~ As Long As Earth Endures ~
by Bracer
Chapter Nine
The caravan left Kesan early the following morning. A smiling Thesocles and his entourage saw them off at the city gates, politely declining any payment or gifts. "Meleager served this city well," the old councilor explained. "Our defenses would never have been this secure without him. It's a debt we can never fully repay. Any friends of his are friends of the city - especially such a … charming group of holy women," he chuckled. "I bid you peace on your journey. Kesan welcomes any of you whenever you wish to return."
Xena couldn't help glancing at her bard. "Might just take you up on that sometime."
Thesocles grinned and winked up at the warrior. "I'll keep the room open for you - in fact, I invite you to spend every anniversary here. It would be an honor to host Amazon royalty."
Gabrielle blushed, but Xena just smiled. "Thanks," the warrior replied, "I'll keep it in mind."
"We'll both keep it in mind," the bard added. "Although we're not married," she cleared her throat, "yet." Xena rolled her eyes, smiled, looked away.
"Speaking of Amazons," Solari spoke up. "I have to admit, we've taken a shine to this place. Thank you Thesocles, for making us feel welcome - not many do."
The old man smiled. "Believe it or not, you've all been much less trouble than some - and I know Kero's son wouldn't mind having you back."
Solari laughed. "Found out about that, huh?"
Thesocles shrugged. "It pays to keep informed."
"Well," Solari grinned, "if - and I mean if - he's still unattached when I get a chance to pass by here again, tell him he'd better be ready, because…"
"Thanks Thes," Meleager broke in, smiling at his old ruler, squeezing his shoulder as they shook hands. "It felt damn good to stay here for a while - like old times."
"Actually," Thesocles shook his head, grinning, "it was much more peaceful than old times, as I recall them anyway."
Meleager chuckled. "Hey, speak for yourself."
Thesocles chuckled back. "Yes, yes, I heard about your daring raid - risking life and limb and all that." He leaned in, whispering, "Sobriety suits you, young man. Proud of you for getting back on the right track."
The aging warrior smirked. "Aw Thes, I think you're one of the few people in the Known World who could call me a young man. But thanks."
Thesocles nodded, smiling. He gestured with his head slightly, still whispering, "Listen, you and the High Priestess, you're an item?"
Meleager gave an embarrassed, "Yeah."
"You're a lucky man Meleager," the councilor assured. "Let her know that sometime, huh? You always were bad about that sort of thing." Then he stood straight again, announcing loudly, "An easy road to you Meleager, and to those who travel with you. May the gods favor you all. Take care."
The caravan resumed its journey west. The day before it had been agreed that the main danger from slavers was likely over. Crossing the Bosphorus had been the obvious part of the route, but after that no one outside the group knew where they were headed, which made further random ambushes improbable. And when word began to spread of what had happened to as large a force as Stophacles had put together, it would be even less likely.
The main threat now was a band of mercenaries who were no doubt bent on simply massacring them all. Still, there was nothing for it but to continue traveling as before, trusting the scouts to spot the enemy in time. The route had been altered slightly, taking a narrower road which kept them surrounded by dense forest, a terrain which favored Amazon training. It meant slower going, but would be somewhat safer.
Gabrielle was by turns distracted and frustrated. She and Xena had spent the better part of the last two days being constantly together, and much of that time spent making love. Yet far from helping to sate the passion which had grown inside her over the last couple of years, Gabrielle found it only made it worse. The things she and Xena had done together had fueled her imagination about other things they might try - some quite romantic, others downright naughty - and while she tried to stay focused, her mind was constantly wandering.
The worst thing, she realized, was there was no practical way to be with Xena as they traveled - the warrior was constantly riding off to check on various reports or to scout ahead herself. As the caravan halted for the noon meal, the two of them had managed to find a little time for themselves, but that was brief and not terribly private.
Gabrielle groaned. "Gods Xena, this isn't fair. All I want is to be with you…"
"I know," the warrior soothed, an arm draped around her bard's taught shoulders as they reclined together against a tree. "I feel the same way, but we have other things to think about right now."
"But it's so hard to…" Gabrielle groaned again. "I mean, it's like discovering a new continent or a third arm or something. Every time I see you I can't think of anything else … merciful Artemis, even when I'm don't see you I can't think of anything else."
Xena smiled. "It's not exactly easy for me either." She kissed the top of the strawberry blonde head. "Look, three or four more days and we'll be in Lilith's valley, then we'll be by ourselves again. We'll take some time off somewhere, see if we can … well, work some things out."
"Like what?" Gabrielle asked, with just a hint of apprehension.
"Like you, me, and this life we have together," Xena replied slowly. "Constant danger and love, remember?" She squeezed her bard a little tighter. "Look, now is not the time. Just know that I really do want to spend the rest of my life with you, and that means figuring out how to make that last as long as possible, for both of us, all right?"
Gabrielle looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah," she nodded, "I see what you mean."
The warrior stood, pulling her partner up with her. "Right now though, it's time to get this caravan moving. We'll be together tonight, all right? Keep Lilith company until then … and try to talk about something other than me?"
The bard rolled her eyes. "OK, I'll try."
The warrior squeezed Gabrielle's shoulder. "That's my girl."
The bard took her warrior's hand and kissed it. "Bet your chakram I am."
Xena grinned, then leaned in and said quietly and suggestively. "And Gabrielle, listen - if it gets really bad, I want you to know it's all right with me if you grab one of the Amazons, or even one of the Guardians and, well…"
The bard's eyes narrowed, and she asked suspiciously, "Yes?"
"Get in some staff practice," the warrior answered, lightly kissing Gabrielle on the nose. "A good workout always does wonders for me when I'm … tense."
The bard gave an exaggerated groan, then gave Xena a playful poke. "OK, OK … I admit, you got me."
Xena broke into a warm smile and stroked her lover's hair. "I'd bet my chakram I do. Come on."
* * *
The sound of wood on wood reverberated through the small clearing. Gabrielle spun and swung the end of her staff at her opponent's legs, only to have her strike neatly blocked. She countered instantly, rotating the staff around and attacking from the other side, then found her own feet going out from under her before she could connect.
Landing on the soft grass with a loud grunt, Gabrielle just lay back. "By all the gods," she gasped, "I swear you're worse than Xena! Go easy on a simple village girl for a change, would ya?"
Lilith leaned on her own staff and smiled. "I believe it was you who said not to, young one."
Gabrielle raised her head. "That's because you said you hadn't used a staff in three hundred years. Augh," she groaned, laying her head back, "guess I should have expected it - 'never forget the past' and all."
The Priestess chuckled. "Actually, you have little to be ashamed of, Amazon Queen. Your technique is unconventional yet quite excellent. Perhaps in the future you should measure yourself against less … demanding opponents?"
Gabrielle looked at the sky, grinning. "Yeah well, I get plenty of chances with them too, but there's only one person I really care about, um, besting."
Lilith smiled. "I believe in many ways you have already done so." The immortal looked thoughtful for a moment. "How are things between you, young one?"
The bard sat up, blushing lightly. "Better than I could've hoped for. Xena's been … very giving." She looked away, her blush deepening. "I've only ever … been with one other person, so I guess I don't have much to compare it to, but the things she does … what we do together … and she's so soft … Uhhh, I get goosebumps, you know?"
Lilith smiled. "Pleasure given is pleasure shared, young Gabrielle. I have little doubt Xena feels the same. Any fears you have about not being adequate are quite groundless."
The bard blushed. "That did kind of worry me at first … guess it still does, kind of. Does it show?"
The immortal chuckled and shook her head. "Not exactly, but it is a common concern, and one I know well. All the priestesses and their acolytes - who are mostly priestesses in training - feel this fear at some point."
"Anything I can, um, do?" Gabrielle asked uncertainly. The bard was well aware that the High Priestess was almost unnaturally casual about the most personal of topics, which sometimes helped but was just as often intimidating in its own way.
Lilith cocked her head. "I have scrolls you may consult, if you wish, on various sexual techniques, styles and approaches. However, I have little doubt your own imagination will serve you well in that regard." The immortal smiled, then seemed suddenly thoughtful. "In truth, I think you have no need of anything more than you already possess."
"What's that?"
"Love," Lilith replied, "and with this, openness, desire, and above all, trust. With these, no pleasure offered can ever fail to touch a lover's heart, or bring joy to their body. Only that which is taken or demanded in selfishness can hurt or repel. Indeed, this is true of all things between lovers, and not merely in the coupling of physical bodies, but in their spirits as well. With these feelings shared, all things are possible."
Thinking about what had passed between herself and Xena, especially the time her warrior had broken down in tears made Gabrielle pause. She stared straight ahead for a moment, a sober expression on her face. "You know, we're closer than we've ever been," she began slowly. "And … making love is wonderful, but I know there are parts of her I … I can't reach, and maybe never will." She sighed. "But I have to keep trying. I love her too much to do anything else."
Lilith nodded, sitting down next to the bard. "In my dark time, it took the unconditional love of the Goddess to heal me. In the ages since, I have at times spent untold years lost to despair, believing only there was no clear path, no way to steer the world from its own darkness." One hand began gently caressing the younger woman's back and shoulders. "And yet, always it is the love of another that has brought me back, showed me again why I must never lose hope." The Priestess caught Gabrielle's eyes with her own. "Be her Goddess, young one. She will heal, in time."
Gabrielle brushed her hair back. "Sometimes I wonder if I can be that strong. I'm no hero."
Lilith draped an arm across the bard's shoulders and pulled her close. "Ah but you are, Gabrielle," the immortal said softly. "You most certainly are. There is a depth to you I have rarely seen, a core of selflessness and wisdom that spreads such peace and joy to those you touch."
"Well, for someone so wise I can be awfully stupid." Gabrielle sighed. "You know how many times I've gotten us into trouble? How many times I've been in the wrong place, or said the wrong thing?" She blinked back a tear, turned to meet Lilith's eyes. "I was married once, did I tell you that? It was a really dumb thing to do, but I did it anyway, and it got him killed. And then I watched Xena die because I was too weak to get her to Niklio fast enough. I know it wasn't my fault she got hurt but that never makes me feel better - next time it could be."
Lilith sighed. "Gabrielle, there are many kinds of heroes, and while some fight with force of arms, darkness is often fought best by those who never hold a weapon. Some counsel with words, others simply lead with the fullness of their hearts, and I tell you true that you are one of the most important. Trust in your heart and it will always be so." The immortal smiled. "And never confuse inexperience with a lack of wisdom, young one. True enough, you have much to learn on this path, yet so does Xena in her way, and so even do I in mine. A life, no matter how long, is never truly complete, for there is always something yet to be discovered."
Gabrielle sighed, but she smiled back. "Guess I should know better than to argue with you, huh?" She pressed her head against the immortal's shoulder. "Thank you Lilith. You're a good friend."
"As are you Gabrielle … and that is a truly precious thing." She gave the bard's shoulders one last squeeze. "But now I think we should make haste to catch the caravan, yes?"
"Yeah," Gabrielle chuckled. "I've been sitting around too much the last week or so - want to jog?"
The Priestess stood, smiling. "As you wish."
* * *
The caravan had stopped for the night, and Xena, as usual, was taking first watch. Gabrielle hid her disappointment as the two of them parted for a few hours more, taking solace in her warrior's obvious disappointment as well - in fact, Xena's open feelings surprised and touched her.
"I just wish this were over," Xena sighed as they hugged each other a temporary goodbye.
The weight of her words was not lost on the bard. Redemption. "I'll be here Xena," Gabrielle assured her partner. "When you get back tonight, and forever, understand?"
The warrior smiled, looking into her companion's loving eyes. "You really have no idea how much that means to me, Gabrielle." Her smile grew rueful. "When I get back though, we should talk - it's nothing bad," she added quickly, "I'm not having second thoughts. It's not like that at all, but my life is … complicated, and…"
"Our life is complicated," Gabrielle corrected her, chiding. "Now will you just kiss me and go do your job?"
Xena chuckled and shook her head. "Sure thing … boss."
The kiss was quick but no less heartfelt, and with a final embrace, the warrior walked off through the trees. Gabrielle took a moment to collect herself. Merciful Artemis, she sighed, I just hope I get used to that … I can't go swooning every time we have to say goodbye for a couple of hours. Then again…
Gabrielle made her way to the central fire, but found it strangely deserted except for Meleager and Svetla. "Hey Meleager," she waved. "Where um, is everyone?"
"Oh, hi Gabrielle," the aging warrior started. "They're all off doing some priestess thing or another. Have to anoint five new ones to replace the ones who stayed with the Amazons - twenty-four being twice the phases of the moon or some mystic thing like that. Lots of extra scrolls to dig out and memorize and whatnot. Started while we were in Kesan. Xena's on watch?"
"Yeah," Gabrielle nodded, sitting herself down. "Hey, Svetla," she said, addressing the slim blonde, "are there any of those layered pastries left - you know, the honey and tahini ones?"
"Want something for your warrior when she gets back?" Svetla replied, winking.
Gabrielle blushed in spite of herself, then just nodded. The slim blonde was one of the camp's … well, Gabrielle hesitated to call them "servants", but they helped with the cooking, cleaning, and other day-to-day tasks. As they traveled, Svetla had been one of Gabrielle's most faithful audience members as the bard told her nightly stories. Afterwards, when Gabrielle hadn't remembered to store something away or it had simply been inconvenient, she'd always been able to count on Svetla for the odd sweet leftovers. Gabrielle hadn't guessed the blonde had known who they were for.
Then again, it seems like everyone knew it before we did. "It's OK, Svetla…" she began, standing up, hating the thought of anyone doing something for her she could do herself.
"No, no," Svetla said with a wave of her hand. "Please, just make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back."
Gabrielle took a step forward. "Svetla…"
"Gabrielle, you are a Queen," she smiled back. "This is good for me … Just let me enjoy it?"
Gabrielle couldn't help blushing a little more. "Go on." The bard resumed her place in front of the fire next to Meleager, and for a time, they both just stared into the flames.
Finally, the bard couldn't help talking. "Love is great, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Meleager replied without thinking. Then he blustered. "I guess … I mean, I don't know much about it."
"Me neither," Gabrielle replied evenly. "But I do know one warrior who can fit it into her life - all the gods know it wasn't easy to get her to admit it, but she did. So what's holding you back?"
"Gabrielle…" he began.
"I mean, I'm just sort of curious," the bard continued, staring into the flames and ignoring his response. "What exactly is it you're waiting for? You know she loves you - you're even sleeping together. What were you planning on doing anyway? Get them to the valley and then ride off into the sunset?"
"Something like that," Meleager replied curtly. "I've got things to do, you know? The whole 'helping people out thing'? I spent too long looking at the world from inside a bottle - it's time I got back out there."
The bard looked up at the aging warrior. "Meleager," she said quietly, "how many years do you think you have left? Do you really want to spend them alone, then die somewhere on a battlefield with no one to care?"
He sighed, shrugged. "That's the path I chose Gabrielle. I knew what I was getting into - Hades, some days I'm surprised I lasted this long."
"Which is why you should maybe quit while you're ahead," the bard replied. "You've already done the world a lot of good Meleager. I heard the stories growing up. You were my hero, remember? Not a half god like Hercules, or showered with gifts from them like Jason. Just a man who put his life on the line for the greater good."
He blushed slightly. "Well, I never really thought about it like that."
"I think the world owes you one," Gabrielle smiled. "What's so bad about wanting to be happy?"
"Hades, Gabrielle," Meleager grunted, "it's just not that … simple."
"Meleager," Gabrielle began, trying to keep her frustration from showing, "how is it complicated? She loves you, you love her. Just take her in your arms and say something like, 'I love you Lilith, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.' It should be easy."
He shook his head. "Look Gabrielle, it's just … Sooner or later I rub everyone the wrong way. I've never had a relationship that didn't end badly, no matter how good it started. So, after a while, I just, kind of … quit trying. I don't want her to get hurt, or watch her … grow to hate me. I'd rather just take what I can get and have a lot of fond memories to look back on, OK?"
Now we're getting somewhere. She put an arm around his shoulders. "Warriors! I'll never understand them," she chided, chuckling softly. "You'd rather charge single-handed into an army of barbarians than risk getting your heart broken. Listen up, Meleager the Mighty - Xena thought it was worth trying again, and most of her relationships ended with someone getting killed, or her almost being killed. For that matter, so have mine. If we can do it, you don't have much of an excuse."
Meleager pursed his lips and gave her an annoyed look. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"Let's just say I have a tough time seeing someone I care about miss a chance at being happy."
He grunted, then sighed, looking at his hands. "OK," he said quietly, nodding. "OK. Three days at most and we'll be in the valley. I'll uh … I'll make up my mind by then."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "OK, good enough for now."
Meleager stood. "My watch is in a few ticks - got a few things to do before then. See you in the morning … and Gabrielle?"
"Yes?" the bard replied, also standing.
He gave her a sheepish grin. "Thanks." He patted her shoulder and walked off.
Gabrielle sighed and shook her head, but she was smiling. OK, first good deed for the night is done. Now, find Svetla, get some water on … and wait for Xena. She felt a pleasant shiver run through her body. Hope I can keep it down…
The "Ritual" went much like it usually did, the only difference being that it started with a nice kiss, and this time Gabrielle didn't hesitate to soap up her warrior herself - all over, taking her time with many of Xena's more sensitive spots. The attention wasn't lost on the tall woman, who seemed on the verge of losing herself to Gabrielle's loving hands, when she suddenly reached down and gripped the bard's soapy wrist before her young lover could reach between her legs.
"That's enough Gabrielle," Xena gasped. "Please, just finish washing me, all right?"
"OK," the bard grinned. The rinsing completed, the toweling dry began, and once again, Xena had to gently dissuade her partner from getting too intimate about it. Mildly puzzled, Gabrielle was further put out when her warrior insisted on donning a shift before her rubdown. I'm never gonna get a chance to use those scented oils, the young woman mentally snorted.
Xena settled onto her stomach and tried to relax as her bard began the massage - noting, somewhat uncomfortably as Gabrielle straddled her buttocks, that the young woman didn't seem to have her breeches on under the short skirt. Gods, what kind of ravenous beast have I let loose here? Xena couldn't help smiling to herself. Still, her partner's loving hands worked to ease the tension in her body, and the little kisses that peppered her back every so often were a nice addition. The warrior decided to let it go.
Xena was nearly dozing when she felt Gabrielle drape herself over her back, nuzzling behind her ear. "Wanna turn over?" the bard purred, unmistakably grinding her hips against the warrior's muscled bottom.
Xena fought to still her quickening heartbeat. OK, she sighed, time for a talk… "Gabrielle," she began, "I don't think that would be such a good idea…"
"Oh but I do," the bard whispered huskily, licking at the warrior's ear. "I'll keep quiet … I promise…"
Xena mentally groaned, then, steeling herself, she did turn over, gently pushing her bard off her in the process. "It's not the noise that's the problem…"
Gabrielle furrowed her brows. "Then what is the problem?" she asked, with just a note of worry. "Don't you … want me?"
"Ahhh, Gabrielle," Xena sighed, her partner's small voice causing her chest to tighten, "you have no idea how much." Xena's entire life for more than two years had been one of maintaining a series of sometimes very delicate balances, and she was finding that admitting her love and becoming intimate with her bard had set some of those balances quite out of kilter. New ways of handling herself and their relationship would take time for both of them to work out, but whatever the emotional side things, there were also very real practical reasons for slowing down as well. At least, just a little bit - for now anyway. We really are both new at this.
The warrior pulled her bard into a gentle hug, inhaling deliberately, trying to find the right words. "I want you more than anything," Xena assured her lover warmly, then continued, more seriously, "but what do you think would happen if, say a half hour from now, Pollux and the mercenaries decided to ride through the camp? So we're here, mostly naked, locked around each other, too distracted to notice for a vital couple of moments…"
"Yeah, OK," Gabrielle groaned, "I get the point."
"I'm not sure you do," Xena replied gently. "It's not just here and now, protecting this camp." She paused. "Gabrielle, there are going to be lots of times and places it'll be … safe enough to make love, and I promise we'll find them all," she chuckled, "but I've been thinking about all the times someone's tried to sneak up on us, in the dark, at night, and I don't think it'll be … practical sometimes. Maybe even most times. Understand?"
Gabrielle sighed, a grudging comprehension dawning on her. "Yeah, I do," she said sadly, "but I don't have to like it."
Xena held her closer. "Ah Gabrielle, please believe me. I don't either. If I could make love to you every single minute of every day, I would." The warrior sighed, then admitted, honestly, "Gods, sometimes the need to be with you is so strong I'd rather tear my teeth out than stay away."
"Oh Xena … I feel that way too -"
"I know," Xena cut her off, as gently as possible. "And if I were anyone else, that would be a wonderful thing. But I'm not, and that's why this so … necessary." She sighed. "There's almost no such thing as an old warlord…"
"But…" Gabrielle began.
"But I'm not a warlord anymore," Xena finished for her. "I know, and you're the one I have to thank for that." She kissed her bard's head lightly. "But that's what I was, and that's all that matters - there are too many bodies behind me. Too many people want to see me dead, and since I've found you, I'm not about to give them the chance. I want to live a long, long life, because…" The warrior faltered a moment, then looked up again. "Because whether or not I deserve it, I have a love…"
"We have a love," Gabrielle said softly, gently taking her warrior's hand in her own. "Ours. Together."
Xena looked into Gabrielle's eyes. "Yes, we do," she said quietly. "So please, understand - I just don't want either of us to die because we got careless. I … need you too much the rest of the time too." The bard felt her heart melt again at her warrior's simple admission. Xena blinked. "We both have to outlive anyone who has reason enough to kill me, and there are so many…"
Gabrielle sighed, nodding. "You're right. It would be stupid for one of us to be killed or hurt because we were too wrapped up in … being intimate to notice someone sneaking up on us. I couldn't live with that." She paused, kissed the hand gently. "I need you too," she said quietly.
Xena accepted this with a slight nod and warm caress, deeply touched by having her own words returned. "I know it's not fair to you," the warrior said ruefully, her voice just a warm whisper. "You've never hurt anyone. I'd give you a lifetime of pleasure if I could, and it's not just about being safe on the road. If I thought we could settle down somewhere, make a home…"
"You'd do it. For me," Gabrielle replied, the warm intimacy of their conversation filling her heart. Then she sighed. "But you're right. We can't do that. A … a still target is easier to hit." She shrugged deliberately, looking away. "Besides, it's not just about us - it's all the good we do as we travel too. I know how important it is to you." She smiled. "It's one of the things I love about you."
Xena smiled back. "I had a good teacher."
Gabrielle held her lover closer, gave an exaggerated sigh. "Well, it would be awfully selfish to stop now just because we finally found each other." The young woman gazed again into those depthless blue eyes. "But we'll have our home Xena, I promise. Some day, no matter what it takes, I swear I'll see you sleep easy and free. I swear it."
The taller woman started to protest, but Gabrielle silenced her with a fingertip to her warrior's lips. "But until then, we have to keep moving, and we have to stay on guard."
The warrior nodded, then chuckled mirthlessly. "Maybe if we could keep our heads when we made love…"
"Not a chance," Gabrielle insisted. "I want your undivided attention. If you have to even think about listening for anything but the way you make me moan, I'll feel cheated." Xena chuckled softly and shifted around to lay with her raven head on Gabrielle's shoulder. The bard thought that as much as she loved being in Xena's arms, she rather liked the feeling of Xena snuggling against her sometimes. "I guess I'll just have to learn to control myself," Gabrielle teased.
That earned a moment's honest laughter from her dark lover. She felt teeth clamp just painfully over her breast. "That'll be the day," Xena breathed. The warrior raised her head so her happy, blue eyes could gaze at her bard's face. "Besides, I think all that, um … youthful enthusiasm makes you kind of cute."
"Ugh," Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "Please don't call me that. Call me small, call me young. Call me yours. I'm all those things. Call me my name - especially my name, because I love hearing you say it. But barmaids get called 'cute' - by the gods, rabbits, even bugs can be called cute. I hate that word."
"How often do I call you beautiful?" the warrior smiled.
"Oh, just often enough," the bard replied, blushing. "Any more often and it wouldn't be that special."
"Very well then, my small Gabrielle, my young Gabrielle…" with each new endearment, Xena was planting feather light kisses along the bard's neck. "…my loving Gabrielle, my strong Gabrielle, my brilliant Gabrielle, my beautiful Gabrielle, and above all my Gabrielle…" She ended by placing her last soft kiss on her lover's lips, then rested with their faces just touching. "Consider yourself anything but cute."
"Mmm, Xena," Gabrielle moaned. "If you were serious about keeping alert, I think you'd better stop now."
Her warrior chuckled again. "Good plan." She rose up and grabbed for the blankets, then the two of them snuggled together comfortably beneath them. "Good night, Gabrielle."
"Good night, my love."
* * *
Many miles to the north, Pollux was bent over a map. He and Race had lucked out somewhat a few days before: When Stophacles had disappeared, roughly half the men under his command had elected to join up with the mercenaries. The two of them had only allowed those who were uninjured and had horses to come along, but it had still swelled their ranks appreciably. If their estimates of the Amazon force were reasonably accurate, by the numbers they were nearly even, and even felt they had an advantage in that all the men were mounted and could move fast. Now they just had to figure a way to make that work, and soon - they'd been pushing everyone hard, and the troops were getting tired, but vengeance outweighed every other concern.
They would kill the Amazons, Xena, and Meleager, or die trying. That was that.
"OK," Pollux mused, staring down at the parchment, "we know they're still heading west, but they're not on either of the two main roads, so that leaves the Ipress road."
"Which makes sense," Race concurred. "It winds around a bit but it cuts through heavy woods - dense trees, lots of cover. If you're an Amazon, it's smart."
Pollux nodded. "That means we've been staying roughly parallel to their route, and likely we're ahead of them. So, do they turn north, or south?"
Race again resisted the urge to scratch at his empty eye socket. "Well, if they were heading south, they would have done it by now, turned off and followed the coast - lots of villages and cities to run to for protection, including…" He stuck the map with the point of his knife.
"Amphipolis," Pollux grunted, "home turf. But the runner says they haven't been spotted near there."
"Right," Race nodded. "Now, the Ipress doesn't cross many other roads, so if they are going to head north it'd have to be either here, at the Strymon river, or here, at the border of Macedonia."
"Perfect," Pollux smiled. "We can be at the Strymon by morning. We wait for a day, and if they don't show, we head for Macedonia, which is even better. Just across the border the road clears the woods onto an open plain that goes on for miles. We can camp there, then run 'em down when they come out of the trees. Easy pickings."
Race grinned. "With luck, we'd even have time to dig a few slit trenches. Then we draw 'em out and hobble what horses they do have. Like you said - easy pickings."
"Agreed." Pollux settled back, his hands behind his head. "Revenge, my friend, is sweet."
* * *
The next couple of days were slow and easy. Lilith's followers took to singing as they traveled - the Ipress road was practically unapproachable, and nearly uninhabited, so Xena couldn't see any advantage to keeping quiet. Besides, they were getting very close to their destination and everyone's spirits were high.
Gabrielle chalked it up to a combination of knowing she wouldn't have much more time with Lilith, their casual ease with any topic, and, in some ways, her own re-discovered passion and need to just know more about the physical side of love. In any case, her questions about Lilith's beliefs became increasingly detailed.
"I guess what I don't understand," the bard asked one afternoon, "is why anyone would want to be a priestess? I mean, don't get me wrong - whatever you want to do with your own body is your business. But where I come from, um, well…"
Lilith smiled. "Do you enjoy your pleasures with Xena, young one?"
Gabrielle blushed. "Um, of course, but, well, that's the point - I mean, I feel that way because it is with Xena."
The Priestess thought for a moment. "Imagine, then, feeling the same way about all the sons and daughters of the Earth as you do about Xena. What then?"
Gabrielle pondered this for a moment. "No, can't imagine it … I don't think anyone else could make me feel that way. I love her - I mean, I really love her, with every part of me."
"Then you are indeed fortunate, young one," Lilith replied quietly. Then, smiling, she tried again. "The priestesses simply learn to cherish all life in the same way, to see every person as a part of the whole, and to open themselves to each according to their need. I do not pretend it is an easy path, no matter what some might feel - indeed," the Priestess chuckled, "I have known many a young woman who simply believes this to be a way of satisfying her own lust in the guise of serving some higher purpose."
Lilith sobered slightly. "I have never begrudged anyone their own pleasure - if one wishes to take a new lover every day, providing one is mindful of the consequences to oneself and others, and will own up to the responsibilities, that is in itself a remarkable thing. Yet, for our ceremony to work, one must love all, find what is desirable in all, give of oneself and not simply take. It is the celebration of life and love and pleasure, all at the same time."
Gabrielle tried to get her mind around it. "No, I'm sorry Lilith," she said finally, "but I couldn't do it. It sort of … cheapens it to feel that way about everyone. Do you know the story of how people used to have two heads, and four legs?"
Lilith smiled. "And how we now all look for the other half of our soul? Yes, young one, I have heard it, and I understand the way you feel. It is a truly precious thing to find one's soulmate. I would that everyone could do so. As I said, being a priestess is not an easy path, and to give up this search for a time and embrace all equally is perhaps the greatest sacrifice they make. Yet the world is full of broken souls in need the Goddess, in need of healing of one kind or another, and to dedicate oneself to reaching these, to showing them love is possible and then giving them that love unconditionally, if only for a moment, this is what we strive for."
Gabrielle thought for a moment. "So what about Meleager?" she asked slowly. "I mean, you seem pretty ready to give up the ceremony for him."
"Only if he wishes me to," Lilith chuckled. "And in truth I know he does, and I will do so when he asks. As for the other priestesses, they are free to follow their own hearts and cease any time they wish, and at some point all do. Indeed, it is rare for one to serve more than a few years, and often I insist they … retire? Yes, retire well before then. To be a vessel for the Goddess is a joyous calling for the spirit, yet one also has a responsibility to one's own body."
The bard blushed a little. "Um, yeah," she bit her lip, "that … that makes sense. And I can't imagine it's fun all the time - too many sweaty, unwashed…" She let the thought drift off and shuddered.
Lilith laughed. "Why do think the ceremony begins with a ritual bathing, young one? I assure you, in this case there is nothing symbolic about it."
* * *
Xena and Solari eased their way through the trees, neither making so much as a whisper against the leaves. Just ahead, a small herd of deer grazed peacefully in a clearing. The warrior raised a hand, signaling Gabrielle and the rest of the Amazons behind them to a halt. The relatively uninhabited Ipress road had offered the caravan safety, but the relative lack of villages or towns gave them few opportunities to barter for supplies. Food was starting to run low, and it was decided to stop for a day and do some hunting and foraging.
Solari tapped Xena on the shoulder. "We've got company," she whispered.
"I know," the warrior nodded back. Just over to their right, a pack of wolves was approaching the herd just as stealthily. Why can't things ever be simple? Xena mentally snorted.
Xena thought for a moment, balancing the risks of scaring off the wolves with the knowledge that letting them attack the herd would scatter the deer and leave her and the Amazons back at square one after an hour of tracking them. The warrior knew wolves as noble creatures, well-organized and mostly keeping to themselves, which is why their behavior now puzzled her a bit. They crept towards the herd steadily, apparently uncaring of the human hunters who were even slightly upwind. They have to smell us, so they why aren't they avoiding us? Shielding her eyes from the sun, Xena looked closer, taking in the protruding ribs. Damn, that explains it - the whole pack is starving. About the only time they're really dangerous. All right, leave them be.
"We back off," Xena whispered to Solari. "They need these deer more than we do."
The Amazon nodded. "I'll have the archers spread out. When the herd scatters, maybe they can…"
Solari was cut off by a loud shriek from the edge of the clearing, as the wolves' approach startled a huge, furred shape out of the brush. The skittish deer immediately began to flee, as the shape wheeled around to face the wolves. A boar, Xena noted in surprise. A really big boar. "Fall back!" she called out. "Stay clear!"
"Too late now," Solari shouted as the boar charged into the pack. Several wolves swarmed around it to attack, but in their hunger and confusion, several others turned on the Amazons.
Xena barely had time to draw her sword as a huge wolf leapt at her. The warrior dodged aside, landing a stout blow to the side of its head with the hilt as it went by. They quickly spun around to face each other, Xena holding her sword out, blue eyes locking on yellow as they both snarled, staring each other down. Back off, the warrior commanded. I will hurt you if I have to. Back off…
A moment later, the wolf warily circled around the tall warrior, never losing eye contact, then broke and charged off to help fight the boar. Xena let a feral smile slide across her face, glancing over the battle. Several of the wolves had been hurt, but the boar was definitely getting the worst of it. The warrior pulled herself away from the primal spectacle and turned back to the Amazons.
"Gabrielle!" Xena shouted in alarm. The bard was surrounded by a helpless and worried group of Amazons, all uncertain what to do as their Queen circled and battled with the one remaining wolf who had attacked them. Two other wolves lay dead nearby.
Both bard and wolf were moving too fast and unpredictably for anyone to help without fear of hurting, or at least distracting Gabrielle. The wolf would charge, the bard would knock it aside with swift blow of her staff, and the wolf would scramble around for another attack. Xena drew her chakram. "His eyes, Gabrielle!" she shouted. "Remember eye contact!"
For a brief instant the pair froze. Xena could see the tension in the bard's body relax almost imperceptibly, and when the wolf charged again, Gabrielle unleashed a whirling series of blows to its head. The animal collapsed to the ground, one leg flailing weakly as it lapsed from consciousness.
Xena didn't even try to hide her smile as she quickly put away her chakram and ran over, gripping the bard's shoulder with one hand while the other ran through strawberry-blonde hair. "Can't I leave you alone for a minute?" she chided gently.
Idly caressing the warrior's side and hip, Gabrielle shook herself, then chuckled. "Nope. Every moment is a new adventure."
Xena smiled down at her love. "Well, so much for a quiet day in the woods."
One of the archers coughed quietly. "Um, my Queen?" She half drew her bow and gestured with it towards the still twitching wolf.
Gabrielle took a step back. "Put that away," she said sternly. "He fought well. Leave him alone."
The archer smiled. "Of course, my Queen. I'm sorry."
Xena rolled her eyes. "All right everyone, regroup," she announced. The warrior waved her hand towards the howling and squealing a dozen yards away. "Let's give this clearing a wide berth and see if we can't figure out where those deer ran off to. We've still got a lot of hungry mouths to feed."
As the group headed back around into the forest, Xena kept one arm draped lightly over Gabrielle's shoulders. "You know," the warrior began conversationally, "when the story gets back to the Amazons that their Queen fought a wolf - and won - they're going to be very proud."
"You think so?" the bard replied, teasing, but with an edge of seriousness underneath.
"Oh, I know so." Xena gave her an affectionate squeeze. "But they won't be half as proud as I am."
Gabrielle blushed lightly. "You don't know how much that means to me."
Xena just smiled. "Gabrielle, I'm always proud of you…" She sighed. "You said that not a day goes by I don't do something that amazes you. Well, I want you to know I could say the same about you. I know I don't very often, but…"
"It's all right Xena," Gabrielle said softly. "You may not say it, but you show it all the time." The bard smiled. "Hey, remember that time we broke into Troy?"
"How can I forget it?" Xena chuckled.
The bard chuckled back. "It kind of scared me a little when we did it, but afterwards, I was so … happy you trusted me to handle myself. It was … a special moment, you know?"
Xena grinned as she walked. "Yeah well … Do you remember a couple of weeks before that, when that bunch of highwaymen ambushed us?"
"Ummm," Gabrielle thought for a moment, then blushed lightly. "Oh yeah, that…"
It was like any normal day: Up at dawn, a quick breakfast followed by an hour or so of drilling, then they packed up and headed out, moving south with no particular destination in mind. Except that right around mid-day, a group of about eight bandits had charged out of the forest on either side of the road. Xena, of course, had launched herself off Argo and instantly taken down two of them before she even drew her sword.
Gabrielle had watched, fascinated as she always was by the warrior's technique. Many fighters, the bard knew, had favorite moves and tricks which they used again and again, but the really interesting thing about Xena was that she never quite did things the same way twice. Xena was simply so good in combat she almost never felt truly threatened, and could improvise practically at will - reveled in doing so, in fact.
But on that day, while Gabrielle had studiously observed the way Xena dispatched multiple opponents, the bard was suddenly aware of two other bandits stealthily approaching from the rear. Without even really thinking about it - later, the bard would remember being frankly irritated at being distracted from watching Xena - she waited until they were in range, then lashed out first to her right, then her left, catching both men off guard by driving the ends of her staff hard into one solar plexus, then the other. With a quick pivot, she cracked them both across the temple, dropping them to the ground.
Then Gabrielle had gone back to watching as Xena finished off the rest. When one of the men behind her stirred and tried to rise, the bard simply leaned back without even looking, jamming the staff into his groin. After that, there were no further distractions.
When Xena had been satisfied none of her opponents would regain consciousness any time soon, she turned and checked on Gabrielle, then smiled as she sheathed her sword. "You all right?" the warrior had asked, grinning.
"Um, sure," Gabrielle had answered, a little confused. "Any reason I shouldn't be?"
"No," the warrior had replied, still grinning. "None at all. Come on…" With that, Xena had mounted Argo and they'd continued on their way.
Xena smiled at Gabrielle, letting the Amazons move a little farther ahead. "When I saw what you'd done, and that you were practically unaware of what you'd done, not even winded, well, between that and you smuggling my chakram and whip into that prison just a few days before, that was when I knew … well, that was when I quit worrying so much. You'd be fine on your own."
Gabrielle gave a dry snort. "Like you haven't had to rescue me plenty since then."
"True," Xena chuckled, then shook her head and said simply, "but you've rescued me too…" she looked down, "in a lot of ways." Xena stopped walking and took her bard in her arms again, looking deep into those green eyes as she caressed the small of her partner's back. "You've…" The warrior struggled for words, which never came easily. "You taught me how to feel again, Gabrielle. Don't ever doubt, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."
The bard smiled. "And I could say the same to you." She raised herself up slightly and gave her warrior a firm kiss, then for a moment they just held each other.
Xena sighed, then pulled away. "Come on, let's not get all mushy in front of the Amazons - that'd shoot down both our reputations pretty quick."
The bard laughed. "Welll, I'm not so sure about that," she crinkled her nose, "depends on what kind of reputation you want. But OK…"
* * *
A day later the caravan reached the border of Macedonia and swung north. Everyone was feeling a spirit of jubilation - in a day and a half, two at the most, they would reach their valley and the long, arduous journey would be over. The forest opened into an wide plain as night fell, and they camped on the edge of the woods.
"Should be smooth going from here on," Meleager remarked to Xena as they set up the watches.
"Let's hope so," the warrior mused. "Open ground isn't the best terrain for the Amazons."
"True," he nodded, "but all the Guardians are mounted, and it's almost flat until we hit the foothills. No high grass, almost no scrub - no way anyone can sneak up on us, not any sizeable force anyway."
"It also gives us nowhere run to or hide," Xena said, then shrugged. "No way around it though. Just hope our luck holds. Make sure the scouts know to stay alert - with no cover they'll be easy to spot too."
"Hm, good point…"
A half mile away, a pair of runners, well hidden behind craftily constructed hunting blinds, noted the campfires at the forest's edge, then patiently waited for the scouts to pass them by. Remaining hidden until the moon had set, they slunk off into the darkness.
By morning, the mercenaries had finished setting up the last of their traps on and around the road where the grassland gently rose into the foothills, then took cover in the sparse woods there - it wouldn't do to be spotted while the caravan could still retreat to the other end of the plain. Their quarry would reach them just before sundown.
"Revenge," Pollux sighed again, "is sweet."
Chapter 10
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive