There was some noise outside, men’s voices in the courtyard. Gabrielle looked out the window into the dawn and saw them changing stations. A movement to her right caught her eye. She looked and rubbed her eyes. It was Dantien’s hair unmistakably drifting out of the window. Gabrielle quickly pulled herself back.
“She’s watching them.” she turned and faced the bed.
“So was I, and it didn’t mean anything….” she turned back and looked out again, only to see the same sight.
She ran her hands through her hair and shook her head, then went to the chair where her outfit was draped, glad to not to have to wear that dress another day.

She was still wrestling with her skirt when there was a knock at the door.
“Wait please!” she called out, remembering the propensity of the servants to come into the room.
“I can come back later.” it was Dantien’s voice. Gabrielle smoothed her skirt and looked around for her chakram.
“You can come in.” she bent over, looking under the chair. The darn thing could roll at times…there it was.
“Now that’s a sight to wake up to.” Dantien observed with a smile.
“Very funny.” Gabrielle straightened herself up and placed the chakram in its clip.
“It was a compliment, actually.” Dantien crossed her arms and leaned in the doorway.
“Then wait till I get my boots out from under the bed. No, wait- why don’t you get the boots for me- you’ve got longer arms.” Gabrielle put her hands on her hips and smiled.
“I will- if you watch the door to make sure no one’s coming.”
“Deal.”
Dantien walked past and Gabrielle found herself inhaling deeply, catching that smell. Gabrielle looked out the door, and satisfied, turned her attention back to the room. Dantien gave her a sly look, hitched her shift above her knees, and got down on the floor. She reached under the bed and tossed out the first boot. Then she lay down, stretched, and wiggled partway under the bed.
“How in the world did you get this one so far under here?” her muffled voice was half-laughing. Her shift wadded up with her motions and Gabrielle noticed that what she had first thought was a tan appeared to be Dantien’s natural skin color. Gabrielle watched as the muscles on her back shifted with her movement. Those were not the muscles she saw on most women- but they were the kind she was used to seeing on Amazons. It was also apparent that more than her legs had suffered injuries. Something had happened to her on a large scale.
“You have a lot of muscles.” she remarked casually.
“I need them all.” the reply was quick and automatic.
“And a lot of bruises.”
“Got it.” with that, she began to wiggle backwards, her shift climbing up her legs. Gabrielle decided it was a good time to look out the door. When she looked back, Dantien was sitting on the floor with the boot in her hand like a trophy. She held out the boot with a flourish, and Gabrielle bowed and took it. Dantien looked at the nightstand and saw the urn at eye-level.
“What...” she reached out her hand, only to have it smacked by Gabrielle.
“Don’t touch!” Gabrielle cried sharply, surprising herself at how she sounded.
Dantien looked at her struck hand in amazement, then up at Gabrielle.
“I’m sorry.” Gabrielle blurted, feeling tears near the surface. She grasped the reddened hand and patted it gently. “Dantien, I don’t know what got into me.” she looked at the urn. “It’s personal.”
“So are my bruises.” Dantien said softly. Their eyes met in a new understanding. Dantien nodded and Gabrielle helped pull her to her feet.
“Maybe… we can talk about these things later.” Gabrielle ventured hesitantly.
Dantien looked down at her. Gabrielle realized she was still holding her hand. She dropped it and Dantien reached up and ran her hand over the top of Gabrielle’s hair, smoothing it down.
“Maybe- at dinner tonight.” her voice sounded as if she were far away, not in the room.
“Deal.” Gabrielle’s eyes widened and she shoved Dantien toward the door. “Go- I hear someone coming.”
Dantien tilted her head. “I don’t hear-”
“Just go. Trust me!” with that, Gabrielle shoved her out the door.