Chapter 13. Spices

It took my until I reached the front door to realize I'd left my blanket/pants as well as the soap and brush back there. All of them were precious items so I ended up slapping myself for my own stupidity and going back for them.

Tilty was exactly where I'd left her crying alone besides the creak but whatever good will she was expecting died when I saw the larger bathing area she'd had dug out to limit the water coming through my land. So I just picked up my stuff putting it all in my Void inventory for later. The blanket was way too dirty from being on the wet ground to be usable.

Without even saying anything more I returned to the farm house slightly muddy from not actually cleaning myself in all that happened but nothing a quick rag wouldn't fix.

Zeldi having thought ahead actually had a bucket full of water waiting for me by the door. Though the look she gave me when I approached was a mix of gentle adoration and badly attempted sternness. "Don't you think about coming in until you are clean Master. I know you helped me but I won't be cleaning the floors after you."

"Yes ma'am." I saluted back dunking the single rag that was around the edge of the bucket into the water.

As I washed the mud from my knees and legs Zeldi continued to speak. The Centaur watching me from her position tending to the stove.

"What did Tilty want to talk to you about?"

I froze and had to bite my tongue to stop saying anything. The timer momentarily flashing across my vision.

"She wanted to talk about deed owners." I offered trying to hint at what was said without saying it to see if whatever system governed this would could tell. "Unfortunately she made a deal with me that I can't reveal the specifics for three days but let's just say when I can tell you it's very juicy."

Zeldi cocked her head to the side. "Deed owners? Plural?"

Come on girl I can't say it out loud. Zeldi had only ever said Tilty was a caretaker so it made sense she wouldn't know.

My Centaur hummed to herself before coming to a conclusion. "Does she have a deed owner that she wants to sell me to already? Was she trying to persuade you I would have a better life there because if she did she's wrong. I like being here with you Master."

Swing and a miss.

"No she doesn't have ANOTHER deed owner." I hinted again while watching the timer to make sure I didn't break it.

Come to think of it what's the punishment for breaking the deal early? I mean do I really need to keep it a secret? There is that unknown reward but if I just lose that after telling Zeldi that doesn't seem like a loss.

Zeldi shrugged. "Well whatever it is you can tell me in three days right? Not like I expect it to be more than an attempt to get you to sell me somehow."

She wasn't wrong.

I gave my legs a shake to get as much of the water off them as I could before bringing the bucket inside and putting it beside the door.

The element she was using to cook held a small red gem that was producing a fire underneath the pot Zeldi was using. Neet magic stones exist in this world. We're just going to ignore the fact they probably come from monsters because there's no way a farmer like myself is taking on a troll. For now at least. Wonder if there's a quest reward for a shotgun.

"So what's for dinner tonight?" I asked coming up besides her and running my hand over her back. At some point I would need to get her something to wear that wasn't being held together with hopes, dreams and pixie dust.

"Oats boiled in water. It's all I have sorry." Zeldi answered her ears dropping slightly.

I already had my stores menu open and was looking for something I could add. I still had one point remaining and if I was really desperate I could fill one of the other milk bottles with some from another so I could sell it. Not that it was needed as I found something called 'Centaur spices' for one point. It didn't come with a lot but it would be enough for a single meal.

"Here add this." I said handing her the newly purchased item. The only problem was that I was expecting it to come in a package of some kind but nope. Instead as I brought it out of my inventory it made a convenient pile in my outstretched hand.

"Or I'll just sprinkle it over top." I added to save face.

I tried to evenly distribute it across the top but that didn't go quite to plan.

"Allow me Master. I'm sure whatever that was it will be delicious."

It was only now I realized Centaur spices could mean spices made out of Centaurs. Is that a thing? I mean this is a completely different world so maybe. If I just inadvertently made Zeldi a cannibal then I will start praying to God for forgiveness.

"It smells good. What was that Master?" Zeldi asked as her face was as close to the pot as she could get without burning her chest.

"Ahh Centaur spices." I said with a wince. Honesty was going to get me the answer and if it really was bad she could just not eat it.

"Never heard of it but I presume this came from your shop?" Zeldi asked.

I couldn't tell if that was the answer I wanted.

"Yes though I don't know what it contains." I admitted.

"Who cares? It smells delicious and at this point I'd take a bite out of my sister I'm that hungry." Zeldi dismissed my dilemma.

I couldn't help laughing at her joke to the point Zeldi herself smiled even though she didn't know the reason. That lasted until someones stomach demanded food instead of joy and the owners face went red with embarrassment.

"That was definitely my stomach Clovek." Zeldi squeaked out.

No Master this time?

I so wanted to taunt her a little bit but the poor girl looked mortified already.

"Then let's eat. We will need your milk tomorrow so make sure you give yourself the lions share." I offered trying to be nice but also because I wasn't hungry. Then again if what Zeldi had said was correct I had drank almost as much milk as I'd gotten in the bottles so no wonder I wasn't hungry.

"Are you sure Master? You might need the extra sustenance to fuel your body." Zeldi returned my answer while getting a single bowl out of the cupboard with a single spoon. She tried to be subtle about her eyes drifting over my chest and lower but not enough that I didn't notice.

"That's what I have you for." I said back returning the favor. "Though I'm slightly disappointed you chose to put that dirty rag back on. Especially after I spent all that time cleaning you."

Her ears flattened. "I don't have any others." She tried to say but I dramatically gasped.

"And I even bought that soap." Like a melodramatic actor I raised my hand to my forehead and sighed. "The poor points I spent, for nothing."

Zeldi caught on and giggled. "Is this your excuse to get me naked Master Clovek?"

"Only if it works." I answered taking the spoon and bowl from her so I could start plating up. "Now go sit down missy. Let me finish up."

"So chivalrous." Zeldi purred but relented the items and made her way over to the couch.

I could hear her rummaging around with her clothes and a smile came to my lips. She was a good girl.

I filled the bowl with the slop that Zeldi had made a little bit of anger returning as I realized this had been her diet for a while now. Gruel was a good word for it.

Hopefully I would be getting her something better tomorrow after I'd milked her again. She deserves it.

Turning back towards my Centaur revealed she had in fact taken her clothes off and sat on the ground with her mouth open.

"Feed me Master?"

I had done so well not getting aroused since returning but I would have had to be made of stone to not react to that. Or gay, but I wasn't so my body gave the expected reaction to a beautiful woman sitting down with her tits out as she licked her lips.

"You are naughty you know that?" I growled handing her the bowl after taking a spoonful for myself. It wasn't bad but definitely left a lot to be desired. "Though if you are offering I can fill you from the other side as you eat."

Zeldi whinnied but shook her head in refusal. "Perhaps tomorrow?"

I couldn't help rolling my eyes as she dug in. For all her teasing she was hungry and had the bowl polished soon after I'd sat down against her flank. I would have offered to get some more but that had been all that was made.

I did silently give her one of the pears to help fill in the meal. She wordlessly accepted it and ate it slowly to savor the taste.

She was a tough girl to have survived this long with what she currently had available and in that moment I strengthened my resolve to create a place she was happy with.

If she was to live in a cage I would do everything to make sure it was a guilded one.