Arrival in the land of Pan

They arrived in Arcadia shortly after sunset. Thanos was not sure what village they had driven into. The usual assortment of peasant men and women were scurrying about, disappearing on the mud path they called a central road. He wasn't even sure if they had an inn. Arimneste was sleeping in the back, her lovely legs peaking out from the animal skins she slept under. Thanos debated turning the chariot around before too many people saw them, pulling the horses to the side of the road, and taking her...but no. Not only did he not see himself as someone who would do that, but too many had already seen them in this village. They may be lowly Arcadians, but they were still Greeks, and he a slave. He had no illusions about what his fate would be should try such a thing.

Even though he did not see himself as man who would do such a thing, the thought that when they rode out of town, it should be dusk and upon an infrequently travelled path crossed his mind.

"Looking for a spot to sleep, traveler?" a young boy asked. Thanos nodded. "We've got a modest inn, just down the road. One obolus for the week for public sleeping, or one obolus a night each for private quarters." He peeked in the back. "With the lady present, I'd suggest the private quarters, unless you'd like to work out a deal, and then boarding would be on the house."

Thanos looked back at her, and thought hard. "One obolus a night will be fine..." he said. The boy nodded, and started to turn. "...but if I could speak with the innkeep about a "discount" for the lady, that'd be fine too." The boy grinned, and ran ahead. Thanos worked the reigns, forcing the horses down the mud road.

They arrived at a sorry excuse for an inn, only six windows wide and made of mud and wood. Thanos pulled along side four other horses, and one horse and chariot. The boy from earlier took the reigns. He hopped off, and nodded.

The door to the inn was rough hewn wood. Thanos pushed it open to find three passed out drunks, a young girl of proper age cleaning up spilled wineskins, and a grisled innkeep still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"You." Thanos said to the innkeep. He turned, the veins in his eyes red as dawn. Looked like he'd drinking a lot of his wares. Not that Thanos blamed him in this shithole. "I'd like a room. One bed, and one pile. I've got a Greek citizen with me..." he said, and with a quick glance, motioned the innkeep to come closer. "...and if you follow my lead I might be able to convince to suck you off if you'll cut me in on the take. I'll sleep in the common room, her in a private room. I'll take three Oboli for the week, you keep one and get your dagger buffed every night, and she sleeps in peace upon nightfall."

The innkeep, a wizened bastard, blinked once, rubbed his face, and blinked again. "She's a "polis" girl?" Thanos nodded. "I've got a debt or two I need paid off. Threw the bones once too many times, and the local patrons might need some collateral. Will she be up for it?" Thanos shook his head.

"No. She is still a virgin," he said, but remembered what she'd told him. "but I may be able to convince her to come to an "alternative" arrangement. No promises though. It'll be a gamble on your part. I can promise she'll suck you dry every night, or you can take a chance on taking her in the "Spartan" way."

The innkeep rubbed his face again. "Well then." he said, a grin parting his face as he extended his hand.