CHAPTER 8–RELAXATION – page 35

a TranscriptZa sat next to him, and as her back was scrubbed, she washed her front and legs with her own cloth. Hans had not been offered his own cloth, and as he reflected on this, tried not to think about the soft touches on his back that were definitely neither cloth, nor hand.
Hans tried to think of something that would take his mind off of . . . everything. He looked toward Za, only out of the corner of his eye. She was washing her neck, her chin held high, her back arched slightly, as soap ran down . . . This was getting uncomfortable.
"Captain Za?" He somehow managed a conversational tone.
"Yes, Lord Madison?"
"Can you tell me about your armor? What it's made of?"
Apparently Za did not think that an odd topic for bath conversation. But then she was Captain of the Guard. Arms and armor could well be one of her favorite subjects.
"It is a simple segmented armor patterned after the kind worn by Roman soldiers. We make it from several layers of woven spider silk bonded with a lacquer into shaped segments. We used to have single piece breastplates, but damaged segments are easier to replace than a whole plate, and spider silk cloth is rather difficult to produce."
"You have a blacksmith. Why not use steel? Is it because elves can't touch iron?"
Za made one of her half smiles. "So it was her craft you were so interested in. No, Lord Madison, iron is not a problem for us. I think you confuse us with Fae in that respect. Steel is simply hard to produce and work in this realm, so it is saved for use in weapons. Also we find our version almost as strong, as well as quieter and lighter, and no doubt more comfortable on a summer day. I am sure you have also noted that we paint it. It always helps to blend in with surroundings."
Gni picked up a bucket in front of her and rinsed herself off. Another bucketful was applied to her from behind.
"Wow. Spider silk. Now that I think of it, I guess it would be tough. You could make a mint if you were to export it to Earth."
Hans doused himself with a bucket, and felt his back get two or three bucketfuls as well. He was then guided to the oversize tub, thankfully noting that a certain effect had, at least for the moment, subsided. Several seemingly disappointed elves got out to make room for him and Za.
Za entered the tub across from Hans. "We need every scrap we make, Lord Madison. In truth, the real reason we paint the armor is to hide repairs, lest an enemy spy a weak point."
Hans heard a lecture in her voice. "Ogres may not have the power of speech as you and I know it, but they communicate well enough amongst themselves and are witty opponents."
Hans had tried not to look but noticed that Za had scars as well. In particular there were three parallel scars from beneath her left breast going down across her torso. Familiar looking scars. The upper scar actually started just beneath the nipple and . . .
Hans realized he was staring.
Oblivious to his gaze, or perhaps unconcerned, Za sighed loudly. "Ahhh. Mankind may have invented the wheel, and maybe even as they say, invented the gods themselves, but in my opinion, the hot bath is the greatest gift your race has bestowed upon all the realms."
Hans relaxed some by looking to the ceiling, he only caught the occasional view up a naked body that way. "This is nice. Is that really true, about hot baths?"