Apologise to the waitress.

Alan looked to the waitress still standing in front of him. It was no wonder the other patrons liked her. She had long, blonde hair that came down to the middle of her back. Her eyes were icy blue, and she had full, pink lips. There was still a frown on her face from her interaction with Ignacio, but she looked cute wearing it. Down lower, her bust was the biggest he had ever seen, straining against the linen top of her dress.

He caught himself staring.
‘I am really sorry, Miss. The journey was arduous, and his mood soured,’ he tried to excuse the magistrate.

She looked at him, not quite believing his words.
‘That right? Something tells me he’s like that all the time,’ she mused.

Alan chuckled, she saw right through him it seemed.
‘Guess there’s no fooling you, huh? Yes, he’s quite rude with everybody he considers beneath him—which is most people, come to think of it,’ Alan pondered, his hand cupping his chin.

She giggled musically and gave him a quick once-over as well.
‘A pity that a handsome lad like you would travel with a ghastly man like that,’ she said, ‘I’m Julia by the way. Nice to meet you. Mister?

Alan tried not to blush at her complement.
‘Alan, just Alan. It’s my pleasure,’ he said and extended his arm to her.

She accepted the invitation and they shared a brief handshake.
‘Can I get you anything? Drink, food, maybe more?’ she said with wink.

‘More? What—What do you mean?’ he stammered.

She chuckled at his shyness.
‘Whatever you want it to mean, handsome. I’m sure the girls would love to get to know you intimately,’ she teased.

Alan was taken aback, not expecting this kind of service being offered here.
‘Excuse me, what kind of inn is this?’ he inquired.

She was confused that he did not know but then it quickly dawned on her.
‘O, not really from around here, huh? Well, see that lantern over there? The red one? That means this “inn” is a brothel,’ she explained.

A brothel? His first journey from home and their first stop on the road is a brothel? His sister would certainly approve, he thought.

‘Some hot food and some wine would do for now, I suppose,’ he said nervously.

She looked rather disappointed.
‘Very well, but the offer still stands. And I’m sure at least a few of the girls will mention it later as well,’ she said, ‘Follow me, we’ll find you a table inside.’

Alan followed her, watching her hips swaying sensually as she walked. Maybe she was trying to entice him to take the offer after all.

The tavern hall was lavishly decorated with red fabrics and erotic paintings. Some musicians were playing on a raised stage to the side and in the middle of the room a scantily dressed dancer swayed to their tune. Waitresses hurried from table to table, some being drawn into the lap of the more forward patrons as they walked past. Alan had never seen the like, the hollering, catcalling, laughter was nearly deafening.

Julia guided him to an empty table and bade him to sit.
‘I’ll be right back with the dish of the day and some wine. Don’t go anywhere, handsome. Or if you do, don’t go alone,’ she winked.