The inquisitive look in Ainea's eyes made Paul grin. Their trip so far had been more or less without conversation, for both were inwardly focused in preparation for an extremely dangerous endeavor. But her expression was so intriguing that Paul had all he could do to keep from hugging her and kissing her, or laughing outright. She looked for all the world like a child who has had a favorite candy dangled just out of reach.
"Now ye shall see why I insisted that we must travel alone, my Lady. It is for protection of thy reputation, as ye shall see." He said no more on the matter for the moment, and Ainea stared at him with a bemused expression. She continued to look curious as the two of them unsaddled their horses and turned them out into the lush green grass of the little vale. Then Paul began to unload the pack horse. After it was turned out with the other two, he started sorting the contents of the large pack.
First he pulled out a smaller pack, one that he could carry on his back. Into that he loaded their food and water for the next several days, along with some simple essentials like soap and a skillet, a flint, and a small packet of dry tinder. In addition he packed in a little wooden box that made Ainea very curious as to its contents. To her inquiry, Paul simply responded "Ye shall see." That packed and closed, he then took up a large sail-cloth bag that had been treated with gypsum to make it waterproof. The pack went into this, and then he stood. Looking from the corners of his eyes at Ainea, he spoke quietly.
"Now, my Lady, we must undress, unless ye fancy wearing wet clothing in a cold, damp place." With that he began to shed his own attire, down to his undertrews. At first Ainea looked at him doubtfully, but as he divested himself of more and more of his clothes her face pinked and she turned her back. Once her bodice was unlaced and she had slipped out of it, she began on the dress proper. Reaching up her back for the laces of her dress, she found that she was not able to sort the ends. Paul noticed and grinned. Stepping closer he tugged the ties and the laces fell open. Ainea looked over her shoulder to thank him, and promptly turned quite pink. He was as close to naked as one remaining garment would allow. With another grin, he motioned her to continue and began to fold his own clothing and stuff it into the waterproof bag. Also in the bag went his sword and baldrick, along with the sgian dubh he had taken to wearing. Then he packed the sword and baldrick that Ainea thrust toward him.
At last he reached upward without looking and waited for Ainea to put her clothing into his hands. Night was falling quickly now, and he offered one word of encouragement. "Hurry." As soon as he had her clothing, he shoved it into the bag and pulled the ties tightly closed. As long as he kept the tied end downward, a little air inside the bag would keep out the water. Standing, he reached back and waited for Ainea to put her hand in his.
Then he stepped off and began to wade out into the small pool at the bottom of the little waterfall. ""Take a breath." Suddenly, he dropped straight down and the motion pulled Ainea under with him. Strong strokes of his legs took them a bit sideways, and their heads emerged into stale but breathable air. It was pitch black, but Paul seemed to know what he was doing. He let go of Ainea and took a couple of swimming strokes. Behind he could hear Ainea following, though perhaps somewhat tentatively. His feet struck the sandy bottom, and he waded out.
Immediately he sat on the dry sand and unlaced the waterproof bag. Pulling out the little wooden box, he opened it. From within shown a nearly blinding white light. It illuminated a small beach, a tunnel hewn in solid rock, and a man who looked even more closely naked. Before him, standing in the shallows, was Ainea. Her wet shift clung to her, quite revealingly.
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