Nimue steadied herself by placing her palms on the broad chest and was amazed at how quickly his heart did beat.<br/><br/>"Yes, I will take you, when you have readied yourself." she said, simply and sashayed over to the springs. "I will rest here. Call me when you wish to go." Nimue knelt, her skirts spreading in a puddle around her. Dipping her hand in the water, she scooped some in the cup of her hand. She held it aloft and allowed it to cascade over her hand to splash back into the pool.<br/><br/>"I give back to the Mother what she so freely gives to us before I ease my own thirst," she explained over her shoulder. Her hair, black as night, fell into the water and she impatiently tossed back her head, gathering the curling mass in one hand while she sipped from the other.<br/><br/>The sun had once more come out, the clouds having scudded away and Nimue was warm inside her cape. She wiped her face with the cold water and turned back to see if Maric was ready.<br/><br/>"You say that all who serve the Man/God are not like the monks, but how dare the others defy their teachings if they seek favor with the Man/God. They interpret their sacred writings and give power to the law to enforce the words. Are you so bold and so sure that you could challenge them without them calling down the wrath of their Man/God to burn you in his hellfire? When I lived in the castle, I was required along with the other household staff to attend what they called Mass. There was no joy, no magic but much judgement and damnation. Fie, I much prefer the old gods. We laugh and dance around the fires. We have magic and understand the elements. Why have long faced, bald headed monks when you can have beautiful joyous women leading?"