The bandit queen known as Sabr tossed a dagger into the air, and caught it. She repeated the motion several times, then sheathed her weapon.
A peal of feminine laughter sounded in her ears, and Sabr cringed.
If she turned, she knew she would find her cousin and his wife. But she didn't want to turn.
She forced herself to keep her eyes on Solstar-set. She knew well enough when she had lost- or she did now- but there was no reason to grind salt into the wound.
The bandit queen had in truth gained more than she had lost over the war. However, her natural arrogance had led her to believe that she could have any man she want, and this theory had been proven wrong. And it stung.
It seemed selfish of her to be so hung up on one man, and she was aware that a good deal of the camp saw her that way.
She had been so absorbed in her own thoughts that Sabr didn't notice the other girl walking towards her.
"Sabr...?" Aeriel began uncertainly.
"Whatever you have to say, I do not wish to hear it." The bandit queen snapped, turning her head away.
"I have nothing against you." The other girl said quietly. "We are cousins through marriage, and I would like it if we could come to some sort of an understanding."
A harsh laugh escaped Sabr's throat. "Is it even possible for a sorceress to have family? Aside from those she has stolen?"
Aeriel stiffened considerably. "I am not a sorceress. I simply have very strange luck. And I never stole anyone- it is you who attempted to steal Irrylath from me!"
"HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN YOURS IN THE FIRST PLACE!" Sabr roared. All of a sudden, she realized with shame that she was acting like a spoiled baby.
The bandit queen hung her head in shame. "I am sorry," she said stiffly. "This war has taken its toll upon me, and I have not been as honorable as I should have perhaps been."
Sabr felt a slight stinging of guilt as she thought over her actions towards another woman's husband, but didn't allow herself to feel much more.
"You are forgiven," Aeriel said softly. "Let us speak of this no more."