Read Online 9: The Iron Temple by Ginn Hale - Free Book Online Page A

stared, aghast, at John’s groin.
    “Are you falling in love?” John asked, though he suspected he knew exactly what so horrified Pirr’tu.
    “Not with that ugly monster,” Pirr’tu responded. Then he demanded, “What happened to your foreskin?”
    Years before, John had answered the same question for Samsango and heard his response whispered among numerous other priests at Rathal’pesha for weeks after. But he couldn’t use the same answer. Saimura would know that descendants of Eastern families didn’t circumcise their sons.
    “It happened a long time ago. I’d rather not talk about it,” John said.
    “It was those bastard Payshmura, wasn’t it?” Pirr’tu asked quietly.
    John gave a noncommittal shrug.
    “Is there a scar?” Fenn stepped closer to John.
    “Not that you can see,” John replied.
    “I can’t believe you’ve never seen a peeled cock before,” Lafi’shir said to Pirr’tu. He rinsed the soap out of his hair.
    “You have?” Pirr’tu demanded.
    “They’re common enough in the south. The gaun’im there like their bodyguards and rashan’im peeled. Saimura’s seen a few.”
    Saimura nodded without much interest. He rinsed his chest and then his hair.
    “Why would anyone do that?” Pirr’tu looked almost stunned.
    “Proves they’re tough. It’s not any man who can just stand there while someone slices off his foreskin, is it?” Lafi’shir glanced briefly to John. Fenn looked horrified.
    “Bet you’re glad you weren’t picked to spy in the south, eh, Fenn?” Lafi’shir grinned. Fenn nodded.
    Lafi’shir strode to the big tub and tested the water with one hand. He stepped in and slowly lowered himself down into the water. Only his head and shoulders remained visible above the side of the big tub. A moment later Saimura and Pirr’tu joined him.
    John washed himself quickly. The scar where Ashan’ahma’s Silence Knife had speared through his chest was still pink and tender. John lathered the smell of tahldi and sweat off his body and hair. He rinsed himself, then climbed into the big tub.
    The hot water almost shocked him. His skin turned bright pink as he lowered himself to the wooden ledge in the tub. Pirr’tu dunked his head once quickly and wiped his face. Lafi’shir leaned back against the side of the tub and hung his head back. He closed his eyes and drew in slow, deep breaths. Fenn emulated Pirr’tu, dunking his head, but sputtered when he came up.
    “It’s salty,” Fenn said.
    “Yes. We’re washing in the water for tomorrow’s stew,” Saimura replied.
    “No we aren’t,” Fenn said.
    Saimura just laughed.
    Fenn splashed a little of the water at Saimura, but Saimura didn’t respond. He spread his arms out and leaned back into the water, floating just a little.
    The warm water lapped at John’s tired back and sore muscles. John relaxed against the side of the tub. Lafi’shir had the right idea. John wondered if he would fall asleep if he closed his eyes. He closed his eyes anyway.
    “This is nice,” Fenn murmured.
    Saimura agreed with a pleased sigh.
    John felt the currents of heat rolling through the salt-heavy water. Suddenly the water sloshed and dropped. John opened his eyes to see Lafi’shir stepping out of the tub.
    “That’s about enough for me.” Lafi’shir toweled himself off and then wrapped the towel around his waist. “I’m going up for the night. I’ll be in the eaves room if you need me. The rest of you have the smaller common room to yourselves.”
    Lafi’shir left a key with Saimura’s things and then after dressing let himself out. John stretched his legs out into the space Lafi’shir had vacated. The water was pleasantly buoyant.
    “You think gaun’im soak like this everyday?” Fenn asked.
    “I would if I was one of them,” Saimura replied. He dunked his head. When he came up his pale skin was bright red. His auburn hair curled slightly.
    John pulled himself under more slowly. The water’s salty flavor floated over