Into the Light

6. Sunny

My goodness but it's warm here. No, let's not gloss over things too much - it's fucking hot. My clock says it's a little past noon, the sun is shining high in a blue sky, and the air seems to be alive around us. And it's only spring?

No wonder I can't see a single dark building anywhere. In this heat nobody in their right minds would want to spend two minutes inside one. There's white stone, beige stone, cream, pale rose, light yellow, baby blue, pastel colors all around. And no denying it: this is a beautiful city. Lots of trees and flowers around. That first glimpse over the city, high up at the Gap where we stopped for a while to let our profusely sweating horses rest before the descent, promised a lot, and what we've seen so far hasn't been a disappointment. We've passed by several smaller and bigger parks on our way, many streets are lined by trees, and every house seems prettier than the previous.

But there's one thing I can't understand. "Would either one of you at last care to explain why the hell we're headed to the main coach station? This is no fucking stagecoach that has to drive there! Why not go straight to town and start looking for a place to stay in?"

"Because, Toni my dear, we want to try out one of Dirna's most prized specialties straight away." Chaim looks disgustingly smug.

"Yes, and that can be found at the coach station," Kim chimes in. "Besides, it's clearly signposted and the street there is certainly wide enough for foursomes and big carriages."

"You're so damn knowledgeable that it frankly makes me sick," I declare, but they just grin. The bastards.

"Don't be so grumpy." And you, Chaim, could sound a little less airy... "Ah, unless I'm badly mistaken, we're there!"

Indeed this place does look like a coach station - judging by the three coaches of various sizes that have obviously either arrived not long ago or are bound to leave in no time at all, and by the numbers of people fluttering around them. And by the text 'Dirna Central Coach Station' that is written in enormous, ornate letters across the front of the long building. Clever going, Chaim.

Both Kim and Chaim seem to be looking for something. However, either the driver knew too what to search, or then we're just very lucky, because our carriage stops only a couple of seconds after Kim exclaims "Look, the green star!"

"Right!" Chaim pushes the door open and steps out, followed by Kim. I want some air that's at least some fresher than the one inside the carriage, so I join them. "Now, let's see..."

"Excuse me, gentlemen, can I be of assistance?"

Wow. Wow. My opinion of Dirna has just improved by a few hundred notches. Okay, the accent sounds a bit funny, but there's absolutely nothing funny about the speaker. Very blonde mane of hair, a tanned face smiling broadly, extremely sky-blue eyes, slim body. Long legs - no, make that very long legs. Pure delight to the eye.

Chaim smiles, exchanges a hard-to-interpret glance with Kim. "I think you just might. Are you..."

"From Dirna Guide Service, yes indeed sirs!" Eye-candy points at his green vest. "At your service."

"How absolutely delightful." I just can't help myself. Eye-candy glances at me, smiles a little smugly and just about winks. "And what exactly might the service include?"

Kim looks scandalized but Eye-candy just grins. "Oh, many things according to your needs, sir. Information about the city and surroundings and the activities available, printed material, maps, finding accommodation..."

"Let's begin there," Chaim puts in. Eye-candy gives him a brisk nod.

"Yes, sirs. Will you please come into our office? We have all the material in there."

We follow him inside, and I'm really glad to let Chaim do most of the talking so that I can concentrate on just watching. Eye-candy knows his job all right; we hear about the hotels, where to keep the horses and carriage, how to find places, how to not get lost, where to find out more. He's quick to determine exactly what we'll want and skips any questions concerning money as obviously superfluous.

Within not very many minutes we're armed to the teeth with leaflets, maps, brochures, concert and event calendars, and good advice. We even have the name and address of exactly the hotel for gentlemen of our position, and our driver has received detailed instructions on the correct route ("the street is rather narrow in one place, but don't worry, there's a big roundabout in front of the entrance, you'll have no trouble getting your carriage turned around there"). And all of this has been provided with a ready, never-faltering smile that doesn't look in the least forced.

"We are very grateful," Chaim says at last. "And very impressed. We've heard of the Guide Service, but this still is totally overwhelming."

"We aim to please, sir!" Eye-candy smiles again, or has he really ever stopped?

"Ah, so you begin with a charm attack upon arrival?" I cock my head at Eye-candy. He laughs.

"Good first impressions are of course very important, sir! Though our main task is to make our guests feel welcome, and to ensure that they can start enjoying their stay right away."

"Well, my first impression is that Dirna is a pleasure to the eye," I inform Eye-candy and ignore the glare with which Kim impales me. "Can you promise that I won't be disappointed in that respect?"

"Oh, I think I can guarantee that you'll find a lot more to please your eye!" The blonde gives me a knowing look.

"Toni," Chaim says mildly, "let's get going to the hotel now."

"Do we really have to?" I heave a dramatic sigh.

"It would be wise, sir, especially as it's the time of the midday pause and there's currently far less traffic on the streets." Eye-candy suddenly looks very demure. "Besides, I'll be off-duty in less than an hour, and I'm afraid my boyfriend wouldn't be too happy to find me here flirting with handsome gentlemen."

Chaim laughs, Kim gasps, but Eye-candy merely smiles angelically. I spread my arms in surrender. "Oh - I don't want to make anyone unhappy... but tell your boyfriend that he's one hell of a lucky guy."

"I will, sir, though he knows it already." The blonde grins disarmingly. "Enjoy your stay, gentlemen, it's been a pleasure!"

"The pleasure is all ours," Chaim cuts in, suave as ever. "And although we know that you're employed by the City, we also know you're allowed to take tips."

He slips Eye-candy a banknote and we return to our carriage where the driver and the two servants are already waiting, heads bowed together over the city map.

Dalen and Tim resume their perches on top of the carriage, and we rumble forward. Kim is still rolling his eyes at me, I'm paying him no attention. A smirk, or perhaps rather a grin, is irresistibly tugging my lips. Oh yes... I think I just might find at least some of Dirna's attractions pleasurable enough.