Bathing on steamboats was notoriously difficult and cumbersome. Even after paying for a suitable cabin, the bathing facilities were all public and the cleanliness was questionable at best.  

Soaking in the copper tub, Kaeso allowed Emiri to shave the small growth of hair on his cheeks and chin, before shooing the man away so he could emerge himself in the hot water. One doctor recommended he hold his breath a minute or more under water to strengthen his lungs and breathing abilities. It was a habit he got himself into hoping it helped, it seemed too at least.  

Calling back Emiri, he was assisted in dressing in a fine evening suit of the softest wool and silk material, before layering on his traveling cloak as he was quick to catch a chill regardless of the outside temperature.  

Food services could be brought to one’s private chambers or one could dine in the inn’s public common rooms the front desk lady had informed him as he was checked in. Although he did not travel much even his health, Kaeso did read in the travelogues that it was considered polite to meet the other guest in the accommodations one stayed at, but also it was the best way to socialize and meet new acquaintances on ones’ travels. Kaeso although not sociable by nature being confined to his home, felt this was an opportunity to break out of his shell.  

There was only one another table occupied in the dining common room, it was the group of exorcists he had seen before. A woman and three men. He was quite surprised to see the likes of them here of all places. But perhaps they came from families of wealth, as the profession of exorcist while not exactly respectable, it required study under the Ministry of Divinity, and having a license. Some famous exorcists of the bygone era become popular figures of literature, plays, and operas given their combated evil, demons, and other such wicked creatures making them heroes in the eyes of many.  

Exorcists of today mainly acted as they always had, cleansing homes of bad spirits or demons, exorcising them from human hosts, curing curses, or sealing away demons if one believed in all that which Kaeso did not. How easy it was to fool someone by saying their bad luck, or poor health was because some demon or bad spirit haunted their home or bodies, but give me a fee, and I will “rid” you of it. It was an insidious possibility but as they fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry Divinity, frauds or exorcists misusing their titles and influence could be punished. Still, Kaeso held some contempt for those in their profession. They would not be guests he could readily converse with.  

Their waiter approached their table informing them of tonight’s meal choices. There was duck soup, fried crayfish with seasoned vegetables over noodles, boar pie with dark gravy, or seared lamb with sweet potatoes, radish and greens. All sounded utterly marvelous after the boring fare they are on the boat. Kaeso ordered the seared lamb, and Emiri chose the pie. The man loved his pastries.  

Once they served, several more guests entered to dine. Kaeso’s resolve earlier to converse with his fellow guests soon began to falter, but he needed not worry as the decision was taken from him as two young men approached his table. Both in very fine suits displaying their wealth and status.  

“I am Mister Serlo Hadewin, this is my companion Mister Tarik Medraut. We noticed you dined alone, well with your manservant, so we came over to extend an invitation over to our table.”  

Kaeso could not refuse and accepted. The man quickly launched into a gentle interrogation of Kaeso.  

“A chronic illness you say? That must be terrible, though I hope the reputations of these hot springs and pools are true, someone told me that not all have healing qualities that only very few rare pools and springs have that power. And they are hard to find,” Serlo stated as he poured himself another glass of wine before offering more to Kaeso who after accepting two felt rather flushed and shook his head, Serlo shrugged and poured himself more.  

“I was told that it is the minerals in the water that can cure certain ailments, like skin rashes, blemishes, also help with aches and pains, like arthritis. Some even drink a small glass of the waters for internal illnesses. Perhaps you should try that!” Tarik suggested.  

“Well since I am here I might as well try everything and anything. Perhaps I shall have my manservant make inquiries about these special pools.”  

“Better give him some coin too. I hear if you want the locals here to really tell you the truth about certain sites and locations you must pay, and pay a lot.”  

Kaeso felt more at ease with the two men but he worried they were drinking too heavily and too fast for being so early in the evening. He too was feeling light-headed, and yawning but it felt good to act as he should as a young man, laughing and drinking in good-hearted company. He had been denied such things his entire life.  

“I have a brilliant idea! We should go to one of the hot springs tonight! The sun sets late, it is not get half past seven in the evening!” Tarik declared suddenly, nearly spilling his wine cup.  

“Yes! That is wonderful Tarik, what says you Kaeso?”  

Hot pools at this late hour? It may not be the latest of hours but... 

“Please Kaeso while we may have just met I think you are a fine fellow if not a bit quiet, come! You must join us. A nice hot soak, surely it will soothe the aches and pains from all the traveling.”  

Both men pressured and insisted Kaeso join them until he relented. Seeing no sense in having Emiri follow, his dismissed his man-servant to rest for the remainder of the evening and that he would return in a few hours. Emiri was less than thrilled about being dismissed. Something about the two men did not sit well with him. Their overly friendly manner with his master did not suit the manners of young men raised by high class families. Although their dress spoke otherwise, they seemed too eager to get to know Kaeso. Just, something felt off but Emiri felt he had nothing but his gut feeling to support him and Kaeso did truly wish to make this trip something worthwhile. Perhaps some new friendships were something he sorely needed.  

The soberest of the three, Kaeso had the person working the front desk fetch them a cab while he studied the lobby’s map of the area and located a hot pool nearby just outside of the town. Once the cab arrived, the three young men boarded, with Kaeso on one side and Serlo and Tarik on the other. Most hot pools were open around the clock, maintained by locals or monks who treated them as they would shrines. Cleaning and managing the area. There was even several lanterns lit, showing that perhaps nightly dips into these hot springs and pools was common enough to require lighting. Serlo said as much.  

“I heard during the winter months, people would come for an evening soak.” 

Near the hot pools whose steam rose and filtered around the water, a faint scent to sulfur wafted through the air and haze of the steam. There was something relaxing about it, along with the glow of the lanterns. There was a couple of small sheds used by people to change into their bathing gear. Nudity in these open public hot pools or hot springs was not recommended, but for the private hot pools that were piped into segregated areas it was more common. Tarik and Serlo gestured for Kaeso to use the shed first. It was dark and cooler so he tried to hurry out of his clothes, before hurrying out towards the pools.  

Tentatively he dipped his foot into the steaming water, found it bearable although hot, and slowly waded further into the pool. It naturally formed a semi-circle, with a deeper middle where Kaeso barely could touch the bottom and keep his head above the water. He was relishing the heated water, the fragrant sulfuric steam that he failed to notice the other two had not entered the pools yet. Wading back over to the shallower part of the pool he looked to where the sheds were expecting them to emerge any second. Seconds passed. Nothing. Then something in his stomach fell. A panic settled in, and Kaeso quickly got out of the pool, and hurried to the shed.  

Ripping the door open he found everything he had left inside gone. Gone, everything had been taken. He spun around and although the cooler air enveloped him, hairs on his body standing on end as a chill raced over him, he jogged towards the entrance to the hot pools, ropes on either side of the path to indicate the way along with a couple of lanterns but as the darkness of the night creeped closer he realized they were gone. The cab was gone. He heard no voices, or sounds of wheels on the narrow road. Nothing. Some distance birds, the faint rustling of the leaves from a night breeze. Nothing. And the sun was setting now. It would be dark in a matter of minutes.