The Rogue's Conquest
Chapter Five
Sebastian stepped out of the cozy tavern and was greeted by the biting cold of a Kirkwall afternoon. It would seem the Lady Hawke, wasn't exaggerating, when she'd told him he and his men would be lingering in a perpetual state of freezing on this campaign. When his teeth started chattering of their own volition he pulled his white, wool lined cloak tighter around his shoulders. As if to spite him the wind picked up, sending another blast of icy, cold straight through the useless dragon bone he wore.
"Maker," Sebastian thought bitterly. He hadn't remembered Kirkwall to be this damned cold. As a young man, he'd been to the city only a handful of times with his brothers. Though they never saw much of it, instead choosing to spend there days in the brothel and nights drinking the poor man's swill offered in the Hanged Man. The booze never mattered it was the sport they went to the filthy tavern for, not once had they ever found themselves left disappointed. They'd simply have to walk in and sit down to provoke a man… "Or ten." He thought to himself, with an inward smirk. The air of money seemed to swirl around the Vaels, making them universally scorned by drunken men, deeply endowed with beautiful woman and had kept them entertained regularly. They'd always returned to Starkhaven, with a new scar and incredible story, after a weeks end in Kirkwall.
Breathing the crisp, chilly air deep into his lungs, he smoothed back his thick, brown locks, placing his helm upon his head, all the while feeling her eyes burning their frozen grey daggers into his back, how he knew it was her? He couldn't say. However, he didn't bother indulging the rigid Lady Hawke, with a look over his shoulder. If she wanted to scorn him, for his Templar status that was her choice. He was more than certain he'd be scorched repeatedly with the same hate filled eyes, by more people then just the young tavern-keep. Being popular was a fancy better left behind once one joined the Templar ranks. Being spit at and taunted were everyday occurrences when one bore the burning swords of Andraste. Of course, that was until an abomination reared it's ugly head, then the same people who'd mocked the order, would beg at the very boots they once spat upon.
Sebastian sighed deeply, the weighty thoughts; on top of the cold were gaining momentum on dampening his already agitated mood. He turned weary eyes, to his left, to the Knight-Corporal, that was nervously shifting from foot to foot. The younger man wore signs that he too, was affected by the cold, his lips were bluing slightly, a stark contrast to his red, wind beaten cheeks.
"Blasted woman was right indeed!" Sebastian muttered under his breath. They'd all be fighting pneumonia at this rate! "I suppose we shouldn't keep the Knight-Vigilant waiting any longer. Cullen isn't known for his patience. Besides I'd walk into a High Dragons den, if it meant getting out of this cold." Sebastian said, rubbing his hands together, then blowing on them. Hoping between the friction and heat of his breath, they'd warm up enough that he could bend his fingers. "What do you say Knight-Corporal? Where can I find his grace?" He asked the younger man, trying to keep his voice mild. Sebastian had unfairly given his Corporal a far bit of grief already. His ire at the younger man, had acted as a balm for his bruised ego, but had not been a shining example of the mercy and compassion Divine Justinia preached. She'd be unhappy, with the childish way her Knight-Commander, had been acting, and the thought shamed him.
Knight-Corporal Keran turned out to be a good man. On the walk to the abandoned mansion Cullen commandeered, Sebastian learned much about the young Templar, before the Divine called upon Keran, to join the elite in Orlais, he'd been a citizen of Kirkwall. When given the option to better his station, he'd taken it only to provide better for his sister Macha, who still resided just on the outskirts of the city limits. The prospect of seeing his sister after so many years, seemed to make the young man float off the ground with excitement. And though it was a sin, Sebastian couldn't help, but feel jealous. He no longer had the privilege of being swept up in his own family. He could still vividly picture his brothers in their fathers study, going over the next harvest. A harvest that would of course be nothing less than fruitful under Gabriel's strong hands and keen eye. His mum would be preparing her famous, fish and egg pie in the kitchen. With fresh fish his father had caught earlier that day. The pies succulent aroma would fill the entire castle and everyone would be at the table before the Chantry bells had a chance to toll for supper. Maker even his father's disappointed glares and poisoned barbs, would be welcomed, if only Sebastian could call those precious moments his to experience in the flesh just once more. He had yet to find the secret to having his wishes granted though. His family wouldn't be coming back. The Vael's had been murdered, right down to the smallest babe, while he was away serving the chantry in Orlais. They were at the Makers side and the thought hadn't done much to comfort his stricken mind.
When word had arrived to Sebastian of his family's misfortune, he had lingered in a state of denial not wanting to believe every person he loved was simply gone. However, after months of his letters returning to him without answer his denial had swiftly been replaced by a dark vengeful grief. A deep lesion that had planted itself in his very core, and festered, poisoning his heart and mind. When the "Vael beast" that dwelled within was no longer sated with the promise of his family being at peace, it started clawing, barking at him to find the guilty, and bring them to justice, he'd immediately started digging. Stumbling upon a missive about a mercenary group that worked out of Kirkwall called Flint Company, his blood had run cold. They had slaughtered his family, how he knew Flint Company was his family's murders he didn't know, it hadn't mattered. He'd been certain the Merc group, had the blood of the Vael's on their hands and it was his duty to make sure every last Flint member, had it burned off in the fires of the black pits for eternity. He'd sent a carrier raven from Orlais, to Kirkwall with a bounty for every last head that wore the Flint Company crest. To his surprise, not a week after the bounty had went out, a pure, white hawk, landed upon the doorstep of his small home, carrying fifty-three blood soaked Flint crests, in its sharp talons, along with a note. When he'd pulled the note from the great birds talons, he'd opened it only to find a simple "your welcome." Scribbled on golden paper, it had been curious… Unsettling even. He had offered a bounty, but the angel of death hadn't left a name, or a place for him to send the gold that was offered. They'd given him a gift for which he couldn't pay for, because they hadn't allowed it.
Sebastian had pondered for a long while who his angel of justice was. He had exhausted every resource he could, to find out who'd helped him in his time of need and came up completely empty handed. Eventually letting it go, justice had been handed down, that's what mattered, right? It hadn't been merciful, nor pretty as the chantry would have wanted it to be, but when had true justice ever been a merciful entity?
When Sebastian had finally been able to see past the red haze that dogged him, he realized he'd fallen far from grace. Needing to know the calm the chantry blessed him with again; he refocused every effort back on his calling. With great amounts of penance and charity, the Divine had forgiven him for his dismissal of the Maker. "Sebastian, for your soul dear child, I pray the Maker is as forgiving as I." She had said. Before giving him back the pendent of the sun that marked him as one of her flock.
So enraptured by his ghosts, Sebastian hadn't noticed Keran stopped walking, or that a warrior woman, in full guard armor stood in front of him, her arms crossed over her Iridium plated chest, until they were nearly nose to nose. Taking a surprised step back, Sebastian allowed his eyes to wander, over the impressive force the woman in front of him cut. She was built better than most of his men, standing only a few inches shorter than him. Her stern freckled face and rigid posture, gave her an impressive air of authority. Her beautiful ginger hair, was adorned with a practical braid of twine, which sat along her forehead. Keeping stray hairs from lush, deep-set, feminine green eyes that reminded him of Starkhaven's blooming meadows in spring. This warrioress was yet another Kirkwall beauty. Though she didn't carry the same exotic posturing the woman in Orlais did, or the feminine elegance of the fine Lady Hawke, he found himself entranced by her all the same. She could surely make a man's heart pound with anticipation, or stop dead with blunt force.
Looking her over once more he straightened himself. "Knight-Commander Sebastian Vael, of the Divine's Royal Elite Army." Sebastian extended his hand to the woman; much to his surprise, she obliged him capturing his offered hand in a firm shake.
"Aveline Hendyr, Captain of Kirkwall's City Guard."
Sebastian inclined his head to her in a slight bow, a well-practiced smile upon his face. "Aveline." He said, her name rolling off his tongue like a smooth caress. That only seemed to make the women bristle.
She slipped her gauntleted hand away from his, with all the poise of an angry bull. What he'd done to cause such distress? He didn't know. Smiling at the women of Kirkwall was becoming an occupational hazard.
The captain closed her eyes tight, pinching the bridge of her strong nose, between her thumb and index finger. She let out a great sigh, puffs of frozen air trailing from her thin lips. "Bloody Orleasians! I should have expected Ser Aveline would be the first thought, whenever I gave my name." She said more to herself than him. Opening her mint, meadow eyes she pinned Sebastian with a cautious gaze, dropping one hand to the hilt of her sword and the other to her side. "My father named me." She said sheepishly. "I grew up wanting to be a knight, just like your Ser Aveline. Until I got older and realized, I had no clue who Ser Aveline was supposed to be me other than a wish made by a desperate man." Sebastian watched closely as she spoke. Her speech was well practiced. It was clear to him that her name was quite a burden and it amazed Sebastian how fragile the tough warrior suddenly seemed. " Now that my name sake has been dissected and your wondrous Ser Aveline remembered we can move on. Yes?"
He'd unintentionally hit a soft spot in the Captain, by simply saying her name? "Interesting." "Actually, Captain, I was simply going to remark how beautiful and suiting the name is to the woman who wields it. You see I reside in Orlais, it's true, but I come from Starkhaven and in all the ages I've lived in Orlais, I've only ever heard whispers of Ser Aveline." He tapped his stubbled chin thoughtfully, his turquoise orbs running over her again. "Though if she was half as beautiful as you, it's a wonder any man could have raised his sword upon her." Aveline's wind, kissed cheeks colored a deeper shade of pink, her face softening a measure. Clearly Sebastian hadn't lost his touch with the opposite sex, after all. Perhaps then the Lady Hawke was immune to his charms?
Aveline relaxed her defensive posture, dropping her hand from the diamond-encrusted hilt, of her sword. "If you have some time Knight-Commander, I'd like to have words with you." Her voice was like honey, with just a slight hint of an accent, Ferelden if he wasn't mistaken. A Ferelden woman who made Guard Captain, in an incredibly biased Kirkwall! Lady Aveline was a stunning lass and a bloody enigma.
"Sorry Captain." Keran spoke, when Sebastian hadn't made an attempt to. "But Knight-Commander Vael has other matters to attend to. We could book an appointment for later today, or tomorrow at the latest?" Aveline's face tightened, annoyance creasing her brow.
"It's ok Keran. I seem to have forgotten my gloves back at the Inn. I dare say strumming a bow, with frost bitten hands would likely be near impossible. Captain Hendyr, if you'd accompany me back to The Rose, we could talk on the way?" He looked towards Keran. "Knight-Corporal you're dismissed. Go spend time with Macha while you can. The Captain of the guard is by my side, I'm sure I'll be well protected."
"Knight-Commander! Were supposed to b-."
"I said dismissed Corporal." Sebastian spat, with more venom than intended, but for Keran to question a direct order, from his superior was unacceptable. Especially in front of the cities guard. Briskly, Sebastian turned from the retreating Corporal, back to the Guard Captain. "Shall we?" He asked, extending his elbow to Aveline. Fully expecting she'd refuse such gentry. Again she surprised him, giving him a warm smile, then looping her arm into his. Together they began the walk back, through the snowy cobble stoned city to the pretty Rose. "Now Captain Hendyr, what would you like to speak with me about? Are my men already causing you trouble?" The throaty laugh she gave him was pleasant to his ears, her voice husky when she spoke.
"Knight-Commander. When word arrived, you and your men where venturing to our fine city, the snowball effect of trouble started. Fear and uncertainty make people do crazy things I'm afraid."
"A pity, that people fear us so readily then Captain."
"Indeed." She agreed solemnly. "To lay your question to rest. No your men haven't yet caused any grief, but the day is still young." Her entrancing laugh bubbled up again, at the annoyed look he shot her. "Jokes, Knight-Commander, just jokes." She raised both her arms up in surrender, before smiling and looping her arm back into his. "I wanted simply to inform you. The guard will be standing with the city and her Viscount, if Divine Justinia's convenient "Inquiry," becomes more. We proudly stand as Kirkwall's first line of defense." She said, her tone seeping with pride. "I suspected the Guard standing with it's city would be obvious, but already your Knight-Vigilant has laid a request upon my desk for the our support. I'm telling you the same thing I told him. The Black City, will have to freeze over, before the guard stands with the Templars."
"Ms. Hendyr-."
"Mrs." She corrected quickly.
"Of course." Sebastian paused, clearing his throat. "The man who captured you is very lucky then, Mrs.," Sebastian emphasized. "Hendyr." Shooting her another electric smile, fully enjoying the spattering of pretty, pink across her cheeks once more.
"No Knight-Commander, I believe myself to be the lucky one." Her small lips turned up into a dreamy smile.
"Mrs. Hendyr you seem a wise, well grounded woman. You'd have to be as Captain of the Guard. Certainly, you see the dangers a free city poses for everyone? Especially for the mages who wish so vehemently for it to be so, there's already an Imperium. We're here to be sure Kirkwall doesn't fall prey to the seductive whispers of the Black Divine, like Tevinter did. We, the Elite, are truly the first line of defense Kirkwall has. Aveline's lush, green gaze bore into Sebastian, making his body twitch under the scrutiny. She watched him closely, as if with just a look she could see into the deepest parts of his soul. Trying to forge whether he was benevolent in his motives, or if he'd picked up the crest of the Maker to torture the people he was meant to protect. Sebastian stayed quiet, while she measured his worth. He believed in the chantry and it's Templars. Mages needed to be in the circle, safe from the world and themselves. But that didn't mean they lost their right to humane handling, as Andraste would demand. He wasn't a power hungry masochist; if she were as insightful as he felt she was, she'd certainly see that.
Aveline's gaze dropped from his form, to their booted feet. "You know at one time Knight-Commander, I agreed with you fully. To some degree I still do." She paused licking her chapped lips.
"But, not when it comes to Kirkwall?" Sebastian finished for her, filling in the sudden silence. "You must see the hypocrisy in that?" Her light, knowing laugh, was completely unlike the sultry, throaty one she'd gifted him with previously, and proof she saw the hypocritical holes.
"I understand your doubts, Messere. Trust me, when I say I've weighed the decisions, I've made very carefully." Aveline hesitated. Her metal clad fingers smoothing over Sebastian's forearm, while she silently pondered what she'd say next. "Listen, the entire year Kirkwall has been free of her chains, our Viscount hasn't asked for anything, but peace. There have been no attempts to further alter the balance of power. No attempts at spreading the freedom outside of Kirkwall. Hawke's been-."
"Hawke?" Sebastian interrupted. "As in Lady Hawke?" He asked.
"No, does Marian seem the type?" Aveline joked, though Sebastian caught the nervous hitch in her voice and found it strange how she suddenly avoided his eyes, keeping them firmly locked on their snowy boots.
"So then the Viscount is Lady Hawke's husband?" Sebastian pushed.
"Oh! Maker NO!" Aveline said in hushed tones, a scandalized look upon her face.
"Carver Hawke, is Marian's younger brother, Knight-Commander and he resides in the seat of Viscount." With Sebastian's interest tweaked, he wanted to prod the Captain further. There was clearly something more to the Hawke siblings, but he could feel the sudden tension that surrounded them. Silence hung in the air for several minutes, settling like a thick blanket of fog, before Aveline finally continued. "Carver Hawke has been a fair and just ruler. He's been able to grant mercy were it's due. Punishment's that are worthy of their crimes when necessary and he stays entirely neutral in the mighty Mage, Templar debate, preferring to see both sides and make his decisions accordingly."
"His sister is a mage. She's quite proud and open with that fact." Sebastian pointed out. "
"His sister is a mage. She's quite proud and open with that fact." Sebastian pointed out. "You mean to tell me, Carver would go against his sister? That he doesn't have a bias in this argument?" Aveline halted abruptly in front of the rebuilt Chantry. Sebastian watched her curiously, as she looked between the grand structure to him and back again. \
"The Hawke's aren't devout Andrasten's." Sebastian raised his brow in confusion.
"Captain, how does the Hawke's, turning their backs to the Maker help their case?" Aveline looked to him, than again set her eyes upon the Chantry.
"I suspect it doesn't. Though if you had patience Commander, I was going to say that, though they're not partial to the Maker, they still felt it their duty to sink thousands of their own personal funds into resurrecting the ruins of his holy place. By doing so they've shown that we don't all have to agree to live in peace. So yes, I think someone else leading Kirkwall into emancipation from the Circle, would be disastrous. But Hawke isn't someone else. He's a strong leader, who seeks peace where most would seek power."
"Yet in the past six years, the city has been thrust into one war, after the other, and Hawke… Your Champion; has been directly in the center of them all." Sebastian kept his tone mild. He respected this Aveline; she stood bold where most would cower from him. He didn't want her to see him as a thick fool.
"The problems Kirkwall has faced were hardly wars, Knight-Commander. Though without Hawke, they would have been. I was here when the Qunari became a threat. I watched every avenue taken to diffuse the situation. I was part of the sleepless nights and long days. We traveled tirelessly, from the Wounded Coast, all the way to Sundermount and back, to stop the storm that brewed. But fate had dealt the blood-soaked deck of cards, the day the Qunari landed. Nobody not even your Divine could have stopped the bloodshed." She sighed, the grip of her gauntlet tightening around Sebastian's arm. He understood the toll such bloodshed took on a person, he felt for the Captain.
"For what it's worth, I am truly sorry for the loss of so many." And he meant it.
"Thank you, Knight-Commander." Aveline smiled up at him, her hand going soft once more. "You know, I was in the Qunari Compound the day the Arishok deemed indoctrination necessary. For the first time in my entire life I felt real fear, but Hawke refused to back down. He was still certain, even with the spears the Qunari were launching at us, that a peaceful solution could still be met. I physically had to drag him out of the compound, before he'd leave." Again silence fell between them. Sebastian listened to the birds singing overhead, as he contemplated her words. The sounds of merchants hawking their wares signaled the markets had finally come alive. He watched, citizens politely bow to Aveline with good day affections, as they went about their business. Most of them ignored his presences, while others burned him with icy gazes and hate filled slurs.
Stopping in front of the Roses steps, she gracefully unhooked her arm from his turning to face him. Aveline grabbed his forearms in her firm grip. "Sebastian, listen to me," her boldness at using his name and not his title made him smile. "Every fight Kirkwall has been apart of, have been pushed upon us by other's hands. If you and your men attack us, the streets will run in blood again, your blood and mine, I can guarantee that. You've been allowed to land peacefully, not a single one of your men lost their lives. That never would have happened, if you'd been landing in Tevinter, you know that, as well as I do. It should be proof enough, that Kirkwall will not be the Black City. Don't take the lives of innocent people, because Divine Justinia is scared!" Aveline's gauntleted hands, slid off the smooth dragon bone of his armor, her eyes turning to the Templar's guarding the Roses doors. "I bet Marian is overjoyed with her Templar guests?" She asked, with sarcasm clear in her tone.
"Aye Guard-Captain! She was so pleased with my presence in fact, that on taking her leave of me, I believe her exact words were. "Good day to you, Knight-Commander. May the Black Divine taint your Templar soul in the black pits you deserve!" Sebastian mimicked, the frigid Lady Hawke the best he could. Aveline stared at him, her mortification clear.
"She did not say that! Did she?!" The ginger woman, questioned horror sparkling in her green jewels.
"Aye, she did, but you needn't fret over it. I've had worse said to me, mind you never by such a stunning lady as Mrs. Hawke, but there is a first time for everything I suppose."
"Trust me Knight-Commander, though Marian can be furiously sharp tongued, she's actually a very sensible, sweet woman with a heart of gold."
"I don't fault her hostility. She's a mage, I'm a Templar. Life dictates that we oppose each other, but I do hope I see her golden side you speak so fondly of." Sebastian chuckled deeply, doubting he'd ever see the blasted rebel warm to him. "Guard-Captain, if you'd give me a moment to fetch my gloves, I'd very much like to continue this conversation. Could you spare more of your time in my company?" He asked. Aveline nodded her approval. While folding her hands behind her back, posturing herself in a regal guards stance."
7-7-7
"HAWKEEEE!" Marian heard Aveline's booming voice, she could almost feel it reverberate off the Rose's walls. The Captain's tone could only mean Hawke had done something to irk her dear friend.
"Shit." Her mind sighed. Donnic had probably told his lovely wife, that she and Varric had been trying to dig secrets of he and Aveline's sexcapades out of him again. She absolutely hated when they did that. "Andraste's tits!" All they wanted, was realistic details for Varric's next book. Marian couldn't see what the big deal was.
She made her way to the foyer, knowing exactly what to expect from the Captain. Aveline would have her hands fisted at her sides, with her feet spread wide apart, making herself look more intimidating than she already was. Her face would be tight with anger, but still loving. It was the look that always reminded Hawke, of her dearly departed mum. It was fitting, after all Aveline was her surrogate mother. They were only a few years apart, but Aveline, took care and watched over Marian and Carver, like they were her own. She doted on Nova, like Marian assumed her mom would have, but where Leandra's gifts would've been, ruffled dresses to wear to fancy balls, Aveline gave blunted swords, to train in the barracks with her guardsmen.
Rounding the corner, into the foyer where the Guard-Captain waited, Marian came face to…Gloves? Marian looked in confusion from Aveline's angry face; then back to the black leather gloves the Captain held up.
"Look familiar Hawke?" Aveline asked sharply. Marian again glimpsed the leather bits in the older woman's hand, with wide eyes. This was certainly not what she was expecting. Perhaps Aveline had taken to many smacks to the head recently? When was the last time she checked in with Anders? Marianwondered silently still eyeing the raised gloves.
"I've never seen them before in my life Aveline. So I'm completely at a loss why they should be familiar to me, though I must admit, the gold accents them very well." Aveline threw her hands in the air, turning from Marian to pace the small foyer. Every so often she chattered under her breath, picking at the gold on the gloves she still held.
"Captain, you look insane! Are you going to tell me why the gloves are so important? OR," Marian shrieked gleefully, "we could make a game of it! I'll get Isabela!" Try as she might Marian, couldn't hide the amusement that seeped into her voice. It was a rare sight to see Aveline's cool composure crack like this.
"They don't look familiar to you at all? Honestly Hawke, how did you ever manage to escape Templar notice, with such shit perception?"
Marian's amusement immediately began to splinter. The gold should have given the gloves away, Templars loved themselves some gold, but how did she miss Andraste's flaming swords on the palms? "Do you know who's they are Aveline? Where did you find them?" Marian asked calmly. With so many Templars running about the Rose they could belong to anyone, what made these ones so special?
"I found them in front of the lounge door. I suspect them to be Sebastian Vael's."
"Go bloody figure!" Sebastian Vael was quickly becoming a massive thorn in her side. "How can you be so sure Aveline? Did Justinia stitch his name on the inside tag? I bet she did I hear she's such a sweet old prig!" Marian said, slapping her hands together, holding them to her left cheek while she fluttered her thick eyelashes at Aveline.
"Hawke!" Aveline snarled at Marian's insolence. "Knight-Commander Vael was with me. We stopped at the Rose because he needed his gloves." She waved the leather in Marian's face, as if to emphasize her point. "He went into the Rose absolutely fine. So imagine my shock, when not ten minutes later he's nearly knocking me on my arse trying to get away from your Inn, like the bloody blight was on his tail! But you want to hear the best part Hawke? I of course came in to see, what would cause such a calm man to completely lose himself. Do you know what I found?" The Captain paused, but as Marian opened her mouth to speak Aveline interrupted. "You and that pirate whore rolling about the lounge like two bitches in heat and Sebastian's gloves on the floor, next to the door. Meaning he too, took in the show." Aveline's voice began to crackle, her face and ears turning cherry red, Hawke feared the stressed Captain's head would explode if she got any angrier. What did Aveline have to be mad about? She hadn't been the one spied on. Marian had. She was the one violated. "Find him Hawke! Fix this. Grovel like your life depends upon it. Cause if your transgressions have offended him, it very well might." Aveline tossed the gloves at Marian. "And for the love of all that's holy put on some bloody clothes! It's below zero outside and your flouncing around in next to nothing," Marian could feel Aveline's fiery, gaze running over the barely, there emerald robe she still wore. "Have you no shame?" Aveline asked. But again the angry Guard didn't wait for a response, swiftly turning from Marian, scuffing the hardwood floor, with the heel of her heavy boots. "Fix it now Mari I mean it." Was all she said before leaving the Rose.
"Have you not been cruel enough?" Marian muttered shaking her balled fist toward the ceiling of the little foyer. Her frustration finally bubbling over, she punted the solid oak leg of the foyers registry table. The pain immediately shot up her slippered foot, the vibrations burning a trail of pain up and through her. "Andraste's flaming ass!" Marian hollered hobbling on her uninjured foot, cradling the abused one on her calf. She bounced a complete three-sixty trying to ease the pain, only to turn into the shocked face of the young Corporal that had accompanied Sebastian earlier that day. "Maker when did he come in?"
"What are you gawking at?" She snarled, baring her teeth at him, dropping her still throbbing foot. Deftly, to save some of her dignity, she swept up the leather gloves she'd dropped and smoothed her ruffled robe, before brushing past the Corporal who stood like a statue, his wide, blue eyes still set upon her. At least he wasn't the one who'd caught her with her bare ass in the air. If a few curse words had him gaping like a fish out of water, he'd surely never recover from the sight of two women fucking!