The hushed voices carry beyond the dividers, though Guts does nothing to gloat about the victory. He still plans on collecting his end of the bargain when Lashan was feeling better. He takes a bit longer than expected, curling up in the standing basin to enjoy the warm water for as long as the heat remained. If he were in the bathhouse proper, he might have sank in for a more indulgent amount, letting the warmth and pleasant herbs make the aches of his body ease up.

The robe disappears behind his side of the cloth panels once he dries himself. The robe fit more awkwardly than Lashan’s hand-me-downs, the sleeves feeling small around his arms while the neckline left more of his chest exposed to the cold air than usual.

He awkwardly gives the sleeves a tug or two, assuring himself that the shoulder seams won’t split if he moves, before realizing in the middle of it how soft the clothing was on his skin. The wooded scent was pleasantly familiar, the smell of lone nights under quiet pine-crossed starfields. Of course, he would also carry an herbal scent with him once he leaves the bath to take the cup of medicine from the Apothecary.

Following her instruction, he tips his head back and downs the entire solution. The flavor is strong enough to make his face twist up in displeasure. Gross.