Yes—at first.

Alan excused himself from Julia, asking to share a bath with her was too forward in his mind—they had just met after all. Besides, the keeper had said that “bath attendance” would cost him extra. He just hoped she’d still be there when he returned.

The cute servant showed him the way to the bathing room. Walking after her he noticed how short she was, she’d maybe reach his chest he figured.

The bath was on the ground floor—just a room with a tub in it really. There was a small stove to heat the water for the bath and some linen sheets strewn about the room.

‘If you would undress and leave your clothes on the bench, please. I’ll come and fetch them to clean in a moment,’ the young girl bade him before turning and leaving Alan alone in the bath.

Having gained some privacy, the young man did as was requested and stripped down, only leaving Catrina’s pendant hanging from his neck. He carefully laid out his garments for her and walked over to the wooden tub. Steam was rising from it and he carefully tested it with his hand. Finding it not too hot for comfort, he lowered himself into the soothing water.

A brush, some fragrant oil and a bar of soap were laid out on a small stool to the side of the tub, and he grabbed them to start rubbing off all the grime from the road. After he had given himself a good once over, he relaxed and closed his eyes.

He did not even notice when the young servant came back to get his clothes—she was not only small but also quiet as a mouse if need be.

Somebody else was interested in what was happening. Luna, the enigmatic, shapeshifting cat, was making the rounds after she had had a nice nap in the stables. She had been slightly frustrated at how events had unfolded up to now, as she never found a time or place to talk to Alan. There was always somebody around who ought not to know what she really was. Ignacio barely tolerated her presence as a cat as it was—let alone a magical shapeshifter.

She was curious if Alan had gotten “frisky” with one of the whores or if he was too shy. So, she had decided to go and look for him. They wouldn’t stop a cat from sneaking around, right?

Finding was easy, she may not have been a canine shapeshifter, but a cat’s nose is fine too and she was very familiar with his unique scent.
The trail led her to a window, it was slightly opened and some steam wafted into the cold evening air. Alan’s scent was somewhat masked by the fragrance of the bath, but she could still tell he was in that room.

With an easy leap, she perched on the windowsill and looked inside.

Alan was still relaxing in the tub, eyes closed and seemingly without a care in the world. It was the first time he had any time to ponder the events of the days before. All the trouble they had had on the road. Ignacio’s harsh treatment of his men. The sights, sounds and even smells he had experienced for the first time in that brothel. The revelation that Ignacio is secretly a masochist. Two gorgeous girls showing some interest in him. It had been an eventful day—and it would not end just yet.