"Adept Nicasi, why don't you use the baths tonight, free of charge. I'll have the nicest one ready for you." The mother of one of his patients from the town outside his Branch pressed a brass key into his hand. "This will let you in the back door. Just lock up again when you're done."
The woman ran an opulent bathhouse that Nicasi occasionally visited as a guilty pleasure whenever he'd stashed away enough of his stipend to afford it. As much as he appreciated her offer of a free visit, he didn't want preferential treatment.
He'd been so determined to earn his position within the Order not because of the things he'd gain, but because of the things he could give.
Nicasi handed the key back to her and shook his head. "No…it's really not necessary."
"But I want you to use it."
She forced the key back in his hand again. Her face shone with gratitude even though he really didn't do much more than give her son lotion and visit him a few times.
