"Mahjong." Proteus turned over his hand.

Xi raised an eyebrow impressed. "You just learned last night?"

Proteus smiled, "It's just beginners' luck."

"Three times in a row?" Xi eyed him.

Malakos looked delighted, "You've got a knack for this."

"Thank you." Proteus nodded, "Traea's a good teacher."

Traea pushed her tiles back into the middle. "I can't take credit for this."

"Any word from your escort yet?" Malakos asked pouring his daughter more tea.

"Not yet." Traea accepted the cup, "Shouldn't take more than a few days, if we're lucky they'll get here just as Proteus is fit to ride."

"You can always take some of the apprentices." Xi said holding her tea, "You really shouldn't be away from the palace for too long, and you can take the wagon if Proteus can't ride."

Traea shook her head, "Don't worry about it mom. We'll get back in due time." She turned to Malakos, "Did you finish the new bridge yet?"

"We had a hiccup with the stone shipment, but it'll be done in a week." He explained, "It's really something though, some of my best work if I do say so myself." He looked quite pleased, "This one should hold up to a flood and an earthquake."

Xi started washing the tiles, "It's really impressive dear."

"It's got arches!" Malakos said excitedly.

Xi nodded and looked at Malakos with something like adoration in her eyes. "Who doesn't love arches?" She turned. "Tell me Proteus." Xi said, "Is Traea still bad at getting along with the senators?

Proteus looked at Traea, "To be honest I'm not sure." He smiled, "She has a very strong personality."

Malakos snorted.

Traea glared at Proteus.

Proteus rubbed his neck, "In a good way."

"Mom, I'm fine in the palace. I'm polite." Traea started stacking the tiles.

"Have you made up with the senator of Cadanza yet?" Xi asked.

Traea prickled, "I am not making nice with that toad."

"You don't have to make nice." Xi pointed, "But you can't throw him into a river either."

"You threw him in a river?" Proteus asked.

"I did not." Traea said, "I just… mentioned that if he cut me off again, I would be inclined to throw him into a river."

Xi shook her head, "Traea, when will you learn that politics is just as important to being a general as fighting is." She admonished, "You do not want to fight an uphill battle when you're in need of help."

"I'm trying my best." Traea muttered, "But some of these nobles are impossible."

Malakos laughed, "Xi, Traea's always been too honest for politics you know that." Malakos lined up his tiles. "It's okay Traea, if you're honest and fair you will have allies that matter."

Xi shook her head. "If being honest and fair was all you needed we wouldn't be on the brink of war with Thrace."

"Trust is the basis of a real relationship, political relations built on self-interest will always crumble under pressure." Malakos pointed.

"It's unrealistic to expect idealistic consensus whenever you try to reach an agreement." Xi started picking up tiles from the middle, "Some people just have fundamentally different beliefs."

"But you shouldn't focus solely on surface relationships," Malakos discarded a tile, "An ally only in fair weather is not an ally."

Traea rolled her eyes, "They're at it again." She muttered.

"Papa! Papa!" Juniper ran up to Malakos, "I made you pie!"

Proteus looked over only to see Juniper plop a pile of mud sitting on a rock next to her dad.

Malakos smiled, "Thanks Juniper, it looks great."

"What are you doing?"

"We're playing Mahjong."

"Boring." Juniper wrinkled her nose, "I'll go make another one!" She raced off.

Chi peered over the table at the tiles "Can I watch?" Chi asked looking at Xi.

"Sure." Xi made room for Chi and he sat down watching his mother arrange tiles.

Malakos smiled and moved the stone and mud pie onto the ground.

Miki hung on to Traea's sleeve and climbed into her lap.

Traea raised her arm and Miki settled himself on her thighs. Traea smiled and rested her chin on top of his head enjoying how small and warm he was, she wouldn't be able to enjoy this forever.

The adults played while Chi and Miki watched with large eyes.

Midway through Naru hopped up next to Proteus and started picking his draw tiles for him.

Proteus was mildly impressed because she was giving him good ones.

Xi picked up a tile and explained something to Chi.

"Did the new kid settle in yet?" Traea asked. "Barroy was it?"

"He's taking to the training pretty well so far." Xi smiled, "He's certainly enthusiastic."

Malakos chuckled, "you can say that again."

"How about you dad? Any new students since I've been away?" Traea asked.

"No, I'm not as famous as your mother so we don't have people knocking on our door everyday begging to be my student." Malakos looked at his wife with a smile.

"It's not every day." Xi blushed and changed the subject, "Proteus are you excited to be going home soon?"

Proteus nodded, "I am. I'm sure my father must be eager for my return." He accepted a tile from Naru, "But I've really enjoyed my time here."

"You're free to come back whenever you want." Malakos smiled, "We'd love to have you."

Proteus smiled, "I'll really try my best." He glanced at Traea, "Maybe I'll tag along next time Traea comes home to visit."

"Are you sure?" Traea asked, "May I remind you how bad it was getting here?" She slid her tiles together with a clack.

"It wasn't that bad." Proteus assured her, "I'm sure next time you'll give me a blanket."

"Next time we won't be traveling incognito with bandits on our trail." Traea pointed, "I'll get you a pavilion and a travelling circus if you want it."

"That would be fun." Proteus smiled, "I guess it wouldn't have been so cold if I could start a fire by myself."

"You did your best."

"I tried for a whole hour and still couldn't get it going." Proteus cringed, "I thought I could figure it out by myself."

"I told you there's no trick to it, you just have to be persistent." Traea chuckled.

Proteus frowned, "I'm sure there's a technique I just haven't gotten it yet. You can get a fire going in ten minutes!"

"That's just practice." Traea explained.

"Which is why technique matters." Proteus pointed.

Malakos chuckled. "Traea's always been good at starting fires." Malakos smiled.

"Not always in the right place." Xi added.

Traea gasped, "I forgot about that." Traea's eyes widened. "I don't even know how that happened."

Xi grinned, "You don't know how you nearly burned down a forest? Tell that to the tree nymphs."

"You said that then too." Traea pointed, "I spent the rest of the day apologizing to every tree in the area."

Naru held out a cake to Proteus, "Haum, Haum." She moved her lips trying to get him to eat it.

"Thanks Naru." Proteus let her feed it to him.

"Traea!" Juniper slid a rock topped with mud and a flower onto the bench, "For you."

Traea smiled, "Thanks Juniper."

Miki tugged on Traea's hand "Do the thing."

Traea laughed and picked up a tile. "You guys ready?" She put Miki on the ground next to her.

All the kids watched her intensely.

Traea showed them the tile and put it in her other hand. The kids held their breath.

"Mahjong." She opened her fist and all the kids gasped when it was empty.

Proteus hid a smile.

Traea reached behind Miki's ear and pulled out the tile everyone was looking for. "There it is."

Miki's face lit up and the other kids screamed.

"Me next, me next!"

Traea smiled, "One more time." She performed the trick on Naru and the kids screamed.

"Traea, It's your turn." Malakos reminded his daughter.

"Sorry." Traea quickly drew a tile and filled it in her row, flicking the spare tile between her fingers to the astonishment of the children she discarded one from her hand.

Proteus picked it up and slotted it into his, "Pong." He turned three of his hand over right side up on the table with a satisfying clack.

"He's winning again." Xi warned the others drawing quickly, her hand movements elegant and refined as she slotted a tile into her hand.

"Aiya." Traea sighed.

The kids tried to grab the tile from her hand and it mysteriously disappeared.

Malakos picked up a new tile. "I don't think he'll be winning the game this time."

"What makes you say that Malakos?" Xi asked watching the table carefully.

Malakos pointed.

"Master Xi!" Dolos raced up to the pavilion.

Xi frowned, "What is it Dolos."

"It's an emergency! A minotaur attacked Reinan Village an hour ago!"

Xi and Traea both stood tipping their tiles over.

Miki startled, "Mom?"

Proteus picked Naru up she had started trembling, they weren't used to seeing their mother so agitated.

"Malakos, get the children inside." Xi gestured.

"Mom." Chi held her hand.

"Get your siblings inside Chi." Xi gently pushed the kid. "Go ahead."

Chi looked worried, his big eyes looking at his mother.

Traea smiled and ruffled their hair, "Don't worry kids, a Minotaur is a piece of cake compared to mom."

"I'm not worried!" Juniper pouted.

Proteus smiled, and Malakos chuckled.

"Let's go play inside." Chi picked up Miki and grabbed Juniper by the hand.

Malakos took Naru from Proteus, "I'll go tell the others." He said to Xi and kissed her on the cheek, "Be careful."

Once they were out of ear shot Xi turned to Dolos, "How many causalities?"

"Six injured, one casualty, two women were taken." Dolos said quickly. "What would you like us to do Master?"

Xi hesitated. She wasn't good with minotaur, an army she could do, but monsters were something else. Her worry was starting to spread to Dolos who had assumed his master infallible.

"I forgot how exciting being home is." Traea stretched, "Do you mind if I take this one mom?" She rested a hand on her hip, "It's been a while since I've hunted a Minotaur."

Xi visibly relaxed, "If you really want to."

"Sounds fun." Traea grinned, "It'll be nice to not have to deal with sea monsters, right Proteus?"

Proteus chuckled, "Are you sick of them already Traea?"

"Who's fault do you think that is?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Naysir's going to yell at you." Proteus warned.

"It'll be a secret mission then. Nobody tell her and nobody will get hurt." Traea nodded, "Doro round up six of the best spear men we have. And a couple of the hunting dogs." She looked at her mother.

"Seyyal's guards are still around." Xi added.

"They'll do." Traea smirked, "We'll move out in twenty minutes."

Doro nodded and ran off.

Proteus watched Traea, she took to the situation like a fish to water.

Xi crossed her arms, "I'll call in everyone from the fields for now. Set up a perimeter just in case." She looked at her daughter, "You sure your shoulder will be fine?"

Traea grinned, "Of course mum. I can beat a minotaur in my sleep by now."

Xi smacked Traea, "Don't get cocky brat."

Traea rubbed her head, "Yeah. Yeah. I hear ya." Traea turned to Proteus, "You stay here Proteus."

Proteus nearly protested but then remembered his leg.

Traea winked, "Don't worry I won't leave you to these mad men for too long."

"Who are you calling mad men. I raised you." Xi shook her head.

Traea made a face at her mother, "Yeah, You raised me weird." She put a hand on Proteus's arm, "I'll be back soon Proteus. Keep the kids occupied until then."

Xi snorted, "He'd have a better chance of beating a minotaur with a toothpick."

"Don't I know it." Traea grinned. "Seriously," She put a hand on his shoulder, "Good luck Proteus." She said solemnly.

"I should be telling you that." Proteus gripped her arm. "Be safe."

"Save some dinner for me!" she called running off, "I mean it! I'll be hungry!"

They both watched her go.

"Are you worried?" Proteus asked Xi.

"About Traea?" The older woman smirked, "Never."

Traea pat Qaiwun's neck, he was quickly becoming her favorite horse. She looked at the spread of warriors behind her. Five out of the seven were from Seyyal's guards, which meant her former soldiers, the other two were Xi's advanced students. Each carried a spear, one had a bow in addition, the others had swords. The dogs were eager and ran around Traea's legs excited.

Traea checked her equipment one last time, spear, sword, her leather jerkin was laced up. She turned to the men, "Alright everyone this is a retrieval mission, first objective is to rescue any captured civilians. Second is to kill the minotaur."

"Yes sir!" The veterans saluted, the action ingrained into them from Traea's drills.

"Traea! Traea!" A'anun and Cordelia ran up to the horse who looked at the small children faintly amused.

Traea turned, "Hey guys." She smiled.

"Are you going to hunt down a minotaur?"

Traea raised an eyebrow, "News travels fast."

A'anun nodded, "We wanna come!"

Cordelia jumped up and down eager, a tiny staff clutched in her hand.

Traea smiled and kneeled down to be at their level, "You know I can't let you come."

"Please!" A'anun begged, "We'll be good! We'll stay out of the way!"

"It's dangerous kiddo. Minotaur are nothing to take lightly." Traea gently explained putting a hand on both their heads, "You guys stay here."

"But you'll be there! And nothing's dangerous with you!" Cordelia pouted.

Traea laughed out loud, "you sure know how to flatter me don't you, you little rascals!" She rubbed Cordelia's hair.

A'anun pushed Traea's hand away, "So we can go?"

"Nope!" Traea grinned.

"Whaat? Why not?"

"Once I come back you'll hear about it." Traea chuckled. "Now go back inside, I bet if you ask Proteus really nice he'll let you play with him."

Cordelia perked up, "Really?"

"Yep. But you gotta hurry or someone else will get him."

A'anun and Cordelia ran to the backyard as fast as their legs could carry them.

Karos, the head of the guard came up behind Traea, "I can't believe you got rid of them that easy."

"Proteus makes a pretty good incentive." Traea put her hands on her hips, "We ready to go?"

"Ready when you are general." Karos nodded.

Traea rolled her eyes, "I'm not your general anymore."

Karos shrugged, "You'll always be my general sir."

"You're retired Karos, enjoy it for the both of us." Traea sighed, "Alright, Mount up!" She swung up into the saddle and Qawiun adjusted to her weight easily. The rest of the party followed suit. Traea grinned, "Let's go monster hunting boys."

The party rode out to the west. It took about an hour of relatively hard riding to get close to Barut. Once they arrived the villagers pointed them in the direction the minotaur had escaped. Traea sent the dogs ahead, they would sniff out the minotaur before the party could see it.

The dogs entered the forest and Traea frowned, maneuverability was going to be tough. "Everyone dismount, we're going in on foot. Stay within eye sight of each other." She ordered, "Spears out."

The men quickly dismounted and got their spears at the ready. They tied the horses to the trees outside and went in.

Luckily beyond the first initial brush the forest was relatively clear. Traea was in the center and they spread out in a U-shape alert for any signs of the minotaur. The dogs continued to sniff with their noses to the ground. The men walked silently alert and ready.

Doro held up a hand and pointed to show he had found tracks. The party shifted and started following the clear signs of a large something barreling through the forest. Traea saw the gouges on trees and trampled undergrowth, it was hard to believe something could cause so much damage. The dogs suddenly started to back up and Traea held up a hand to stop the group. They all halted, with care Traea crept forward and peeked through the next wall of bushes. A minotaur was resting in a little glade in a small open spot in the forest. Traea looked around for the women. She couldn't see them, they weren't in the glade. It was hard to tell because the beast was lying down, but it was nearly eight feet long and it's horns looked like they could pierce through metal.

Traea made a little circling motion with her hand and the other six slowly crept around the clearing to surround the beast. The dogs were nearly growling now eyes focused on the minotaur, except one who had his nose still fixated on the ground. Traea saw that the men had all gotten into position. With another signal they started to close in tightening the net around the monster. Traea maneuvered through the bush and watched the minotaur, intently watching for any signs that it had caught onto them. One of the men must've made a noise or the minotaur probably caught their sent when it jerked awake and let out a roar. It hulked onto its feet, all eight feet of it rising from the ground and glared at the spears surrounding it.

"Move in." Traea ordered and they closed in on the Minotaur surrounded by a bristling wall of spears. It roared and tried to break through the circle where Karos was and he dug his feet in and held his ground. The minotaur screamed in outrage.

With it's back to Doro, the large student stabbed his spear into its back.

The minotaur roared swiveling around foaming at the mouth. Just as it did, another veteran stabbed it in the side leading to a new gush of blood.

Everyone was careful to maintain the distance between them, one wrong move and the minotaur would be able to break through a weak point.

"Carefully now." Traea warned, "We don't want dead heroes."

Two more stabs and the Minotaur staggered to its knees barely strong enough to stay upright. It's blood staining the grass. Traea grimaced and aimed a thrust at the thing's neck.

It managed to jerk out of the way so she only sliced its shoulder. Traea pulled back and waited patiently for an opening. The creature heaved, giant lungs expanding and contracting. The general watched the creature carefully, she had done this a million times, but that was no excuse for complacency.

Suddenly a shrill scream erupted from the trees to the right.

Traea took a quick glance in that direction. The women must be in that direction.

"Focus!" Doro shouted pulling everyone's attention back to the problem at hand. "Finish this one first!"

The last veteran grimaced and struck the minotaur in the chest with his spear. The minotaur screamed thrashing, but the man hung on driving the spear home with a grunt. The Minotaur roared one last time before falling over, twitching out its last moments.

Traea straightened and held her spear up, Minotaur were such ugly brutish things, barely smarter than bulls and just as strong. They were a nightmare to deal with without the proper arms and numbers. They also had the worst trait of carrying off and raping women as their one sole purpose. Traea hated these kinds of monsters the most.

"Good job guys." Traea pushed her hair back, "Make sure that things dead and then we'll go rescue the girls."

The veteran who made the kill, Liam, tried to pull his spear from the minotaur's body. Frowning at the blood-soaked ground and the smell.

One of the dogs started barking at a patch of the woods. Traea instantly whipped around.

"Nice shot Liam." Karos said.

The man nodded, "Thanks. It's been a while, I was afraid I'd gotten rusty."

Traea sprinted over, "Out of the way!" She tackled Liam and they rolled just as another minotaur burst out from the brush and nearly impaled the former soldier on it's horns.

"Spears up! Reform!" Traea shouted as she pulled Liam to his feet. She shoved her spear into his hand as his was now in splinters shattered by the minotaur.

They formed a clump of sorts as the second minotaur reeled around practically steaming.

The dogs barked at it and baited it in different directions by leaping in and out of it's range.

"Of-fucking-course there's another one." Traea growled, "Why do the gods hate me?"

"Uh-" Beam pointed, "General."

Traea groaned, "Don't tell me."

"Over there."

A third Minotaur moved through the brush, it's fur darker than the other two.

Traea drew her sword and cursed, "Just my fucking luck."

The third one was trying to circle them. Hoping to trap the group between them.

Traea growled, "As if I'd make it that easy. Don't be caught on your heels boys!" She carefully maneuvered the group, "We've got another one." Her mind racing, creating and discarding scenarios and ideas with practiced ease. She was all too used to sudden changes to her expectations.

"What's the plan general?" Karos asked.

"I'm working on it." Traea clenched her jaw, she'd never dealt with more than minotaur at a time, they were never seen together.

She kept her eyes on both the minotaur trying to see what they would do. The beasts with their small black eyes watched them as predators watch their prey. Their human chests heaved and their hooves crushed shrubs under foot. The smell was overpowering, the worst part of an animal, the worst part of a human, heavy and feral.

Without a signal both beasts charged forward.

"Hold you're ground!" Traea shouted.

The group put up their spears in unison confronting the two minotaur with grim determination.

Traea leapt in at the one on the left and let out a yell almost as loud as the minotaur's.

She twisted out of the way of its horns and sliced it along the side. The minotaur screamed and stumbled bleeding now. Traea cursed, Its fur was thicker than she thought.

"Traea!"

Traea turned and rolled out of the way as the other Minotaur ran toward her from behind. It crashed into a tree dazed for a moment. Traea quickly got to her feet and faced the two minotaur, "You guys okay?" Traea did a quick glance at them, nobody was hurt yet. Traea readied her sword grey eyes sharp on the two beasts lumbering back their way. Traea quickly looked around, she saw a slight rise in the ground to the east. "Move to higher ground." She ordered with a point in the right direction. "I'll take rear guard."

The group started shifting that way as Traea and the dogs kept the Minotaur distracted.

Traea baited one of the beasts, the one she had sliced earlier, the wound was bleeding sluggishly. She wanted to finish off one of them quickly, it would eliminate variables. It swiped at her but it was moving slowly so she easily stepped out of the way.

The party now had their back to a shallow hill and proceeded to back up to the top.

Traea whistled for the dogs and they moved nearer to the hill themselves. Seeing the men in position Traea picked up a decent sized rock.

"Brace!" She shouted and chucked the rock at the injured Minotaur. The rock smacked the minotaur's head and it roared shaking it's massive head and charged. Traea threw herself out of the way as four spears hit the second Minotaur. It screamed enraged and shook spears sticking out of it's arms and chest like a porcupine. The men tried to hold on as it bucked and roared. Traea kept her eyes on the other once that paced around.

"Eyes up!" She shouted.

The stuck one screamed and tossing it's head Karos was sent flying and he hit a tree. The minotaur stalked toward the stunned veteran and two other spears stepped in front of him. The dogs doing their best by biting at the beast's haunches.

"Bring it down!" Doro yelled pulling out his sword.

Traea stayed alert watching the situation, most of her attention focused on the second one who seemed unsure about charging. There was something a little too calculating in its eyes. It ignored most of the action, it's partner bleeding out and struggling and instead keenly observed the general who was ready for its attack. It's beady eyes were too sharp. It kept its arms low to the ground looking like it was ready to charge at any moment. Traea narrowed her eyes, she did not like this one.

Suddenly the Minotaur brought back it's arm and Traea's eyes widened, it had been picking up rocks. The general raised her sword just in time and a rock the size of her fist clanged off the metal so hard it made her stumble. Two more came rocketing for her and Traea just managed to dodge them. When had the Minotaur learned that? They weren't supposed to be this smart. It threw three more and luckily Traea was ready for it this time and she blocked two, but one sailed past her.

"Doro! Watch out!" She shouted.

The minotaur was grinning, it wasn't supposed to be able to do that either.

The rock struck the apprentice at the back of his head and he instantly dropped. The lighter colored stuck minotaur snarled and dove at the downed apprentice ready to crush him under foot, new wounds leaking blood into it's fur.

Traea cursed and diving in first pulled the huge man out of the way. She stumbled over a rock and they slid down the hill. Traea protected Doro's head and they finally rolled to a stop. She turned him over, Please don't be dead.

"Traea!"

Traea looked up and barely managed to shove Doro out of the way as the uninjured Minotaur snatched her into the air. Traea gasped as it squeezed her ribs. It slammed her into the ground and Traea felt the breath leave her in a whoosh.

The monster grinned again which looked unnatural on its face. It's bulls mouth pulling up at the edges uncomfortably.

"Traea!" Her friends yelled but the injured minotaur cut them off from her as it raged and her soldiers had to skid to avoid getting impaled.

Traea's vision was swimming. She kicked upward, but the huge body absorbed her kick with barely a flinch. The minotaur squeezed her harder to stop her struggling. Traea gasped trying to pull in a breath. The monster's eyes seemed to enjoy watching her struggle. Something like alarm spiked within the general hot and heavy in her stomach.

One of the dogs howled and leapt burying it's jaws in the minotaur's arm.

Traea took in a deep breath as the hand crushing her shifted just enough. "Melon! Let go!"

The dog snarled and hung on as the Minotaur tried to shake the persistent dog off.

"Melon!" Traea yelled.

The minotaur flung the dog off and melon hit the ground next to Doro. Traea heard the dog squeak as it hit the ground and she resumed her struggling with a yell. She wouldn't let a monster get away with hurting her dog. She tried to free her arm holding her sword but the beast squeezed once more and she felt her ribs protest. "You hurt my dog!"

Traea growled and kicked upward again, getting in a good one in a particularly soft spot.

The minotaur roared and gripped her kicking leg, drool hitting her cheek. Traea winced as it's too tight grip made her bones creak. It pushed her legs open and the look in its eye was entirely predatory. Traea drew in a sharp breath. Fuck, this isn't good.

Traea heard a sharp thrum and whistle. Suddenly from the forest an arrow struck the minotaur in the neck with a loud thunk. It screamed swaying with the impact lifting its hand for a moment. That's all she needed. Traea picked up her sword with her freed left arm. With a yell she thrust it up into the beast's chest. It stabbed through muscle and sinew and the beast shuddered. Traea grimaced as the blood splattered on her and the Minotaur froze. It's eyes rolled up and it collapsed onto the ground with a crash. Traea still under it.

Karos finally dealt the last blow to the injured minotaur a clean cut through it's neck. It's death throws uprooted bushes and saplings, but he ignored it dodging clumps of dirt and branches. He leapt over the beast as it sank into the ground with a sigh. "Traea!" He shouted. "Traea!"

The downed minotaur shifted and the guard flinched. Was it still alive?

Traea popped out from underneath the beast's shoulder with a gasp. Karos nearly sank to the ground with relief.

Traea slid out the rest of the way and shoved the minotaur aside, "Gods that thing reeks." She sighed.

Koros ran over to help, "Are you okay Traea?"

Traea levered herself up on her sword, "I'm fine." She took a deep breath and got to her feet, and then looked up seeing his face drawn and pale, "-I'm fine." She poked her former soldier. Traea saw the other dead minotaur, a huge mound of fur and blood spears sticking out of it's body. "Nice work."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Traea grinned, "Just a little banged up." She flicked her sword, the blood spraying into the grass.

Half of the veterans ran over to check on their general. Traea grinned and assured them she was okay. "Wait. Where's Doro?" She said in sudden fear.

Turns out Doro was okay, He waved at her from the back, hand holding his head. Melon was fine too which was lucky. The dog pranced around Doro's feet.

Traea sighed, "Don't scare me like that."

Doro bowed with a wince, "Sorry Traea."

Traea caught her breath, "Alright, salvage what you can and let's go find those girls."

The group quickly got ready picking up spears that weren't broken, they also severed the minotaur's heads just in case.

The dogs seemed to be relaxed, tongues lolling and tails wagging, Traea took that as a good sign.

As they gathered themselves Traea turned to the forest, "Come on out!" She shouted to the trees. "I know you're there."

Half of the men looked over curiously.

Traea put her hands on her hips waiting.

There was a small rustle from above and a young man dropped from a tree. It was the archer bandit from earlier, the one who had shot Traea in the shoulder.

The men behind Traea looked mildly surprised.

"hello again." Traea smiled. "It's a little dangerous to be here on your own."

The archer frowned, "It's dangerous for me?" His blue eyes flashed, "You're lucky I was around, you almost died." The young man pointed.

Traea smiled, "Yes, I'm very lucky." She picked up the arrow protruding from the minotaur's neck, "But it you're going to hunt minotaur you should use a heavier arrow head, this one will barely make it past their fur."

The young man snatched the arrow out of her hand. "I know." He looked at Traea eyes calculating, her clothing was ripped and she was banged up and yet she didn't seem scared in the slightest, "Why aren't you more afraid, you know what minotaur do right?"

Traea shrugged, "Yeah. That's why I'm here to stop it." She grinned, "Why are you here?"

The former bandit frowned, "I just happened to be in the area."

"Are you here to capture me?"

"No." The archer looked away, "I'm not doing that anymore."

Traea beamed, "That's great! That means we can work together."

The man protested and what came out of his mouth wasn't the first thing that he wanted to come out, "I shot you!"

"And you saved my butt. That makes us even." Traea turned and put a hand on the archer's shoulder, "Hey everyone! Meet the kid who shot me!"

All the veterans waved and greeted the confused young man.

Koros grinned, "Nice shot kid."

"Do better next time!" Liam shouted.

Everyone laughed.

"What's your name?" Traea asked.

"Lauren." The man answered.

"I'm Traea." Traea shook his hand, "Do you happen to know where the captured civilians are?"

Lauren pointed, "The minotaur all seemed to come from that direction."

"I see." Traea nodded, "If you don't have anywhere better to be you should come with us. We might need a good shot." Traea stepped over a bloody patch of grass. "I'll treat you to some dinner if you do."

The archer just sighed and followed after the enigmatic general, she didn't seem to want to take his head for shooting her so he took that as a good sign. The group set out deeper into the forest. It was easy to see where the minotaur walked, the trampled grasses and shrubs easily outlining the way.

Koros walked next to the general, "Traea, I've never heard of minotaur in a group before."

Traea glanced at Koros, "Me either. It's worrying. And the one that nearly got me was," Intelligent. "smarter than I thought minotaur could be."

Koros frowned, "What does this mean general?"

Traea shook her head, "We'll have to be more careful from now on."

Lauren appeared next them, "Are you guys talking about the Minotaur?"

Koros jumped, "Jeez, kid. Don't you make any noise?"

"No."

"Have you seen minotaur in groups before Lauren?" Traea asked.

Lauren blinked, "I've never seen a minotaur before."

"Figures. Well it's rare for them to be in groups, I've never even heard of it before. They're solitary creatures." Traea sighed, "I hope there's no more. I'm getting tired." She yawned.

Lauren watched the general, "Do you fight them a lot?"

"Enough." Traea answered and looked at the young archer, "If you don't want to fight you can leave. I won't hold it against you."

"I think sticking around you is safer." Laruen said.

"Smart kid." Koros smirked.

Traea nodded, "I hope you don't hold any grudges."

"Why would I?"

"Well…" Traea adjusted the sword on her belt, "I killed your friends."

The archer made a face, "they weren't my friends."

Karos watched the archer carefully.

Traea shrugged, "Well, you called me a monster."

"You took down four bandits by yourself."

Traea laughed, "I guess you have a point there."

Karos signaled to Traea and fell back in line behind her.

Traea smiled, "Do you have other questions Lauren?"

Lauren gripped his bow, "Why didn't you kill me?" He was so confused, he had wandered around confused for days. Now here he was walking amicably next to a woman who was neither scared, nor worried, who shrugged off getting shot and shrugged off minotaur like it was no problem.

"Hm." Traea wondered, "I didn't need to."

Lauren clenched his jaw, is it just luck I'm alive?

"You seemed like a good kid. And Proteus asked me not to." She shrugged, "What other reason would I need?"

Oh, she's just nice.

The dogs all startled and looked up.

Traea saw a small overhang of rock with half of it out of view. "You guys stay on alert I'm going to scout."

"You're going to scout?" Lauren asked. "I can go. I can shoot it from farther away."

Traea shook her head, "I smell like a minotaur it won't catch my scent if there is one." Without another word Traea drew her sword and crept out of the bushes and went to the rock.

She peeked around and much to her displeasure there was one minotaur with it's back to her. It was snuffling and it didn't seem to notice her. Traea held up one finger to signal to the others. She gripped her sword as the others got into position. Then the beast shifted and what Traea saw made her blood run cold.

Without hesitating she dashed around the rock. Running up quickly behind the monster, silent as a shadow she leapt into the air with her raised sword. The minotaur didn't even get the chance to turn around. The general cleaved through it's neck with one swing. The severed head slid off the body and hit the ground as she landed. A second later the body hit the stone floor with a loud thud. Traea looked down and saw the body of a girl. Her stomach torn open entrails spilling everywhere. One of her legs was gone, probably eaten.

Little breathes hiccupped on blood and the girl looked up at Traea, big blue eyes still calling for help. She was clinging to life by a thread. There would be no way to save her.

Traea kneeled down and touched the girl's cheek, "I'm sorry." She gripped the girl's hand which twitched, "Rest now, you have been avenged."

The girl let out one last sigh and her eyes clouded in death.

Traea bowed her head and then closed the girls eyes and crossed the girl's hands over her chest. After a moment the general took off her tattered robe and covered the bottom half of the girl. This way she almost looked like she was sleeping.

"Traea. What?" The guards ran in and stopped seeing the carnage.

"Check the rest of the area for survivors and bodies." Traea stood and faced the group, grey eyes indescribable. "Build some stretchers we're bringing these people home."

Lauren looked at the dead minotaur, it's head severed cleanly from it's body, blood still pumping out of it's neck. The archer wondered not for the first time how strong Traea really was.

They didn't find anyone alive. There were four bodies in total. They put them on stretchers and carried them out of the forest and then delivered them back to the village.

Traea's stone face only melted talking to the villagers who needed to see her soft smile. She told them where to find the bodies of the minotaur and who she was in case they needed help again. Traea bowed her head at each of the bodies and then mounted back up on Qawiun.

The people in the village thanked the group, mostly staring at Traea her stone face, the eye drawn to the strong figure against the fading of the light, grey eyes gleaming, the weight of responsibility heavy across strong shoulders. Traea bowed one last time expressing sorrow in her posture rather than her words before the party rode out. It was getting late. Traea knew that riding in the dark wasn't the safest plan, but if they rode fast enough they would get back before the sunset, besides she wanted to be home. It was a quiet ride back, they were all tired from fighting, and tired of carrying dead innocents, it never got any easier. Finally, they rode into the small collection of buildings where a couple of students and guards were waiting for them.

"By the gods, what happened?" Marlo stepped forward and started inspecting Doro's head. "You guys look awful!"

Traea laughed, "Don't rub it in Marlo." She turned, "Hey Bun-yin. Can you set up Lauren a room in the dorm? He'll be staying here tonight."

Aaron looked at them, blood splattered and dirty, "You guys are late, we were getting worried."

"There were four Minotaur." Doro grimaced.

"FOUR?"

The welcome home party burst out into nervous chatter.

"How did you guys manage four? You can barely manage one with seven."

"A lot of luck." Traea said tiredly, "Is there food? I'm starving."

Lila stepped out from the darkness of the house, "Yes, there's some leftovers."

Someone lit some lamps as the sun set over the horizon.

Traea stepped into the house, "Great. Come on boys, let's eat. You to Lauren." She put a hand on Pierre's shoulder, "Thanks for waiting for us, now go to sleep."

They all trooped their way to the dining hall, dirty and exhausted. Xi was waiting for them arms crossed.

"Sì?" Was all she said and Traea stopped. Four?

The rest filed away knowing better than to intrude between mother and daughter.

Traea faced her mother.

Xi immediately enveloped her daughter in a hug. "Fāshēngle shénme" What happened?

"I couldn't save them." Traea mumbled into her mom's shoulder. "I was too late."

"You did your best honey." Xi pet her daughter's hair.

After taking a calming breath smelling jasmine and warm linen Traea pulled away, "I've never seen them work as a group before."

Xi let her daughter go but keeping a hand on her neck, "We'll have to be extra careful."

"It was so stupid of me not to consider it."

Xi soothed Traea, "It's not your fault. We didn't know."

Traea saw the blood on her hands, "We were lucky. One wrong move and we'd all be dead." She sighed, "Things are just getting more and more complicated."

Xi smiled, "You did good Traea. Thank you." Xi's hands weren't trembling but her face was fragile for once. She didn't do well with minotaur.

Traea smiled, "I'm better at monsters than you are anyways." She grinned, "Leave it to me." She looked around, "Where are the kids? I thought for sure they'd still be up."

Xi smiled, "Ah, well you can thank Proteus for that. He worked very hard to tire them out." Xi led Traea over to the living room couch.

Proteus was sprawled out on the couch with Miki curled up on his chest and Kosey tucked into his side. Both were snoring completely exhausted. On the floor a few of the kids were snoozing like they had just dropped where they stood.

Xi peered at the sleeping prince passed out on her couch. Kosey had his thumb stuck in his mouth, Proteus's arms falling loosely around the kid. Miki sleeping peacefully, rising up and down softly with Proteus's breathing.

Traea smiled down at the Prince. How sweet. "This is far more impressive than taking down four minotaur."

Xi smirked, "Not bad."

Traea watched the kids sleep with a soft smile on her face. Proteus was even more handsome when he slept, and infinitely more handsome with two kids tucked under his chin. It should've been illegal to see the prince like this, unguarded and soft. It felt too private to know, the last bit of privacy the prince had. But Traea absorbed the sight anyways.

"I should hire him as a baby sitter." Xi said almost to herself.

Traea nodded slightly, unable to look away. Eventually she reached out and touched Proteus's cheek feeling his skin under her fingers.

Proteus twitched and slowly opened his eyes. His eyes snapped open and he looked up at Traea, "You're back." He whispered slightly surprised.

Traea nodded, "I'm sorry I woke you."

"No. Thank you. I-" He looked down at the kids, "Well… How'd it go?" He looked back up at her realizing he wouldn't be able to move for the night.

"Everyone's in one piece." Traea assured him, "Thanks for looking after the kids."

Proteus smiled, "It's no trouble. We came up with a new way to play tag."

Traea chuckled, "You didn't have to take me so seriously."

"You were off fighting, it'd be a disservice to not take my assignment seriously." Proteus said. He finally got a good look at her, "You look a little banged up." Mud smudging her skin, blood staining her knees and a look of weariness that he wished he could rub away.

"I'm fine." Traea kneeled down next to the couch so the prince didn't have crane his neck back. "I'm impressed you got the kids to sleep."

"What can I say. I'm a genius." Proteus grinned. His stomach suddenly growled.

"A genius who forgot to eat." Xi appeared from behind the couch. She bent over and picked Miki off his chest, "Get some food Proteus."

"Thanks." He continued to whisper.

"We'll talk tomorrow Traea." Xi carried the kid upstairs.

Proteus looked at Traea and carefully extracted himself from around Kosey with a flexibility someone his height shouldn't have.

Traea and Proteus crept away to the dining hall where the members of the party were gathered around a table quietly. Marlo was busily attaching bandages to someone's arm as they ate in exhausted silence.

"Is there any left for us?" Traea asked cheerily.

All the men looked up to see the Prince smiling at them. One of the guys actually choked.

"Your highness!"

Proteus waved, "Hi everyone!"

Traea washed her hands and plopped down next to Lauren. "Scoot scoot."

Proteus sat down next to her and smiled, "Sorry to interrupt."

Everyone greeted Proteus their spirits automatically lifted at seeing the prince's face.

Traea grabbed a bowl of rice, "Oh, Proteus. This is Lauren, he helped kill one of the minotaur." Traea pointed, cheeks already full of roasted peppers, "He's the archer that shot us the other day."

Proteus looked at the young man who seemed suddenly nervous, "Nice to see you again." Proteus greeted warmly. If Traea said he was fine, he was fine. "You're a terrific shot."

"T-thanks." Lauren colored, suddenly confronted by six feet of charming prince. "I'm sorry about shooting you."

Proteus shrugged, "It's fine. Don't worry about it." He put some fish in his bowl. "How far away were you when you made that anyways?" He asked curious. He hadn't been able to see the young man at all.

"Maybe two-hundred yards?" Lauren said unsure.

"Woooooow." Traea elongated her surprise in vowels. "That's a pretty sweet shot." She ate some more. "Can you guys believe this?"

"He better not try that again with Proteus." Karos said threateningly.

"Yeah Lauren, we got our eye on you."

Traea protested, "Hey! You didn't threaten him when I got shot!"

"It's Proteus." Karos said like it was obvious, and it was.

Traea stood angrily, "Hey! I trained you Karos, you could care a little."

"You're like a cockroach Traea. We don't need to worry." Beam said innocently.

"Who's a cockroach?" Traea asked offended.

Proteus pulled Traea back into her seat and put some food in her bowl, sufficiently distracting her.

Traea angrily chomped on her food while Proteus soothed her temper. Eventually he turned to the others, "So what happened? You guys look pretty beat up."

Doro sighed, "There were four minotaur."

"Four?" Proteus asked confused, "I've never heard of them forming groups."

"Us either." Traea sighed. "Talk about a surprise." She gestured, "And one of them started throwing rocks."

"That's how I got this." Doro pointed to the back of his bandaged head.

Marlo smacked Doro's hand, "Don't poke it."

"Are you okay?" Proteus asked.

"I'm okay." Doro assured the prince. "But boy was it a surprise. I didn't know Minotaur did that sort of thing."

"I think he learned it from you Traea." Karos pointed.

Traea wrinkled her nose, "I was thinking so, but they're not supposed to be able to learn things like that." She shrugged, "Then again, a lot of things happened today that weren't supposed to." She rubbed her neck where it was sore.

"So you're saying that Doro's head is Traea's fault?" Beam pointed.

"I protected his head while we rolled down that hill, thank you very much." Traea pointed out.

"Wait. What happened?" Proteus was confused now.

"Well we found one of the minotaur in the forest." Karos explained, "Then while we were dealing with it two more charged us and gave us a hard time. One of them was acting strange and throwing rocks and watching us. Well more like watching Traea. Like he was trying to form a plan or something."

"Do you think it knew that Traea was our leader?" Doro wondered.

"It sure looked like it." Koros nodded, "Anyway, it threw this rock and hit Doro in the head and he got knocked out."

"How embarrassing." Doro sighed.

"Traea saved him from getting trampled."

Traea swallowed her drink, "We got separated from the group and the smart one tried it's best to take me out. Luckily arrows over here distracted it enough so that I could kill it."

"We thought she was super dead." Beam said. "But we should've known better." He grinned.

Traea rolled her eyes, "It's like you guys have no faith in me."

Proteus watched Traea, she seemed fine but it sounded like a closer call than he would've liked.

Traea sniffed her shirt, "gods, I still smell like it. Proteus let me borrow that."

Proteus quickly shed his outer robe and Traea took it and left the room. She instantly returned wearing it and plopped back into her seat, "That's better." She shoved the sleeves up and resumed eating.

"Where was the fourth one?" Proteus asked.

"Well we tracked down their lair and the fourth one was still there." Karos continued. "Traea was supposed to be scouting but she ended up killing it herself." He gave the general a pointed look, "When she was supposed to call us in to help."

"I seized the moment." Traea said. "It had it's back to me."

"What if you didn't kill it one go?" Karos asked.

"I did. So that's that." Traea said resolutely.

The veterans all glared at their general. "You always tell us not to be reckless Traea. And yet you are the most reckless out of all of us!"

"I was not being reckless!" Traea defended herself, "It was a measured risk. Measured!" She tapped her fork on the edge of her bowl.

Proteus furrowed his brow, "You killed it in stroke?" He asked.

Traea nodded and mimed her swing, "Got a good running start and then cut clean through the neck." She lowered her hands, "Didn't even see me coming."

"Well, I'm sure you thought it through." Proteus smiled. "Just be careful, for me."

Traea looked away, "Fine."

"Lauren here rushed in after Traea and got there first, you've got some fast legs on you kid." Liam grinned.

"Were you worried?" Traea asked.

"No." Lauren frowned, he was. He shoveled some food into his mouth.

"That reminds me." Traea turned to Lauren, "Lauren, how would like a job?"

Lauren jumped food halfway to his mouth, "Me?"

"Yeah you're not a bandit anymore right?"

"Yeah. But-"

"How do you feel about joining the army?" Traea asked. "I'm always on the look out for talented people like you."

"Really?" Lauren's head was swimming, ever since he met this strange person his life had turned upside down, "You can't be serious."

Traea shrugged, "It's not that bad, ask Karos."

"Run kid. Run while you can." The veteran said.

Traea smacked him. "You are not helping." She pleaded her case, "You'll be under me, and we travel a lot but you're young so you probably don't have too much tying you down. The pay's pretty good…"

"Sure."

Traea stopped and looked at the young man.

Lauren smiled, "Sure I'll join. Thanks for having me."

Traea grinned, "Great! I've been looking for a replacement for these old coots. We'll be moving to Syracuse in a few days."

"Who you calling old?"

Proteus was impressed as always. Lauren looked completely devoted already. He supposed getting shot in the leg wasn't so bad after all.

They finished up dinner quickly since everyone was exhausted. Everyone eventually staggered off to bed sore from the day's events.

Marlo finally was able to check on Traea. He knelt down in front of the general wrapping up her various scrapes that she pointed to. Lauren carefully went up to the general and said goodnight with barely contained worship. Traea took him by the scruff of his neck before he could run away. She pulled his forehead to hers and said something that made his eyes widen and his trembling stop. She grinned and released him with a nod. With renewed resolve Lauren followed following Beam to the dorms. Marlo smacked her knee saying something about pulling stitches, and Traea grinned settling in for a lecture. Proteus finished talking to Doro and turned to Traea. She looked more than tired.

Marlo muttered something to the effect of Traea being reckless, he kneeled in front of her as she sat on the bench. Traea laughed, Proteus's tunic was a little big on her and the collar slipped just below her collar bone.

Proteus put down the stack of plates. "Marlo."

The doctor turned around, "What is it Proteus?"

Proteus hesitated glancing at Traea, "I think that's enough for today. Traea seems tired."

Marlo looked at Traea quickly, "Oh, You're right." He smiled at Traea, "I'm sorry for nagging."

Traea smiled tiredly, "I always deserve it." She waved.

"Good night Traea." Marlo gathered his things and left with one last nod to Proteus.

Proteus smiled and carefully turned to Traea.

Traea looked up at Proteus, "Thanks Proteus. You're the best."

Proteus looked at her and nodded to her collarbone, "What's that?"

"Hm? What?" She had a look of tired amusement on her face.

Proteus tapped his own collarbone and looked at Traea's. The robe had slipped to reveal a darkening bruise. "That."

Traea stiffened as Proteus approached, "It's just some dirt." She fixed her robe, "Don't worry about it."

"It looks like a bruise."

"Well that's what I get for being an idiot." Traea smiled almost convincingly.

Proteus kneeled in front of his general, "Can I see?"

Traea leaned away from him, "It's alright, it doesn't hurt."

Proteus frowned noticing the stiffness with which she moved, "Traea."

"It's fine." Traea insisted refusing to meet his eyes.

Proteus lightly touched her hand, "Let me see."

Traea looked at Proteus knowing that she couldn't resist the stubborn set of his jaw and the kindness in his face. Her grey eyes looked into his brown, finally she looked away. Fuck me. Traea untied the sash holding the robe together. She gripped one side of the robe and pulled it to the side revealing a bruise spanning all the way across her chest in the rough shape of a hand. Deep purple spread down her ribs where clear finger marks stood out against pale skin.

He stared at her full torso, "Is this-"

"From the minotaur, yeah." She jerked her knee, "I've got one on my leg too."

Proteus looked up at her, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"It's fine." Traea sighed, "I get beat up all the time."

"I know you're tough Traea, but you don't need to pretend." Proteus shook his head, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"You know why."

"I don't." Proteus said trying to understand.

Traea's chuckle hit like rocks, "There are some things soldiers don't need to worry about for their general." She pulled the robe back up.

"Of course they'll worry." Proteus looked so conflicted, "Why wouldn't they?"

"Because that's not their job."

"They're your friends." Proteus urged her gently, "That's what friends are for."

"That's not the point Proteus." Traea sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Then what is the point?" Proteus asked trying his hardest to understand.

Traea looked at her prince, kind and good, he was the one she didn't want to worry, "They forget I'm female, monsters don't."

Proteus's eyes widened.

She smiled, "There's the look I wanted to avoid."

Proteus flinched, "I'll… go get Naysir." He went to stand.

"Don't." Traea stopped him from getting up.

"But-"

"Don't." Traea gripped his robe. "Don't tell anyone."

Proteus slowly sank back down to his knees. "Okay."

Traea rested her forehead on his shoulder, "I'm fine. It's nothing but bruises."

Proteus shook his head, "When will you let someone take care of you?"

"Isn't that what you're doing?" Her voice was muffled by his shoulder.

Proteus relaxed and rubbed Traea's back gently, "So it didn't-"

"Have some faith in me." She laughed into his chest, "I killed the stupid thing after all."

The prince furrowed his brow and smoothed her hair letting her lean on him. "That you did. Quite spectacularly if Doro has anything to say about it."

Traea laughed and lifted her head, "Doro was out half the time, what could he have to say?"

From up close Traea's eyes were crinkled in a smile, shining and glittering grey. In her exhaustion, her face was unprecedentedly soft and fragile. "That's not my impression."

Traea chuckled and then wrinkled her nose, "I need a bath." She muttered, "I smell disguising."

Proteus chuckled, "I didn't want to say anything…"

Traea smacked him.

The prince laughed.

Traea looked at her prince, "Will you stay with me?"

Proteus blinked looking at her with gentle acceptance, "If you want me to."

Traea tugged on his chin, "Someone needs to keep me awake." She rose off the bench.

Proteus stood up after her.

"Gods I'm stiff." Traea winced, "Tomorrow is going to suck." She rubbed her side.

Proteus lent her an arm. "I thought you were fine."

"I am." She leaned on him favoring her bad leg, "I just forgot to stretch."

Proteus frowned at her limp, "You want me to carry you?"

"Are you always this chivalrous?" Traea grinned, "I bet Marina never let you carry her."

"She never got beat up by a Minotaur."

"I've had worse." Traea limped along, "I can't have you sweeping me off my feet, it'll be a bad precedent."

"I had to carry Priam when he fainted at his desk." Proteus tapped her, "you're not special."

Traea coughed, "Ow, Proteus, you're hurting my heart."

They arrived at the bath and Traea told Proteus to wait by the tub for her.

Proteus did as he was told and faced the wall sitting on a stool with his back to the tub.

After getting undressed Traea wrapped herself in a towel and stepped into the tub with a sigh. The hot water stung her skin but her bruises enjoyed it.

Proteus saw her head resting on the side of the tub from the corner of his eye. "You really like baths don't you?"

"They're the best," Traea sighed. "I always feel bad because it's such a waste of water."

"I think you can allow yourself something you enjoy every so often."

Traea chuckled, the noise muffled by water around her chest, "Hadid really spoils me in that regard. Even when we're travelling he makes sure I get a hot bath every so often."

Proteus smiled, "Like general like lieutenant."

"I don't spoil them that much."

"You spoil them like each one is your only child."

Traea sputtered, "They're… not my kids..."

"Hm, right." Proteus smirked, "So why baths?" Proteus asked curious.

Traea thought for a moment, "At first it was the cleaning, I couldn't stand being dirty. After every battle I'd have to scrub myself down because of how much blood I'd get on me. It would get all dried and caked so only a soak would get it all out." She raised an arm out of the water looking at the deep purple running from shoulder to elbow, "Now I mostly enjoy it for the relaxation."

"You got a lot of blood on you this time." Proteus muttered, "At Thrace too."

Traea nodded, "I don't know what it is, although people always tell me I'm pretty savage on the battlefield. My mom didn't have this problem."

"Well," Proteus thought about it, "You two have different styles. You're much more, direct."

"You like my mom's more don't you?"

"I said no such thing." Proteus resolutely looked at the wall.

Traea settled back into the water, "It's okay, my mom's much more elegant than I am. Uncle Ling says she inspires and I'm scary."

"I think you're inspiring."

"You're biased." She glanced at Proteus, "You know, Valpor and Phaon weren't wrong."

"About what?"

"I mean I'm not a witch," Traea turned over, "But I'm not pretty when I fight. There wasn't much left of the army after we were done."

Proteus made a face, "Battle isn't pretty. I don't know why you should be expected to be."

"Can I switch you out with every person that I've ever talked to?"

Proteus stuck his nose in the air, "If they keep being asses, you'll have no choice."

Traea giggled.

Proteus cocked his head, "How did you do it? The enemy outnumbered you four to one. They said you knocked a mountain over to wipe them out."

Traea hummed, "Nothing so dramatic. The shale mountains near Thrace are already unstable. I had my squad go up there and work it loose. It wasn't too hard to start a few rock slides."

Proteus smirked, "It wasn't hard?"

"I mean the climb was hard, but starting the avalanche was easy." Traea hummed, "Which was probably why climbing was so hard.

"So a rock slide huh." Proteus pondered it for a moment. It sounds more like an act of god then a battle tactic. He didn't think it out loud. "You can move mountains, literally."

Traea grinned, "Only in good conditions." She dragged her hair through the water, "I could never do it in Syracuse, the rock is too hard." She closed her eyes. "But I would consider myself better at battles and warfare than hunting monsters. But somehow I keep getting tangled up in monster hunts."

"You really think so?" Proteus asked surprised.

"I mean, they're very different. My training is for battle and war. Monsters are harder to figure out, each one is unique so you can't really ever be totally prepared for them, but they're more fun."

"I see."

"You fight monsters a lot." Traea turned over and rested her chin on her arm, "What do you think?"

"They have the worst timing." Proteus said flatly.

Traea laughed surprised, "That they do."

"It's like the gods are laughing at me."

Traea leaned closer to him, "Well, if anyone can laugh it's the gods."

Proteus frowned, "I'd still prefer that my life not be a joke for the gods to play with."

Traea hummed, "They are hardly that reasonable. You ought to give them a stern talking to." She smoothed her hair with her fingers absentmindedly.

"As if they'd listen." Proteus scoffed.

"Being a prince must be hard, the gods are always interested in princes. Especially earnest ones who are too handsome for their own good."

Proteus snorted, "If you keep calling me handsome I'll start to believe you."

"Everyone knows your handsome Proteus, It's hardly a secret." She sounded amused. "Personally, I think being so good looking is a burden, as I would know." She over dramatically flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Proteus snorted into his hand.

Traea draped a hand lazily over the edge of the tub. "The gods like beautiful people way too much." She chuckled, "On the other hand the fact that you're actually really funny is a secret most people don't know about."

"How is that a secret?"

"Everyone takes you so seriously. You hardly get to crack a joke." Traea grinned, "And most of the time you're too nice to put that wit to good use."

"I am not too nice." Proteus rolled his eyes.

"I see you being polite to ass hats, I know you could put in a few good remarks instead of playing nice." Traea poked his cheek. "Come on Proteus. I know you got some sarcasm in there, don't pretend."

"It's hardly proper." Proteus frowned.

Traea scoffed, "Ah, yes you're right. It wouldn't be." Traea grinned, "And you are our perfect proper prince."

"Stop that." Proteus cut her off. "You're obsessed with that."

"With what?"

"You keep calling me perfect, and princely, and a paragon." Proteus crossed his arms, "But it always sounds like you're pitying me."

Traea paused, the water filling up the silence.

"You're right." She finally said moving her arm so that she crossed them over the edge of the tub. "I don't mean to."

Proteus could see her hand now.

"I used to be like you." She slid her wet hair between her fingers, "A long time ago."

Proteus looked at Traea for the first time since they entered the bath. She was looking down at her hands. The heat had made her flush, her long dark hair trailed into the water and draped across her shoulders. Her golden skin was glistening. The profile of her face in sharp contrast against the curtain of her hair. Her light eyes stood out against dark lashes, but they were looking at something very far away.

A long time ago.

"You are what I could never be. So maybe I'm jealous."

Proteus searched her face, "What do you mean?"

Traea looked at him, eyes wet and soft, "It's tough being a prince isn't it?"

She said it like she knew it. Like she had felt it in the crack of her bones and the breath in her lungs. Like she had lived it and bled for it and cried for it.

"It is." Proteus gazed at her, "you-"

"There's only a few princes." Traea mused. "It must be hard to make friends."

"…Yeah." Proteus sat back, "There's not a lot of other princes around." Proteus nodded, "The only one who's my age is the Prince of Sparta. But he and I don't exactly get along."

"What happened to the flowers in the streets?" Traea smirked.

"That does happen, but I honestly don't understand it." Proteus shrugged, "I don't know why Laterion doesn't like me."

"Laterion?"

"Is there another Spartan Prince?" Proteus asked.

"Laterion does like you." Traea stared at Proteus, "He likes you a lot."

"No way." Proteus made a face, "Whenever I try to talk to him, he runs away."

Traea laughed, "That's because he has a crush on you silly."

Proteus blushed red. "What? No he doesn't!"

"Yes, he does." Traea made a face that was all disbelieving humor. "Oh my gods, I can't believe you never noticed."

"How do you know?"

"Everyone knows." Traea gave him a look, "Whenever I went to Sparta Laterion would ask me about you. But I couldn't tell him much. His face was so disappointed."

"Are you serious?"

"The generals all told me to lie to him to make him feel better. You left a pair gloves in Sparta and Laterion has been hanging on to them for two years hoping to return them to you one day."

"I thought he hated me! We could've been friends this entire time!" Proteus exclaimed.

"Yeah you could've been," Traea crossed her arms over the tub, "He's not a bad catch either. While he's been swooning over you, there are dozens of admirers trying to get his attention." She rolled her eyes, "Honestly, they're not even subtle about it. And King Oibalos has been trying to get Laterion to get over you forever, but he loves Laterion too much to actually do anything about it." Traea huffed, "You really cause trouble everywhere you go."

Proteus turned back to his wall, "I had no idea."

Traea laughed, "Poor Laterion."

Proteus smacked his forehead, "That's what the flowers were about!"

Traea muffled a laugh into her arm. "Yep."

"I should invite him to Syracuse." Proteus muttered.

"You going to propose to him?" Traea asked.

"No!" Proteus immediately said, "I'm already engaged-" he cut himself off abruptly.

Traea watched Proteus's eyes widen and then turn away wilting a little. Traea wanted to drown herself, why couldn't she watch her mouth. She pinched the bridge of her nose and thought about a way to fix her blunder.

"Your arm."

Traea looked up removing her hand from her face. "Huh?"

Proteus gently held her elbow looking at the bruises on her upper arm. He frowned, "It looks terrible."

Traea looked down at the pattern of bruises turning purple in the distinct shape of fingers. It looked worse now than before. "Yeah, it does." Traea was surprised. She held out her arm and pressed her fingers into it, "Ow."

Proteus pushed her hand away, "What did you expect? Stop that." He examined her arm, "I hope you haven't fractured anything."

"It looks worse than I was expecting." Traea said honestly tracing the bruises up to her shoulder. "Hold on."

Proteus had just enough time to turn away before Traea rose out of the water and twisted around to look at the bruises on her side lifting the towel.

"Come on Traea. A little more warning next time." Proteus covered his eyes.

Traea was too busy looking at the bright colors extending up and down her torso, she pressed a hand to one and cursed, "Fuck that hurts."

"you okay?" Proteus asked concerned.

Traea moved her hair out the way, "Why don't you look for yourself, I look like a bad painting."

"I'm not looking." Proteus said resolutely, "It isn't proper."

"It's not pretty." Traea was going to regret waking up tomorrow.

"Are you okay?" Proteus asked again.

Traea sighed, "Yeah, I was just surprised, I didn't think I would bruise this bad." She sunk back into the water, "You can open your eyes now."

Proteus uncovered his eyes cautiously and was relieved that Traea was fully submerged.

Traea rolled her eyes, "I honestly don't care if you look or not."

Proteus made a face, "You should care."

Traea grinned, "Why should I?"

"Don't say that." Proteus frowned, "You should care, because it's your body. You get to decide who looks and who doesn't."

Traea shrugged and muttered, "Yeah."

Suddenly the door to the bath slammed open.

"Traea!"

Traea spun around, "Perses!"

"Traea!" Perses ran across the bathroom.

Proteus lunged forward as the brother slipped on the tile. The Prince just managed to stop Perses from smacking his head on the ground by catching him in his outstretched hands.

Perses scrambled to his feet desperately. With a leap he tackled Traea in a hug.

Traea could only catch him as the tub splashed water everywhere.

"Traea." Perses hugged his sister sobbing.

Traea hugged him back, "It's okay Perses. I'm okay."

Proteus propped himself up and looked at the siblings hair falling into his face.

Traea murmured comforting words to her brother who seemed inconsolable.

"I'm okay. I'm okay. Everything is okay." Traea rubbed his back, soaking his robe.

Perses hiccupped trying to calm down.

Pushing his hair out of his face Proteus got up off the floor. He picked up a towel and stood off to side waiting.

"Perses, I'm getting pruney." Traea said after a while, "Can you let me out?

Perses sniffed and wiped his eyes stepping away.

Proteus held out the towel and Traea took it gratefully. He turned away subtly as she stepped out of the tub.

"Perses."

Perses immediately hugged his twin again.

Traea laughed, "I'm alright silly. See?" She smiled for him. "You don't need to worry about me."

Perses frowned and furiously gestured signing with his hands.

"I know. I know." Traea quickly acquiesced. "I'm sorry." Traea smiled, "But your sister is strong. So it's alright."

Perses huffed.

"Isn't it past your bed time?" Traea asked, "Go to sleep or you'll be grumpy tomorrow."

Perses huffed. He turned to Proteus abruptly, "Proteus."

Proteus blinked, "What is it Perses?"

Perses pushed a jar into Proteus's hands, and looked at Traea.

Proteus nodded, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

Perses smiled. Holding Traea's hand one last time Perses left as abruptly as he came.

Proteus just stared after him, he really cared about his sister.

Traea put her fists on her hips leaning over to look at the jar in his hands, "What did he give you?"

Proteus opened the jar and looked at it, "Some kind of balm. I'm assuming for bruises."

Traea rolled her eyes, "He doesn't trust me one bit."

"Go change." Proteus closed the lid, "Or neither of us will ever get to bed."

"Bossy pants." But she went over to change.

"You need help?"

"I'm good for now." Traea said, "Nice catch by the way."

Proteus smelled the contents of the jar and nodded, for bruises. "Well I couldn't just let him fall. Not when he was so worried over you."

"Very funny."

"I think it's sweet." Proteus grinned.

Traea emerged from behind the screen, "You're impossible." She adjusted the neckline, "Let's catch some shut eye. We'll need it."

"You didn't dry your hair."

Traea was too tired to deal with all her hair right now. "Whatever."

Proteus just sighed and held out the jar.

Traea took it.

Proteus picked up another towel and put it over her head, "You're going to catch a cold." He started rubbing her hair dry.

Traea snorted at the prince mother henning her and then winced as her ribs protested.

Proteus paused his ruffling and ducked down to look at her, "That wasn't great."

Traea rubbed her side carefully, "Just pulled at it a bit." His face was very close.

Proteus finished drying her hair and gently smoothed it down with his fingers, "You worry me."

She was feeling kind of fuzzy, whether it was exhaustion, heat, or Proteus she wasn't sure. It was probably exhaustion, she had just fought four minotaur.

Proteus was still looking at her worried, furrowed brow, all earnest and sweet, it was a dangerous thing to be on the receiving end of.

But that crease between his brow would ruin his good looks, she'd better get rid of it. Reaching up she kissed Proteus on the cheek, one on each side, "Thanks Proteus." She smiled.

Proteus pushed down his blush with every fiber of his being, "No problem."