Rather than the narrow path he’d taken earlier to find Eran by the dry basin, Mouse took the main route to the front entrance to the springs this time, a broad, paved road. Already, stands hawked goods, though with somewhat more refinement and quietude than he’d seen in the capitol. Probably because it’s only nobility here now. Bet it’ll change as soon as the common folk can come in.
Broad and short, a welcoming air to it, the main lodge was built of warm-toned wood. Unlike the rest of the resort village, it felt lived-in, not quasi-abandoned and quickly dug out of the dust. Worn wooden steps showed signs of recent repair. A few stray toys peeked out from behind a shrubbery. As he approached, a young sun elf, no more than twenty or thirty years old, glanced up. A distinctive notch in their ear caught Mouse’s eye, but only for a second before the young boy snatched up a set of warrior dolls and melted into the forest. Mouse smiled to himself and climbed up to the front door, which bore a fresh coat of red paint. It opened at a touch.
“Welcome!” a female sun elf greeted him, bowing from behind a desk. Her ears had the same distinctive notch as the child out front.
Mouse nodded back. Must be her son. “Are the hot springs open?”
“Yes, yes indeed. They’ve begun to fill already. If you change quickly, you should be able to watch the back half of it—it’s quite a show, if I do say so myself.” She passed over a set of robes and pointed. “That way to the women’s room.”
“Thank you.” Mouse nodded again and hurried off. Did Brittany want me to catch the filling hot springs? That’s rather considerate of her. Or maybe she wanted me to change first, so I wouldn’t ogle the other princesses? …Er, or should I say, wouldn’t ogle Clarita? Not as if I would. I’ve a conscience, unlike a certain vampire.
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Shrugging to himself, Mouse ducked into the women’s changing room and started to undress, hanging his clothes in the provided closet. He glanced down at himself to be sure, but his body remained female. Alright! No worries there. When the other princesses show up, there’ll be nothing for them to see that they haven’t already. Let’s get this show on the road.
He wrapped one of the complimentary towels around his chest, letting it dangle over his body, and stepped out into the hot springs proper.
A low roar greeted him. He hurried over to the edge of the springs, bare feet slapping against stone. Perspiration slicked the stone. Steam clouded the air, hot and heady, gushing out of the depths of the basin.
Blue-green water rushed up from the depths of the basin, white foam kicking up where it swirled. Fast as rapids, it spun around the basin, crashing into itself. It rose rapidly, visibly filling the depths. The other basins filled at the same rate, all of them roaring together.
Magic welled up from the springs, as thick as the steam in the air, so dense Mouse could feel it in his lungs. He took a deep breath and sighed out. Damn, that feels good.
As the rush of water slowed, he moved to the edge of the hot springs and dipped a toe in. Hot water warmed his feet, the steam heating his legs. Ooh, that’s warm. It’ll feel nice, but I’ll have to watch my time, or I’ll pass out. Still, I understand why it’s considered a healing spring. All this heat, and all this magic… it must be one of the natural sources of magic in the human country. Felix was right, it was a good idea to come here.
He brushed his hair back and slid his legs over the side, sitting on the edge. The hot water came up to his knees. Under the edge of the basin’s ledge, a seat had been carved into the stone. The basin continued down. Experimentally, Mouse extended a leg. Looks like it goes to waist-deep. That’s reassuring. I’m not much of a swimmer. Not much cause to, back in Soanna where it’s frozen three-quarters of the year.
With the brush of wood on wood, a door slid open behind him. Mouse turned, preparing to smile at the other princesses.
Felix froze, one leg out the door, his eyes wide. “Uh—hello.”