There was a large living space with two white couches and a divan. the room was all wood with dark beam-like ribs running up the walls, meeting in the middle of the ceiling, which was about ten feet high with a large dome shaped light at the top. she noticed that the beams had intricate leaves carved, or rather grown, in them. The floor was the same dark color as the beams. to her right was a small sink that had a funny looking pipe coming out its back, and to her left a closet. On the floor was large rug. separating the couches was a table not more than two feet from the ground. She walked to the couches, examining the intricate woodwork. Sara sat on down on one.
“Even when I was sent to a rich man’s house I never saw luxury such as this.”
Iselin started apologetically “I am sorry for the meager apartment. As a lady of one of the great houses you should have more, but unfortunately space does not permit.”
“This is normal?” Sasha asked.
“Of course. You must remember we come from different worlds. To Elves this is average at best. When you go home you will see real luxury. now come, I will show you how everything here works and where your chambers are.”
Iselin took them on a tour of the apartment, starting first with the sink and the funny pipe, which was called a faucet. it was astounding. Next she walked them into a bedroom. they were met by a bed the likes of which Sasha had never seen. It was much larger than any she had ever slept in. she pressed down on the soft silky sheets. it was squishy. Iselin smiled at them and showed them the bathroom, as it was called.
Their amazement didn’t seem to end. there was a round thing you sat on and did your business like an outhouse, and Iselin said that the waste was taken by the dome. Then there was the ‘shower,’ which consisted of a space you stood in naked and an odd-looking set of hollow tubes close together coming from the top of the wall sprayed water on you. Against the wall was a ridge that you moved your hand along until the water was a temperature that you liked. There was a sponge and a liquid soap for your body and another for your hair.
“You two look a little overwhelmed,” Iselin said
“That’s a good way to say it,” Sara said.
“Well, I’ll tell you what: Sasha, you can stay in this room, and Sara, you can stay in the one across the living space. It’s set up the same. Take a nice, long, hot shower. Trust me, you will feel better and I wi…”
Sasha didn’t hear anything else. The episode came on fast and unexpected.
* * * * *
Sara waited next to Sasha for her to wake up. she would only be out for a few minutes. Iselin had moved quickly when Sasha fell. She didn’t even make if half way to the ground before Iselin swept her up with surprising speed and strength. she took her effortlessly to the bed and laid her down. Sara needed to remember that despite looking beautiful and fragile, Elves were far from it, and dragons doubly so.
“Does this happen often?” Iselin asked.
“A few times a week, but they’re better when Legon is around.”
Iselin was sitting on the bed next to Sasha, holding her hand. she saw that the Elf was bothered by this and she wondered why.
“Back home people said that she was possessed with devils. Legon and his friends got in a lot of fights defending her. That’s why she came with him. It wasn’t safe for her in Salmont with him gone.”
“I see,” Iselin said.
“Is everything all right Iselin? I promise Sasha will wake up and she isn’t possessed with anything. She’s the best person I know. Nothing evil could live in her.”
Iselin looked at her. “I know she’s not possessed. I was allowing a healer to look through my eyes to figure out what Sasha has.”
“Do you think you might know what it is?” Sara asked.
“Yes, and the Iumenta would have known as well. Sasha would have had a very different life if people knew what was wrong with her physically and not treated her so horribly.” Iselin gave a deep sigh.