Amaiera-Sol nodded solemnly. "I will keep this information discreet. If it becomes necessary for me to discuss this with the other Sol, then I will, but it will go no further. I think now, Astra-Sol, you understand how difficult decisions can be heavy, and how easy it is to make a rash choice. May you learn from this and become a better leader for it. And may both of you find rest in these walls." Amaiera-Sol returned the polite nod, and she and her taja left.

Ridahne supported Darin's arm as they walked, and she could feel the tension in Darin's movements. She remained quiet, letting the amicable silence hang between them. Both had a lot to think about, and there was no need to discuss it any further at the moment. Darin surprised her, though, by turning suddenly and crying into Ridahne's chest. Ridahne's muscled arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as she rested her chin gently on Darin's head. "The barracks are smelly anyway," she said, gently trying a joke to lighten the mood. "I will stay, don't worry. We'll figure out what's next tomorrow. For now, we'll get a bath set up, and," she pulled away, only to cup Darin's face in her hands. Her hold was firm but not forceful. She gently tilted Darin's head up to face hers. "I've got just the thing to help you unwind. Come." 

Ridahne led her to their rooms, and she accosted some servants and barked a few orders at them. Not unkindly, but she held a confidence and authority as she spoke. A metal tub was brought in and filled with water, and hot stones fresh from a fire were dropped in to make the water steam. One of the servants brought in a cloth sack full of something heavy, a small dark glass jar, and a bar of soap that had a bit of fine sand mixed in for better scrubbing. Ridahne dumped some of the contents of the sack in the bath; it looked like coarse salt. She poured some oil from the little jar into the water, and suddenly the scent of lavender bloomed in the air. Lastly, a cloth screen framed in wood was brought in for some privacy, along with a wooden platter bearing a soft white cheese, flatbread, and a dark red jam.

Ridahne churned the water around with her arm to dissolve the salt she'd poured in. "This stuff," she said, "Is a special kind of salt. Not the kind that sticks to your skin, not from the sea. Its some other mineral that makes your skin soft but more importantly, helps with sore muscles. That and the lavender, and the heat will loosen you right up, I promise." Ridahne kicked off her shoes with an indulgent sigh and flopped down onto a padded sofa on the opposite side of the screen. "I don't want to discuss business too much, but once we...tie things up here in Tasen, what do you say we head to Atakhara, and you see where I really came from? It's..." Ridahne laughed. "It's not much. But there's a lot of character there. Less ceremony and hierarchy and a lot more dust and fish and grit," she said fondly.