Schwin and Gangolf returned to Bayn by the same hidden tunnel they had used to leave. Upon their return Schwin left Gangolf's small room with a thoughtful look on his face, puffing on his pipe that he had produced from his vest already lit. Gangolf looked about the small room, despondent at having to remain so cooped up after flying so free, and slumped on to the bed, gnawing at a cold turkey leg that remained from his feasting. The next day, Schwin came to see him, early in the day.
"Well, we can't be keeping you locked in here forever, either they'll find you or you'll go rogue." said Schwin. He led Gangolf out in to the streets of Bayn.
"We're going to see someone who just may shelter you, provided you keep your mouth shut and behave." Schwin pulled Gangolf along as they approached a large stone building, a minituare castle in the city, complete with a moat, towers and minitarure drawbridge. Two armored guards with plumed hemets perched on either side of the gate like enormous roosters. As the pair approached they puffed out the chests and squinted.
"No rabble within sight of the keep, begone from here." The puffuer guard huffed at them.
"The lady is expecting us, Sirs." Schwin said in an uncharacteristicly smooth tone.
"Schwin of Wald" Schwin continued. The two guards huffed again and nodded up towards the battlements. The gate rose up and the pair continued in. Gangolf's eyes widened in shock at the garden within the castle. Flowers of every colour, strangely shaped trees and exotic fruits were spread throyght the courtyard. A pond with multicolored fish lay at the center of the courtyard.
"Pick that jaw up boy, there'll be plenty more sights to marvel at." Schwin hissed at Gangolf. They continued on towards the keep at the center. Schwin pushed open the heavy wooden doors, revealing a vibrantly lit hall, with a great chandelier of crystal hanging from the ceiling, thick fibely patterned rugs across the floor and a grand table, polished to a mirror finish. The walls were arrayed with oil paintings of grand men and beautiful women, along with beautiful landscapes of strange locations. Schwin pulled Gangolf along, who was enraptured with a particularly beautiful painting of a woman. The pair continued past the hall and up a flight of stairs, Schwin obviously was familiar with the castle, quickly ascending the stairs as they passed floors which were as sumptuous as the last. Finally they came to a small chamber, with multiple doors leading off from it. Schwin nodded at a plush sofa and gestured for Gangolf to sit.
"Now we wait." He said, as Gangolf examined the room. The walls were draped with tapestries and the windows were of stained glass. A cabinet along one wall contained a variety of vibrantly coloured liquids and crystal goblets. A suit of armour stood in one corner, a coat of arms with spider at the center patterned upon the breastplate.
After a long wait, a door opened. Gangolf's eye widened in shock, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on had emerged. She had lusturous black hair and ivory skin, combined with a shapely figure that her sheer nightgown did nothing to hide.
"Stop drooling mutt, eyes up here." She commanded with an almost lazy, sultry voice. Gangolf swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.
"Forgive the boy lady, he's from the countryside." Schwin stood and gave her an elegant bow. He pulled Gangolf up with him and pushed his head down.
"This is Lady Falle, you'll be in her care from today." Schwin explained. Gangolf, still flustered, looked down and nodded.
"Well, it looks like we won't be hearing much from him today." Lady Falle laughed as she took the chair opposite the sofa.
"Well Schwin, why don't we discuss what we'll do to throw off our furry friends while the young lad gets acquanted with his new rooms." She reached up and pulled at a tasseled rope. Moments later, a wispy old man appeared at the stairs.
"At your service Milady." The old man bowed deeply.
"Zieg, be a dear and show Gangolf to his rooms." Zieg beckoned Gangolf to follow him and turned to head down the stairs. His ears burning, Gangolf followed.
After two flights of stairs, Zieg stopped and took out a large ring of keys. As he fiddled for the right key, Gangolf noticed the scars criscrossing the backs of his hands, seeming to stretch up his arms, hidden by his sleeves. They continued down a hallway, Zieg pushed upon a door at the very end, opening to large circular room. The room was decorated in a similar fashion to the rest of the castle, thick rugs, tapestries and a beautiful landscape painting. An alcove in the corner served as a wardrobe, with shelves holding darkly colored garments that looked suspiciously similar to those Schwin had provided him. A large bed with plump pillows squatted in one corner. Gangolf marvelled at the room, which was the size of the village head's simple loghouse.
"Wash up and rest, there'll be food sent up shortly." Zieg gestured at the large steaming copper bath near the wardrobe, with a large bar of soap and towel sat on a stool next to it. As Zieg left, Gangolf smiled, the steaming bath bringing back memories of the hot mountain springs his village had enjoyed. As memories of his village rushed back to him, his eyes welled with tears, until he began to sob.