Ajoran watched the hawk swoop down onto Ridahne's shoulder with some amazement and awe. He'd seen his fair share of the birds, as they were popular and practical pets for court members and even hunters in the mountain village he was from. But he wasn't aware Ridahne ever had one. 

"Since when do you have a bird?"
"I don't. He's Darin's really, but he likes me well enough. His name is Taja, say hello." 
"...Taja? Is he..." Ajoran reached out a finger to gently stroke Taja's breast feathers. "Is he her guardian too?"
"Initially? No, that's not how he got his name. But he's earned it alright. He's the most battle ready bird I've ever met." 

Ajoran seemed to appreciate this with some respect. If this bird had indeed earned his title, then Ajoran was pleased to share it with him. 

Ridahne smiled down at Darin "Ah, there you are." The smile faded a little though as Darin suggested putting off seeing Khaltira's grave until morning. Ridahne supposed there was no real need to go now, it wasn't like she was going to pay respects. Anything but respect, actually. But her insides twisted a little at the idea of leaving it for later. It was a cloud hanging over her she wanted to blow away, a leech still clinging to her skin. But she could wait. She'd waited this long, she could wait a night. Ajoran seemed to sense some of this in her and reached out to touch her arm with hands almost to gentle to belong to a former smith. He did not speak, but it was a quiet reminder that she was, indeed, allowed to push the issue. But Ridahne simply put her hand on his and rubbed the back of it with her thumb for a moment before saying, "Honestly, I think I'm quite ready for a bath. C'mon. You too, Ajoran." 
"Isfahan, I think I'm supposed to check in with my Sol...I'm on duty." 
Ridahne grinned wolfishly. "No you aren't. Not anymore. I saw to that. You belong to me until we travel north." 
Ajoran smirked, trailing after them. "Oh do I, now?" He chuckled.

The palace was only two floors, though for Azurei standards it sprawled. The upper levels were mostly barracks and a small library, while the lower levels held dining halls, studies, storage, a garden courtyard, armories, and of course, the bathhouse. At the entrance were two doors--merely heavy gray fabric that draped richly over the openings--and Ajoran split off and entered one of these. Ridahne led Darin into the other. Ridahne explained that there was a small room where they could disrobe and leave their clothes. A young girl sat in the room as an attendant, making sure that there were clean towels and that old clothes were replaced with fresh ones. She asked them if they'd like new clothes, and Ridahne nodded that she at least would like some. She'd let Darin decide if she wanted to don the garb of the Azurei during her stay, or to stick with her usual sets. 

Ridahne led Darin to a little chamber with a wooden reservoir of water suspended above them, and when Ridahne shifted a little panel, little holes were revealed to rain water down on them in a measured stream. There they scrubbed the majority of their road dust off of them. This was so that many people did not overly sully the large pool in the next room, which was communal and already shared by three other women. The room itself was large and relatively unadorned with wooden walls and floorboards, but the pool itself was tiled with a mosaic of cobalt blues, whites, yellows, and blood reds in tones ranging from jewel to earthen. The pool was as large as some ponds, and the edges were lined with built in benches to sit on while the middle sections remained waist deep on Ridahne. A sheer fabric screen split the pool in half, and vague shadows could be seen moving about or lounging in the water on the other side. Ajoran was seated near the panel, merely a dim silhouette. It allowed for privacy between the men and women while still facilitating conversation. Within their half of the pool, however, none of the women seemed to take any note of each other's nakedness. Such things were inconsequential in Azurei culture. The men's side seemed to be much the same. 

The water itself was not hot like a traditional bath, but was instead somewhat cool. It seemed like an odd thing in theory to have a lavish bath be cold. But in Azurei's hot climate, it was needed and welcomed. It was also not just pure fresh water, either. A special kind of mineral salt had been mixed in. Ridahne explained that this not only kept it sanitary, but the minerals had soothing properties for sore or tense muscles. The Sols, knowing their court would be men and women who worked physically demanding jobs, built it with that in mind. The Sols demanded much of their subjects, but they in turn made sure to see that they were taken care of. 

"When we are done soaking, we go back to the rinse room and use scented soaps and hair oils--the ones I told you about. It sounds so silly, I know, but trust me, it's a wonderful luxury," She explained. "It makes your hair so soft..." 
Ajoran chuckled from the other side of the divider. "It really does. So! What do you think? Does it live up to your expectation, Darin?"