AN: Saunas exist in my GR world. I kept out the birch branches though. She is going to have some . . . moments where she has a bit of awakening, but she is still very naïve about her effect on men and the things that come out of her mouth. Some imagery of their bodies, remember at this point they can admire but not touch! Rated M this chapter.

Chapter 2: Steam

Karigan rested her head back against the boards of the bench, her limbs splayed out across its length as she enjoyed the luxurious heat seeping into her skin, emitting a low purr in the back of her throat in pleasure.

The steam room was used jointly by the Weapons and the Riders, and had seen an influx in use since both units had been experiencing heavier training sessions with Drent. Even though that day had been overwhelmingly hot, the cool winds that blew across the plains around the castle signaled the end of that summer, and the promise of colder days.

That evening, several of the female Riders opted to go to the steam room for an hour or so, to relive the aching muscles wrought by their long distance running. It was an unofficial rule, that although it was acceptable to enter private steam rooms sans clothing, there would be something by way of attire while using the common facilities. Thus, Karigan, Tegan, and Mara each wore a length of toweling around their hips that brushed across their knees, and a linen band around their breasts. The weight and weave of the fabric would ensure modesty but still allow their skin to breathe properly. Their robes and towels were hung on wooden pegs outside, the entrance itself accessible from the training rings, but a screen was put up inside to dissuade outsiders from catching a glimpse if the door was ever open.

With the door latched firmly behind them, Mara took up the task of stoking the small brazier, which heated the pile of smooth river stones, and Tegan went to refresh the bucket of water that sat nearby.

In a companionable silence, they each found a corner of the medium sized room to occupy and stretch out. The coals glowed red-orange in the dimly lit room, enveloping the space in an intense dry heat. After ten minutes, Mara picked up the ladle to dip in the bucket, pouring the contents over the stones and filling the room with clouds of rolling steam.

All three women sighed contentedly, lost in their thoughts as they reclined on the cedar benches and chairs, inhaling the almost tangy herbal scent of the air. Although initially comfortable enough, Tegan and Mara quickly found themselves wishing to vacate the stifling room after a mere half hour, saying their goodnights to Karigan after she repeatedly assured them that she would be fine on her own. The women put the 'Occupied' sign on the door as they left, knowing that if trouble indeed arose, she would be able to handle it, even scantily clad as she was.

It was here that she found herself, in the late hours of the night, her thoughts straying to the events that had occurred earlier that day. Mara had knowingly seen Karigan's red face and smiled sympathetically at her, assuring her that it was only normal for a red blooded man and woman to look at each other.

Karigan wasn't so sure it was merely 'looking'.

His eyes had undressed her, caressing her curves, in their intense scrutiny. Prior to that point in their lives, she had been the object of his observations before, but never so intimately. Never with so much heated desire burning in their amber depths. Deep inside, she felt a keen sort of pleasure to illicit such a strong reaction, especially in such a handsome man.

Dear gods, was he ever so beautiful, she thought wistfully.

With her eyes closed, and her arms folded under her head in a relaxed pose, she brought forth the images of those bare expanses of skin. The memories of his broad chest, tapered waist, and strong thighs sent a rush of blood to her face. A strange sort of tingling erupted in her lower belly, hitching her breath in her throat, making her linen bandeau seemed tight and constrained.

In a frustrated growl, she sat up slowly and awkwardly reached around to undo the knots that held the fabric up. With a final jerk, they came loose and it fell away, leaving her to breathe unrestricted. Wadding the fabric, she shoved it under the bench with a huff and lay back down.

She had thought it a blessed twist of nature to have endowed her as she was, especially with the athletic demands of her position, but for the most part she had never really paid it any mind. Not really until she caught the stares of others when she did not wear her jerkin or coat. Then she realized that she still had enough of a figure to be noticed.

Opening her eyes, she lifted her head, leaning back on her elbows, and frowning at her chest with a bit of self deprecation. She remembered distinctly, her aunts telling her that she would never catch a man if she didn't display what little bosom she had. A furrow appeared between her eyebrows as she tried to peer down, her eyes critically looking over her breasts.

Well, she wasn't completely flat chested but she would never really fill out a dress, Karigan decided after a careful perusal. Her mind recalled the blue dress her father had sent, and the forlorn expression she had worn when she examined the addition space between the fabric and her skin.

She scowled down at herself, eyes looking critically for fault. Her skin was naturally a rosy ivory, when not sporting a light tan, and the small tips of her breasts were a deep rose that almost faded back in with the fullness of the orb.

With a sigh, she shrugged and lay back down, reasoning that they were enough to draw his gaze to her body. She lay still for a few moments, enjoying the warmth that spread when she once again thought of his eyes roving over her without reservation. Happily, she arched her back and reached up to brush the loose hairs with both hands off her neck, wiggling her lower body as her senses reacted to the strange sensations that she was encountering. Karigan, in truth, had only felt such stirrings on a few occasions, and always within the company of her king.

A tiny voice told her that she already had most of her clothes off; it was too late for others to be up, why not take the rest off and be more comfortable?

Karigan sat up, looked around carefully and listened for a moment, just for peace of mind before she stood and undid the linen knot at her hip, drawing the fabric off and tilting her head to the side as she reveled in the freedom. Releasing a smug smile, she got back in her comfy spot and threw her arms up over her head, her heart racing with implications of the state of her undress.

Little did she know she had an audience.

In all good conscience, Fastion had not anticipated anyone else in the steam room that night, but he recognized a good opportunity when he saw one. He had suggested it to his king as a way of relieving the tension that had built earlier that day, and to aid in soothing the familiar aches and pains that came with a sparring session.

Zachary had reluctantly agreed, his mind still swimming with the tantalizing images of that afternoon. It was all he could do to keep himself from banging his head on his desk in frustration. His Weapon took pity on his king, who clearly needed to take his mind elsewhere, lest he hunt down his Rider and take her to bed.

Willis had agreed to accompany them, and the three had quietly set off for the training ring, clad in loose fitting cotton pants and shirts. After tearing off their attire, they moved to hang the articles up but saw a distinctly feminine robe hanging next to a towel.

With a sense of foreboding, they quietly opened the door, peering around the corner into the thick steam. It was Zachary who saw her first, her back arching as she stretched out in all her glory on the bench, running her hands lightly down her chest, stomach, and toned legs.

His mouth went dry as his throat constricted, watching her sweat slicked and beautiful body squirm as she let out an earthy moan in the back of her throat. His inner voice screamed at him, begged him to stride over and take the vixen into his arms, carry her upstairs and lock them both in his bed chamber for a good couple days. The primal man in him knew those curves were meant to be worshipped and adored, not covered in a uniform. Her mahagony hair would look much more enticing spread over his pillows, that lovely skin bared, her mouth slightly open in pleasure- he shook his head dazedly in an effort to remove the heated thoughts.

Hurriedly, he wrapped his towel around his waist and scurried backwards silently, clenching his eyes shut as he slipped through the open door and pressed his back to the wall. The blood was leaving his head again rapidly, leaving an intense longing raging in his already aching body.

He could feel Fastion's presence close by and opened his eyes, croaking out one word, 'Abort.'

Fastion shook his head and pressed a finger to his lips, whispering low, 'We are not leaving.'

Zachary trembled as the last vestiges of his self control threatened to leave him, 'We're not?'

Fastion turned and grabbed a flustered Willis away from the doorframe, gently closing the door, and shoving him next to Zachary, pointing at the king menacingly, 'You need to go in there.'

Zachary flushed with anger as he hissed back, 'I won't compromise her.'

Fastion rolled his eyes and looked to the heavens for forbearance, 'We'll knock, give her a moment to dress, and then we will all go in. You think I'd let you touch my sister in these conditions? No, we can all share the same space and be adults.'

The king shook his head in horror, 'Three men alone with one woman?'

'Two Weapons, one man, and one Rider, feeling the effects of our conditioning drills today,' Fastion finished crisply. 'These situations will pop up once in awhile. If you can't control yourself now, it is not going to get better.'

Zachary's head fell forward in his hands, 'Gods, I want her so badly.'

Fastion's gaze held no sympathy, 'She is not a maid to tumble in the hay. You want her, you have to court her.'

'I can't court her,' the king mumbled into his hands.

Even Willis looked exasperated as he stared down at the king incredulously, 'Sire, you see each other on a daily basis. You can at least give her an inkling that you are interested. All else can wait till later.'

Fastion nodded in approval, 'Absolutely, just drop the straight-laced act and I don't know . . . smile at her once in awhile? Smoldering looks alone usually convey something else. Like a barnyard animal in heat.'

Zachary's head snapped up quickly and he scowled expressively at his two Weapons. 'You are going to get yours.'

Fastion grinned and shrugged, tugging his cotton pants back on. Willis followed suit and handed Zachary his from off the peg, 'Unless you want to greet her in a towel?'

Zachary snatched the pants and pulled them on, 'More than what she has on,' he muttered under his breath. With all three covered, Fastion cleared his throat loudly and stamped his feet on the landing, knocking loudly and calling out, 'Are you done in there?'

Karigan sat up with a gasp when she heard the male voice, her head spinning with the sudden movement as she frantically searched under the bench for her bandeau and wrap. With shaking hands she tied the knots off and called out, 'Almost ready!'

She let her hair down, despite the humid air, and quickly arranged the locks in front of her in a vain attempt to cover skin. Unfortunately, the wrap around her waist exposed a length of leg that no amount of tugging on the fabric would cover.

It did not matter, she resolved, as she would leave as soon as whoever was out there cleared the doorway. Settling back into a sitting position, she waited with her arms crossed over her midsection and waited for the door to open.

Zachary turned a slightly pleading face to Fastion but the Weapon pointed at the door and mouthed, 'Man up.'

Despite the darkness, the door allowed a sliver of moonlight to filter through as she heard the floor boards creak. Through the disappearing steam, she was easily able to make out Fastion and Willis, but the figure behind them stayed in the shadows.

Fastion gave her a genuine smile and made a conscious effort to keep his eyes on her face, 'Hey sister, what brings you out this late?'

Karigan offered a small smile in return and shrugged, 'The same as you I suspect, as Drent was a bit relentless today.'

Fastion grinned and inclined his head in agreement. 'Would you mind if we shared the room for a bit?'

She bit back an automatic denial and nodded instead, 'Not at all. I'm almost done anyways.'

The Weapons sat at a respectable distance from her, pointedly looking at the now dark entryway. With a scowl, Fastion rolled his eyes, 'It would be better, perhaps, if you sat down.'

She cocked her head to the side as the figure emerged; first his lower half encased in dark blue pants, then his shirtless torso, and lowered face.

Zachary.

Her arms came up automatically to shield herself as her cheeks flushed, her gaze going to the floor. There were a few moments of silence before the king took a seat and clenched his eyes shut. Both Rider and king refused to look at each other or make an attempt at conversation.

Fastion glanced over at Willis in amusement, who slouched in his seat, 'I think some steam is in order, would you be so kind Willis?'

The other Weapon bit back a chuckle and walked over to the brazier to facilitate the request. 'Steam it is.'

It filled the room once more, limiting visibility, and giving the couple a chance to regain their composure. Karigan unfolded her limbs from the bench but kept a wary eye on Zachary's corner as she rolled her shoulders, feeling a slight cramp from lying in one position for too long. Momentarily forgetting the others, she reached up to push down on her shoulder blade, rolling the arm back and causing her to release a groan when the tight muscle protested.

A choked sound came from Zachary as the noise reached his ears and his body reacted accordingly. Fastion's eyes darted over to Karigan who continued to rub her neck and back, seemingly unaware of the discomfort she was causing. Besides the occasional groans, she would release small breathy whimpers, breathing heavily as she worked out the knots in her calves and thighs.

The Weapon looked back at Zachary who was leaning forward, his eyes closed and his hands clenched around the edge of his seat.

Poor bastard. Sorry you have to learn the hard way.

Fastion grinned and regarded Karigan, 'Have a good run?'

Karigan looked up from reaching for her toes, 'Didn't feel like it at the time, but it was a good burn. I ache everywhere.'

Willis schooled his face into an impassive façade, fighting to keep the laughter at bay. Zachary looked close to tears.

Fastion considered this, a mischievous light creeping into his eyes, and asked in an innocent voice, 'I could work out the kinks in your back if you like?'

Karigan gave a smile of relief, 'Oh would you? I'm not flexible enough to reach, and my hands are much too small to do any sort of good.'

Willis was practically shaking in his seat.

Zachary stood abruptly, his eyes holding a wild look as he regarded Fastion, 'We are leaving. Now.'

Fastion stood smartly, 'Of course, my liege. Are you feeling any better?'

Zachary said nothing, but gave a brief nod to Karigan and turned on his heel, followed closely by Willis.

She watched him go with a concerned gaze, 'Is he all right?'

Fastion waved his hand in dismissal, 'Just recovering, he's fine. Will you be all right here?'

She held up her arm towards the door, 'I'm on my out too.'

They filed out in silence, Karigan quickly donning and tying her robe shut. Fastion threw his shirt over his shoulder and grabbed his towel, giving her a wink, 'Next time sister, make certain that door is locked from the inside if you decide to indulge yourself.'

Karigan's eyes went as round as saucers as she went still, watching Fastion trot to catch the rapidly disappearing Zachary and Willis. She gathered her things, in slight mortification, and hastened back to her room, but was doomed to find no sleep that night.

Zachary too, would find no rest but instead grabbed Fastion's arm once they had dressed, taking them both back to the training ring to release his tension in a sorely needed bout. The Weapon refused to apologize though, primly informing his king that, 'You've no one to blame but yourself for this state of affairs.'

Despite his initial anger, Zachary felt hard pressed to come up with a rebuttal.

Let me know what you think. Fastion is the closest friend he has, so he can treat Zachary like a sibling. And he doesn't have designs on Kari, but that doesn't mean he can't look.