With a sword in her hand

Adriana is standing in the center of the room wearing the tailored gown you remember well from the dining hall, but now she has a short fighting sword clenched in her right hand. With the gladius in her hand the demur maiden seems transformed into one of the images from the murals in the rooms below.

"Were you expecting me?" You ask as you draw your own blade and step into the room closing the solid door behind you with your heel.

"Well yes, of course." She answers confidently watching you closely as you step cautiously into the large bed chamber. So far you've seen little in the way of weapon skills from any of Athenapolis' citizens, but a sword is a sword, and there was something in the easy stance of this young woman that makes you take the threat seriously.

"It had to be either Mother or me.” She explains with a sweet innocence that you cannot help but find appealing, but at the same time her blade rises to an en-guard position of a duelist. “Many men might prefer an experienced woman like the Lady Sophia with her hour glass figure, but I saw the way your eyes lingered on me as we dined." Your eyes are not lingering on her body now. Instead you focus on the blade in the remarkable young woman's steady hand.

“It’s what invading armies do.” Adriana continues a little louder, “They take the women of the conquered city and use them for their pleasure.” She was right about that, all across Athenapolis women older than her mother and girls younger than Adriana were being taken by victorious soldiers.

“You might take me.” Adriana tells you with a flick of her head that sends a few locks of hair from her face. “But not without a fight.” She warns you. "I won't meekly surrender my virginity to any man.” Judging by her balanced stance and the easy grip of her sword you have no reason not to take her seriously. However, if she was trying to scare you off, she had taken the wrong approach; you are looking forward to the challenge of this duel and the the prize that waits for you when you win. Adriana is speaking again, and you listen to her as you look for any weakness in her defense.

“I thought we’d be **** this afternoon.” She tells you softly as she steps delicately to one side. “I hated the thought that I would be taken without a fight.” The memory of Adriana and her mother standing defiantly in the dappled sunlight of the gardens nearly distracts you. “I expected to be passed about like a cheap toy as you and your men took turns…” Her voice fades as she describes the scene with a mixture of fear and excitement. “…took turns forcing us, until we couldn't fight you any longer.” The blade in her hand trembles slightly for the first time in the only indication of emotion.

“But you left without even touching me, or anyone else.” Her eyes meet yours accusingly. “I didn't know if I should be relieved or insulted.”

“Well, I’m here now.” Your words are simple, you are unsure of what she wants from you. Does she really think that she can defend herself against a trained soldier?

“And this time I’m ready for you.” She responds with a hint of a salute with her blade. “Did you expect to find me waiting with breathless anticipation for your touch; perhaps barely dressed only in a scrap of white lace?” That would have been nice. However, it shouldn't take you that long to disarm this proud teen and begin her lessons in obedience. In fact, you prefer to find some fighting spirit in this young noblewoman; hopefully she will be just as spirited when you feel her athletic body squirming under yours as you claim her.