Maris hit the ground hard, the force of her landing knocking the air from her lungs.  For a moment, she lay dazed all the while expecting the Cimmerian to slit her throat.  The sound of the officer's neck snapping jolted her out of her stupor.  She clamored to her feet, grateful to still be alive.<br/><br/>The Cimmerian glared at her and her courage wilted under his icy stare.  Still, she was a professional and she had no intention to allow any man, especially a savage outlander, to best her.  She threw aside her now useless breastplate, it's protective surface cloven in two by the barbarian's savage attack.  The shift she wore beneath was slick with her sweat, the thin linen clinging suggestively to the curves of her shapely breasts as she warily backed away.  She had lost her sword but she had a dagger, a keen blade she had taken off the body of a dead Zingaran freebooter years ago.  The Cimmerian might be strong but she was quick... She just needed to stay out of his reach.<br/><br/>"Now Kael," the tawny haired Aquilonian spoke.  Beneath the sweat and grime, she was quite comely.  Although no where near the exquisite beauty that was Mira.  "Let us resolve this like civilized folk.  You have committed a crime against our Lord.  We know it was the Brythunian whore who planned it all.  You were simply her fool.  Let us not shed any more blood.  Return with me an I am sure the Lord will be most merciful with you... "<br/><br/><div align="center">* *</div><br/>Hours passed and night was falling.  Mira slowed her pace, confident that she had avoided being followed.  She felt a brief moment of pity for Kael.  Surely the barbarian was dead by now.  But she pushed those thoughts aside.  Men were here to be used and discarded when they where no longer of use.<br/><br/>Up ahead, she spotted the lights of an inn, preparing for the evening rush.  Smiling to herself, she hurried towards the cluster of buildings.  As she drew close, she noticed the cluster of horses outside, kitted with riding gear and weaponry.  She slowed, hesitating.  And then she heard the clink of chainmail and a harsh voice in her ear.<br/><br/>"Why here she is boys, the whore that stole from Lord Vanko... The old man was smart, telling us to look for her here... Let's say we search her for this jewel..."<br/><br/><br/><br/>