A short rest

Mother Fillit interrogated them for what felt like several hours. He thought there would be a reprieve when food was brought in, but the questions continued. It was the last watch before dawn when they were shown to rooms and allowed to sleep, with the promise they would talk more tomorrow. Aarni was shown to his room, even smaller than the one he had for a few hours at the temple. It didn’t bother him here though, the Abbey wasn’t a temple, it was a fortress and a small and simple room was fitting.

Aarni slept long and well and when he left his room it was already well into the morning. There was a guard outside his door, either keeping him safe or keeping him under observation, likely both.

“Where can I wash up?” he asked.

“Follow.” Was the answer he received, and she turned and walked, carrying her spear like she might need to stab someone at any moment.

Aarni appreciated the discipline he saw from the sisters at the abbey, but even more he appreciated the legs and ass on the sister that was leading him. Her legs muscles were impressive, her ass even better. Her muscle tone was fantastic. Ania was fit as well, but thicker and smoother, this lady was toned and her muscles showed with every step. She wasn’t the only one either, the women of the Abbey were all very fit, and their uniform showed off their legs and butts. By the time his guard stopped Aarni was fighting off an erection.

“You may wash in here.” She said, nodding to the door on Aarni’s right.

He unlatched the surprisingly heavy door and walked in. It was a small room, but it had another heavy door, this one with a portcullis that was up. It must lead outside.

“Undress here.” Aarni was surprised to hear her voice, the guard had followed him in.

“But where do I wash?” He asked, there were no pumps or basins in the room, just some shelves.

“You will wash in the spring.” She stated, nodding to the door leading outside.

Aarni knew that the mountains held numerous hot springs, they were famous for healing and restoration, but did not think he would run into one here. He was excited, he loved the hot springs and he could really use a nice soak in one now with everything yesterday had brought.

He looked at her. She stared back at him. He hadn’t expected to strip in front of her, and the situation was making his erection worse. He decided to just own it, she was doing her job and he wasn’t going to stress about it. He took off his shirt, folded it and set it on a shelf. When he undid his belt and dropped his pants he heard a cough from the guard.

He looked her way, her face was a bit red and she was looking right past him. He turned away before smiling, the guards here wouldn’t see many men, the Abbey had a boarding house separate from the main building if they had travelers to help, but with several people already there, Mother Fillit didn’t want to risk him being recognized.

Aarni folded his pants and put them with his shirt, and put his boots on a shelf directly beneath them.

“Okay, what now?” he asked, turning to face the guard.

“Outside, and stay in this pool, none of the sisters will use this pool while you are here, you may use it at your leisure.” She had pushed down her blush and was being very professional, but Aarni caught her eyes dart down for a second.

He stepped outside into a miniature paradise. There was a small waterfall that led into a pool from the hot spring. There was moss and a myriad of tiny flowers growing on the rocks around the spring. A series of gates that would control the flow of the cold waterfall run off, allowing the user to adjust the temperature of the pool. Aarni looked at the series of pulleys and had a good idea of what to do. He pulled a few of the silk ropes and shut the waterfall off from the pool. With the water diverted from the pool, Aarni stepped under, bathing quickly in the cold water. With most of the grime of his travel off of him and his erection thoroughly vanquished, he stepped out of the waterfall and did his best to not shiver walking to the hot spring. He pulled a few other ropes shifting the flow into the pool and climbed in where the cold water entered, easing himself into the spring. The guard was smiling, clearly amused at the change the cold water had on his body.

“You don’t get many men here, do you?” he asked. He saw no reason to pretend she hadn’t seen what she obviously saw.

She stood silently.

“I’m sore and have several cuts, I intend to soak for a while here, we might as well talk.”

She looked at him, like she had something she wanted to say, then stood back at attention.

“I admire your discipline.” Aarni said, then closed his eyes, pushed off the rock and floated, it felt incredible, suspended in the hot water, the water easing his bruises and stiff muscles, the minerals soaking his scrapes and cuts, fending off infection and helping him heal. And if the guard wasn’t going to talk to him, she could watch him float naked on his back.