Gunner's Paradise

New Beginning 1.3

When they arrived at the public baths it was swamped by many people. The sun had intensified and the queue of a snake line that ran on to the cracked streets; it looked as though it would take forever. Many people were grumbling, he heard younger children crying as their mothers held them in their arms.

Some men smoked what Sheldon perceived as a knock of cigarettes others had homemade alcohol in their hands brazenly showing it in the sun's light. They cornered themselves in corners while others held them spot in this seemingly never moving line. People grumbled to themselves from the wait and from the stench of others around them that probably hadn't bathed in a very long time.

Sweat ran down Sheldon's brow while he estimated in his mind how long it would take before they got in. He watched a couple coming out from the baths and thought there was no way to get through this before night time if at all. It was hard for him to believe this whole thing was supposed to be timed.

He whispered to Natalya, "Let's go to the private baths we can afford it."

Although they both knew it was more expensive Natalya couldn't help but release a glee of delight. It was such a small thing but he knew it meant the world to her. If only she knew how much more the world had to offer than these simple things.

The Duo left the line and it was met with eager eyes noticing movement, the spot was taken quickly and now it was almost like they were never there.

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They arrived there by train, Aluminous Hydra Delight was the name of the private bath they were at on the Champion's District. They both looked out of place here, and the difference in the location was very extraordinary from the way people dressed and the cars that were driven on the roads.

They passed a police officer who gave them a discerning eye, no doubt it was because of the clothes they wore. They both stuck out like a sore thumb and others walking on the road joined in with similar looks. Luckily Sheldon had come here a few times before with his mother, so navigating the streets for him was easy and it didn't make them appear lost but there was nothing he could do about the clothes that they were wearing. 

They were soon near the baths, the roads here seemed more patrolled than the others. Beautiful music caught his attention as his head turned left and there seated in the centre of a large field was the Cathedral of Sethos. From behind the fence, he saw it was huge and adorned with gold and gems a rare site anywhere in this place, and on the outside was crowded with a multitude of people. The people exuded wealth which was told by the cars they drove on the road as people got out to the clothes they wore. These were probably some of the richest in the city or the biggest pretenders. The church was probably the only reason the entirety of this place was not blocked off. People feared the Gods more than anything else and that in itself was safety. The payment for entry was rested outside guarded by both police and church officials as if they could buy the God's favour. 

Sethos was the most favored of the three brothers, he represented life and beauty. A foolish rumour made the tithe this high that the more money you gave the higher your chance to please Sethos and the more likely you were to obtaining immortality. The second, Zantaro, who represented mercy and forgiveness. The last brother, whose worship had been outlawed, was Malrano who represented mischief, evil, strife, and bloodshed. Sheldon glanced it as they walked further on the many onlookers bowed on the road watching the procession. 

When they arrived, they found themselves at the front desk for a change, Natalya looked everywhere in amazement.

Above them the glass roof that took the image of the Three Gods in battle. The surrounding column walls told tales of their battles for humanity. The mosaic floor was modeled into what appeared to be kings of old. They were kneeling with their swords raised to the sky. Behind them knelt men and women.

Sheldon knew the person behind the desk, not personally but only because he used to come here before. If he didn't have that familiarity, he felt for sure they would have been kicked out immediately.

She looked him over as though waiting for him to say something and after feeling kind of nervous about what may happen, Sheldon called for the baths that he normally used to have with his mother and produced the money from his pocket.

The lady accepted it and directed the women to lead them into separate locations. Before they got separated, Sheldon took his clothes from the bag and smiled at Natalya who returned the gesture.

Sheldon was happy that he wasn't turned down and at the very least he was able to do something nice for Natalya for a change.

The bath itself was breathtaking. Rose petals littered the water. A Chimera head gushed blue emerald warm water. Behind the Chimera stood a knight with a raised blade. It was engraved with death, to the emperor's enemies. Sheldon sat in it no one else was here and relish the moment he had alone.

If only you were still here mom.

After he had his bath, he changed into the new clothes that they had gotten from Ralph. He returned to the front desk to find Natalya looking like a completely different person.

She was beautiful, he thought.

The lady at the front desk couldn't help but smile at them.

Natalya outstretched her hand to Sheldon and he took it as she led him outside smiling.

"Thank you for spending your time with us and enjoy your day," the words followed him outside as they left.

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They made a slight detour to the train station; the turn onto Reglina Cross. Sheldon felt a hand lightly touch his shoulder.

He turned and saw a girl the same age as them collapsed on the floor. Her legs were bruised, her clothes were torn and she looked as though she had just been robbed. The lines on her eyes suggested she had been crying. Sheldon's first thought was to look around to see if it was an ambush. Although he knew the chances were low, this was very similar to what they would do. Natalya picked up the girl instinctively realized from her lips that she was dehydrated. She got out the water from the bag and poured it slowly onto her lips.

Great, Sheldon thought we only have one more bottle of water left. He couldn't help but feel worried as the girl slowly opened her eyes.

She looked directly at him, "thank you."

"You shouldn't thank me," Sheldon swiftly said. "You should thank Natalya," as she was now looking at her from the side.

"What's your name?" Natalya asked the girl smiling and looking on with anticipation.

The girl responded "Cindy."

She sat herself up on the bench, looking around constantly as if expecting something to happen.

"What happened to you?" Sheldon asked as he noticed this weird behavior.

"I was sold as a slave and I ran away...I can't stay here for too long I have to leave before they find me," Cindy replied.

She might end up being dangerous."I think----" Sheldon started but before he could finish.

Natalya held her hands, "Come with us," causing his eyes to go wild with bewilderment. He wanted to say something but he didn't want to argue with her.

The only thing he could say was, "we have to leave now."