That evening, Cailin found Taralyn and asked if the offer of a hot bath was still available, with a smile Taralyn said, "I knew you'd want one, so I started heating the water the moment I saw you coming up the road.  By the way, how was your meeting with Old Ironbeard?"  Cailin, feigning a little anger spoke, "it went fine, but it will be a few days before the job's done.  Oh, and you could have mentioned that 'he' was a 'she'.  It was a little awkward at first."

"Sorry darlin', no harm intended, it's a small joke we play on newcomers... and Petra gets a kick out of it, too",  Taralyn continued, "any way, while the water's heating, I'll get you some towels and those oils I promised.  I'll have you feeling like a new woman in no time."   In a short time, Taralyn returned with the towels and oils, "here you are, honey.  Now get upstairs and out of those dirty clothes, I'll have your bath ready by the time you're done... go on now...git!"

As promised, the bath was ready when Cailin had finished undressing.  As she slowly lowered herself in to the water, Cailin could feel the last five days of road dust, sweat and 'horse patoot' washing away, the warmth of the water was so relaxing, all she wanted to do was sit and soak in the feeling.  "Ahhhh, so nice, but time to get scrubbing, all this dirt isn't going to remove itself," she thought to herself.

When the water had cooled, Cailin hastily dried herself and wrapping a towel around her body and still wet hair, " I'll finish when I get to the room, it's a little chilly in here."  Leaving the small bathing room, Cailin hurriedly began crossing the common area and headed toward her room.  Suddenly, a voice came from behind, startling her.  Turning around, she saw a man sitting in one of the chairs at the table next to the fireplace.

"Well, hello there," the man spoke, "awfully chilly night to be running around wet and half naked.  Why don't you have a seat by the fire and warm yourself?  It would be my pleasure to assist you drying off and even offer my humble services to help you stay warm on this chilly night.  After all, what kind of gentleman would I be if I were not to aid a lady in time of need?"

Irritated by the man's advances, Cailin quickly gathered her thoughts and with as much diplomacy as she could muster, replied, "while your offer may seem most generous, if you truly were a gentleman, you would have stood and removed your hat when a lady entered the room.  Secondly, I am quite capable of drying myself and lastly...", Cailin took a deep breath and continued, "if I wanted a warm companion for the night, I would take my bedroll down to the stables and sleep with my horse.  She'd be far better company."  Cailin turned and again started toward her room, turning her head she once more spoke to the man, "and now 'sir', I take my leave, good night."

As Cailin walked away, the man watched her intently and softly chuckled to himself, "hmmm... beautiful, witty and sharp-tongued, I think I'm in love."

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Coming in somewhere at the middle of Cailin's saga and want to start at the beginning?
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Cailin's Journey - - An Adventure In The Making  (Opens a new window)
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