Bolion's smile fell, replaced by a skeptical squint in Della's direction; His friend's, for he would call her his friend, sudden shift in mood was odd, even by her standards. Nonetheless, he knew enough to let the subject go for now, and followed after her. He resumed the motion of removing his vest, and tried to ease his expression. It probably wouldn't do her any good if he looked as put-off as he felt by her demeanour.
The private baths had much a similar style to the showers, large cells down a long hallway, one cell on each side for several hundred meters. The buildings were absolutely gargantuan, and this was why. Each private cell was large enough to fit what was really a small pool, large enough for upwards of six or seven people to lounge in. The private cells were often used to go about business in the calm and relaxed environment of the baths. Around the circular pool was enough space to stand two men abreast until you touched the square walls. Two and a half in the corner. The pool itself was about fifteen meters in diameter, and had a slope going down to one side. The deepest point was perhaps two meters down, and he shallowest less than half. The red-brown wood of the bathhouses lined the walls and ceiling, like a sauna, but the floor was a cool limestone tile.
Bolion stepped into the first open one, checked the water temperature, and began to strip. It didn't take very long. The springs that fed the bathhouse kept almost all the pools perpetually warm, and Bolion felt goosebumps ripple up his arms and legs as he waded into the pool.
