[@xChrome] [@sharksama]

The silence must have meant the mysterious woman was considering Claudia's [i]enticing[/i] offer.  Claudia awaited her response.  Yes, she did intend to give away information concerning the Rebels, but more or less it would be useless in any way to the woman, a woman whom Claudia suspected she had met before.  Ah yes, that auburn haired beauty.  Her name escaped Claudia at the moment, but she could never forget a pretty face like that.

Upon hearing Collin however, her languid expression faded into one of irritance.  [color=ed145b]"Dammit all..."[/color]  She cursed under her breath.  [color=ed145b]"Ah, I suppose we will have to cut this meeting short, my dear, but I will await your presence here tomorrow.  Who knows.  Perhaps I'll get to see [i]more[/i] than that pretty face of yours."~[/color]  Another sultry giggle before the woman sauntered away swaying her hips seductively.  [color=ed145b]"Ta-ta, my lovely shadow.  Oh and...give the Governer my most humble regards."~[/color]  A sly smirk, she disappeared behind the corner.

Right as she walked into the tavern though, the warmth had faded, both from her face and the cozy abode she frequented.  Minerva, oh how those eyes caught Claudia like the claws of a bird of prey instantly.  She shuddered a bit, feeling their vehement gaze pierce right through her flesh striking her heart with fear.  The two leaders stood face to face, Claudia answering quietly with a glower,  [color=ed145b]"Oh...it's you."[/color]

[color=gray]"Enjoying your night, harlot?"[/color]  Minerva was quick with the insults, her dark eyes narrowing into sharp daggers she could stab Claudia with.  Claudia narrowed her own eyes, biting her lip to quell a fiery retort.  [color=gray]"I received your message from Collin, another failure that costed us dearly.  Those three men were our finest soldiers!"[/color]


Both Claudia and Collin winced at Minerva raising her voice.

[color=gray]"And who is to blame for this folly?"[/color]  Sternly Minerva resumed, encircling the two, three including Etoiles, as though a hungry feline entrapping a pair of timid mice.  [color=gray]"Etoiles of course!  She's weak, inexperienced.  She has no place on the battlefield!  Because of her failure, more men lost their lives so carelessly!  If it were up to me, I'd have her stripped and lashed to demoralize her!"[/color]

[color=ed145b]"And then what?"[/color]  Claudia remarked sharply crossing her arms with a scowl.  [color=ed145b]"Toss her back onto the field of battle suffering from grievous injuries?  Injuries both you and the Parliament inflicted?!  The poor girl was punished enough, Minerva!  I saw what those bastards did to Ettie with my own eyes!  Bless the gods she's still alive!"[/color]

[color=gray]"And that's why she's weak!"[/color]  Minerva snapped, nose to nose with the angry Claudia.  [color=gray]"You should be slitting her throat for insubordination!  Not coddling her like a wee babe!  That's why you'll never be leader, Claudia!  You don't know how to lead!"[/color]

[color=ed145b]"Well pardon me for having a heart, you ruthless demon!  You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar, darling!"[/color]

[color=gray]"And you can kill more flies with arsenic than honey, you damn whore!"[/color]  Minerva whirled around yanking the dagger out of the table.  [color=gray]"You want to treat the girl's wounds, then fine!  Soften her up some more, but she'll be back on the battlefield in three days!"[/color]

[color=ed145b]"She will need more than three days to heal!"[/color]  Claudia interjected.

[color=gray]"THREE DAYS!"[/color]  Minerva shouted to the top of her lungs, those dark blotches forming around her eyes...they were a warning for Claudia to back off.  [color=gray]"If she's not ready by then, she will be executed!  Now, I have important matters to attend to.  Don't contact me unless it's urgent!"[/color]  She stormed off towards the door pulling the hood of her cloak over her head.  [color=gray]"And don't think of fucking that spy either!"[/color]

*SLAM!*

The door closed behind Minerva with the same amount of force Claudia's fist slammed into the table.  That....that woman, oh how she made the other's skin burn with the fires of Hell.  Claudia stood in silence, her blue eyes alit with such flames to scorch that loathsome demon.  And Minerva had to wonder why most of the troops looked up to the lowly barmaid and not the grizzled veteran.

[color=ed145b]"...I need a drink..."[/color]  She heaved a sigh, her bitter features softening somewhat.  She looked at the two, Collin and Etoiles, both equally afraid.  Warmly Claudia smiled, [color=ed145b]"Would you two care for anything?"[/color]