The guardian and his last chance. Realization

V

The room is dark. It´s walls are light grey, as are the covers. I lay on my back, with my hands behind my head. The bed (Beds) is comfortable. I like the simple décor there is in the room. My rucksack is in the closet by the door. My axe stands against one of the bedside tables. The covers are just up to my chest. It´s still good. My gaze is on the simple white roof.

-----------------------------------------------

Earlier by 3 hours.

I came to the Wolf howl, a little cliché for the namn. And went in through the small door. The first impression I got was a good one. The reception area was clean and tidy. Some skins of deer are on the wooden floors. The tables and the counter are of solid wood. When I walked up to the counter, I felt by my fingers that the woods finish is just of oil or lacquer. And I like the simplicity of it. I bend down so I could look if somebody who works here are there. As I did, I heard a voice come from the backroom. “I´m coming.” A voice sang. Soon after the owner of that soft voice came to the counter. She had a professional smile on her lips. The hazel-brown hair in braids, over her shoulders. With a smile I straightened my posture, as I saw her protruding stomach. The woman´s eyes got big. “Welcome to the Wolfs howl!” she said smiling. “A night.” I nodded. She stands on her toes so she can look over the counter. With a frown, she let her heels hit the floor. “There is just a problem” I knew it. “we don´t have any beds in your size.”

“I understand, Mrs.” I said with low voice. I saw how she tilted her head in thought. “I can just take some mattresses, on the floor.” She is still deep, in thought. “It´s still better than the forest ground.” It seems she don´t hear me. Then I remember that Jackson had said to tell Clarise he recommended this place. “Is Clarise here?” I asked. The question seemed to pull her from her thoughts. She nodded and then pointed on herself. “Jackson recommended this place.”

She shined up. “So, my brother in law, recommended us.” When she said those words, I could smell her scent are mixed together with that of a wolf. Oddly enough I find it to be a good thing. For me it means one thing, this pack really live together with the humans. The same way, as it was under my kin´s watch. I heard her call a male name. The man came rushing, his eyes were filled with concern and love. I knew what he thought, when his wife called him.

“Love,” she said with a big smile. “I think our costumer can have room four.” He just nodded. “Show him to the room.”

He asked me to follow him. He and I pulled the beds together. So, I had a good bed to sleep on. I liked his genuine smile. “The room are good.” He said smiling. “If it is something, just ask at the reception.”

I nodded. “I will.”

He left. I could hear him, when the door shut behind him, “Dang, that is a big human.” My act was true. My true scent masked. With a smile I hanged up my jacket, put my rucksack in the closet. And put the axe near the bed, leaning against one of the bedside tables. I scratched my chin, walking in to the toilet. In the mirror I saw my face. Both my hair and beard are long, filled with some debris and tangles. I would need to take care of it. A thought hit me, maybe they have a bath. With long stride, I headed to the reception. Clarise sat on a chair behind the counter. She was hymning and rubbed her belly softly. Her husband behind her, massaging her shoulders. It is a good sight, for my eyes. I don´t show it, though. They heard me. I saw how she started to rise, I showed by hand signal that is not needed. Her husband mouthed, “Thanks”

“So, is something on your mind?” she asked worried.

I bow my head a small bit, “Everything is good. The room is perfect for me.” I get a big, proud smile in return from both of them. “A shower or a bath, I am in need of.”

The man looked down on his wife smiling. “We have an outdoor bath; it is a natural hot spring.” I nod. It seemed that the man knew that, I had planned to fix the beard and hair as he added. “Ordinary we don´t allow shaving in the bath. But we don´t have many customers tonight and we close it for today soon.” He gave me a toothy smile. “Your hair and beard need a good rinse before u cut it.”

He told me how to get to the bath. With fast pace, I hurried back to my room, fetched my herbal soap, one of a few I have left, and fresh clothing. I headed to the bath, with a big smile on my lips and a bigger one in my heart. When was the last time I had a good bath, a year ago? I don´t remember. Heck, even the gods and spirits knows I does not care. The changing room made me smile when I stepped in. It was also furnished with solid wood furniture. I put my clothes in one of the racks. Swept the towel around my waist. I could smell the hot, natural spring water when I open the door. It was a big bath, male and female divided with a big plank fence. Fast I walked over to the showers. I started to clean myself. The sharp edge of my knife I used as a razor. A clean shave. In the mirror I saw enough so could do my shave. The sides of my head I shaved. The rest I cut around 1 inch. After two good rinses, I walked over to the spring. I stepped in, and let the hot water swallow me. I was laying on my back, with my shoulder blades against the edge of the spring. And my over arms upon it. I let a moan of heavenly pleasure slip my lips. As I laid there relaxing, I was feeling absolute bliss.

--------------

Present time.

The bath was good. I haven´t soaked that long, in a long time. The only thing that made me return to my room, for sleep, was that the owner´s (Clarise) husband came by and said that they will turn of the lights in five minutes. He was still there, when I rose out of the spring. I felt his gaze on my torso. He saw my scars. But no question was asked. That I was grateful of. Because the scars I have is a constant reminder of the day of my kin´s demise. I shut of the lamp that are on the bedside table. My eyes shut close as sleep took me.