It wasn't a long walk to the bath house, which was opulent as the rest of Qismat's home--as though having a private bath house weren't impressive enough! Most Essyrni had to use public ones, and baths that used water were, for most, few and far between.
He lead Lani through the arched double doors leading to it and into a massive chamber with a high ceiling supported by ornate pillars. And there, in the center of the room, was a large, clear pool, kept clean by a channel that flowed in and out of the room. Lotus flowers floated lazily on the surface, and the air smelled fragrant, like flowers and fruit.
Qismat stole a look at Lani, trying to keep his face neutral, but inside he was dying to see her reaction. He had to admit, he kind of lived for it. Maybe because he got to live vicariously through those he aided; no one had ever whisked him out of the slums and into opulence. "You're free to visit here as often as you like. Ah, if you've never visited a bath house before, be sure to rinse before you enter."
He motioned to a little room off to the side, which contained a bucket, a scrub, and a grate in the floor for water to drain. "Fill the bucket and use it to scrub off the dirt and rinse, then enter the pool. There's oils and soaps in baskets by the edge, and you're welcome to them."
