The Bathing Pool

The Bathing Pool

                Kindle silently smiled to herself as she left the confused and possibly jealous Carum in the cottage to dress for the evenings celebration.

                She knew he wanted to know who Elan was but she loved having a little mystery about herself.  A little jealousy made her feel special and wanted.  He was going to meet Elan soon enough.  She just wanted to have a little fun with it right now.

                She made her way to the bathing pool just at sunset.  The atmosphere was alive with the sound of splashing and playing by the other ladies in their tribe.

                Kindle took a seat on one of the steps to the bathing pool and watched the other ladies playing and having fun.  Even though she smiled, there was a deep pain in her heart wishing she could be just like the other ladies, even for one moment.

                But she could never be just like the other ladies.  She, after all was her mother,  Aliana’s daughter.  Born from the bloodline from the maternal side of Alia.  She was destined for another future.  A future filled with training as a Mage of the Myriad and tonight she would have to prove herself worthy with the test of her Wind power.

                Her magic was spectacular.  She was well versed in the magic of Enchantment, Energy, gift of Song and Earth magic.  She could cast a spell of Fire against any foe.  She could also cast a Shell of Protection on a person in danger.  Her healing powers were beyond any comparison.

                Tonight, she will ascend to the level of Wind Magic.  Scared as she was, she was so excited that Carum would be there to witness her magic firsthand.

                She watched as the other ladies finished with their ritual baths and dress in their traditional attire:  A sarong over their bodies, scarves to cover their hair and masks to hide their faces except for their eyes.

                This was done out of respect for the mages such as herself and her mother Aliana who are forbidden to wear scarves and masks.  It has been a long believed tradition that the source of the mages powers are due in part to their fire red hair, emerald green eyes and ruby red lips which could enchant even the strongest of men with a few notes of song.

                As the last of the ladies left, Kindle undressed and slowly entered the bathing pool for her ritual bath.  The three moons were full and bright with their light, so she could easily navigate the water.

                She relaxed for a few moments before applying the vanilla and lavender oils over her hair.  She then massaged the oils into her skin.  It was at this time she felt someone watching her.  She felt this presence before.  It was not threatening, so she was not frightened.

                She had a feeling she knew exactly who the person was.  It was Carum.  So she decided to give him a full view of her nude silhouette of her form slowly rising from the water.

                In the moons light that shown down on her body made her look just like the High Priestess, Alia.  Carum could make out the individual droplets of water flowing down her body as he made her way toward him.  He could not move.  He was transfixed to his position and he certainly could not take his eyes off of her.

Carum suddenly came to his senses.

                “I am so sorry.  I didn’t mean to.” Was all he could say.

Kindle smiled and simply asked the Paladin “Enjoying the view?  You have already seen me this way.  Why are you so shy about it now?”

                Carum protested “That was different.  You were drowning.”  He quickly turned around so she could dress herself.  “Besides, I am sworn to serve and protect with the utmost respect” he told her in  an almost inaudible way yet he knew she heard him.  Being part of the Myriad, he knew she could even read his thoughts.

                Kindle threw her head back and laughed.

                “I  know who you are Sir Carum of Windspear.  You are the son of King Ezrec.  Yet you reject becoming a king yourself.  You admire the ways of the Paladins and so against your father’s wishes, you took the oath of the Paladin.  To honor, serve and protect the righteous.  How am I doing so far?”  She asked of the astonished Carum.

                “How can you know all of that?” he asked her, already knowing the answer to that question.  Kindle is a mage with the Myriad.  She not only possesses powers beyond reproach but has an uncanny power to read people….especially him.

                She is the one who invades my dreams.  The one I have loved before time its self.  He thought to himself.

                “I am finished dressing.”  Was all she said.

                Carum turned slowly to face her.

                In the silhouette of the moons, Kindle was even more beautiful.  Her long curly fire red hair, still wet, hung in ringlets framing her face and shoulders.  She stood in front of him in a long green sheath dress, her feet bare yet they were not rough in any manner unlike the other women in her tribe.

                She is more beautiful than in my dreams.  I am meant to protect her with my life.  He thought to himself…knowing full well that she knew exactly what he was thinking.

                Kindle just smiled as took Carum by the hand.

                “Come.  The tribe is waiting on us” She simply said as she led him to the ceremonial fire awaiting them.