CHAPTER 348: 348: A SIMPLE BATH

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He nodded. He pulled off his cloak and shirt, set them aside, and climbed down the steps into the pool. Warmth closed over him. Tension ran off his shoulders. He did not show it, but the long run and the fight and the hard anaconda penetration had stacked stones on his back. The water took a few away.

Luna came in after him. She moved to his right side and pressed her hip against him under the water. It was not bold. It was an anchor. He put his arm along the pool’s ledge. She leaned back against it. The others spread out. Azhara floated on her back and hummed a song that had no words. Vel ducked under and popped up with a gasp and a laugh. Sha scooped water and poured it over her hair. Naaro sat where the water met the stone and let the flow run over her four legs. Akayoroi wrung her long veil, set it aside, and smoothed her hair with her palms. Lirien held the soap stone like a holy thing and looked at Kai’s shoulders.

"May I," she asked. She was bold there.

"Go on," Luna said. "Get his back. He smells like a campfire."

Lirien smiled and moved behind him. She rubbed the stone between her hands until it made foam, then spread the foam over his shoulders and down his spine. Her touch was gentle and firm. He sat still and let her work. Foam ran in thin lines into the water. The smell of herbs rose and mixed with steam.

Azhara leaned her elbows on the edge and peered at him with a wicked grin. "So. A traveler. Did she have a nose? Two eyes. A mouth. Could she speak? Was she grateful? Did she give you soup? Did she try to eat you?"

"Enough," Luna said without looking at her. "He said later."

"Tease now. Ask later," Azhara said. "That is a life rule."

Naaro’s eyes stayed on Kai’s face. She did not speak. He met her gaze for a breath. She looked away first. She looked toward the fall and the crack and the line of light at the top of the room.

Akayoroi drifted closer. "I am glad you came back," she said. "The mountain felt light when you left. It feels heavy again now. Heavy is good when it is our weight."

He gave a small smile. "Thank you."

Vel moved to Kai’s left and pressed a wet cloth into his hand. "Here," she said. "Wash your face. You look like sand."

He took the cloth and wiped his face. When he lowered it, Luna was watching him. The sharp heat in her eyes had cooled. The hurt was still there. The trust was still there too. He reached across the water and touched the back of her hand. She turned her palm and laced her fingers with his under the surface.

"Where is Miryam," he asked. "I have not seen her this morning."

Luna’s mouth softened. "She is with Skyweaver," she said. "She is teaching her how to fly properly. They are on the top of the mountain."

Kai blinked. "Fly. Properly. She has no wings, how will skyweaver teach her?"

"It’s mostly wind control," Luna said. "You know this. Miryam control is wild. Skyweaver knows the wind. She can show her how to ride the rising air without falling. They started at dawn. She was very excited to teach her."

Kai let himself smile fully now. "Of course she was. We will go see them when we are done here."

"We will," Luna said.

Azhara splashed water at Vel. Vel splashed back. Sha shielded her face with both hands and laughed. Naaro closed her eyes and let the sound roll over her like the sun. Akayoroi shook her head in a fond way. Lirien cleared her throat.

"I finished your back," Lirien said, cheeks pink. "Do you want your arms?"

"Thank you," Kai said. "My arms can wash themselves."

She nodded and hugged the soap stone to her chest like she had done a good job and did not quite know what to do with her hands now. Luna reached for the stone and washed Kai’s forearms anyway, slowly and carefully. It was a small thing, but it was the wife’s claim. He let her make it. He liked that it was simple and open. No one said a word about it. Everyone saw it. That was enough. She also cleaned his legs and waist.

For once everyone... The girls controlled their lust. They were happy with only seeing Kai’s Anaconda. Kai was full with IKEA so he didn’t let his Anaconda awake.

When the washing was done, they stayed in the water and let the heat work. Steam softened hair and skin. Voices grew lower. The pool made a kind of peace if you let it.

Kai kept his voice easy. "Shadeclaw. Silvershadow. Skyweaver. Anyone reported trouble while I was out." He asked the girls?

"Nothing large," Luna said. "Two sand lizards tested the shade at dawn. Silvershadow chased them off. Alka took one for breakfast. The forge cooled well. The egg chamber hum is steady. Lirien says the vent stone near the forge needs a new patch up. She will set it after we eat."

Lirien sat up straight. "Yes. The left brace is fine. The right has a crack. It is not a danger yet. I will do some patching work. I wanted your permission."

"Good," Kai said. "We will look at it together."

Akayoroi folded her arms on the ledge. "Later we must also speak of patrol lanes. If you intend to walk the forest sides alone again, we should at least set times so two others run the mountain circle while you are gone."

"I hear you," Kai said. "I will not go out again like this... I will let you know if I am late. That is on me."

Luna gave him a quick look. It said thank you and also a reminder of angry wives.