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Prologue: The Oasis Bathhouse

The low hum of the train as it made it's way along the track had lulled the wolfkin into slumber. His sword and hard leather armor lay on the seat opposite him, his shield propped under his head with his cloak bunched under his head to act as a pillow. A fruitful bounty had given them the money to splurge on their own compartments. It had been a long adventure for the group, tensions were high, even as they make their long trek back to their home on the western coast. Jason was sleeping peacefully when a loud bang on his door woke him.

“What… What's going on?" He sat up, looking around his compartment. The dim light from outside illuminating his surroundings.

It was the familiar voice of Mika, “Get up, we are getting off soon"

Jason sat up, looking outside to see mostly wasteland, “This doesn't look at all like Feyhymn."

“It's not, we are spending the night somewhere special." the Elf outside responded.

Jason rubbed his eyes, “Alright, I'll be ready in a minute." the gasworks around his cabin coming to life, lighting the lanterns around the small compartment. He looked around at his gear. It needed some repairs and a good cleaning, though so did his fur. He let out a long sigh, not knowing what the gang had in mind, hoping it was something relaxing. He was too sore and tired to get into any more fights with kobolds and goblins. He peered outside as the train began to slow. In the distance he could see the tracks lead into a large forest. They were stopping in the middle of nowhere.

With gear gathered, he opened his door to see the station from the window of the train. The station was nicer than he had thought a station in the middle of nowhere aught to be. As he marveled at the beauty of the architecture of the platform, he couldn't help but worry. These nicer places were always more carefully guarded, which brought their own risks. The platform was well lit by the gas lamps scattered around the large open area.

Once the train had come to a full stop, Jason made his way down the corridor to get onto the platform. Mika was setting his things onto a bench when Jason caught up to him. The elf stood tall and thin in dusty and slightly tattered robes

Mika turned to Jason and said, “Hey, sorry for the short notice, but someone on the train told us about this place."

“What kind of place are we talking about?" Replied Jason

An excited voice behind Jason said, “The best kind!"

Jason turned to see the human brothers Lars and Darren. Lars stood taller than his younger brother, broad shoulders, wearing little more than furs and rags, with an ax strapped on his back. Darren was smaller, wearing leather with an assortment of bags draped over his shoulders. Lars was beaming, “It's a brothel!"

“It's more of a bathhouse and resort." Cut in Mika.

Lars nodded, “With prostitutes!"

“They're more than just prostitutes" Mika replied, “They've trained for years as healers."

Darren then mumbled, “And they'll suck your-"

“Yes! They will also tend to all your needs, carnal or otherwise."

Jason nodded, “Uh huh.. Must be nice to afford this platform all for themselves."

The group shuffled along the platform with their gear towards the exit, Darren thinking aloud, to no one in particular, “Probably well guarded, too."

“Yeah, don't do anything stupid, guys." Replied Jason, to the whole group.

The four of them made their way through the station, exiting the building to find nothing but a small stable beside a long road leading away from the tracks into the arid landscape. There were crates of supplies being loaded into large carriages while some of the normal patrons were being ushered to a set of smaller and much more lavishly decorated carriages. Jason was approached by a couple strong looking human men. They waved and asked, “No weapons allowed, leave your gear with us."

Jason nodded, “What should we bring with us?"

The man shrugged, “Gold? If it's not your clothing or money, we will lock it away for you until you leave."

“What about the clothes we have on now?" Jason didn't want to have to be stuck wearing the same dirty armor he had coming into this place.

The man nodded, leading the group over to a sturdy looking shed, “Clothes are available upon request. Perhaps you can purchase something a bit less.. lived in."

“Alright, that's fair." not wanting to argue, Jason took his battle gear and bags into the shed. The inside was filled with chests, with a few cots in the back where some guards slept beneath lavish covers. Jason put his belongings into the chest he was led to, leaving him with nothing but his dressiest rags and a coin purse. His friends followed suit as Jason exited the shack. While being ushered towards a carriage he looked back to see Darren arguing with the guard in charge over what he could only guess was some hidden weapon.

Inside the carriage, Jason was met with another patron. One of the catfolk from the eastern cities. He was well dressed, carrying with him a small wooden guitar. The feline nodded, “I couldn't fit with the rest of the band. Hope that's alright."

Jason nodded, “My party is only the four of us. We should be fine."

The cat continued to tune his instrument, “Thanks."

Mika was first to enter the carriage, sitting beside the guitarist, quickly resting his head upon the cushioned wall of the vehicle. The next was Lars, sitting beside the door, wasting no time in resting his legs on the seat across from him, next to Mika. A few moments later, Darren climbed in, looking a little disgruntled. He pushed himself over his brother's legs, sitting himself beside Jason. As the door closed the carriage lurched forward.

It wasn't until they were a few minutes into their ride that Darren looked up at the cat, “Who's the cat?"

The group collectively looked over to the catfolk. He stopped playing the simple tune to look around the cabin, “My carriage was full. Hope that's alright."

Lars smiled, tossing the cat a coin, “Play us a song, bard!"

The cat smiled and nodded, moving the coin from his lap to his pocket, “Would be glad to, sir." he then continued to play the same tune. A pleasant melody that made the group feel at ease for the rest of the trip.

They reached a small community of wooden cabins and adobe bungalows beside a large lake in the middle of sea of flat dry earth. The carriage came to a full stop just outside the largest building of the lot. A two story cabin with elegant lanterns hung from the beams underneath the second floor windows. The buildings were all laid out in a circle, connected by beams, giving the whole place a campsite feel. The fire from the gas lighting strewn around the cabins and arches illuminated a fountain at the center of opening.

The carriage door opened and the group was lead outside where they saw the other guests heading into the largest building. Jason joined the group going inside to see a large tavern. It was cozy and welcoming. At the bar there was an elf, scribbling something onto a small book, looking intently at his large stock of drinks. Most of the guests began seating themselves around the tavern as scantily clad women of various races began greeting the men sitting down. Jason saw the cat they had ridden with talking to two black feathered crowfolk of a race he remembered from his trips east that were nearly extinct he couldn't remember the name of. The rest of the guests Jason saw were typical of the central fields and the western woods. Humans, elves and wolfkin.

Mika had taken a table near the bar, not waiting for the rest of the group to sit before ordering a pint of mead for himself. Darren, Lars and Jason sat down as the mage got comfortable, placing coins on the table. The four of them ate and drank, singing with the rest of the crowd and band throughout dinner. After he had finished eating, Jason stood up to leave, wanting to get away from the mob of increasingly drunk patrons and somewhere more quiet.

He stepped outside into the warm still air. There were some men and women walking around the site, going into and out of the smaller buildings. There was a nicely dressed woman leaning against the wall just outside the door to the tavern. As Jason passed her she addressed him, “Good evening. Will you be needing anything, tonight?"

Jason turned to her and nodded, “A room, a bath and some clean clothes is all I need, thank you."

The woman nodded, “I am Agnes, the matron here. I'll get one of my girls to show you to your room. Preference?"

Jason shook his head, “I am more than happy with just a bath and some sleep, thank you."

The matron laughed, “Polite. I like you. Most of the men are so eager to bed something they lose their manners." She signaled to a catfolk young woman sitting at the fountain. The feline walked briskly over to one of the cabins. The woman turned back to Jason, “Chaste as you may be, she will spend the night with you, tending to your needs. She will draw your bath, measure you and collect your clothes at your request. Do treat her with respect. I don't like people damaging my things." She then left him alone to greet another guest.

Jason walked the wooded pathway until he found the woman Agnes signaled to. She was standing outside a small adobe bungalow. She nodded, “Hello. I am Victoria, I will be serving you tonight. I hope I am to your liking."

Jason nodded, “Hello, Victoria. I am Jason." He stammered a moment, not sure what to say, “I uh, hope things are um, well for you."

She nodded, “The night has gone well. I have you to tend to." She smiled, leading him into the small building. The inside was well lit by gas lights, the bungalow had two rooms. The bathroom, which was large, having a tub fill most of the space. The air was thick, steam occupying every inch. On the other side was a door to the bedroom, which had a large bed, a closet and a window overlooking the lake.

As Jason made his way to the window, he stared out into the large lake, watching the moon's reflection in the gentle ripples on the water. Victoria stood behind him, “Matron gives the rooms with a view to the guests she feels may actually appreciate it"

Jason nodded, “I still haven't been told a price for all this."

“That is something you don't have to worry about until morning. Please, just enjoy your night for now."

Jason turned around to face her, “But how do you know I even have enough for all this?"

She smiled, “Oh, trust that we have our ways."

“Of course you would." Jason laughed to himself, “Some sort of magic, huh?"

She smirked, taking a bit of measuring tape from a pouch on her belt, “Lift your arms, please."

Jason did as he was told. What little he knew of magic, he learned from watching Mika fight. He felt it was safer he kept his mouth shut. She measured him quickly, asking, “Would you like any specific colors?"

Jason shrugged, “I'll leave it up to you."

The woman nodded, “I know the perfect outfit." She beamed, “I will be right back with your things, make yourself at home." and she hurriedly made her way outside.

Jason took a moment to enjoy the view before undressing and making his way into the bath. The bath looked like it had been set up as he was on his way to the room. More magic, he thought. He didn't linger on it. There was no point to. Magic was something he left for smarter folk than he.

He eased himself into the hot water, and after a moment of scrubbing himself down, laid back, relaxing in the steam filled room. He washed away all the dirt that had collected over the past couple months, and with it all feelings of tension and doubt he was having about this place. He didn't know if it was some form of spell of just finally being able to bathe after so long. He didn't dwell on it for the effect of whichever it was had taken it's full hold on him. For the moment, the world outside ceased to be. It was some time unknown to Jason later that Victoria had returned into the bathroom. She stood in the corner opposite him, making sure Jason was aware of her presence. She spoke softly, “I have left the clothing you requested on your bed. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Jason slowly shook his head, “You have done more than enough, thank you."

Victoria smiled “Would you like me to call one of the male servants?"

A thought of the catfolk Jason had met in the carriage flashed in his head as he felt himself blush, “Oh, no. That's not really.. Uh what I want." He stopped himself from beginning to stammer, “Pleasures of the flesh are uh.. Not really something I am interested in."

“I can sense you're not being completely honest." She responded

Jason shrugged, “I really need to be um.. Invested in someone before I can feel.. That way.." He scratched his neck in a habitual way.

“Well, alright, I think I understand what you mean. If you want, I could leave you to your bath."

Jason shook his head, “If you would like, you can join me. The bath is really nice, and there is more than enough room." He gestured towards the seat in the bath directly under where she was standing. “As far as I'm concerned you are done for the night."

She nodded, untying her rob, letting the decadent cloth fall to the floor, exposing her nude form. She slowly stepped into the water, “Well in that case I will enjoy a quiet night in."

Jason grinned, “Beats being under the charge of Lars."

“He's the big one in your party, yes?"

Jason nodded, “He's your typical brute."

“We aren't as brittle as you may think." She raised an eyebrow to Jason as she spread her arms across the tiled edge of the bath.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply.. Uh..-"

Victoria snorted, “Like I said earlier, we have our ways."

“Magic?" Jason inquired.

She shrugged, “A little, but we are also very skilled with our tongues." She winked.

“The art of the Silver Tongue, right? I saw a book on that in my dad's library at home." Jason said, standing up to get out of the bath.

“Written by a man who practically lived here." She looked Jason up and down as he left, “Going to bed?"

Jason grabbed a towel, drying himself off, “I think I might step outside, watch the stars for a bit first."

Victoria nodded as Jason walked towards to door to his room, “If I am gone before you get back, you have a good night, sir. It was a pleasure to serve you."

Jason replied, “Thank you for your service and uh.. All that." He then closed the door behind him and went to the bed. There was a plain box at the foot of the bed. He gave his fur a moment for dry a bit more before he opened it. Inside was crimson red scarf, a white dress shirt with gold trimmings and a pair of pants the same crimson as the scarf. Under the cloth was a pair of black leather boots. The whole set was simple, something he thought he would actually wear around. He laughed to himself, it was exactly something he would wear. They never even needed to ask him what he liked. As he dressed, he heard something coming from outside. A familiar melody, like something he knew his whole life but was only hearing it with his ears for the first time. He listened to it as he finished putting his new boots on. Something about it made him feel strongly that someone was waiting for him. A sort of homesickness washed over him. It nagged him to find the source.

He exited the cabin, following the music. Outside, the area was devoid of life except for a shadow playing guitar by the fountain. He closed the distance between him and the person playing the instrument. As his eyes adjusted to the darker setting, the shape began to form, the flickering lights illuminated the face of the catfolk he had met on the carriage earlier that day. The bard that played for his party. The bard was looking at his fingers as they dance along the frets elegantly. His expression was serious, he seemed to have an intense longing in his eyes as he struck each string.

“You are really good." Jason blurted out before he could stop himself.

The cat stopped immediately, startled. He looked up at Jason, that longing quickly hiding itself behind the sea-green in his eyes as he stared into Jason's own. He smiled, “Oh, you are too kind. It's just something I have been practicing."

“What is is called? That song?" Jason asked.

The cat began plucking at the strings again, playing a more calming song, “It's referred to as the Song of Calling. There is supposed to be a magic to it."

“Magic? In a song?" Jason cocked his head.

The bard nodded, “Yeah, this one is supposed to call to someone far away, they can hear it no matter how far."

“Who are you calling to?" Jason asked, sitting down on the fountain's edge with the cat.

He shrugged, “No one in particular. It's one of my favorites."

“It's a beautiful song."

The catfolk nodded, playing a new song, “I don't believe we have properly introduced ourselves. I am Hector, traveling bard."

Jason scratched his head, again, habitually, “I'm Jason, I.. Don't really have a title or anything, I guess I am Jason, freelancer."

Hector smiled warmly, continuing to play his music. “How have you been enjoying your stay?"

“This is really nice place. I could see coming back again sometime." Jason replied.

Hector looked over Jason's shoulder, over to the woman leaving his cabin, “Taken a liking to my people, huh?"

Jason stammer, “Wha?" He turned around to see Victory making her way over to the main building. He turned back to the bard, blushing, “No.. It's not like that."

Hector laughed, “This is no place to be bashful."

“Really, she didn't interest me in uh.. Like how you mean." Jason shuddered, embarrassed.

Hector grinned, changing the tune of the some to one more calm and melodic. He leaned in, “Then you would not mind if I played to serenade a strong freelancer such as yourself?"

“Really, it's fine." Jason took a step back.

The cat laughed, setting the guitar down, “You are terrible with attention, huh?"

Jason sighed, “I'm more used to things attacking me than trying to seduce me."

Hector got into an attack stance, grinning at the wolfkin, “Would it make you feel better if I attacked you?" He made a step forward then stopped immediately, looking confused.

Jason stood there, looking at the other, “What? You look like you threw out your back."

Hector looked around, “A pacifism spell?"

“What?"

Hector looked around, “The buildings and canopies, they are aligned, they are creating a spell circle." He rubbed one his is large ears, “That is very clever."

“Wait, you were going to attack me?!" Jason stammered.

Hector laughed, “All in good fun, I assure you I would have meant no real harm."

“The woman helping me said there's some magic to this place." Jason said, looking at the sandy ground, seeing tiles on the floor, realizing that the artistic design were rune stones.

Hector nodded, giving the place a good look, “Smart, I see there is more to Agnes than just a curator of desires."

“A what of what?" Jason asked.

Hector walked over, stopping right in front of Jason, “Hit me."

“Wha.. I'm not going to hit you."

Hector grinned, “I know, but try, you should always familiarized yourself with the spell being cast on you or your area. Never forget the feeling it gave you, it can save your life."

Jason nodded slowly, unsure of himself, “I.. I guess I'll give it a try." He closed his palm into a fist, just as he readied himself to throw the punch, something crept over him. His will to continue the action had been sapped. It made him feel a little tired. He tried again, the feeling grew stronger, taking the energy from him. His was beginning to become sleepy.

Jason rubbed his eyes, “It's made me tired. Like I want to sleep."

“Some form of sleep spell triggered by an act of aggression." Replied, crossing his arms, scanning the area, “So that's how they do it." He said to himself.

Jason felt his head droop, “I.. Think I'm going to head to bed. Whatever that was, it was effective."

Hector nodded, “I supposed I will see you in the morning." He stepped towards Jason, planting a kiss on his cheek, “Perhaps.. Who knows, maybe we will meet again."

Jason blushed as the cat's arms embraced him in a hug, Hector held it for a moment, hesitant to let go, “Be safe, Jason." his tone had changed from the airy cheerfulness to a hopeless and dreary one. As Jason opened his mouth to respond, Hector stepped back, quickly turning around, making his way back to the large building.

Jason stood there for a moment, holding the cheek that had been kissed. Those final words sticking to him. It made him worry. He looked around the courtyard, seeing the runes and formations. It had all become hostile to him. There was magic here, although not sinister in nature, Jason was beginning to feel unease. Or was it all silver tongued tricks to play with his emotions. A bard practicing his spells on him. Jason huffed, frustrated. He didn't like not knowing how any of this functioned. He didn't like feeling manipulated.

Jason took a deep breath, trying to shake off the enchantments placed upon him. Not knowing if he succeeded, he kicked a pebble across the ground in frustration. With a heavy sigh, he turned to his room. He shuffled to his bed, undressed and fell onto the sheets, falling asleep almost immediately.