The Brown Minotaur began, "I am the noble's son. How have you been, little-help?"
Your eyes go wide when you hear this. Eyeing the creature before you, he began to grin a thick, bovine grin. It was there the dots began to align as you noted his dark blonde, almost brown fur and vivid green eyes. As your eyes continued to search the form you recalled his mannerisms which became deeply familiar, despite the layer of bravado, jock-like demeanor and a suddenly alien body.
You had found the Nobel Alexander III’s son, or rather, they found you. What now? You sat stunned unable to answer. Then came a sudden dread of seeing what has now happened to your master’s lineage. The dark-furred minotaur raised an eye at your changing expression and growing anxiety.
“Ah little lad, it’ll be all good. That blasted Nobel is an idiot! I’ve…” He looked into the eyes of the Nobel’s Son. “We have made an improvement. Pulled him away from the sterile existence of a Nobel Man and left him in the wilderness of passion and love.”
You said nothing, the weight of your failure pressing down on your chest.
The Nobel’s Son continued: “To hell with the old man. I’m so much better off like this. I’m strong, tough and a real man. More of a man than my Father will ever be!”
He patted you on the back, knocking the wind out of you. You sputtered and coughed, taking deep breaths to catch yourself, and then felt calm. You looked at the two minotaur, in love and together and wondered if your duty was worth it. Your loyalties rode with the Nobel, for he fed and clothed you. Yet that was nothing to him, who could dine on all the food in the kingdom and never make a dent in his wealth.
There came a silence. The two minotaur exchanged concerned looks and then the Nobel’s Son turned to you.
“Would you like to stay the night at our place? We have a small thermae out the back. It’s a little unused, we like our stink, but it could help you relax.”
You looked at the two and eventually nodded.
—
You walked the streets for a little while before turning into a dilapidated house. Inside the room stank of body, sweat and other fluids that you decidedly avoided thinking about. There were a few pillows and bedsheets strewn around, and a messy kitchen located in one corner. One of your duties as ‘the help’ was cleaning, and that instinctual itch developed from that was ravenous. Still, these two beasts likely enjoyed the state of things taking a boyish pride in their turf.
“Just this way,” said the noble's son as he led you through another door.
The thermae was modest compared to the lavish ones you had seen. It was not embroidered with gems or gold, but it did have dilapidated tiles of humans, beasts and even humans turning into beasts through song, dance, eating and lovemaking. You could barely make them out they were in such a sorry state, but you didn’t care. The pool itself was rectangular and about 5 meters long. Its borders were lined with broken statues and urns filled with overgrown plants. Still, you didn’t care. The room was roofless, and upwards you could see the stars twinkling above.
“Feel free to have a swim and relax. We will be going to sleep soon, but stay as long as you like. I believe we have some towels in that basket over there.”
You nodded to express your gratitude and the two minotaurs left you be. You waited a little while after the two had left. After assuring your privacy you carefully undressed and placed your clothing and ill-fitting chest plate to the side and dipped your toe into the water. It felt warm and refreshing and so you carefully slid into the waters and sat down on one of the seats lining the pool edge. Your thin body ached, and your mind drained from the day's proceedings.
This was a strange time to be alive, and you began to wonder about your future and what to tell your Master when suddenly…