252 Family Vacation (1/2)
While much of Saniya had been rebuilt since Corco's takeover, the public bath was still the same as it had always been. Just like in most of Medala's cities, the public bath of Saniya was a center of communal activity. The grand construction with its endless closed-off pools and halls of stone had always been the place for all important people to come together and talk business or familial relations – at least all those who were not quite important enough to afford a proper bath in their private homes.
However, sometimes even the high and mighty nobles of the city would come out to enjoy a nice day among the people. On this breezy summer afternoon, two such nobles were leaving the wide front steps of Saniya's bathhouse, their long hair still damp.
\”Haah, a good bath is so refreshing.\” Antaya sighed while she put her daughter's hairstyle in order. Although she had come to terms the constant travel her work necessitated, she could never get used to all the dirt and dust she would carry from city to city. Whenever she reached a new city, a bath became her very necessary ritual, right after she had fulfilled her official duties.
\”Mother, we could have used the castle's bathhouse. There is no need to expose ourselves like this, is there?\”
\”True enough. But I will be spending some time here, so I wanted to experience the city for myself. Either way, spending the day out and about with my children is much nicer than being holed up in the castle, so far removed from the real life on the streets.\”
Although her daughter looked at her with disapproval, eager to refute, she never got the chance. Before she could open her mouth, her brother walked towards the two of them, two bamboo sticks in his hands, both loaded with still steaming pieces of meat and vegetables.
\”Mother, Tama, I brought some skewers. Careful, it's still hot.\”
\”Aww, thank you, honey.\” Antaya grabbed the food and ruffled Fadelio's hair. Although she could see the disapproval in her son's eyes as well, she just couldn't help herself. Even at that age, he was still her son after all.
\”What is this?\” she asked as she took a closer look at the food her son had brought them.
\”It's a skewer with fried meat and vegetables,\” Fadelio explained while he fixed his hair. \”Since so many people in Saniya work outside these days, especially the construction people, a lot of commoners earn extra money by offering little snacks like these. They can be held in one hand and eaten on the move, so they are very practical.\”
Once Antaya took a bite, she understood the feelings of the workers.
\”Well, whatever they are called, they sure are delicious.\”
In Saniya's outer city, the family of three continued walked around uninhibited, though they drew the eyes of the crowd. No wonder, since all three of them were exceptional in both appearance and status among the people of Saniya, and both Fadelio and Tama had quite a reputation already.
\”Over there is the new mansion of Lord Macuy and his family. These days, he as well as his wife and children spend most of their time in Saniya and only return home if an emergency requires their attention,\” Tama explained as she pointed at a newly built mansion towards the city's north, close to the bridge over to Sillu Island.
\”Oh, quite like the estate mansions in Arguna,\” Antaya replied.
Though unlike the mansions in Arguna, here the lords weren't separated from the commoners by a wall. After all, the inner city of Saniya was built on top of the three islands in the river's center, and with all the new industry there was no room for outsiders to set up their homes there. \”Have many of the southern lords have moved here?\”
\”At first it was mostly our close allies from the more remote regions of Sachay, like Lord Macuy and Lord Huaman,\” Fadelio explained. \”But ever since the copper crisis, many lords have followed their footsteps and begun to construct their own mansions. After all, everyone has so many of the crown's bank notes now, and Saniya is the best place to use them. At this point, I'm not sure if all of this is part of Corco's plan or if he's just getting lucky.\”
\”What are you saying, boy!?\” Antaya chided. \”You should not be this casual when you talk about your lord.\”
\”Of course. I'm sorry, mother.\” While he sounded serious, Antaya knew that her son didn't take her words to heart. After all, Fadelio and Corco had been friends ever since they had been children. With no chance to change her son's mind, she switched topics instead.
\”If so many lords have come here, what exactly is there to spend all those bank notes on? Their new mansions would not be filled with countless pieces of glassware or soap, would they?\”
\”There is much more to buy here than just glass and soap.\” Tama's sly smile showed Antaya her daughter's understanding of Medala's vain nobility. \”Even if they are in a place without entertainment, the lords always find ways make their own fun.\”
\”That means endless banquets, I presume?\”
\”What else?\” Tama nodded in agreement. \”Although King Corco doesn't hold a lot of banquets, they always offer something new and unique. New types of food, new methods of preparation and such. Over the past year or so, an entire industry has formed around the recreation foods that the cooks within Rapra Castle have come up with. Some of the more talented cooks outside of Rapra have also come up with their own innovations. After all, with all the novelties in and around the city, the cooks have infinite options to try new things. I mean, Master Bombasticus even came up with an entirely new flavor. Imagine that.\”
\”A new flavor? How could that even happen? Did the merchants bring a foreign fruit with them from overseas?\”