After walking for days, camping out at night beneath the complete absence of stars and moon on this peculiar island that was somehow outside the normal run of time, yet encompassed countless time periods in their own individual zones, finding civilisation was always a relief. Providing the inhabitants were friendly, it was a chance to re-stock their supplies, and perhaps pick up some useful equipment, like the bedrolls they’d acquired a while back.

Most importantly, it was a chance to get properly clean instead of having to wash themselves, and rinse out travel-stained clothing, in the often-chilly water of pools and streams.

“Showers!” Jonathan was smiling so wide it almost hurt. “Hot water!”

“It’s curious the way such a simple thing can come to feel like a luxury,” Varian agreed, equally eager to enjoy the benefits of civilisation.

“And according to our host, there’s a laundry. Hope they can get bloodstains out. We should draw straws, see who gets the shower first,” Fred said.

“There’d better be some hot water left when it gets to my turn.” Jonathan’s expression was stern as he looked from one of his travelling companions to the next. “I guarantee I will not be happy if there isn’t.”

“You’re never happy anyway,” Fred pointed out. “Always complainin’ ‘bout everything.”

“That is not true!”

Varian was laughing. “Relax, Jonathan. He’s just teasing you. I’m sure there will be plenty of hot water for everyone.”

“Yeah.” Fred grinned. “I get the feelin’ at least two of us are gonna be spendin’ most of their time enjoyin’ the shower. Maybe if we let Willaway have it first, he might be so happy he’ll stop complainin’ for a while.”

“Oh, I couldn’t. Surely our leader…”

“I’ll go last,” Varian said firmly. “I want to talk with our host anyway. The rest of you can fight over the shower if you must.”

“Never thought I’d look forward to getting clean.” Scott grinned sheepishly.

“You’re growin’ up.” Fred ruffled the boy’s hair. “Your mom and dad won’t recognise you when we get home, all clean and tidy.”

“That supposes this won’t be the last time we find a civilised settlement with indoor plumbing.”

“Oh, thanks! Way to bring us all down, Willaway!” Fred frowned at the older man.

“We have no idea what might be ahead of us, or how far it might be to Evoland.”

“Yeah, but we’ll get there.”


The End