Closed [Sacred Arch Hot Springs] Battered on a Bright Day

[Sigrun Dominic]

87th of Spring, 513 AV Sacred Arch Hot Springs It was harder to place what didn't hurt rather than what did. The sun was welcomed by the young blonde's bruised skin and sore limbs as she strutted along the Kabrin Road, her tired eyes examining the daunting stone walls of the citadel as she passed it. There was something that had to be done about the aches and pains that riddled her body, as even when she allowed herself to lie still in bed in order to rest, she could focus on nothing else but her plagued, tired bones. The aim was the Sacred Arch Hot Springs, a refreshing change from her usual trip to the Soothing Waters, where there was a chance of bumping into a certain ill-mannered squire that she no longer found the pleasure of seeing. The young blonde figured that it would be healthier there, much more relaxing and revitalizing, as it was arguably more natural. With each step, however, Sigrun felt prepared to give up and simply spend the rest of her late morning on the side of the dirt road, sitting limp on the grass in agony. "Almost there," she thought, wincing to herself as she gripped the side of her torso, the memories of her combat training just a few days ago flooding back into the regions where she'd been hurt the most. It wasn't long before the heat of Syna's light became more of a nuisance than a comfort. It began to affect the scratches and gashes, the cuts that had once bled, causing them to burn and scream in the only way a wound could; fesetering into a stinging sensation that only made the girl want to run into the city's walls and knock herself unconscious, so she could finally rest. Rest. In a few more minutes, she could rest. Fifteen long grueling minutes was what it took, but when one spent all their time, effort, and energy into withstanding an internal battle, the illusion of time tends to sink in. Once she'd caught sight of the iconic arch over the steaming springs, her heart fluttered with delight. The green shrubs and rough pale stone that framed the pool glistened with a vague reflection of the glittering green waters below, giving the place an almost ethereal atmosphere. The thick mist that settled over the springs hid the very few people who were around the area, all of which seemed to prefer the sides of the springs where it was a lot more shallow. As far as the young blonde was concerned, these people had entirely different intentions for being there. A young couple chose the very left side of the spring's edge, giggling profusely at one another. A small group of middle-aged men monopolized the other end, although their idle bodies and consistent silence suggested that they were all asleep or merely reveling in each other's presence without the need for conversation. Sigrun chose to be a little more daring. Quickly, and with complete disregard for her injuries, she stripped down and piled up all her clothing near one of the small empty campsites provided for the visitors, safely hiding her cutlass underneath the thick tufts of fabric. Once she'd managed to get herself to the edge of the waters where the mist became her coverage, she sighed heavily with relief. This was going to be good. The water was hot, seemingly scalding her as she dipped one foot in, and then the other. She needed to get to the end of the springs, right underneath the arch. That was what she wanted. Sigrun sat in the waters for a moment's time, acclimating to the heat and feeling her bones and muscles relaxing under the influence of the spring's rich minerals. The steaming waters must've had healing properties, they must've. Nothing should feel this good. And just like that, there was no pain. It revealed itself, however, when the young blonde began to slowly swim towards the end of the springs, her body sternly reminding her that she was not in the shape that she was expecting to be in. Once she'd managed to reach the end, she was breathing quite heavily, finally feeling the full effects of the steam as her head began to flutter. But she embraced the heat, and reveled in the way it helped her forget how battered her body was because of all the training she'd put it through without so much as an ounce of preparation. It was her own fault, and thus, it was her own responsibility to mend herself. Sigrun closed her eyes momentarily as she made herself comfortable, sitting happily by herself. There would be no squires coming around to disturb her today, she was sure of it. It was then did her eyes frantically open when she realized that she'd forgotten to bring a towel.