The costs for the private baths was quite a bit higher then the few copper coins required for the public baths at one gold per person, but did mitigate the cost by coming with a personal attendant and a selection of soaps and oils as well as very finely made linen towels.  However the private baths were nothing like the large social gathering places above.  AS Miyuki and Dawn were led down underground to the personal bathing chambers they found themselves in an underground chamber, somewhat small, but very well lit with both mage lights as well as a few scented candles.  The room was immaculately cleaned, but still smelled ever so slightly of damp.  The servant assigned to them was a woman in her middle years, a freewoman  if miyuki had to guess based on the lack of collar about her neck.  She led them to a  room that bore four stone tubs, a neatly stacked pile of buckets, and a water pump much like Miyuki had seen in Jax's apartment.  There were shelves bearing a variety of towels and soaps and oils, and a screened off privy in one corner.  There were also hooks and shelves to hang belongings, the servant assured that she was bonded by the high lord protectorate herself to guard any belongings left in her care.  She showed them the number on the door, room one, and then asked for their preferred water temperature.  Then she offered to let them go use the exercise facilities above while she prepared the baths to their liking.  Miyuki saw metal rods attached to each tub that were much like the one she'd seen in Jax's bathroom, designed to heat water that they were placed into.  Though Miyuki had to appreciate the expert craftsmanship of these devices over Jax's, as instead of a wooden handle, each was encased in a wooden cage, to prevent accidentally touching the metal rod when it was hot.<br/><br/>Dawn gestured to the wooden chairs and admitted that she'd be just as happy to wait here and chat with Miyuki.  The serving woman nodded and got to work filling two tubs, submerging the heating rods in the water as she filled them.<strong> "This is all quite luxurious," Dawn said as she looked at the rack of soap and oils, "Still I fear that it's not the kind of thing I would be able to afford at a gold coin.  At least not until my slave contract is finished." </strong>When Miyuki showed curiosity about that, Dawn explained,<strong> "There are few slaves who die as such, and those are usually criminals who have committed a crime serious enough to warrant such a fate, but also not be judged to be a risk to those around them.  I know a slave laborer on the docks who, through drunken carelessness, caused an accident with a cask of oil that burned a ship to the beams, injuring two and killing one.  He was penitent of course, and absolutely at fault, but not a danger to anyone else over much.  He was sentenced to sixty years of slavery, and may never touch alcohol again.  He will likely not see freedom again in his life time.  But as for me, I was a poor farmer's daughter as a girl.  When an ankheg destroyed my family's farm, I was the only survivor.  I sold what little remained of my family's possessions but it was not enough to start a life, especially for a young girl not quite yet a woman.  So my money was deposited in a bank back in Malkin City until I came of age.  When I did however I knew that there was little opportunity for me there in the big city.  Thankfully I was pleasing of face, and signed a five year slave contract to master Kinni.  She paid for my passage to Laelith, and a set payment of one hundred gold coins at it's completion, as well as the option to continue working for her as a freewoman if I chose.  So in under three years I shall be free, have a rather sizable nest egg, and be living in Laelith.  A fair trade since prostitution was not a stipulation of my slave contract.  Twenty three is not so old that I will not have a problem finding a good husband I think."</strong><br/><br/>She smiled and sighed, her eyes taking on a dreamy look,<strong>"I fantasize sometimes about a wealthy adventurer returning from a mission out into the jungles with a treasure beyond compare who falls madly in love with me.  Silly I suppose, but I remain hopeful and my time as a slave in the Seven Hells tavern has not been too taxing.  The hours are long and seven days a week, but it is easier work then farmwork, I can tell you that."</strong><br/><br/>She looked at Miyuki quizzically,<strong>"You seem confused, do you not have slaves where you come from?"</strong>