Chapter VI, Reading 5

The soap against her scalp was starting to itch. "I guess I need to rinse," she explained as she took a deep breath and sank beneath the surface of the pool.

"Take your time, little one. I've waited a millennium for you. A few more minutes will not make a difference," Kewero said to herself while Flindra was under the water.

Flindra's hair was in her eyes when she reemerged. She wiped it away with the back of her hand.

"This bath is so wonderful, Kewero. Thank you for suggesting it."

"My pleasure, child."

"I won't be too much longer."

"Take your time."

She continued with her bath, giving special attention to her hands and fingernails as she washed. When she was finished she rinsed herself and stood up. Kewero handed her a towel, which she had brought along with the clothing. Flindra took it, dried herself, and then wrapped the towel around her hair.

Kewero stood and held out a dress for inspection. "Is this to your liking?"

"It's beautiful," she announced and reached out to touch the beautiful green gown. The dress was made from a material that was both soft and smooth. The undergarments were made of similar material as the dress but were snow white. There was a pair of matching slippers on the stack of underthings.

"What are they made of?"

"Silk."

"I've never touched silk before. It's wonderful."

Kewero helped Flindra dress and she relished the softness of the cloth against her skin. The green gown was the finest she had ever worn. It made her feel pampered.

"I don't have a belt for you so you'll have to use your old one."

"That's fine."

Flindra used her own leather belt to gather the dress in around her waist. The knife hanging from the belt was the sole ornament for the dress, which was somehow fitting for the circumstances. She left her other daggers on top of her clothes.

She then brushed her hair to remove any lingering tangles. She fished the golden hair comb from her saddlebag and held it out for Kewero to see.

"Was this my mother's?"

"The comb is a gift from Queen Kwenth."

"Queen Kwenth was King Meldh's wife, wasn't she?"

"Yes. Queen Kwenth knew about the struggles you are destined to face. The comb is a small gift to warm your heart in times of trouble. It is a mother's gift to her distant offspring."

Flindra looked at it tenderly before she used it to hold her hair back from her face.

Kewero smiled. "Turn around, Flindra, I want to see you."

With a blush, she turned around slowly.

"Well, you look much more like a princess now. You have a regal bearing, which suits you well. While you are here, you will dress like a princess. You need to practice being one so you won't feel so lost when you do take your destined place."

"Thank you for letting me wear this gown - it is very beautiful."

"My dear, I'm not letting you wear anything. The dress is yours. Your mother left it for you. Let me show you your bedchamber and then I will teach you how to contact Dakra. Come."