Been made of stones representing each nation or tribe
I want to thank RenPic for temporary use of their characters, and once again my very capable beta reader Sinjen Kai.
And once again thank you to my very capable beta reader Sinjen Kai.
And a heartfelt thank you to the BardicCircle for giving this bard a home and much appreciated encouragement.
Part 3
One Nation Under Bard:
Xena reined Argo in as they reached the edge of Amazon territory. Bard and warrior dismounted and continued together on foot. Just inside the boundaries of the Amazon lands, the two companions stood still and waited arms raised, hands clasp above their heads. Several heartbeats passed and the warrior and bard glanced at each other, puzzling over the absence of Amazon sentries. They lowered their arms and moved further into the forest cautiously. Xena unsheathed her sword from the scabbard at her back. Gabrielle held her staff at the ready.
They had walked a great distance when the steady beat of the drums began to vibrate on the air about them. Xena glanced about feeling somewhat unnerved. But for the drums, there was no other sound forthcoming in the forest. There was an air of stillness that caused the warrior great trepidation. No creature stirred, nor made the slightest sound. Instincts told her to grab the bard and run. Common sense warned her that Gabrielle would never forgive her if they left without finding out if all was well with her Amazons.
Gabrielle allowed the rhythm of the drums to fill her. She could feel her pulse keeping tempo with the steady beat. Her eyes roamed the treetops about them. She could feel them up there watching, her Amazons, hidden among the branches of the trees. Her gait steady, her back erect, and her head held high, she proceeded forth with Xena following protectively behind. The warrior's trepidation was quickly growing to great proportions.
Once they entered the village, Xena's eyes widened with shock at the number of Amazons that stood at attention awaiting Gabrielle's arrival. She swallowed her alarm as she recognized the Amazon delegation that stood in the center of the village. The four masked Amazon leaders stood side by side marking the Bards approach: Otere, queen of the northern Amazon's, Tien Su queen of the nomadic dark skinned Amazons, Chilapa, queen of the Amazon's of Lesbos, the home of Sappho, and Ephiny, Gabrielle's regent.
The drums stopped. The sound of swords simultaneously unsheathed startled the dark warrior out of her stupor and Xena pushed the bard behind her protectively. She tensed and waited, eyeing the formation of the warriors that now encircled them. Gabrielle placed a gentle hand on the warrior's forearm, trying to relay her own intuitive knowledge that they were in no danger. Xena relaxed only slightly reluctantly, allowing Gabrielle to move from behind her, but the warrior kept her sword drawn.
There was a loud hoot from an Amazon warrior and that yell was echoed by the raised voices of her sisters in salute to the bard. Every sword was raised high, then brought down, each warrior tapping the flat side of her blade against her chest. All weapons were then re-sheathed and Gabrielle felt her pulse quickening at such a reception. She was inwardly trembling, but her face remained cautiously unreadable. Her breathing remained slow and even and her head instinctively tilted upward in a regal manner as the blonde Regent approached.
Ephiny stopped a few paces from the bard, her voice rose loud enough for all to hear as she spoke from behind the mask of queen regent. "My life, sword, and throne for you!" The proud regent removed her masked revealing sky blue eyes that bespoke of unfettered admiration and affection for Gabrielle. She unsheathed her sword and laid both, weapon and mask at Gabrielle's feet. She stepped closer placing a chaste kiss on the bard's lips, then dropped to her knees, hands resting on her thighs her head dropped forward in a gesture of abasement and submission. Gabrielle would have thought it impossible, but her rapidly racing pulse quickened yet again. She struggled to keep the gasp from her lips as the other three leaders in turn moved forwards reciting Ephiny's words and mimicking the woman's gestures, before taking their places on their knees beside the regent at Gabrielle's feet.
Gabrielle moved her lips as if to speak, but found to her utter amazement, her vocal chords were powerless. A humming sound began in her ears and she shook her head a couple of times slightly at the dizzying effect. Her head darted about swiftly, but her vision was distorted and she became aware that the drumming sounds she was now hearing were actually heartbeats. Her eyes shifted ahead as she watched a young woman approach. She knew from Xena's descriptions of the Northern Amazons that this was the powerful Yakut. She met the young woman's eyes and was amazed at the age-old wisdom she found there, but she was not intimidated by it. Instead she felt a strange kinsmanship to the woman.
The young Shamanness, Yakut stepped forward standing directly behind the four queens. She passed a hand over each head as in blessing and then raised her eyes to meet the bard's bewildered daze with a gentle smile. "Gabrielle, Bard of Potaedia, Rightful Queen of the Amazons. We have been four nations, many tribes. Our numbers have dwindled in size. Divided, we could not withstand the forces of our enemies. Divided, we have become prey for the hunter and those that would take our lands. We have been viewed as weak. This day let us become strong again: One tribe, one nation, Under one rule, and One Queen."
The drums picked up again and the Amazons surrounding the warrior and bard began to sway as one to the beat, soft chanting, whispering gently from each set of lips. "Let this day join the annals of history as the Amazon Nations become the Amazon Nation. One Nation indivisible on oath of blood, by sword of honor and the warrior spirits within us." Yakut eyes darkened slightly with challenge. "This." She pinned the bard with her intense vision. "You cannot deny! We are your people!" Stepping around the abject queens, Yakut produced a mask, the totem a wolf in deference to Gabrielle's Bacchai blood.
This took Gabrielle aback. They knew of her siring, but just as quickly she realized Artemis would not have her Amazons blind to this, especially with the war to come. It would be expedient that Amazons knew the truth and acceptance of it. And now at this moment of clarity, Gabrielle stared at her sisters with wonderment and at the four leaders who knelt before her. 'They know and would accept me anyway as their Queen.'
Yakut held the mask high above Gabrielle's head and asked the question that Gabrielle already knew the answer to in her heart. "Will you accept the mask?"
"Yes." Gabrielle spoke loudly and with a certainty she was surprised to realize that she truly felt. Beside her, she felt her warrior stiffen; but this, Gabrielle knew was not a matter she could seek Xena's council on. She would speak with her friend later.
Yakut beamed proudly as Gabrielle received the mask and slipped it calmly over her face. "We are your servants, Queen Gabrielle. These are your regents. She tilted her head toward the former queens. "This is the body." She gestured to the Amazons within the encampment. These are your arms and legs." Once again she gestured to the former Queens. "There can be only one Head. Queen Gabrielle. We will hold you. We will support you. We will defend you and follow you always!"
Beside the bard, Queen, Xena's heart raced madly in her chest. Her left hand clenched tightly into a bawled fist. Her right hand kept a death grip on the hilt of her sword until she could feel the engravings on the hilt digging into the palm of her hand. She was fighting a tirade of anger as she watched Gabrielle blindly stumbling into a destiny that would destroy her. Her eyes narrowed as the former Queens who were now Regents to the Queen Gabrielle, stood and bowed to Gabrielle. If it were not for the fact that Gabrielle would surely hate her, Xena would have killed the four where they stood.
'The whole damned known world has gone mad,' Xena concluded. Well she wasn't going to let that madness overtake Gabrielle. 'Why is it everyone's so determined to have Gabrielle sacrifice herself to save those pathetic beings that called themselves Gods? No! I'm not gonna lose her!' Her eyes shifted to the bard in question, Gabrielle still in her Amazon Queen leathers, wearing the new mask of her sovereign title. Xena felt a quickening of blood rush through her veins, despite her anger at Gabrielle's ill thought out acceptance of the title, the Bard looked every inch the Queen. Head tilted high; shoulders squared, and back erect, there was now a calmness that surrounded the bard. She was helpless to turn away as Gabrielle turned to her removing the mask from her face. The queen's eyes burned a glowing amber as she approached the warrior stealthily. Gabrielle's fingers moved to tangle in a mane of raven black. Tugging slightly, she urged the warrior's head lower and Xena was robbed of logic and reason as she lost herself within the kiss.
She wasn't entirely sure of all that had possessed her to kiss Xena during that impromptu coronation ceremony, but to say that it caused a little tension between herself and the warrior; Gabrielle knew would be an understatement. Normally the bard, now sovereign Queen would never have been so aggressive. She had felt a slight shift within her being at the moment she accepted the mask. She had known Xena was in distress at what was happening. Things had progressed so suddenly that Gabrielle had hardly had a chance to cast a glance at the warrior.
She was very aware of the eternal war the warrior fought to reign in her temper, a temper now driven by her need to protect the bard. Since the Gods had approached them, she knew Xena was experiencing a sense of helplessness and it had to have been driving the warrior to the point of insanity. But when Gabrielle had slid that mask into place, she had felt the anger doing its slow burn within the Warrior Princess and had felt drawn to it. Apart of her was entranced by the four powerful leaders who knelt at her feet in subjection to her rule.
It had been an intoxicating feeling, 'Hades, it had been arousing as well.' She suspected that had as much to do with the suggestive rhythm of the drums as well as being surrounding by incredibly gorgeous female warriors who had pledged their loyalty to her. There was also the fact that the conqueror had not made her presence known since they had defeated Talonius moons ago.
Gabrielle lowered her head, momentarily replaying that kiss at the coronation in her mind. She had shocked herself as well as Xena. But she did have the answer to one question. Xena was as attracted to her as the conqueror was. She heard movement behind her and silently berated herself for thinking of such things now. She'd have to deal with Xena's reaction to that kiss and her own raging hormones later. Right now she had more sparring to take care of.
Gabrielle studied the weapons aligning the walls, while scrunching up her face at all the choices. "No one person could possibly have a use for all these weapons." The torches flickered a little, but enough to draw her attention. Two tall torches behind the throne that had been unlit moments ago were now alive with flames that danced madly, casting heavy shadows on the dark concrete walls.
"Still it doesn't hurt to know how to use them all."
"It would take me years to master all of these" Gabrielle turned to the intruder.
"Welcome to the crash course in Weapon's Mastery."
"Hardly seems you're setting anymore." Gabrielle made a sweeping gesture around the hall of war. After all you're in a different line of work now, well, with the promotion and all." There was no way to ignore the edge of sarcasm in her voice or in the statement.
"Yeah well, I still get a little homesick from time to time," Ares responded dryly. "And I see Xena is rubbing off on you in more ways than one." In a flash he was standing directly behind her. She hated when he did that. He pressed full length against her and lowered his head to whisper in her right ear. "Bet you wish she were getting off on you instead." She shivered at his words. "Of course, you know what they say," He murmured silkily against the same ear. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Ares smiled at the young queen's responsiveness. "I'd be more than willing to take up the slack."
"Umm." Gabrielle purred and turned her head slightly so that her mouth was mere inches from the god's lips. "You know, all this time we've been spending together, you've taught me some very valuable lessons." She leaned back into him and allowed her lips to brush the corner of his mouth. Ares' eyes widened at the Queen's forwardness, but he was not about to complain if she was offering side benefits for being his protégé. "But I think the lesson I've enjoyed most is . . ." She paused and chuckled huskily.
"Yes," Ares growled hungrily.
"Never let your guard down." That said, a feral grin graced the Queen's face and Ares let out a surprised yelp as he was flung over the bard's shoulder and was hurtling through the air to crash against a far wall.
All Things Considered:
Hope moved through her camp with disinterest. Her green eyes were as always devoid of expression. She passed numerous soldiers and mercenaries and grinned inwardly with satisfaction when they flinched or shrank back from her with fear. They were diminished by her powerful presence. They were relieved by her disinterest. Soldiers scurried about to complete some task or to create one, terrified of drawing her attention.
Her long strawberry blonde hair whipped about and she looked upon first glance to be too innocent, too gentle a being to walk so freely among such a bloodthirsty lot. But one only had to look at her eyes to quickly lose that mistaken impression. The cold demon eyes revealed the secret behind the lovely mask. Her touch, to those who'd had the unpleasant experience of encountering it, was cold and bone chilling. It made a man or woman's flesh shudder and want to roll away from the bone.
Still they followed her, some because they were inherently drawn to her sort of darkness. Other's because they'd had no will to resist.
She was unpredictable, given to fits of rage that would bubble up for no apparent reason at which times she would task the men to exhaustion. On a whim she might pick a few to execute because their screams brought her a sense of peace. They'd begun to think her insane. The reality was more frightening. She was not insane at all. She merely enjoyed inflicting pain.
Hope was going to enjoy this 'war'. She was certain that it would prove an exhilarating and an enlightening education about mortals. She had no particular care if this war lasted for another month or another twenty years. She cared nothing about strategy, though she had a brilliant mind. She was more thrilled with the small battles and skirmishes she'd already engaged her troops in. The sensation of her short sword, slicing through and piercing soft flesh was sweet. She was enraptured by the screams of agony and the scent of heated blood that raced through the veins of those that met in hatred on the field.
She made her way to the cave that she had claimed as her dwelling. And a cold smile curved her lips. No, she had no care for the length of this war. The end results would be the same. One month or twenty years, Dahak would own this weak world and its pathetic mortals.
She ignored the torch hanging on the cavern wall. Her soldiers often used it to find their way down the dark twisting tunnel to her inner lair. She didn't need it. As she started down the dark tunnel, her eyes lit with a sickening glow. Another smiled played freely with her lips.
There was another reason Hope would enjoy this war -the real reason she was here in this pathetic realm: Her Mother.
With a startled yell, Gabrielle felt herself flying backwards and to land on her butt . . . yet again.
"What were you saying about never letting your guard down?" Ares smirked. Gabrielle glared up at him, irritated at having the tables turned on her so quickly.
"Tell me again why I was 'lucky' enough to get 'you' as my mentor," She snarled.
"Three reasons'" He studied her intently. "First: I'm the best. Second: although Artemis is good enough to offer you tutelage, she couldn't be as hard on you as she needs to be. And the third reason is simple enough. Art's got a soft spot for you, but I on the other hand have always found you irritating, 'among other things' and I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity of knocking you on your ass, 'frequently'." He held out a hand to her, which she grudgingly accepted, and pulled her to her feet. "Now again!" He took up an attacking position. Gabrielle went into a defensive stance and found herself engage in a sparring fight once again.
Xena paced the floor of her hut. It had been hours since she'd last seen Gabrielle. Since they'd been among the amazons, three moons now, she'd only seen the bard a few hours each day and had been unable to ascertain where Gabrielle was disappearing to. There had been no real chance for the two to talk and when they had it resulted into bitter arguments that stung them both. She needed to talk seriously to the bard. This time however, she had followed Gabrielle and had been sure she was merely a short tracking distance behind the bard, and had suddenly lost her. The trail just went cold with no indication at all as to what direction Gabrielle had taken. She had returned to the hut, more than a little angry and worried. She knew there was only one way the bard could lose her like that: the gods.
She'd recently noticed the newly added muscle tone and definition of the bards arms and legs. Gabrielle's taunt muscled abdomen and the new alertness Gabrielle seemed to have developed pointed to the logical conclusion that the young woman was sparring hard and with someone other than the amazons.
Xena's anger and concern were reaching a boiling point.
"What are you doing?" Ares glared at the Queen who stood breathing heavily, trying to catch her breath. Sweat matted her light tunic to her body and dripped down her arms and legs in thick rivulets. She swiped the perspiration from her face with a the back of her hand and brushed stray strands of her long hair from her face, angrily tucking the errant locks behind her ears
Wh . . .what are you talking about Ares?" She snapped bitterly. "I should think it fairly obvious. What I'm doing is getting my ass kicked!"
"I'm not buying that," He growled at her. "You're holding back." He lifted a hand to shut her up when he opened her mouth to protest. "I was the God of War for a long time Gabrielle. I know when someone's holding back."
"To Tartarus with you!" She hissed and moved to walk away.
"Oh no you don't!" He sent a bolt at her that knocked her off her feet. "You know, I'll tolerate your sarcasm. I'll even tolerate your endearing little disrespect for my title." He stood over her prone body menacingly. "But I will not put up with you walking away from me when I'm talking to you or you leaving in the middle of a lesson!"
"I'm tired of this!" She kicked out at him, but he sidestepped and glowered at her warningly. "Damn it, Ares. I'm doing the best I can!"
"That's a load of centaur dung and you know it! Now what are you afraid of?"
"Oh you mean aside from the fact that I'm way out of my league here?"
Her voice raised, slightly laced with sarcasm and self-doubt. She let out a deep breath. And thought to herself. 'Wow, I guess all the arguments with Xena are really starting to rattle me. What if she's right?' She stared up at the King of the gods who was waiting patiently for her to continue: his arms folded across his chest. "Face it Ares. This is Crazy." She sat up her head lowered forward slowly. "Most of my life I've been Gabrielle of Podunk," She continued sarcastically.
"Potato," He corrected incorrectly.
"See what I mean?" She sighed wearily.
"No, I don't believe I do."
"Ares, no one goes from peasant farming to leading an army."
"Xena did it."
Yeah, but she's . . . she's Xena," Gabrielle eyes clouded over "And I'm, I'm . . ."
"You're Gabrielle, Queen of the Amazons and you have learned more in the past three winters with Xena than most people have learned and will ever learn in an entire life time." He studied her closely. She fidgeted slightly under his close scrutiny. "I can understand those fears, and self doubt, but Gabrielle, there's more to this than you are admitting." His voice hardened. "Now stop giving me this line of horse dung you've been feeding yourself and tell me what's really going on!" He grabbed her up by the collar of her tunic and set her roughly on her feet. "Until you open your mouth and actually speak the truth, we spar!"
"No," She spoke quietly. He stared at her incredulously.
"What did you say to me?"
"I said no, Ares."
"Uhuh. That's what I thought." He thrust out the palm of his hand catching her in the breastbone. Gasping for breath Gabrielle staggered back several feet and coughed.
"No," She took a deep breath. And headed towards the chamber doors that led to an exit.
Ares appeared before her more than disgruntled. "Gabrielle either you get your ass back over there," he pointed to the sparring circle. "and start defending yourself or I'm going to rearrange that pretty little face of yours." His nostrils flared, but Gabrielle had trouble believing that even Ares would follow through with such a threat considering the time they've spent together. 'No, he was bluffing.' She went to brush past him and was startled by the searing pain in her left side. She glanced down to find his dagger imbedded in her side. Her eyes widened in shock as her blood flowed from her body and she stared up at him, with disbelief. 'He's killed me!'
"Why?" She whispered sadly, realizing she wouldn't get to tell her warrior good bye.
"I told you Gabrielle," he smirked at her. "No one walks away from me." He twisted the dagger inside of her for good measure causing her to cry out.
"You bastard!" She gasped through the pain. "You haven't changed at all!"
"Would it bother you to know that you're right?" He laughed. "This is just too sweet." He forced her backward against a wall and pressed against her, his hand still holding the dagger in her side. Gabrielle could feel herself growing steadily weaker. "She's all mine now Bard." He growled into her ear. "My warrior princess." He chuckled to himself "And once we've disposed of Hope, we'll ride through the rest of the world like a blaze."
"Ares! Don't!" Gabrielle closed her eyes, anger burning in the pit of her stomach.
"Ah, but I've missed her, Gabrielle. The feel of her pressed against me, lying beneath me, bucking wildly like that bay mare of hers."
"Stop it!" She coughed, pressing her hands weakly against him. "She's your daughter!"
"Didn't make a difference before," He answered indifferently. He grinned at her "But I almost forgot you know what it's like to have her on top of you don't you? Her body slick with sweat. Of course, you've had her beneath you as well." She felt him swell against her stomach, his hardness straining against his leather britches. "Did you honestly think I would give up on getting her back?" He smiled with amusement at her naivete`. "Ten minutes after you're gone, I'll be 'fucking her' again," He hissed sharply. Gabrielle let out a scream of anger and shoved him away from her, rage fueling her desire to rip him to shreds. The dagger clattered to the floor and she leapt up delivering a powerful kick that sent him into a somersault and landed him face down on the concrete floor. She never noticed the wound in her side closing itself.
Ares stood to his feet, but before he could get his bearing, a very angry Gabrielle with eyes glowing amber was there, back handing him and flinging him into the nearest wall. Weapons clattered to the floor at his feet and he slid down the wall to his butt and shook his head to clear it of cobwebs. He stared up at the bard bearing down on him menacingly with his death in her eyes. Ares grinned to himself smugly, 'Now this is more like it.' He stood up suddenly and blocked a powerful blow aimed at his head. He head butted her and she hardly seemed phased by it at all. So he dropped, intending to sweep her feet out from beneath her. Instead she leapt over his outstretched leg and kicked out with her right, catching him in the side of the head. He rolled onto his feet meeting her hateful glare.
"Come on," He taunted. She leapt across the room and had her hand at his throat. She gasped when she caught the glare of triumph in his eyes. 'He was baiting me!'
She backed away from him her hands clenching as she brought them down to her sides.
"Why did you do that?" She cried horrified at what she'd attempted to do to him. "Why did you bait me that way?"
"I wanted to know what you were afraid of." He tilted his head to the side straightening his clothing on himself. ""I suspected, but I wanted to be sure."
"So now you know." She sagged, leaning against a wall. "I'm afraid of myself." She laughed bitterly at that. "I wanted to kill you just now. I wanted to crush your throat with my bare hands. I'm terrified of that person. Ares, I'm not stupid enough to believe I can come through this war unchanged. Every since you first appeared in that clearing, you and the other Olympians, I was already changing. Bacchus' blood is awakening in me again and with it, feelings and sensations that I can't allow to control me."
"Gabrielle, those are things you're going to have to face and deal with," He spoke without compassion. "There's no time to coddle you on this. You simply have to deal with it."
"But what if I . . ."
"Become the next Xena Destroyer of Nations or worse the next Callisto?" He finished for her.
"The fear has its merits."
"But you have the benefit of having seen and understood what happens when a person loses control. In Callisto and Xena, Gabrielle, You've had the best teachers and examples." He sat down upon the throne watching her closely.
Gabrielle nodded. "All this time Ares." She began to pace, not focusing her attention on anything. "I've understood that people have their light side and their dark side. I'd convinced myself that any darkness within me had been all but destroyed through my ability to love and see the good in others and through acts of selflessness." She looked at him with a self-castigating grin. "How much time have I spent telling Xena to turn away from her dark side." Her eyes pinned him in place as they darkened. "A dark side," she continued huskily. "I've come to love and understand."
"And now to bring about the greater good," He met her gaze gravely. "You have to embrace your own."
"A part of myself that terrifies me." She nodded agreeing with his assessment. "Particularly after Chin."
"Gabrielle, if this world is to have any chance at all of surviving Hope's attempt at destroying it . . ."
"I know," She sighed heavily. "I'm just afraid of unleashing something I can't control."
"Don't try to control that part of yourself," He advised, approaching her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Coexist with it."
There had been reports coming in of small skirmishes breaking out all long the countryside. Worshippers of Dahak and Hope were springing up everywhere. Hercules and Iolas had their hands full. There had even been rumors that Meleagher had come out of retirement. Xena's agitation grew; she needed to get Gabrielle to safety before all Hades broke loose. Above all else she understood vendetta: and Hope had a personal vendetta against her mother that Xena was certain would not be appeased until the demon spawn had the bard at her feet. The warrior princess was not going to see that happened, even at the risk of their friendship.
She closed her eyes her hands tightly bawled fist as she remembered fighting Kraftstar in the temple of Dahak. Gabrielle had been suspended over the sacrificial altar surrounded and held captive by Dahak's flames as that bastard had raped and violated her, planting his evil seed inside of her. 'Gods. I couldn't save her then. For the first time in our lives together, I wasn't fast enough, strong enough, or smart enough to stop him from hurting her.' She shivered as a sudden chill ran up her spine. Her eyes narrowed and jaw squared and set with determination. She headed for the door of the hut. "Not this time." She cast and angry look at the ceiling. "I won't let you have her. You hear me!" and with that she was out the door slamming it shut behind her with a force that nearly took the door off of its hinges.
Strife appeared within the hut just moments after Xena's departure. "You know, once she lets that anger get away from her, she can be easily manipulated." He blew on his nails then rubbed them against his chest in a smug manner.
"Yes," Aphrodite sighed heavily. "Part of the reason why it was so easy for Kraftstar and Dahak to get to the bard in the first place."
"She hates us that much that she'd allow it to cloud her judgement like this?" He was simply amazed. "I don't get it. After all, where would they be without us?"
"That's a good question." Aphrodite shimmered away, but not before whispering to the overzealous god. "Finish this. But Strife, don't make this irreparable."
Difference Of Opinion:
"My Queen." Tien Su bowed low and stood to her full height, regarding Gabrielle with a warm smile of genuine friendship. "I've heard much of your talent and skill as a bard. I'm eager to learn if you are as talented a warrior as you are beautiful." There was a hearty chuckle from around the sparring arena.
"Tien Su, your reputation as a skilled warrior and charmer supercedes you," Gabrielle flirted playfully. "I will be honored to test my meager experience against yours." That said with a smirk, Gabrielle winked at a broadly grinning Ephiny who stood to her right. They were surrounded. Most of the village was there and had encased them in a hundred-foot circle.
"The honor," Tien Su purred and dipped her head low in salute. "I assure you is all mine." Gabrielle was drawn to the woman's rakish charms. She chuckled as the beautiful Asian woman winked at her this time. "And My Queen," Tien Su raised her Sais. "I promise that should I get the upper hand, I'll try not to appear too smug." That evoked another round of laughter as Gabrielle raised her staff and the two women circled each other.
"I appreciate the gesture," Gabrielle grinned. "However I can't make the same promise." Her smiled broadened mischievously. The roar of laughter was almost deafening.
After tracking down someone who knew of the bard's return and her whereabouts, Xena made her way to the sparring field, where the exhibition match between Gabrielle and the mystical Tien Su was to take place. Not standing on ceremony, the Warrior let out a loud yell and flipped into the arena to stand between Gabrielle and the regent Tien Su.
"Xena." Gabrielle stared at her friend surprised by the display. "What are you doing?"
"That's exactly what I was about to ask you?" Xena growled angrily.
"It's just an exhibition ma . . ."
"No!" The warrior snapped. "Not that Gabrielle." She gestured around the field to all of Amazons and her glare lingering on the regents who stood tense and at the ready. "This." She turned back to Gabrielle a scowl marring her features. "What in Tartarus do you think you're doing?" The queen sighed deeply; she'd know this was going to come to a head eventually. She was amazed that Xena had held in her anger for as long as she had, but she had hoped this confrontation would be in more of a private setting. Hades actually, she had hoped the confrontation could be delayed until they had been forced into dealing with Hope's forces themselves. She knew once engaged in battle, Xena would have placed all her focus there. And this conversation would not have the chance to take place. "Well?" Xena linked her arms across her chest.
"Preparing to lead an army," Gabrielle stiffened her back preparing for the explosion.
"Yeah right. Get your things, this little game is over and it's time for us to leave." She reached for the bard and Gabrielle stepped back out of her reach. She looked quickly to her guards who had drawn their swords in preparation of defending their Queen. Zeus! She closed her eyes for a moment. The last thing she needed was blood shed.
"Xena, are you aware of what's at stake here?"
"Gabrielle, this isn't our fight. This is between Dahak and those useless Olympians!" She approached the bard. "Let them deal with him. He's not our problem."
"Xena, how can you say that? How could you just walk away when they need us?"
"Need us!" Xena's eyes hardened and her voice shook with mocking laughter. "They don't need us Gabrielle. Grow up girl. Wake up and step away from your illusions. They use us!" Gabrielle flinched, surprised at the magnitude of Xena's anger. "Why Gabrielle?" Xena's voice took on an imploring tone. "Why should we do anything to help them? Why is this different from any other occasion? We risk our lives to save their miserable hides and to what end? So they can go back to playing with our meager little existences trying to destroy us. To tear us apart!
"Xena don't. You don't understand this isn't just . . ."
"No!" Xena growled her face glowering with rage. "Don't you dare defend them to me Gabrielle. We were the ones that ended the war between the Artemis' Amazons and the Centaurs. You Gabrielle . . . you accepted the mask of queen to prevent that psycho, Velaska from leading the Amazons to their destruction. Where was Artemis when Velaska became a god and threatened to wipe the Amazons out? We saved Celestia from Sisyphus, but that didn't stop her from taking Perdicus did it?" Gabrielle let out a soft gasp of pain at the mention of her dead husband.
"And Ares!" Xena screamed the name with a rage that would have shattered a normal vocal chord. "My father," She spat out the words "Even after he plotted with Calisto against me, I still got his sword back and returned him to his godhood." She closed her eyes tightly and Gabrielle could feel the wave of pain that overwhelmed her warrior.
"Where was he when that Bitch killed my son!"
"Oh Xe . . ."
"No!" Xena cut her off. "I'm sick of it! I'm sick of us being their champions when they need us and their game pieces when their bored."
Gabrielle was stunned. She watched Xena's shoulders slump and she wanted so badly to go to her anguished warrior princess, but she couldn't. This was one time when Gabrielle knew she could not back down. "Stand down!" Gabrielle ordered her guards. "This is between us. Whatever happens, I take responsibility. She won't hurt me."
"That's how, Gabrielle." Xena continued, and looked up at the bard, her fear and desperation communicating itself in her eyes. She unclenched her fists at her side. "That's why I can just walk away." She held out her right hand, palm outstretched. "I'm asking you . . .no, I'm begging you to walk away with me. Let them deal with this on their own. They've hurt us enough."
"Xena, I love you more than anything, but you've got to realize this isn't just about the gods. There's more at stake here then Olympus. And if I don't do this, there's no part of the world we can go to distance ourselves from the destruction Hope will hatch."
"If you don't do this?" Xena eyed the bard incredulously. "If you don't . . . By the gods just who do you think you are? You're a bard! You are not a warrior. Gabrielle, you know nothing about waging war."
"Then I'll learn." Gabrielle whispered choosing to ignore the pain Xena's words caused. "I'm their queen now." She gestured to the women about them. "I can't just . . ."
"No. Gabrielle. You're not their queen. You're an icon, maybe, one they're all too willing to sacrifice, but not their queen. They have their four queens."
"Xena, you . . ."
It's time to stop deluding yourself. What Queen leaves her tribe for indefinite periods at a time to play warrior's sidekick . . . Returning only when the fancy strikes you? You are a bard that advocates non-violence and abhors war. How does that qualify you as Queen of a nation of warrior women?"
"I think you've said enough, Xena," Gabrielle hissed both hurt and humiliated by Xena's verbal attack.
"If you're still Tartarus bent on this suicide mission, then I haven't said enough."
"Xena!" Gabrielle warned through clenched teeth, her anger a balm against the horrendous ache in her heart.
"Gabrielle, you had better grow up before you get yourself killed and lead a lot of innocent people to their deaths."
"Arghh!" Gabrielle clenched her fist angrily at her sides. "Have you no faith in me at all?" She shook her head sadly. "Damn it! Xena when are you going to stop treating me like a child?"
"Maybe when you start acting like a woman. And stop thinking like a child!"
"I'm going to walk away from this conversation now," Gabrielle's voice was hard-edged. The agony in her heart so easily readable on her expressive features and more than a few Amazons wanted the chance to rip the Queen's 'friend' into shreds. "We'll talk more later." With that she spun on her heels needing to distance herself from the rage that was gathering itself in response to the intense ache she was experiencing. Xena's fingers dug brutally into the flesh of her shoulder and she was spun about to face blue eyes that were now almost black.
"We'll talk about it now." Xena's eyes were sharp with intent. "You are coming with me Gabrielle, even if I have to knock you out for your own good. I'll take out every single Amazon here if I have to." The grip on Gabrielle's shoulder tightened. "Make a decision."
Gabrielle had honestly no intentions of hurting the woman she loved. But of it's own accord, her body reacted to the posed threat and she was twisting out of the warrior's grasp. When Xena reached for her again, her own right hand moved with surprising speed and she was backhanding the warrior with a spiked gauntlet, drawing blood and sending the woman flying backwards a few feet to land prone on the ground.
There was collective gasp from the crowd as the reality that Gabrielle: Amazon queen and Bard of Potaedia had just dropped the Warrior Princess like a useless sack. There was movement and Gabrielle turned a feral snarl on the approaching sentry. "Nobody touches her!" She growled in a barely human voice. Her eyes flickered amber for a moment and then returned to distraught green.
"Oh Gods!" Gabrielle felt the blood drain from her face as she rushed to kneel at Xena's side. She saw the blood from the small wound on the left side of the warrior's cheek and guilt waged heavily in her heart. "Oh Love, I'm so sorry." Xena's eyes opened slowly and Gabrielle straddled the woman's hips searching diligently for signs of concussion or coherence. "Xena!" She whispered desperately, stroking a hand lovingly across the unwounded cheek. She closed her eyes for moment, seeking a way to apologize.
"Gabrielle." The warrior's voice reached her ears and the young queen's eyes snapped opened to find herself caught up in the Conqueror's gaze. The conqueror raised a gentle hand up to caress a cheek. "I'm so proud of you." She sat up with an incredulous bard still straddling her lap and captured soft lips in a loving kiss. She pulled back slightly and whispered. "You have to let her go."
"What! I can't . . ."
"Shh" She placed a silencing finger to the bard's lips. "Please Gabrielle. She's no good to you like this."
"But I need her! I need you!" Gabrielle's voice just barely a whisper, threatened to become a sob. She had never once thought of doing this without the warrior at her side. And without her there, she knew she could never be strong enough to . . . "Oh Gods, don't make me do this," She swept softly. "I can't do this without you." Her hands moved to the warrior's shoulder to convey her desperation.
"Gabrielle, neither of us wants to leave you. But right now she's driven by her fear for you and she's no good to you like this. You have to send her away."
"But how can I?" Her lips were captured in another kiss and then the Conqueror was pulling away again.
"Send her away. And I swear to you, I swear to you, we'll come back."
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