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Cynoscephalae (actual Greece) - 197 BC
Portia stood up from the bed and stretched in the dimly lit tent, the light fabric of her tunic rustled around her legs and opened in the middle to reveal well-rounded legs whose pearly skin shone in the candlelight. She carefully helped herself to half a cup of wine and topped it up with water. The scent of wine reached her nostrils, there were rosemary and lavender in there for sure and a good helping of honey. She took a tiny sip and licked her lips.
Noises from the outside reached her. It was the sound of inexpert musicians whose hands have been lubed up by a good helping of sweet wine and laughing, drunken warriors with their happy partners.
Portia took another sip of wine and closed her eyes, waiting. Suddenly, the entrance flap of the tent rose up and a muscular man stumbled inside. He was still dressed in his battle outfit, the heavy chest armor stained in blood and sweat, a red mantle covering his back. Her hands rose in silence to offer her goblet to his thirsty mouth. He took it and went to sit on the bed.
The wooden structure welcomed the heavy warrior with a squeak and Portia knew better than to start chattering. Instead, she kept silent and waited for Kaius to take a sip of wine. Only when she saw his shoulders lower a bit under the armor she walked closer, her tunic flowing with her steps and barely hiding her body.
Her fingers went directly to the leather strips and buckles of his armor and released them, then she lifted the heavy metal and put it away on one side of the bed. In the light of the braziers, she sat at his side and kept silent.
Kaius took more sips from the goblet and his features relaxed a little bit more.
'It was...' He paused, '...amazing.'
Portia smiled. Given the feisty soldiers outside the tent, there was no doubt it had been a success.
'They settled into a phalanx and didn't stand a chance. Rome will be pleased.' Portia refilled his goblet and sat at his side again. Her hand started to wander on the dirty garments that Kaius was still wearing. Blood had clotted over a cut on his arm. Her fingers touched it lightly and Kaius's eyes closed.