"No. Yes. Is that really what we want to do? How would we explain this? There is always the possibility of the Warchief putting us on trial and killing us. I like my head the shape it is, the position it is, namely on my shoulders."
"So, we go back up then?" Lindi asked.
Heather nodded, "There's little else to be done."
All girls turned away from the tower, heading down the hill's slope at speed. Heather took the lead, jumping first, followed in a line as she spiralled up the tower and into the box where Matthias, his wife and child waited.
"Decided on our fate?" Matthias asked, remarkably upbeat.
"What do you mean?" Heather asked.
"You weren't deciding to kill or leave us?"
"Like I said, it's too much money. We're but simple dancers. We only went to," She hesitated there, "'mark our territory'", was the best she could come up with.
She smirked at Matthias only to have him bounce it back. Hers made her feel better, his ate hers whole.
"Oh really, tell me. Does it generally take all seven of you to 'mark your territory'?"
"We are women, could be dangerous."
Heather blinked when Matthias burst out laughing.
"Indulge me."
He reached out for her hand. She obliged. He ran his thumb and index up her arm, slow and soft. Her skin tingling in a way she'd never imagined possible. Were it not for the firmness of his hand anchoring her, she would have fallen. He was married, in possession. Black Air Raider culture dictated that the married were untouchable, it was very clear on the issue. Yet, sitting there, her muscles weakened, she'd court[3] him any day. Married or not, spoken for or not. She licked the inside of her lip.
"These are not the muscles of someone scared of revealing themselves. Too much control, no, these are a dancer's muscles or rather an artist's.
"No, I cannot say that about myself." Heather said pulling away.
She could feel her ears starting to burn, it was a new and horrible sensation.
"We know the road you speak of in your dream" Lindi said quickly.
As annoying as Lindi was getting, it would have been a lie to say Heather wasn't relieved. Matthias and Miriam both turned to Lindi, Miriam looked as though she were about to cry.
Heather found herself wondering if all human women were so weepy.