*The Chronicles of F.R.E.E. Earth's Knight - Ruth Watson* Part 2 - NARTHWICH

Chapter Six - The Welcoming Party

*Watson's POV*

We cautiously followed Moreno through Swindmore, trying to take in it's simple living. Most of the residents were in pairs, either sitting, cross legged on the floor, or walking slowly beside each other, chatting. Every now and again, someone would glide past us carrying a basket with bundles of cloth or food in them. They smiled kindly at us as we passed, to which we gave them somewhat strained smiles back.
We felt very anxious being watched closely by the residents. We were outsiders, clad in armour, and we stuck out like a sore thumb. Especially me all in black. Even though I wasn't wearing my helmet, people were still casting wary looks at me and it made me feel very uneasy.
Alpin sensed my discomfort and snaked his arm around my waist, pulling me to him. His gesture comforted me a little, and I shot him a small smile in thanks.
Moreno skipped ahead of us, smiling widely around at everyone. She finally led us to a large, circular clearing in the middle of the town, and made her way towards the biggest hut we've seen since we got here. Single storey, wider than any of the others, with a blue and white flag sticking out from the centre of its roof.
Moreno approached the entrance, and pulled the thick blanket out of the way, allowing us to enter. The boys had to duck as it wasn't the most generous sized doorway, and we found ourselves in a large room with a fire in the centre, with blankets laid out around it and round pillows.
Moreno side stepped around me, and made her way to the middle of the room, standing in front of the fire, arms hanging down with her hands together, smiling widely.
"Please make yourselves comfortable," She motioned to the blankets and pillows on the floor. "If you wish to freshen up, there's a bathroom through here -" she pointed to a doorway to the left of us, "- and if you wanted to have a nap, you can find the bedrooms this way -" she gestured to two doorways on our right this time. "This one is males, this is females." She smiled sweetly with her eyes almost closed, she looked like an anime character.
"Wow. Thank you so very much for such a kind welcome." I took a step forward.
"It's not a problem. What do you think of Swindmore?" She asked kindly.
"Um... it's very... circular..." I said, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly.
She laughed. "Yes, we prefer circles as it is a shape with no beginning and no end. Those who live by the circle, can live in peace and serenity with the comfort that they will never end." Her eyes widened slightly, making her look a bit crazy.
I unconsciously took a step back, "well, that's interesting." I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
"I'll leave you to settle yourselves in. You will find clothing in the chests at the bottom of your beds." With that, Moreno swept out of the hut leaving a shocked silence in her wake.
"Let's hope that woman never meets a flat Earther..." Alpin joked and we laughed.
The boys went into the male bedroom while us girls went into the females. As I kind of expected, everything was round and circular. The beds, the pillows, the dressers, the boxes at the bottom of the beds, even the rugs on the floor. There was six beds backed up against the circular wall, and everything had been painted blue or white.
I took off my bag and plonked it down on the closest bed to me. I removed Dragonwrath and gently placed it under the bed, then started to remove my armour. "I really don't know what to say or make of all this..." I said, putting my hands on my hips and looking around after I had finished, kicking off my shoes.
Goodwin took the bed next to mine and laid down. "Oh my god! It's soft!" She exclaimed.
"What?!" I leapt onto the bed and sure enough, it was like a proper bed! Bouncy, soft, and cozy with a thick duvet. The pillows were stuffed with feathers it seemed, and it felt amazing snuggling under the duvet, even if I was fully clothed.
"Cor, they sure live in style," Goodwin sighed, blissfully. "I could get used to this."
"Yeah, but they're very... eccentric..." I made a face, thinking of Moreno's face when she was explaining why everything was a circle. "I wouldn't feel comfortable around such people. I definitely don't feel comfortable now."
"I agree. It is very weird here." Dean said, placing her and Hewitts bags on the bed opposite me. I sat bolt upright.
"Nah-ah-ah! No way! No sharing a bed, you two!" I shook my head. "I plan to sleep during the night, not be kept away by your frolicking under the bedsheets!"
Goodwin and Green giggled, while Dean and Hewitt blushed. Dean picked her bag up and pointedly placed it on the bed nest to Hewitts, sticking out her tongue at me. I laid back down and put my arms behind my head and crossed my legs, relaxing.
"Knock knock," came a male voice from the door curtain.
"Come in," We all said in unison and Alpin peeked his head inside.
"We were wanting to have a bath, but thought we'd be gentlemen and let the ladies have first dibs." He winked at me.
"Cheers, Alpin. I'll go first if that's ok?" I looked around at the other girls and they all nodded with their permission.
I unwillingly dragged myself out of the comfortable bed, and exited the bedroom to the bathroom, coming to a stop at the doorway of the bathroom. Raising an eyebrow, I turned back round to the bedroom, poking my head back through the curtain.
"Uh, Goodwin. Can you come and stand watch?" I asked sheepishly. "These people don't believe in much privacy nor security."
She snorted and got off her bed. She followed me to the bathroom doorway and leant against the wall, with her arms folded.
"In you pop." She quipped. "I'll go in after you and you can stand watch."
I agreed and stepped in. It was very bright inside, everything was blindingly white. A huge tub stood in the middle of the room on top of a large round rug, with a flushing toilet and sink on my right and a large mirror and chest of drawers on my left. Thankfully they had taps, so I turned one and felt the water. It came out at the perfect warm temperature, so I left it to fill the bath and got undressed. There were white fluffy towels folded neatly along with some jugs on the tops of the drawers and I went to inspect them. I picked up one of the jugs and took a sniff. The strong scent of roses filled my nose. Soap!
"DUDE! THEY HAVE SOAP!" I cried out to Goodwin.
"HELL YES!" I heard her reply.
I picked up the next one and it smelt of bananas, the next of coconut, then the last one smelt of lavendar. Deciding on the coconut, I took the jug and placed it on the floor beside the bath, turning off the tap. I stepped in and emerged myself in the wonderfully warm water up to my neck, sighing deeply in bliss. I dipped my head under to wet my hair, and then reached down to pick up the jar of coconut soap.
After I was squeaky clean all over, I stepped out and reached for one of the folded towels. It wasn't a towel at all, but a dressing gown with a hood. I pulled it on, squeezing the water out of my hair with the hood, pulled the plug, picked up my clothes and exited the room. Goodwin stepped in the room straight away and I replaced her, standing watch.
Once she was finished and wearing her matching dressing gown, we both went back to the bedroom. Dean and Hewitt left as we walked in to go and have their baths.
"No sharing the bath! Keep it clean, ladies!" I teased, and Dean flipped a finger at me as she walked away.
I leapt back onto my bed, letting myself sink into the mattress, soon falling into a deep sleep.