The women had gone a short distance upstream around a small bend, so Rezkin was not concerned that he would see something he should not. The cool water of the creek felt incredible on his heated skin. He walked to the center where the water was deepest, and still, it only rose to just above his hips. He washed his hair and scrubbed the sweat and grit from his skin, rinsing away several sweltering days’ worth of grime.

Rezkin had just risen out of the water after rinsing away the soap when he heard a piercing scream followed by a large splash. His muscles tensed, and his eyes darted upstream in the direction of the sound. Just at the curve of the bend were two figures flailing in the water. He quickly made his way to shallower water and then charged ahead as fast as his feet would take him.

Reaylin and Frisha had bathed in silence, neither woman caring to breach the ice that had formed between them. Reaylin made it a point to finish first, just so she could get under Frisha’s skin.

“Are you finished, yet?” she huffed. “By the time we get back, all of the food will be gone. Ugh! I can’t believe I have to wait on you.”

Frisha rolled her eyes. “Perhaps if you spent a little more time bathing it would start to wash away some of that grime that’s stuck in your personality.”

Reaylin scowled and replied, “At least I have a personality. You’re just one among thousands … like all the rest.”

Frisha tugged on a fresh tunic and pants over her clean undergarments. She strapped on the wide leather belt Rezkin had procured to carry her throwing knives. Each knife had a tiny sheath hidden on the inside of the belt. The belt covered her entire midsection from hips to ribs like a corset, ensuring that the knives could not be seen. The leather was soft, and the knives were positioned at a slight forward angle so that she could still bend and easily access the weapons. Some of the hilts pointed down so she could draw them from below, and others pointed up. The leather had been tooled with an intricate pattern of leaves and vines and stained a rich mahogany. Overall, the look was beautiful when worn over her tunic and breeches. It would not go so well with a gown.

Frisha had been surprised when Rezkin had presented the belt to her after they left one of the villages in which they had stayed the night. She knew an item of this nature would have to be custom made, and he would have had to pay a handsome fee to have it finished before they left.