Daria Willowglade - The inn was built in the style of a traditional Kokorese Ryokan. Tatami mats covered the floor of the main hall. Purple wall-hangings bearing the sigil of a turtle decorated the walls. A handful of people huddled around hanging cook pots conversing and sipping at rice wine. The briny smell of soy marinade tugged at her neglected appetite. A long day in the market had covered her in a thin veneer sweat and dust. Before she would satisfy her hunger she would wash away the coating.
“Daws, I’m heading to the bath. Will you see my things to my room.” It was a statement more than a question. The silver-haired man in a slicked back pony tail nodded and moved across the hall toward the stairs.
The woman observed him for a moment, then turned toward the sliding door at the back of the room. Daria Willowgate was an unusual woman for this area. Her mix of human and elven heritage had produced a blend of features that favored her human father. Her features would pass for human, save the subtle points on her ears. He face was smooth and carried the serious lines it too often carried, giving her a stern look to outsiders. Daria had been in the free city of Ki’Ger for the better part of a week with little to show for her efforts. Ki’Ger was well known among traders in exotic and hard-to-find wares as a hub. What couldn’t be found in the Mugen Market was usually available from more nefarious sources. It was the latter that she would have to delve to satisfy her clients back in Concord. For now, she would assuage her fruitless pursuit with a proper bath.
The first few days in the market town had taught her that the customs here for public bathing were quite immodest. After a few days embracing the local practice, Daria found that she liked the liberating aspect of the custom and quickly overcame her inhibitions.
She pushed open the large door that opened to the garden. A highly groomed variety of trees, bushes, and flowers acted as a backdrop for the tiled stones that surrounded the soaking tubs. Steam escaped from the placid pools only slightly obscuring the occupants lounging in and around the pools.
Daria turned to the wooden boxes adjacent to the door and deposited her ochre dress and chemise inside. Sliding off her shoes she pulled the wooden marker from the box and claimed a towel and washcloth from a stack. The early fall weather was crisp, causing her bare flesh to tighten in response. She wrapped her tawny hair into a knot securing it with clip before making her way to the wash spigot. Kneeling over a well worn wooden bucket, she proceeded to wash away the day’s accumulated dirt. She glanced over to her right to observe two men sitting some distance apart, but conversing casually, neither of them breaking from their conversation to look her direction. To her left was a larger pool. A half dozen men and one woman were huddled around the pool. Furthest from her half submerged in the pool sat a dark-skinned Dwarf. He nodded as their eyes locked for a moment. She nodded back and continued to scan the other occupants. Near the dwarf was a young man with disheveled straw colored locks. His eyes were predatory and seemed to suggest the number of scars on his body had been earned, but not without a cost to his youth.
“Over Here!” came a voice from the pool.
She looked to see a similarly scarred young man with loupine feature motioning for her to join them.
“Join us.” He said. “There is plenty of room.” His weary face pushed up into an inviting smile.
“Sure, one moment.” Daria replied and she finished washing. I few strides found her at the edge of the pool. She quickly submerged herself into the steaming water, not before garnering a healthy share of the male attention in to pool. Once in the water, she glanced up to see a middle aged man sitting next to a woman of singular beauty. Daria’s face flushed red as her competitive side flared at the presence of such a specimen.
“Tagaern Uncer." Came a voice from her right.
“Daria Willowglade.” She replied. “Are you all together?” She inquired. The mature fighter’s face split into a smile. “Just us five.” He said motioning to the young men in his company and the Dwarf.
“You men look like you’ve earned a soaking.” She said with a confident smile.
“Thats an understatement.” Said a young Kokorese man with a dark topknot. "We have more than earned this."
The conversation turned to introductions. The men were a company of mercenaries from the North. They had traveled on horseback from Hannover and were a little worse for it. They had encountered a band of Trolls lead by a Troll matriarch shaman. Daria disclosed that she was a merchant from Concord. In search of exotic items like Troll ivory. Though the introductions progressed smoothly, the presence of the other woman in the pool was distracting. Even Daria found herself staring. Apparently the middle-aged man next to her was a wizard from Hannover, here on holiday. His companion, a simulacrum, the likeness of some prominent woman in the far away town. The two of them eventually excused themselves and retired inside. The embarrassed wizard finding this situation unbearable once his secret had been revealed.
The young men and the veteran soldier continued to make attempts at being good company, but it was clear they were exhausted from their journey and eventually dismissed themselves.
Spared from an exposing exit from the pool, Daria continued to soak for a time. She had made plans to dine with the company of men calling themselves Richer Holdings. Their skills might prove useful to a successful business trip. She would pay for their meal tomorrow evening as an opening to a business arrangement.
Daria turned toward the door where her man-servant waited patiently.
“Business is looking up, Gar'
ed. Will you bring me my towel.” It was a statement, not a question.
