The rain has eased up some, it seems. So, I decide maybe now is a good time for a bath. I take my underclothes off and hang them up to dry in my room, then wrap myself in a blanket and make my way across the hall.

Instead of taking the staircase down to the common room, I go through another door that leads out onto a balcony. I ease my way down a slippery set of wooden stairs and into an area surrounded by a tall fence. In the center is a large rocky pool surrounded by a wooden deck, covered with a rounded roof, and in the middle of the pool is a metal basin, with red embers warming the water.

I fold up my blanket, setting it aside. Then take my soaking, messy dress off, and find myself immediately warmer. Then I lay it out to dry as good as it can while I bathe. I grab some soaps from a small shelf and step into the water.

It’s so warm, and I sigh in relief as I sink into it, my body melting into the water. I haven’t had a bath like this in, well… ever. Most of the time I have to bathe in the creek near the farm. We had a wash basin one time, but mom never could heat the water up to the right temperature, but this? This is great.

I relax for a minute or two, then set about scrubbing off all of the mud, and the grime, and even pulling a twig or two from my hair. Finally clean, I lay back and closed my eyes.

Around me the rain continued falling from the sky, and dripped from the roof above, it made the perfect noise that I could just… fall… asleep…to…

Thud!

I jerk awake, swearing as I look around to see who was there. It was too late for most people to be out taking a bath like I was. Even the common room was quiet because all the drunks had gone home, but I can hear the sound of boots tapping down each stair before the door opens.

I sink down into the water a little lower, covering myself as best I can. I’m not sure who it could be, but I know I’m about to find out.

A tall girl, with flowing blackberry colored hair steps inside, and kicks the door shut with her boot. Her eyes are a hard purple, glancing at me as she walks in.

“Long day?” She asks, as casually as ever as she sits down on a bench and begins to unlace the tall leather boots going to her knee. She’s wearing dark pants that fit close to her legs, and a matching jacket left open, with the sleeves rolled up to her elbow, and a tall collar. Underneath she’s wearing a purple shirt, just a shade lighter than her eyes. She pulls off her gloves and tosses her clothes in a pile before standing and walking towards me.

Her skin is a little paler than mine, but her body is beautiful. Slender and toned, and I see on her arm she has flowing blue tattoos that seem to glitter and glisten. I can’t quite make out the designs, but they look like flowing plants with crystals instead of blossoms.

“Uh… yeah, long day.” I say as she steps into the water. I glance away, feeling like I’m staring. I feel a little nervous, knowing someone else is in the bath. Back home we had to bathe of course but we had a little more privacy. However the girl seems unconcerned.

“Mind tossing me your soap?” She asks, and I almost startle again. I nod and toss her the bar. “You seem a little nervous,” she says glancing sideways at me as she lathers up.

“I’m not too used to public baths,” I say, speaking a little quieter than I normally do. “used to the privacy of the creek.”

“I see, country girl, eh?” She dunks herself underwater and comes back up, pushing her hair behind her ears. “I’ve been living in Celmont. Unless you’re an aristocrat, nobility or royalty you bathe in a public bathhouse, and there’s a lot more people that’ll join you in the city.”

“That’s… Interesting.” I say trying not to watch but it’s hard not to look at someone instinctively while you talk to them. I’ve never been to Celmont, only heard of it. It’s a pretty large city a couple of leagues away from my small village. Dad went a couple of times, a long time ago for something, but I can’t quite remember. “May I ask what you’re doing here?”

“Monster hunting,” she grumbles, “the wettiric Marsh fiend wouldn’t die.”

“Are you from the East?” I ask, picking up on her choice of swear words. Several years ago, in the Eastern continent of the world there was a city known as Alkania, where many of the world’s greatest magicians lived and trained. It was said that Alkania had the greatest magical power source in the world. The Blue Diamond. An Incredibly huge crystal that pulled magic from the air around it. It was called a… uh, it was called a something, but I can’t remember it right now.

What I do remember is that magic draws into itself. It’s an aura in the air, that’s all about connecting to its own. When enough of the magic collects it creates crystals, and magicians expel that magic from the crystal in order to do their own form of magic.

Which means… I pause for a moment and glance back at the girl’s arm. I take another look at the swirling patterns, the crystals instead of buds, the glittering of her tattoo.

“Holy fayr, you’re a magician…” I say gasping. She turns back to me, a wry grin on her face.

“Amelia Faust,” She says, standing and bowing, “Magician extraordinaire, little sister to the queen of Alkania and part time monster hunter. At your service.”