Eis stepped inside with Lira while Kael and Ronan split off toward the men’s section.
A soft warmth enveloped them immediately.
“This,” Lira whispered reverently, “is heaven.”
They entered the women’s side, crossing into a room lined with polished stone, steam curling gently around lantern-lit pools. Warm water glowed under the lights.
Lira released a long sigh as she placed her belongings aside.
“No magic scroll can compare to an actual bath.”
Eis nodded.
Her voice was quiet, almost shy in the serene environment.
“You were very happy with the scroll.”
“Oh, I was,” Lira laughed.
“But I’m happiest here.”
They washed at the sitting stations first, pouring warm water over their shoulders. Eis was gentle, methodical in her movements. She’d done this many times before — but everything here felt more peaceful.
Lira noticed Eis’s motions.
“You’re very graceful, you know,” she said.
Eis blinked.
“Am I?”
Lira smiled faintly.
“You move like someone who’s trained all her life. Not just fighting — everything. Your posture. Your control.”
Eis lowered her eyes slightly.
“It’s habit.”
“Old habit?” Lira asked softly.
Eis hesitated — but nodded.
Lira didn’t push.
She simply smiled again, warm and understanding.
They slipped into the main pool, the water up to their shoulders, steam surrounding them like a soft cloud.
Eis let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“…This is very relaxing.”
Lira leaned back against the stone edge, eyes half-lidded.
“Better than relaxing. I feel like my soul is unclenching.”
Eis gave a tiny laugh.
Lira tilted her head.
“You’ve been steady this whole journey. Focused. Calm. But I can tell—”
She pointed a wet finger at Eis.
“—you needed this.”
Eis blinked.
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“…Am I that obvious?”
“Yes,” Lira said simply.
“But in a good way.”
Eis sank deeper into the water, the warmth soothing muscles she hadn’t realized were tight.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?” Lira asked.
“Being kind to me,” Eis answered.
Lira’s expression softened — losing her usual sharpness.
“You’re part of the team. I said that before. I mean it.”
Eis met her eyes.
“I’m glad.”
A quiet moment passed — gentle, comfortable, sister-like.
Then:
Lira’s eyes suddenly narrowed.
“…Kael better not use all the good shampoo.”
Eis blinked.
“…Kael uses shampoo?”
Lira buried her face in her hands.
“Oh gods, Eis. You have no idea.”
Eis laughed — a soft, genuine laugh that echoed lightly around the bathhouse.
The group reunited at a seaside tavern with warm lighting and grilled fish scenting the air.
Kael waved from a booth.
“Heeeey! Clean and shiny!”
Ronan gave a small nod in greeting, freshly bathed and composed.
Lira slid into her seat with a smug grin.
“We’re radiant.”
Eis followed quietly, but her relaxed posture didn’t escape Kael.
“Ohhh? Someone enjoyed her bath.”
Lira elbowed him.
“She deserved it.”
Eis looked down at her hands, shy but content.
Ronan spoke next.
“I’m glad you two took time to yourselves.”
Lira raised a brow.
“And you?”
Ronan blinked.
“I bathed.”
Kael slapped the table.
“THAT IS NOT ‘TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF,’ RONAN.”
Everyone laughed — even Eis.
Food arrived soon after:
- grilled fish with lemon
- roasted vegetables
- a sweet fruit wine
- warm bread
- soft cheese
Eis savored everything quietly.
Kael talked nonstop.
Ronan listened in silence.
Lira paced the conversation just right.
At one point, Kael leaned back.
“You know, this trip started out boring. But now?”
He gestured at everyone.
“This is perfect.”
Ronan nodded.
“It went well.”
Lira smiled warmly.
“And Eis made it go even better.”
Eis froze slightly.
“…I only did what was required.”
“What you did,” Lira said, voice soft, “was exactly what we needed.”
Kael raised his cup.
“To Eis.”
Ronan raised his as well.
“To teamwork.”
Eis’s chest tightened — in the good, warm way.
She raised her cup last.
“…Thank you.”
They clinked their cups together.
And for the first time in a long time…
Eis felt a calm in herself.