He unlocked the door and casually walked out of it. Jarl watched me closely.
“You’ve been chosen for a great honor. This project is a part of a sacred ceremony to us. Only a handful of people are chosen and seekers are never selected.”
“What is this project exactly?”
“Nothing harmful. I’ll need you to cleanse and purify in preparation. Odran will show you to the Purity Chamber. There you will cleanse your body, mind, and soul to be ready for the ceremony.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No, but I did warn you about your animal. I don’t want to warn you again. Keep him behaved or he’ll be penned. We have cages capable of holding a shifter and they’ll be more than enough to hold your animal. I don’t want to take that step, but I need to ensure the safety and protection of my people.”
“I understand.”
And, I really did. Muffin had really been a pest, but his behavior was a reaction to the threats against me. He was protecting me, but no one else would see it that way.
Outside of Jarl’s office was Isa. She was glowing and jumped up and down when she saw me.
“I can’t believe it,” she squealed, still jumping up and down. “I’ll take you right away to the Purity Chamber. My mentee is going to be a part of the Ceremony of Unity. This never happens. I’m so glad to be your mentor and honored to prepare you for this.”
“What can you tell me about the Purity Chamber and the ceremony?”
“Well, I can tell you about the cleansing and purification as we go through it. It’s more like going to a fancy spa than anything and as your mentor, I get to go through it as well. We are soooo lucky.”
“What about the ceremony?”
“I don’t actually know about it. I haven’t personally known anyone that participated in it. But it’s safe. We do no harm and no one would hurt someone that is honored by The True One.
If she knew what a nasty thing Jarl really was, she wouldn’t think that. And, she wouldn’t be following anything The True One taught. How could he have such a book about love and kindness and the other crap, but be nothing like what he preached? It pissed me off. I’d found a connection to the words in that stupid, little book and it was all a lie.
The Purity Chamber was a separate building behind the Institute. As Isa said, inside was a what looked very much like a fancy spa. Inside was a large, steaming pool that was ringed by doors to what I assumed were rooms.
“I cannot wait for this,” said Isa.
We were greeted by attendants, who were holding out two bath robes.
“Please remove your clothing and put on a robe,” said one of the attendants.
“Right here?”
“Yes.”
“I’d prefer doing it in private.”
I couldn’t strip down without revealing my knives. I didn’t need the attendants reporting to Jarl that I was armed for war.
“Very well. See that curtain over there?” asked one of the attendants.
“Yes.”
“You may change there.”
Isa was already partially undressed. Nudity was not an obstacle for her.
I went behind the curtain and quickly undressed. I stashed my knives into my boots and under my socks. Most people wouldn’t check someone’s stinky boots for weapons; however, once they saw my disrupters, it might prompt a more thorough search.
By the time I came out, Isa, was already in the pool. The attendants noticed my disrupters, but didn’t question me. They’d probably report me to Jarl. Bubbles churned up the water in a foamy froth. Isa sat on an underwater stone bench. I dropped my robe and found a stone bench near Isa.
The water was perfect and the steam tried its best to loosen my tight muscles and work off my stress. I wanted more info about the ceremony.
“I wanted to –”
“There is only silence in the Purity Chamber. No talking,” said one of the attendants.
There went that idea. I sunk shoulder deep into the mineral-laden water. I tried to keep my eyes on the attendants and potential threats, but as time passed, the heat and whatever was mixed into the water had been pliant and unmovable. My head lolled back against the edge of the pool. This was an amazing experience and I couldn’t keep from sinking into a floating spaciness. I felt more relaxed that I ever had. Muffin rested against my head, cuddling me from his spot near the pool.
I closed my eyes, feeling light and free, wondering why I was so upright to begin with. What kind of water did they use? The only other time I’d felt so relaxed was when the incense was burning. I took a deep breath and realized why the water had such an effect on me. The lightest scent of the herbs rose up from the water. So much for avoiding the incense. The withdrawals were gonna be Hell since the Institute was determined to make a junkie out of me. But even as I got wound up, I felt my body relaxing against my will. There was no fighting against the heat, steam, and herbs.
After what might have been minutes or hours, one of the attendants gently nudged my shoulder. She held out a towel and I stepped out to take it. I followed her to the nearest door. Inside resembled a salt cave. Large, rough chunks of salt were placed into the walls and ceilings. There were wooden stools throughout the room and a small stove blew out more incense-laden steam.
I sat on the stool and closed my eyes. There were eight doors to what I assumed were similar rooms. How much weaker and biddable would I feel after I went through them all? I already felt so weightless and spacey after the pool and a single room. Did it matter? No, I don’t think it does. Just float Marty.
The attendant tapped my shoulder and I followed her on
