The Traveler: Part 1

Chapter 6

The din of the city had died down since the sun had set. Most people had retired to the either a tavern or to their homes. Even in the summer, some of the nights could become chilly in Pont Vanis, which meant people were more active in their homes than most other urban areas.

Ciri pulled back the curtain blocking the view into the washroom from the streets and peered out the open window. She listened to the sounds of the now serene city. The mistress of a nobleman cried out in fake throws of passion as a she was humped like a rabbit. A cat hissed followed by the bark of a dog. A drunken maiden giggled at what was probably a terrible joke from her beau trying to seem clever. She closed the window, the crisp chilly air giving her goosebumps.

"Remind me again why she needs to be in the water for these spells to work?" asked Ciri admiring the elegance of the washroom.

"It has nothing to do with being in water. It's about being tranquil. I figured a hot bath might be the best way of going about it since we can't just ask her to try and relax. It's not that it won't work if she isn't, but the series of tests I'd like to run procure better results if she is."

The tub Iespeth was sitting in was a rather large copper construction with completely smooth sides. It had enough space for two or three people. Such a commodity wasn't necessarily considered a wealthy man's luxury in a country like Kovir with its rich copper deposits in its vast mountain ranges. What made this tub particularly special and fit for a head rectoress at a school of sorcery were the intricate runes lining the outside walls, which kept any water contained in it  just above the average body temperature. Naturally, any accomplished mage could summon hot water, but it was a rather taxing spell to perform, particularly after an exhausting day.

Iespeth was clearly enjoying herself. To make the experience more soothing, Triss added some lavender and geranium oils from her personal stores and gave the elf a large sponge which she became quickly fond of.

"There is one caveat. Most of the tests I'd like to do have primarily been developed for humans. I've never performed any of them on an elf. I have heard an elf's anatomy is different from ours even though it has quite a few similarities. For example, their hearts and kidneys are almost exactly the same, but their endo- and exocrine system function very differently from our own. The theory is that that is why they generally don't become infertile due to magic and age much slower. It's rumored that some accomplished elven mages can even stop their aging process completely by controlling their glands. Seeing as how old your friend Avallac'h is, I wouldn't doubt this to be true."

Ciri scoffed at the suggestion that Avallac'h was her friend and politely nodded though rather bored by Triss' scientific lecture on elves, which she figured was a professional force of habit. She noticed Iespeth listening intently examining Triss' face and mouth as she continued to talk.

"At any rate, there actually isn't that much information on elven anatomy much less their magic. At least not available to humans. The elves are, to understate it, very secretive about their knowledge."

Triss rested her chin on her fist and thought for a moment. Ciri watched Triss waiting for what she would do. Perhaps because neither of the two were talking, Iespeth put her head under the water and began swirling around the tub like an excited goose in a pond. Both Ciri and Triss became soaked.

"Ugg, dammit Iespeth!" Ciri yelled snatching Iespeth's arm and pulling her head above the water's surface. She gave the elf a disproving shake of the head.

"It is like taking care of a child!" Ciri shrieked.

"Let's just proceed" Triss said trying to stifle a giggle. She found it rather amusing considering how much of a handful Ciri was as a young girl. She remembered a few of her puckish pranks she sometimes pulled on all who helped raise her such as the time she switched the enchantress' perfume with sword oil.