Odin led Libitina through a maze of alleyways before a grand sight greeted her eyes.
A building of two storeys stood in front of her. Made of redwood, the building was ostentatiously set against its humble surroundings and cobbled walkways, as four thick maroon pillars stood domineering in front of the shop, framing a flower-adorned door at the shop's centre that continuously welcomed and saw off guests. At the top of the building, a big red sign screamed for attention with the shop's name and its brand symbol, a huge red 'O' with two similarly large 'H's slightly overlapping the 'O' at its left and right.
"Wow", Libitina gasped.
Odin noticed her reaction and waved his arm exaggeratedly towards the shop.
"Welcome to the Odin Hotpot House!"
The first floor was glamorous enough; Libitina could see through the clear glass windows that guests were sitting at each rectangle table in the shop, happily conversing and eating from a pot set in the middle of the table. The service seemed excellent as well, as servers constantly put out dishes of raw ingredients on each table. The lights were small chandeliers, too! It looked like a high-class restaurant on Earth. The second story even had private rooms with balconies, and each balcony had railings with red lanterns hung on them. She could not see the activities inside each room as the windows were tinted there.
The duo made their way to the back of the shop. Libitina was not in a condition to walk through the front door.
"Ah? Master Odin! You're back."
A freckled young man looked up from his dishwashing near the back door in surprise.
"Hey, Brian!" Odin smiled. "Tell the others that I will be in the stables if anyone looks for me."
"Yes sir."
The stables were actually a shelter that was built outward from the shop's back, and several horses were resting and eating their fodder. The carriages were kept in a separate section in the shelter for easier tending to the horses.
"Briar! Briar, are you there?" Odin cupped his hand to his mouth and shouted.
"Master Odin, what are you doing here?"
A mellow voice travelled out from the horse section. A freckled brunette with curly hair tied back in a high bun turned around from a horse in the stable. A comb was in her hand, and she was wearing a stableman's attire. The white long-sleeved shirt was topped by a V-necked vest and she wore high black boots to keep the dirt to a minimum. Although she was doing hard labour, Briar was like her name, as her cheeks were rosy and the tip of her nose had a tinge of redness that made her look especially lively.
"Briar, I need your help," Odin gestured behind him. Briar could see a dishevelled figure behind the tall man. The white attire made it look like a forest spirit, who had been lost and accidentally caught several leaves in its hair while running around. She could not see the face as the figure was looking down at its feet, but her overall impression was that it was weird but interesting.
"Please help her to tidy up a little. She will stay in for some nights at the stablemen's quarters."
Briar shifted her sight back to Odin in surprise. "Okay, I'll get the materials later."
"Thanks, Briar. Some medicine would be good too, her feet needs it."
Odin looked back at Libitina. "Look, Libby. The reason why I volunteered my shop as a temporary shelter for you was because I saw you in danger and you seem lost. I need to make clear that the condition for this help is that you will respect this place, and in return we will offer you a shelter to get you back on your feet. But this is not an offer for forever. You will work for your food, too. Do you get me?"
"Yes, Odin." Libitina was very grateful for this temporary shelter and working for her own food was fair play.
"I just want you to understand that it is not that we are unkind, but we are after all not a charity. You will listen to Briar. This is Briar," Odin gestured to the curly haired woman, who nodded. "She is the head of the stables here, and you can ask her for anything that you might need. Later, she will take you to wash up a little. Respect the house rules, and we will see how things work out."
"Yes, thank you, Odin," Libitina offered him her most sincere smile.
After Odin left, Briar scanned Libitina before sighing. Odin had really left her with a huge cleaning task this time. She finally released her akimbo posture and hooked her finger towards Libitina.
"Well, follow me, little one."
Libitina hurried to scramble after her.