[i]Whatever it takes.[/i] She'd put herself in between him and the world in a heartbeat, throw herself away - but she wouldn't lash out in return? What kind of sacrifice was that? Who was she [i]protecting[/i] like this? She flinched back, looking away, eyes watering. Who had she saved like this? Who wanted her to be like this? Who had asked for a hero like this? Why couldn't she be who they needed instead?

Shamash would do whatever it took. Tirzah would -

Sudden tears blinded closed eyes. 

It was war. Occupation. Rebellion. A time for soldiers, not heroes. A time for feudal warrior-aristocrats and not [i]knights[/i]. All she had to do was finish what had been started and crack her broken heart and draw her sword from it. It was time to put away silly ideas like chivalry, love, redemption...

Her heart pounded. She was being asked to make a sacrifice, and who was she to say no?

"Yes, mistress," she said quietly, not meeting the Cat's eyes despite the order. "You're right. Of course."

[Accepting the shift]