After making Maxi lie on her stomach, Riftan calmly pulled out a cloth and waterskin from his bag. She watched in silent mortification as he soaked the linen and wiped her clammy legs, cooling her feverish skin.
After carefully wiping her thighs, calves, and the soles of her feet, Riftan picked up a vial of oil and uncorked it with his teeth. The slippery liquid made her toes curl as he pressed the center of her sole with his thumb. Then, he slowly began massaging her stiff calf. Maxi moaned at the sharp pain.
"I-It hurts…"
"If we do not alleviate your muscles now, you won't be able to move a finger in the morning."
Riftan ruthlessly loosened her stiff muscles, and Maxi groaned and buried her face in the blanket. The pain was so dizzying that it left her no time to feel embarrassed.
After sufficiently massaging both of her calves, Riftan poured the mint-scented oil on her thighs. She twisted away when she felt his firm hands run down her flushed, saddle-chafed skin.