Listening closely and watching Théadan’s facial expressions as he answered her questions allowed Baiza to gauge how much his companion truly meant to him. Osa had caused the Duchess to outright say her feelings for him, and while Théadan did not speak of it in the same well, she could tell it was love he felt. It sounded as though Navia had been a saving grace for him and it was a sentiment that brought a smile to her face. That Théadan had gone against his family and chose to leave with Navia, to make his home by her side instead of in his home country, was touching to Baiza. She had suspected the pair of them were very intimately close, but Théadan’s answers to her questions gave her a small glimpse into just how much. Hearing how Théadan considered Navia a guide and that they had given much to each other to reach where they were caused Baiza to briefly wonder if the Khluri duchess had found a<i>samava</i>in a Mes’Mo’Tanian prince. It was not for her to suggest however, and instead she smiled softly when Théadan finished his explanation.<br/><br/>“You are very fortuitous to have each other,” Baiza commented quietly. It gladdened her to know someone her friend held so dear to her heart had found another to go through life with and who would cherish her. “Yours will not be an easy relationship,” she pointed out despite her joy of knowing the duchess had found happiness in the man she spoke with, “I can see the trials you will face are not likely to come from between the two of you, but from others who view your relationship as wrong. I am sure you are aware there will be many who will not think it right the two of you are together, if you have not already come across such people.” Baiza hesitated a long beat, unsure if she should continue. It was not her place to do so, but she ha realized during the conversation she’d been having with Théadan that she liked him. He was Mes’Mo’Tanian yes, and the one responsible for the abduction of the<i>Sitvati</i>, but he was trying to atone for his sins and he had brought the duchess back to her homeland.<br/><br/>“Théadan, be cautious when in Mandira,” Baiza finally said, her dark eyes steady on his face, “The royal family has been known to turn its back on disappointments in the past. An example of such an occurrence is with the<i>Sitvati</i>now. Our king is also young and with that often comes impetuousness. I have not met him, but I have heard stories and I know his greatest friend was our fallen general. He may not take kindly to his cousin returning home with a member of his enemy’s royal family involved in the war.” With that warning in place, Baiza’s brisker demeanor returned and she gracefully rose to a stand. “Now we will remove the mud so you can see the healing quality it possesses,” she announced, turning to retrieve Théadan’s robe, “We must go to the shower room for you to wash it off, so you will put your robe back on and follow me into the hall through a door around the corner. We like for our patrons to track mud in specific areas so it will be easier to clean. Once you have showered, there will be a clean robe for you to wear back to your room.”<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>They had spent some time discussing everything she would need to do. Foods to eat, herbal teas to drink, how far along Osa thought Navia to be. With Navia having gone from thinking such a milestone would never be hers to enjoy to experiencing just that within moments, she had teared up a couple times, then eventually her emotions got the best of her and she ended up sitting on the massage table, baffled by the tears falling from her eyes. Eventually Osa brought her a small towel and Navia used it to dry her eyes while the elder woman gave her knee a couple small pats. Osa was a no-nonsense woman, not one prone to affection or trying to comfort another, so it had surprised Navia out of the tears.<br/><br/>Once she was more composed and able to leave the room without giving way the emotions she’d experienced, Navia knew she needed to express her gratitude to Osa for sharing in such a moment with her and finally giving her the results she had wanted so desperately years before. Now with Théadan, it was worlds better and she could not fully fathom how lucky she was. Osa waved her grateful words away though, instead catching Navia’s hand and turning it to inspect the scar above her wrist before guiding her fingers to extend so her palm was visible. “You were attacked,” she pointed out matter-of-factly, not even giving Navia a glance while her fingertips smoothed from wrist, to palm, to fingers, “Three times by the same warrior.” Then her gaze lifted and she tightened her hand on Navia’s wrist, “You must take care even in Khurios, for there is danger yet.”<br/><br/>Eyebrows drawing together, Navia glanced down to try to see what Osa had seen in her palm, “What kind of danger?”<br/><br/>“Bring your Mes’Mo’Tanian to visit me tomorrow night,” Osa said instead of answering, “I want to see his palm.”<br/><br/>Thinking of the scars covering much of Théadan’s palms and the lack of belief Mes’Mo’Tanians likely had in such arts, Navia hesitated, “Oh, I don’t think Théada—“<br/><br/>“Baiza will ask you to dine with her, so you may visit me after,” the wise woman interrupted while pushing the door open, “Now Jouri and I have scheduled massages, so be on your way, child.”<br/><br/>Once she had slipped out into the hall and Osa’s companion in red had entered the room, Navia debated what she needed to do. Théadan likely had more time with Baiza, so decided instead of joining them or waiting in the hallway, she could use the time to prepare for the evening. She had thought about asking Baiza to have a meal with them, but with Osa’s eerie ways, she knew they would eat with her the next night. Deciding she could surprise Théadan with a meal up in their room, Navia began down the hall as one of the doors further down opened and Baiza stepped out with a man following her. It was a different door than she had entered with Théadan and the man had darkly toned skin common amongst the Khluri, so Navia thought nothing of it until they went to pass each other. As they neared, a casual smile pulled at Navia’s dark lips and she gave the man a mere glance before she started to address Baiza, only for it to belatedly register in her mind.<i>Emerald eyes</i>. Navia gasped and looked back, her hand automatically reached out to grip his forearm as if she had to make sure it was really him beneath all the mud, “Théadan!” She got a handful of mud along with his warm skin though. A small laugh escaped her that she had thought him to be Khluri and she naturally stepped closer to him while turning to grin at Baiza, “I see you have been busy with him.” Her muddied hand carefully wiped itself clean on the side of Théadan’s robe so she wouldn’t muck up her own robe. His was already likely to be very muddy on the inside after all.<br/><br/>“We are on our way now to see how his shoulders have fared,” Baiza answered with a grin of her own, happy to see the petite duchess was satisfied with the treatment, “I shall go prepare his shower and give you two a moment alone.”<br/><br/>The instant Baiza walked away, Navia wanted to say it. She was brimming with the news, she wanted to tell every person she could find, but also knew she wanted the moment to be special. After all they had been through and how accepting Théadan knowing she could not have children, Navia knew they would need to celebrate together. Besides, her lover was standing before her covered in mud from head to toe, save for his pretty eyes and lips. There was a great amount of humor to be had from it. “I hope you have enjoyed playing in the mud,” she teased with a chuckle, stepping closer while she grinned up at her lover, “I’m going to figure out a meal for us, so come up to our room when you’re finished, okay?” Navia rose up onto her toes to be more level with him then, hand resting on Théadan’s clothed arm for balance, “Kiss before I go, but don’t you dare get any mud on me.”