Sunset ^beta

Chapter Text

The Royal Palace of Eternia bore witness to a special promotion ceremony taking place in the Throne Room.  King Randor and Queen Marlena seated on their thrones, dedicated bodyguard Clamp Champ standing to their side on the dais.  Further back towards the door were Prince Adam, Captain Teela, her father, the Man-at-Arms and an invited guest, standing in a row.  To the side of the red carpet leading from the entrance to the throne stood members of the Royal Guard Officer Corps in full uniform.  The subject of the day’s ceremony kneeled before her sovereign.  A woman with black bob-cut hair, a hairband keeping the bangs clear from her face, which had a scar running from the left side of her forehead and down her cheek.  She wore a sleeveless green jumpsuit which showed her tanned, muscular arms.  The result of years of hard living, as was another scar running down her bicep.  A sword sheathed in the scabbard at one end of her crossbelt, a laser pistol holstered on the other.

All were silent as the King made his decree.

“For acts of outstanding heroism.  For defending the outpost of Far Westland against multiple and unrelenting attacks from the marauding thieves known as the Space Pirates.  For single-handedly protecting fallen comrades against many foes, despite your own wounds.  It is my privilege to present you, Trooper Dian of the Eternian Guard, with the highest citation for bravery that can be bestowed upon a soldier of the Realm: the Eternian Star of Valour.

Randor continued.  “Furthermore, I hereby grant you an officer’s commission and transfer to the Royal Palace of Eternos.  Arise, Lieutenant Dian of the Royal Guard, Commanding Officer, I Company.  Your courage is an inspiration to us all.  From this day forward, let your name be recorded as one of Eternia's greatest defenders.”

The new officer rose to her feet and bowed respectfully.  “Thank you for this honour, Sire.”

“The honour is mine, Lieutenant.  Now go forth and continue to serve the Realm with the same dedication to duty that has brought you before us today.”

Dian saluted her King and once acknowledged, turned and marched towards her superiors.  She bowed before Prince Adam.  “Your Highness, my sword, my blaster and my life are yours.”

Affable and charming as ever, Adam reached out to shake her hand.  “Well, uh, let’s hope only two out of three are needed.  Anyway, welcome to the Palace, Dian.”

The Lieutenant was bewildered by the Crown Prince's lack of formality, but accepted the handshake regardless.  “Thank you, Your Highness.”

She then proceeded down the line to salute and shake hands with Man-at-Arms, then with Teela.  “I am honoured to serve under you, Captain.”

“And we’re honoured to have you, Lieutenant.  Welcome to the Royal Guard.”

Dian then noticed the woman standing next to Teela and raised a suspicious eyebrow.  A slender, athletic-looking girl with long, blonde hair, a red armour dress and a winged tiara.  This stranger stiffened to attention and extended her hand.  “It is an honour to-”

The new officer cut her off.  “Who are you?”

The blonde was taken aback.  “My name is Ileena, I’m-”

Again, Dian interrupted.  “I’m not asking your name, I’m asking who you are.  What is your rank?”

Ileena sheepishly admitted.  “I’m not a member of the military.”

Dian sized up the girl, softening her approach only slightly as another possibility occurred to her.  “Are you a member of His Majesty’s family?”

“Not by blood or marriage, no.”

Dian took a step forward, moving close to Ileena and intimidating the young aspirant with her muscular frame and prominent scars.  “Then you must leave the throne room immediately.  Promotion ceremonies are to be attended by the Royal Family and serving members of the Guard only.”

Ileena stammered.  “What!?  But I..I…”

Dian steamrolled over her explanations, oblivious to the shocked looks of the two senior officers and the Crown Prince.  “What part of this is not clear?  Leave of your own volition or I will physically remove you.”

Confusion turned to anger as Ileena’s posture went rigid and her fists clenched.  “Hey now, wait a minute…”

Before the scene could turn ugly, Teela put a hand on the shoulder of her partner.  Speaking in a surprisingly quiet and even voice.  “Ileena, I think it best you wait outside.  Go on, now.”

The blonde’s jaw dropped, shocked that her mentor would side with this newcomer.  She tried to speak, but the words died in her throat.  Instead, she spun on her heels and angrily marched out of the throne room as quickly as possible.

Man-at-Arms attempted to steer the ceremony back on track.  “Lieutenant, if you would follow me, please.  Let me introduce you to your fellow officers.”

“Aye, sir.”  Dian followed behind Man-at-Arms as he introduced the Lieutenants of the other nine companies that formed the Royal Guard, shaking their hands in turn.

Standing next to his best friend, Adam spoke softly out of the corner of his mouth.  “You were awfully calm back there, considering what she just did to your-”

Teela hissed through clenched teeth, trying not to attract attention.  “Calm?  I’m furious!”

“You hid it well.  Surprised you didn’t give Dian a piece of your mind.”

“Oh, I will.  Just not in front of your parents.”  She fumed.

As usual in a tense situation, the Prince attempted to bring levity.  “And who says you haven’t matured after all these years?”

It didn’t work.  “Not in the mood, Adam.  Not in the mood.”

What happened next occurred so fast, it was almost a blur.  Orko magically blinked into view in front of Dian, who hurriedly pulled her blaster from its holster and brandished it towards him. 

“Hi, I’m Ork-YIPE!”

In a panic, he zipped through the air to hide behind Prince Adam’s back.  As soon as he saw a loaded weapon in the open, Clamp Champ immediately stepped in front of the King and Queen.  His broad frame shielding them while he used the flat of his clamp weapon to shield himself.  As Dian turned to follow Orko’s direction of travel, blaster raised, Man-at-Arms barked orders. 

“Stand down, Lieutenant!  Now!”

Instinctively, Dian lowered her sidearm, powered it down and returned it to her holster.  Everyone in the throne room breathed a sigh of relief. 

Dian turned to Man-at-Arms.  “My apologies, sir.  That…creature surprised me.”

Trying to keep an even tone, the anger was nonetheless apparent in Duncan's reproach.  “His name is Orko.  He is the court magician, not a target.”

Dian lowered her head in contrition.  “Forgive me, I thought he was an intruder.”

Not wanting to see a Star of Valour winner be dressed down in front of his entire Officer Corps, King Randor interceded, trying to awkwardly shift focus.  “Yes, well, perhaps we should proceed with the planned inspection of Item Company…Duncan?”

The old soldier bowed his head in acknowledgement.  “As you wish, Sire.”  He turned to Dian in a brusque manner, not moved by her apologies,  “Lieutenant, your new command awaits you on the parade grounds.  Follow me.”

Not wanting to ruffle any more feathers, Dian hurriedly snapped a salute and marched after Man-at-Arms

Orko peered out from behind Adam’s shoulder, looking to see if the coast was clear.

“You alright, little buddy?”

Shaking like a leaf, Orko sputtered out.  “Uh, i-if anyone needs me, I’ll be c-cleaning my room.”  He magically blinked out the same way he came in.

Scowling, Teela made another hushed aside to Adam.  “Make that two pieces!”

Chapter Text

Once the ceremony concluded, Teela left the throne room.  She was expected to accompany her father and Lt. Dian for the inspection.  But first, she had to make an important detour.

She found Ileena on the Palace terraces, standing at the retaining wall and looking out over the city, clearly trying to control her anger.  The young woman who in such a short time had gone from a dear friend and protege, to the warrior who had saved lives, a founding member of the newly-formed Sisterhood of Eternia, and Teela’s beautiful girlfriend.  She deserved better than such disrespectful treatment, and though the redhead was admittedly biased, the looks on various faces around the throne room indicated she was in the majority on this.

Teela cautiously approached her partner, who was visibly seething.  Standing next to her and looking out at the bright, sunny morning.  “‘Lee?  I’m sorry that happened, Dian was wrong to do that to you.”

Ileena spoke without looking.  “Suppose I should start packing my bags, then.  King Randor has found his new officer.  Doesn’t need me anymore.”

Teela tried to get the blonde to look at her.  “I know you’re angry, but come on now, I’ve taught you better than that.  There are ten Lieutenants that report to the Captain on a daily basis, and the King can always promote more if he so chooses.  Your prospects of becoming a Guard officer are as good as they ever were.”

Ileena rounded on her mentor, the red tinge of her face almost matching the colour of her clothing.  “Yeah, sure.  Everything I’ve done since I came to the Palace has been to win the respect of everyone in that room, to prove that I belong here.  What do I get for all that hard work?  She humiliates me in front of everybody, kicks me out like some beggar and worst of all, you took her side!”

Teela put both hands to her paramour’s shoulders and looked deep into her eyes, trying to calm her.  “No, I took your side.  I saw that you were two seconds away from having an outburst in front of the King and Queen.  That really would wreck everything you’ve worked to accomplish.  So I stepped in and gave you a helping hand.”

Realising the truth of her mentor’s words, Ileena began to relax a little.  “I didn’t want to cause a scene, but she just made me so mad!”

Teela grinned slightly.  “That makes two of us, ‘Lee.  Being at Court is an exercise in biting your tongue.  I’ve been doing it for so long, I’ve almost raised it to an art form.”

Ileena let out a deep breath and leaned forward to hug her partner.  “I’m sorry for blowing up at you, Tee’.  Thank you for helping me.”

“Don’t worry about it, you’ve every right to be angry.  Better here with me than in there with royalty watching.  Time and place, that’s all, time and place.”  Teela patted her on the back, then as Ileena released the hug, put an arm around her girlfriend’s shoulders as they went back to looking out at the view.

“I just came to check up on you.  I’ll have to go out to the Parade Grounds shortly for a company inspection, then I’ll be bringing Dian into my office and having a few words with her.”

A wide-eyed Ileena pleaded with her mentor.  “Teela, please, we’ve been over this before.  I’m always grateful when you stick up for me, but if I’m going to earn respect around here, I need to stand on my own two feet on matters like this.”

“She just pulled a gun on Orko because he surprised her.”

Pleading turned to shock.  “Is he alright?”

“He’s not hurt, but she frightened the living daylights out of him.  Adam has gone to check up on him.  So you see, this goes far beyond you now.  This goes to her fitness as a Guard officer and needs to be dealt with.”

Then shock turned to incredulity.  “And she’s the shining new standard of what a Guardswoman should be!?  Maybe I’ve been going about this all wrong.”

Teela sighed, “It’s not that simple, let me explain.  What do you know of Far Westland?”

“Until you told me her story, I’d never heard of it.”

“Yes, that pretty much sums up the place.  Far Westland is an outpost garrisoned by the Eternian Guard: the standing army of the Kingdom, of which the Royal Guard forms arguably its most important Division.  The outpost protects a mining encampment, but other than that, it's in the middle of nowhere.  No towns or villages nearby, not even any passing trade caravans.  Outside of scheduled ore shipments or troop rotation transports, the only other visits they get are raids by the Space Pirates or any other gang of thieves who want to try their luck.  Think of it, Ileena: you’re cooped up in the one building for months at a time, with nothing but wild country around you as far as the eye can see.  The only people you can trust are the men and women wearing the same uniform as you.  If you see a stranger, it’s usually an enemy.  The kind of enemy who did that…” Teela took her finger and traced a line down from her forehead to match the placement of Dian’s scar.  “...to her face, and worse to her comrades.”

She put a thumb and forefinger to Ileena’s chin and tilted her head up so their eyes met.  “Put yourself in her boots: after you’ve been through that for long enough, wouldn’t you get suspicious of someone who you didn’t know?  Wouldn’t you get jumpy and reach for your weapon if someone surprised you?”

“I guess…I mean, I do respect Dian.  That’s why I was hoping to make a good impression.”

“You still could.  When I talk with her, I’ll explain about your situation.  Her duties as leader of Item Company come first, but maybe you should seek her out.  I’m sure her experiences could aid in your training.”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s my girl.”  Teela leaned in for a single, slow kiss.  Both women savoring the contact, before gently resting their foreheads together   “Now, are we good?”

Ileena grinned.  “We’re good.”

“Glad to hear, because I believe you have a special study day lined up, assisting the Royal Archeologist.”  She patted the aspirant on the arm.  “Report to Melaktha’s office.  On the double, now.”

Ileena stood to attention and saluted.  “Aye, Captain.”

Teela grinned as she watched the blonde head off, who was met by Prince Adam coming the other way.  “Are you alright?”

She gave a nonchalant shrug to the man she considered her brother, in spirit if not by blood.  “Ran into an ambush, had to fall back and regroup.  But I’ll be ready for the next engagement.”

“Well, if you need any help, let me know.  We’re all rooting for you.  I could tell by the look on her face that mother was not happy with how you were treated.”

Ileena became concerned.  “She isn’t disappointed with me, is she?”

Adam shook his head.  “Believe me, little sis’, if she’s disappointed in anyone today, it certainly is not you.”

The aspirant sighed with relief.  “Thank you, big brother.”  She took a glance back at Teela, who was watching with fondness, then addressed her Prince.  “I have to go now: duty calls.”

Adam played along with a good-natured command.  “Take your post, soldier.”     

“At once, Your Highness.”  With no further word, she was off down the corridor and out of sight.

Adam approached Teela on the terrace.  “Glad to know she’s doing okay.”

“Takes more than ill-advised words to slow her down.  How’s Orko?”

“He’s too scared to come out of his room.  Best to give him some space.”

Teela nodded.  “Poor little fella.”

Adam shook his head.  “That new Lieutenant sure knows how to make friends and influence people.”

The Captain sighed.  “Dian is rough around the edges, sure, and could use some guidance…but the Guard needs people like her.  Item Company are grown men physically, but really they’re not much more than boys standing sentry.  They do their duty well, but they need someone tough to turn them into warriors if they’re going to have a chance against what’s coming.  We need to put spit and polish to the side for now, set our focus on sharpened steel and well-aimed rifles.”

“Believe me, I’ve seen enough on my trips to Etheria to know exactly how bad it could get.”

Prince Adam then became rather melancholy as he joined Teela at the edge of the terrace, looking off into the horizon.  His thoughts consumed, not just with his sister and his friends in the Great Rebellion, fighting for their freedom, but with a woman he had known for a long time.  Previously just an acquaintance, they had recently become much closer.  She had come with him to Eternia during Adora’s most recent family visit and over two weeks, had rocked his world.  Showing him a level of passion and devotion he had never known before.  However, soon enough it came time for her to return to Etheria.  As himself and as He-Man, Adam had stood with his sister and defended the Rebellion against the Horde’s onslaught.  Now the tables were about to turn and the Rebellion would soon make war on the Horde instead.  As he kissed his new love, bid her Good Journey and watched her head through the dimensional portal, it was with a grim question repeating in his head: would this be the last time he ever saw her?   

Teela could see her friend was troubled.  “You’re worried…about Adora, about Castaspella.”

He nodded.  “Not that I didn’t worry before, but…”

“It’s different, I know.  We both have someone to lose now.”       

“Isn’t it kind of selfish to think like that, though?  We’ve always had someone to lose.  Many someones, in fact.”

“Maybe a person looking from the outside would say that.  Doesn’t change how we feel though.”

“No…it doesn’t”

Teela sympathised.  “I’m worried about them too, all of them.  I haven’t had the privilege of spending as much time with them as you have, but Ileena and I became close with Adora recently.”

That impish grin that melted the hearts of maidens all over Eternia resurfaced.  “Very, very close, I can tell.”

Teela blushed and her eyes went wide.  The same day that she, Ileena, Adora and their friend Kittrina of the Cat Folk founded the Sisterhood of Eternia - the all-woman group intended to compliment the Masters of the Universe - the four of them had taken an afternoon trip to go skinny-dipping in Teela’s favourite lake, at the edge of the Evergreen Forest.  To the surprise of no-one involved, what was intended as a ‘girls day out’ soon became a very steamy, intimate affair.  Thanks to a certain flirtatious feline and her free-spirited Princess.  Not that Teela or Ileena needed much encouragement themselves.  It was an experience that they would all treasure.

Still, how did Adam know about it?  “Has someone been gossiping?”

“Not to me, not that anyone needs to.  I know my sister, I know Kittrina.  When Casta and I finally got out of bed and were told where the four of you had gone, I knew what the result would be.  The looks on your faces when you came back were just confirmation.”

Rather than be embarrassed, Teela decided to embrace their hedonistic excursion, flashing Adam a sly smirk.  “Call it a team-building exercise…with emphasis on the exercise.  You took Casta to that lake, didn’t you?”

Now he turned bashful.  “I, uh, I did promise I would show her the sights.”

“And a fine sight you showed her, I’m sure.”  She teased, before moving back to reassure him.  “She’ll make it, Adam.  Castaspella spent more than half her life resisting Horde occupation and overcame a usurper to reclaim her throne.  Her and Adora both; they’re tough, they’re survivors.”

He put his hand over hers in acknowledgement.  “I know."  He chuckled slightly.  “It’s funny, I never thought I’d be lucky enough to take a Queen in my arms before I became King.”

Teela smiled.  “And I never thought I would share my life with a beautiful woman who has the looks of a Princess and the heart of a warrior.  Fate can hand us some pleasant surprises too, sometimes.”

“Sure can.”.  His prior angst over Teela’s burgeoning romance with Ileena, worrying that he had lost the battle for her heart, was now a distant memory.  They were happy together, and he was happy with Casta.  Of that, he was absolutely certain.

Teela went back to looking at the view, contemplating her own relationship.  “Tell you the truth, I’m worried about Ileena too.  Ever since we got together, I’ve woken up early every day, just watching her lay there asleep.  That beautiful face…”  The redhead closed her eyes, remembering.  “Every morning I think about what Adora told us, that victory on Etheria might mean the Horde will try to establish a foothold on Eternia.  I have every faith in He-Man and our armies to win the day, but at what price?  I think about the dangers Ileena will be exposed to as a warrior and a future Guard officer.  I wonder: will the Horde take her from me?  Will they take pieces from her?  You saw Dian’s face, she got that from the enemies we already deal with, never mind a full-scale invasion.”

Adam said nothing and let his best friend voice her fears.  After a few moments’ silence, she opened her eyes and a dreamy smile adorned her features.  “But then Ileena wakes up.  She smiles at me, kisses me, says ‘Good morning’ and I remember.  I remember that the happiness I feel when I'm with her is worth all of the risks.  I get out of bed motivated to continue giving her the skills she needs to avoid those risks.”

Adam was delighted to see the look of contentment in his friend’s face.  “You’ve certainly done a tremendous job with that…” He wryly noted.  “As my tailbone can attest.”

Teela smirked.  “You did insist that she treat you the same way I do.  I tried to warn you.”

“You did, but the rough treatment is worth it to essentially have a second sister.”  He gave her a fond look.  “Or third, depending on how you look at it.”

The Captain smiled at the compliment, then got ready to make a move.  “Well, this sister had better get herself down to the Parade Grounds for Item Company’s inspection, before father starts to think your old bad habits have transferred to me.”

Adam chuckled as they parted ways.  “Alright, I’ll see you later.”

Chapter Text

Though as Captain of the Royal Guard, Teela had her own private office within the Palace Administration building, she rarely spent time in it.  Usually a flying visit each day to file written reports from her Lieutenants in the metal cabinets that lined the wall behind her desk, flanked by various computers and communications equipment.  She had always been a woman of action: personally overseeing Palace security, responding to emergencies all over Eternia and lately, training her dear Ileena for her eventual role as an officer.

Still, in situations like this, the chance to sit down and attend to business in private was welcome.  Two folders were laid on her desk.  One recently arrived, the other retrieved from the Guard archives.  The pages were yellow and dusty, it hadn’t been touched since before she was born.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.  “Enter.”

Lieutenant Dian cautiously peered her head through the door, as if expecting a bomb to detonate inside the room.  “You wanted to see me, Captain?”

“I did, Dian.  Shut the door and take a seat.”.  Her subordinate complied.  Seconds passed as Teela gathered her thoughts, while the other woman waited anxiously.  The open file on the desk bore her name, something that instantly caught her eye.

At last, the Captain began.  “You can appreciate that to finally have another woman serving in the Royal Guard, especially one with such an impressive service record, is something I have wanted for a long time.  When we are carrying out our duties, I am your superior officer.  But outside of duty, I would like to call you my friend, Dian.  That is why I called you here for this little chat. ”

Noticing that Dian’s attention was on the personnel file, Teela moved to reassure her.  “This is an informal conversation.  Nothing is going on your record right now, nor will it be a matter of official discipline.  However, there are matters regarding your conduct this morning that need to be addressed.”

Dian was once again apologetic.  “Captain, I realise now that I overreacted…”

“We’ll get to that in a moment.  Let’s deal with the first issue, in order: you kicked Ileena out of the throne room.”

The Lieutenant was confused.  “How does that constitute an infraction, Captain?  I read all of the relevant Guard protocols ahead of the promotion ceremony.  The girl has neither rank nor birthright.  By her own admission, she shouldn’t have been there.”

Teela let out a breath and clasped her hands together on the desk.  Maintaining impartiality would be a challenge when hearing her partner being so casually dismissed.  Perhaps she was too personally involved to be addressing this matter.  But then again, Dian’s actions had left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, so it’s not like there were any unbiased alternatives available.

“If you’re going strictly by the written regulations, then you are technically correct.  However, there were six people in that room who outrank you, including three quarters of the Royal Family, all of whom knew of and approved of Ileena’s presence in the throne room this morning.  A keen eye to spot those who appear to be out of place?  That is useful in our profession.  However, you did not ask any questions, you did not ‘read the room’ as we say here.  You made an arbitrary decision, based on a rigid interpretation of protocol, and humiliated an invited guest of your Commander-in-Chief.”

Not one to back down when she believed procedure to be on her side, Dian countered. “Perhaps I was hasty, Captain.  Certainly I did not seek to cause offense to His Majesty.  But how can the Royal Guard function properly if it does not abide by the written rule?  What makes this girl so special that protocol is being waived for her convenience?”

Teela’s irritation became too much to suppress anymore.  “Her name is Ileena, and when you speak of her, you will use it.  In answer to your question, Dian: Ileena lives at the Palace as my student by the authorisation of King Randor.  Both myself and others are providing her with the training and education she needs to one day become a Royal Guard officer herself.”

Dian raised a suspicious eyebrow, the idea of this civilian receiving such preferential treatment sat ill with the former private soldier.  “Begging your pardon, Captain.  If joining our ranks is what this…Ileena seeks, then why is she not studying at the Royal Academy?  Why has she not enlisted in the Eternian Guard like the rest of us?”

Teela testily replied.  “Ileena has proven she has the potential to be an outstanding officer.  I agree that her circumstances are a little unconventional, but she has earned every bit of what she is being given.  You don’t need to worry, Dian.  Ileena is well aware of what areas she has permission to access, which weapons she is certified to train with and which vehicles she is permitted to pilot under supervision.  The rest of the Guard is also well aware of her security status.”

“I…see.”

“Generally speaking, those around the Palace with relevant experience are certainly welcome to lend a hand with Ileena’s training, provided it does not interfere with duty.”  Teela’s voice hardened.  “But if anyone should hinder her progress, or show her up in a public forum…”

Dian took the hint.  “It won’t happen again, Captain.  That I promise you.”.  She noted the vehemence behind Teela’s warning and suspected there was more to this arrangement than she was being told.

“Good.  That brings us to the other incident which can not, will not happen again: you drew your sidearm in the presence of the Royal family without sufficient cause and aimed it at a member of the Royal Court.”

Dian lowered her head.  “Once again, I apologise, Captain.  I made a mistake.”

Teela was not mollified.  “I don’t think you quite realise just how serious it could have been.  Imagine if my father had not ordered you to stand down in time and you pulled the trigger.  You could have hurt Orko, or he could have blinked out in a panic and you would have hit whoever was behind him.  You could have hit the King, or the Queen, or Prince Adam, or your Man-at-Arms, or me.  Even worse, what if there had been representatives from another kingdom in the room, say from Avion or Andreenos, and you hit one of them?  You could have plunged Eternos into war with its closest allies.”

Dian’s jaw dropped as she realised the severity of her actions.  “I…I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“You’re an officer now, you’re one of the grown ups.  It’s your job to think about these things.”

All self-confidence gone, Dian was conspicuously eyeing her personnel file on the desk.  “Perhaps…I am not cut out for the Royal Guard, after all.”

Seeing the misery in her officer's expression, Teela sighed and stood from her chair.  “I disagree.”

“With all due respect, Captain, I fail to see how you could reach that conclusion.  The Royal Guard can’t afford someone fouling up the way I did.  His Majesty can’t afford it either.”

“You don’t think I made mistakes on the road to becoming Captain?  My father will tell you, I’ve made plenty.”  Teela made her way around the desk to sit on the corner nearest her subordinate, arms folded.  “Matter of fact, I let you down today and for that, I apologise.”

Dian was astonished.  “Let me down?”

Teela nodded.  “Until a few days ago, you were an enlisted Guardswoman.  Picked out and promoted for your bravery, then thrust into an entirely different role with no time to adjust.  I should have sat you down and had a conversation like this before your promotion ceremony.  That’s on me.  If you can forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Captain.”

“Please, when we’re not doing duties, like now, just call me ‘Teela’.”

The idea of a commanding officer allowing such familiarity was a little strange for the new Lieutenant.  “As you wish…Teela.”

Teela grinned.  “There you go, you’ll get the hang of this in no time.  Because you will make mistakes sometimes, Dian, nobody’s perfect.  What matters is that you have someone there to tell you not only where you went wrong, but how you can make it right in the future.  I’m willing to be that for you.”

Dian’s mood brightened.  “Thank you, Teela.”

“Case in point, let’s examine where you went wrong this morning and how you can improve.  I imagine that when you were stationed at Far Westland, telling friend from foe was simple.  If it wore the uniform, it was on your side.  If not, it was probably an enemy.  Am I right?”

“When you put it that way…aye, it was easier.”

“Here at the Royal Palace, it’s not so simple.  You’re going to be around Lords and Ladies, members of the Royal Court, civilian petitioners, foreign ambassadors, even rulers from other kingdoms.  Part of the job is to keep an eye out for intruders and infiltrators, but as an officer, you must be careful.  Don’t be so quick to reach for your weapon.  Take a moment to think, observe, analyse.  Only once you have verified a threat to the Royal Family’s safety, then you respond with force.”

Dian nodded.  “I understand.”

“The same goes for your role as C.O. of Item Company.  You have a hundred men under arms who will be looking to you for leadership.  They don’t need an officer whose instinct is to shoot her way out of a problem, that’s what you have them for.  They need you to have a plan, to think of a solution and give them the orders to carry it out.  See the big picture, because they will be too busy with the small details.”

Regaining confidence, Dian solemnly pledged.  “I won’t let you or the boys in Item down.”

“I know you won’t.  I like to think I’m a good judge of character, and I can see you’ve got what it takes.”  Teela walked back around the desk to sit in her chair once more.  “The Eternian Guard sent your file over this morning and I’ve been having a look.  There was something there that caught my attention, so I cross-referenced and had a file pulled from our own archives.”  She reached for the older document and blew the dust off its folder, before opening it up and reading aloud.  Dian suspected she knew what was coming.

“You are the daughter of Sherilynn.  Lieutenant, Royal Guard, Able Company.  Previously a Sergeant in Able’s Mechanised Squad.  Served with distinction during the Horde War under Captain Duncan and Man-at-Arms Dekker - my father and his predecessor.  Says here that she won her commission at a battle on the Plains of Perpetua, by driving her Attack Trak through heavy artillery fire to rescue a wounded Dekker.  Granted an honourable discharge under King Randor’s Repopulation Incentive program.”

Dian concluded.  “And I was the result.  Mother never talked much about her service.  She wasn’t exactly thrilled with my decision to become a soldier, and she was horrified when we last spoke on the holo-vid and she saw this”  Dian pointed to her facial scar.  “But when I told her that I was coming here, to the Royal Guard, as an officer…she was so proud of me.  She was so happy, she started crying…which meant that I started crying.”  Having recalled such a vulnerable moment, Dian gave an embarrassed shrug.  “Guess I’m not as tough as I look.”

Teela grinned.  “No, you’re alright.  I know how that feels.  Must be quite a legacy to live up to.”

Dian sheepishly admitted.  “It is not only my mother’s legacy that I want to live up to…Captain.”

Stunned, Teela pointed to herself.  “Me?”

Dian nodded.  “I wouldn’t say there are an abundance of women in the Eternian Guard, but there are enough of us that we can occasionally meet up and swap stories.  Every Guardswoman I’ve met agrees: we all look up to you.  We hear about your deeds, protecting the Prince, fighting alongside He-Man.  To us, you’re our hero, you’re an inspiration.”

Teela blushed.  “Well, it’s nice to know I’ve got fans.  Tell me, Dian: do you have hopes to become Captain yourself some day?”

The question made her uneasy.  “I, umm, I don’t want to sound as if I’m coming after your job…”

“No no, let us speak honestly here.  I won’t be Captain forever.  Even now, my service to the Realm is taking on a different form.  Especially now I’m helping to build the Sisterhood.”

“Sisterhood?”

“The Sisterhood of Eternia, an all-woman team of specialists - warriors, mages and so on - brought together from all over the planet to pool their skills and act as a fighting force.  Similar to the Masters, some of whom you’ve already met.”

Dian was intrigued.  “Could there be the possibility of a new recruit in the future?”

Teela caught her drift and winked.  “There could be, given enough time.  But back to the matter at hand: do you desire to be Captain of the Guard?”

Dian worded her answer carefully.  “I will serve you faithfully for as long as you are Captain, Teela.  But when the day comes that you move on to greater success… then yes, I will want to make my case.”

Teela smiled.  “Well, I don't get to pick my replacement, but I wish you the best of luck.  Because I have given some thought as to how the Guard will fare once I leave it behind.  With you and Ileena as officers, serving together, I know it will thrive without me,”

Dian bristled at the mention of the blonde girl’s name, but said nothing.

“For now, though, let’s turn our attention to your main objective…Dian, do you know why you were transferred here?”

The new officer was uncertain, wondering if this was a trick question.  “The King felt I had distinguished myself.”

“Indeed he did, that is why you hold a commission and why you wear the Star of Valour.  But do you know specifically why you were brought to the Palace?”

Dian shook her head.  “If not for that reason, then I have no idea.”

Teela fixed her with a grim look.  “The Horde, Dian.  I presume you’ve heard of them.”

The veteran’s daughter felt her blood turning cold.  “Aye, what little my mother would tell me.  Sounded like the stuff of nightmares.”

“An accurate assessment.  What do you know about Princess Adora?”

“Only what came over the bulletins a couple of years ago: that Prince Adam has a twin sister who was kidnapped by the Horde as a baby and raised to be one of them, until he brought her back.”

Teela nodded.  “I have the privilege of knowing her personally, and I hope you will have a chance to know her in the future.  Right now, as we speak, Adora leads the Great Rebellion on the planet Etheria, fighting to liberate that world from Hordak’s armies.  On her most recent family visit to the Palace, she confided in us.  The Rebellion will soon begin a major offensive that could turn the tide of their war, perhaps even lead to final victory.  Adora fears that if he runs out of options, Hordak may take the forces that remain through the Space Portals and use Eternia as a fallback point.  To regroup, rebuild and most importantly in his eyes, avoid Horde Prime’s wrath for losing Etheria.  I trust Adora’s instincts and if she is afraid, I sit up and take notice.  If such a scenario comes to pass, Eternia must be ready to finish what the Rebellion started and destroy Hordak’s forces before they regain full strength.  That’s where you and Item Company have a role to play.”

Dian straightened her posture, drawing on the same courage that made her a decorated hero.  “What is required of me?”

Teela let out a breath.  Acknowledging the Guard’s shortcomings was not easy, as she felt it reflected on her leadership.  “I fear that since the time our parents fought the Horde, the new generation are ill-prepared for such a threat.  They are loyal in their defense of the Royal Family, but most of them have not seen sustained fighting.  You have.  I want you to bring that experience of yours and turn sentries into warriors.  Toughen them up, hone their combat skills, give them their best chance at surviving what’s to come.  They need to be prepared to not only meet the Horde on the open field, but to sniff out any saboteurs looking to infiltrate the Palaces.  If the worst comes to the worst, we could be looking at a potential siege of Eternos City.  That is your charge, Lieutenant: make Item Company ready for war.”

Dian leapt to her feet and saluted.  “It shall be done, Captain.”

Teela stood and returned the salute.  “Then starting tomorrow, you will meet with your Sergeants and devise a training program for your Troopers.  I expect your plan to be finalised and ready for implementation within one week.” 

She closed up the two folders and placed them in her top desk drawer.  “I’ll make sure your mother’s file gets safely back to the archives this afternoon.  Meanwhile, let’s help you get settled in.  Have you had anything to eat?”

“Just some basic rations at sunrise.”

Teela walked around the desk .  “I was hoping you would join me for lunch.  Let’s put this morning behind us and get to know each other better.”

Dian smiled.  “I would like nothing better, Teela.”

The redhead then spoke softly, delicately approaching a sensitive subject.  “Just one thing before we leave this office…your, err, your scars.  We do have restoration mages at the Palace who could heal those for you.  I mean…if you wanted…”

Dian reached up to feel her forehead, her smile made clear she took no offense.  “Thank you, Teela, I plan to get them healed as soon as I can.  You can appreciate we didn’t have such luxuries at Far Westland.  I just felt it was important for Item Company to see them first.”

“Looking to make a statement, eh?”

“Indeed.  I want them to know that I‘ve done the drills, dug the trenches and bled in the mud to get here.  I’ve been in the barracks long enough, I know what the enlisted man thinks of a new officer.  Especially when it's a woman.  I want them to know that when battle comes, I’ll be right there with them.  I’m not some privileged, pretty face who was given rank because of who she slept with.”

Teela could have sworn that last statement was referencing a specific pretty face of her acquaintance, but Dian’s expression gave nothing away, so she shrugged it off and put an arm around her new friend’s shoulders.

“Well, here’s one privilege I hope you’ll gain a taste for: no more stale rations.   The King declared you a hero this morning, it would be rude not to provide you with a hero’s feast.  Let’s see what Chef Alan has in store, before Cringer gets to it.”

Dian reciprocated with an arm over Teela’s shoulder as the pair headed out of the office.  “Lead the way.”

Chapter Text

“The Captain says I must tolerate your presence, so I do.  That doesn’t mean I have any interest in being your wet nurse.”

*

“What do you want now?  I have a hundred real soldiers to train.  Men who have paid their dues, not some teacher’s pet!”

*

“Spar with me?  You’re kidding, right?  I’ve got enough problems to deal with, the last thing I need is you crying to the Captain because you broke a nail!”

*

“For someone who is supposed to be learning, you sure are slow on the uptake.  No, I don’t want to hear about your achievements.  What would they consist of: the time you picked out a new dress?”

*

“It takes more to impress me than knowing who to sleep with to get ahead.  Now for the last time, stop bothering me!”

*

Ileena sat on the stone seating in the Palace courtyard, arms folded on the outdoor table.  Her head hung low, feeling morose in a way she hadn’t known in some time.

“Hey, little ‘sis, we’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“Oh!”  Startled, Ileena looked up to see Prince Adam and Teela standing there, concerned looks on their faces.  The blonde aspirant was suddenly reminded of what happened the last time she sat at this table and someone appeared out of nowhere, claiming to care for her wellbeing.  She looked all around, before cautiously asking.  “You, uh, you are real, aren’t you?  I mean, you’re not evil wizards in disguise, by any chance?”

Teela shot a wink to Adam before walking up to her partner and leaning in for a kiss.  As she withdrew, Ileena nodded.  “Uh-huh, real enough for me.”

Adam took a seat opposite, while Teela sat next to her girlfriend and put an arm around her shoulders.  “‘Lee, what’s the matter?”

Ileena sighed.  “It’s Lieutenant Dian.  Five days now, I’ve tried to talk to her, make some kind of connection.  Five times, she has completely dismissed me and I can tell it’s not because she’s a busy military officer.  She clearly has something personal against me.”

“Five times?”  Adam tried to let her down gently.  “I know persistence is a virtue, Ileena, but not everyone in the Royal Guard has to be your friend.”

She fixed him with a sardonic look.  “Some of them wanted to be much more than my friend, Adam, remember?  At least, they did until I told that Guardsman from Falcon Company that he should stop trying to flirt with me and go kiss his wife.  The wife he didn’t think I knew about.”

Teela smirked.  “Have to admit, I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see the look on his face.”

Miserable as she was, even Ileena gave a slight smile at the memory.  “I think that helped my standing with some of the Guardsmen.  They got the message that I’m not going to put up with that nonsense.  But no matter what I try, I can’t get Dian to even hear me out, much less prove myself to her.”

Teela pulled Ileena in closer for a hug.  “You know, ‘Lee, Adam might have a point.  You’ve proved yourself to a lot of people here, but you’re not going to win them all.  Perhaps you just have to let this one go.”

Ileena was adamant, her volume rising.  “I can’t let it go, Tee’.  I have to show her that I belong here, that I’ve earned this!”

“Is it really that important, Ileena?”

She became ever more animated.  “It could mean the difference between life and death, Adam!”

Such a hyperbolic statement left him confused.  “Uh, how come?”

“Think about it: what is my purpose here?  What are you and Teela and everyone else helping me to achieve?”

“To learn the skills you need to be a commissioned Royal Guard officer.”

“Exactly.  Which means that one day, assuming I make it to the position, I will be the one ordered to lead men into battle.  How can I expect those Guardsmen to follow me if I can’t win the respect of one officer!?”

Both Teela and Adam were caught off-guard by her passion.  For moments, there was silence in the courtyard, until Teela smiled and hugged her partner even tighter.  “And that is why you will be a good officer: because you think ahead, you see the big picture.”

The praise did little to lift Ileena’s spirits.  “Yet I can’t seem to find a way forward.”  She went back to contemplating the tabletop in front of her.

Adam reached over and put a supportive hand on his ‘little sister’s’ shoulder.  “Ileena, we all know you deserve to be here.  You’ve caught criminals and saved lives.  You’ve even turned down rewards when you’ve been offered them.  Once Dian knows that, I’m sure you’ll gain her respect.”

“But how to make her listen…”  Ileena pondered her dilemma

Adam offered what he thought was a good suggestion.  “Maybe you should just offer to do some sparring with her, that usually works.  You certainly gave my sister a run for her money.  She said you had the most heart of anyone she’s ever trained with.”

Teela was alarmed.  “No way!”  She cupped her student’s cheek and turned her head to meet the Captain’s gaze.  “Ileena, listen to me and listen well: never, ever agree to any kind of sparring situation when you have a personal issue with your opponent.  You might go in there thinking you can keep it under control, but I’ve seen friendly competition turn into a real fight, real fast when tempers have flared.”

Adam waved off.  “I don’t want Ileena to get hurt.”

Teela spoke sharply.  “I don’t want either of them to get hurt, Adam.  Dian is incredibly tough, but I’ve seen what Ileena has done to real enemies: don’t be so sure the damage would be one-sided.  In any case, an incident like that could get her kicked out of the Palace.  So no, nothing physical until this is resolved.  Is that understood?”

Both Adam and Ileena nodded.  “You don’t have to worry about that, Tee’.  I already asked her and she almost laughed in my face.”

Ever the strategist, Teela took a moment to consider a course of action.  “I guess it goes back to what I’ve taught you: don’t try to outfight your opponent, outthink her.”  She pointed to the inset chessboard on the table.  “Like you would here.”

Adam tried another suggestion.  “Maybe me and Teela should sit Dian down and tell her about all the brave things you’ve done.”

Ileena looked him in the eye,  “With all due respect, Your Highness, that would be the worst option.  It has to come from me.”

“But she won’t listen to you…”

The blonde warrior sighed.  “Even if she would, if it’s just me telling her what I’ve done, she’ll say I’m making it up.  But if Dian hears it from someone senior, she won’t change her opinion, she’ll just keep her mouth shut around her superiors.”

“I see what you mean.  That’s quite a conundrum.” 

Ileena went back to staring at the black and white chequered pattern that lay before her.  After several seconds, she was hit by a moment of clarity.  Her eyes widened and she looked up with an elated expression.  “I’ve got it!”

“What have you got?”

“I know how to make Dian listen to me and get her to respect me.”  

Both Teela and Adam were both eager to learn of their student’s plan.  The redhead leaned in,  “What do you have in mind, ‘Lee?”

Ileena looked around the table.  “I’ll need to ask for your help.”

“Of course, anything you need.”

“And it will involve some - what’s that word?  Oh yes, subterfuge.”

Adam suddenly felt uneasy.  “Are you sure that’s a good idea, Teela?  Sounds like you’re being asked to conspire against one of your own officers.”

Surprisingly, the Captain of the Guard was more favourable.  “Depends on what it is, Adam.  I might see my way to authorising Ileena’s plan as a security test.  If Lieutenant Dian can’t see this coming, how can she anticipate and neutralise an enemy spy trying to infiltrate the Palace?”

“Hmm, you have a point there.”

She then turned to her student.  “Of course, I would want to know the full details before I give that authorisation.”

Ileena smiled.  “I think you’ll like these details, Tee’.  Remember what happened on my first day of training?  Where we went afterwards, who we met while we were there…”

Teela’s mind drifted back to a warm memory.  “I remember it well.”

“I was thinking we could set it up so Dian gets to have the same experience.”

The redhead nodded.  “I think we could arrange that.”

Despite agreeing to be part of this subterfuge, Adam felt like he was being kept in the dark.  “Uh, arrange what?”

Teela leaned over and patted his hand.  “Don’t worry, Adam.  There’s nothing untoward going on, just…some parts of this plan are for ladies only.”

Ileena bowed respectfully.  “But I will need to ask for a favour, my Prince.”

“Name it.”

“For this plan to work, I need to involve someone very important.  Could you please have a quiet word with my, uh, flight instructor?”  She shot him a wink.  

He winked back.  “Consider it done.  But what should I say?”

For the next few minutes, the Crown Prince and the Captain of the Guard listened as Ileena outlined their secret mission.

Chapter Text

The next day, Captain Teela and Lieutenant Dian jogged briskly through the imposing archway that allowed entry to the Royal Palace of Eternos, the Guardsmen on duty saluting as they passed.  The two officers were reaching the end of a five mile run through the countryside surrounding the city.  Only upon reaching the main Palace courtyard did they finally come to a stop.  Teela looked as if she was ready to run another five miles, but Dian was breathing hard, puffing and panting, drenched in sweat.  Teela was concerned as her friend was bent double, hands on her knees

“You alright, Dian?”

“Yes…just need a moment…haven’t had a run like that…since advanced…infantry training.”

Teela nodded.  “I guess life on the outpost doesn’t give you much chance to get your miles in.”

Dian got her breath back and straightened out.  “Matter of fact, we were ordered never to go that far out on foot patrol, too dangerous.  Don’t worry, Captain, I’ll get my stamina back up in no time.”

Teela patted her friend on the back.  “Take your time, don’t blow yourself up on my account.  Having that much open space to safely roam must seem like an extravagance.”

Dian absent-mindedly reached up to feel her left cheek, the battle scars that had adorned her face and arm now fully healed by magic.  “More than one extravagance, I think.  Now I best head back to my quarters and get a shower.”

Just the words Teela wanted to hear.  “Actually, I have a suggestion: you know of the women’s baths beneath the Palace?”

Dian shrugged.  “Your father briefly showed them to me during my orientation, yes.”

“Well, a shower does the job, certainly.  But when I have time, I find those baths so good for relaxing the muscles.  What do you say we both go down there and soak till we prune?”

“Sharing a bath together?  Is there some kind of bathing suit I need to requisition?”

Teela was mystified by such a question.  “You know, that’s the first time anyone has ever asked that.  Other than a towel, we go in with only what the Goddess gave us.”

Dian suddenly felt rather awkward.  She was glad the run had already left her red in the face, so the Captain wouldn’t notice her blush.  “You mean, the two of us…in the same place…with no clothes on?”

Teela played it off as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.  “Of course.  You’re not shy, are you?”

“Well, no I…”  Dian couldn’t finish.  She certainly couldn’t admit the real reason why sharing something so personal with Teela left her flustered.

“What did you do for hygiene at Far Westland?  I can’t imagine an Eternian Guard trooper is afforded much privacy.”

“Not really.  We had a shower block and were expected to get in, get done and get out, regardless of who was in there.”

Teela beamed.  “This is much more enjoyable, believe me.  The women’s baths were often full during your mother’s service days, but now you can stay as long as you want and rarely see another visitor.”  She had a flirtatious look.  “Besides, a pair of fit warriors like us, who trust each other…what’s to worry about?”

Inwardly, Dian chided herself for being so hesitant.  She said it herself, she trusts you with this.  Don’t blow it.   The junior officer tried to act casual and hide her nerves. “You’re right, Teela, nothing to worry about.”

Her Captain made no acknowledgement and instead was looking the Lieutenant up and down, a hand on her chin.

“Teela?”

“Hmm?  Oh, sorry, all this talk about being undressed has got me thinking…about what you’re wearing.”

Dian looked down at her green jumpsuit.  “You don’t think it’s up to standard?”

Teela shrugged.  “No less so than what I wear.  Truth is, there really isn’t a set standard to live up to.  For a generation, there were no women in the Royal Guard, then for the last few years, only me.  Now there’s you, me, Ileena in the future, hopefully others.  Seems like the pendulum of history is swinging the other way.  I think a new uniform should be created for women officers in the Guard.”

Dian ignored the mention of the blonde girl and stiffened to attention.  “It will be my honour to wear such a uniform, Captain.”

Teela put an arm around her friend’s shoulder.  “Wear it?  Dian, I’m asking you to help me design it.”

The Lieutenant was taken aback.  “Oh.  Well, I don’t really know much about clothing design, but I’ll help any way I can.  What did you have in mind?”

“Something that has enough of a ceremonial look that will not be out of place at Court, but also practical enough for fighting in.”  She took a glance down at their respective outfits.  “Sort of combine what you wear with what I wear and meet in the middle somewhere.”

Dian gave it some thought.  “Perhaps we could vary the colours of the uniform for each officer?  Makes it easier for the Guardsmen to identify their C.O. at a hundred paces.”

“That’s a good idea, I think we can work that in.”

Dian suddenly looked a little worried.  “Will I be required to start showing my legs too?”

Teela chuckled.  “Don’t worry, it will be just the opposite.  When I’m with you or other women that I trust, I’m quite happy to show my legs and a whole lot more.  But at Court or in front of the Guard?   I think it’s high time I started covering up.  Definitely want to work some form of leggings into the design.”

Dian breathed a sigh of relief.  

Teela leaned in. “So..about that bath?”

Dian still felt a little flustered, but did her best to play it cool.  “Lead the way.”

Before they could make it indoors, Prince Adam came walking up.  “Teela, I need your help with something.  It’s important.”

The redhead let out a dramatic sigh and turned to her subordinate.  “You go on ahead, Dian, get yourself comfortable.  I’ll try and catch you up.”

“Uhh, sure thing.” 

*

Dian sank deeper into the warm water, stretching out her legs.  True enough, the permanently-heated bath was doing wonders to soothe her aching muscles.  Just what she needed after a long run.  The dark, cavern-like structure in which the pools sat were possessed of a welcome tranquility.  The combination of heat, steam and quiet ambience conspired to almost make the junior officer fall asleep.

She was glad of the chance to get acclimated ahead of her Captain’s arrival.  Despite her initial trepidation, Dian was looking forward to sharing this incredible luxury with her friend. The thought of getting to enjoy communal bathing with beautiful women on a regular basis put a smile on her face.  A reward for enduring the trials and hardships of Guard service that was almost worth more than rank or medals.

Dian felt a shift in the air and realised she was no longer alone.  Opening her eyes to see not Teela, but her .  The one woman she didn’t particularly want to think about stood at the edge of the pool, dressed only in what the Goddess gave her, as Teela put it.  Once she had Dian’s attention, she slowly and deliberately navigated the steps into the water.  Despite her consternation, the Lieutenant couldn’t help but admire the lean, toned body.  The long, blonde hair that almost reached down to her waist.  If they had met in different circumstances, this was the kind of girl that Dian would ask out to dinner, or take to the local tavern for a pint of ale.  That admission made it more painful that this up-jumped teacher’s pet was the one who got to share a bed with…

Dian chided herself.  The Captain would be along any minute and the last thing that would help the Lieutenant’s standing was an argument with her student.  She suppressed the scowl on her face, reminding herself to maintain discipline and keep it civil.

While her turbulent thoughts had been playing out, the other woman had fully entered the pool and had taken up position on the shelf seating opposite Dian, who gave a curt acknowledgement.  “Ileena.”

The blonde aspirant nodded likewise.  “Dian.”

The officer made an icy correction.  “ Lieutenant Dian.”

Ileena shook her head.  “Not down here.  In these baths, no-one gets to throw their rank or titles around.  The women here treat each other with respect…at least, I do.”

Dian’s eyes narrowed.  “And just what are you insinuating?”

Ileena was not intimidated this time.  “I am insinuating nothing.  You clearly have a problem with me being at the Palace.  Neither of us is going anywhere until you tell me what it is.  We’re going to settle this right here and right now.”

Dian let out an exasperated sigh, this was the last thing she needed with Teela on the way.  But the girl had the gumption to confront her, so she at least deserved an answer.  “Just won’t quit, will you?  Fine.  But to answer your question, you answer mine: how days, weeks, months did you spend on drills, marches, patrols, kitchen duty?”

Ileena had to admit.  “Well, none, that’s not what I’m training for and-”

Yet again, Dian steamrolled her.  “How many summer days did you spend in trenches and dug-outs with your fellow Troopers, sweating and stinking on top of each other, waiting for an attack?  How many winter nights did you spend huddled together in the base, trying to keep warm?  Hoping that the generator lasted one more day and you didn’t freeze to death.”

“Well, none, I-”

Dian abandoned all semblance of civility.  She sat up and leaned forward, pointing an accusing finger.  “Then what gives you the right to be fast-tracked into the Royal Guard, when some of us have spent years giving our blood to defend the Realm!?”

Ileena became defensive.  “So you think you’re the only one worthy of the honour, is that it?”

“That’s not for me to decide, but I’ll tell you this much: if it had been any of my fellow soldiers in the Eternian Guard who had been assigned here and given a commission, I would be happy for them.  Because I would know they had put in the same hard work as me.”

“Oh, so I don’t work hard?  I am being personally instructed by the Captain of the Royal Guard, you don’t think she has high standards?”

Dian sniffed dismissively.  “Of course she does.  But I’m not stupid, I’ve seen the two of you around the Palace.  Every time I sent you packing, my Sergeants felt the need to warn me about who I was talking to.  Teela has the highest standards, I don’t doubt.  But even the best of us can have a blind spot for someone they are…especially close with.”

Ileena’s voice took on a hard edge.  “Now what are you insinuating?”

Dian held her hands up.  “Nothing, nothing.  Only where I come from, you earn merit on your feet..”  She sneered derisively.  “Not on your back.”

Ileena had had enough.  “Hold it right there, Dian!  First off, you can stop beating around the bush.  Yes, Teela is my girlfriend and yes, we sleep together.  Second, If you think disparaging our relationship puts you on some kind of moral high ground, then forget it.  I love that woman, and I would walk through fire if it would keep her from being burned!”

Dian retorted immediately.  “Easy to make that claim when you have never been under fire to begin with!”

“Now that’s where you’re wrong, I-”

Dian waved a dismissive hand. “Save it, pretty girl.  What you’re doing is not soldering, it’s play-acting.  You haven’t the first clue about what it really means to be a warrior.”

Ileena indignantly folded her arms.  “Why don’t you enlighten me.”

“Alright, but you only have yourself to blame for the nightmares.”  Dian leaned back on the shelf seating.  “There are many Eternian Guard outposts across the planet.  From Fort Dekker to the Photanium Foundries to Station Zeta to Far Westland.  For us, there is no He-Man and Battlecat riding to the rescue.  Someone who will keep everyone safe, who will take dying - and killing - out of the equation.  Would be nice, I’m sure, but all any of us have is each other.  The men and women who wear the same uniform, who swear the same oaths.” She pointed to the part of her forehead where the scar once resided.  “You saw my face.  Bet you’re wondering what happened to me.”

“King Randor said you were a hero, that you bravely fought off an attack and defended wounded comrades.”

“A nice speech, certainly.  All that talk of gallantry and heroism.”  Dian shook her head.  “The King is aware of how things have to sound for civilians like you, but he knows better.  His Majesty, like every other real soldier, knows what it was like…that bloody day when the Space Pirates attacked Far Westland.”

Ileena afforded the veteran a respectful silence, while Dian closed her eyes, recalling painful memories.  

“For so long they had been opportunists, cowards.  They made hit and run raids on the mining encampment, hoping to steal what they could before the garrison could mobilize.  We always chased them off, but one day, something changed.  I don’t know if they had become brave or desperate, or were just too afraid of their new Captain.  Whatever it was, they decided to attack the garrison itself, in force.”

Dian paused and took a deep breath, before plunging into the rest of her story.  “They softened us up with an artillery barrage from their sky ship.  The Lieutenant was killed when they hit the main guard tower, along with several others.  All around me there was screaming and yelling and explosions…dead bodies…blood and burning metal”  Ileena watched silently as the officer’s face contorted with pain.  The terrible sounds of that day reverberated in Dian’s eardrums, while the horrific smells once again assailed her nostrils.  “The barrage had blown the main gate wide open…and their main assault force stormed into the courtyard.  The Sergeants did their best to rally the defense, but mine was caught in the open and badly wounded, so I stayed with him.  I grabbed my blaster and opened fire…must have dropped a dozen of them before I ran out of charges.  Let me tell you, pretty girl, surrender was not an option.  From what I’ve heard, a woman does not want to be taken alive by the Space Pirates.  They’ll have you every which way until they find some fresher meat, then they’ll slit your throat and throw your carcass overboard.  It wasn’t a question of being brave, there simply was no choice.  Knowing that, I took the Sergeant’s Photanium sword, stood my ground and prepared to die fighting.  Then something strange happened.  I don’t know if he was their Captain or just the toughest amongst them.  This frog man with an eyepatch…all muscle, as wide as he was tall, barged his way through the rabble and they all backed off.  He wanted single combat against this scared girl with the sword.  Maybe he thought I would be good for some sport.  The battle just stopped as both sides watched us fight.  He slashed my face with his cutlass…narrowly missed my eye…at that moment, I was running on adrenaline, rage and instinct.  The Troopers who witnessed the duel said I attacked like a savage beast.  By the time the red haze lifted, I had sliced the top half of his head open…I was covered in his blood and mine.  That took the fight out of the pirate scum.  My stand had given the Guard time to regroup and launch a counterattack.  The surviving pirates retreated to their ship and took off.  I barely noticed as I was down to one knee, exhausted and trying not to pass out before the medic could stem the bleeding.  We were left to gather our dead, tend the wounded and wait for a response to our distress call.  The Sarge would live, but his soldiering days were over.  We lost some good people that day.  I could easily have been one of them, I just got lucky.”

Dian finally opened her eyes, coming back to the present day to find Ileena watching her with concern, empathy in her expression.  Dian realised that while she had intended to scare and horrify the girl with the realities of war,  she had instead allowed herself to be vulnerable in front of this spoiled little waif.  Trying to compensate, the officer went on the attack again.  “So… Ileena …that is what it means to be a warrior, to put your body and life on the line to protect others.  That is why I have a problem with you sleeping your way into an officer’s commission.  You may make it into the Royal Guard, that’s not my call, but Zoar help anyone who has to rely on you when the shooting starts.  You would probably run, and you would be right to do so.  The Guard is no place for a pretty princess like you.  Out there, we eat together, we starve together, we fight together and we try not to die together.  We are a family, in a way that you would never understand.”

The blonde aspirant held the officer’s gaze, unwilling to back down in the face of this attempt at intimidation…until her attention was drawn to something behind Dian.  Ileena smiled before bowing her head respectfully.  “Good afternoon, Your Majesty.”

Dian’s eyes went wide and she turned her head so fast she almost gave herself whiplash.  There standing at the edge of the pool, dressed in nothing but a green bathrobe and holding a towel over her arm, was Queen Marlena.  “Good afternoon Ileena, Dian.”  

“Your Majesty!” Dian leapt to her feet and spun around, sending water everywhere and splashing Ileena in the face.  Standing at attention with a rigid salute.  It took a second for Dian to realise her bare body was on full display before her sovereign and she flushed with embarrassment.

Marlena gave a quick glance up and down before dryly commenting “You shouldn’t move so fast in the pool, Lieutenant.  That is a really good way to slip and injure yourself.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Dian responded on reflex, her mind whirling over how badly she had messed up.

Marlena walked around to the other side of the pool where Ileena was sitting, thrilled to see her mentor and equally thrilled to see Dian’s reaction.

The Queen asked a modest question.  “Mind if I join the both of you?”

Ileena looked up with reverence.  “We would be honoured, Your Majesty.”

Marlena wagged a finger in mild reproach.  “Now Ileena, what did we discuss about using my titles in the bath house?”

The blonde sheepishly replied.  “Sorry, force of habit.”

She was met with a warm smile.  “That’s alright, better to be overcautious down here than to overreach upstairs.”

It was then they realised that Dian was still standing to attention with her back to both of them, not moving a muscle.  She heard her Queen’s voice from behind.  “As you were, Lieutenant.  Please…sit.”

Dian complied, turning and sitting back down on the shelf as fast as she had stood, sending another wave rolling through the pool.

Marlena couldn’t hide her bemusement.  “Relax, Dian.  You’re making me nervous.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”  Dian rapidly blurted out.

Trying not to enjoy the officer’s discomfort too much, Ileena looked up once more.  “I, uh, don’t think the Lieutenant knows how this works.”

“Clearly not.  Be a good dear and fill her in while I get undressed, would you?”

“Of course.”  As Marlena walked over to the clothes pegs on the far wall, Ileena turned back to her erstwhile verbal antagonist.  “You see, Dian, our Queen was not always part of the Royal Family.  Before either of us were born, she was known as Captain Marlena Glenn, pilot of the starship Rainbow Explorer, one of the greatest astronauts of the planet Earth.”

If all these accolades were meant to put Dian at ease, they were not working.

Ileena continued.  “The Rainbow Explorer was pulled through a dimensional portal and crash-landed on Eternia.  The Captain met the King and…well, the rest is history.”

Dian finally looked up at the blonde, realising that Ileena had turned the tables on her.  There was no chance of walking away and leaving the bath house early, lest she risk offending the Queen.  The officer began to suspect that perhaps their monarch’s timely arrival was not a coincidence.

For someone who had been insulted at every turn, Ileena was doing her best to be overly helpful.  “Every now and again, our Queen likes to put the title and the crown aside for an hour or two and come down to the bath house.  Have a nice soak and talk with whoever is here.  You don’t need to worry, Dian.  Just speak respectfully and look respectfully, and we’ll all have a good time.”

“Look…at Her Majesty…without raiment?”  Dian kept her eyes fixed on Ileena, to ensure she did not do exactly that.

“Of course.”  Came the Queen’s voice.  She was standing naked and confident, with her hands on her hips, at the head of the steps leading down into the water.  “A Royal Guard officer may one day be required to enter my private chambers and protect me if I come under threat.  Said officer cannot be very effective if she is too afraid of seeing me in the altogether.”

“Your, uh, your point is well made, Your Majesty.”  Dian slowly raised her eyes to look up at the woman she had sworn to protect, shorn of all finery.  In awe of the regal, mature beauty that stood before her.  The new officer quickly had to remind herself that she had been given permission to look, not stare.

If Marlena had picked up on Dian’s crush, she wasn’t fazed in the slightest. “On a personal level, I consider it a courtesy.  The two of you trust me with being seen in your birthday suits, so I trust you to see me in mine.”

While Dian pondered just what a ‘birthday suit’ was, Marlena gracefully negotiated the steps down into the pool, taking up position on the shelf seating next to Ileena.  As if she were well aware of the animus between the two young women and was firmly declaring whose side she was on, Dian thought.

Marlena stretched out and sighed, relaxing into the warmth.  “Nice to properly meet you, Dian.  How are you finding your new life at the Palace?”

Dian was nervous, picking her words carefully.  “It uh, it has taken some getting used to, Your Majesty.  But…I am ready for the challenge ahead.”

Ileena cheerfully informed her mentor.  “Dian has been telling me all about her heroic deeds in the Eternian Guard.”

Marlena spoke with pride.  “I would be interested to hear about them myself.  You have brought great credit to the Realm through your bravery, Dian.  Tell me, how long have you served?”

“I signed up three years ago now, Your Majesty.”

Marlena considered this.  “Three years…”  Then turned to her student.  “As I recall, Ileena, you did a great deed for us all three years ago.  Remind me again, what was that?”

Ileena tried to play it off as modestly as she could.  “I helped capture a powerful sorcerer who nearly destroyed the Palace and everyone in it.”

Dian’s jaw dropped.

Marlena sat up, probing for more information.  “A powerful sorcerer?  Hmm, how powerful would you say he was?”

“Powerful enough to restrain He-Man temporarily.  He would have escaped if I hadn’t gone after him and jumped on his back.”

“Thanks to your selfless actions, he is now back in the prison mines where he can no longer harm anyone else.”

Ileena blushed under the praise.  “I was glad to be of service.”

“And because of your service to us, that is why we honoured Teela’s recent request to bring you here for warrior training.”

Sitting across from this conversation, Dian had been thrown for a loop.  Her assumptions about the girl had just been thrown out the window. 

Marlena pressed on.  “You also distinguished yourself on a recent visit to the nation of Arcadia.  Why don’t you tell Dian all about it?”

Ileena became uneasy.  “Are you certain you wish me to recount this story in your presence?  What happened there was very violent.”

Marlena leaned over and placed both hands on Ileena’s shoulders to provide reassurance, looking into her eyes with motherly concern.  “I have read the Captain’s report, there is nothing you could say about the incident that would shock or offend me.  Just take your time and tell us what happened in your own words.”

Ileena let out a deep breath and nodded, then turned to Dian.  “The tale goes back to a couple of years ago.  There is a city called Arcadia that was isolated from the rest of Eternia.  The women had everything and the men had nothing, condemned to mine underground for the mineral that kept their city hidden.  Teela and Prince Adam found the place and with some help from He-Man, not only saved the city from collapsing into the mines, but convinced their Queen Sumana to declare men and women equal in their nation.”

Dian nodded.  “I believe I heard about this Arcadia when I was posted to the garrison near the Photanium Foundries.”

Ileena nodded in return, then continued.  “A few weeks ago, Queen Sumana put in a request to King Randor.  To send an envoy for an initial visit ahead of full diplomatic talks.  She specifically requested Teela, who allowed me to come along as her second.  When we got there, we found that equality under the law doesn’t mean equality of the purse.  Some men who are courting women or who have a trade are doing well.  But for the rest, they live in the slums that now ring the old city.  Teela and I went to check out the slums and we were tipped off about what was happening.”  She paused to collect herself before recalling the most harrowing parts of the experience.  “Any women who ventured into those areas were being attacked, robbed and…worse, before being killed, by gangs of men who resented being left out of Arcadia’s prosperity.  We were on our way back when we saw such a gang chasing a woman down the street.  We were outnumbered and unarmed, but we ran after them.  The woman - who we later found out was an artist named Adrianna - ran into a mage that Teela knows very well, who protected her with powerful spells.  We caught up…and there was a fight.”

Marlena put a hand on Ileena’s shoulder for support, who gave a weak smile in return.  “These men, were they unarmed as well?”

“No.  I took the first one down easy, but the next one had a big wooden club and was going to smash my brains to a pulp.”

“You poor thing.  What did you do?”

Ileena grimaced, trying to spare her Queen the more grisly details.  “Let’s put it this way: if he had plans to start a family, I put them on hold for a long time.”

“I see.  What happened then?”

“The next one slashed at me with a big knife.  The mage took care of him.  Teela had put down two of them, but the last one got the drop on her.  He…”  She screwed her eyes up in pain, remembering how close she came to losing her love.

Marlena once again came in close for support.  “Courage, Ileena.  Courage.”

“He had a laser pistol and was going to kill her.  I had picked up that big club earlier, and now I threw it at him.  Hit his arm, knocked off his aim and then the mage blasted him with magic.  After that, they were too scared of her and ran off.  She took us all back to the old city with one of her portals.  Once we made sure Adrianna was alright to be left with the mage, we reported back to Queen Sumana, then cut our stay short and flew straight back to the Palace.”

Silence for a moment as Dian sat stony-faced, finally realising the trap she had blundered into. 

Marlena prompted her student again.  “That was a great thing you did, Ileena, you saved lives.  I believe that soon afterwards, your King recognised your bravery, didn’t he?”

The young warrior nodded.  “He awarded me with the Eternian Medal of Gallantry.”

“Strange though, that you were not offered a position in the Royal Guard.”

“Teela wanted to make me an officer then and there, but I begged her not to decide anything until my training was complete…which I know is a long way away.”

Marlena feigned confusion.  “But to be like Teela and join the Royal Guard has been your dream for a long time.  Why would you turn down such an honour?”

Ileena turned to the woman who was teaching her how to soar through the air on great flying machines.  “Something you told us about your experience at NASA, something I will never forget.  About how if someone is given rank and allowed on the shuttle without knowing precisely what to do in any situation, the entire crew could be lost in space.  That is basically how I view the Royal Guard…I don’t want to be the one who gets the crew lost.”

Captain Marlena Glenn beamed with pride to hear her lesson being taken to heart.  Meanwhile, Dian looked down at the water, red-faced with shame.   How could she have been so arrogant, so rude, so short-sighted?

Suddenly, Marlena made a big show of reacting to the red LED display that was high up on the far wall, which helped to keep bathers punctual.  “Goodness me, is that the time?  Ladies, I am afraid I’ll have to cut my visit short, duty calls.  Ileena, could you give me a hand, please?  I always worry I’m going to slip on these stairs.”

“My pleasure.”  Both the sovereign and student stood up.  Ileena held on to Marlena’s hand for support as she carefully ascended the steps out of the pool, idly noting.  “I really must speak to Duncan about getting some handrails installed.”

Her audience watched as Marlena toweled herself down before slipping on her robe and tying it off once more.  She turned to address the two young women, adopting the more formal tone required by her status.  “Time for me to once more become Queen of Eternia.  Ileena, Dian, I have valued your company today, as brief as it was.  Enjoy the rest of your bath and I will see the both of you upstairs.”

The two women bowed their heads respectfully, Ileena responding.  “Thank you, Your Majesty.  It was a privilege.”

Queen Marlena gave a slight smile and nod, before walking out of the pool area, headed for the changing rooms.  Once she was out of sight, Ileena sat down again and relaxed.

Without a word, Dian rose up and waded through thigh-deep water to stand directly in front of Ileena.  Her dripping, muscular frame looming over the slender student, who met her gaze without fear.

“Ileena, I have one thing to say to you…” Dian’s stoic lips curled into an impressed smirk.  “Well played.”

All tension in the room was deflated as Ileena grinned back.  “Figured it out, huh?”

“Eventually.  You sure pulled a fast one on me, but I deserved it.”  She gestured to the space next to Ileena, opposite of where the Queen once sat.  “You mind if I, uh…?”

“I thought you’d never ask!”

Dian gladly took her place next to her fellow warrior.  “I have to know: how did you pull this off?”

Ileena shrugged.  “You said the Guard is a family, well…Teela, Prince Adam, Her Majesty: they’re my family.  I came up with the idea yesterday and they all helped me to execute it.”

The officer shook her head ruefully.  “They sure succeeded in making me realise what a fool I’ve been.”

Ileena turned to look sincerely at her new ally.  “Dian, my goal in coming up with this ruse was never about embarrassing you, but about proving myself to you.  Whether I make it as a Guardswoman, or perhaps you join the Sisterhood, or both.  There’s a good chance that one day, it will be you and me huddled together in that dug-out.  I just want you to know that you can count on me when it matters the most.”

Dian turned with equal sincerity.  “I know that now, just as I know that even though I’ve seen some action, I have plenty more to learn.  Ileena, I underestimated you and I insulted you when I should have been helping you.  If you can forgive me…”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Dian.  If I couldn’t handle a few insults, then I really would be in the wrong profession.  So…”  She raised her hand out of the water.  “Friends?”

Dian looked at the offered hand briefly, flashed a big grin and put an arm around Ileena, pulling her in for a side-hug and reaching up to ruffle her blonde locks.  “Buddies.”

The aspiring warrior was elated that she had won the veteran’s respect, smiling as she was released from the hug.  There was one more unanswered question on her mind, though  “Just one thing before we put this whole issue behind us: you had a lot to say about my relationship with Teela.”

Dian bowed her head in contrition.  “I know, I was way out of line for bringing your love life into it, and I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.  But I do wonder why it bothered you so much.”  Ileena had a mischievous gleam in her eye.  “Perhaps you came to the Palace hoping that you would be the one to share Teela’s bed.”

Dian stammered with embarrassment.  “Well I, uh…I mean, I’ve always looked up to her and…I had been hoping…if I made enough of a positive impression…”

Ileena put a hand on her friend’s shoulder.  “You’ve just described how I felt for years, so you’re in good company.”

“Ileena, I swear to you: what you and Teela have…I won’t do anything to come between you.”

“Well, we wouldn’t want you to come between us in a bad way.” Ileena shot her a lascivious look.  “But maybe you could come between us in a good way.”

“I, uh, I don’t follow.”

“Well, I’ll give you an example of what I mean.  The day after Teela and I got together, we formed the Sisterhood of Eternia with two very dear friends.  Then we all went skinny-dipping in the Evergreen Forest.”

“Sounds like a fun time.”

“Oh, you better believe it.  Our two friends are very…affectionate, and they were dropping hints like anvils.  Teela and I talked it over and soon, two became four for an afternoon.”

Dian’s eyebrows raised in surprise.  “Wow, that is…a very open-minded approach.”

Ileena gave a nonchalant shrug.  “One way or another, the two of us have spent time with members of Etheria’s Great Rebellion, who are very loving and open people when they’re not fighting the Horde, and they’ve certainly inspired us.  As a matter of fact, you and your comrades in the Eternian Guard could probably relate to them.”

“How so?”

“You’re a tight-knit group in the middle of the wilderness, spending prolonged periods under threat of attack.”  Ileena gave Dian a sardonic look.  “You’re not going to tell me that all of you just played cards during your downtime, are you?”

Dian chuckled.  “I don’t want to make it sound as if we’re going at it like a bunch of chibbits, but you’re right.  On a long and dangerous posting like that, soldiers will do a lot of things to take the edge off, and I was no exception.”

Ileena tried to get into the salacious details.  ”Oh yeah?  Like what?”

Dian blushed.  “I don’t want to get any serving Troopers in trouble…but let’s just say that I have drunk from the cup, same as you.  I was something of an innocent when I signed up, but once I had my first taste, I knew…that’s what I want, that’s my idea of a good time.”

“See?  We do have plenty in common, after all.”  The two friends cracked up laughing.

Dian sobered up as she realised what Ileena was inferring.  “So you’re saying there’s still hope…?”

“Nothing is guaranteed.  Remember that Teela and I are a team in all things, especially this.  But given time and enough of those positive impressions, I think she might be receptive to the idea.”

Dian took the hint.  “I’ll keep that in mind.  Speaking of positive impressions, I was truthful when I said that I’m very busy training Item Company.  But when I get the chance, I’m quite happy to do some sparring with you.  Test out what we both know, what we could learn from each other.”

“I would like that.”  Ileena chewed on her bottom lip briefly as she prepared to make another proposition.  “Perhaps you might be interested in the…’special’ type of training that Teela and I tried for the first time recently.  We both found it very useful.”

Dian was intrigued.  “What would this special training entail?”

“You know the Indoor P.T area?”

“Windowless hall, nothing but a bunch of mats and a couple of changing rooms off to the side?”

“That’s the one.  Doesn’t see much use outside of winter.  If you agree to join us, then we would reserve that room for a couple of hours’ private session.  When we come out of the changing rooms, we wear no clothes whatsoever, not even something to put our hair back.  We bring no possessions with us either, just our bodies and the mats, as we go through our normal hand-to-hand training.”

Dian was once again flustered.  “And you would invite me to participate?  That sounds…very intimate.”

Ileena looked down at the blurred outlines of their bodies below the water line.  “Is it that much more intimate than sharing a bath together?”

Dian looked down as well.  “Hmm, you’ve got me there.  But wait a minute, I thought you said to take it slow and not get my hopes up.”

Ileena grinned.  “I think you may be getting the wrong idea, my friend.  I won’t lie, getting physical in our birthday suits is a lot more thrilling than the usual, and you’re welcome to enjoy it for that reason.  We certainly do.  But if you sign up for this, there will be no funny business.  We treat it as seriously as any other kind of training.”

That just left the officer confused.  “Then what is the purpose, if not that?”

“To Queen Marlena’s point, that one day you might need to disregard her lack of attire in order to protect her.  You might also need to do that to protect yourself.  Not long ago, Teela had a lady before me.  This big, tough warrior who could go from lover to fighter and back with no concern for getting dressed.  Just grabbed her weapons and was ready to go.  Teela was inspired by her example and she shared the idea with me.  The point of such training is to get rid of any fear or embarrassment you might have.  So if you find yourself in a situation where you have no armour, no weapons, no clothes, no nothing and you need to fight?  You know that you are no less a warrior.”

As Dian chewed over this idea, a new visitor to the baths left her towel on the hooks and made her way into the pool.

Teela was glad to see her friend and her girl sitting together.  “Dian, ‘Lee, are you alright?”

“Oh, just fine, Tee’.”

The redhead responded with a wry grin.  “Everything, uh…peaceful?”

The two friends shared a look, before Dian responded.  “More than peaceful, Teela.  I think a new alliance just formed.”  She patted Ileena on the back.

“Good to know.”  Teela sat down on the shelf and met Ileena for a slow, sweet kiss, before the blonde leaned in to rest her head in the crook of Teela's neck, who reached round to gently caress her wet hair.

“Hope you’ll forgive the subterfuge, Dian.  When I heard Ileena’s plan, I gave her the green light to test you.”

“That’s quite alright, Captain.  Have to admit, as tests go, this was rather fun.”

Ileena looked up at her love.  “I was telling Dian all about our special training.”

“Oh, you did?” She looked over at her subordinate.  “How about it, Dian?  Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?”

“I would, Teela.  If you’re willing to do that for me, then just name the time.” 

“Excellent.  I’ll see when we can find an opening in the duty roster.  Just be aware that if you come and have a session with us, you may be required to pay it forward in the near future.”

“With whom?”

“Sibyline and Celice, a couple of brave friends who have fought the forces of Snake Mountain before.  We will soon be making formal offers for them to join the Sisterhood.  They both rely on magic, but we want to teach them some fundamentals of melee combat as a backup.  That will include offering them this special training.  If one or both of them accepts, we will be looking for you to help us.”

“I would be honoured to help in any way I can.”

Teela smiled, then relaxed against her girlfriend.  A few moments passed before Dian spoke up once more.

“Ileena, I'm going to be helping Teela design a new uniform for women officers in the Royal Guard.  We were thinking about personalising the colours for each officer.  When the time comes, what would you say to red and silver?”

The blonde aspirant’s face lit up at such a simple statement of acceptance.  “I think red and silver would do just fine.”