It was late in the night when I decided to venture near the bathing wagons, I had watched the younger women eagerly seek out the precious luxury of a bath. I knew for some this journey was a challenge and I felt they needed to wash away the weariness, it gave me time to finish a few things I needed to.
I gathered what I would need and walked to the wagon, I dusted the surface with various lightly scented herbs and then poured some oil into the water, it is rare that I allow myself to indulge in things most times I am quick to clean up and continue on with the day, my boots fell to the floor of the wagon with a thump, followed by the creaking of my leathers as I peeled them from my skin and tossed them aside, noticing the light dusting of dirt and who knows what else, the vest was soon to follow and as my gaze traveled over my body I realized I had a layer of grime on me that could possibly create my own private plains, I had to shake my head, a light bruise crawled along my hip and leg from a bit of a run in with something during the earlier part of the trail, it was fading so I was not worried, it would be the first of numerous scratches and other such dings before the trail would end.
One hand moved along the braid that fell along my hip, lifting it I would undo the tie and remove the herlit feather and black and purple beads,slowly I undid the braid until my hair fell loose about me, when I left it down it fell along my back, heavy and thick, as if a curtain of ebony rested about me though normally it would be brilliant in color at this time it would be dull and dusty. A lot of dirt sure was accumulating I wonder if I could make a person out of it.
Slowly I sank into the warm liquid embrace and leaned back to relax, a soft sigh escaped my lips, the water seeped thru every pore and deep into my muscles, I closed my eyes allowing myself for the first time since Garyx death to truly relax, to just enjoy the weightlessness of my body in the water, then slowly my hands would glide along each leg washing away the grime, my hands would move along my arms and hands rinsing away not only the grime but also the emotions that had been clinging to me. Easing downward I would let my entire body submerge into the water ,it was tempting to remain there and never get out, as a few of those negative emotions surfaced again, was I a failure as a woman, as a person, and as a friend and mate, was that why they took Garyx from me, had I failed in something and now I would pay for it in the most horrific of ways. I knew the answer was no, but for a moment the haunting pain of what was and what should have been wrapped about me. But after a few ehns I would rise upward and shake that thought from me, I realized that I was destined to walk my path alone,that was my curse for all the things I have done in my past,there were three things I have done that caused the fury of the plains to erupt, I suppose now they were exacting their price, the cost was high and steep but I would shoulder it just as I did anything else in life, I accepted this payment and came to terms with it I could not endanger any warrior by having them walk at my side and I do not think I could go thru yet another loss of a mate. Not only that I am to old to compete with the young ones that are in abundance, nor will I even contemplate it, I will watch from the sidelines, although, suddenly I feel like one of the ancient ones even though I am not, life and age are taking a toll. Be that as it may I would then lift the soap and lather it thru my hair, after a while I would rinse it out, I did not want to leave the water but I knew I had to.
Stepping out of the water I would dry off and then with my fingers untangle my hair, using a light oil I had made, Nasadei was right, the scent reminded me of the plains after a light rain,fresh, light and natural and yet it spoke to you and calmed you, but at the same time you could catch the hint of sandalwood within it. It was a fragrance unique to me and always a hint of it was in my hair and along my skin, I slowly dressed in clean leathers and secured my vest, replacing the armbands and the beads to my braid, gathering my things I would then step out of the wagon, settling within my own for the night as I sat on the platform for many ahns, just gazing out over the plains listening to the people, listening to the bosk and listening to the winds.
There were many things that seemed to be lifted from my shoulders though much yet remained, a few things I would have to take care of even though it went against my stubborn nature to do so, though at the same time it was very much within my nature to try to save things that meant something to me.
I gathered what I would need and walked to the wagon, I dusted the surface with various lightly scented herbs and then poured some oil into the water, it is rare that I allow myself to indulge in things most times I am quick to clean up and continue on with the day, my boots fell to the floor of the wagon with a thump, followed by the creaking of my leathers as I peeled them from my skin and tossed them aside, noticing the light dusting of dirt and who knows what else, the vest was soon to follow and as my gaze traveled over my body I realized I had a layer of grime on me that could possibly create my own private plains, I had to shake my head, a light bruise crawled along my hip and leg from a bit of a run in with something during the earlier part of the trail, it was fading so I was not worried, it would be the first of numerous scratches and other such dings before the trail would end.
One hand moved along the braid that fell along my hip, lifting it I would undo the tie and remove the herlit feather and black and purple beads,slowly I undid the braid until my hair fell loose about me, when I left it down it fell along my back, heavy and thick, as if a curtain of ebony rested about me though normally it would be brilliant in color at this time it would be dull and dusty. A lot of dirt sure was accumulating I wonder if I could make a person out of it.
Slowly I sank into the warm liquid embrace and leaned back to relax, a soft sigh escaped my lips, the water seeped thru every pore and deep into my muscles, I closed my eyes allowing myself for the first time since Garyx death to truly relax, to just enjoy the weightlessness of my body in the water, then slowly my hands would glide along each leg washing away the grime, my hands would move along my arms and hands rinsing away not only the grime but also the emotions that had been clinging to me. Easing downward I would let my entire body submerge into the water ,it was tempting to remain there and never get out, as a few of those negative emotions surfaced again, was I a failure as a woman, as a person, and as a friend and mate, was that why they took Garyx from me, had I failed in something and now I would pay for it in the most horrific of ways. I knew the answer was no, but for a moment the haunting pain of what was and what should have been wrapped about me. But after a few ehns I would rise upward and shake that thought from me, I realized that I was destined to walk my path alone,that was my curse for all the things I have done in my past,there were three things I have done that caused the fury of the plains to erupt, I suppose now they were exacting their price, the cost was high and steep but I would shoulder it just as I did anything else in life, I accepted this payment and came to terms with it I could not endanger any warrior by having them walk at my side and I do not think I could go thru yet another loss of a mate. Not only that I am to old to compete with the young ones that are in abundance, nor will I even contemplate it, I will watch from the sidelines, although, suddenly I feel like one of the ancient ones even though I am not, life and age are taking a toll. Be that as it may I would then lift the soap and lather it thru my hair, after a while I would rinse it out, I did not want to leave the water but I knew I had to.
Stepping out of the water I would dry off and then with my fingers untangle my hair, using a light oil I had made, Nasadei was right, the scent reminded me of the plains after a light rain,fresh, light and natural and yet it spoke to you and calmed you, but at the same time you could catch the hint of sandalwood within it. It was a fragrance unique to me and always a hint of it was in my hair and along my skin, I slowly dressed in clean leathers and secured my vest, replacing the armbands and the beads to my braid, gathering my things I would then step out of the wagon, settling within my own for the night as I sat on the platform for many ahns, just gazing out over the plains listening to the people, listening to the bosk and listening to the winds.
There were many things that seemed to be lifted from my shoulders though much yet remained, a few things I would have to take care of even though it went against my stubborn nature to do so, though at the same time it was very much within my nature to try to save things that meant something to me.
