"APHRODITE!" Athena hollered, breaking Meesha out of her sleep. Set sat up, rubbing the weariness from her eyes. Her body ached all over, no doubt from the beating she had received yesterday. She groaned as she tried to turn herself over and go back to sleep, but Aphrodite's voice kept her awake.

"Hey Meesha! Get up here! We are having a group hug!"

Now she was interested. Sitting up once again, Meesha glanced over at her traveling partners. Roxy seemed ecstatic as she hugged Athena, Aphrodite had a giant grin on her face, while Athena just looked angry. Meesha laughed softly, the sight both humorous and endearing.

"No thanks, I think I'll pass," she said, stretching in an effort to dispel the sleepiness away. Her body was stiff and tender, and she knew multiple bruises had developed underneath her robe. She stumbled into the bathroom, disrobing and checking over her body. Numerous purple welts had developed overnight, their hue similar to in color to her clothing. She winced, imagining the trek through the mountains with such injuries.

Meesha left the bathroom and packed up her things, her three traveling companions still in their group embrace, with Athena trapped in the middle. Once everything was placed in her satchel, Meesha headed over to the door. She paused in the doorway and turned around.

"Once you three lovers are done, head downstairs for some breakfast with me," she teased, a mischievous grin upon her face. Athena looked like she wanted to stab her.

"We are NOT lovers. I'm merely trapped," she growled.

Meesha took off down the hall laughing. She knew that Athena could easily overpower the other two women and break free if she really wanted to. She suspected that Athena actually liked being hugged, as hard as it was to believe.

Upon reaching the dining room, Meesha ran over the the cooking area. She wasn't hungry yesterday, but today she was starving. She took some scrambled egg, bacon, toast, and a glass of milk. Seating herself back down in the corner, she began to eat her breakfast. She knew the journey through the mountains would take several days, and she needed to increase her energy.

I wonder what's taking them so long up there, Meesha wondered.