Soldier's Bathhouse

Gonyaul was led into the bathhouse used by the soldiers and was instantly stupefied by what he saw. There were three sections with three communal main baths: one hot, one tepid, and one cool. In addition, there were several wooden tubs lining the east facing walls, tables and chairs scattered about, and what seamed to be decorated areas for gathering and socializing; among other things. He had never seen anything like it, having bathed exclusively in the rain and in running water outdoors. He thought he was being sent somewhere to get clean, but from the looks of things, wondered if he was in a palace. It resembled a place to hang out, relax and have casual fun for both sexes. It was more spartan than most bathhouses, being a new settlement, but it was definitely more luxurious than anything Gonyaul had seen.

The soldier's bathhouse had an entire staff, consisting of journeymen who handled the massages, washing, bleeding, and hired servants who did things like brought in food or played music or cleaned up. With such a large staff, you can see that a master bathhouse keeper was more of a small businessman than a craftsman. And that keeper took one look at Gonyaul's state and shook their head in disapproval.

"I have been sent a challenge I see. Not to worry, we will take care of everything, just sit back and relax." The man promised and started barking orders at some of the other attendants.

Gonyaul just stared in silence as the male and female attendants got to work. They all had specific tasks and were fulfilling them quite professionally and swiftly. The only one having the hardest time was the lady trying to get Gonyaul to take his clothes off. He refused, much to her dismay, and seemed like he was just going to do it with his clothes on. By the time they negotiated that he would wait until everyone was out before taking them off, one of the wooden tubs was full of warm water and all the necessary bath accessories/tools were set up on a small side table for use.

Typically the bathhouse was a busy place during peak hours; however, at this time of day it was vacant. Gonyaul, satisfied as he was now alone, quickly took all of his clothes off and neatly folded the dirty garments into a pile on the floor. He then slipped into the warm water and let out an audible sigh. It felt amazing. His first warm bath of his lifetime.

He sunk down into the tub up to his neck, the surface of the water instantly covered in a film of the blood and mud washing off his person. The water was quickly becoming darker. Just as the dirt was washing off of him, the new emotions of having almost died and fighting for his life were also being washed by tears. Gonyaul, made himself small in the tub, wrapping his arms around his knees, and just cried. Not because he couldn't deal with what happened, but because he was processing dealing with it through the tears. The few attendants waiting outside the bathhouse service entrance were the only ones that could hear his sobbing and they all wondered what on earth had happened. They decided to wait until he stopped before entering.

Eventually he calmed down and told himself that everything was going to be ok. He survived these new visceral feelings and now he knew better what to expect if something like this were ever to happen again. It was about that time a couple of attendants came in to help bathe him, as was their role. Well they tried. Gonyaul protested as politely and respectfully as he could. He negotiated that he would do it, they could just show, or tell, him what to do.

And so the "how to bathe yourself as a civilized person" lesson began and Gonyaul followed their instructions. The water was so filthy in such a short while they drew up another warm bath in the adjacent tub for him to transfer into. He once again wouldn't budge, until they had all left the room. Then he quickly changed tubs. The first attendant to reenter caught a slight glimpse of his toned body before it dipped under the clean water.

They had him do the same scrubbing and washing regiment in the new tub. Some of them couldn't stop staring at the strange markings adorning his body. Some of the other attendants couldn't stop staring at his face, the likes of which they had never seen before. It was like the beauty of a woman on an athletic male body, quite exotic.

While some attendants started cleaning out the first dirty bath tub, another came to take his dirty clothes. Gonyaul protested quite adamantly in Vauxian tongue, reaching for them to express his displeasure at them being taken away. They assured him that he would get them back. That they were just taking them to get cleaned too. He felt they were trustworthy so he nodded in agreement and relaxed again.

Eventually he was all clean. Even his hair had been washed and they showed him how to put the oils in it. Gonyaul felt fresh and smelled a little like lavender and honey at this point. They knew to exit the room if they were to get him out of the tub. Before doing so they had brought him a very simple linen outfit to wear until the dirty ones had finished being washed and dried. Before exiting, they explained how he was welcome to take his time and enjoy the large bathing pools.

Once they left, Gonyaul exited the tub and dried off using the towel they provided. He then immediately got dressed in the temporary attire. He took note of the bruising bite mark, the other bruises around the joints, and the scrape along his chest when he was putting on the linens. He was not too thrilled that the clothes they provided didn't cover up all of his tattoos, but it was all he had to work with. One of the attendants was peaking through the door and was able to notify the rest that he was out. They came hurrying in again to clean out the tubs and prepare the room for any new arrivals.

Gonyaul felt so much better.

Not knowing what to do now, or where to go, he wandered around the interior of the bathhouse. While doing so, he watched the attendants hard at work and made sure to thank each one of them for their help and kindness. Then once he found a suitable spot, he sat down as far away from other people as possible, closed his eyes and meditated.