In this draft, the sequence of events happened differently: Arete arrived first, and then Lukios and Ba'an got Mai'ra and went to the temple. That means the feast happened first, and there was no dramatic ending to it. The drama came later, but in the current RR draft, I decided to collapse events together and make them a bit spicy! =D

This particular scene is immediately after the dinner with Arete. Leandros in this cut was Leander, and some of the K'Avaari is different (I've since refined it, but I think you can still in context what each word is supposed to be). Arete still had creepy animal sculptures for dinner, so Ba'an was hungry. Lukios snuck in through the servant's corridor with a basket of food (he knows her so well in every version, haha) and they quietly leave to eat on the balcony overlooking the garden. Their romantic second dinner is interrupted when Nikias shows up, annoyed by how noisy they're being.

Also note: the timing of the Nikias subplot was a bit different in this draft, too, which is why Ba'an's still on speculation square #1.

Ba’an clapped her hand over his mouth. “Nikias is coming,” she hissed. Lukios blinked and they began to disentangle themselves immediately. They succeeded in seating themselves properly right before they heard Nikias knock on the frame and enter.

He stared at them, then at the table.

“Did you know,” he started, “that when you move the furniture up here, I can hear it reverberating through my study downstairs?”

Ba’an looked at the table. It had, indeed, moved, probably when Lukios had pinned her to it. She felt her face flush.

“Wow, that’s real interesting,” said Lukios. “I would have never guessed it. We’ll be sure not to move anything around. Right, Ba’an?”

“Yes. We will sit…very quietly and calmly.”

“I hope the two of you are not planning to spend the night up here. It can get somewhat…chilly.” Nikias did not look at all impressed. “My room is right there, by the way. The walls are quite thin.”

Had they truly been that noisy?

“Not sure why you’re so worried,” said Lukios, as cheerful as ever. “We’ve just been sitting here and snacking. Hey, want a bite? I think there’s still some wine and cheese.”

Ba’an perked up. “Yes. Nikias, do you like koiri? I have a bottle.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Koiri? That is rare indeed.” He sat, picked up the bottle, then turned it around to look for the seal. “I don’t recognize this one.”

“It is Bala-Vulta tribe. It is very good koiri. Old.”

“Hm.”

Lukios obligingly pushed his goblet over to him, and Nikias poured enough for a shot, taking it one go. “Oh, it is strong.”

“Yes. I told you. It is old.”

“Oh, is this stronger than usual, then?” Lukios sounded surprised.

“Yes.” Ba’an nodded. “Bala-Vulta is very famous for their koiri. They only trade…perhaps once every decade? They make small batches, and they age it for a long time.”

“Can’t be making a killing off it, then.”

“They do not. It is for…ceremonies.” She looked at the bottle on the table. How had Eikolus managed to get so many bottles?

“Oh. So you’re not supposed to just drink it like this?”

Ba’an shifted in her chair. Well, they were not supposed to, though…Ba’an had sometimes snuck some out when she visited her friends. Ash’a in particular had been fond of koiri, though she had never been able to handle her liquor.

“It is usually not drunk outside of ceremonies,” she said primly. Lukios took one look at her face and laughed.

“Oh, you definitely did.”

She sniffed at him delicately, then turned to Nikias. “I am surprised you have had this before. It is difficult to find outside of a saa-vuti vur.”

For a moment, his gaze on her was sharp and calculating—but only a moment. When Ba’an blinked, it was gone. Ah-ha.

“We had a bottle of it. My mother brought it with her when she…left the desert.” Interesting. So she had packed her things. More and more, she was beginning to think Nur’taya-Va’nan salu-Tii’ka had been a traitor.

So what did that make Nikias?

Ba’an ignored the look Lukios shot her over Nikias’ head. “I see. She must have been a witch then, your mother?”

Nikias looked amused. “Of course she was.” He gave her a knowing look. “After all, I am exceptionally ‘spooky’. It’s all in the blood, is it not?” Usually, though Ba’an’s parents had not been exceptional. Sometimes it skipped a generation—or twenty.

Oh, Nikias most certainly knew Ba’an had been a witch. He was baiting her, clearly.

Although…something about his soul-song bothered her greatly. He felt too-tightly woven, and the song was…muffled somehow. She had mistaken this for inability the first night she had stayed here, but now it was clear this was something else. Was he ill?

“Hmm,” she said. “Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is not.” She shrugged.

“But you, Ba’an, are a remarkable talent, are you not? I can’t imagine Chief Tsu’kos allowing you to leave the shi-vuti so empty for so long.”

Ba’an did not freeze, though she could see Lukios go very, very still. Luckily, Nikias was facing her, not him.

She looked at him in puzzlement. “Why do you believe it is empty?” Ba’an suspected he knew about Vaa’ti and Salu’ka already. A suspicion had taken shape in her mind, slowly at first, but now with more speed and certainty. If Ba’an was correct, Nikias had likely been very active during the war, and was still active now, keeping tabs on the tribes of the A’tat and ensuring they were not building their strength.

“Well, you are their witch, are you not? And yet you are here.”

Ba’an lowered her head as though she was ashamed. It did not take much effort—she had plenty to be ashamed of. “Ah. That is…well. I no longer sit in a vuti.” Lukios looked as though he was going to simply grab her and run. She pressed her foot against his under the table.

Nikias lifted a single, sardonic eyebrow.

“You must know, Nikias, outlanders are not permitted inside a saa-vuti vur, especially now.”

“…Of course,” he said, slowly, and she could see him starting to draw the conclusion she wanted him to.

“Lukios is an outlander. I…” She sighed. “I am no longer fit to sit inside the shi-vuti. I have…committed es’tat. That is why I came with him to Kyros.”

Nikias blinked. It was subtle, but she saw it—a blink that was not in place with his normal rhythm. Should she sweeten the pot? Or should she allow him to draw his own conclusions?

“It is just as well,” she said. “Witches cannot marry.”

Nikias dropped his goblet of koiri. Ba’an clicked her tongue at him. “You must be careful, Nikias. It would not do if you hurt yourself.”

Ahahaha, yes, Ba'an was somewhat more manipulative and "witchy" in the previous draft, playing Niki like a fiddle. Sort of. He's the type that resists being played, naturally.

counts as a spoiler--but consider yourself warned! =)

(There's also a make-out session, but no actual you-know-what. FYI!)

Edit: I redacted a Lukios-spoiler! Sorry--missed it the first time around!

“I…my apologies. I was merely surprised.” Nikias righted the fallen goblet then picked up the square of cloth that had been used to line the basket. He mopped up the mess in silence. “I suppose congratulations are in order?”

Ba’an looked at him quizzically. “Oh no. We are not getting married. I am only thinking about it. I do not like your cities.”

Nikias seemed to be having trouble controlling his expression. The look he threw Lukios clearly said, you have so much explaining to do, though Lukios had regained himself and only looked at him with an innocent smile.

“Can you just tell her I live in the middle of nowhere, Nikias? She won’t believe me. You’re on my side, right?”

“I wasn’t aware there were sides. Don’t harass a woman into marrying you, Lukios.” There was something else there, Ba’an was sure. The exasperation was genuine, but not because he thought Lukios was harassing her. “Regardless, I am sorry for your losses, lady Ba’an. It seems Lukios was more than a handful of trouble.”

“No, do not be troubled. I have gained much.” She smiled peacefully. “I did not think to leave the desert before meeting Lukios. It is not so terrible a thing.”

Nikias paused. “So…your family chain…”

“It is true. Or it was true. My parents have been dead for many years, so there is nothing to grieve.”

He sighed. “Regardless, it is unfortunate. It is a hard thing for a K’Avaari to…leave the desert.”

Hm. Very interesting. Now he was much more sympathetic.

Nikias was a puzzle himself. Ba’an resisted the urge to poke at him more—as intriguing as it was, she was already walking a fine line indeed. Ba’an did not think anyone from her former tribe would volunteer why she was k’estat; they would only tell whomever was asking that there was no K’Avaari by her tribe and family chain. At first glance, it would fit. A gamble, but a good one.

“It is kind of you to say. But I do not regret coming to Kyros.” That was true. Things had become complicated, but her time with Lukios had been precious. She did not regret it.

Lukios looked at her from across the table with an expression that was too vulnerable to take. She dipped her head down, heart pounding.

“I am glad, then.” Nikias stood. “I must be off to bed—I’ve an early start tomorrow. Thank you for the koiri, lady Ba’an. Goodnight.” He turned to Lukios. “I’ll see you at my office tomorrow at your convenience.”

Oh. That did not sound very good.

“You know I’m retired, right?”

“You are not. You are conditionally retired, and you still have duties and obligations.”

Lukios sighed. “I’m also legally dead. Come on, let me rest in peace for a few days at least.”

“There’s no rest for the wicked. I’ll see you tomorrow in my office.”

“Yeah, yeah. Try not to spend all night sharpening your knife.”

“Goodnight.” He left.

Ba’an stared at his retreating back. Once she heard the door to his room close, she turned to Lukios. “Lukios. Have I placed you in trouble?”

Lukios laughed as he tidied the table. “Aren’t I always in trouble? Don’t fret, Ba’an. He’s just pissed because he thinks I seduced you away from your tribe and now the next messenger he sends might be shot full of arrows. He takes that shit all personally—feels real bad for the dead guy and all, though he’d never say it out loud.”

“So you are in trouble now.”

“It’s not the sort of trouble that bothers me.” He finished packing up the basket and turned to her. “That was brilliant, though I wish you’d warned me. My heart nearly stopped and for a while there I was trying to figure out if we could survive this drop.” He pulled her closer so he could kiss her on the nose. “But now we have to figure out the details, don’t we? He’s going to ask, I guarantee it.”

They left the balcony. Lukios glanced around then tugged her down the corridor and into the next room—his room. As soon as the door closed he set the basket on the floor and pushed her up against the wall.

“Lukios?” Wordlessly, he lifted her so she was level, pulling her legs around him and kissing her until her she trembled.

“Ha,” he said, “I think we have other pressing business first, don’t we?”

Ba’an flushed, remembering what he’d promised her that morning.

“Lukios…I think Nikias’ room is…right there.”

“We’ll have to be convincing then, right?”

“Lukios!”

“Okay, okay. We can do it nice and quiet then.” He gave her a sharp little grin that she could feel from where she was standing, right between her legs. “Since you’re not going to cry mercy and all.”

She bit her lip. He ran his thumb against her lower lip, just beneath her teeth. Oh, she did want him. But…

“What happened to discreet, Lukios?” It was true. They had been getting more and more obvious as the days went on.

“It’s not like Nikias doesn’t know what we’ve been up to, Ba’an. And I don’t think the walls are that thin.” His expression said he didn’t actually care if they kept Nikias up or not.

“Lukios. I do not want…” She flushed. “Perhaps it is different for Dolkoi’ri, but we do not disturb others with our…passions.” This was not strictly true, but it was considered good manners. There were some things no one wanted to hear. Ever.

“Ha.” He sighed, pressing his forehead against the wall. She tilted her head up to look at him. “You’re killing me, you know that?”

He carried her to the bed and set her down gently before flopping beside her on his back. Once she lay down beside him, he turned his head so they were face to face, so close their noses were nearly touching. “Okay, I guess we can…decide on our story then? I don’t think he’ll hear us if we whisper.”

In the end they agreed that she had secretly smuggled him into one of their shrines, which often dotted the desert landscape in large number. Ba’an knew of one that was hidden in a sort of cave and quite sheltered if not as accommodating as her not-vuti.

“Hm, you fell in love with me right away, right?”

She gave him an unamused look. “No. You were filthy and covered in blood.”

“Well, we could pretend—”

“Nikias will never believe you.”

“Ha! Of course he’ll believe me. I’m very convincing. Except when it comes to you, apparently. I can’t convince you of anything.” Was he…sulking?

“I went to the filthiest public bathhouse in Kyros for you. Do not complain.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Yes, you did, except it’s not the filthiest public bathhouse in Kyros, it’s the only public bathhouse.” He leaned in and kissed her nose. “And I am very grateful for your sacrifice. You should let me thank you properly.”

She rolled her eyes. “Lukios. Sex is not a thank you.”

“I never said that now, did I? Now why’d your mind go there, I wonder?” He grinned. “Is someone regretting her decision?”

She clicked her tongue at him and turned onto her side. “I will tell Nikias I rescued you out of pity. It was like watching a strifa calf wander into a sand trap left by a maw while bleating for its mother: sad, yet pathetic.”

“Oh, ouch. But baby strifa are pretty cute, right?” He snuggled right up to her. “So that means you actually find me irresistible, and you love petting me.”

Ba’an blushed. It was true, she did enjoy petting him, though not because he resembled a strifa in anyway. Quite the opposite. Lukios was clearly a man, though he had retained his boyish energy and cheer. Ba’an was glad he had not become bitter and grim; it seemed like a miracle, still. Besides that, he had very nice…eyes. Among other things. She felt her blush intensify.

“Are you blushing? I knew it, I was right!” He nuzzled her neck and pulled her against him. “You should just tell me what you’re thinking. Oh, Lukios, I was just thinking about how handsome you are and—Ack!” She elbowed him lightly in the side. He started laughing. “What was that supposed to be? It kind of tickled.” He grinned wickedly and raised his hands, wriggling his fingers.

“Lukios!” Ba’an rolled away and off the bed, eyeing his hands warily. If he tickled her now she would lose all dignity. She was certain Nikias would hear them and then she would never be able to look him in the eye again.

He started to guffaw. “Oh Ba’an the look on your face—! Hahaha—you should see yourself, you’re just too cute, I just can’t, I can’t—” She glared at him. “Oh, Ba’an, you know you love it. You’re just worried you’ll have too much fun and you’ll lose your reputation as this cool, mysterious K’Avaari witch.”

Her glare intensified. It annoyed her that he was mostly correct. She did not wish others to think of her as…the kind of woman who laughed in bed. It was undignified.

He clapped his hand over his mouth in a vain effort to smother his laughter. “I’m not laughing at you, I swear. You’re just so cute. I just—I promise I won’t tickle you. Not tonight. Come back to bed so I can kiss you senseless.”

“You may kiss me once. Then we must sleep. I am sure you have woken Nikias.” He had been laughing very loudly. She was certain Nikias would have a few pithy comments for them both in the morning, and stifled a sigh at the thought.

“Just once? That’s so mean. I’ll be good, I promise. Come here.”

“Wait.” Now that she was up, she might as well wash up properly. She did not have her toothbrush here but she could use Lukios’ paste and her fingers. She heard him get up and walk up behind her, picking up his own brush. “You can just use mine if you want. It’s not like we haven’t shared everything anyway.”

“I am well. Do not fret.”

They washed, then returned to the bed, Ba’an crawling over to his side so she could curl up on his chest with her cheek pressed over his heart. He slipped two fingers under her chin and tilted her head up to kiss her mouth, then cheated by kissing her on the forehead.

“Hmm. You really going to sleep with that on?” He tugged on her long tunic and shawl. “Here.” He pulled the shawl off then folded it neatly, placing on the bedside table. He pulled the pins off the shoulders of the tunic, kissing her collarbone as the fabric fell away. He folded it and placed it on top of her shawl. He kissed her again, which Ba’an allowed, but she pulled away when he began to deepen the kiss.

“You have promised to behave, Lukios.”

“I am!” She rolled her eyes, and unclasped his own chiton at the shoulder. His chest was broad and very tempting, but she refrained from touching him however she liked. Then they would really be noisy, and the morning would be too embarrassing to contemplate.

“Hm, tempted?”

“No.” Yes, actually. He was very tempting.

“Ha. Not a very good liar, Ba’an.” He tilted her head up so he could kiss her again. He eased her pin from her bun and ran his fingers through her hair as it cascaded down her back.

“Mmm….Lukios.” She sighed against his mouth, letting her hand wander over his chest and down his taut belly. He was smooth and hairless until she hit the trail just below his belly button. The hair there was softer than it looked, curly as it was. It was very…nice.

“That’s what I thought.” She could hear the grin in his voice. Insufferably smug, that’s what he was.

She pulled away and lay down to sleep. “Goodnight, Lukios.”

“Wait…really?”

“Yes. Goodnight.”

He sighed, sounding deeply disappointed. “Aw, fine. Sleep well, Ba’an.” He curled around her and kissed her shoulder. “Hey Ba’an. Do you want to go find a goat tomorrow? I mean, it’s true I might get recognized, but if we go really early it’s not like there’s going to be a lot of people. I don’t think everyone in Kyros goes crazy over [redacted for spoilers], you know? And I have to go to the temple for sure tomorrow. I’ve put it off too long.”

There was something melancholy in his voice. “What is wrong, Lukios?”

“Wrong? Oh. It’s not that anything’s wrong. I was just…” he sighed. “I should get two goats. One for me, one for Rekos. I know it’s stupid to put up a sacrifice for a guy that’s been dead for five months, but I’ve missed the funeral and…there’s nothing else left to do, I guess, except put up a sacrifice and visit his grave.”

“Why would this be stupid?”

“Well…it’s been five months, Ba’an. Whatever happened to his soul has already happened. It’s not like I’m helping any.”

“But it is sincere, is it not?”

“Well…yeah. I mean…” he sighed again. “Should have done it right away, I know, but…doing it would really…make it real, I guess. But putting it off won’t make it any less real. So…I should just go do it. Even if…I don’t want it to be real. Does that even make sense?” It did. She stroked his cheek.

“Yes. It is in our nature to avoid pain. Do not be ashamed, Lukios. Your heart feels strongly. I am sure Rekos will be glad to hear your prayers, regardless of where he has gone.” He closed his eyes and sighed.

“Sorry, I’m in a weird mood now.”

“Do not apologize for your grief, Lukios. It is a natural thing. Needed. I will go with you to find your goats.” She paused. “I…I do not think I should set foot inside your temple. I am kana’stat. If even one priest is as talented as Nikias, I will be noticed. Beyond this, it may offend your gods.” It was true. Ba’an had not set foot on sacred ground since she had become an Abomination. The risk was too great.

“Oh. Don’t worry, I can do the sacrificing by myself.” He put his hand over hers and brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them. “I’m just happy you’re coming with me, even if it’s not all the way in.”

They lay silently for a moment, before he broke the silence again. “Ba’an? Is Nikias really that talented?”

“Yes.” She paused. “But there is something wrong with him.”

“What? Really?”

“Yes. If he had been hale I believe he would have noticed my own weave was…strange. But he did not, and he feels…muted. Ill, perhaps.”

“He’s sick? But he looks fine. I mean, he works too much and doesn’t sleep enough, so he always has that racoon look but…”

“I do not know what it is, but his song is muted. It is like when one plays the lute, but places one’s hand over the strings.”

“I don’t really know what that means when it comes to souls, Ba’an. Is it really bad?”

“I do not know. It depends on why he is muted.”

“Well, shit. I hope he didn’t do anything stupid while I was away. You’d never guess looking at him, but he’s just as hot-headed as I am. He just hides it better, so people don’t notice.”

“Are you very close?”

“Well, I dunno about that. Nikias is pretty secretive and prickly. But we worked together for a long time, and we’ve saved each others’ asses more than once. I guess that makes us friends, or something like that. Oh, and don’t be fooled. He’s the heir to House Astros, so he actually outranks all of us put together. He probably owns most of Kyros already, though he’d never admit it. He likes pretending he’s just like the rest of us, though he’s really terrible at playing commoner. Raised with a silver spoon and all.”

Well, that was…useful. She had suspected he was a very important man already. Why else would man like Gaios defer to the opinion of a much younger man? This explained much.

“Why did you not say something before?”

“Well, it didn’t seem that important before. And well—is it really important now? He’s a son of House Astros, but he’ll be here seeing to his own business long after we’ve gone.” Lukios shrugged.

“We just have to be careful and make sure he doesn’t suspect anything. There’s no telling what, exactly, he’d do if he…you know.” Lukios dropped his voice lower. “I don’t think he'd hand you to the emperor, to be honest, but he won’t do nothing. You’d be too good a play piece to pass up.”

Ba’an frowned. “Why would he not report me to the emperor?”

[cut for spoilers!] =D