Ziara heart pounded at the words that came out of Vespa’s mouth, but in a way, she knew she was telling her the truth. The person she saw in her dream and the voice he heard in her mind seemed gentle and didn’t give her any commands. He had always suggested and seemed somewhat respectful to her in the dream and his voice was calming and gentle when he spoke to her. It didn’t sound like the behavior she had heard in the stories about any of the other gods.

She also saw a hope in Vespa’s eyes that she found encouraging rather than sincere. Her servant brought her a basin of water and she had washed her face and hands the best she could. The aroma of the food was amazing to her as the dishes that were served were simple and it made her feel so hungry. The problem was that even though there was food in front of her she was afraid because she didn’t want to offend Vespa because of her poor habits.

She looked at the food on her dish and then over to Vespa. Vespa looked over to her and smiled but instead of using the metal utensils beside the plate. She reached out and took it right off the plate with her hand and popped the small piece of meat into her mouth. Ziara couldn’t help but feel relieved as she did the same. The food’s taste was amazing and the bowl that had the liquid brown stuff was great as well. There wasn’t a lot, but there was much more than she had ever had in one sitting before. Even though she felt stuffed she couldn’t help but have a warm feeling in her heart.

“Is it enough?” Vespa asked.

“Yes, I am not used to eating so much.” Ziara said meekly. “Thank you.”

“If you want to stay with us then you should get used to it.” Vespa expressed softly. “I am guessing that to much food will be bad for you, but eventually you should get used to the textures and amounts.”

Ziara could only nod as Vespa raised from the chair and gave her a smile again before saying, “Now let me take you to the bath so you can clean up. We also have lotions that will help after you finish that will help soften the skin.”

“Thank you.” Ziara said again her voice breaking up again with emotion.

“I am truly happy to help you and want to give the same chances my master gave me.” Vespa said as she walked around the table.

Ziara stood up and followed behind her and she took her toward a room that had a set-in bathtub that had small red crystals set in the bottom of it. The water was already in the bathtub and she felt a little steam in the air. She saw Vespa turn and smile, and when she entered the room, she saw the other female servant lay inside the bathroom a few cloths towels and two robes. She also placed a small tub with different types of bars and a glass jar of something white.

“Please come over here.” Vespa said breaking Ziara out of her thoughts. “I will show you how to use this type of bath properly.”

Ziara followed her and saw two small stone benches and in front of them were two stone tubs with water in them. There were also small holes that had thin metal plates over them with places cut out of them near both stone benches. Vespa walked over to the small tube with the bars and jar in it and brought it over with a soft bristle brush and some clothes. She smiled again and then pointed to the stone bench.

“This is the actual washing area.” Vespas explained. “Here you remove your clothes and use the small cups and ladles to soak yourself after you have removed your clothes. I will show you how to do it and help you if you wish as well.”

She saw Vespa moved to the stone bench and slowly start to remove her clothes. She put the clothes in a basket near the wall. She seemed to be perfectly alright with being undressed and Ziara realized just how beautiful this woman was. Her body was thin, and she looked like she had no fat on her at all, and was in peak shape. Her long silver hair rested down to the middle of her back, and her breasts were firm and large. She was enchanted by her immediately and she looked like some sort of angel as she walked over to the stone bench and took the ladle and dipped it in the hot water.

She slowly raised it and started to pour the water over her shoulders and back. The water steaming down her body to the floor and the excess water heading to the holes in the ground and draining away. She continued putting water on her covering every part of her body until she was completely soaked. She then put down the ladle and reached over and took a bar from the small tub and slowly moved it over he hands until small bubbles stated to form.

She then started to rub the bar over her body making her body be covered with those suds. She also slowly ran the bar over her hair and slowly created a thick layer of suds on it as well. She then put down the bar and started using the ladle and started pouring it over her body again rinsing the suds away. She continued to do that putting water through her hair till there seemed to be no suds left. She took a towel and soaked it and started wiping herself down until she was satisfied and then stood up and turned toward her.

“The first step is to drench your body in water and then used the soap bar to clean your body. If the dirt is to difficult you then can put the soap on the brush and use it to clean as well. Then your rinse your body until most of the dirt is gone, and do it over again until your clean.” Vespa explained. “Then you use the towels to wash away any of the residue and then you go into the bathtub and do a final rinsing and relax your body. Is there anything else I need to explain?”

Ziara just looked at her and felt her heartbeat faster. The water seemed to still be slowly dripping from her hair on her head and the hair on her private parts. She realized she was rude for not answering and she shook her head and said. “No, I understand.”

“Good then let me help you this time, because there is a lot of dirt and grime to get off you.” Vespa said with a mischievous smile. “Is that ok?”

Ziara just nodded yes and Vespa walked over and slowly brought her over to the other stone bench. She slowly started to remove the tattered clothes that Ziara had on her. Her touch was gentle, but the clothes were stuck to her skin. She felt Vespa’s hand reach down and get some water and used it to turn the solid grime into a paste. Then she started pulling off Ziara’s clothes piece by piece placing the tattered remains in the basket next to hers.

Ziara was ashamed because she had no undergarments on, and she hadn’t bathed in a long time. Vespa didn’t say anything and slowly guided her to the stone bench and said. “Turn away from the water and I will help you rinse your back. It may be a little painful, but I will be as gentle as I can.”

Vespa guided Ziara to the right position and then started to slowly pour water over her letting her body get used to it. She took one of the soft cloths and started to wiper her down trying to get rid of the caked grime and mud on her body. She truly was gentle and Ziara appreciated it and as she touched her back quivered a little.

The process was slowly and tedious as she went over each part of her body once and then used the ladle to rinse her off, before starting all over again. When she was able to get much of the mud and grime off her back, she came around the front and started all over and cleaned everything from her face and around her breasts. She even cleaned the area around her private parts and again her touch made Ziara shutter, but she knew that Vespa was not doing anything inappropriate even though it was the first time anybody had touched her there.

After she washed away most of the grime and mud, she went made sure her legs and feet were clean and then started with the hair. She rinsed it thoroughly and then slowly moved along her hair trying to clean away much of the mud that had been clumped in her scrawny packed hair a as possible. She rinsed it several times, before she started using the bar and cleaned her body all over again. She must have been doused two dozen times before she had finished and used the soft small towel to wipe her down one last time.

She saw Vespa rinse herself once again and then then came around to the front and took her hand and led her over to the large bath that was still warm enough to let steam vapor rise. She stepped down into the bath and pulled Ziara with her. The water was warm but not to hot and at first there was a little bit of sting when her skin came in contact, but then the pain went away and hot water seemed to truly help relax some of her tenseness that she didn’t even realized she had.

“I know this is new to you but when my master asked me to help. He asked me if I could see you as a sister to help guide you and you help guide me. I wasn’t sure at first, but my master was right. I feel like our fates are tied together and at first it was a small string, but I feel that it is strong.” Vespa said. “My master asked me but didn’t order me, but now I know he was right. I can see my master’s power in you and even as I washed you, I knew if you wished it, we could become true sisters.”

“But I have cursed blood?” Ziara said,

“No, you don’t.” Vespa said as she slowly moved through the water to hug Ziara.

Ziara felt the same warm and gentle touch she did from the person who spoke to her the night before in the woman before her. She tensed for a moment her body awkward and then she put her arms around Vespa and leaned into her hug and started crying. The tears started to flow, and she couldn’t stop them as her cries turned in to sniffles and sobs as she felt Vespa’s arm hold her tightly and pat the small of her back in comfort.

Ziara didn’t know how long she sat there being held by Vespa but as if hearing her cries a sudden rush of warmth entered her body and her eyes widened as she raised her head and saw Vespa’s eyes were also wide in awe. The warmth bath water seemed to swirl around them as Ziara could sense somebody was speaking to Vespa and her shocked look softened and she looked content. Then suddenly a soft voice entered her mind.

“Ziara I am glad the she found you and you two are safe.” The tender voice she heard the night before said. “If you trust in each other both of you can hopefully find the path you seek. I know the black marks of fate have left you worn and tired, but if you can believe that can changed. The dark karma that flows in your bloodline can be overcome and you can be set free if you follow the path with faith in your actions. I believe you can break the hold the dark karma has, and once you do then maybe you can truly choose your own destiny for lifetimes to come.”

Ziara quivered at the words and tears once again started to fall from her eyes. She realized these weren’t tears of hopelessness or curses. They were tears of hope and feeling a spark that might lead to her freedom from the curse everybody in her clan bore. She buried her chest into Vespa’s and whispered. “Thank you.”

It was a while before both finished their bath, and left the bathtub. Vespa lead her to the towels and slowly dried her off with one before helping her put on a robe. She did the same and with Ziara in tow she led her out of the bathing room and to a room that was elegant in design. It had a lush rug and the walls were of wood, and there was a large clothes cabinet on the side near a large bed. Vespa led her over near the bed and then turned her to face her.

“You have a good sleep and let some of the fatigue fade, and later we will have some clothes for you, and we can discuss what you want to do from here.” Vespa said as she gave Ziara another hug and then squeezed her hands before turning and leaving through the door shutting it behind her.

Ziara was still lost in what happened, but she looked around the room and made her way on to the bed. She pulled the blanket over her and a strange feeling came over her. She thought for a few moments and realized it was a comfortable feeling and suddenly she felt exhausted and before she knew it, she was shrouded in the darkness of sleep.