Chapter 5



Archius had already retired for the night when a knock on the door of his chambers rousted him from his slumber. He called for whoever it was to enter and then sat up and lit a nearby candle. He waited as a slender young man slipped into the room and hurried over to the bed.

"I am sorry to bother you sir," the man said bowing slightly and holding out a piece of parchment. "A messenger just arrived."

Archius sighed and took hold of the scroll, breaking the seal and quickly scanning its contents. A frown settled over his brow as he read the parchment. He knew this news from General Rufus would not please the Conqueror.

"Where is the messenger?"

"He waits outside for your response," the younger man said quietly eyeing his mentor thoughtfully. He had been training under Archius for the last two summers yet still was unable to tell what the man was thinking..

The older man nodded and slipped his legs over the edge of the bed. He stood up and padded over to a nearby table where he retrieved a quill and an empty sheet of parchment. He pondered his response for a long moment before beginning to write. There was another knock at the door and without being asked the younger man hurried over to answer the summons. He spoke with the person on the other side of the door, accepting another scroll before closing the door and hurrying across the room.

"My Lord," Vargas said hesitantly. Archius glanced up, not masking his annoyance at being disturbed.

"What is it?"

"Another message has arrived," the young man bowed and Archius grabbed the scroll from his hand.

His first intention was to ignore it until he had dealt with this problem but then changed his mind. Later he was glad. A smile broke across his face as he read the parchment.

"Is it good news?" Vargas asked quietly.

"Indeed it is," Archius nodded. "It seems that the Horde have been destroyed and the Conqueror is on her way home."

"But the bard..." the young man stuttered.

"Isn't here," Archius finished the man's sentence retrieving the quill. "I will need two messengers, one which is to be immediately dispatched to Potedaia to inform the bard of the Conqueror's imminent return."

"Yes, sir," Vargas nodded and then hesitated for a moment before asking. "What if the bard doesn't want to return?"

"Do not worry Vargas, Gabrielle has probably been anxiously waiting for the Conqueror," Archius said as he finished writing and then rolled up the parchment and handed it to the younger man. "The second rider is to be sent to General Rufus. It seems that General Titus met with an accident on the battlefield and will not be returning to the Palace. Rufus has been promoted."

"Yes sir," the young man nodded.

"Now hurry," the elder man waved his hand dismissively. "Knowing the Empress she will not delay her return. I want the girl back here for when she arrives."

"Yes," the younger man bowed and hurried out of the room.

Archius turned and slowly made his way back to his bed crawling once more beneath the sheets. He would be glad to see the Conqueror. A smile etched its way across his face as he thought of the bet he had made with Zenon. The Royal Guardsman had said that Titus would not disgrace himself. Being wrong would cost the soldier fifteen dinars. With that thought he blew out the candle and went back to sleep.



Gabrielle glanced across the table at her mother and Lila as they dropped the piece of fruit inside the dough that she had rolled out. It had been a difficult few days. Since the incident in the marketplace, she had not dared to venture into the village and her relations with her parents were only slightly less strained. Sadly she had come to the conclusion that it was time to head back to the Capital. She had thought to wait until after the festival but knew now that her presence at the celebration would not be welcome. There was no reason for her to remain.

She opened her mouth to announce her decision when the sound of thundering hooves made her glance hastily out the nearby window. It was just in time to see a stranger on horseback come galloping into the yard. Though the man was dressed in an ordinary tunic, she recognized him as a soldier belonging to the Royal Guard. Without bothering to explain, she dropped the cooking utensils and raced out of the house, hurrying up to the weary looking traveller.

"I am looking for Gabrielle, the Bard from Potedaia," he said eyeing her closely.

"That's me," she replied in a squeaky voice, barely able to contain her emotions. She knew on instinct that he was here with a message from Xena.

"The Conqueror has finished her business in the North and is at this moment on her way back to Corinth," the man delivered his speech. "She requests your presence upon her return."

"You can tell her that we are on our way," Gabrielle breathed and the man nodded.

"When can I tell the Palace to expect you?" the rider wanted to know.

"We will be there within the week," Gabrielle said and the man bowed his head.

"I will advise them," the soldier saluted before wheeling his horse around and taking off back through the village.

Gabrielle could not hide her excitement. After too many months apart she would see her lover again. The joy that shone from her face quickly died at the sight of her father standing only a few feet away. She could see the anger in his stern features.

"It's true," he sputtered. "What that man in the marketplace said about you is true. After everything your mother and I taught you. I don't understand how you could take up with such a monster." Herodatus could barely control his rage. The thought of his daughter voluntarily spending time in the company of the Conqueror was beyond comprehension.

"She is not a monster," Gabrielle tried to explain but the man wasn't ready to listen.

"No," he interrupted angrily. "I will not listen to your excuses. As long as you keep company with that horrible woman, you are not welcome in my home."

With that he stormed off, not looking back as he stomped into the house. She followed with her eyes and caught sight of her mother standing with Lila on the porch. She wanted them to understand but was just as certain that they wouldn't.

"I'm sorry," she didn't know what else to say, overwhelmed by the wounded expression in her mothers eyes.

"Why couldn't you have been honest?" Hercuba asked quietly.

"I guess because I knew how you would react," Gabrielle was truthful.

"Yes, and there is a reason for that," the older woman replied with pursed lips. "Do you remember Antonus, your father's younger brother? Like you he dreamed of adventure. One day someone from the Conqueror's army came to recruit soldiers and he saw an opportunity to leave, to go off to foreign places he had heard about. He eagerly signed up and left. Not even a full moon went by before we received word that he had been killed in battle."

The woman paused allowing all her emotions to show. "Your father can't forget that."

"But mother, it was his choice," Gabrielle disagreed.

"What choice does a young man who dreams of adventure and who has few prospects have?" the woman shook her head sadly. "She has lead so many men like Antonus to an early grave and people will never forgive or forget."

With that Hercuba turned and quietly retreated back into the house. There was nothing more to say and less then a candlemark later they were ready to head out onto the road back to Corinth. Her parents did not come out to say goodbye. All that was left was Lila, and Gabrielle embraced her younger sister tightly.

"Please try to make them understand."

"I'll try," Lila promised. "But I don't think I'll succeed."

"Thanks anyway," the bard whispered, embracing her sibling again before mounting the horse that Joshua had saddled for her use.

"Joshua, do you think we can take the road that goes through Amphipolis?"

"It will add an extra day to our journey," he reminded surprised by the request. He knew how anxious she was to see the Conqueror.

"I know, but I want to stop and check to see if my friends are okay," she replied quietly thinking of Toris and Cyrene.

"Yes, Miss Gabrielle," the soldier nodded and they set off.

They were almost out of the village when a familiar figure ran out of a nearby shop. Gabrielle reigned in her horse and watched as Perdicus made his way over to her. She had not seen him since that night she had turned down his proposal. There was a long silence as they stared at each other.

"I guess you're pretty glad now that I didn't accept your offer of marriage," she finally broke the silence between them.

"No," he shook his head. "I know what every one is saying, but I know you Gabrielle. I know you would never purposefully hurt anyone. I believe what you did was right."

Gabrielle felt her heart tremble. She gave him a weak smile. "Don't say that to loud or you might get run out of town."

"I don't care," he replied with a crooked grin, which disappeared as he grew solemn. "I just wanted you to know that if you ever change your mind, or if things don't work out in the Capital, my offer is still open. Regardless what anybody says or thinks, I would still be honoured to be your husband."

Gabrielle was humbled by his offer but she knew that she would never accept it. If something happened that the Conqueror turned her out, she would not come back to him. He didn't deserve to be second to anyone.

"Don't wait for me Perdicus," she said hoping he would understand. He did and she saw the sadness in his brown eyes. "Take care of yourself." She clicked her heels and motioned the horse forward, knowing it would be a long time before she ever returned home.

It took them only a day and a half to reach Amphipolis. She didn't know what kind of reception to expect considering she was more then certain that they had probably heard that she had been involved in Calipus' arrest. She prepared herself for anything.

Toris was surprised to see the bard. After her last visit he had not expected to see her again. He wasn't sure how he should feel, aware that she had been the one to betray the rebels. He strolled out of the stables, intercepting her in front of the tavern.

"Why?" he asked before she had a chance to dismount from her horse.

Gabrielle was silent. Her happiness at seeing that he was all right was quickly moderated by the anger she could hear in his voice. She stared down at his upturned face seeing something oddly familiar in the angry features and the dark blue eyes.

"I did it to protect you and your family," she said quietly.

"Protect us?" he laughed without amusement. "How can someone like you protect us? Who are you to be so arrogant as to think that you could do anything for us?"

Gabrielle remained quiet, feeling the words cut deep into her soul. She could accept the disapproval from her family because they had always treated her differently but Toris and his mother had befriended her. They had accepted her the way she was.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand," she replied.

"Understand what? That you were a spy, reporting everything to the Capital while pretending to be our friend," there was scorn in his voice.

"No," Gabrielle shook her head sliding off her horse and taking a step towards him but he backed up as if she were some kind of poison. She stopped unable to hide the hurt that she felt. "It's not like that."

"Then what is it like?" he demanded to know and Gabrielle took a deep breath.

"I am not a spy but I know that if you had carried out your attack on the army garrison Xena would have descended on the Region and destroyed all the villages around here."

"How do you know that?" he asked scornfully.

"Because I am her friend," the bard confessed and watched as the man's stared at her in disbelief.

"Friend!" the man laughed. "Xena has no friends. Do you think that she cares about anyone? Do you honestly think she really cares about you?"

"I know she still cares about you," the bold statement stopped the man cold. In one clear moment she knew who she was speaking too. "Do you think that if she didn't, Rufus wouldn't have taken you away with the other rebels? You use her like a shield but you don't accept that shield is there because she cares for you." Gabrielle paused and glanced passed the man to the woman who was standing on the steps in front of the tavern.

"You told me once not long ago how she used to help everyone out, that she was different. Well, perhaps she has changed, but I think that girl you knew still exists. That girl is there, buried deep, under so many layers of hate and distrust that her real self is hard to find, but she is still there. I see her every time I am with her." She paused to take a breath, encouraged by the fact that no one tried to interrupt. "We all get lost sometimes. The only difference between her and anyone else, is that no one has tried to help Xena find the way back."

"And you think you are the one to do that?" Toris was bemused, shaking his head. "You are so naive Gabrielle. She may be your friend today, but the first time you do something that displeases her, you will see her true nature."

"No," she disagreed adamantly. "I have tempted fate and she has done nothing to me, just like she would do nothing to you. The person you think she is, doesn't exist."

"You have deluded yourself and some day you will pay for that," he snorted before turning and walking away. Gabrielle followed him with her eyes knowing that nothing she said could convince the man. She sighed and turned away, intent on mounting her horse and riding out of this town. She had found what she had come for.

"How is she?"

Gabrielle whirled around to see Cyrene standing behind her. There was an fearful yet pensive expression in the woman's eyes. The bard looked at her intently and saw the similarities to her lover. Her heart ached. She didn't know how to answer that question.

"She is lonely," the bard didn't know what else to tell this woman.

"Then I am glad she has you as a friend," Cyrene said straightening her shoulders. Their eyes met in a long telling gaze before the older woman turned and walked back to the tavern without saying another word. Gabrielle swung up on top of her horse, clicking her heels to set it in motion. Joshua glanced covertly at his companion but said nothing.

They travelled in relative silence for the next two days. The bard had not said a word since leaving Amphipolis, which was unusual because on the trip down she hadn't stopped talking the whole time. Joshua glanced at the girl and wondered what was going on in her head.

It was amazing how this woman managed to regulate the moods of those around her. When she was happy he was happy, now that she was sad, he too felt the same grief. He had seen the joy on her face at the news of the Conqueror's return, and though he was sad that their time together was coming to an end, he was happy for her. He thought the Empress very lucky to have someone care about her as much as this young woman did. He hoped one day to find the same thing.

"There is a fork further up the road. I thought if we took the road bordering Amazon territory we could cut a day, possibly two, off our journey," he said in an attempt to make idle conversation. He hated the silence.

Gabrielle glanced up noticing their surroundings for the first time. She had been to busy sorting through her thoughts and emotions to pay much attention to their route. She knew she should be happy by the prospect of reaching the Capital earlier but any joy she felt about her reunion with the Conqueror was gone, buried under a host of guilty emotions. She didn't say anything.

"Gabrielle you can't keep beating yourself up over what you did," he said softly and she looked across at him.

"A lot of people were hurt by my betrayal," she shook her head.

"Some people were hurt but you know in your heart a lot more people would have been hurt if you hadn't done anything," he was blunt. "We both know the Conqueror would have exacted revenge. She would have spared no one."

"That still doesn't make me feel better," she shook her head.

"That's because you are a good person," he replied. "Besides didn't the Conqueror warn you it would be like this?"

"Yes, but I guess I always assumed my family and friends would be different," she sighed. "I thought they would understand."

Joshua remained silent. He knew first hand that people rarely understood, even those they trusted. Only a few took the time to look into the hearts of the people they met. This young woman was one of those and she had been insightful enough to see a part of the Empress that no one thought existed. Even he had been sceptical until he had witnessed the Empress' manner towards this woman. It had been a startling revelation to everyone who knew the cold Conqueror.

He was about to answer when an odd noise caught his attention. He reigned in his horse and the bard automatically pulled up alongside. They could clearly hear the distinctive clang of metal. Some where around the next bend someone was involved in a fight. He sensed danger and his first instinct was to steer clear.

"Come, we can disguise ourselves in that stand of trees," he pointed to the tree line a short distance off the road, thinking they could hide until the danger had passed.

"We can't hide. What if someone needs help?" Gabrielle's first thought was the possibility of a young family in danger from a marauding band of thieves like the ones she had encountered so many moons ago. Some one had come to rescue her once and it had changed her life, perhaps now it was time to repay the debt.

She clicked her heels and the horse sprang forward. With a mild curse her companion unsheathed his sword and went in pursuit. They galloped around the corner and into a clearing where a large group of people were engaged in battle.

Gabrielle reigned in her horse and grabbing her staff slipped onto the ground. She paused for a second to assess the situation and then choose a side without knowing the issues. All she saw was a dozen well armed men doing battle with half a dozen women in skimpy outfits made of leather and feathers.

She ran towards the nearest man, swinging her staff in a wide arc. She felt the tremor of the wood as her strike connected squarely with the man's head sending him to the ground unconscious. She admired her success for only an instant before turning her attention to the next man, aware that Joshua was now fighting at her side.

Ephiny noticed the two strangers wade into the battle. She saw the way the tiny blond woman swung her staff to bring down one of their attackers. Normally she would have resented any outside assistance but she realized that at this moment they needed all the help they could get. Princess Alandra was already dead and Queen Melosa was severely injured. The rest of them were in various states, with injuries and cuts to their bodies. It wouldn't be long before all of them were cut down.

She swung her blade dispatching the man in front of her, but she withdrew her sword to slowly from his chest and another bandit stepped in and buried his blade in her shoulder. She slumped to the ground and looked up at him as he raised his sword to deliver the fatal blow.

"Forgive me for failing, my Queen," she whispered and then closed her eyes and waited for death.

Gabrielle saw the stricken woman. She was kneeling on the ground unable to defend herself as blood poured from the wound in her shoulder. Without regard for the danger, she rushed forward swinging her staff just as the sword started to come down. Her quick action saved the woman and knocked the weapon from its deadly path. Swiftly she brought the stave back up, catching him in the lower back before bringing him down with a final strike to his head.

Ephiny opened her eyes and looked up into a pair of flashing green orbs that were set into the face of an innocent looking young woman with reddish blond hair. It was a face given more to smiling then the intense frown that now decorated its features. She opened her mouth to speak but her attention was captured by the scene that was about to unfold.

Queen Melosa was on the ground and the man with whom she had been fighting now raised his sword to inflict the fatal wound. Ephiny started to struggle to her feet but the girl moved more quickly.

Gabrielle saw what was happening and without thinking jumped between the bandit and the woman who lay defenceless on the ground. She lifted her staff to block the man's blow and felt its reverberation through the wood, but she did not lose her grip. The Conqueror attacked with stronger force.

Her resistance angered the man and he lifted his heavy sword and swung again hoping to overpower the girl who had dared to prevent him from accomplishing his mission of killing the Amazon Queen. But his fury made him careless and when he raised his blade again Gabrielle planted her feet in the way she had been taught and jabbed the butt of her staff into the man's throat.

He gasped and clutched his neck in startled agony, dropping his weapon. She used this opportunity to swing her staff again and there was a loud crack as wood connected with the side of his head, sending him to the ground. She paused to catch her breath.

"Retreat," someone called in the midst of the melee.

Their orders had been to intercept and destroy the Royal Amazon party and glancing at the ground they had accomplished their mission. Of the original six Amazon's only one was still on her feet. The others were dead or dying.

"Retreat," the same man called again and the remaining men helped their injured comrades to their feet before hobbling from the clearing. Joshua attempted to give chase but he had been exhausted by the battle and had little energy left with which to pursue the attackers.

Ephiny wobbled on her feet, struggling to stay upright even as the blood continued to seep from her wound. She was beginning to feel lightheaded and dizzy and knew it wouldn't be long before she lost consciousness. She leaned against her sword, feeling a sense of relief, as the men retreated into the nearby forest, but experience reminded her that they might regroup and renew their attack. She would not survive another assault.

Gabrielle began to breath easier, happy at the sight of the bandits dispersing. She spared them one parting glance before turning her attention to the carnage they had left behind. There were bodies scattered all around the clearing, a testament to the fierce defence the women warriors had given their enemy.

In her mind she quickly went through a checklist of things that needed to be done. The first order of business was to attend to the wounded, and in order to do that she needed to find out who was still alive. She turned her head and saw the lone woman warrior who had been left standing. She saw the blood and the gaping wound and for a moment when their eyes met she saw the dazed expression on her face.

The woman swayed, her legs beginning to buckle and Gabrielle immediately rushed to her side, catching the curly blonde haired warrior just as she was about to fall. She gently lowered her to the ground, taking care not to jar the wounded limb.

"You have a bad injury," Gabrielle said tearing a piece of cloth from the tunic of the dead man lying nearby. She pressed the linen to the bleeding wound in an attempt to staunch the flow. "You have to stay still."

The woman warrior nodded mutely and did as she was told, closing her eyes in an attempt to ignore the pain. But Gabrielle had seen the sadness in those grey eyes and she felt a wave of sympathy, sensing this woman's loss.

For a moment she studied the pale face, seeing the lines of tension etched into its smooth, tanned features. If she were to guess, she surmised that this warrior was only a few years older then herself, but there was a look of experience that made her seem much older. Impulsively she reached down and gave the warrior's hand a squeeze.

"Everything is going to be all right now," Gabrielle said with a confident smile and woman's eyes fluttered open to stare at her intently.

Ephiny wanted to dispute that fact but she was to weary to do anything. She could barely keep her eyes open, let alone argue with this girl.

"I'm just going to go over and check the others," Gabrielle said and the warrior merely nodded her head before closing her eyes again. Reluctantly the bard left the woman's side, aware that there might still be someone else alive. She found only one other person, an older woman whose breathing was very faint.

Melosa opened her eyes and stared into the prettiest green orbs she had ever seen. She watched silently as the girl carefully inspected her stomach wound. She was barely conscious but she knew she was dying. With that realization came another. There were certain important matters that needed to be settled.

She turned her head slightly taking in the surrounding carnage. Her eyes paused and filled with tears at the sight of the motionless body of her Princess. She looked over towards Ephiny's still form before turning her attention back to the stranger. She felt a sense of hopelessness at the thought that everyone else was dead.

"Who are you child?" Melosa asked needing to clear her mind of the painful truth. She had been witness to the girl's valiant and fearless defence of Ephiny and herself. It was not usual for strangers to help them out.

"My name is Gabrielle, of Potedaia," the bard flashed a smile to mask the pity she felt for this older woman. She was not a healer but she only needed to glance at this woman's wounds to see that she was dying.

"I am pleased to meet you Gabrielle, my name is Melosa and I am Queen of this Amazon tribe," the woman forced a weak smile to come to her lips. "You are a formidable warrior. I wish we could have met under better circumstances."

"I'm not a fighter," Gabrielle corrected gently. "I am a bard, I tell stories."

"But you are so good with the staff, I thought...." the woman's voice died with a spasm of coughing.

"I have a friend who taught me. She wanted me to be able to protect myself if I ever got into trouble."

The Queen saw the sudden glow that came to the girl's face when she spoke of this friend.

"She is a very wise person," the Amazon sighed. "But I do not understand why you would risk your life to come to the aid of strangers?"

"Someone once rescued me from a similar situation," Gabrielle was honest. "I just thought it was my duty to repay the favour if I could."

"You are very brave, you could have been killed," the words trailed off interrupted by a groan and Gabrielle turned and watched as one of the raiders sat up clutching his head.

She hastily searched for her staff but it was on the ground next to the warrior with the shoulder wound. She spied the sword in the grass next to them and picked it up. She knew she had to deal with the situation.

She rose to her feet and hovered for a moment over the dazed man before bringing the hilt down on his head. He jerked briefly before falling back to the ground. She immediately dropped the sword as if it repulsed her. Melosa watched with quiet speculation as the girl came back and sat down beside her.

"Why didn't you kill him, he would not have spared you?" the Queen asked curiously.

"I can't kill a defenceless man," Gabrielle replied. She had seen enough killing for one day. She could not be the one to inflict more injury on any one.

"But is it fair for him to live when he has helped to kill so many of my sisters?" the older woman asked.

"Maybe not," the bard conceded sadly. "But it is not for me to judge. That is up to the authorities. He deserves a fair trial like any one else. Besides you need to keep him alive to find out why he did this."

"Yes," the woman nodded and closed her eyes as for a moment the pain became overwhelming.



*************



"I'll kill Ares," Artemis stormed around on Mt. Olympus when she saw that her Queen was dying. "When I get a hold of him, I'll wring his scrawny little neck."

"I have a better idea," Aphrodite smiled coyly but the Goddess of the Hunt only scowled. She wasn't impressed with what the Goddess of Love had done so far. "Listen Artie babe this is perfect, foolproof almost."

"That's what you said before," Artemis sighed with exasperation, aware that the other Goddess had an annoying habit of making everything very complicated. Besides she didn't think Love would stop now until she was satisfied. "Making Ares Chosen fall in love with that little bard only pissed him off. It didn't help the Amazon's any."

"Not if that were the plan," Aphrodite giggled and Artemis looked at her through narrow eyes realizing that the other Goddess was enjoying this situation far to much. "What would Ares think if you made blondie the Queen?"

"No," the Goddess of the Hunt gasp. "She's not an Amazon."

"Small detail," Love itself said airily. "Here's your big chance Artie babe. Make blondie Queen and save the Amazon's. You have to know that with her in charge the Conqueror would never attack them."

Artemis was about to argue but then paused to mull over the idea. The Goddess of Love had a good point. Besides she was impressed by the way the girl had unselfishly stepped in to help her Queen and escort. She had to admit, the bard was beginning to grow on her.

"What will make Ares stop from messing with her?" the Goddess wanted to know.

"Nothing unless you also make her your Chosen," Aphrodite smiled sweetly. "It will make Ares crazy."

The Goddess of the Hunt considered the suggestion carefully, glancing down into the reflection pool for a moment. Maybe the idea wasn't so bad. She nodded her head and listened as Aphrodite let out a divine laugh.



PART THREE

Chapter 6



A sharp pain rousted Ephiny from her unconscious state. She kept her eyes closed, to tired and weak to move, content just to listen to the verbal exchange between her Queen and the stranger. What a gutsy kid, she thought absently and then savoured the joy she felt at the sound of her Queen's voice. She was soothed by the knowledge that Melosa was alive.

The Queen didn't know how much time she had left. Already she felt strangely. She watched the young girl who tended her wounds, trying to do something when there was nothing that could be done. She felt a strange sensation flood through her body and she closed her eyes only to see the image of a woman appear in her thoughts. It was as how she had always thought that Artemis would look.

"Artemis," she greeted the Goddess and struggled to bow.

"Melosa," the woman responded with a gentle smile as she reached out to lay a tender hand upon her Queen, stilling her restless motions. "You have served me well and soon it will be time for you to join your sisters, but before you leave the mortal world I need for you to do me one more favour."

"What is it you wish for me to do?" Melosa asked humbly.

"You must pass your Right of Caste to Gabrielle, the young woman who rushed to your defence," the Goddess said softly.

"But she is not an Amazon," the Queen protested faintly, not understanding what the Goddess was asking.

"No, but I will see that she is taught," Artemis smiled and reached out to gently touch her Queen's face. "You must do this to save your sisters, the Amazon's."

Melosa wanted to ask more questions but as suddenly as it was there the vision was gone. She opened her eyes to see a curious pair of green eyes staring at her with deep concern. She heart trembled for a moment before an incredible sense of peace settled over her body.

"Come here Gabrielle," the Queen bade.

Gabrielle nodded. Only moments ago the dying woman had been squirming and mumbling under her breath and the bard thought she was delirious but now looking into her eyes she saw that they were clear and filled with contentment.

"Am I hurting you?" she asked with genuine concern as she crawled to the woman's side.

"No," Melosa smiled and reaching out captured one of the bard's hand, holding it gently in her own.

"My Princess is dead and soon I shall join her and as Queen there are certain responsibilities that I have. One is to ensure that there is an orderly transition upon my death. In that regard Gabrielle I bestow my Right of Caste on you."

'No,' the anguished protest echoed through Ephiny's head. She struggled to sit up but it was like there was an invisible hand holding her down. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. No, she cried, Melosa do not make this mistake, but the Queen heard none of her thoughts.

"Gabrielle you have shown yourself to be a friend of our Nation. You have proven yourself to be brave, kind and wise. You will be a worthy successor. Please promise me that you will take us back to the Nation so that our deaths might be celebrated in our tradition."

"Yes, I will see you get home," Gabrielle agreed, looking down at the dying woman, uncertain what had just happened yet fairly certain it was something significant. "But I know nothing about the Amazon's."

"Do not be afraid Gabrielle, my sister's will take good care of you. They will teach you what you need to know," Melosa sighed, her body beginning to grow cold. "Promise me you'll do whatever it takes to care of the Amazon's."

"I will," Gabrielle promised aware that the woman was dying. The best of herself, the kind and gentle soul, would have agreed to anything this woman asked, even though she was uncertain of what that entailed. She wasn't worried though, certain that Xena would figure it all out.

"Thank you," Melosa said softly and then closed her eyes for the last time.

The ensuing silence told Ephiny all she needed. No, she screamed in silent anguish and then mercifully her world went black as she slipped unconscious once more.

By the time Joshua came jogging back into the clearing the lone surviving raider was trussed up and Gabrielle was kneeling on the ground attending to a blonde Amazon with a wounded shoulder. The girl glanced up unable to hide her relief.

"She's still alive but I don't know what to do?" the bard said with a sad appeal in her eyes.

Joshua bent to look at the fallen warrior. Her skin was pale and her breathing shallow. He did not think her long for this world but he knew the bard didn't want to hear that.

"She needs a healer."

"Where can we find one?"

"I suppose there are some in the Amazon village," he said quietly. "Their borders are only a few candlemarks ride from here."

"Then we will have to head for their territory," Gabrielle decided glancing around at the dead women that littered the ground. "I promised the Queen that we would take her and her sisters back to their village for proper burial."

Joshua looked at the younger woman. He could see that she was emotionally and physically exhausted and in no mood to be challenged. He nodded and stood up.

"I will see how many horses I can round up," he said and then trotted back off.

Night had fallen before they were able to get underway. It had taken longer then expected to take care of everything and Gabrielle's admiration for her lover grew when she thought of the logistics involved in moving an army. It had taken them almost as long to figure out what to do as to actually get it done.

Joshua managed to round up enough horses to transport them all, finding the dead raiders mounts tethered in the trees not to far away. While they left the dead bandits for the forest creatures they carefully loaded the bodies of the dead Amazon's onto the horses, while making there lone prisoner walk behind.

Gabrielle sat on her mount cradling the severely injured warrior. The soldier had offered to hold the ill woman but she had thought it better if he was free to move about. She didn't know where the rest of the bandits had gone and was worried they might return to rescue their captured friend. They travelled for a long while in silence as she pondered recent events.

"Joshua, do you know what a Right of Caste is?" she suddenly asked and the soldier shifted in his saddle to look at her.

"I think it has something to do with a inherited thing," Joshua tried to explain. "Like the Conqueror making someone her successor. Why?"

Gabrielle was thoughtful a frown burrowing it's way across her face. "One of the Amazon's was the Queen and as she was dying she passed her Right of Caste onto me. I don't know if I like what that implied."

Neither will the Conqueror, the soldier thought understanding the consequences of what had just happened. He remained quiet, unwilling to add any more worries to the young bard. He could see that she was troubled enough.

"Did you manage to find out who those men were?" she asked as an after thought and he was glad for the change of subject.

"No," Joshua lied and lapsed into silence, happy that the woman was content to do the same.

They kept up a steady pace through the night, resting only when the horses needed a break. Gabrielle fought her exhaustion, holding the injured woman securely in her arms. They both knew it was necessary to hurry.



Eponin glanced at the elders, impatiently waiting for their response. Another dawn had come without any sign of the Royal party. The Queen and her escort were two days overdue and she had an uneasy feeling about what that meant. She berated herself once again, questioning her decision to allow the Royal party to travel together. She knew she should have insisted on two separate groups, each with their own escort. She would never forgive herself if something happened to the Queen or the rest of the entourage.

"Listen up," Lesta finally spoke and the room full of mumbling Amazon's fell quiet and all eyes turned expectantly towards the leader of the Elders. The woman looked across the room to where the Weapon's Master stood. "We have collectively agreed that perhaps there is some cause for concern. Therefore we instruct you Eponin to put together a search party and head out at the earliest possible moment."

"Yes," the tall brown haired Amazon bowed her head respectfully and then turned to leave.

"I would suggest that you take the healer, Kastra. I hope there is no need for her services but one can never tell," the elder said and the Weapon's Master nodded and hurried out of the hut.

Eponin didn't waste time reflecting on what the Council's decision meant. No one liked to think that the Royal party may have encountered trouble but it was a distinct possibility. Tension in the region was high and they were having problems with most of their neighbours, including the Centaurs. It didn't help that the Conqueror's army was using them for sword practice.

She shook off the terrible foreboding that had been shadowing her emotions and concentrated instead on the task at hand. As quickly as she could, she rounded up a search party and with the Head Scout in the lead, they set out to find their Queen.



It was just after dawn when they reached the borders of Amazon territory. Gabrielle was the first to hear the strange bird calls and whistles that echoed through the trees, though she didn't understand what they meant.

"Stop," Ephiny murmured from her delirium, her unconscious mind reacting to the familiar sounds.

Gabrielle reigned in her horse causing the whole train to stop. There was a brief silence and then more bird calls. If the bard hadn't been so tired she would have been nervous, but as it was she merely watched dispassionately as a small phalanx of women warriors, dressed in leather and feathers, descended out of the surrounding trees. She focused her attention on the lead group, noticing that they were heavily armed with swords and spears. Others had crossbows which were pointed in their direction. She noticed they were cocked and ready to fire.

"Drop your weapons," the leader of the group called out and the bard frowned, realizing everything she heard about the Amazon's must be true.

"We are not here to make war," she shouted in a hoarse voice. "Some of your people were hurt in battle. Have you a healer, this one is in bad need of attention."

"Throw down your weapons," Eponin called again ignoring the woman's words though she was aware that Ephiny was cradled in her arms on the horse. They had been near the border when they had received word from one of their scouts about an in bound party. She had felt a leap of joy at the news but her enthusiasm had quickly been dampened when she heard that it was not the expected Royal Party.

Gabrielle sighed impatiently, feeling an ache in her shoulders and a cramp in her arms. "Stupid Amazon's," she muttered loudly and then looked across at Joshua. "Throw down your sword."

"But..." he looked at her with astonishment.

"No buts, it's an order," the bard snapped with a hint of anger.

The soldier knew that he should obey the command yet he hesitated. It was his duty to protect the Conqueror's friend and though he had never fought against the Amazon's, he was aware of their reputation. Reluctantly he unsheathed his sword and tossed it on the ground, realizing there was little he could do but surrender. Before he had a chance to second guess his decision a female warrior darted in and snatched the blade from its resting place.

Before Gabrielle had a chance to protest, they were on them. Joshua was dragged from his horse and quickly tied up. She was treated only marginally better and later she reflected it was probably only because of the wounded woman she bore. However, once the woman had been handed over, she too was pulled from her horse and bound with rope.

"What's the meaning of this?" she shouted with indignation, her exhaustion exposing itself through a tantrum. She stamped her foot impatiently. "We try to save your friends here and this is how you reward us."

"Silence," Eponin demanded stepping up in front of the smaller woman hoping to intimidate her. "We do not know that you did not orchestrate this attack on our Queen and her escort."

"What?" Gabrielle was flabbergast at the suggestion. "We were on our way to Corinth, minding our own business, when we stumbled onto a bunch of thugs beating up on your Queen. We stop to help and this is the thanks we get."

"Yes," Eponin remained calm yet she noticed the fascinating way those green eyes flashed when the woman spoke. "You are a stranger to our land and until we can determine whether you are friend or foe we must protect ourselves."

Gabrielle sighed, impatiently blowing her bangs out of her eyes. This tall warrior was trying to intimidate her but hey, she had lived with the Conqueror, the most intimidating person in the country, and wasn't threatened by such tactics.

"Listen, as I said my friend and I were on our way to Corinth," she stared directly into the brown eyes of the warrior. "So if you just untie us we will be on our way."

"I'm sorry I can't do that," Eponin said though she had begun to admire this woman's spirit. "We will investigate the situation and if it proves that you were speaking the truth you will be free to go. It shouldn't take more than a few days."

"A few days," the bard echoed in disbelief as she thought in quiet desperation about what would happen if the Conqueror returned and she wasn't there. "We can't waste a few days, we are expected."

"Well, whoever is expecting you will have to wait," the tall Amazon said with a shrug.

"You don't understand," Gabrielle stamped her foot in frustration. "Can I at least send a message?"

"No!" this time is was Joshua who spoke and the bard looked at him with annoyance. The Amazon glanced at the man and saw his horrified expression. Instinct told her something was going on here and she became more determined then ever to keep these people prisoner until she discovered what it was.

"Let's go," the woman warrior grabbed her arm and propelled her forward so that the prisoners were walking behind the litter bearing the wounded Amazon. The horses bearing the bodies of the dead Queen and her escort led the procession.

Gabrielle stared at the advancing column, muttering angrily as tears moistened her eyes. She knew they were in trouble, worse she feared that Xena would return and think that she had been abandoned. As strong a leader as she was, the Conqueror was still very insecure. A lump caught in her throat as she wondered how such a good deed could turn out so bad.



General Rufus paced thoughtfully around the tent. He paused and glanced up at his Lieutenant who had just returned with news of a successful mission. The extra complication wasn't something that particularly bothered him. He could use the bard's intervention to his advantage.

"You say the Amazon's took the bard and her escort into custody?" He wanted to make certain he had a clear picture of the situation.

"Yes," Argus nodded wondering if he had made a mistake in following the orders of his Commander. He knew that they were playing a dangerous game. If the Conqueror got wind of their plan then she would certainly kill them all. There would be no reprieve.

Rufus glanced up and down at his Lieutenant. The man was still covered in dust from the long ride back to camp. He could smell the stench of the other man's sweat and though it was offensive he was not ready to release the man.

"You did a good job," he finally said with a smile. "This will work in our favour."

"How so?" the Lieutenant was curious.

"Simple, everyone knows how the Conqueror is besotted with the little girl. What will happen when she finds that the bard isn't the sweet little angel she believes her to be? What happens when she learns that Gabrielle was in fact part of the rebels that plotted to attack the garrison and when the plan was uncovered she fled to hide with the Amazon's?" There was a brief pause. "What do you think will happen Argus?"

"The Conqueror will attack the Amazon's," the Lieutenant was finally beginning to understand.

"Exactly," Rufus almost clapped his hands in glee. "She will attack the Amazon's, who will be on their guard thanks to us. Naturally, the Empress will personally go after the bard and then when she has all her attention focused on the little girl I will strike, killing her. After that it will be simple to blame the Empress' death on the Amazon Nation. Troops loyal to my cause will kill those serving with the Conqueror and we will ride together in triumph into the Capital and take over the Empire."

The plan sounded logical enough but Argus was uncomfortable. Nothing was ever as simple as it seemed where the Conqueror was concerned. He had served in her army long enough to know that anything involving the Empress was never easy. The woman had an uncanny sense of what was going on around her without really being aware of what was happening. He had seen it to often to discount her. He knew she would not fall easily.

"What of the other General's?" Argus asked the most logical question and Rufus laughed.

"They have no love of the Empress," he snorted. "They will not rush to her cause. They covet her position almost as much as I do, besides who will dare oppose me once I take command of the Third Army. My promotion came at a most opportune time."

"What happens if we fail?" the Lieutenant waited a long moment before asking. He received an icy stare.

"We will not fail," Rufus reminded him tersely. "Now go clean yourself up so that I might relay some instructions before I leave for the Capital. I shall delight in telling the Conqueror about her little friend."



*******************



The Conqueror rode hard the last few leagues to the Capital, her senses stirred by the desire to see the bard. She had imagined the reunion in her head a thousand times and all of them ended the same way. She would take the girl to bed and keep her there for several days. A grim expression replaced her grin. The separation had been to long, she would not let it happen again.

Archius paced nervously on the portico outside the Palace. The scouts had heralded the Conqueror's arrival and now it was left up to him to greet her with the bad news. A part of him hoped that her infatuation with the girl was over yet another part realized it wasn't. Perhaps he over estimated her desire for the blond woman but the Conqueror's message sending for the bard made the truth obvious. He dreaded the scene that was to follow.

The sound of thundering hooves filled the air and suddenly she was there, riding her magnificent mare. She stopped by the Palace steps and vaulted out of the saddle tossing the reigns to a stableboy who hurried to attend the Empress' favourite creature. She was up the steps in a few long, quick strides.

"Good evening, Archius," she nodded briefly and continued passed him. "I take it everything in the Realm is okay?"

"Yes, Empress, however I must speak with you," the aide had to hurry to keep pace with the taller woman.

"Not now Archius," the Conqueror actually cast him a brief smile. "Let business wait until tomorrow. There are other matters I wish to attend too now."

Archius paused aware that his task would be more difficult then he thought. He followed with his eyes and then shuffled slowly after. There was no need to rush to the problem.

Xena almost ran to her quarters and flung open the doors. While she had not really expected the bard to be lying in wait on the bed, she had at least hoped that Gabrielle would be sitting at the fireplace scribbling in her scrolls. But the suite was empty and the Conqueror allowed her eyes to sweep through the room again as if she had somehow missed something. The joy she felt was suddenly gone and she rushed through into the bathing area, hoping to find the girl there. But the place was empty, minus the bard and her possessions.

"Where is she?" the Empress asked in a cold voice, her eyes glowering at the man hovering in the doorway.

"I don't know Empress," Archius was honest. "When we received word of your imminent return I dispatched a messenger. He returned a week ago with word that the bard was on her way. We have heard nothing since."

"Hades," the Conqueror screamed pounding her fist into a nearby wall. The man flinched at the smacking sound of flesh against stone. From across the room he could see the boiling anger in the Empress' eyes. Xena could barely contain her rage. "What happened?"

"We don't know," Archius conceded. "We have heard nothing since."

"Has anything been done?"

"We sent a message to General Rufus requesting his help but we have heard nothing," Archius was explaining when he was suddenly interrupted.

"That is because I hurried to the Capital to inform the Empress in person," General Rufus announced striding into the room. He paused as all eyes turned to him and he made a grand show of bowing before the Conqueror.

"What news have you brought?" Archius spoke before Xena found her voice. He was suspicious of the General, a man whom he did not like.

"It is not pleasant, I am sorry to say," the man straightened up and stared directly at the Empress, ignoring the smaller man. "Not long ago it came to my attention that a plot was being hatched against the Conqueror's army. A band of rebels were gathering with the intention of attacking my garrison near Amphipolis."

He paused and glanced at the Conqueror aware of how her eyes had narrowed into small slits. He swallowed, wetting his throat aware that he had come to the point where he could continue with his plan or back out. He choose to continue on his path.

"Fortunately we were able to prevent the attack from occurring and in fact were able to round up most of the leaders. We imprisoned and interrogated them to learn the extent of the plot. Unfortunately we weren't able to gather up all the instigators."

"What has this to do with Gabrielle?" Xena asked tersely growing impatient.

"In the midst of the interrogation one of the leaders confessed that Gabrielle the Bard from Potedaia was also one of their group. He said that she had used her intimate knowledge of you to pass vital information to them. She was their spy."

Liar, Xena wanted to scream as her emotions raged out of control. She stared intently at the man and watched as he shifted nervously on his feet. She did not entirely believe his story. She didn't want to believe his story. She didn't want to acknowledge that Gabrielle had betrayed her like everyone else.

"I wish to speak with this prisoner," she said instead becoming once more the cold Conqueror everyone knew.

"I'm sorry My Empress," Rufus lowered his eyes unable to meet the woman's icy gaze. "The man was weak and though we would have saved him for your return, we were uncertain of when that would be. He died during our interrogation."

How very convenient, Archius thought coldly as he glanced from the soldier to the Empress. He could see by the expression on her face that she did not entirely believe the General. Of that he was relieved, but there was something else that caught his attention.

"You could speak with your brother, I'm sure he would tell you the truth."

"Why?" the Conqueror's eyes narrowed into thin slits.

The General glanced at the aide and raised his eyebrows speculatively. "Didn't Archius tell you? Toris was one of the rebel leaders."

There was silence and Archius glanced at the Empress. He had hoped to break the news more gently. Now he could see that the Conqueror was struggling with her own emotions, fighting not to give reign to her anger.

"What did you do to him?" the Empress wanted to know, her body tense.

"He was released, unharmed as per your directive."

There was silence as the Conqueror contemplated what she had heard. His words had confirmed what she had suspected for a long time. Toris' association with the rebels only served to confirm the extent of his hatred towards her. More troubling was the bard's association to the group.

"Empress?" the aide prompted aware that the silence had begun to lengthen. He watched as deadly pale eyes looked across at him. "Is there anything you would like me to do?"

"No, I am tired," she admitted in a calm and cool voice. She turned away from them. "I am sure I will think of something once I've had some rest. Leave me."

"Yes, Empress," the small man said before bowing and then backing up towards the door. He cast a hostile glance at the General who did not move.

"You want something Rufus?" there was a hint of steel in the voice as the Conqueror addressed the man. She did not bother turning around.

"I just wanted to thank you for the great honour you have bestowed on me," he said choosing his words carefully. "I have every intention of serving you with the greatest dedication and loyalty."

"I'm sure you will," she replied aware that he could not see the feral grin that decorated her lips. She waited to hear the click of the door and knew that she was finally alone.

Xena stood for a moment allowing her rage to remain in control. She berated herself for being such a fool. She should have learned her lesson already, yet she had still allowed the girl to get close. She swore it would never happen.

She took a deep breath and wandered across to the balcony, pausing to stare out over the Palace grounds and the city. It felt like her whole life was starting to disappear. With a sigh she returned to the bed chambers and began to undress.

Belaus slipped discreetly into her masters' chambers and covertly watched as the Empress started to undo the buckles of her armour. She saw the cold expression on her face and the icy chips of blue that were her eyes. She had seen the eager anticipation that had accompanied her arrival and had cowardly hidden while the truth had been revealed. She was hesitant to speak afraid to suffer the wrath of the Conqueror if she took exception to the interference. She swallowed to dampen her throat and spoke anyway.

"Empress?"

Xena looked up and stared at the servant girl, pinning her to the spot. She was in no mood to deal with any trivial matters.

"What?" the single word came out as a growl.

Belaus took a deep breath. "I fear something tragic may have befallen Miss Gabrielle." She paused aware of how one dark eyebrow arched and pale blue eyes narrowed. "I know she would not have left you otherwise."

"You are a child, you know nothing of people's minds," the Empress scoffed in a cold voice.

"No, but I know of their hearts and Miss Gabrielle's heart was filled with you," the servant found the courage to continue when the Conqueror remained unconvinced. "When we were together, she spoke of nothing but you. When you left she was filled with sadness. Upon her own departure she assured us of her return. She said that not even Caesar's army would be able to stop her from returning to your side."

The girl paused again to catch her breath. "In the time she has known you, has she ever lied or made a promise she hasn't kept? I fear something or someone is keeping her away otherwise she would be here with you."

Xena stared at the girl. She wanted to believe what this servant was saying. More then anything she wanted to believe, and then suddenly it struck her that Gabrielle could be in danger. Perhaps someone had learned of their relationship and was now holding the bard hostage. The thought made her grow angry, yet she still could not dismiss General Rufus' claims.

"Call Archius," the Conqueror bade in an uneven voice. The servant girl nodded and hurried towards the door but was halted by the Empress.

"Why do you care if anything has happened to her?" Xena asked in a softer voice.

"Perhaps for the same reason you do," Belaus dared to reply, lowering her eyes. "At first I cared nothing, thinking that like the others she would be here only a short time. But the longer it became the more it became impossible to dislike her. She is kind and warm and the love in her heart reflects on all of us. She is a good person."

"Yes," Xena nodded with a crooked smile, her voice gruff to hide the emotions she felt. "She does grow on a person, its hard not to like her. Now go fetch Archius."

The girl scrambled out of the room as the Empress watched, her heart beginning to pound rapidly in her chest. She would not tolerate anyone laying a hand on her bard. If someone were keeping them apart then they would pay dearly with their own lives.

"You summoned, My Empress," Archius said after being invited into the room. He was surprised at being recalled though it was in the Conqueror's nature to be unpredictable.

"Inform my escort to be prepared to leave again at the dawn. Tonight we will rest and tomorrow we will journey to Potedaia."

"Yes, my Empress," the man nodded suppressing his desire to smile. He was pleased to know that the Conqueror had not taken the General's word without question. "What do you wish me to do with the General?"

"I want him to come with me," Xena replied in a cool voice. "I don't want him hanging around here to cause more trouble."

"Yes, My Empress," this time Archius did smile.



Chapter 7



Though her imprisonment was probably better then most, Gabrielle was still miserable. Her captors, or hosts as they liked to refer to themselves, had locked her into a cool, dark cell but had provided enough blankets and candles to keep the place warm and lit. Three times a day they brought her a meal tray, sometimes it consisted of bread and stew, but most often it was a bowl of thick, bland grain cereal that when cold was hard to swallow.

No, it wasn't the way they were treating her that was the source for her misery. In the three days since they had been imprisoned, she had received no visitors. All she saw were the jail guards, who only stayed long enough to deliver her meal before scurrying away. More than once she had tried to engage them in a conversation but either they weren't interested in talking or they had been ordered not to. A smile tipped the corners of her lips. Their aloofness didn't stop them from listening at night when she told herself stories to stave off the loneliness and boredom that threatened to make her crazy.

She sighed and drew her knees into the circle of her arms. She had not seen Joshua since the morning when they had been brought into the Amazon village. Their guards had left them alone for only a moment, allowing them a brief opportunity to talk before they had been separated.

"Gabrielle, whatever you do, don't tell them of your association with the Conqueror," the soldier's words had been an urgent plea.

"Why?" she had wanted to know.

"The Empress and the Amazon's are mortal enemies," he replied glancing fugitively around the courtyard where they had been taken, afraid of being overheard. "Silence may mean our lives."

Gabrielle had nodded, though she wasn't certain she understood any of it. Now she closed her eyes as tears threatened to fall. She didn't want to hide the truth but she was very aware of the danger. Oh Xena, I wish you were here, she lamented softly to herself, not allowing herself to think of the Conqueror, aware of the heartache it caused.



Eponin glanced at Solari who in turn glanced at the head table where the Council of Elders sat. It was a tense time in the Nation's history. Without an acting Queen and with the mask's succession in doubt it had been left to the Elders to handle all the decisions for the Nation. The Weapon's Master knew they were waiting for her response.

"The man is definitely a soldier," she conceded thinking of the confession they had extracted from one of their prisoners. "He was attached to the garrison under the command of General Rufus. The camp is not more then two days ride from here, near the village of Amphipolis."

"He should be put to death and we should immediately send an armed party to attack the army camp," Velaska said, expressing an opinion that was popular amongst her sister's. "I say we not waste any more time."

"Sit down Velaska!" Lesta, the Chief Elder barked rubbing her temple in an attempt to ease the tension that was building there. She turned her attention back to the tall brown haired warrior. "Did he say who had ordered the attack?"

"His troop was ordered to attack the Amazon's by their Commander," Eponin replied. "They had been instructed to look like bandits and kill as many as they could."

"This means war," Velaska shouted, starting a roar amongst the other warriors present.

"Sit down Velaska!" Lesta commanded through clenched teeth, remembering why she had never wanted to challenge for the Queen's mask. It was just to much work dealing with Amazon politics.

"What about the other two?" the Elder continued as if their conversation hadn't been interrupted.

"He did not know the man but I am certain he is also a soldier," the Weapon's Master confided her suspicion. "He has the bearing of a soldier, and his clothes and weapon's are suspiciously absent of any markings or insignia."

"A spy, planted here by the Empress herself!" Velaska interjected and both the other women glared at her before continuing with their discussion.

"And the girl?"

"A bard, I think, though we have not yet spoken with her," Eponin confessed sheepishly. The interrogation of their prisoners had been delayed because of the funeral rites and mourning rituals for their Queen and Princess. It had only been yesterday before they had been able to question their captives.

"Then perhaps it is time to talk with her and find out her story," the Elder decided with a chagrined expression. "Bring her here where we might all have a chance to hear what she has to say."

Eponin nodded and ducked out of the Council Chambers. She thought about the girl she had been sent to fetch. The young woman had been a model prisoner, suffering the solitude of her cell by telling stories to herself. This of course delighted her guards and she had been forced to settle more than one argument that had resulted between them. Privately she thought that keeping the woman locked up was a mistake but then it wasn't her decision.

She sighed. The tension in the Amazon village was almost visible. Without a Queen or a living Princess the mask's orderly succession was in doubt and open to numerous claims by any number of hopefuls. It could prove disastrous for the Nation, who might splinter apart under the pressure. The only hope lay with Ephiny who might be able to supply some answers.

The Weapon's Master gripped her staff more tightly as she thought about her friend. The warrior had lain close to death, her body ravaged by an infection from her wound, and only last night had the fever broken. The healers had all but given up hope and were now elated and casting predictions that she would awaken at any time.

"The sooner the better," Eponin muttered to herself as she trudged across the courtyard to the jail. Perhaps once the truth was known then Velaska would let up hounding everyone. The whole Nation knew of her desire to secure the Queen's mask.

She dismissed any more thoughts of her adversary and concentrated on the task at hand. She chuckled to herself as she thought of the ordeal ahead. From what she had already seen, this woman, bard or not, was bound to give the Council an even bigger headache.



Ephiny woke slowly, allowing the fog over her brain to dissipate. Her throat felt parched and every muscle in her body ached. There was a pounding throb in her head but still she cautiously opened one eye. She suspected she was still alive with this much pain but then it was possible Hades had taken her to Tartarus. A simple glance told her she was in the healers hut back in the Amazon village.

She closed her eye again and rested for a moment, allowing her brain to refresh her memory.

She was on her way back from Anduras, with Queen Melosa and Princess Alandra, where they had completed trade negotiations with the King. They were almost home when they were attacked by a dozen bandits. There was a fight, she was stabbed and awaiting the final blow when out of nowhere a reddish blonde haired woman jumps into the fray and saves her life. Then the stranger rushes over to protect her Queen. Finally the bandits are run off and she is on a horse being cradled gently in the woman's arms.

She paused, wondering if she had forgotten anything. Nope, she didn't think so though she would have to ask Melosa. It was then that the whole truth settled over her brain. The Queen was dead and the Right of Caste had been passed down to the stranger with the strawberry blond hair. She moaned and tears sprung from the wells behind her eyes.

"She's awake," Kastra exclaimed, noticing their patient was stirring. Both healers hurried over to the cot. "Shh, you're going to be okay Ephiny, don't move, everything is okay."

"No, it's not," the Amazon warrior groaned. "Don't you see, she's our new Queen."

"Who?" both healers asked in astonishment looking at each other before turning their attention back to their patient.

"That woman," the warrior said. "The one who saved my life. I don't know her name but she has."

"Reddish blonde hair and flashing green eyes," Kastra finished describing the woman they had met on the trail. "She saved your life?"

"Yes and then she went to protect the Queen," Ephiny closed her eyes feeling the pain of loss.

"You said she is our new Queen?" Kastra intoned thoughtfully. They had been busy in the healers hut but not to busy to miss out on what was going on in the village.

"Yes, I think Queen Melosa must of thought everyone else was dead, so she passed the Right of Caste on to this strange woman."

"She didn't mention anything," the healer mused.

"She isn't likely to understand, she's not an Amazon."

"No," Kastra agreed. "I think the Council better hear this. Velaska this minute is accusing her of treachery against the Amazon's."

"We must tell them," Ephiny said and then gasp when she tried to move. The healers were immediately at her side pushing her down onto the cot.

"We will tell them, you are still to weak to move. I don't know what kind of trouble this will raise," Kastra chuckled to herself as she left the healers hut and hurried across the village to where the Council was meeting.



Initially Gabrielle had been relieved to be given her freedom. She breathed deeply, sucking the sweet fresh air of the morning into her lungs as they walked across the open courtyard. She had been fetched by the tall warrior who had explained that she was being taken to the Council chambers where the village Elders wanted to speak with her. The scenario seemed ominous and her initial euphoria gave way to trepidation, uncertain what lay ahead.

"How is my friend?" she asked concerned over Joshua's welfare. She was aware that it was her desire to help that had landed them in this predicament.

"He is fine," Eponin replied evenly.

"May I see him?" Gabrielle asked.

"That will be up to the Council to decide, but first they wish to ask you some questions," the warrior explained liking this woman despite not wanting to.

"Do you know what kind of questions?"

"No," the warrior was honest though she had a fairly good idea.

"You know, if everyone locked up everybody, who ever helped out, then no one would stop to help any more," the bard said. Now that she was able to talk to someone, she was unable to stop.

"I suppose not," Eponin conceded trying not to smile.

"No wonder you Amazon's have such a bad reputation," Gabrielle continued. "People might not want to beat you up all the time if you were a little nicer."

The warrior said nothing though she realized the girl probably had a point. They were overly suspicious, and self righteous, and sometimes downright ornery. Yeah, probably they could be more friendly towards their neighbours.

Gabrielle shut up only when they entered the large meeting hut where the Council of Elders were gathered. She sat down in a chair facing a long table of aging warriors. There were only a few others in the room.

"Hi, my name is Gabrielle," she smiled pleasantly startling the other women with her friendliness. Lesta's eyes narrowed. If their positions were reversed she was certain she wouldn't have such a sunny disposition.

"It's nice to meet you Gabrielle," Lesta nodded formally. "I wish it could have been under different circumstances."

"Yes," Gabrielle agreed. "It could have been more pleasant for all of us."

"Yes," Lesta nodded and Gabrielle sensed she was the leader of this Council. "I hear you are a bard."

"I suppose your guards told you that," she replied and the older woman shook her head, looking momentarily confused.

"Actually Eponin our Weapon's Master told us," Lesta said. "I take it you were in the midst of one of your journeys when you came upon the Amazon party."

"Yes, my friend and I were on our way to Corinth when we happened upon the fight," Gabrielle nodded. "You see a friend was expecting us. Joshua didn't want to stop or get involved but I insisted and now I'm certain our friend is gonna be really ticked off."

"I'm sure your friend will understand," the Elder said slightly caught off balance by the girl's aggressive tone. Most people would have been afraid and she glanced at the Weapon's Master who was trying to hide her smile behind a raised hand.

"You don't know this friend," the bard continued. "Anyway, I'm sure you know by now that we are completely harmless."

"Actually we were hoping you could answer some questions for us."

"Sure, though I don't know what I could possibly know that might interest you, unless it's some story," Gabrielle sighed and then quietly waited though her patience was almost at an end.

"How was it that you decided to help the Amazon's?" this was one question that the Elder had been wondering from the beginning. Gabrielle shrugged.

"It looked like your people needed the help," the bard wasn't certain what had prompted her to take the Amazon's side. She had acted on instinct.

"Did you know that the men who were attacking our Sister's were from the Conqueror's army?" Lesta asked wondering if that had motivated the intervention. She noticed the girl stiffen which made her curious. "Our Weapon's Master believes that your friend Joshua is also from the army."

"Being in the army doesn't make you a bad person," the bard defended the man. "Many men serve not out of loyalty but for the need to fill their bellies and those of their families."

"Are you his family then?"

"No," Gabrielle blushed. "We are just friends travelling together."

"And he is a member of the Conqueror's army?"

Forgive me Joshua, she pleaded but was unable to lie. "Yes."

"They are spies!" Velaska interrupted in a triumphant voice.

"We are not!" Gabrielle responded to the accusation by jumping to her feet to face the other woman, her voice almost shouting. "I was just at home in Potedaia visiting my family and he was escorting me home."

"Who are you to rate a military escort?" the Amazon warrior challenged.

"A friend," the bard replied becoming annoyed with the red haired woman. "I have made mistakes in my life and I am beginning to think that stopping to help was one of them. Now I know why nobody likes you."

Lesta bit her lower lip and tried not to smile aware that the girl's impertinence seemed to have angered the irritating warrior. She privately admired the young woman's courage. Most people would have been intimidated by the situation. Velaska stamped her foot before turning her attention to the Elders.

"I say we have talked enough. We should gather a war party and attack the military camp."

"That wouldn't be very smart," Gabrielle said without thinking. "Xena would have her whole army after you and you'd all be killed. Besides how do you know those men were from the army. I don't care what kind of monster you think she is but Xena wouldn't attack any group without provocation."

"Xena?" Velaska echoed the informal use of the Empress' name. "No one refers to the monster of Cirra as anything but the Conqueror. What are you a friend?"

"Yes," the simple word slipped out before she could close her mouth. Gabrielle realized her mistake immediately.

"They are spies," Velaska shouted and the bard was unceremoniously seized around the arms. "I say we kill them all."

Velaska's entreaty sent the rest of the Amazon's into a corresponding cheer. Lesta looked with dismay at the uproar. She was in charge but she didn't know if she could control these warriors actions. She wondered if she wanted to. If this girl was a friend of the Conqueror's then there was cause for alarm.

She looked at the bard and saw that for the first time the girl was afraid. Her green eyes were wide and round and hazy with unshed tears. It was obvious that the child regretted stopping to help which posed a problem for the Elder. She could not dismiss the fact that the girl and her escort had come to the aid of the Royal party.

"Kill, kill!" Velaska led the warrior's chant but there was another voice that rose above the others.

"If you kill her, you would be killing our new Queen," Kastra finally broke into the medley. She had slipped into the hut in the hopes of delivering this news to the council privately, but matters had been taken out of her hands. She had to shout to be heard over the noise.

"What did you say?" Eponin shouted. She was standing nearest to the door and had heard clearly what the healer had said but believed she had misunderstood. Her astonished words caused the room to grow quiet as all eyes turned to the healer who was looking calmly at the bard who had turned her eyes away.

"I said," Kastra repeated slowly in a loud voice so there would be no mistake. "You would be killing our new Queen."



***********

Xena made it to Potedaia in record time. It was midmorning when they rode into town and she watched without amusement as the villagers hurried out of her way, most of them rushing to hide in their homes. If she had not been so worried about Gabrielle she would have noticed the fear these people exhibited but today her sole concern was the bard. She came to a halt outside the smithy shed turning a steely glance on the tradesman who cowered under her gaze.

"Tell me where the bard Gabrielle's family lives?" she commanded.

"At the end of the village. The house with the flowers around the porch," the man stammered and Xena nodded curtly before clicking her heels and putting the horse in motion.

Like the rest of the village the place they approached appeared deserted. She dismounted and took the steps up to the door, beating her fist against the wood. A man with greying hair answered the summons and for a moment the two eyed each other. There didn't need to be any introductions. Xena could see reflections of her lover in this man's features. She could also see the hate he held for her.

"I want to see Gabrielle," she demanded in a cool voice.

"She's not here," Herodatus was not intimidated by this dark and forbidding warrior who was towering above him and the Conqueror almost smiled, realizing where the bard got her arrogance.

"Where is she?" the Conqueror wanted to know glancing passed the man into the house. It was sparsely furnished and an older woman and girl were huddled together at the back of the room.

"We don't know," the man said in a tight voice. "When your messenger arrived she couldn't wait to leave to go back to you. I told her that as long as she wanted to hang around with the likes of you, she wasn't welcome under my roof any more."

Xena felt her anger surge through her body. The man was insolent and normally she would have made him pay, but he was Gabrielle's father and that was the only fact that saved him. She told him as much.

"The only reason I don't pierce you now with my sword is the fact that you are Gabrielle's father and because of her I will let you live," she paused to emphasis the words. "However, if you ever do anything to hurt her I will personally deliver the punishment."

The man visibly flinched under the cold, icy gaze that was directed at him. His whole body felt chilled and for the first time he realized how foolish he had been. He tried not to show his fear but it was clearly revealed in his eyes. She gave him a feral smile and turned to her escort.

"Bring them to the village square," she said walking back to her horse with an easy stride and vaulting onto its back with graceful fluidity. "I want the whole village rounded up."

Herodatus felt a curse coming to his lips as the soldier roughly pulled him out of the house and then signalled for the other members of his family to join them. She was a monster who had spread her evil spell over his daughter. Quietly he made a promise to himself that he would make her pay.

The Conqueror remained seated on her horse in the middle of the town square as the soldiers in her escort rounded up the villagers. She allowed her eyes to idly wander over the cowering group. She could smell their fear.

"They are all here," Zenon reported once all the villagers had been herded into the main square. She said nothing for a moment and then casually clicked her heels directing her horse to circle them as her cold, blue eyes swept the group.

"It's come to my attention that a rebellion against my Realm was spawned in your village," she spoke in a loud clear voice that was laced with danger as she continued to pace her golden mare up and down in front of the townspeople. "Fortunately the plot was uncovered and the leaders were arrested." She paused to allow her words to sink in as she moved her horse forward. She could feel their eyes on her as she moved.

"Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't punish you all for harbouring these traitors?"

There was silence as no one dared to speak. Lila glanced nervously about, looking at the frightened faces of the other villagers. She knew then that Gabrielle had been right. The Conqueror would punish them all. She swallowed and then stepped forward.

"No," Hercuba pleaded grabbing at her younger daughters arm but the girl shrugged off the hand.

"No, mother, I have to do this," Lila whispered pleading for her parent to understand. She turned and stepped out of the group. When she looked up she saw the Empress was staring at her. A chill went up her spine as the icy blue eyes pierced to the very depths of her soul. She could not understand how her sister could be friends with such a cold person for she was frightened to the very core of her being..

"Who are you?" the Conqueror asked in a cool voice as she directed her horse over to where the girl stood. She could see the child's limbs were shaking.

"My name is Lila," the girl answered, her voice barely louder then a whisper.

"You have a reason why I should spare this village?" Xena asked bringing her horse to a halt and leaning against the saddle she looked down at the girl.

"Yes," Lila swallowed again and summoned her courage. She took a deep breath and continued in a rush afraid she might faint from the tension she felt. "It was Gabrielle who went to General Rufus and told him of the plot."

"She betrayed them?" Xena straightened in her saddle, her back stiffening.

"Only to save the rest of the villagers," the girl answered. "She said that if she didn't you would come and destroy us. She didn't want that to happen."

The Conqueror was silent. It made sense. Gabrielle would do something like that. In the short time they had been together the girl had proven that her loyalty lay not to the individual but to humanity as a whole. She glanced with narrowed eyes over the tense and silent group before settling back on the girl.

"How do you know these things?" Xena asked.

"I am her sister," Lila replied, her limbs were still shaking but some of the fear had receded. The Conqueror nodded and turned her attention to the hushed group of peasants.

"Gabrielle was right, I would have had my men destroy you and your village," the Empress announced in a loud and clear voice. "Her actions saved you all. I hope you repay her for her kindness." She paused. "Now I wish to find the bard so that I may thank her in person, does anyone know her whereabouts?"

There was silence for a moment and then a young man stepped forward and bowing his head he addressed the Conqueror. Xena looked down at the boy.

"Gabrielle and her friend left nine days ago. They took the road that lead to Amphipolis."

"Why would they go there?" The Conqueror's eyes narrowed, aware that it was not a direct path to the Capital..

"She has friends in the village," was the reply.

Xena's nostrils flared as a surge of emotion swelled in her heart. "What is your name?"

"Perdicus," the boy answered.

"I appreciate your help Perdicus," she withdrew a pouch of coins and tossed it at him. She turned to look over the rest of the villagers who were still huddled together. She could see the confused expressions on their faces. "You have served me well today and I will not forget that. From this day forward your village will be under my protection and it will remain that way as long as my friend Gabrielle is treated with respect and you harbour no more traitors who conspire against the Empire."

There was silence and then without another word the Empress wheeled her horse around and dug her heels into its flanks. The horse took off and soon all the villagers saw was a cloud of dust, that covered the Conqueror's hasty departure. Xena rode hard in a desperate attempt to cover as much ground as quickly as she could. There was only one overriding concern in her mind and that was to find the bard.



Chapter 8



The healer's calm announcement setting off another round of vocal protests which caused the pounding in Gabrielle's head to grow. It took Lesta a long time to finally get the room back under control. She summoned the healer forward.

"Is this true?" the Elder asked.

"Yes," Kastra confirmed. "Ephiny woke less then a candlemark ago and informed us that Queen Melosa, on her death bed, gave this young woman her Right of Caste. It appears the Queen assumed everyone else was dead."

All eyes turned to the young woman at the front. The girl blushed and looked down. Lesta was deeply troubled by the news.

"Did you accept the Right of Caste from our Queen?"

"Yes," Gabrielle sighed looking up. She was embarrassed and desperately tried to explain. "I didn't understand what she was doing but she was dying and I didn't think it would hurt anyone. It seemed to make her happy."

"Why did you not mention something to us?" the Elder wanted to know and the bard shrugged.

"I didn't think it was important."

Not important, the Elder shuddered to herself but she managed to maintain her composure. She glanced at the rest of the Council before quieting the room once again. This new revelation did indeed pose a major problem. They would have to speak with Ephiny and then consult the Amazon laws before making any kind of decision.

"We must review the matter," the Elder said in a weary voice once the room had settled down.

"Listen if this causes a problem we can make a deal. I'll give this Right of Caste thing back and in return you let my friend and me go. That way there won't be any more trouble," Gabrielle said hopefully and received a gentle smile in return.

"I'm sorry my dear but it doesn't work that way," Lesta liked this young woman for many different reasons. "Until we sort this out you will have to remain our guest."

"Guest, prisoner, it won't really matter," Gabrielle exploded, finally losing patience. She looked intently at the Elder. "If Xena finds that you are holding me she will come in here and get me."

"Then we will kill her," Velaska snorted in defiance. "That will show the whole world what the Amazon's think of the Conqueror and her bitches."

Using a tactic that she had seen Xena employ, Gabrielle calmly turned and marched right up to the to the Amazon warrior. Her composure was filled with a confidence she didn't feel. She was bluffing, hoping that Xena cared enough about her.

"You will not defeat her and if you harm me, she will certainly kill you all," her voice was quiet and deadly. "She will bring her entire army in here and hunt you down until everyone is destroyed. Right now I am the only one who can save you from annihilation."

A sombre silence greeted her words as all the Amazon's in the room quietly acknowledged the truth. They were aware of what happened to their Sisters in the North. Xena had killed their fearless leader Cyane and destroyed the entire tribe. They knew she could do the same to them.

"No harm will come to you while you are in our village," Lesta promised the girl and then motioned for Eponin to take her away. "Put her in one of the unoccupied huts and post a guard so that she is not disturbed."

The Weapon's Master nodded and then gently took Gabrielle's arm and guided her out of the room. The bard rubbed her temples in an attempt to dispel the throbbing ache that had developed. The Amazon glanced down at the smaller woman feeling a moment of compassion at her plight.

"Would you like to have a bath?"

"Could I?" Gabrielle responded instantly thinking that a wash might help her disposition.

"Yes," the older woman nodded feeling pleased that she had done something to cheer this young woman.

Gabrielle didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised when she led to a large hut with several huge bathing tubs. She watched as two muscular girls filled one of the tubs with water that had been heated in buckets over a fire in the corner of the hut. Once the tub was filled the girls hurried out of the room.

"Take your time," Eponin said. "I will ensure that you are not disturbed." There was a pause as the warrior glanced thoughtfully over her companion. "I suspect you might want to change out of those clothes. Unfortunately all we have to lend you is one of our own costumes."

"I'm sure it will be fine. Thank you," Gabrielle appreciated the gesture and the privacy and as soon as she was alone, she stripped off her clothes and jumped into the warm water. She sighed and lay back, intent on enjoying the luxury of a bath. Something which she hadn't had in a very long time.



Xena felt more uncomfortable the closer she got to Amphipolis. She had not been back to the village since Lyceus' death, after her victory over Cortese. From that day she had moved forward wanting to leave the past and it's pain behind. She felt her muscles tense aware that she would not find any friends in her home town.

As always she rode at the head of the procession into the village. It was the only way she ever travelled and today would be no different. She sat straight in her saddle unwilling to allow any one to see anything but the proud warrior and Empress that she had become. They slowed to a trot heading through the town into the main square.

People paused to stare at the unexpected sight not bothering to hide the animosity they felt. It was clearly displayed in the expressions on their faces. She could feel their hatred but it only stiffened her resolve. She did not care what these people thought. She had stopped caring a long time ago.

They rode without stoping until they reached the tavern, a place that once was so familiar. She paused to stare at it for a moment before slipping off her horse, glancing around before slowly mounting the steps.

It was the midday meal and the tavern as usual was busy and filled with commotion. Cyrene listened smugly to the noise as she worked in the kitchen preparing a meal for another guest. Business was good in spite of everything and she was happy, though she found herself thinking to often of the bard and her last visit to the Inn.

She paused and listened. Suddenly it was quiet. Too quiet. The usual noise from the tavern having faded into silence. Wiping her hands on her apron she went to investigate, uncertain of what she would find.

She stepped through in the main room and stopped short, her eyes glued to the tall raven haired figure standing in the doorway of the tavern. She was rendered speechless as she took in a sight that had once been so very familiar and now seemed so foreign. A sight she had never expected to see again.

Xena was older and larger, though her mother guessed it was the dark armour that made her look so formidable. Briefly their eyes met and she saw something that she had not expected. She thought back to what Gabrielle the bard had said.

"Leave us," the Conqueror commanded and instantly there was a rush for the door. Half eaten plates were left on the table and Cyrene watched with dismay and trepidation as the room cleared. She felt a surge of anger at her daughter.

"This is my home, you have no say here," the older woman said tightly. The Conqueror bowed her head slightly ceding to the older woman's authority but it didn't matter the room was already empty.

Xena was silent, her eyes narrowing as they studied the woman who was her mother. Cyrene looked so much as she remembered, though now her hair was grey and there were wrinkles on her face that spoke of worry and fear. The Conqueror felt a tug on her heart as she glanced around the room.

She knew how much work it took to keep and maintain the Inn. She knew how hard her mother worked and was tempted to offer the woman sanctuary away from this dismal life yet she knew in the same thought that her mother would not accept the offer. Cyrene wanted nothing from her.

"What do you want?" the older woman finally found her voice. It sounded more feeble then she had wanted so she squared her shoulders defiantly. She could not imagine what her daughter was doing here after all this time.

"I am looking for a friend," Xena said in a quiet voice. "A bard named Gabrielle. I was told that she was headed in this direction."

"She was here," Cyrene replied, masking her surprise while realizing for the first time the extent of the bard's association with her daughter. It was a startling revelation and for a brief instant she wondered if everything else the girl had said was true. "She stayed only briefly and then left again. It was perhaps seven days ago."

Xena felt her heart tremble. "She's spoken often of you. She told me she had a fondness for your nutbread."

"She is a good girl," the older woman said and then added. "At least she was."

Xena sucked in her breath aware the barb was directed right at her. Her posture automatically stiffened. It was amazing but even after all these years the woman was able to hurt her deeply by merely saying a few words.

"Gabrielle is still a good girl," Xena replied in a cool voice. "That is why she gets into trouble the way she does. She allows her heart to lead her actions."

"That's not very wise," Cyrene said quietly.

"On the contrary I think she is wiser then all of us," Xena replied and before either could say another word the door banged open and Toris rushed into the room. He ran up to his mother, his blue eyes studying her intently to make certain that she was okay.

"She's fine I haven't done anything to her," the Conqueror commented dryly and her older brother turned and looked at her. "You're looking well, what have you been doing, forming another rebel band with which to attack me?"

The man stiffened. "What do you want?"

"I only want Gabrielle," she replied softly.

"Well, she's not here and as long as she's with you she isn't welcome."

"Come, come brother, that sounds a little harsh for someone like you," she sniffed. "Perhaps though you are more like me then you want to admit."

"I am nothing like you," he spat angrily at the accusation but the Conqueror only smiled benignly.

"We are all the same, the only difference is that we have taken different paths," she said and then turned her eyes once more to her mother. She nodded her head and then turned on her heel and headed out the door. She vaulted onto her waiting horse and was about to turn away when a soft voice called out to her.

"They took the road that borders the Amazon territory," Cyrene said uncertain why she had run after her daughter to give her that information. Perhaps it was because like every mother she refused to give up hope on her child.

Xena merely nodded her head, unwilling to attempt to speak. She had felt again the tug on her heart and the unexpected pain that seeing her family again brought. She had not let herself think about it and now that the opportunity had come and gone it was nothing like she had ever expected.

There was silence and then without another word the Empress wheeled her horse around and dug her heels into its flanks. The horse took off and soon all the villagers saw was a cloud of dust, that covered the Conqueror's hasty departure. Xena rode hard in a desperate attempt to cover as much ground as quickly as she could. There was only one overriding concern in her mind and that was to find the bard.

"Amazon's," she snarled to herself instinctively knowing they played some part in this situation.



***********



"Yes, Xena, Amazon's," Ares chuckled in delight and then looked down at the mortal who was doing him a favour. He didn't particularly like this one, she was predictable and much less skilled then his Chosen, but in her heart she was a warrior who carried his blood lust. He would use her to foil Artemis and Aphrodite's plans and then his Chosen would be free of the influence of that annoying blond.



***********



Lesta glanced at her Sisters. They had a decision to make and their discussion with Ephiny hadn't cleared up the situation. If anything it had become more cloudy. To add a further complication their scouts had reported that the Conqueror was in the Region and headed in their general direction. It seemed that the bard hadn't been lying.

Gabrielle wasn't surprised when she was summoned to appear once again before the Amazon council. She had spent a long time in the bath and it had done wonders for her throbbing head. She had then washed her clothes and set them out, donning the costume that had been left in the hut for her.

She had lifted the skimpy outfit up and considered it for a long moment before deciding to wait until her own clothes were dry before dressing. She was alone and there was no need for her to wear anything other then the long linen that she had wrapped herself in after the bath. But a knock had come on the door and she had been told that the Elders requested her presence. To her dismay her clothes were still not dry and so she was forced to slip on the leather and feather costume that was there.

She nervously pulled on the hems of the small outfit, conscious of how much skin it exposed. She saw the glances she received from the other Amazon's as she followed Eponin across the yard to the hut where the Elders were meeting. Some of the looks expressed a blatant interest that made her feel uncomfortable.

"Our scouts have reported that the Conqueror is headed in our direction, so it seems that we have come to a stalemate," Lesta announced, admitting defeat, and Gabrielle had to forcibly stop herself from smiling. She was suddenly incredibly happy that Xena was coming after her.

"How can I help you?" she asked aware that was why they had summoned her to their presence.

"We are at an impasse. You say that if we don't let you go the Conqueror will come in here and destroy us, but yet we wonder what would prevent her from doing that if we let you go?"

"I would," Gabrielle said with conviction but the Elders doubted this girl had such sway over the Empress. "I would ask her to leave you alone. I would tell her that I was your guest and nothing more."

"This is ridiculous," Velaska snorted in protest, appealing to the logic of the Elders good sense. "We are all witness to the treachery and coldness of the Conqueror. Do you really think she would hold off her army from attacking us just because a bard asked her too?"

Lesta had to admit the truth in what the warrior was saying but something else was telling her to believe this young girl, who had only always told the truth. Gabrielle could see that they were unconvinced.

"The Conqueror was expecting me in Corinth," Gabrielle said keeping all emotion out of her voice, yet growing more confident with each word. "She is probably searching for me now. Do you want to anger her more then she already will be?" She paused for emphasis. "I don't think either of us want to see anybody get hurt."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"A compromise," the bard said, hoping that she wasn't being to overconfident. "I suggest a treaty."

"A treaty?" Velaska exploded incredulous. "The Conqueror respects no treaty."

"Yes, she does," Gabrielle refuted the claim staring pointedly at the Amazon warrior, before turning back to the Elders. "Besides she will respect this one if she knows that I will be representing the Amazon Nation."

"Impossible!" Velaska shouted outraged by the idea and once again she earned a wrathful glance from the bard. "Making her a representative of our Nation would make a mockery of all that we stand for."

"We may not agree with what has happened, but the truth of the matter is that we have no choice. Queen Melosa passed her Right of Caste on to Gabrielle and we must accept her decision," Lesta sighed. "I guess my next question would be, how do we go about proposing a treaty to the Conqueror?"

"Since letting me go seems to be out of the question, then I suggest you send my friend with a message to the Empress."

Lesta considered the request and judged it to be reasonable. They were in an impossible position. Their very existence could depend on what decision she now made. She glanced around the room at all the expectant faces waiting to know the outcome.

"All right," she nodded ceding to the request and ignoring the groans of discontent from those who were upset by the whole situation. "We will compose an appropriate message that will be delivered to the Conqueror by your friend. Eponin please collect our prisoner from his cell."

The Weapon's Master nodded and hastily ducked out of the hut. Gabrielle waited expectantly and a few minutes later the Amazon returned. She looked at the soldier as he entered the hut and though he seemed weary and ragged he was otherwise okay.

"Sorry, Joshua," she apologized grimly. "I should have listened to you. Next time I'll know better."

"It's all right," he could not be angry at someone who was so genuinely remorseful.

"You must speak to the Empress personally," Gabrielle said and then relayed the message that had been composed in his absence. Joshua frowned uncertain that the Conqueror would honour the girl's request. He didn't think the bard had such sway over the Empress yet he understood the gravity of the situation.

"I'll deliver the message," he nodded and turned to leave but her voice stopped him.

"Joshua," Gabrielle called and then waited until he was looking at her once more. "Tell Xena that whatever she decides I'll understand. I know that the whole is greater then its individual parts and... I'll love her always, no matter what happens."

"I'll tell her," Joshua promised, moved by her speech. Moments later he was gone, escorted from the village by a party of Amazon warrior's who were to accompany him to the border, leaving Gabrielle alone and feeling very scared.



It was late in the afternoon when Xena reached the border of Amazonia. She ordered her men to set up camp and then dispatched a messenger to General Rufus whom she had left at the army garrison near Amphipolis. She sensed the bard was in the territory and she was prepared to go in with a full army to get her out.

It was dusk when one of the soldiers guarding the perimeter of the camp signalled that someone was approaching. The Empress watched without expression as Joshua stumbled out of the trees. She strolled casually out to meet him, aware of hidden eyes watching her from the forest.

"My Empress, forgive me for failing my mission," Joshua fell to his knees in front of his Commander, accepting that he would probably be punished for his failure.

"Is Gabrielle okay?" Xena dismissed his apology concerned only for the small woman.

"Yes, she is being treated fairly," the man nodded but his expression did not give her any comfort. She felt a mixture of fear and relief.

"Tell me what you have to say."

Without interruption Joshua related the events that preceded this meeting and then passed along the message that the young bard had given him. The Conqueror wore the stoic mask that was almost a permanent part of her features.

Xena stood very still, uncertain how to handle the situation. In the past she would have marched her army in and destroyed the Amazon's, however, now she had Gabrielle to think about. She didn't want any harm to come to the girl. She clasped her hand on the man's shoulder and motioned him to rise. Her next words ensured the soldiers' loyalty forever.

"You did not fail. I thank you for staying by her side and being her friend. Now go get some food and some rest. When I am ready I shall need you to return to the Amazon's with my reply."

"Yes, your Majesty," the soldier bowed his head and then walked over to the centre of the camp were a fire was burning. Xena remained rooted to the spot, her pale blue eyes staring at the distant tree line, aware that someone was staring back.

She thought about what the bard had said, but Xena wondered if the young woman would really understand if she sent her army in to take over the Amazon's. If Gabrielle somehow survived, she didn't think the bard would still want to be apart of her life and suddenly it was very important that she not lose the girl. That meant there was only one decision she could make.

It was dawn when a lone soldier made his way back into Amazon territory. Eponin watched trying to ignore the awful feeling twisting inside her gut. It had been two days since they had sent the message requesting a meeting. Two tense days of waiting and watching as General Rufus and elements of his army arrived in the area.

Several times she had been tempted to send word back to the village of what was going on but she believed in the young woman and had done nothing. Now, she strongly suspected that the soldier was returning with an ultimatum.

"I need to speak with Gabrielle and your leaders," Joshua said in greeting and the Weapon's Master nodded in understanding.

She left a good portion of her warriors at the border, standing on alert for an attack and personally escorted the soldier back to the village. Gabrielle was fetched while the Amazon's quickly assembled in the Council hut.

"The Empress agrees to meet with you," he said and then glanced at the bard. "She insists that Gabrielle be present at the meeting."

"Tell the Conqueror we will meet tomorrow at midday in the clearing at the edge of the border," Lesta spoke for the whole Council. "Tell her that if she makes any attempt to snatch her friend and harm us, we will kill her woman."

"Yes," the soldier nodded and was immediately escorted back out.

"What are you going to say to the Conqueror?" Velaska asked challenging the Elder. There was silence as Lesta debated her answer.

"If I may, I think I would suggest that the Amazon's would be willing to swear allegiance to the Empress and in return for that have her swear to leave the Amazon's in peace," Gabrielle broke the silence. All eyes focused on her for a moment and she was glad she was back in her own clothes again.

The Council was quiet as they debated the matter. None of them were certain a treaty like that would ever be ratified by either side, though in principle it was appealing to the older Amazon's who had seen enough war to last the rest of their lifetimes.

"I doubt the Conqueror would go for such a treaty," Lesta admitted her reservations, voicing an overriding opinion. "She has long considered the Amazon's a thorn in her side. For many of us it will be too hard to forget or forgive what she did to our Sisters in the North."

"Then you must find something that will make the idea appealing," Gabrielle said soberly. "As for the past, perhaps she feels remorse. After all she has left you alone when she was conquered so many others."

"I'm not certain the Conqueror will accept any treaty we propose regardless of the circumstances," Lesta sighed admitting the truth. "As you say she has the resources to come in here and destroy us whenever she wants."

"Then protect yourself," the bard made a bold decision. "Make me your Queen and then if Xena destroys the Amazon Nation she will also destroy me."

"Are you so certain that will make a difference?" the older woman asked bluntly, marvelling at the young woman who was so confident in her hold over the Empress.

"No," Gabrielle was honest briefly revealing her fears. "But it's the only hope you have."

There was a loud roar among the assembled as the Elders quietly conferred amongst themselves. Finally Lesta held out her arms, and quietening everyone down, before turning to the bard. They were taking a huge risk in putting their faith in this girl but they were slowly learning that they could trust her. Besides they had no other choice.

"As this was what Melosa wanted we will anoint you Queen of the Amazon's."

"Then I challenge the mask," Velaska stepped forward making her intentions known. Though the bard was unfamiliar with Amazon law or tradition she instinctively knew that a challenge wasn't a good thing. She looked at the red haired warrior and then at the Council for explanation.

"Velaska is challenging your claim to be Queen. It is every Amazon's right to issue a challenge and it involves a fight in which either the Queen retains her mask or a new Queen is crowned," Lesta explained.

"Then I accept the challenge," Gabrielle squared her shoulders and faced the Amazon warrior. "However I suggest we put it off until this matter with the Conqueror is settled. If you kill me now nothing will stop her from destroying you."

"And what about after?" the older Amazon was suddenly worried about this new complication.

"I will ensure that the treaty is honoured."

"All right," Lesta nodded and looked at Velaska. "Is that agreeable with you?"

"It makes no matter to me when I kill her," the Amazon said with a malicious smile and a shiver raced down the bard's spine.

Gabrielle hoped that the situation would work itself out and that she would not have to face this arrogant Amazon in battle. She was not skilled and would no doubt lose any contest between them. She desperately hoped that Xena would have some other solution.

"I can't see why anyone would want to be Queen if they have to deal with this all the time," Gabrielle muttered later as Eponin escorted her back to her hut.

"It's not always like this," the Amazon warrior defended her sisters.

Gabrielle gave her a cynical look, rolling her eyes and snorting. "Yah, right, Amazon's."



Xena waited in the camp until the Amazon's appeared at the edge of the forest before mounting her own horse and riding out to meet them. She had selected a small contingent of soldiers to accompany her including General Rufus and his Lieutenant Argus. She had chosen Joshua and Zenon to ride at her side.

Her eyes scanned the tree line as the warrior inside herself began to rise. You are being a fool, she chided herself. She knew that there were probably a hundred Amazon arrows pointed at her heart this very instant. But she felt no fear, only a cold calculation of the strategy her opponents would use against any attack she launched.

She reached the midpoint of the plain and reigned in the horse and waited. It was while she was mentally reviewing the various tactical options of her army that she noticed the mounted party of five Amazon's begin to move towards them. Her eyes narrowed as she searched for Gabrielle's familiar face and then with relief found it amongst the group. Her eyes became pale slits when she noticed the bard dressed in an Amazon costume.

For a moment all her doubts about the girl surfaced and threatened to consume her rational mind. Even though she knew Rufus to be a liar there were still seeds of distrust festering in her heart. She had been betrayed before and it was hard not to forget that.

General Rufus watched the Conqueror closely. He could not be more delighted by how things were turning in his favour. This little matter was allowing the Conqueror to play right into his hands. He glanced at Argus and then over his shoulder to the army that stood ready and waiting. With one signal they would attack. He would wait until the moment was right.

The Amazon's came to a halt a short distance away and on instinct Xena kneed her horse to cross the rest of the space until she came alongside the bards mount. Her eyes were intently focused on the girl as if searching for any clue that she had been abused or mistreated. Gabrielle flushed under the intense scrutiny. She felt almost naked in the Amazon costume that she had donned for this occasion.

"What's with the outfit?" the Conqueror spoke first and the bard flush deepened.

"I've sort of been made the Amazon Queen," the smaller woman admitted with embarrassment.

"Oh?" Xena's eyebrows raised questioningly. "Do you want to tell me how that happened?"

"It's a long story," the girl admitted shyly.

"I've got time," the Conqueror drawled not caring what the others thought.

Gabrielle immediately launched into the tale. It was generally the same story as Joshua had told but with more of the flowery details that came naturally to the bard. She noticed the way Xena was keenly observing her companions and their surroundings. She could feel the Conqueror's tension radiate outwards. Finally she fell silent, having ended her story.

"So what do the Amazon's want?" the Empress asked in a bored tone, looking past the bard to her companions.

"We want to propose a peace treaty," Gabrielle took a deep breath before speaking. It had taken her along time to convince them that she had to be their spokesman if the plan was to work. The Empress' eyes narrowed and her mind started to calculate what was happening. "The Amazon's will swear allegiance to you in exchange for the promise that their territory not be invaded by your armies."

"You can't be serious?" the Conqueror asked in an amused tone though there was no humour on her face. Gabrielle flinched at the coldness she saw. "Why should I sign a treaty when my army could march in here and destroy this whole nation if I so desired?"

"Because you would destroy them as a nation but not as a people," Gabrielle responded quietly. "They would forever be your enemy."

"They are already my enemy," Xena replied coldly.

"Who are now willing to forget about the past and become your friend," the bard persisted. There was silence as the Conqueror studied the smaller woman.

"Are you turning against me?"

"I would never betray you," Gabrielle replied quickly feeling a shiver race up her spine at the coldness in the woman's voice. "More then anything I want to be at your side, however, the Gods have conspired to put me in an impossible situation. I didn't ask for the Right of Caste but unwittingly I accepted it and now I feel duty bound just as you do.

"I want there to be peace between us," she paused her voice trembling and pleading for the other woman to understand. "My life changed when you rescued me and now its changed again. The one thing that hasn't changed is the way I feel about you. What I said before still goes."

Xena was silent, her heart pounding so loudly she thought it would explode. She gave away none of those feelings but only idly glanced about at the tense faces that were watching her. The Conqueror knew she could not appear weak.

"I still see no purpose in a treaty," she said her mind already working on a solution. "It has no incentive for me."

"Would you reconsider if the Amazon's agreed to provide protection for your Eastern borders. The tribes from Chin are always encroaching on your Realm," Gabrielle offered, remembering what she had learned from Archius while studying with him at the Palace. "The Amazon's would provide a sufficient number of warriors to help protect the border."

The Empress took a long time considering the offer. She was hard pressed not to smile, aware that Gabrielle was helping her out of a difficult situation. She would not have been able to agree to a mere pledge of allegiance. For a brief instant she allowed a seductive smile to play at the corners of her lips. It was a smile reserved only for the bard.

"That sounds like a good start," she glanced at the other Amazon's who nodded their approval. Gabrielle smiled.

"It seems then we have a treaty."

"No," Velaska shouted. She had been holding her tongue too long. She could no longer stomach the situation. Immediately the Conqueror was on her guard. "What about the murders of Princess Alandra and Queen Melosa? We cannot allow their deaths to remain unavenged."

"What is this that you accuse me of? I only just returned from the North. I gave no order to attack," the Conqueror was seething with barely controlled anger.

"Are you saying that your own troops would lie?" Velaska accused and motioned for her comrades to bring forward the soldier they had captured. "He confessed to being ordered to attack and kill our Queen."

The Conqueror kept a tight reign on her emotions. She glanced at Gabrielle, seeing the tears and feeling her pain. She knew only Rufus would be so bold as to order an attack of the Amazon's without her consent.

"Rufus!" she growled without turning to look at the man and then watched as the bard's eyes grew round with horror.

Instinctively she ducked but the edge of his blade caught her bicep and opened a wound as she slipped from her saddle. The General wheeled his horse around and charged back towards the lines of troops. Xena recovered her balance quickly and in one motion vaulted onto the back of her mare.

"You insolent bastard," she sneered and let out her battle cry, wheeling her horse around and charging after the General who had signalled the troops to advance. Before she had a chance to catch the traitor he was swallowed up by the advancing army.

"No!" she screamed bringing her sword down upon the charging men in an attempt to halt the advance.

"For the Queen," Velaska roared and held her sword high before charging into the fray.

"Damn," Gabrielle swore as yelling Amazon's poured out of the forest. Before anyone could stop them they engaged the enemy and a full scale battle ensued.

"No! We must stop them," the bard cried afraid that everything was ruined. Without thought she jumped down from her horse and entered the fray in a desperate attempt to separate the combatants.

It took a short while but the Conqueror's army finally began to realize they had been dubbed. General Rufus began to panic as men began to stop fighting and withdraw, aware that the Conqueror was fighting with the other side. He glanced around and noticed the bard. She was in the middle of the battle and he allowed a feral smile to cross his lips. If he could not defeat the Conqueror he would destroy what she held to be more important that anything else.

He roared and headed in a straight path together the blonde woman, swinging his sword wildly. Gabrielle was aware almost to late that the attack on her was personal. She managed to lift her staff enough to deflect the mortal wound but it wasn't enough to prevent the blade from slicing into her shoulder.

She staggered under the pain but managed to right herself in time to deflect a second blow summoning all her strength to push him off the horse. Rufus hit the ground with a curse and rolled to his feet, his sword still in hand.

"You will die," he snarled and lunged at her. Gabrielle tried to fight him off but she was weakened from the loss of blood that was pouring out of the wound in her shoulder. He swung his blade and knocked the staff from her hands before returning the swing, the tip of the blade slicing through the bare skin of her belly.

Gabrielle clutched at her stomach and staggered backwards, to shocked to register the pain. She looked up at the General in front of her with wide eyes not understanding the hate she saw in the depths of his soul. She stumbled to her knees and looking up she saw him smile as he raised his sword for the final blow.

Xena glanced over the field in time to see General Rufus attack the bard. The rage in her soul boiled over and she charged through the battle, swinging her sword in a deadly arch to clear a path before her. She reached the girl's side just in time to thrust her sword in front of the General's and stop the fatal blow. With all her strength she pushed him back.

"You are a coward, like all the rest, desiring to steal what you, yourself cannot earn," the Conqueror snarled, waving her sword in a deadly dance before his eyes.

"You have gone soft over a bitch who gives her loyalty to whomever is kind," he sneered with contempt and the cold gaze in the blue eyes became ice chips.

"For that you will die," she screamed and lunged.

The General was no match for the enraged Conqueror as she parried and thrust. Gabrielle sat on the ground watching the fight unaware that the battle around them was ceasing as all warriors paused to watch the outcome of this titanic struggle. She felt a sticky wetness run through her fingers and she glanced down to see that her hands were covered in blood.

Xena did not toy with her opponent. She knew his weakness and waited patiently for it to show itself and it did very quickly. He overextended a swing leaving an opening which she utilised, driving her sword forward into his side and then jumping back before he could retaliate. Rufus glanced down almost in shock at the blood that began to pour from his body. He looked up at the Conqueror with almost childlike wonderment.

"Did you really think you could defeat me?" she asked in a cold voice before lunging forward and driving the sword deep into his stomach. She withdrew the blade as he slumped to his knees and swung the sword, severing his head from his body with one powerful stroke. She stood for only an instant over his body before turning and falling to her knees beside the bard.

"You will be all right," she gently lifted the girl into her arms, cradling her tightly as she carried her away from the fighting before laying her back on the ground.

"It looks like you rescued me again. Thank you," Gabrielle said with a laboured breath.

"I should have done a better job," Xena said through clenched teeth as she carefully lifted the bard's fingers away from the wound so she could examine it. "Does it hurt?"

"Like Hades," the bard tried to smile. She could see her friend's worried expression. "Am I going to die?"

"Not if I can help it," the Conqueror said in a terse voice. She reached out and stroked the young girl's face. "Hang on."

"I love you," Gabrielle whispered needing to tell this woman the depth of her feelings.

"I know," the Empress said softly and squeezed her hand in reassure. "Don't worry I will be back."

"Xena," the bard whispered as the tall warrior made to move away.

"What my bard?" Xena could feel her heart breaking at the sight of her love in such agony. She watched as the girl fumbled with a small pouch that was strung around her neck.

"I bought this for you," she held out the tiny bag and the Conqueror stared at the gift for a long moment before taking hold of it. Her nostrils flared. Without another word the Empress turned and hurried away.

Argus ordered the army to retreat. He had seen the Conqueror defeat Rufus and thought now of only to save his own skin. The Amazon warriors did not follow, happy to have escaped the confrontation without to many losses. They watched the Conqueror rise from her position beside the wounded Queen, aware of the tense expression on her face.

"Gabrielle has been injured, she needs a healer," the Empress snarled at the Amazon's and Kastra immediately rushed to aid her fallen sister.

Xena turned to face Argus aware that she had to finish what had been started this day. The Lieutenant met her gaze, seeing blue eyes that were almost pale. A chill raced up his spine. Rufus had made them believe that the bard had made the Conqueror softer but she had actually made her stronger. He had seen the easy way she had dispatched the General and he was not prepared to die this day.

She watched as the soldier cast down his sword and knelt in front of her. She knew he was capitulating to her mastery yet she despised him for it. Any leader who was willing to lead his men to death but was unwilling to face the same debt, was no leader in her eyes. She would have liked to kill him but she saw a greater purpose in keeping him alive.

"I am turning you over to the Amazon's to be tried for the murders of their Queen and Princess," she announced stunning everyone who was listening. The Conqueror turned to the Amazon's and nodding Eponin motioned her warriors to take him prisoner. She turned and looked over to where the bard was carefully being lifted onto a litter. The lust of battle was still pounding in her veins.

"We will ensure that she recovers," Lesta said quietly drawing the Empress' attention. Xena turned to look at the older woman.

"As it will take your scribes a few days to compose a treaty, I suggest we meet again three days hence in the Amazon village at midday," the Empress said in a curt voice. "Is that acceptable?"

"Yes," Lesta nodded speaking for the Nation. She knew after witnessing the Conqueror's power in battle, that they were at her mercy. The bard had been right, the Empress would have annihilated them as she had done their sisters in the North.

The Conqueror nodded and with a glance in Gabrielle's direction turned and strolled away, stepping over the dead bodies that littered the field. Kastra saw the forlorn expression on the bard's face as she watched the Conqueror walk away. She could see the tears in her eyes.

"Xena," Gabrielle whispered hoarsely reaching out toward the woman.

"No, dear," the healer gently patted the girl's arm, understanding better then anyone the need for this separation. "She has left you in our care. She is still tense from battle and now wants only the best care for you."

Gabrielle didn't understand. She turned her eyes towards the receding back of the Conqueror overwhelmed by the feeling that she would never see the woman again. She wanted to be with the Empress but the woman had walked away without a backwards glance.

Tears clouded her green eyes as the pain of her wounds was overshadowed by the pain in her heart. She struggled to remain alert even as sleep threatened to over take her senses, afraid that she might never awaken.

"I love you," she whispered one last time before her whole world went black.



THE END


Continued in Surrender