The brazier threw its heat across the interior as the door closed, and the attendants were already moving. They had prepared before the army was visible on the east bank.
The hot water vessels stood near the brazier's edge, and the steam from the nearest one rose into the cold room's air as an attendant pulled a cloth from it and wrung it. Two others had the change of winter clothes set out on the low platform near the south wall. They worked without speaking between themselves.
Saran had settled on a low stool near the room's center with ease. One hand rested on her knee and she was watching the attendants organize themselves without offering direction, which meant they knew what to do.
The first cloth was hot enough to steam against Batu's face. The attendant working it moved through the campaign's exhaustion in order, across the face, the neck, the backs of his hands, and the forearms. He stood and let it happen.
