140AD - The Rise to Empress || [GxG] ||

Chapter 28

Firstly I would like to say that this chapter's writing has much deviated from my normal writing style but I figured after the week of drama, why not add a laugh or two?

But also a fair warning, there are some dark parts to this chapter as well. Mentions of rape, please read at own risk.

Enjoy!

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"So it's really you then..." Ontari slowly lowered the blade from Lexa's neck, not yet sheathing it though. She couldn't believe her eyes and wondered for a few moments if this was one of the many dreams that she experienced over the years. She looked around for a moment, feeling the warmth of the setting sun and the lone trickle of perspiration on her brow. A low wind blew through nearby palm trees, making the long dry palms rustle. No, it wasn't a dream.

"I'm afraid so yes. Put your blade away before I take it away from you; you and I both know you could never match me." There was a tone of mocking in Lexa's voice, though both of her hands were still in the air, drawn up in surrender lazily. The familiar scent of expensive vanilla filled the air around them. Lexa wasn't sure if she took a deep breath for the purpose of relief or if she was desperately in need of the familiar scent. A scent from home. A home that was long gone.

After a heartbeat or two, the shrill sound of Ontari's blade being sheathed sounded, making Lexa lower her hands back into her lap. "I can't believe it. I thought you were dead." Lexa shook her head at the admission; she remembered thinking the same about Ontari for a very long time up until she just stopped thinking about the woman that defied every single one of her morals. "The thought is mutual, Ontari."

Ontari plopped down next to Lexa, letting her legs dangle from the flimsy wooden dock. Lexa spared a glance in her direction, quickly looking her over. From her sharp features to the newly crafted light armour she wore. Ontari returned the gesture, just much less inconspicuously. She never was the inconspicuous type; Lexa remembers as much. "Would you like me to explain now? Why I did what I did."

"No, no, of course not. That short-lived grudge is long gone. My apologies for my momentary attack, I suppose I acted out of shock." Lexa curtly nodded, not looking in Ontari's direction as she chewed the inside of her cheek. Memories she had long buried all came back in a flood; an almost overwhelming flood. A flood she wasn't entirely ready to drown in again.

It was the year 137, many years ago, why it was still so vivid in her mind after so much time didn't really make sense. "I'm sorry for leaving you, Ontari. I was young and I didn't see any other solution other than running." Lexa decided that she would explain herself anyway, she owed her long-time friend as much. "I went back two weeks later but I couldn't find you and the clueless settlers knew nothing of you either."

Both girls were in their early seventeen summers of age, both only on their sixth or seventh mercenary task deep in the desolate villages of Italy. Some tasks took longer than others and it wasn't particularly common for mercenaries to work together, but the two of them found a liking in one another at the time. A rushed childish love affair at best. Both of them far away from home, finding some sort of comfort in the idea of affection.

Their target was a politician from the capital of Italy, a sloppy Senator of the sort. An old man according to the one who was selling the contract. Nine hundred aureus at stake that the woman would share once the job was done. However, the briefing was completely wrong and the two young women were thrown right in the middle of a tavern full of Praetorian guards and the not-so-old Senator that all too easily caught onto their plot.

They were still young and sloppy killers, easily distinguishable. When havoc ensued inside of the tavern and ale flew all over the place, Lexa being as nimble and not so muscular as she was now, easily slipped from the Praetorian's grasps. That night she ran into the darkness until her slender legs could no longer carry her. Essentially leaving Ontari behind to whatever fate might befall her. The heavy feeling of regret fell heavy upon Lexa's shoulders and after returning two weeks later to find her friend, she was nowhere to be found.