Chapter 64: The Bard and the Spring

Selyse strode out of the woods, her lance resting on her shoulder, looking pleased with herself. The fire from their camp flickered, casting long shadows over the clearing.

Tache, already poking at the fire with a stick, looked up. "Hey, where's the bard?"

Selyse smirked. "Behind me."

Tache glanced past her. "Where? I don’t see—"

"Just wait."

Then, from the tree line, a struggling, panting Dorian emerged, half-staggering under the weight of the boar still slung over his shoulders.

His face was flushed red, his legs wobbled, and he gasped with each step, looking like he was carrying a boulder rather than a boar.

The moment he stepped into the firelight, he collapsed to his knees, groaning. "Sweet gods, why did I agree to this?"

Ralnor, who had been silently sharpening his sword, stood up, walked over, and—without any effort—lifted the boar off Dorian’s back as if it were a small sack of flour.

Dorian, still catching his breath, gawked. "How—how did you just—" He gestured wildly. "You lifted it like it was a piece of paper!"

Ralnor merely smirked before tossing the boar onto a nearby stump for processing.

Tache, howling with laughter, clapped a hand on Dorian's back. "Come on, bard! You survived worse! But judging from your smell, you need a damn bath."

Dorian wrinkled his nose, then sniffed his sleeve. His face twisted. "Okay, that’s offensive—but also fair."

Tache grinned. "Lucky for you, I think I remember a hot spring near here."

Dorian’s eyes lit up. "A hot spring?!"

Tache chuckled, standing up and stretching. "Yeah. We passed by it the last time we took this route. Not far from here. Let’s go before I change my mind."

Dorian, instantly energized, bolted forward. "You absolute saint! Let’s go!"

Tache barely got a few steps before Dorian realized something and skidded to a stop.

"Wait!" Dorian shouted, spinning on his heel.

He rushed back to his sling bag, digging through it before pulling out a small pouch of spices. He hurried over to Ralnor and shoved the pouch into his hand.

"Here, Ralnor. Use these. Same ones as before," Dorian huffed, still catching his breath.

Before Ralnor could respond, Bennett stepped closer, eyeing the spice pouch. His eyebrows lifted in awe. "Where in the world did you get that?"

Dorian, grinning slyly, wiped sweat from his brow. "I'll tell you the story after I get clean."

Then, turning back toward the darkened tree line, he sprinted off, waving a hand. "Hey, Tache, wait up!"

Tache chuckled, shaking his head as he led the way toward the hot springs, while Selyse and Ralnor set to work on the boar, and Bennett looked at the spice pouch as if it held some grand secret.

As they walked through the woods, the air grew misty, the scent of earth and mineral water filling their lungs. The distant rush of a stream mixed with the sound of their boots crunching through the frostbitten grass.

Tache, walking ahead, turned slightly to Dorian with a grin. "So, first time going to a hot spring?"

Dorian nodded eagerly. "Yeah. I’ve bathed in rivers and lakes before, but a natural hot spring? Never."

Tache chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, well, let me give you some tips." He held up a finger. "First—always check the temperature first. Your body needs to get used to it. You don’t just jump in like an idiot."

Dorian scoffed. "What kind of fool would—"

Tache gave him a pointed look.

Dorian raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay, noted."

Tache continued, raising a second finger. "Second—do not dunk your head underwater. Trust me, that’s just asking for trouble."

Dorian tilted his head. "Why?"

"Because the minerals will mess with your senses," Tache replied. "Makes some people dizzy as hell. You really wanna pass out and drown naked?"

Dorian opened his mouth, then shut it. "...Fair point."

Tache tossed a leather flask toward him. "Third—drink water. You’ll sweat more than you think in there."

Dorian caught the flask, tilting it in curiosity before nodding. "Alright, alright. Got it, teacher."

As they approached a clearing, the air grew warmer, and the soft hiss of steam became more pronounced. The fog parted to reveal a large pool of shimmering water, its surface occasionally rippling from the bubbling heat beneath. A narrow river stream trickled beside it, its icy water flowing from the mountain.

"There," Tache said, pointing to the stream. "Wash yourself first. Then you can soak."

Dorian grinned and immediately peeled off his coat, rolling up his sleeves as he knelt beside the river. "Got it!" He cupped the frigid water in his hands, shivering as he splashed it on his face and chest. The cold stung, but it woke him up—like a thousand tiny icicles prickling his skin.

After rinsing himself, Dorian stood and hurried toward the spring, eyes shining with excitement.

But just as he was about to step in, Tache’s voice rang out.

"NO! Not that one!"

Dorian froze mid-step, turning to Tache with confusion. "Why not—"

Before he could finish, a group of snow monkeys leaped down from the trees, their white fur damp from the heat. They chattered noisily as they plopped into the water, splashing around like they owned the place.

Dorian blinked.

Tache crossed his arms, smirking. "That one's not for us. It’s theirs."

"...The monkeys have their own bath?" Dorian asked, incredulous.

Tache shrugged. "What can I say? Northerners respect their elders."

Dorian sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "Okay, fine. Where’s ours, then?"

Tache motioned for him to follow, leading him further along the rocky path. They soon reached another hot spring, this one larger, its surface perfectly still, surrounded by smooth stones.

"Here we are," Tache said. "And remember—" he jabbed a finger at Dorian, "check the temperature first."

Dorian gingerly dipped his foot in, flinching as the heat wrapped around his skin. "Ah—damn, that’s hot."

"Give it a sec," Tache said, already stepping in, hissing through his teeth as the heat seeped into his muscles. "Once you get used to it, it’s heaven."

Dorian slowly eased himself in, the water licking up to his chest, and within seconds, his entire body relaxed. The aches from traveling, fighting, and carrying a damn boar seemed to melt away.

"Alright," Dorian sighed, closing his eyes. "Yeah… this is amazing."

Tache grinned, leaning back against the smooth rock. "Told ya."

For a while, they just sat in silence, letting the warmth soothe their tired bodies.

Dorian let out a long, contented breath. "You know… I think I could live in a hot spring."

Tache snorted. "I wouldn’t blame you. Just don’t end up with the monkeys."

Dorian cracked an eye open. "If they accept me, I might consider it."

Tache laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, bard. Enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow, we’re back on the road."

And for now, Dorian did just that—letting the steaming water carry away his exhaustion, if only for a little while.