It’s Not So Bad Down Here - The Tranquil: Part 3

It’s Not So Bad Down Here
The Tranquil: Part 3

   When Meline, Caelan and Aethone returned to the heart of the Tranquil’s little forest, the members of the clan greeted them with appreciative bows while having one forepaw placed over their chests. Pyrri didn’t have to explain what it meant, it was obvious enough that the Tranquil appreciated their help with solving the freshly occurred conflict without violence. By now, the visiting Forgotten had all made their way to the tunnels that led them back to their “home”, so it was just the topsiders and Tranquil left in the small relaxing paradise.

“May I inquire about the fellow Haedians wearing armor?”

   Caelan quietly directed a question to Pyrri after she had gestured something to a group of her clan members, to which they nodded and left. Pyrri sighed and turned around.

“They are known as the Order, but you don’t need to worry about them right now. Please, follow me.”

   Pyrri guided the trio out of the forest while the majority of the Tranquil followed them. They passed a short tunnel to exit the capacious forested cave chamber to find themselves in another large room. This place was neatly carved out of a white rock, decorated with woven carpets, various crafts that were hanging from the ceiling and smelled of pleasant incense. The gems on the walls casted gentle light all over the place, allowing to see everything while not being too bright. In the middle of this hall was a small pool with a canal running through it, and the steps in the canal allowed water to fill the room with its soothing song.

   Meline and Caelan gasped softly when they entered the new place, and Aethone couldn’t resist the tranquility taking over her body. She didn’t remember when was the last time she felt so relaxed and safe, and it felt good. Pyrri waved them to step down and find a spot on cozy pillows next to the pool. Having plopped down, all three of them felt like they could never get back up again. A few Haedians approached while others gathered on their spots in the room, and Pyrri smiled warmly at Meline.

“This is our way of thanking you for the help. Allow us to rid your bodies of the arcana leftovers so you may feel refreshed again.”

   Even privacy-preferring Aethone couldn’t argue when the Haedians began with a ritualistic massage. There were three of them working on her, and another two on Meline and Caelan. As a scholar, Caelan was trying to observe the ritual so he could later write it down and add it to his archives back on the surface, but this idea proved near impossible to fulfill as thoughts and worries in his mind washed away. The precise massage movements, running water and soft humming from Pyrri made Meline forget the unpleasant endurances of the previous trials as she succumbed to the meditative state taking over her tired mind. 

   Despite the Haedians working on them for at least an hour, it felt like this heavenly bliss lasted far from enough. The Tranquil gently brought all three of them out of the trance, covered them with warm blankets and offered herbal tea to drink. Pyrri kindly encouraged them to sip on the golden brew, as that was also an important part of the ritual. Meline had trouble trying to lift the cup to her mouth, while Caelan and Aethone had long given up on such an idea so they just brought their snouts close enough to sip it straight from the mugs. The concoction had a strange aftertaste, but their tongues got used to it fast so the sensation from the tea filled their minds. 

“Oh, I have to get this blend, it’s simply amazing.”

   Meline uttered, some words slurred as she had trouble controlling her relaxed facial muscles. Caelan couldn’t help but chuckle at the state Meline was in, even Aethone smiled as she was glad the Empyrian didn’t worry herself with anxious thoughts.

“Yes, of course we can prepare a small package for you to take along. Right now, I want you to focus only on being here.”

   Pyrri gently touched Meline’s forehead, to which Meline closed her eyes and smiled.

   When the tea time was over, Pyrri nodded towards the masseurs, to which they returned to their positions. She then explained to the top siders what was about to happen.

“My kin noticed that Meline’s and Aethone’s bodies could use some healing while Caelan’s body has slightly stiffened with age. For the magic residue to fully exit, some additional work is needed. Please allow us to take care of that.”

   Aethone and Meline were so glad they could receive more of this celestial treatment, so they nodded their heads perhaps a little too eagerly. Caelan also didn’t mind some help with his aching joints, so the Haedians got back at it. Thanks to their professional hands, excellent atmosphere in the hall, relaxing burble from the stream and Pyrri’s slight swaying and humming from the trance she was in, the three topsiders forgot all their worries. Aethone, who was usually wary of new people, was fully trusting her aching and sore muscles to be treated while having her eyes closed and enjoying the emptiness in her head. Caelan made a mental note of asking Pyrri about the theory and techniques later as he felt the immediate positive effect of it. It was hard to tell what Meline was thinking as she had already fallen sound asleep.