade because Eyrotia was a nation that was indeed blessed by the gods. Many of those merchants brought their children both male and female along with them, the females were less seen than the men to prevent ugly incidences from happening. Demeus guided their horse to the side of the street, people parted for their horse to pass.

“Impressed?” he asked in a low tone. Helena’s attention was once again drawn back to the man behind her. She was more than impressed. This was the first time she found herself in a completely different environment with people very much different from her.

“Very much,” she replied him. “It’s beautiful.”

Demeus chuckled. “We’ll need a place to stay for the night. We should look for an inn.”

As he lead the horse he looked around for where there might be an inn. Helena went back to looking around as they passed. A few minutes later he located an inn, one in which he had stayed before, he led their horse there and dismounted. He reached for Helena to help her down. As she reached for his strong arms he tried not to notice how well his hands fitted around her slender waist, or how she smiled in gratitude at his help.

The inn was a fairly large building of bricks and wood and behind it was a small stable. The stable hand ran out to help water and feed the horse. Helena waited for Demeus to lead the way into the in.

Inside the inn was a dining area where men sat around rough square tables while servants went about serving food and drinks. It was quite noisy as all the people in the inn spoke at once. At the entry of Demeus, some of the men yelled and held their cups up.

“Ramus!”

It was a familiar voice. Helena looked to her left where a group of men sat drinking from huge tin cups. Among the group of unfamiliar faces was one she remembered from the sea. It was Banjo and he was fast making his way toward her and Demeus.

Demeus had hoped not to run into anyone who would recognize him as Ramus but as luck would have it Banjo was a man of very sharp vision. He held his hand out and shook Banjo’s arm.

“Long time my friend,” he greeted.

“You look well, Ramus.” Banjo smiled wide, his breath was tinted with the smell of mead. He looked from Demeus to Helena who was watching him warily. Their first encounter with each other has been anything but pleasant and then he wasn’t even drunk. “The merchant’s daughter. Helena was it?”

Helena nodded.

“Good to see you.”

“How is your wife Banjo?” she asked.

“She is doing well.” He let go of Demeus arm and held his hand to her. “I must apologize for my awful behavior the last time we met. My wife reprimanded my actions for days until I thought my ears would fall off.”

Helena laughed. “You deserved it.”

“No doubt I did.” He looked from her to Demeus, his eyes asking a silent question.

“Ramus and I met by the sea again and he offered to help me on my journey here.”

“I see,” Banjo said but his eyes were on Demeus when he said that as though he was trying to read his thoughts. As if! Demeus was a god, he could hide his thoughts from humans if he wanted to. Demeus laid his hand on Banjo’s.

“Don’t worry I won’t do anything untoward to Lady Helena. You have my word.”

“Besides I can handle myself if he chooses to misbehave,” Helena chipped in.

Banjo laughed. “I do not doubt that my lady.” He looked back at his table and said. “Why don’t you both join me for a meal, I’ll pay.”

Demeus was not in the mood to join the noisy and crowded room and one look at Helena told him that she wasn’t in the mood for that too. So he shook his head.

“We have had a long journey it would be best if we rested first.”

Banjo nodded. “If you say so.” He patted Demeus on the shoulder. “Good to you see you again friend,” he said then went back to join the rest at his table.

Helena looked at Demeus in gratitude. “We really should rest.”

He nodded and led her to the innkeeper, a heavyset ebony woman who wore a clean white cap over her thick curls. He dropped some coins on the table and said, “We’ll need a room for the night.”

Helena’s blood pounded in her ears. Were they to share a room together?