The Kiva, Pueblo Bonito

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal did his best to conceal a smile. He hadn't even given the "grandfathers" water, and the poor lad was already sweating. Well, in for a penny.....

The firepit had been heating the lava rocks for most of the day, and had burned down to cherry red coals. Peeking from the coals were the porous lava rocks, glowing a slightly duller red.

Mal was about to reach for a long-handled ladle resting in a bucket of water near the pit, when another head emerged through the Kiva's entrance, followed immediately by the remainder of Pope Josh the Dill's limp flailing body.

He motioned to Peter, and they rushed to Josh's aid. Fortunately, the inebriated gent had not been injured by the fall. Moments later, they were helping an equally inebriated Van Mojo down the Kiva's ladder. Once the older Popes had been helped to the bench, Mal made sure the entrance above was sealed, and returned to the firepit.

With the two older and drunker Popes now present, Mal decided to be "gentle", filling the ladle only half-full with water. He poured the water over the rocks, and immediately a thick, intensely hot and suffocating cloud of steam filled the small Kiva.

"If you are having trouble breathing, or the heat is too intense, I suggest you lie down on the floor, until you become accustomed to it." The gasps, chokes, and moans subsided as the men gradually allowed the steam to permeate their lungs.

Mal applied another half-ladle of water, followed by a small sprinkle of ground sage and "sacramental alkyloids". The sweet odors joined that of the alcohol exuding from the pores of the older Popes.

The four men sat in meditative silence for an interminable period, allowing the steam to relax and purify their bodies. Eventually, Mal climbed the ladder and opened the Kiva's entrance, allowing the cooling steam to drift into the biodome above.

"Yep, sober as judges", Mal mused as he sat down again. Steam works wonders.

"Peter, I have something for you.. a little known work of the Prophet Hagbard, sometimes known as "Appendix Teth". Study it please, while I check on the results of our donkey race." He nodded towards the two older Popes.

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