<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=12451.msg507565#msg507565">Quote from: Bliss on 14-01-2008, 17:00:36</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Her hand twitched a little after his finger brushed across it, as if itching to grab at him, or to perhaps wipe the feel of his touch from her skin. But he drew away the finger before she could do either, and she was left standing before him, trying to pick the proper words out of his accented speech. "We have differing ideas of good; I'll not lay down for you."<br/><br/>Atnorsa spoke flatly, turning to face him fully, and took a short step back from him, as far as the reach of the chains between her ankles would allow. She still held up her chained hands, and somehow rather than looking like a retreat, the movement had the appearance of a deliberate, tactical shift, the woman fully prepared to grapple with him if he tried to actually force her to the floor.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/>Anastasius watched her.  The shift in his own stance was subtle, but he suspected she was warrior enough to notice it.  The hold wasn't big, but for one used to fighting in close quarters it was a fine battleground.  Not that he wanted to fight her, but she seemed braced for it.<br/><br/>He lifted his wineskin and sipped, washing the wine about his mouth before swallowing it.  "Each time you refuse one of us," he said slowly and carefully, "You will be punished.  Are you sure you want to fight me over such a small thing?  Is this moment of defiance worth what it's going to cost you?  Or is it true what I've been told... Are you Amazons such mindless animals that you make a bull seem reasonable?"