Hey dolls! I am back. Anyways I am proud to say that I already began writing the next chapter and should be done soon : ) Anyways I was looking through itunes the other day and I found a great band called The Kin, its two brothers who hail from Australia, they are freaking great- I just wanted to put that out there, It's great finding great artists : )…Anyways that's a million for your reviews, they are truly appreciated, virtual kisses and cookies everyone, and don't forget to tell me what you think : )

Dea had convinced me to come the 'training grounds' to watch soldiers train and do their usual competitions. She said the men of Thebes were great fighters and even greater lovers. She even suggested that I 'claimed' one. She simply ignored the scowl upon my face. I had come to see how great of warriors they were. And only that. The "training Ground" as they called it was a large space of land, the ground was dusty and the soil rose with every step. The ground had been trampled over too many times continuously to allow the growth of grass. Men battled in pairs in the "Training grounds" which were surrounded by a wooden fence that kept the audience at bay. Men, Women, children alike all stood around waging on favorite soldiers. Soldiers were defeated and the next warrior came through. They wore bronze helms that covered their faces, chest plates that protected them from mortal wounds, and the battles were till third cut. Winning meant your opponent had to yield or you must have drawn blood, either by a knick a blow, or any superficial wound three times. There was a silent rule that no one must be seriously hurt.

The dance of war never seemed to disappoint me, I was fascinated by the way the victor's muscles moved. There was a gracefulness about him, a litheness that was odd considering his size. He was a tall, strong man with green eyes that shone through the opening in his helm. As he danced the movements seemed all the more fascinating. The crowd cheered for every one of his for every blow he landed, for every opponent he defeated and for every victory he gained.

"He's a tiger." Dea had to scream in my ear to be heard.

"A tiger all right." I replied. We turned back to see the last opponent fall to the ground with his third cut upon his brow.

The crowd roared with satisfaction and pride having seen this warrior best soldiers with incredible ability. The judge came forth to declare the winner.

"Is there no one else?" The shorter man's voice was loud and deep.

When the audience was silent and not a single man came forth he asked again. And I could see why not a soul wished to battle with the victor. The warriors eyes were bright in the heat of battle, he appeared to be willing to defeat a whole army all on his own. The intensity spoke of calculating moves and attacks before they landed, it spoke of defeating at all costs. His stamina had not reduced either.

"NO ONE?" HE was about to take the warriors arm to raise it and declare victory when I replied.

"YES!" I do not know what made me say such a thing. Perhaps I missed this dance that I had been taught all my life.

Many were in search of the voice that had said that, their eyes roamed close to me, and Dea who stood at my side and recognized the voice as mine had a confused look upon her face.

"Step forth lad!" The announcer said. Perhaps my voice sounded like it could belong to a young boy.

"Me." I said. People parted around me, making it obvious that It was I who had dared to challenge the victor.

"You?…I think we have a winner!" After he saw that I was but a woman he quickly turned to pass the prize to the warrior.

In a graceful movement caused by my limbs flowing with excitement I climbed the small fence and dropped inside the ring.

"Get out of here lass before you get hurt." The announcer said, he seemed ready to throw me out himself.

"None of your soldiers got seriously hurt. "

"Yes but none of them were a lass." He didn't even consider me a woman.

"Then because I am a woman , it shouldn't last long, should it?" I smiled at him, the most twisted smile I had.

Behind the helm the victors eyes seemed to glow in amusement. He reached out and patted the smaller man in his back, a reassuring gesture that he was willing to quarrel with me.

"Fine! Give Her ARMOR!"

I was given a breastplate that seemed fit for a child and a helm. The crowd was silent in shock and excitement.

We face each other, the warrior and I. We did our salutes and before I knew it the challenge had begun. I raised my sword against his, he attempted to block it. It seemed to me that despite me being a woman he had not underestimate me. And for that I liked him all the more. I avoided each blow, with every tactic I had grown upon. I tried to claim first blood but that proved much difficult. He was large, but he was incredibly fast and graceful. His movements matched mines and it seemed he was willing to give me the fight I much needed.

In an unexpected movement I landed my first cut on him on his right forearm, for he held his sword with the left. It was difficult placing a wound on him, for despite his form being so large and overwhelming up close, my head only reached to his chest. He claimed his first blood on me soon after I had cut him. His movements were so coordinated and graceful yet powerful and forceful. Yet his sword upon my flesh seemed incredibly gentle. He placed but a small knick on my upper arm.

The exhilaration of it all was revitalizing. Each blow on my sword made me feel like I once felt before tragedies had wrapped around me. At that very moment I could not hear or anything or anybody. I felt no fear or grief. It was only this man and I dancing gracefully to the song of war.

For his second mark on me he used brute force. All during our dance I was able to avoid him, yet in one incredibly fast movement he placed an arm around my waist, my back to his chest. My heart beat at a hectic pace, trying to escape my chest. He placed his sword upon my neck a gesture that reminded me of a time when a god had his bloody sword upon my neck.

"Yield." I could hear amusement in the mans voice. It's sound was a bit familiar causing a small tugging feeling in my mind. I quickly pushed it away.

I laughed. What I liked best about this warrior was that he did not underestimate me, he did not limit himself because I was a woman. I loved that despite his marks on me being careful, he did not restrict himself because of my sex. His force was as brute and as powerful as if he was fighting with any other soldier.

The very tip of his sword quickly pierce my neck. I could feel the small cut swell with blood. I Stepped on his foot as hard as I could, the unexpected attack put me at a quick advantage that I without thought took. Placing a distance between us.

I was never able to place my second mark on him, for when we were both sweaty as wild horses he took my feet from under me, tripping me. I landed on my back on the ground, breathless. I laid on the ground, gasping for air and exhausted as he pointed his sword at me. His eyes glittered in amusement and I simply smiled. It felt rejuvenating to fight as I was taught to do so, with no limits or consequences.

"I'll yield. For now." I said. I knew when I was defeated. I knew how to accept a worthy loss.

The warrior sheathed his sword and took my hand, pulling me up in a quick strong motion.

My gaze fell upon the stunned people that had watched the spectacle. Then they roared in cheers and applause. I took my helm and held it under my arm.

The Announcer came inside of the lines.

"We have a winner!" He said

The warrior took off his helm to reveal golden-red locks tied in a small knot at the back of his head. I knew why his voice sounded so familiar. He was the man from the inn. My mouth opened in a circle of unbelief.

A directed at me grazed his lips.

I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think : )