They reached the core in four days, and Atrox rented one of the most luxurious inns he could find. The first thing he did was soak in a hot bath for an hour, washing away the weariness of the travel.
Although he didn't feel physical discomfort, he was still a bit weary, and a hot soak was just what he needed.
Back at the Clan, it was something he did every day after training, and Cleir would put medicinal herbs in the hot water to soothe the body. The smell alone could clear the head.
Atrox felt a sudden wave of hollowed loneliness as he got out of the bathing tub and began to dry himself. Everything had been so simple and easy when he was at the Clan and didn't know better. He ate, trained, played, and dreamed—and he had the tender love of his almost-mother.
"I miss them. And that Nadia… had she reached the rank of Errant Knight already? I wouldn't put it past her; she had high potential. And then Thrain..."
