The tenth training dummy fell to the ground before Jeanne’s feet, frayed and shattered like others. Her knuckles were now covered in wraps, blood still seeping through as she panted and wiped the sweat from her brow with her arm. She turned to look for anymore mannequins to grab, only finding none.

She moved over to a bench and sat down hard on the seat. She grabbed a towel laying nearby and draped it over her neck. As the sweat on her skin and clothes evaporated, she could feel the chill of the air in the cave cool her down. Helping her feel a return of calm to her. Her muscles finally relaxing and free from stiffness. All ill thoughts melting away from her mind.

Rotating her neck, she heard someone moving into the training area. She rolled her eyes, still keeping them closed not wanting to open them to acknowledge whoever was there.

“Lady Marais,” she heard Selene address her.

Gods … damn it, Jeanne thought, trying not to snarl at hearing her voice.

“I was hoping to speak with you, if we can,” Selene said.

Jeanne had to quick keep from saying the first few responses coming to her mind. “As you wish,” she replied. Jeanne gripped the edge of the seat to keep from swinging towards her guest.

“I wanted to apologize for what I said during our last meeting. I acted in a way that was not acceptable given circumstances.”

“I don’t think my responses were not helpful in that respect.”

“Still, I feel as if there is enough going on with you and your fellow Wolves that adding to it wasn’t prudent.” There was a long pause between them. “And – hearing about your sister. I have no words.”

“I guess you heard the rest of what I said.”

“I did, and while I won’t say my life has been a simple walk through a meadow, I cannot say I have endured what you have.”

“Probably not the easiest job running a … I’m sorry what would you call your business?”

“A brothel,” Selene replied.

“Right, I wasn’t certain if that was the proper term or not.”

“Well, most people still call it a whorehouse. Though we do try to run a more respectable enterprise.”

“I can say your tavern is fucking amazing,” Jeanne said, before turning away. “That could’ve been phrased better.”

“It’s quite all right,” Selene said giggling, “I was proud of how that all turned out.”

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“I surprised you haven’t turned it into its own little venture.”

“We’ve been considering the idea, though we’d like to ensure no one sneaks their way into the other part of our establishment.”

“Oh yeah, there is that little kink.”

“Yes,” Selene said, “but I could not imagine what it must’ve been like to lose any of my family in such a terrible way.”

“Have you lost anyone?” Jeanne asked.

“My parents, during a bout of scarlet fever in the city,” Selene replied. “But I had time to come to terms, to prepare myself. And all of my siblings are living their own lives. Sometimes I forget how fortunate I’ve been with what I have and enjoyed. Sometimes you do forget just how bad the world can be beyond the walls of a city.”

“I can’t I don’t do the same when I’m visiting the city. Hard not to feel like those worries are far away.”

“And I know you didn’t mean for the alley situation to happen. It was clear as day what occurred. It’s just, when I heard Hypatia was hurt, I reacted on emotions, and I blamed the wrong person.”

“I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same if someone I cared for was hurt. Actually I might’ve blown half of Baeron’s body up when he did.”

“I’m glad not to have seen that the other day.”

“Gods I’d be hearing about that for the end of my days,” Jeanne said, laughing.

“I can only imagine,” Selene said rising to her feet. “But I should get back to Hypatia. I don’t want her thinking I got lost.”

“She’s probably in the library,” Jeanne said, standing up. “I can take you to her, if you’d like.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Selene said to her. “I’m not well acquainted with the layout of this fortification.”

“Don’t feel bad,” said Jeanne. “It took me over a month just to figure out most of the major locations in this place.”

As they entered the main keep Jeanne asked. “Do you mind if I ask a question?”

“Of course,” Selene replied.

“How did you and Hypatia meet? I was taken a bit by surprised when I learned you two were together?”

Selene clapped her hands together as the memory came back to her. “Well, it was, I think, three years ago when we first met. I was having to renew some of the charters I needed to fill out for my little enterprise. And when I arrived to the city archives, she was the first person I met. It’s hard to describe but it was almost like a dream when I saw her. Just listening to her speak gave made me feel relaxed as I never felt before. It was as if I was listening to music being created for the time.”

“I didn’t know she had that much of an effect on you,” Jeanne said to her.

“I can’t say it was something that happened often,” Selene replied. “Especially in my profession, you don’t fall head over heels for the first pretty face you see. But with her, she was someone who I felt this special connection with. I even had trouble speaking when I first saw her.”

“Really? I figured you wouldn’t have that problem.”

“Normally yes, which was quite the conundrum when I was experiencing myself.”

“So, who made the first move?”

“She did, of course, which again caught me off guard. Poor thing thought my shock in her inquiry was rejection and I had to assure her to the contrary.”

“I would’ve loved to have seen that.”

“But what you and the doctor? You two seem like complete opposites.”

“I’m still wondering that myself sometimes. Hell, it wasn’t that long ago he dreaded talking to me for a medical emergency.”

“How did you two meet then?”

“Oh, I was in a fight at a tavern, had my arm dislocated, found his medical clinic first, kicked down the door and declared my need to be treated. Thankfully he wasn’t in the middle of a major emergency or something else.”

“I can imagine he was thrilled with that form of entrance.”

“Oh, he was tickled.”

“And she still owes me a new door!” they heard Leonidas holler from the library.