A short to get back into the rhythm of filling after all this time.

* * * *

A DEBT TO PAY

Athena dropped to one knee before Camilla, laying her sword on the ground, her eyes closed, still breathing hard after her victory.

The dark-haired Princess reached down to touch her face and get her to look up at her, saying, "Your performance has been exemplary, Athena. No survivors." She smiled. "The Summoner will be pleased, but ... she isn't here. Instead, I am pleased." That made Athena smile, too. "I understand that there's a tradition in your culture that involves ... service to another?"

"Yes," Athena replied. "You –" The word seemed a poor fit for her lips. "– have saved our life. Our life belongs to you. Because sword is life, our sword belongs to you. For you, we kill. We kill for Princess Camilla."

"Hmm. You may rise." The swordswoman complied. "Is combat the extent of your tradition, or is there ... more?" She stood close to her, but she did not flinch. "I once spoke to Prince Marth, and he suggested that —"

"Prince Marth is man," Athena said, "but Prince Marth has bride. For him, we can only kill. There is more to tradition." Camilla expected her to blush, but she did not. "If is wish of Princess Camilla, our body also belongs."

"In-ter-es-ting." Camilla looked her up and down. "For a woman, too?"

"Can be for man or for woman. Debt is debt." Athena inclined her head. "What is wish of Princess Camilla? We are willing to do all."

"All?" Camilla felt a familiar hunger stir in her belly – a hunger that reminded her of the day she first invited Beruka to her bed, the day that she convinced Selena to take down her hair and let herself be loved. But Athena was different from both of them. No reservations. No shyness. Only strength, pure and undiluted. "Come back to my tent, and we will talk."

Night fell as they returned to the Order of Heroes camp to regroup and discuss the next strategy, but Athena duly reported to the tent as soon as the meeting ended, her face unreadable, though also full of patience.

"Tell me what is taboo in your culture, Athena," Camilla said, closing the flap of the tent. "That is, what is forbidden for you in the bedroom."

"Murder," Athena replied, not missing a beat.

That made Camilla laugh. "I have no intention of killing you, or of asking you to kill me, but that's good to know. I mean other taboos."

"Conduct of warrior on battlefield is one thing," the swordswoman explained, "but, once battle is over, and warrior is home, conduct in bedroom is different thing." She nodded. "We have respect for Princess Camilla, who fights on front without fear and does not hide from enemy. In bedroom, we are willing to do anything Princess Camilla will wish."

Camilla thought about that for a second. "But what do you want to do?" She raised one hand. "And don't say what you want isn't important."

Athena sat cross-legged on the floor, looking up at the ceiling of the tent for a long moment before saying, "In cold season, we share body heat. Sign of trust. We will share body heat with Princess Camilla."

That sparked her interest. "Without clothes?"

Athena nodded. "Clothes defeat purpose."

"And ... if that leads to more?" Her eyes gleamed.

That made Athena shrug. "Is still sharing warmth. No objection."

"But I want you to enjoy it, not merely endure it."

It was the first time Camilla had seen Athena smile. "We did not say anything about not enjoying Princess Camilla." She pointed to the clasps on her armor. "We are curious to see if she has scars of battle."

And Camilla reached down to start undoing those clasps, grinning. "Oh, if you're curious, I'll be happy to show you each and every one."

It was the beginning of a peculiar – but very solid – relationship.

END.