8

'Let us stop for today. It is only an hour journey to the city of Reverie' I said while looking extremely tired. My legs felt numb and there was a dull ache in my back. It was the first time I have travelled for so many hours.

'Yes, but I don't know any inns where we can stay'

'No problem, I know an inn called Moonshine. It is ten minutes journey from the town of Nasato'

'Fine then'

Moonshine was a bar more than an inn. It was the playground of Vish Kanyas and their only source of entertainment. Many Kanyas would come there for a drink or to play. The innkeeper had a pseudonym as 'Master' whom I know since I was seventeen. He was my first friend in this world.

'Hello Master '

'Ahh Noor! Long time no see' Master who was in his late fifties said while wiping a glass. He was wearing his usual black shirt with a funny looking bow tie. He always wore studs which had moon pattern caved on it. His salt and pepper hair were thinning and azure eyes looked strained. However, he was a very lively and friendly man, always sporting a huge grin in his face.

'One chocolate Martini and young master for you?' I asked while looking at the dumbfounded young master who was critically examining everything in deep thought.

The reaction was expected as this bar was one of the weirdest places in this country. Various snakes of Vish Kanyas occupied the wooden flooring hissing and lazing around. There were many of my colleagues dressed in revealing clothes drinking together in the convivial atmosphere. I was guilty of taking young master at a place where only women and snakes gathered, listening the new songs of the bard or dancing to its tunes in the dim lit room filled with the suffocating smell of perfume. This was the only place where I felt proud to be called a Vish Kanya mainly because I loved the its ambience which shouted that we were no commodity wrapped in plastic only for other people's whims and fancies. We know how to have some fun.

'Wine please' he said after taking a seat at the counter beside me.

'This is a bar that only Vish Kanyas frequent. We are not allowed to go anywhere in the town except this bar. I am really sorry if you feel out of place.' I said while drinking my Martini. The saccharine taste of chocolate with alcohol really melted my tase bud. As expected, Master's cocktail was truly delicious.

'No. No worries. I was a little surprised that is all' Young master had his hood on while cleverly covering his eyes however the hood did not hide his beautiful face. If someone knew an Ichor was vesting this place it would cause an uproar.

'By the way looking at your clothes, Noor are you travelling? I heard that you were bought at a high price. Is this gentleman someone you know?'.

He was observant, I was wearing a simple black white shirt and loose pants that I borrowed from Ayden while my long hair was tied tightly in a bun

Master was Kautilya's friend. While Kausalya was someone who was prudent and cold, with calculating eyes and snarky smile. Master was a little sympathetic and friendly who treated us kindly. He was someone that helped me a great deal when I was struggling in this new world, thinking that I was uneducated country bumpkin. But at the end they both were from the same garbage.

'Yeah, my master told me to run some errands in the City of Reverie with this man. Master can we get some food and rent two rooms for the night?'

'Of course, you can, I will make my special sandwiches for both of you. Eat it with fruit punch.' He said while going inside the kitchen.

'You seem to be close to him. Usually, you will maintain a poker face.'

'He is someone I owe a lot even though he is a piece of shit. A better smelling piece of shit.'

Young Master laughed at this. His body trembling as if hearing a good joke.

'Do you have any friends back when you were not auctioned'

'I had two friends. They were two years older so they were sold before me. I do not know where they are now.'

Master brought his special sandwiches with two glasses of fruit punch. He handed us the plates and refilled my Martini.

'Here eat up and get some sleep, the rooms are ready.'

Young master looked at the sandwiches as if he was conflicted. It took me a while to realize that he was waiting for the cutleries

Tch…Rich People.

'Eat the sandwiches young master they are really good. You have to eat it with your hands.'

He touched the sandwich lightly and took a bite. His face lit up like a child's and he ate it hungrily.

'Here takes my slice too.' I said while handing him an untouched slice of sandwich. I knew that it was a waste to order another plate since the sandwiches were really big with many layers of tomatoes, onions and cabbages with a slice of cheese separating them. Meat and potatoes cooked in hot sauce was stuffed inside it at regular intervals. It was a four-tier sandwich which could only be eaten by hand.

'Thank you !!' he said gleefully which made me let out a smile. I can never get bored looking at the young master eating.

Master, what do you know about Dreamless city?' I asked him. He knew a lot about that city as he used to live there.

Master looked at me with a serious expression. The omnipresent grin was no where to be seen, he looked intimidating even though he was frail but tall.

'Why are you asking?' He asked in all seriousness making me feel a little anxious as if I said a taboo word.

'Well, city or Reverie is famous for Dreamless town so I was curious' I said while scratching my brow.

He took a while and then answered.

'That city is cursed. Undead roam there like marionets on the tune of that lyre. The whole city is parasitic. I lost my precious son in that city. Does that satisfy you?'

'Yes', I said awkwardly. Eating the sandwich which now tasted bland.

'Hello Mister, how about we share a drink' a young Vish Kanya no more than seventeen years said to the eating young master

This girl is breaching the rule to never socialize with any man other than work. She sure has some guts to defy Kautilya

Young master not even looked up at that girl. Her rosy cheeks and snake like crimson eyes. She truly was beautiful however he was more enamored by the sandwich.

'Hey Mister come buy me a drink.' the girl now looked a little shaken. Her shallow confidence surely came from the fact that I am average looking person was sitting beside him.

'Sure. I can buy you a drink, here take this money, I recommend the fruit punch' Young master said while giving the girl three silver coins.

Pfft …. her dumbfounded face.

'Young master you are quite merciless in dispelling the flirts'

'Huh? I thought she really wanted to have a drink since she was pestering me to buy it.'

Is this guy for real?

'She was flirting with you. Even with your hood covering till your eyes you still look quite handsome'

'I see'

Huh? Huh! It was the first time I saw such a big man blushing innocently.