The bathhouse was quiet, not another soul in sight. It was still early in the morning and not many people had stirred from their beds. But Kassandra had yet to sleep, had too much on her mind to even consider the thought. She had to come up with a plan to kill Poldarkes without attracting too much attention. However, she had been reminded more than once that she was not the stealthiest mercenary in the world.

Kassandra closed her eyes and sank into the warm water, feeling it engulf her body like a comforting blanket. Only her face was exposed, allowing her to breathe. But the rest of her body hid below the surface, lifelessly floating in a solitary state of content. Her mind wandered into the past when things were simpler. She missed those days. The days where she could lay in the sun, untouched and unbothered by the hostilities of the world.

Kassandra inhaled a large breath of air, filling her lungs to their max. Then she completely disappeared beneath, leaving the room seemingly vacant. She washed her hands over her face and threw the flowing ribbons of her hair. She enjoyed that moment of peace, and for the first time since she began her journey, she allowed herself to completely relax, finding her inner peace.

However, her spell of solitude was short-lived, interrupted by the slightest sound of footsteps. Kassandra rose quietly from the water, careful not to startle whoever was joining her, and thankfully, it was a woman. She had light brown hair that extended towards her mid-back, and nimble hands that worked to undo her simple clothing. Her back was turned, but from her style of clothes, she appeared to be a commoner and not someone Kassandra sought to pay any attention to until a familiar fragrance filled the air.

Kassandra immediately turned around, not wanting to believe her own eyes. How could the gods be so cruel? As if she hadn't been punished enough, the fates would now force her to confront Aleera, and in the most immodest and revealing way possible. Her heart pounded against her chest. What should she do? What should she say?

Aleera's breath caught in her chest when she heard the splash of water, unaware that the room was already occupied, "I'm sorry," She said softly, she wadded up her clothes and held them to her exposed chest, "I didn't realize this tub was…" she stopped abruptly, her gaze falling onto Kassandra. She couldn't see her face, only her broad shoulders and scar back were in view, but she knew it was her.

Aleera's mouth was dry, unable to form the words to speak. She did her best to collect her senses and calm her racing heartbeat, but what could she do? It was clear that she and Kassandra were destined to meet that morning but for what purpose? What else could come of their strained relationship?

Aleera parted her lips, but before she could make a sound, Kassandra's strong voice cut her off.

" Of all the time in the world, and all the different places, I don't think I'll ever understand why fate brought us back together, here of all places." She turned around slowly and sank deeper into the water in an attempt to hide her nakedness, but her abnormal height made it difficult.

"If I knew you were here, I wouldn't have come, I apologize." Aleera took a step back, turning as if to leave.

"No!" Kassandra extended her hand towards Aleera, involuntarily exposing herself, "I assume you are here for the same reason as I, I won't deprive you of your right to this place."

Aleera couldn't help but smile as she thought about her reason for visiting the bathhouse, "Our demand for cleanliness couldn't be more different." She blurted. Looking over her shoulder she forced her gaze to stay above Kassandra's chest, " However, if you insist?" her senses told her not to uncover herself but in her mind, she knew there was nothing to fear. Aleera dropped her clothes and shoved them aside with her heel, then slowly doddered towards the tub.

Kassandra hid the rose in her cheeks and tilted her head down to avoid looking at Aleera's naked body. Although, she couldn't help but notice how swollen and bruised her thighs appeared to be, therefore was unable to resist commenting, "Did you and Cicero have a long night?" she joked.

Aleera bit her lower lip awkwardly, "not exactly." She stepped into the warm water with a sense of caution, slowly moving deeper and biting back the burning pain as it flowed over her aching skin. "What about you?" she asked, desperate to change the course of conversation, "Have you and Kyra quarreled as of late?" She was referring to the various cuts on Kassandra's face and neck. As she waited for her to respond she dipped her head back, drenching her hair completely.

Kassandra backed herself up to the wall of the tub. She rested her arms on the heated tiles and let out a troubling breath. She avoided Aleera's question completely, not wanting to remind herself of the fight she had gotten into with Thaletas, " I should have apologized to you sooner, Aleera. You don't understand how heavy the mistakes I've made weigh on me."

Aleera lifted her head out of the water, "Kassandra, you don't have to…"

"Yes, I do." She barked, cutting Aleera off. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, "because after tonight, I'm leaving these islands, for good and I don't need more regret hanging over my head."

Aleera made an understanding "hmm". She reached for a block of sandstone and began scrubbing her skin, "well, if you insist on rectifying your actions I have a proposition for you," she paused and sucked in a sight." well, more like a favor, then we will be even," she stopped and narrowed her gaze on Kassandra, "a clean slate if you will."

"you're all about making deals," Kassandra huffed, "after all, you are working with Poldarkes, are you not?" She raised her head and was met with the enchanting sight of Aleera's naked form. The wet strands of her hair barely covered her breasts, teasing Kassandra's mind with unforgivable thoughts. Her gaze lingered over her light, honey-colored skin, soaking in every detail knowing she would never have the chance to again.

Aleera, unphased by Kassandra's heated stare, continued to bathe, "I was left with no other choice. Your absence made my efforts to recover the artifact much more difficult, and with the threat of Kyra's rebellion on the rise, I needed a way to secure Poldarke's safety until I can take back what I owed. " She placed the stone back on the ledge of the tub and placed her hands on either side of it, "all I ask is that you hold off on your plan to kill Poldarkes until after we have made out transaction, after that, feel free to deal with the bastard as you see fit.'' She finished speaking and submerged herself in the water.

"You had no choice," Kassandra murmured, rolling her light brown eyes. She shook her head and waited for Aleera to resurface. But something about the way the water poured off the woman's body rendered Kassandra speechless. She had to tear her eyes away so that her brain could think.

It's true, she did feel as though she owed Aleera, and the truth is told, if she had been more transparent in the first place then they may not even need to have that conversation. But what's the harm in holding out for a few more hours? If anything, it gives Kassandra more time to come up with a plan of her own.

"Alright," Kassandra said finally, turning back towards Aleera, "I'll wait for your signal before attacking Poldarkes. But I don't just want us to be even." She hesitated to continue, unsure about how Aleera would respond, "I want things to go back to the way they were before we came to these islands. No more secrets, No more lies."

Aleera soothed her hands over her hair, slicking it back, "we cannot erase the past, Kassandra." She locked eyes with the mercenary and began to move gracefully through the water, "but we can forgive and try to forget." She lifted her hand out of the water and placed it on Kassandra's bronze shoulder, " despite all that has happened, I do still care for you."

Kassandra looked down at Aleera's nimble hand. It looked so small and fragile when rested against her skin, a harsh reminder that the woman was nothing like she seemed. Her gaze lingered over Aleera until it finally met back at her eyes, " I know," she said softly. Then, as if uncontrolled, Kassandra lifted both hands out of the water and cupped Aleera's face, and forced a kiss on her lips, "it's just not the way I care for you."

To her surprise, Aleera didn't fight her advance. But there was no room for Kassandra to debate whether or not Aleera enjoyed the kiss, because, in reality, she didn't care. All she wanted was to taste what she had been missing and she was nowhere near disappointed. But something was hiding under Aleera's sweet breath that caused sharp pain in Kassandra's chest, the reminder that she already belonged to someone else.

Kassandra pulled away quickly and searched Aleera's eyes as if looking for the image that matched the masculinity she tasted. But there was nothing but her reflection staring back at her.

Aleera swallowed a hard gulp. Her heart raced, but not with excitement. She had a vision when Kassandra kissed her. She was covered in blood, her spear in one hand and a sword in the other. It wasn't clear who she was fighting, but she was on a beach and Aleera could see the faint outline of her ship behind her. She covered Kassandra's hands and slowly lowered them down and away from her.

Kassandra must have felt the tension between them, for she was quick to conclude their fortuitous meeting. She rushed towards the edge of the tub and hoisted herself up, revealing the true divinity of her features. She was more muscular than Aleera had previously thought, and her rough exterior was molded by the various scars and marks the years had left behind. She was beautiful, but not in the traditional, feminine way.

"I'll be waiting for your signal." She said forcefully.