It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the attention that she was lavishing on him, - I do, - he admitted with a smirk, - I really do! - It was just that he wasn't at all comfortable with the essentially public nature of her pursuit ... - Well that and the fact that being chased by a woman makes me feel Zeus-be-damned uncomfortable. - admitted the blonde glumly.
Wondering where he could hide himself for a few candlemarks, he wandered across the maindeck and leaned against the mast as he continued his train of thought, - This adventure has kind of changed my mind a little on pursuit of women, - he grinned. - That disguise that Autolycus got me into sure gave me another perspective on that issue. - He shifted a little and frowned, - Which reminds me .. I still owe him for that! -
He glanced at the sun again and realised that it wouldn't be long before Nebula made her appearance on the quarterdeck, - Where, short of Hades, can I hide where she's not going to be able to find me quickly? - he wondered, still looking up. A smile brightened his face as the perfect place to conceal himself came to mind. With a lighthearted chuckle, he skipped across the deck and leapt nimbly onto the rail before scuttling with practised ease up the ratlines to the crowsnest. - That should give me a while away from her, - he decided.
When he reached the top of his climb, he swung his leg over the half barrel shaped basket and practically stepped on someone's head, "Hey!" came a gruff snarl from a voice he instantly recognised.
Frozen halfway between being inside the crowsnest and balancing on the ropes outside, he offered a hasty, "Sorry." Then added, "I didn't know that anyone was up here."
"That's the idea," came the grunted reply.
"Good idea," he agreed. "That's why I came up here." There was a moments silence between the two as Iolaus continued to remain in his somewhat precarious position, not sure whether he should just retreat or if he was welcome to remain for at least a while.
"Who ya hiding from," questioned the current occupier of his chosen refuge.
"What makes you think I want to hide?" he questioned as he let his eyes scan the deck for any sign that Nebula might be on deck yet. "Is that what you're doing?" he asked with a little laugh.
There was another silence followed by a short sigh before the answer came back, "I was looking for some place where I could be on my own and get some peace and quiet to think for a while ... away from prying eyes."
"Oh," he said softly, "I ... um ... I'll leave you alone then," he said drawing his leg back over the crowsnest rail.
The occupier thought about it for a moment before saying, "There's plenty of room for two here. You're welcome to stay." Then added almost inaudibly, "At least you won't be able to tell anyone where I am if you're here too."
Iolaus grinned and nimbly scampered up the ropes and into the wooden basket, settling down on the opposite side of the mast from the other person, "Thanks, Xena," he said with relief .. getting a grunt in answer.
Time passed quietly with the friends lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Iolaus brought out a knife and a chunk of wood and began to work it, carving with skill as he deftly whittled away the excess wood to make the basic shape of the head and body of the doll he was fashioning.
The Warrior Princess watched silently, assessing the hunter's easy skill as he turned the wood shaving away at the shapeless block that gradually seemed to come to life under his skillful attention. Finally, she said, "You never told me who you were hiding from."
Without looking up from where he was shaping the outline of a hand he replied, "I never said I was hiding."
Arching an eyebrow at him and fixing him with an insistent 'look', Xena just waited until the smaller man looked up, uncomfortable under her pointed scrutiny. "Oh all right," he muttered. "Nebula's got this ... 'thing' for me and she's been chasing me around for days making ... 'suggestions'!"
Xena smirked and covered her mouth with her large hand to prevent the bark of laughter escaping her. - That's choice! - she thought. - The great ladies man, Iolaus, treed by a predatory female! - She coughed to hide her mirth.
"You better not be laughing at me or I'll ..." he began.
She swung her cold eyes on him and asked chillingly, "Or you'll what?" she questioned quietly.
"Um ... nothing ... just I don't find it funny," he muttered.
She grinned and watched him set about the carving once more. It had been a long while since she'd carved, she realised. She'd picked the skill up from an old neighbour in Amphipolis when she'd still been just a kid ... and she'd practised it for many years, often carving to while the time away in the odd quiet moments of her life. "Why don't you just confront her on it?" she asked him referring to his problem with Nebula.
Iolaus shrugged dispiritedly and continued carving.
Xena gave him an exasperated look, "She's chasing .. you're running. Why not turn around and call her bluff ... become the hunter, not the hunted."
"Because I don't think it's a bluff ... that woman looks ready to eat me alive!" he complained. "Besides ... that would ruin any chance I have of ..." he blushed a vivid scarlet and clammed up.
"Ruin the chance of what?" asked the warrior innocently, guessing she already knew the answer. She'd spent another three days in bed, under the watchful care of Gabrielle, Patroclese and Sheraya, before she'd managed to slip out before dawn this morning and escape up here. However, in that time she'd been a witness to the rivalry between Iolaus, Toris and Joxer as they all vied for the attention of the bard. Joxer, being injured, was getting a lot of her company and attention, but that didn't stop the other two men from dropping into the infirmary under one pretext or another.
"Forget it," he muttered, focusing his attention firmly back on the doll he was creating.
Patting his leg in friendly sympathy, she told him, "Gabrielle doesn't expect you to be anything other than what you are."
He gave her an exasperated look, "Oh c'mon, Xena! Gabrielle has made it pretty clear she disapproves of me flirting with women. What's she gonna say if Nebula and I ... well if we ... Hades, you know! What's she gonna say then, huh? Something like, 'I like experienced men, Iolaus .. come and show me what I've been missing!"
Xena had to grin at that. - Nope! Don't think that would be the response, - she admitted silently.
He sighed again, "I know I'm too old for her ... and I know that I've got a history with a few other - ," he looked at her smirk, "Well alright, a lot of other women. But Gabrielle makes me feel different. It's like I want to protect her and keep all the menace of the world away from her. I think ... I think that ... maybe I'm in love with her," he said softly. "She's a very special person."
"Yes she is," agreed the warrior. She gave Iolaus a hard speculative look, "and I wouldn't want anyone messing with her affection ... that would make me real mad."
"Oh, Zeus! Xena," he exclaimed. "Isn't that just what I've been saying to you. Hurting Gabrielle is the last think I'd want to do .. which is why this thing with Nebula is causing me such hassle," he complained. "Being cooped up on a small ship with an amorous pirate is a nightmare." He scowled as the warrior chuckled, "It's not funny, Xena!" he growled pointedly as her chuckle deepened, "I said it's not funny!" he insisted.
"Oh c'mon Iolaus. Ya gotta see the funny side of it," she told him as her laughter subsided.
"No I don't," insisted the blonde grumpily. He looked at her sideways seeing the lopsided smile on her face, "Well maybe a little," he admitted with a reluctant grin of his own.
Silence descended once more. Iolaus went back to his carving while Xena watched. Finally curiosity got the better of her, "What are you doing?"
"Carving a doll," he stated unhelpfully.
The Warrior Princess scowled, "I can see that," she growled, "Why are you doing it?" she wanted to know.
The hunter looked up and glared at her for a moment, before snapping, "No laughing?"
"Warlords honour," she replied with a mock serious look on her face.
"Hmmmph!" snorted Iolaus. He looked up again and saw her waiting for an answer, "It's for one of the kids," he said quickly.
"Pardon?" she questioned wanting a fuller answer.
"It's for one of those slave kids that Patroclese brought on board," he answered concentrating on the doll. "Those kids have either never had any toys or, if they did, it was before they were made slaves. I thought it would be good for some of the younger ones to have something to play with ... try to teach them to be kids again."
Xena nodded her understanding and watched as her friend continued to work on the wood. After some time she pursed her lips and looked at where the sun had climbed to, - Almost a couple of candlemarks after dawn, - she estimated. - Any time now. - she guessed.
Right on cue she heard the yell full of angry frustration, "XENA! Where in Tartarus are you! YOU PROMISED!"
Grinning she slipped a sharp dagger out from her boot and asked casually, "You wouldn't happen to have any more of that wood on ya, would ya?"
"That Gabrielle?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Sounds like it," agreed the warrior with a gleam in her eye that was somewhere between childish glee and mischievous fun.
"She gonna be mad?"
"Almost certainly," agreed Xena cheerfully, feeling ridiculously happy at having given her friend and medical watchdogs the slip. It started to heal her trust in her own battered abilities, knowing that she was able to slip out of the cabin without disturbing anyone there, or anyone else on board the ship either ... including the Amazon watch.
"Oh great," muttered Iolaus moodily as he shuffled in his waist band for another piece of wood.
"We both have reasons to ... keep our whereabouts quiet, then," she grinned, settling down to work on the thinner piece of wood.
Poking him sharply in the ribs, she demanded, "Where'd Xena go?" as soon as he blearily focussed his attention on her.
"She's not here?" he asked, a trifle sleep-bemused.
"Of course she's not there, Patroclese! I wouldn't be asking if she was, would I?" the bard snapped angrily.
"Maybe she went up on deck for some fresh air," offered the healer as he cracked a yawn. "It gets a bit stuffy in here."
"Damn it, Patroclese ... she's not fit enough to be wandering about yet! That wound's still healing and she hasn't recovered anywhere near her normal strength," fussed Gabrielle unhappily.
Patroclese shook his head and scrubbed his face hard with his hands before standing up and stretching, "C'mon, Gabrielle. She's been in that bed for six days ... did you really think you were going to get her to stay there until we got her home?" he asked logically.
The trouble was that the bard was not feeling logical, "She's still not well. Just yesterday she was showing signs of a fever," she pointed out.
"Which disappeared by lunch time," reminded Patroclese, peering over her shoulder for some help from Sheraya.
"Don't look at me," the Amazon held up her hands to fend him off, "I told her yesterday that Xena needed to get some light exercise before she started chewing her way through the hull."
"You also said that she wasn't anywhere near fully recovered," Gabrielle reminded her pointedly.
"That's true," admitted Sheraya calmly, "but I also remember telling you that light exercise would benefit her recovery now."
"And I responded, if I remember correctly, that Xena has no conception of what light exercise is when it comes to herself," snarled the bard testily.
"You could have escorted her and kept an eye on her, my Queen," pointed out the Amazon healer.
The honey blonde had no good answer for that and whirled back towards Patroclese, "And you ... you were supposed to be watching over the patients, not falling asleep ... what's your excuse?" she demanded belligerently.
The Roman healer shrugged and grinned in a self-deprecating manner, "What can I say. I got tired; I took a nap."
Gabrielle wanted to hit him. - Don't they understand that Xena isn't like other people? Unless I make sure that she rests, she pushes herself to her limits before she's well enough to do it. Well not this time! I've just got her back from Caesar's clutches .. I refuse to surrender her to Hades again! -
A quiet voice from Eponin's bed attracted her attention, "Gabrielle, she can't go far ... she's on a small ship. The only place with enough space for her to do weapons practice is the deck .. but I think you'll find she just wanted some air. She's probably found a quiet spot up on deck to hide out."
"Why didn't she tell me, Poni," moaned the bard her anxiety evident.
"Because she knew you would have argued with her. Honestly, Gabrielle! You've been fussing over her like a mother hen with just one chick," explained the Weapon's Master with her usual unique brand of subtlety; unique in that she totally lacked any.
The Queen of the Amazons made a strangling noise deep in her throat before she regained her composure and calmly stated, "Well thank you for all your help with this matter, ladies and gentleman. If you'll excuse me, I have a Warrior Princess ... who is in serious trouble .. to find." She tugged assertively on the hem of the tunic she was wearing to straighten the fit, turned on her heel and stiffly stalked to the door and exited the cabin.
She didn't really expect the Warrior Princess to show herself, she knew Xena of old. Sometimes the warrior got into a mule headed stubborn set and wouldn't listen to patient reasoning or logic ... - Especially if it's for her own good! - she silently moaned. "XENA! THIS IS NOT FUNNY! COME OUT AND LET'S SIT AND TALK ABOUT THIS!" she tried.
When after a couple of heartbeats no warrior appeared, - Not that I was expecting her too, - she admitted to herself. - She's doing this to goad me into tearing around this ship to try and find her. Well I'm not playing her game! - Frowning, she glared around the deck until she spotted Ephiny and about nine other Amazons hanging over the ships railing.
Intrigued, despite her anger and anxiety over Xena, Gabrielle made her way over to where her friend stood and gently rubbed her hand on the Regent's back in a comforting gesture, "Hey Eph?" she said with concern, "You okay?"
A concerted retching noise was made down along the line of Amazons before Ephiny straightened up scrubbing the back of her hand over her mouth. "I'm fine, Gabrielle. Just a little bit seasick." she answered.
The bard looked at her friend, very aware of her off-green colour as she began to feel the uncomfortable roil of her own stomach. She quickly jabbed at the pressure point that Xena had shown her and let out a shaky sigh as she felt the relief from it. Feeling substantially better she said, "Why didn't you say something? I could have shown you this pressure point thing that Xena taught me. You don't have to suffer from being seasick, you know ... just keep a careful eye on what you eat. This numbs the tastebuds, ya know." She grinned as she remembered where she'd learnt to use the method, "First time I used it I was eating raw squid."
The thought made her blanch as she recalled in vivid detail the squashy, slippery feel of the rubbery creature as she chewed enthusiastically at it. The sharp memory was enough to overcome the power of the pressure point and have the bard joining her friend in throwing up over the ship's side.
When both women had regained control of their stomachs, they looked at each other, misery plastered clearly across their faces, "Are you like this all day, Eph?" questioned the bard.
"Nah!" answered the Regent, "Only happens in the ... morning! .... Oh gods!" she whispered.
"What about the others?" asked Gabrielle in concern.
"Same thing," admitted Ephiny.
The Amazon Queen watched as a few of the ill warriors left to be replaced by others, "How many of them?" she wanted to know.
"Umm .. most," groaned the blonde, her sickness now having nothing to do with biology. She felt like crying. She felt like screaming. She wanted to die!
"I think you and the others better go talk to Sheraya," surmised the bard, "Just to make sure," she added.
Ephiny nodded in a distracted way, - Oh gods! - she raged. - I'm pregnant. I'm having that bastard's child. He raped me and I'm gonna be left with his brat! -
"Eph? ... Eph?" tried Gabrielle, knowing what must be going through her friend's mind, "EPHINY!" she yelled, finally drawing the other woman's attention. When she was sure that the Regent was paying attention she spoke slowly and clearly. "The child is yours. He has nothing to do with it except providing the seed. He's just a man and could have been any man. Forget him. Concentrate on YOUR child. Not his, but YOURS!"
The blonde Amazon nodded uncertainly at what the bard was telling her. - Maybe Sheraya can give me something to get rid of it? - she thought desperately. - This can't be happening to me! - her mind wailed.
"C'mon Eph, get a grip," encouraged Gabrielle, enfolding her into a warm embrace, "You can't fall apart, there's too many people who need you. I need you, dammit! Don't think of Caesar. Think of Xenan. He's going to have a little brother or sister. Hey if it's a girl, we'll have an heir ... that might help settle some of the unrest," babbled the honey blonde desperately trying to find a way to reach her friend who seemed to be in shock.
"I can't ..." murmured Ephiny, her eyes beginning to brim with tears, "Gabrielle I can't! Oh gods! Why did this have to happen. I can't have this child ... his child ... I just can't."
"C'mon Eph, we'll go and see Sheraya .. lets see if there's anything she can suggest ... maybe she'll have something to make you feel a little better so that you can think about this rationally." soothed the bard as she coaxed the Regent slowly towards the companionway that led to the cabins.
Catching sight of Malonda as she was moving across the deck with Ephiny, Gabrielle signalled the Chief Scout over and issued a few instructions about locating the absent Warrior Princess, wherever she might be on board the ship, and escorting her back to the infirmary, "I don't want any excuses from her," she told Malonda. "Just tell her I expect to see her back in her bed or else."
The bard failed to notice the malicious glare that flared in Malonda's eyes, as the Regent's panicked muttering drew her attention back to her friend at that moment. The scout really doubted that Xena was going to co-operate with the queen's instructions, which meant, if she followed the letter of the orders, she would be able to use force to carry them out. - The Queen might quibble about the outcome, but she can't dispute that her instructions gave me the licence to manhandle the Warrior Princess if she gives any indication of non-compliance! - she thought smugly. She set about rounding up her search party.
Nebula frowned distractedly. There had been no sign of Iolaus in any of his normal ship board haunts, - It appears that Curly has gone and found a place to hide from me. - That brought a grin to her face, - Well if he's taking the trouble to hide, I must be really getting to him. - The grin deepened to a toothy smile as she mused, - I wonder when he'll stop running long enough to realise that we could have a lot of fun together. - She sighed to herself at the thought of just what, and how much, fun they could have.
- Oh well, no good daydreaming about it. But when short, sweet and curly resurfaces, he and I need to have a l-o-n-g chat about ... things. - she sighed again with an almost imperceptible shiver of anticipation.
Casting her eyes over her ship, she saw Gabrielle escorting Ephiny down towards what had been her cabin, both women looking a little green around the gills. Malonda seemed to be organising some Amazon thing, as she gathered together a collection of warriors, and the deck watch seemed to be going about their business with the confidence of old hands. - Definitely need to ask some of those women if they fancy a life at sea, - she told herself.
Out of habit she swept the horizon for any sign of the Roman pursuit and was quietly pleased when she could see no other vessel within sight. The six days since they had left Ostia had been clear of any sign of Roman pursuit, but she doubted that Caesar's men would have given up that easily.
By the end of daylight, she intended to pull into a little cove close to the small port of Astakos. There she'd be dropping off four of the Amazons who, armed with a note from Xena, would make their way to the village of Tassos and collect a horse from someone called Kolianis and take it back to Amphipolis. It added a substantial amount of time to their journey, but the detour probably kept them off of the routes where they would be looked for.
A quick look at the sky to gauge the weather told her that the day was set fair for easy sailing and that she had no rough conditions setting in for at least the next few candlemarks. She smiled lazily at that as she let her eyes drift back down to the deck, - Nothing like good weather for a peaceful cruise, - she mused. Hey gaze found and stayed with the tall, raven-haired brother of the Warrior Princess. - Well, now. There's an easy sight for sore eyes, wonder if he's as much fun to play with as Iolaus? - She allowed herself a low chuckle and a contemplative sigh.
That thought brought another on its heels. - Maybe I'm going about this game the wrong way with Curly. Maybe if he thinks his .. interests are being threatened, he might stop being so backwards about coming forwards, - she mused. A gleam came into her eyes, - What can it hurt pursuing two interests? - she thought wickedly. - I surely do like a good chase, - she conceded. - But catching the prey can be fun too. - she smiled. - First I better make sure the watch rota's are set .. then we'll see if Stretch has got any of his sister's spark. -
- That time when she was five summers old and she had the fever that was plaguing everyone that spring. She was so ill and shaking so much she could barely stand! But it was Grampy's birthday, and she was determined to take him the present she had for him. - He chuckled at the memory of the pouch full of pretty stones she had painstakingly collected for him before getting ill.
- Damn little imp climbed out of her bedroom window, because she knew Mother wouldn't let her out of bed. How she managed to climb down the tree to the yard without breaking her fool neck in her condition, we never did find out. Mother was frantic when she realised that she wasn't in her room .. not that that wasn't an uncommon condition for Mother to be in, - he grinned. - Xena damned well gave her grey hairs long before her time! - He shook his head.
- It way Ly who knew where she was going. Mother, me and Lyceus scrambled out to Grampy's farm as quick as we could and sure enough the little rogue was there. Mother didn't know whether to scold her or wrap her up and cuddle her. When we found her she was drenched in sweat from the fever and shaking fit to come loose. She could have only just got there because Grampy was just opening the door. She just had time to hand the old man the pouch and wish him 'Happy birthday', when Mother swept her up in her arms. - A smile made a lopsided crease of his lips.
- Mother asked her father for a blanket and apologised for not staying and wished him a happy birthday, before bundling Xena up in the blanket and heading for home. I had to give Ly a piggy back because he'd got so tired. When we got home Mother made up a pallet for Xena in her room. There wasn't a tree outside her window and her door could be locked. Xena wasn't allowed out of that room for close on twenty days. - A speculative frown etched his brow. - That might explain why she hates being cooped up. -
He sighed and looked up towards the crowsnest, aware of the occasional shaving of wood that drifted down from there. - Always did go for the high places to hide, didn't you Xena? - he asked his rhetorical question silently. - Well it's time to get back in your bed now little sister, - he thought, - or Gabrielle just might explode. - He was trying to get the courage to climb the rigging so that he could confront his AWOL sibling. The trouble was that he wasn't confident with heights ... something that Xena had taken unfair advantage of all his life. - Some things never change, - he sighed.
Before he got the chance to act on his intentions, he felt a hand being laid upon his shoulder, "Hey stretch," husked a familiar voice. "Haven't seen you around for a while. You been hiding."
Toris tried not to tense up as Nebula moved to stand next to him, giving him a long appraising look. "I've been busy helping out in the infirmary," he reminded her neutrally. "Haven't had much time to be up on deck."
"That's a shame," smiled the pirate warmly, "a big guy like you needs room to move and fresh sea air to expand your .. horizons," she told him suggestively looking him up and down, allowing her gaze to linger just a moment longer than was comfortable on his waist and below. "Maybe you've been cooped up too long," she purred languidly.
"Lady, if you're trying to get a rise out of me, you're wasting your time," he shook his head as he spoke.
"Mister," she stepped closer to him so that he could smell the fresh sharp scent of her clear in his head, "if I was trying to get a rise out of you, you'd know it!"
As she began the line she moved her had forward with every intention of gauging his manhood, only her hand never got to the target, stopped short by a vice like grip around her wrist. She looked away from Toris into a pair of blue eyes almost the man's twin ... only these wore cold confidence like an old friend and were lit by a savage fire that were alien to the male's.
"I believe my brother declined your advances," rumbled a low menacing voice.
Nebula tried to shake the hand from her wrist but the grip remained firm and perceptibly tightened, drawing a feral grin on the warrior's face. "What?" sneered the pirate frustrated in her efforts to break Xena's hold, "Is he such a mamma's boy that he needs his sister to protect him?" - Damn, - she thought anxiously as her hand started to turn numb, - The only person I've met with strength to rival hers is Hercules, and she's not got his scruples about using it. -
"Just keep your hands off ... my family is not something to mess with ... ya got that?" growled the raven-haired woman increasing her grip until the pirate thought her bones were going to grate.
"Yeah .. yeah, sure," conceded Nebula, ready to say anything to get her arm out of the vice.
"Good," smiled Xena, although no humour could be detected in her face. "Don't go forgetting it." She released the wrist and turned away from the pirate.
Reputation is a funny thing. The Warrior Princess carried such a big one that sensible people would seriously consider playing tag with a tiger before antagonizing the ex-warlord. However others, conscious of their own reputations, deemed it a matter of pride and honour to test their metal against the Destroyer of Nations and try and take her down. Nearly every attempt had proven to be a failure .. the exceptions being when someone, like Caesar, could muster overwhelming force against her. Not for many, many years had anyone been able to best her in individual combat.
Nebula, was aware of Xena's reputed abilities, but she had a not inconsiderable reputation of her own to uphold, especially on her own turf, so to speak. If she allowed the Warrior Princess to get away with the stunt she had just pulled without at least attempting to take retribution, then she would fail herself in her own eyes.
So muttering a short prayer to the gods, she snarled, "Hey!" grabbing the warrior by the shoulder and turning her into a full fledged punch that rocked solidly into the other woman's jaw snapping her head to one side. As Xena slowly turned her head back towards her aggressor, the pirate shook out her fist wincing with pain as she realised, - By the gods! That punch should have laid out an ox! - She almost cringed at the cold flat look she was getting from the ex-warlord.
Xena allowed her eyes to bore into the pirate as she contemplated her. She could understand her reaction, it was just a question of where she should take the confrontation now. She resisted the urge to move her jaw around to see whether it was broken, she'd be damned if she'd give the captain the satisfaction of seeing that her blow had hurt.
The trouble was that she wasn't really in any shape to teach the pirate the lesson she seemed to be asking for. When she'd seen Toris come on deck, she knew he'd figured out where she was to be found and was just working up the courage to make the climb. Then when Nebula had accosted him, and seemed intent on extending her game with Iolaus to her brother, she knew that she needed to take some action ... Not that Toris wasn't able to take care of himself in most situations, it was just that she was fairly certain that her sibling didn't have the right experience to deal with the pirate's brand of predatory sexuality.
As Nebula had stepped in closer to Toris, she knew she needed to act fast. So without a lot of consideration, she flipped out of the crowsnest and down to the deck with a display of her usual athleticism. - The troubles is - she realised as she landed and her body screamed at her in protest, - I'm not really ready for this stuff yet! -
However, not willing to concede her body's current frailty, her hand had darted forward and locked like a vice around the pirate's wrist. She concentrated all of her not inconsiderable, if still far from total, strength and recognised the pain in the other woman's deep brown eyes. Her own problem was keeping the screaming pain from her back out of her own eyes, and to make sure that her legs didn't shake like a jellyfish giving her true lack of condition away.
Contrary to the evidence of the action, she had been prepared for Nebula's crunching blow .. which is why she had been able to ride it enough to remain standing, probably frightening the pirate more than when she'd nearly broken her wrist with the grip of her hand. That punch, though, had taken nearly all of her final reserves of strength to resist, and she wasn't in any real condition for a rough house brawl with the dark skinned woman. - I need to end this now! But in such a way that she knows who's top dog here. -
"That's one!" she growled. "I figure I owe you that one for the damage to your wrist ... but don't make the mistake of thinking you'll get another free-shot," she smiled with that feral cast to her face that was enough to scare grown warlords and Gods of War.
Whatever Nebula would have retorted was cut off by the loud arrival of Malonda and her search team. They gathered around the Warrior Princess, tense and ready to take their cue from the Chief Scout. "The Queen instructs you to return to the infirmary immediately," the Amazon growled with a cold smirk.
Xena gave her a flat look. There was something about Malonda that made her hackles rise whenever the scout was around her. So far she had resisted the temptation to explain the realities of life to the other woman, but the time was drawing close when a little Warrior Princess chastisement for manners would need to be administered.
Before she could speak, however, Toris stepped into the breach, recognising the fact that his sister was far from being as fit as she wanted others to believe, "Actually my sister had just agreed to allow me to escort her back there. She has had enough fresh air for today, and feels that it's time to let Sheraya check her recovery progress."
Nebula almost shook her head in disbelief, - What is it with these two? They play tag team in each other's defence .. if one's hurt, does the other bleed? - She could see that the situation looked as if it could turn nasty. She had no need to be involved; after all, she'd just had a head-on clash with Xena and Malonda got right up her nose. - Yeah, but, - she told herself, - at least Xena plays by the rules. She could have stopped that punch, but she let it slide so I kept face as captain of this ship ... Malonda, well I don't think she knows what rules are. -
Coming to a decision, Nebula added her two dinars worth, "That's alright, Malonda," she purred, "We'd just finished our conversation and were heading down to the cabin." She smiled broadly, "Toris here was going to show me a real good game."
Xena cast a baleful glare in her direction as her brother coughed and muttered, "Chess .. I'm going to show her how to play chess."
"Yeah," smirked the pirate, "Chest!"
"CHESS!" barked Toris, colouring redly around his collar, "The game's called chess!"
"You call it what you want, and I'll call it what I want," she retorted unrepentantly.
The Warrior Princess glared at both of them while reserving the greater part of her ire for the Amazon. She was annoyed at Toris for interfering, she wanted to remind Nebula to keep her hands off her brother and she really wanted to use Malonda's head for a deck mop and was struggling not to do so.
Seeing the budding evidence of explosion in his sister's tense stance, Toris carefully grasped his sibling's elbow and used his strength to get her started towards the companionway. Nebula grabbed her other arm and helped partially propel the fuming warrior off the deck.
"Now is not the time to confront Malonda," she said so softly that only Xena's acute hearing would have picked up the words. "She's looking for trouble and would delight in dragging you bodily back to that cabin. Now as I don't want to see the bitch get her enjoyment, why don't you do everyone a favour and act as if this is your idea, huh?"
Considering the words, Xena knew that the pirate was right. Malonda was spoiling for a fight, and as much as she'd like to oblige her, she really wasn't up to it. Relaxing between her two escorts, she ceased her resistance and walked as though willing to return to her confinement in bed once more. However she returned a soft whisper for the pirate's ears, "I think when I'm back to fitness, you and I ought to continue our discussion of a short while ago."
Nebula looked at her with stark incredulity, "What! D'ya think I'm nuts? No way." Both women grinned and were happy to lead the strange procession down to the infirmary, followed by Malonda and her warriors.
Once back in the cabin, Gabrielle took charge and the Warrior Princess was harried back into her cot which, if she was being truthful, she slumped into with infinite relief, leaving a frustrated Chief Scout, a bewildered party of Amazons (who weren't totally sure of what was going on) and a smirking pirate and innkeeper who were contemplating the intricacies of chest ... umm, ... chess.
- Gabrielle .... you are going to pay for this! - promised the raven haired warrior as she sat and quietly fumed.
"Alright, Warrior Princess," hissed the bard, "if you aren't going to take your injuries seriously, I'll do it for you."
Xena, somewhat recklessly in the current situation, smirked at her friend as if daring her to do her worst. However, inwardly she was struggling to maintain the confident strong facade that she was presenting to hide the fact that she was exhausted and hurting like blazes from the damned fool stunt of jumping out of the crowsnest.
Gabrielle turned to the glowering Malonda, "Thank you, Malonda ... that will be all." As the Chief Scout turned to leave the Queen added, "Oh Malonda. Please have Ushanta, Ossian, Lesich and Raedwulf come down to the infirmary as soon as possible," she commanded without offering any explanation.
The injured warrior's frown darkened as she wondered just what her bard had in mind, - You're up to something, Gabrielle, - she told herself.
"Um ....," Nebula moved away from where she stood next to Toris, "I've gotta keep an eye on things up on deck," she told them reluctantly. She was beginning to enjoy the company of the good looking innkeeper, but she did have the running of her ship to see to. She smiled almost seductively at the warlord's brother, "But when I get time, I'm going to hold you to that offer to show me your chest," she said wickedly.
"Chess!" retorted Toris quickly. "It's a game called chess," he repeated, as much for the cabin's other occupants as for the pirate.
"Whatever," Nebula ginned wickedly, flashing her toothy smile, as she sauntered out the door, "Later, guys!"
Gabrielle transferred her scowl to Toris who shrugged helplessly. "She likes to joke," he told her, although he wasn't absolutely sure why he was desperate to explain his innocence in the affair. The bard continued to look blackly at him. "Ummm .... I promised I'd help Autolycus with .... er, with, um with .... whatever he's doing right now," he finished helplessly, bolting for the cabin door and exiting without a backwards glance.
"That wasn't nice, Gabrielle," protested Xena. "You're mad with me ... not my brother. Don't take this out on him."
The bard drew in a deep breath and turned her attention to her partner. She crossed over to the cot, where the Warrior Princess sat, her mind racing with all the things she wanted to scold her about. However, when she reached her side she could see the faint sheen of perspiration that beaded her friend's face and said in exasperation, "Xena, you promised!" as she laid the back of her hand against the dark fevered brow.
Shaking her head in admonishment, she pushed the stubborn warrior back against her pillows and swung her legs up onto the cot where she roughly drew the covers over the reluctant patient. "What am I supposed to do with you?" she demanded, caught somewhere between concern and anger.
"You could yell at me later," the warrior suggested with a mock pout. "I'm not well you know," she sighed insincerely.
"Oh no, Warrior Princess! You don't get off that easily," the bard retorted with annoyance. "Did you, or did you not, promise me that you would stay in bed until you were fully recovered?"
"We were under a lot of pressure, Gabrielle .... I may have said it ...." blustered the warrior, reluctant to admit the promise.
"Oh believe me, Xena, you said it," assured the honey blonde.
"Damn it, Gabrielle. You know I hate being cooped up," growled the raven-haired woman uncomfortably, knowing that she had broken her promise even if she did feel well enough to be up and about ... she also knew that she wasn't fully recovered.
"Oh. I know Xena," agreed the bard with forced amiability.
"How about we slip off the ship and go collect Argo ourselves?" asked Xena hopefully, changing the subject and trying for a chance of freedom.
Smiling sweetly at her friend as four hulking Amazon warriors came through the cabin door, the bard answered, "Not a chance, Warrior Princess. You were only up on deck a few candlemarks and you came back here exhausted. There are still bounty hunters looking for us, and you are in no condition to fight them off." She shook her head at the glare that she was getting from the icy eyes of her friend, "So we're staying on this ship for the entire journey and you are going to stay in that bed."
"Gabrielle!" protested the warrior, "I'm going crazy here. I need some fresh air. A walk on deck is good for my recovery. Sheraya told you that, and so did Patroclese."
- Damn her hearing! - snarled the bard to herself. It had been a private conversation in hushed tones while Xena had been asleep, - Well obviously she wasn't asleep or she wouldn't have heard that, would she? - Sighing, she decided to concede a point, "Yeah well maybe you do need some fresh air, once a day. But I think we'll take a couple of precautions."
"Like what?" demanded Xena suspiciously.
Gabrielle waved the four Amazons over, "Xena, these warriors are now your personal attendants." The bard grinned at the scowl that descended on her partner's face. She turned her attention to the four warriors. "Your task is to see that the my Champion remains in her bed except for a gentle walk around the deck for a candlemark each morning and again in the afternoon. You answer to no one's orders except mine, and your responsibility is to make sure that Xena does not tire herself during her recovery." She watched as the quartet nodded acceptance of their orders.
"Gabrielle," snarled the warrior patient, her voice full of simmering anger.
Ignoring her friend, the bard continued, "You will make sure that other than the two candlemarks she has for light exercise, she stays right where she is now .... oh yes, and light exercise does not include climbing, running, flips, rolls, fighting of any kind … with weapons or without. There is also to be no jumping, arm wrestling, practice kicks … in fact anything that requires more than a gentle walk or quietly sitting is out. Got it?" she demanded, looking at each of them and then at the raven-haired woman who was glaring at her.
"Yes, my Queen!" the four said in unison.
"Kill me now, Gabrielle," grumbled Xena in disgust. "I'm going to die of boredom!"
"No you won't, Xena. And it's for your own good. I know you. You always want to run before you can walk .... literally!" the bard told her.
Eponin chuckled from the next bed, "Look at it this way, Xena. As soon as you're fit enough, you can beat your 'attendants' into chopped liver. That way Gabrielle will know you're well enough to be out of the bed."
The four Amazon warriors looked at each other a bit dubiously at the thought, while Xena looked balefully at the Weapons Master, "Ya know Ep, you got a smart mouth!" she growled.
"Years of practice, Warrior Princess. Years of practice." crowed the Amazon. "The rate you're going, I'm gonna be outta here before you."
"Don't bank on it, Poni," chimed in Gabrielle. "Sheraya says you're going to need to take it easy for quite a while. So, if you start causing the same trouble as my friend here," she said tapping Xena's arm, "I'll just have to arrange some attendants to aid in your recovery, too. I'm sure there'll be plenty of willing volunteers for the job. I'm certain everyone would want to participate in ensuring your full recuperation."
The grins from the four big Amazon warriors let Eponin know that there would be no lack of volunteers for the task. She'd always been a hard taskmaster when it came to warrior training and taking care of the Weapons Master during her recovery would be perfect payback time for them.
Groaning at the thought, Poni demanded of the Warrior Princess, "Was she always like this ... or has she learned it being around you?"
"Nothing to do with me, Ep!" retorted an indignant ex-warlord. "It's being made queen by you Amazons that's done this. All that power has corrupted her."
"I've seen that happen before," admitted Eponin nodding sagely. "But people afflicted with this kind of thing usually end up getting paid back."
"And paybacks can be a bitch!" grinned Xena maliciously.
Gabrielle looked from one warrior to the other as they talked disparagingly about her, "That's right. Have your fun .... but neither of you are in any shape to do anything right now, so you will take it easy and obey the rules." She stood up and smoothed her skirt down. "Now since you both need to rest to get well, it's time for a nap for both of you."
"Gabrielle," hissed the Warrior Princess in warning.
"Hey! I haven't been anywhere," protested Eponin.
"You," the bard said, pointing her index finger at the Weapons Master, "need all the rest you can get. And you," she glared at Xena, "have pushed yourself too hard. You're both still replacing lost blood and you need plenty of rest for that. So either you take a nap like good patients, or I'll have Sheraya mix up something to put you to sleep."
The raven-haired warrior was ready to refuse when she saw the bard glance towards the hulking quartet of attendants. Her message was clear. She wouldn't put it past her autocratic partner to use her warriors' muscle to force feed a sleeping potion to her. Glowering angrily she settled back into her pillows, surprised at how tired she actually felt. Despite her intentions of just closing her eyes and waiting out her time, she actually drifted off to sleep quite quickly.
As she sat and thought about the situation, a grudging smirk swiftly crossed her lips before it was carefully hidden, once again, behind a coldly stoic mask, - Gabrielle, I swear ... if it wasn't that I knew your heart was in the right place, and that you thought this was for my good, I'd paddle your backside until you yelled for your mother!-
She listened to the sound of the sea churning behind them in a wake of white water as 'Wave Dancer' sped over the Aegean sea. A glance thrown over her shoulder through the stern lights showed her the island of Scyros falling behind them. Ahead of them lay the eastern reaches of the string of islands called the Northern Sporades, which they'd pass maybe around evening time. They'd made good time with no sign of Caesar's pursuit ships darkening their horizon.
Xena allowed her fingers to brush the collar that remained locked around her throat as she thought of the Roman. Hercules had tried his best to remove the thing .... even with her own not inconsiderable strength added to his, they didn't even strain the rivet that held the collar fast. She felt the start of a warm glow as she thought about the demi-god, but she reluctantly crushed it for the time being and kept her attention on the collar.
Anger flared deep within her, - How in Hades do we get these things off, - she wondered as she looked across at the bard who was talking to Joxer. It was bad enough that she was constantly subjected to the reminder of Caesar, but Gabrielle didn't deserve to be marked by what was ultimately the stigma of her past failings.
Trying to shake herself out of that mood, she glanced across at Eponin to see if the Weapons Master felt up to a game of chess. The Amazon had proven to be an adept pupil and learned the game almost as quickly as Xena had herself. The Warrior Princess still won the games, but Poni's increasing ability was pushing her, and was proving to be a stimulating pastime for both of them. - With practice, Ep may just beat me someday. - She grinned wolfishly, - But it will be a cold day in Tartarus if she ever managed to do it consistently! -
She almost sighed with disappointment when she saw that the Weapons Master was asleep. Patroclese was off doing something with the children that he'd brought with him, - We'll have to decide what we're going to do with them when we reach home, - she reflected, accepting responsibility for their welfare. - The girls can all be taken in by the Amazons ... I think they'll all be happy with that. -
During her exercise periods on deck, she had spent some time getting to know the children, She snorted softly at the reason behind that, - Not much damn choice with my 'attendants' dragging along with me. - But the time had been well spent. She had noticed that the girls found the Amazon warriors to be fascinating. They were so unlike anyone the girls had encountered before. It had taken some time but she gently encouraged them to spend time with the women and they had begun to learn from them so that now, the girls tended to spend more time trailing after the Amazons than with the boys.
- Those lads are another matter entirely, - she conceded. - I can probably get Mother to take a couple. Mattin would be a help in the kitchens, - she smiled at the thought. She'd grown to like the young kitchen slave in the time she'd known him, and knew that her Mother would treat him well, teach him what she could and give him a safe place to stay. - She could probably do with a stable hand to care for the guest's horses, - thinking of cheerful Fersan. - The inn is prosperous and even with Toris there, there is always plenty of work to be done. - She thought about that for a moment, and the more she thought about it the better she liked the idea. - Hmm, that might work. - she conceded. - But that still leaves five more of them to find places for. -
She let her very active mind piece together possible ideas and destinations for the rest of the group. - Well I'm sure that Hippocrates could use some apprentices. I'll see what Patroclese thinks. He knows the boys better than I do. The ones that are suitable can go with him to the hospice that Hippocrates runs. For the rest .... well, I'm certain Ephiny can talk Tyldus into taking them in. Failing that .... well, Autolycus wanted an apprentice. - She grinned at that. - Gabrielle would have a fit if I suggested that! Maybe Salmoneous needs an apprentice to help him? - A bigger grin formed, - That might be worse than letting Autolycus take one to train! -
She sighed again, and looked longingly out of the stern windows. She was bored almost to tears. She hadn't had a visit this morning from Hercules or Autolycus and not even Iolaus had popped in to try and avoid Nebula and spend some time near Gabrielle. Toris seemed to be busy doing something else and Ephiny was curled up in a bed on the other side of the cabin recovering from the attempt to abort her unwanted child.
- That had been bad, - she brooded. She could understand the reasons why the Regent had wanted to be rid of the child. Gabrielle had told her the whole story about just how the pregnancy had come about. - From the sound of things, there was definitely some foul play by the gods in that, - she told herself. - That probably explains why they couldn't abort the foetus. The hands of one or more gods are involved in this and if I had to put dinars on it, allowing for the fact they were taking an active part in other things that were going on, I'd have to say that this is down to Aphrodite and Artemis. Aphrodite because of the love aspect and Artemis because it's her Amazon Regent involved in this. -
She scowled blackly at that thought. - Damn all gods to Tartarus anyway! - she cursed. - Why can't they just leave us alone? - she questioned, and then answered herself with bitter sarcasm, - Because they wouldn't have anything to amuse themselves with. If they didn't interfere with humankind, they'd have no reason to justify their existence! -
There hadn't been anything much that she was able to do to help Ephiny when the violent contractions, caused by the potion that Sheraya had reluctantly given the Regent, had wracked the Amazon's body with violent torment. However, when they had continued unabated for over six candlemarks without any sign of the foetus being aborted, Xena had tried to go to her side, only to be physically restrained by the two attendant Amazons. Fuming, she had called Sheraya over and suggested that she give the suffering woman an infusion of Sanicle, Serapias Tublith and Valerian.
The healer had quickly prepared the potion and had forced Ephiny to swallow enough to ease her painful contractions and to put her asleep for a full day and night. Since that time, the Amazon had withdrawn into herself, refusing to communicate with anyone as she battled with her demons and anguish. Three and a half days had passed like that, and Xena was beginning to think that it was time she took a hand with the Regent. The question was, how to achieve her aims while being burdened with her Amazon escort who were totally intent upon following their queen's rigorous instructions?
Gabrielle happened to glance over at that moment to see a black frown on her friend's face as she chewed in frustration at her thumb nail. She knew that this relative inactivity was gnawing on her warrior's nerves, but in the five days since she had imposed her will, it was clearly evident that Xena had recovered much of her lost health.
She pursed her lips, - Maybe she could do with some extra time out in the air now. - she thought to herself. - A couple of candlemarks this morning and the same this afternoon? - Making up her mind, she patted Joxer's arm and told him, "I'm just going to have a chat with Xena and maybe get some fresh air with her."
Hiding his disappointment, the injured man produced a weak smile, "Okay, Gabby. I'll just wait here for you. I won't be going anywhere."
"Thanks, Joxer," she told him. "I'll come and tell you a story in a little while ... I just want to make sure Xena doesn't overdo things up on deck."
"Oh great, Gabrielle!" he beamed. "Ummm......"
"What is it Joxer?" she asked, knowing that he had a request.
"Well ... if you could ... I mean if it's okay ... that is, if you don't mind me asking ...." he bumbled self consciously.
"What is it, Joxer," she repeated, trying to hide her amusement and the twinge of frustration at his beating around the bush.
"Well, if it's okay with you ... ," he saw her start to frown with impatience and dived in. "Could you tell the one about how Hercules got turned into a pig, please?" he finished in a rush.
Gabrielle laughed, "Is that all?" she chuckled.
Joxer looked slightly hurt, "Well I didn't want to impose in case you had something else in mind."
"It's okay, Joxer. I'd be happy to tell you that story. Get some rest and I'll be back in about half a candlemark or so."
"Okay," he agreed happily, pleased he had something to look forward to. If bed rest was chaffing Xena, at least she managed to get out into the air a couple of times a day. He'd been cooped up in the infirmary since he'd been hurt and, although he tried not to worry about it, he really was concerned that he'd never walk properly again.
- Gabrielle is never going to look at me other than as a crippled friend if I can't even stand on my own two feet again, - he silently worried, looking glum as she moved away from him and crossed the cabin to Xena's side. - I'll never get to have another adventure with them. I'll be laughed at and shunned ... a useless fool! - He gulped deeply to swallow the lump the was forming in his throat and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill.
Sheraya appeared at his side and checked his healing legs, as she did three times a day, to make sure that the splints weren't rubbing up sores. She had been pleased that the gash, made by the broken bone punching through the skin of his thigh, was healing well without any sign of infection and, from what she could tell, the bones were knitting satisfactorily.
Glancing up at his glum face, she patted his legs encouragingly and told him, "They're healing nicely Joxer. You'll soon be up and around, doing your mighty deeds again."
"Ha, ha!" he answered despondently. "I've never done any mighty deeds. All I've ever done is tagged along after Xena and Gabrielle when they'd let me. Now, I won't even be able to do that."
Sheraya gave him a vexed look. She'd just about had enough of the self-pitying morass that had afflicted her patients. What with Ephiny, Xena and, to a certain extent, Eponin, the last thing she needed was a despairing Joxer. "Alright, young man," she told him in a no-nonsense tone. "Firstly, there's a little girl on this ship who thinks your are the greatest hero there is. You saved her life and she and the other children know it. Charis, or Cassie as they call her, has even badgered the Queen into teaching her the 'Joxer the Mighty' song!"
"Really?" he asked with some interest.
"Really," she told him bluntly. She didn't bother telling him that Cassie had just about driven her friends and everyone else mad with the tune, mainly because her young voice hit so many bad notes it was painful when she hit a good one. "Not only that, but these legs of yours are healing nicely. Give it another few days once we reach Amphipolis and the splints will be able to come off and you can start some exercises to get some strength back into them. It will be hard work, and exhausting, but if you work at it you'll be walking normally in no time."
"Really?" he asked again, not sure whether he could believe her.
"Really," repeated the healer, giving him a wry look, "I'm not in the habit of coddling my patients. I'd tell you if I thought you wouldn't walk again."
"Thanks, Sheraya," he said, gifting her with an enormous smile.
"No problem, Joxer. Just take it easy and stop beating yourself up," she told him, finishing her inspection of his legs and moving off to check on Eponin's wounds.
As soon as Gabrielle had told Xena that she could have extra time up on deck ... "For good behaviour," ... as she put it, the warrior was out of her sleeping shift and into the tunic and trousers she'd borrowed from Nebula, as her leathers fitted so snugly, it pained her injured shoulders to pull them on and off.
"I think Eph could do with some air, too," she told Gabrielle when the bard told her she was going to accompany her for a while.
"I'm not sure, Xena," the younger woman shook her head. "She doesn't seem to want company at the moment."
The warrior frowned, "Well, it's time she pulled herself together. Five days is way too long to brood about something like this. It's happened; she's pregnant. It's time she accepted it and got on with her life."
"How do you plan on getting her out of that bed, O still recovering warrior patient?" asked the bard, raising a questioning eyebrow.
In all truth, Xena had been intending to haul the Regent from her pit of sorrow if she hadn't agreed to come under her own steam, but she could tell from the look in her friend's eye that that was not going to be an option. "Og and Mog," she said indicating her silent shadows, "can bring her along if she's reluctant. You've got them trained well at that kind of thing." She couldn't resist the snide comment.
"Wulf and Ossie are only following orders," she told the warrior calmly. "If someone, not a million miles away, knew how to follow healers orders, then they wouldn't have to be here, would they?"
Xena snorted contemptuously. They'd had this argument at least five times every day since the four Amazons had become part of her recovery programme, as conceived by the bard. "Whatever their names," she said stubbornly, "they can help us get Ephiny sorted out, can't they? Or would you rather have your Regent eating herself up over something she had no control over?"
"What do you mean?" she asked the raven-haired woman quietly.
"Well, you suspected the gods might have been involved. Think about it, Gabrielle. Who turned up at Graccus'?"
"Artemis and Aphro .... dite!" she replied, beginning to see what Xena was saying.
"What god but Artemis is going to interfere with an Amazon? She'd never allow the other gods to play with her chosen people ... but what if she called in a favour, say for arguments sake, from Aphrodite because she wanted to produce an Amazon with a particular pedigree ... one that could be groomed for an important position in the Nation .... maybe even become Queen one day ...?" the warrior prompted.
"Then Aphrodite might just throw a little lust spell my way and cause that revolting union with Caesar!" snarled Ephiny, sitting up on her bed, her eyes blazing! "How could they!? What right do they think they have!?"
The warrior and bard crossed to their friend's side. "You know the gods, Eph," Xena told her quietly, "they don't need any right other than their own desires."
"What can I do, Xena?" asked the Regent, her eyes pleading.
"Nothing, Eph," the tall woman told her as she crouched down beside her and held the brown eyes with her cold blue ones that seemed to warm with the concern she felt for the Amazon. "Have the child .... then decide what to do about it. If you want me to take it to be reared away from the Nation, send for me and I'll arrange that for you."
The Regent looked long into the depthless blue eyes of the Warrior Princess for long moments before bobbing her head in acceptance of the proposal, "You know, I was certain that Aphrodite must have done this to me .... but I couldn't figure out why she'd risk Artemis' ire. It never occurred to me that my patron goddess would be behind the whole thing," she shook her head in disbelief.
Xena put a comforting arm around the Amazon's shoulder. "The gods will use any of us that suit their purposes," she said softly. "Never put your trust in any god."
"Cynic," answered Ephiny with a weak smile, "But I'm beginning to think you're right."
The warrior gave her a rare dazzling smile, "Gabrielle and I are going up on deck for some air ... how about joining us? You could do with getting out of here."
The Regent looked about to balk at the idea, not sure if she was ready to face anyone else yet, but Gabrielle laid her hand on her arm and said, "C'mon Eph. A bit of air will do you good and we can have a quiet talk about ... things."
Finally Ephiny nodded her agreement, and climbed off the bed to follow her friends, who were in turn followed by Xena's 'attendants'. "Um .... why are Raedwulf and Ossian following us?" she asked, slightly confused.
"Because Lesich and Ushanta are off duty," answered Xena with biting sarcasm.
Gabrielle slapped the warrior's arm, "Stop that, Xena - you know it's for your own good."
"What is?" demanded Ephiny, still puzzled.
When she realised that the Warrior Princess wasn't going to say anything more, the bard replied, "They're along to make sure that Xena doesn't overtax her strength by doing something that she's not really ready for yet ... like, say, jumping out of the crowsnest," she frowned at her champion, having found out some candlemarks after the said event just what the warrior had done.
"Right," drawled the Regent, not totally sure of what was going on, but ready to just accept things as they were.
Once on deck, the three friends settled down up on the quarterdeck where they could assure themselves of a fair amount of privacy, especially as Wulf and Ossie posted themselves a short distance away to ensure that no one encroached upon their space. Xena listened, occasionally making the odd comment as Gabrielle and Ephiny discussed the ramifications involved with the Regent having a child .... especially if it should turn out (as was almost certain) to be a girl.
"Eph, if you decide that you want to keep it and it is female, I could designate her as my legitimate heir to secure the succession," suggested the bard.
The Regent shook her head, "You're still young, Gabrielle. If you have a daughter, she should be your heir."
The young queen frowned, looking for a compromise, "How about if we designate your child heir apparent until such time I have a child of my own?"
Xena was getting bored. She wasn't really interested in the dynamics of Amazon domestic policies and, not being an Amazon, she didn't feel she had any right to contribute to this section of the discussion, so she stretched and stood and told the other two, "I think I'll take a stroll around the deck,"
"Okay, Xena," responded Ephiny.
"Just a walk," reminded Gabrielle.
"Yeah, I know," muttered the Warrior Princess. She walked away, picking up her shadows as she moved. Frowning, she turned back to the Royal Amazon pair, "If you want to keep these two here to make sure you discussion remains private, I'm sure I'll be able to find my way around the deck without them"
The bard smiled radiantly. "That is so thoughtful of you, Xena," she answered.
"Well, I try to be," answered the warrior, hoping that Gabrielle was going to let her escape her attendants.
"I know you do," agreed the honey blonde maintaining her smile. "I also know that as soon as you are out of their sight, you'll be doing drills and straining yourself when you still aren't fully recovered. So, I'm sorry, Xena, but you're stuck with them."
Glaring at the infuriating bard, the Warrior Princess turned on her heel and marched off, only to hear her friend's voice call after her, "A slow walk Xena ... nothing strenuous."
Muttering under her breath about stubborn bards and what should happen to them, Xena slowed her steps to avoid the indignity of being physically slowed down by Wulf and Ossie. She blew out a frustrated breath, knowing that although she could almost certainly knock the two Amazons from one end of the ship to the other, she was realistic enough to recognise that it would probably put her flat on her back again for days.
That was another frustrating part of this. She needed to start toning her body back up to it's normal peak of fitness, and gentle strolls around the deck just weren't going to do it. She needed to push herself and somehow, some way, she intended to start that process immediately ... or at least as soon as she could ditch 'Og and Mog', as she called them.
She worked her way up towards the prow of the ship looking for inspiration, for not only did she need a distraction for the pair with her, she also needed to slip away unseen by the rest of the Amazons on deck, who would undoubtedly snitch on her! - There must be something, short of setting fire to the ship, that will draw eyes away from me, - she ruminated as she moved over to the rail, rather than climb up to the small foredeck.
A smile creased her face as she unexpectedly found what she needed as she looked out to sea. A cry from a lookout drew attention as it announced, "Whales off the larboard bow!"
- Perfect! - she thought as Amazons rushed from all over the ship to get a look at the massive leviathans of the sea. Even Wulf and Ossie pushed close to the rail to watch them, as none of the Amazons had ever seen the creatures before, merely having heard stories of them.
In the resulting crush, Xena was able to ease her way back as bodies pressed forward to take her place and get a better look. With nearly all attention fastened on the water, she took her chance and slipped through the hatchway that led down to the holds and storage compartments.
It was dark down there, but she found, by touch, where a striker, flint and candle had been left in a niche at the base of the ladder, and struck a light that allowed her to navigate her way to her intended destination ... the ship's sail locker where the spare sails were kept. There would be plenty of room there to do some careful exercises.
When she reached the door she was looking for, she lifted the latch and let herself into the confines of the compartment. Finding a safe place for the candle, Xena took a deep breath before starting with a few limbering up exercises, such as easing forward and touching her toes, swinging at the waist, and performing some gentle turns to loosen her spine up.
She hadn't got very far when she became aware of soft falling footsteps in the corridor outside. Freezing, she turned to face the door as the latch was raised. - Ares' balls! - she cursed, hardly able to believe that someone had spotted her departure from the crowd! - I swear, Gabrielle .... - she began to think, but stopped when the candle light illuminated an unexpected visitor.
"Can I come in?" he asked softly. "I'd like to talk to you while we're alone if I can."
Xena ran her fingers through her dishevelled, raven mane, allowing a welcoming smile to replace the scowl that had been fixed on her features a moment before, "Uh, sure ... of course you can .... Hercules."
He entered the compartment that suddenly seemed to be made smaller by the sheer bulk of his body. He carefully shut the door behind him before turning to her with an almost shy smile on his face. "You know, it's been impossible to get you alone since we got out of Rome. The infirmary was like a zoo, and anytime you came up on deck you always had .... " he made a gesture with his hand to indicate the presence of her Amazon shadows.
The scowl returned to her face. "Gabrielle's idea for protecting me from myself," she grumbled. "She doesn't seem to understand that I need to exercise to regain my strength.
"I saw you give them the slip," he grinned. "Pretty clever way of doing it."
"Yeah ... well, I needed some time to myself," she answered.
"You want me to go?" he asked, almost nervously.
"No!" she said, quickly ... - Too quickly, - she realised as she saw his smile strengthen. She drew a breath and repeated more calmly, "No, please stay .... I haven't had the chance to thank you yet for helping to get me out of Rome."
He took a step closer to her, aware of the chemistry that always seemed to bubble between them. He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry as she tilted her head, focusing the full force of her matchless eyes upon him. He watched them change from a deep azure to almost violet as she gazed up into his own. "I would storm the gates of Tartarus if you called for my help," he said huskily.
It wasn't bravado; she knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean it. The knowledge sent a feeling of warmth deep into her core and she struggled for words to answer him with, knowing what he was trying to tell her. "I ... I, could never ask you to do that, Hercules," she said softly, gently cupping his cheek in her strong hand as she caressed his skin with her thumb. "I deserve whatever comes to me ... even Caesar's treatment ... even should I spend eternity in Tartarus ... I will have earned every moment of it."
"Xena," he tried to protest, but she slipped two fingers over his lips to silence his words.
"Shhhh!" she told him, "I'm right. We both know it. I told you long ago that I had so much blood on my hands, they'd never be clean."
"I don't care," he declared vehemently. "You've changed .... you're not the mon- .... person you once were."
She smiled sadly at him, "You can say it, Hercules. I know I was a monster - a heartless beast." She took his hand and gently kissed his knuckles. "But, you laid the beast to rest ... gave me a chance to do some good in atonement for all the evil that blackens my soul. I love you for it," she told him, holding his hand against the soft flesh of her cheek, "and the love I bear for you will forever mean that we can only remain friends ... close friends, because I'll send myself to rot in Tartarus before I allow you to sully your good name by linking it to mine."
"Xena," he choked, the pain of her declaration tearing at his great heart, "I love you. I want to live my life with you ... have children with you, grow old with you. You stir me in a way that no woman ever has." He saw her about to protest, "I don't care about my name, my reputation ... or yours. Let the world think what it likes. You and I can be happy together." He pulled her into a loving embrace and crushed her lips with his own, deepening the kiss as she melted beneath him.
She felt protected within his arms, and could lose herself within his strength as she had been able to with no other man. Her desire for him was as strong as his was for her, and it would be so easy for her to capitulate ... to agree to his proposal, to become his wife. - But I can't! - her conscience whispered softly. - It wouldn't be fair to him. -
Breaking the kiss, she planted both hands in the centre of his chest and eased herself back slightly. "There would come a time, Hercules, when you would resent me and my evil reputation. If it should tarnish your image and destroy your ability to help the people who truly need you, it would fester in your soul .... and I never want that to happen."
"It wouldn't," he told her, "It couldn't," he swore. "No matter what happens, my love for you would remain strong."
She chuckled sadly, "I would never doubt that, but it doesn't mean that you couldn't grow to resent me." She sighed a breath of loss and regret, "I think the time when perhaps we may have been able to be together was lost in the past. We have both moved on since then. We both have lives that are not really forged for a happy, settled family life. Maybe ... one day, if we're lucky, we can find the right person who will help us to create such a life. But you and I are perhaps too alike for such dreams."
"I love you," he said almost desperately. "Please don't turn me away."
She looked up into his pleading eyes, "As a friend and lover, I never shall .... but please don't ask me to risk your destruction. If I joined with you and you suffered for it, I could never live with myself." She lifted her hands and clutched at his tawney hair, pulling his lips down to hers, feasting upon them as he gently lowered her onto the pile of canvass sail. "I can love you, Hercules," she whispered as he blazed a trail of kisses across her throat, his hands gently divesting her of her clothing. "I can love you," she repeated, "but I can never be with you."
She groaned with longing as his caress awoke her hunger for him and she helped him out of his clothes until they both lay naked with a raging passion that demanded to be filled.
He'd stood outside the door and listened, hearing some of the conversation, then the unmistakable sound of human passion as his 'friends' consummated their desire for each other with ardour and rapturous stamina.
He shook his head and wondered why he should care ... but he did. More than care. He, who had never loved anyone or anything other than his own inflated ego, was helplessly in love with the Warrior Princess, who saw him as nothing other than a friend .... if he was lucky.
- Well Autolycus. I never thought you would plumb the depths of self-pity over the capricious nature of a woman's heart. Get over it. There are plenty of fish in the sea ... so to speak, - he told himself callously. Yet a little voice in the back of his head retorted, - But there's only one Xena! - and it was a voice that refused to be silenced.
His head snapped up as he heard voices and saw a light moving towards him. He recognised an Amazon search party, and knew immediately what - or more precisely, who - they were looking for. Dashing his eyes dry, he moved quickly to intercept them. "She's not down here, she must be somewhere else," he told them confidently as he got them turned around away from the sail locker.
"Thanks, Autolycus," said one of the warriors. "If we don't find her soon, the Queen's going to be making us eat our feathers ... especially Wulf and Ossian, for letting her slip off like that," she chuckled.
"Yeah," agreed the thief, throwing a look back over his shoulder at the soft gleam of candlelight that was barely visible under the door. "I know what you mean." He followed them back out of the hold, trying to hold his wounded heart together.
He scowled belligerently at his drink, barely noticing as the last of the Amazon group left the mess deck. Normally the friendly warriors would have sat with him and flirted, but his mood of the moment seemed to preclude any social interaction, instead driving the women out with his sullen moroseness when they'd tried to approach him.
As the oak portal closed behind the last of them, he raising his mug and tilted it slightly towards the door before calling out in a slurred voice, "Thanksh for the comp'ny! 'Preciate it!" He then took several deep gulps of the burning liquor draining the cup before slamming it back on the table, smacking his lips and demanding of the empty room, "Wha' do I have t'do t'get 'nother drink here?"
Lurching to his feet he wove his way a trifle unsteadily across the cabin to the locker where the hard spirits were kept. Even in his inebriated state it was little more than the work of a moment for the King of Thieves to remove the heavy padlock. He peered intently at the small kegs and bottles that were housed within the cabinet, shaking his head a little to try and clear the fuzziness that seemed to be doubling the image of what he was looking at. Finally seeing a bottle that attracted his attention, he extracted it and peered carefully at the label before smacking his lips and breathing, "Ah, port! Jus' the tipple to toas' the lady's happ'ness!"
Shuffling backwards in a rocking stagger, he complained loudly, "Shumone hold the boat, hic, shteady!"
He peered back at his bottle and carefully started to reach towards the cork when a very large hand reached over his shoulder and plucked the liquor away. He blinked foolishly at his empty fingers for a moment or two before exclaiming angrily, "Hey! Who sht ... who sht ... who took my booze!"
Autolycus swung around staggering a little as he did so, searching for the culprit, A noise behind him at the locker had him swinging back, on tottering legs, to see Hercules replacing the bottle, putting the lock back and then using his phenomenal strength to squeeze the lock mechanism into seizure, making certain that the only person going to be able to get in there was himself.
"What'sh the big idea!" demanded the thief full of pugnacious hostility.
"I think you've had more than enough, Autolycus," the demi-god told him. "Why don't you go and sleep it off? Then later maybe you want to talk about what made you want to get stinking drunk," he offered, putting a friendly hand on the thief's shoulder.
"Get your handsh off me," snarled the rogue belligerently, staggering away from Hercules' steadying hand. "I got nothin' to say to you!" He glared furiously at the big man, "Now jus gimme m'bottle and get the Tartarus away from me!"
"Sorry," apologised the son of Zeus insincerely, "Can't do that, my friend."
"I'm not ya frien'!" fumed Autolycus. "Frien's don't go sneakin' aroun' behind frien's backs."
Hercules looked totally bemused, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Autolycus. Did you hit your head?" he asked concerned, trying to get a look at the other man's head.
The thief slapped the big man's hands away furiously, his anger beginning to clear some of the alcohol fumes from his brain, "I said get your handsh off me!" he yelled. "Who do you think you are? Jus' cos you're Zeus' son doesn't give you no rights to touch me. Save it for shum .. someone who gives a damn!"
The demi-god shook his head in amazement, "What in Hades has gotten into you Autolycus?"
"Nothin'," growled the other man angrily. "Or maybe I'm seeing you for what you really are."
Hercules leaned back onto the oak table and crossed his arms across his chest, "And just what would that be?" he asked calmly.
The King of Thieves whirled on him. His brown eyes, that normally sparkled with mischief blazed with wrath, "You're a user, Hercules!" he shouted. "You use the people that you call your friends. They are an adornment to the brilliance of the son of Zeus. You play with us and get what you want from us and then like toys you put us back in our boxes."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Autolycus. You've definitely had too much to drink." said the big man with a suppressed chuckle.
The thief stepped into the demi-god's personal space and poked him hard in the chest, "I'll tell you what I'm talking about!" he shouted, poking Hercules again.
"Hey! cut it out Autolycus," objected the tawney haired giant.
Poking the broad chest again, the thief continued, "I'm talking about the way you've had two wives and carelessly lost both of them to your godly family." He poked again harder.
"That's enough," growled Hercules, not liking what he was hearing. The deaths of Deianeira and Serena remained livid wounds scored across his heart ... even if Autolycus was the only one who could remember his marriage to the Golden Hind, thanks to their adventure with the Chronos Stone. The thief was playing with fire.
"Now," continued the dark haired rogue jabbing the chest once again and failing to heed the warning from the demi-god, "Now you're doing it again. You're exposing someone else to the wrath of Hera and Ares and the others." Another jab punctuated the sentence.
"I said cut it out!" rumbled the son of Zeus.
Autolycus was on a roll and his alcohol fuelled anger was pushing him past the bounds of good sense. He thrust his index forward into the chest of the big man again, "Well I don't intend to stand back while you get her hurt or killed."
He started another prod but his hand was caught and held in a vice like grip as Hercules' normally mild blue eyes bored into his brown, "That's enough, Autolycus. Sober up before you do or say something that's going to get you hurt."
The thief glared at him before jerking his hand loose, "I'm not scared of you, Hercules," he told the demi-god coldly. "I don't care if you are the strongest man alive ... what can you do to me? Kill me? Well somehow I think that would be a relief at the moment after what you've already done."
"Do you want to tell me what you're raving about before I knock you unconscious so that you can sleep this off? I'd just lock you up, but you have this knack of getting past locks," the big man tried to inject some humour to take the sting out of the situation, but he could tell the thief wasn't about to be cajoled out of his foul mood.
Autolycus ignored the weak jest and changed the focus of his tirade, "Are you going to marry her?" he demanded.
"I'm sorry? You lost me there buddy. Marry who?" asked the tawny haired hero innocently .. although he was beginning to guess what the problem was now.
"Jus' what I thought!" snarled the thief, "Use her then walk away. What a hero .. a real daddy's boy!" he sneered.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Autolycus," the demi-god replied, his tone low and dangerous as he winced internally at the jibe that likened his love life to his Father's sexual proclivities.
"Don't I?" questioned the rogue, his voice filled with contempt. "I know what you've been doing for the last few candlemarks, Herc ol' buddy!" he snarled angrily. "In fact you're lucky I knew where you were and what you were doing or you'd have had an audience of about ten Amazons." He glared at the hero who had the grace to look embarrassed. "So don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. You're toying with the love of one of the finest women I know .. and I take great exception to that! Great exception!"
Hercules gave him a long look as silence settled heavy between them. The King of Thieves turned away from his rival and ran his fingers through his short dark hair, trying to get a grasp on his anger and frustration. He moved across the cabin and slumped heavily on to a bench and resumed his brooding, accusatory gaze at the demi-god.
At last Hercules said, "You love her?"
"Of course I love her, you moron! But that's not the point is it? She's in love with you .. so what are you going to do about it? Marry her?"
"No," answered the demi-god quietly.
"Gods damn you, Hercules!" swore the thief lurching to his feet and advancing towards the other man once more.
"I think they did that long ago, my friend," the hero said too quietly for the rogue to hear.
"I just knew you were using her!" he shouted, irate indignation plain in his words.
"It's none of your business, Autolycus," the son of Zeus told him coldly. "What happens between Xena and me is our private affair."
The King of Thieves gave him a look full of contemptuous loathing, "That's just it, isn't it. To you it's just a casual fling. Ships that pass in the night on occasion. Well listen, buddy boy," he emphasised with a stiff fingered poke again, ignoring the scowl that descended on his companion's brow, "while you're dangling her on one of your strings you're denying her the chance to find happiness with someone who doesn't come weighed down with a load of dangerous baggage."
Hercules grabbed Autolycus' hand again and squeezed, allowing some of the anger and frustration that was assailing him to escape, "I've asked you not to do that .. now I'm telling you!" he growled. He saw the pain register in the thief's eyes before adding, "Keep your nose out of my business, Autolycus." He shoved the other man back releasing his hand as he did so and turned for the door to leave, knowing that he needed to get away from the rogue, before more things were said and done that would drive a wedge into their friendship.
Anger raging out of control, the thief grabbed the bench he'd backed into and swung it with all the strength he could muster at the demi-god, hitting Hercules with a thundering force born of the pain and frustration of his unrequited love.
The heavy wood shattered across broad shoulders causing the son of Zeus to stagger forward and collide solidly with the cabin door. Any normal man would have been unconscious for many candlemarks from such a blow. However, the tawney haired giant pushed himself away from the door and shook his head slightly to clear his vision before turning to confront the thief, who was now completely sober.
"Oh Tartarus!" swore the thief softly as he registered the ire on Hercules' face.
The demi-god had smarted with the disappointment of Xena's rejection of his suit, and his conversation with Autolycus had opened some nasty festering sores that dripped burning acid on his conscience. Added to that was the knowledge that the King of Thieves was waiting around for the chance to pursue and win the woman of his dreams. And the sum total along with the thief's impetuous assault, led to one very annoyed big man ready to let off some steam.
Throwing one of the heavy tables across the doorway to ensure some privacy, Hercules rounded on his companion, "You asked for it," growled the hero angrily swinging a meaty right fist that the thief clumsily dodged away from.
- Oh boy! - Autolycus shook his head, suddenly very aware of what he'd done. - Now I remember why I don't get drunk! - he told himself.
He still wasn't too happy with the demi-god .. jealousy and frustration over Xena's affections ran rampant through him and they weren't going to be quashed by a little fear for his personal safety. He swallowed hard as he made a dive under the long mess table and popped up on the other side with it's reassuring bulk between him and Hercules, - Well not totally anyway, - he decided.
"You started this Autolycus ... now stand still and take what's coming like a man," snarled the angry hero. Hercules knew that he shouldn't be taking out his disappointment on the thief who, in his own way was hurting as much as he was. But Autolycus had pushed the issue and, since there wasn't any other way to vent his misery over Xena's rejection of his proposal, he was willing to use the situation to let off a little steam.
He had no real intention of hurting the rogue, just give himself a workout and run the alcohol out of the thief's system. The trouble was, Autolycus didn't know when enough was enough and continued to throw taunts at the big man, while bobbing and weaving away from his dangerous fists.
"You know, big guy! It's really not surprising that you can't keep a woman around you," baited the thief.
"Oh yeah?" snapped Hercules as he lunged at his tormentor across the table, but missed the nimble footed man who danced back out of reach.
"Yeah," insisted Autolycus, knowing that he was playing with fire but unable to keep a lid on his feelings. "You see not only do they have to face having to survive against certain members of your family ..." He grunted as he ducked franticly beneath the demi-god's fist.
"Hold still, damn you!" growled Hercules his annoyance plain.
"But they'd also have to compete with that king sized heroic ego of yours," the thief told him as he swayed to one side to avoid another lunge.
"Not like yours, you mean," snorted the son of Zeus, "I don't exactly see the women falling over themselves to marry you either, Autolycus. Maybe that 'king sized' ego of yours frightens them off too. I mean, there just wouldn't be room in the marriage bed for you, it and a wife, would there?"
"Why you over muscled slab of beefcake!" retorted the King of Thieves stung into renewed anger. "You only manage to attract any female attention because your family connections make you exotic. If you were just a normal guy, like me or Iolaus, you'd barely attract the time of day .. you have no charm or class, Hercules .. and muscle can only take you so far!"
"You think you're better for Xena?" demanded the demi-god furiously.
"I know I am!" snapped back the thief, "And I intend to prove it!"
"Just how do you think you're going to do that?" roared Hercules, beginning to surrender to the jealousy he was feeling at the thought of a rival for Xena's affections.
"I'm going to ask her to marry me .. eventually," Autolycus told him with strained dignity.
"Over my dead body!" shouted Hercules as he shoved the table with awesome force, driving it back to trap his rival between it and the cabin wall.
Autolycus winced as he found himself trapped and within reach of an angry demi-god. - Okay big mouth .. you got us into this, now say something to calm him down! - "Well I'm sure that can be arranged!" he snapped back, "You have enough enemies with the power to pull that off ... I'm sure I can get one of them to oblige!" - Smooth Autolycus .. why don't you just open a vein and be done with it! - he sneered at himself.
"Why you ....!" shouted Hercules throwing a right that cracked into the thief's jaw leaving his friend seeing stars.
"WHAT IN THE BLAZING DEPTHS OF TARTARUS IS GOING ON HERE?!" demanded a thunderous voice as the cabin door burst open, shoving the heavy table away with tremendous force!
The eyes of two guilty men, one set very unfocussed, swivelled to where a furious looking Xena stood looking at them with an icy eyed glare.
Ephiny stood behind her shaking her head. Both she and the bard had been just as guilty of succumbing to that particular distraction .. as had just about everyone else on the ship. For a somewhat isolated, land orientated people, the sight of the whales had been an undeniable draw and had provided the perfect cover for Xena to slip off by herself and indulge in whatever forbidden form of exercise she had chosen for herself.
That had been some candlemarks ago. Since then, groups of Amazons had been scouring the ship to find the AWOL Warrior Princess, with orders to return her to the infirmary to face a very unhappy Amazon Queen, whose only current available target for her frustrated ire were the two Amazons who'd allowed their charge to slip off. The fact that no trace had been found of Xena .. even in the crowsnest .. had not helped to improve the bard's temperament.
- Alright Xena .. I know you're making a point here. You've given the best warrior's the Amazons have got a lesson in avoidance and stealth in the confined space of a small ship. You, in your own sweetly unsubtle way, are telling me that you are more than recovered enough to run rings around Eph's warriors. - she mentally sighed realising that it was time to concede that her warrior was fit enough to be released from the healers.
Turning back to Wulf and Ossie she told them moodily, "Alright. Call off the search details. You aren't going to find her unless she wants to be found. I think we can safely say that she's well on the road to recovery, so you two and the others might as well report back to Malonda for regular duty."
The two warrior's saluted and left the cabin, relieved that they were finally being released from their Queen's presence. Gabrielle shook her head and started to turn back towards Ephiny when a very well known voice purred smoothly, "I'm glad you're finally seeing sense."
"Xena!" growled the bard, turning to find the Warrior Princess ensconced on her bed. She threw a look at the open stern light behind her friend and frowned, "Just where have you been?" she demanded, noting the healthy glow that seemed to radiate from the raven haired beauty. "And since when isn't the door good enough for use?"
The Warrior Princess stifled a rogue grin and hoisted a imperious eyebrow at her friend, "I've been ... taking in, um, the sights," she swallowed a chuckle before it could take hold, feeling in a ridiculously good mood for some reason. "As for the door, well it seems that there were these Amazons everywhere, and I really didn't want to spoil whatever they were doing .. so the window seemed ...."
"Alright Xena!" interrupted the honey blonde, throwing up her hands in defeat. "I get the idea. I'll stop the mother hen impersonation ... I know when I'm beaten." She wagged a finger at the smirking woman, "Just remember I was only doing it for your own good. You have a habit of trying to save the world when you're half dead and I'm not going to stand back and let you do it any more." She shot an inquisitive look at the warrior, "Just what have you been doing all this time?" she asked, although she had a pretty good idea what she'd been doing and even who with ... the chance to make Xena squirm a little didn't come along too often and she'd be hanged if she was going to pass it up.
Xena knew that there was a slight tinge of colour forming around the slave collar that still graced her neck. Her skin was paler than normal after all the time she'd spent in the cabin, and blushes were more apparent. Gabrielle's eyes were firmly upon her and she knew that the bard's sharp eyes had detected the flush of pink that had briefly appeared. She tried an imperious arching of an eyebrow in the forlorn hope that the honey blonde would back off. When she had a brow arched at her in return she tried for offhand avoidance of the question.
"You wouldn't be interested," she ventured knowing that the bard would be very interested along with the very quiet occupants of them room. She was well aware of Ephiny and Eponin's direct stares, Joxer's bemused interest, as well as Sheraya and Patroclese's guarded attention as they sat in the corner going through their supply of medications.
"Try me," grinned the bard, not ready to let her warrior companion off the hook so easily.
Xena took a breath, "I've been inspecting ..um some of the ships spare equipment," she came up with what she thought was an inspired answer, knowing that she could give more detail if required.
Gabrielle nodded her head as if accepting the answer, but just as the warrior began to relax she asked, "Just what kind of equipment was that? .. Tackle? Spars? that kind of thing?"
The Warrior Princess gave the younger woman a sharp look. - She knows! Or at least she thinks she does! - Her eyes narrowed as she answered carefully, "Uh huh ... that and the spare sails. Canvass needs to be checked out occasionally. I figured that Nebula might be a little busy, what with a green crew and all, to do some of the more irregular tasks like that."
"Hmmm. That makes sense," acknowledged the bard agreeably. Well aware that Ephiny had slapped her hand across the Weapons Master's mouth to stop Eponin from making any side comments about this rather odd little conversation. She swallowed down a chuckle that was threatening to force itself out and concentrated on the defensive posture that Xena's body language and eyes were assuming. - She thinks I know what she's been doing, - she grinned mentally. - Well I know that she knows that she thinks I know that I think I know what she's been doing. Heh! Paybacks are such a bitch! -
Smiling sweetly she asked, almost from out of the blue, "What did Hercules think .. about the condition of the canvass?"
Xena swallowed convulsively and shot a warning look that promised death to the two Amazon's two her left. Ephiny was struggling to hold back the laughter that was threatening to engulf her, while she maintained her 'gagging' of Poni who looked about to go into convulsions. "Hercules?" she tried to ask nonchalantly although it came out more like a guilty growl.
Gabrielle nodded while biting her lip as she struggled to maintain her control, "Uh yeah. Hercules. You see as he went missing .. oh around about the same time as you .. I kind of guessed that you might be .. um inspecting equipment .. together."
That was too much for Ephiny who erupted into gales of laughter, releasing Eponin to do the same. Both Amazons had tears of laughter rolling down their cheeks and both the healers on the far side of the cabin were laughing right along with them. When Joxer asked, "What's so funny about inspecting equipment?" the laughter just intensified and even the baleful glare emanating from the ex-Destroyer of Nations did nothing to quell the mirth.
"Gabrielle!" she growled tensely as the bard's own tears of laughter streamed down her face, "It's not funny!" snarled Xena.
Struggling to control herself, the bard leaned forward and between the bursts of uncontrollable hilarity she said softly, "Remember Menassos?" she asked with a wicked grin. She saw comprehension dawn in the warrior's eyes as her memory replayed the image of an embarrassed bard trying to explain why she'd been talking to herself in the midst of a crowd of people. "Told ya I'd get you back."
"Just remember, my bard, that my memory is long and there's plenty of rivers and lakes out along the road," she grinned wolfishly.
"You wouldn't," stated Gabrielle unconvincingly and swallowed when Xena's grin broadened into a humourless smile.
"Xena!" came a worried voice from the cabin doorway, that immediately cut through the humour of the moment. Eyes turned to an agitated Toris, "You better come quick. I think Hercules is going to kill Autolycus!"
Toris had been enjoying some quiet time up on deck. Nebula had taken up her pursuit of Iolaus once more, and the Amazons were going frantic looking for Xena. The tall raven haired innkeeper knew from personal experience just how difficult that particular task was. He smiled at that thought and resisted the temptation to delve into his fund of memories, just shaking his head at the times he had threatened to tan her hide for causing him so many problems.
He had kind of guessed what was going on when he saw Hercules appear some moments before his sister's dark head had made it's way cautiously above deck. He'd had to hide his grin as he watched how easily she'd managed to slip past hunting Amazons and head for the stern before disappearing over the side and lowering herself down to the cabin, sending him a sly wink as she did so.
Shaking his head he had to stifle the urge to laugh out loud, happy with the knowledge that his sister was once more fit and well. He spent some more time watching the Amazon's increasingly frantic searching, before deciding to head to the mess for the chance of grabbing a drink, and maybe passing some time with Autolycus, who he'd seen heading in that direction some time before.
The thief hadn't looked particularly happy, and he wondered if he might be able to cheer him up a little. He liked the King of Thieves, surprisingly enough, seeing through the egotistical bluster to the warm hearted, generous person beneath, - Just like Xena had, - he thought, wondering just what his sister's feelings towards the thief were .. it wasn't easy to tell such things with Xena.
He knew that she loved Hercules .. - But I don't think she's in love with him, - he mused. Her feelings for Autolycus were far more ambiguous. He suspected that there was some deep connection between the two, - But I'm sure that she hasn't realised that she cares for him as much as I think she does. She tends to keep him almost at arm's length. With most men she's one of the boys, but Autolycus seems to have her a little off balance. - He wiggled his eyebrows, while grinning speculatively, - Well, well, well! I just wonder. -
Pushing himself off the rail he'd been leaning on, he whistled tunelessly as he made his way towards the bow and down the companionway there to get to the mess deck. As he reached for the door he could hear heated words coming from within and recognised the voices of Hercules and Autolycus.
He lifted the latch and pushed against the wood only to be met by stubborn resistance. Putting his shoulder against the door he shoved hard, but couldn't get any movement. He heard some crashes and more yelling and quickly decided that he needed someone capable of dealing with the situation. Someone who both men would listen to and who could force an entry through the door with a minimum of fuss. - I need Xena! - he decided and set off on a steaming run to fetch his sister.
Avoiding the startled enquiries of Amazons he shoved past none too gently, the raven haired man ploughed his way into the infirmary and catching his sister's eye immediately announced, "Xena! You better come quick. I think Hercules is going to kill Autolycus!"
The reaction was immediate as Xena bolted off the bed and was out of the door before anyone else could blink. Toris turned and followed her, closely pursued by Gabrielle and Ephiny. They rushed back through the length of the ship reaching the corridor to the mess room just in time to hear the splintering crash of the door and Xena's voice as she demanded, "WHAT IN THE BLAZING DEPTHS OF TARTARUS IS GOING ON HERE?!"
"Um, hi Xe...na," slurred Autolycus before keeling over and passing out across the table that continued to hold him up, his withdrawal from the proceedings the result of the combination of drink and Hercules' fist.
"Uh ... Hi," ventured the demi-god stepping guiltily away from the table and putting his hands behind his back, looking something akin to a schoolboy caught in the act.
Xena gave him a dour look as she observed the scene of an obvious fight. She sniffed ostentatiously and raised a disapproving eyebrow, "Have you been drinking?" she growled, not making any motion to move farther into the room.
"No!" answered Hercules hurriedly, wanting to make it clear he was not guilty of that offense. "Autolycus has been and he's a little .. drunk."
"Uh huh," nodded the warrior sceptically. "That why he's passed out?" she asked, knowing the answer to that already having seen the big man throw the punch just as the door burst open.
Hercules looked down at his feet, "Um, no ... not exactly."
Xena looked intently at her friend, "Want to tell me what happened here?" She remained in the doorway, the demi-god guessed to prevent anyone else from entering the room. He could hear several voices outside in the passageway and guessed that a lot of people had been assaulted by a case of overwhelming curiosity.
"Not particularly," he answered eventually.
The Warrior Princess looked over her shoulder, "Get everyone out of here Eph, would ya?"
He could hear Ephiny chivvying her Amazons away from the scene while Xena continued to look assessingly at him, "Alright, show's over. Back off all of you. C'mon, you've all got stuff you should be doing; now get out of here."
As Ephiny cleared people out of the companionway, the raven haired warrior finally allowed Gabrielle to squeeze past her, and the little bard immediately made her way over to where Autolycus lay sprawled. She tried to push behind the table, but it was heavy and not easy for her to move, especially with the thief's weight added to the mass.
"Um, Hercules?" she asked. "Would you mind?" she made a few pulling motions.
"Oh! Sorry Gabrielle ... here," he said as he pulled the table forward with impressive ease. Of course this also released Autolycus from his pinned position and the King of Thieves slipped bonelessly to the wooden plank floor with an audible, "THUMP!" Hercules looked a little sheepish as he said, "Sorry."
Xena moved away from the door and was followed into the room by Toris, Ephiny and a worried looking Iolaus who had been drawn by the activity taking place. "What's going on, Herc?" he asked, concern evident in his voice and eyes as he surveyed the damaged mess.
"Just a slight disagreement, Iolaus .. nothing to worry about. It'll be fine when Autolycus sleeps it off," answered the demi-god grimly.
"Slight disagreement?" questioned the blonde sidekick as he looked again at the devastation done to the mess room again. "Buddy, I hate to tell you this, but it sure looks like more than a slight disagreement went on here."
"Drop it, alright Iolaus," Hercules warned him.
"Hercules ..." tried the small man again only to be cut off by his friend.
"I said drop it. It's no one's business except mine and Autolycus'. If he wants to talk about it he can tell you when he wakes up," growled the demi-god. "Now, if no one has any objections ... I need some fresh air." He brushed past them having no intention of discussing what happened with any of them .. least of all Xena.
"Herc .." Iolaus made as if to follow his friend, but Xena's strong hand stopped him.
"Let him cool off a bit, Iolaus. He'll talk to you later if he needs to," She cast a look after the retreating hero, "He needs some time to himself just now."
The blonde stared searchingly into the strong face of the Warrior Princess for a tense moment before nodding his agreement. He gave a concerned sigh and asked, "You want me and Toris to take him down to the infirmary?" he nodded in the direction of Autolycus.
Xena looked over at Gabrielle and quirked an eyebrow, "He'll have a bruised jaw and a whale of a hangover, but I should think he'll be fine otherwise," the bard answered the silent question.
Turning to Iolaus, the warrior shook her head and told him, "You and Toris take off. I can manage him from here." She watched as the blonde man headed for the door with her brother at his shoulder, "Iolaus," she called, stopping him just before he left. When he turned to face her she said, "Keep an eye on Herc ... but don't push him. He might be a little low for a couple of days."
She saw him bob his head in acknowledgement as her mind chirped up, - A little low! That's an understatement. He really didn't take it well when I told him I wouldn't join with him. I love him .. I always will. But he's not the man I want to settle down and raise a family with. - She shook her head at the thought. Her gaze wandered over to where the thief lay and she had to suppress a smile of amused affection. - What did you say to rile ol' Herc up like that, Autolycus? Even drunk I thought you had more sense of self preservation than that! - she smirked.
"Alright Gabrielle, stand aside. I'll take him down so that Sheraya and Patroclese can check him out," she told the bard as she moved across and lifted him easily from the deck.
The honey blonde gave her a vexed look. "You don't have to strain yourself Xena. I'm sure Eph and I could manage him."
The warrior gave her friend a version of 'the look' and told her flatly, "Get off it Gabrielle! I'm fine. And I'll take care of Autolycus .. okay?"
"Suit yourself," shrugged the bard, as she noted the way that Xena seemed to be checking out the thief's injuries with a concerned glance. She and the Regent followed the Warrior Princess back to the other end of the ship, both certain that more seemed to be going on than met the eye.
They were in the God of the Forge's abode deep within the bowels of Vulcan Mountain. The cavern, that had once been a plain, but functional, sleeping apartment, now showed extensive signs of the Goddess of Love's touches; starting with the luxuriously appointed, lace surrounded four poster bed, continuing through the erotic scenes that were depicted on the wall hangings and scattered rugs, and included the heavily stuffed, comfortable looking lounging couches that occupied a lot of floor space.
When he was finally certain that he could feel the solid ground of their cavern love nest beneath his feet, a stunning smile lit up his normally grim features and he told her with all his love pouring into his words, "'Dite, I would move Olympus to give you whatever you desired. I would break my back toiling over my forge to create for you anything that your heart desired ..."
"Mmmm, Hephster! Might have to hold you to that," she chuckled listening as he continued with his declaration of undying love.
"... I know that I'm not the most handsome, or most athletic ..."
"Don't sell yourself short, lover," she grinned happily at her man as he slid his muscular arms around her.
He looked at her with puppy dog eyes that really dug into her heart and soul, "Cut me some slack here, 'Dite," he chided, planting a tender kiss on her nose, "I'm not good at this love stuff .. but I'm trying to tell you something here."
She grinned at him and pulled him into a deep hug, kissing him with enough passion that almost all thought picked up and left them for a few moments, "You know for a novice, Heph, you're doing real well!" she told him with affectionate pride.
"Hmmm!" he coughed, trying to remember what he was saying, "Gods, but I'm lucky," he told her with enough raging emotion to make her hair curl.
The blonde goddess shivered knowing full well that they were both going to be very lucky once she got back from her errand, "Just keep that thought warm, Hephy. We'll work on it real soon," she told him.
"Okay, okay .. let me finish what I was saying," he told her.
"You go guy!" she grinned at him.
"Right, where was I?" he muttered, "Olympus .. back break .. handsome .. athletic ... oh yeah. Hmm!" he cleared his throat again, " ... even though I'm crippled and an outcast from the family, I feel like I'm the luckiest god alive, because I have your love."
"Awwww! You're so sweet," she smiled pinching his cheek in delight.
"Now I know I've told you that you can ask me for anything .. and I'd willingly give you anything I have or can make."
"I know .. and I like so love you for that," Aphrodite hugged him.
"But just what in Zeus' name do you want some of my tools for?" he asked with total incomprehension.
She gave him a peck on the cheek and then explained, "Well you see, I kind of want to lend them to Herc for a few moments. He can use them to get those way uncool collars off the warrior babe and her bardy friend, ya know?"
Hephestus nodded at last understanding the request that had so puzzled him. "You're right. The combination of my tools and Hercules' strength should be more than enough to break open those collars ... but you won't be gone long, will you?" he asked with a note of pleading in his voice.
A flash of blue and silver announced the arrival of Ares before he growled, "She won't be going at all."
"Ares!" snapped Hephestus angrily. "What do you want here? Those weapons you ordered won't be ready for another moon, as agreed .. and I don't believe I ever issued you an invitation to pop into our home unannounced."
"Save it hop-a-long," sneered the God of War, "I've got business with the ditsy blonde, not you."
"Damn you Ares!"
"I've got nothing to say to you, Ares," Aphrodite told him cooly, moving to get between him and a very annoyed Hephestus. Her man was strong and powerful, but he was hampered by his lame leg and Ares would beat him to a pulp in a fight.
"Ah well that's where you're wrong sis. See you're about to interfere with Xena .. again. And well, as I see it, my Warrior Princess could do with a healthy dose of humility at the moment, and that slave collar serves to remind her that she's not as invincible as she thinks she is. In fact over time, it might just serve to remind her that without me she's just another fighter who can be taken down .. get my meaning?" he raised an eyebrow at her to emphasise the point. "So the collar stays on."
"What?" screeched Aphrodite incredulously, her fists coming to rest on her hips. "In your dreams leather boy!"
Ares looked at her calmly and smirked smugly, "Do I need to remind you about a certain bet made over a certain fight?" he asked her.
Aphrodite shuffled her feet a little, knowing all too well he was referring to the bet with Hermes on the Xena and Hercules fight, "Ummmm," she hedged.
"I'm sure you know that Hermes, being the joker he is, would be likely to exact his own brand of retribution?"
"Okay, okay! So no giving Hephy's tools to the Hercster! I got it!" sulked the blonde goddess.
"Not good enough, sis!" grinned Ares. "I know you too well. I want your godly oath that you will not give those tools to Hercules, Xena, or anyone else aboard that ship!" He thought for a moment before adding, "Or anyone in Amphipolis either .. or I let Hermes know you were betting on a rigged fight."
"Oh! That is so not fair!" screeched the goddess stamping her foot.
"That goes for Hephestus too .. no getting him to deliver them either .. or any of our family," he added.
"You are so mean!" she told him unhappily.
"Do we have a deal?" he demanded.
"You give your godly oath never to mention that bet again?" she sulked.
"You have my oath as God of War," agreed Ares satisfied with the deal.
"Then you have my oath as Goddess of Love," she answered grumpily.
"I'm glad we have that settled. See ya in a moon for those weapons, Hephestus," the darkly handsome god grinned as he left the cavern in a flash of blue and silver.
"Oh Hephy!" wailed Aphrodite as she turned into her spouse's firm embrace and sobbed on his shoulder, "Ares is so uncool!"
"Don't worry sweetheart. Hercules and the Warrior Princess are sure to work out a way to get rid of those things eventually," he told her, hugging her gently.
"But it's so not right! I had everything planned," she pouted. Then a smile suddenly lit her sullen features. "Hephy? did Ares say anything about a mortal taking your tools to Hercules?" she asked.
"Umm, no. He said that we couldn't give them to anyone on the ship or in Amphipolis or get any of the family to take them .. but he didn't say anything about other mortals."
"That's what I thought!" she grinned.
"'Dite? Just what are you up to?" questioned Hephaestus carefully.
"No time to explain now .. gotta bail!" she told him. "Later!" and she disappeared in a cloud of pink and silver shimmers.
Pulling her eyes away from the wide river, the Warrior Princess cast a look back towards the deck of the ship where her friends were scattered individually and in groups. Gabrielle and Ephiny were deep in further conversation about the domestic crisis that the Amazons were currently experiencing. Iolaus and Toris were laughing about something and casting careful glances at Nebula who was too busy concentrating on her navigation tasks to notice. Hercules had taken a solitary post on the starboard bow, while Autolycus was prowling the port bow.
She sighed softly. The thief and the demi-god had not come to terms about their quarrel. They studiously avoided occupying space closer than fifteen feet apart, and neither of them would talk about what the problem was. The Amazons seemed bemused about the sudden rift in the tight group of companions that had set off to rescue the Queen and her champion, but Xena, Gabrielle and, by association Ephiny, were fairly sure just where the problem lay ... so to speak.
The dark warrior shook her head in perplexity. - How do I end up with these problems? - she asked herself. She was willing to admit that she was flattered by the attention, regard .. - And, alright, dammit! Love! - that the two very different men offered. But she knew that she was far from ready to settle down with anyone. - I have too much to do .. so much to atone for .. and okay, I'm too restless to stay in one place for long. Being a wife and maybe .. a mother, - she swallowed hard as guilt brought the familiar grief associated with the loss of Solan. - Maybe one day .. but not yet! No! Not yet! -
She would be glad to get to Amphipolis. The tension on the ship was palpable, what with Hercules and Autolycus, the Amazons and their problems, along with the game that Nebula was playing with Iolaus and her brother, Xena guessed that all it would take was some little spark for them all to explode like a barrel of Greek fire! That consideration aside, she was also anxious to see her mother.
She knew that Cyrene would be worrying about both her and Toris and the Warrior Princess felt guilty about subjecting the long suffering woman to more anguish. It had been several moons since her brother had left Amphipolis and none of the rumours about her fate, that were bound to have reached home, would have done anything to allay the innkeeper's fears. So Xena knew that for her mother to be satisfied that all was well with her daughter, she would have to spend some time at the inn.
It was not something she was going to particularly enjoy. She desperately needed time on her own, away from the prying, invasive eyes of others .. even if it was the concerned eyes of friends. - Well alone accept for Gabrielle, - she acknowledged. There would be no possible way that the bard would agree to be separated from her for the foreseeable future after all that they had been through. And to be honest, she thought that it would be likely that Caesar's bounty would be withdrawn, so there was no real reasons for Gabrielle not to be at her side.
Her thoughts turned to the Roman and the light in her eyes hardened making her countenance grim. Her old nemesis had added much to the account between them and she was determined that he would pay in full when the time came. The bounty, that had started this last little chapter in their history, would surely be withdrawn because Xena was almost certain that Caesar would need every dinar he had to plough into his dispute against Pompey.
It seemed to her that the Roman's conflict was certain to escalate now. Caesar had had too many victories and was gaining too much ground with the senate. If Pompey didn't act soon, he would lose what support he had, which would result in Caesar gaining pre-eminence and total domination in the city and lead, ultimately, to Pompey's death as a rebel or a traitor to Rome .. whatever trumped up charge that Caesar could contrive.
- No Pompey has to act very soon, - she told herself. - Which means that Caesar will not have the money to waste on tracking me or Gabrielle down, so we should be free from Roman interference in our lives ... at least for the time being. -
Her thoughts returned to Amphipolis. - We have to stay there at least until those Amazons bring Argo there, - she mused. - It might not be too bad. The Amazons at least will head back to Themiscyra .. well except for Poni and most likely Sheraya. Ep's going to need more time for healing before she travels far, and I don't imagine Sheraya will abandon her patient. - A rather annoyed look creased her brow at the thought of the stubbornly insistent healer being around her for longer than necessary, but it gradually faded as she told herself, - Yeah but as soon as those Amazons get there with Argo, I'm out of there, - she smiled beatifically, - While Poni has to put up with Sheraya until they get back to Themiscyra! -
"That is a particularly evil look you have in your eye, warrior," growled Gabrielle as she moved beside her friend.
Xena gave her an arched eyebrow and then asked, "Finished your royal discussions with Eph?" knowing that it would not divert the bard in the least.
"Yes .. and the Amazons will be heading home as soon as we dock. I don't think Amphipolis and your Mother is ready for a major Amazon invasion .. you're always enough of a shock to them!" tweaked the younger woman, getting a mock punch in the arm for her temerity. "Hey!" she objected rubbing her arm with injured pretense.
"Ahhh!" came the return with a notable lack of sympathy from her warrior partner.
Playing the game Gabrielle gave her a manufactured glare, "So just what was it that brought that evil glint to your eye, O great Warrior Princess?" she demanded.
Xena grinned, "I was just thinking that Ep's not going to be in any state to travel for a few days at least."
"Yeah, Eph was just wondering if Cyrene will mind having a wounded Amazon warrior for a guest. I told her it wouldn't be a problem .. especially as she can pay for the room with good Roman gold acquired in those fights that Hercules won!"
The dark warrior chuckled, "Have you seen the size of that strongbox? They'll need all those warriors just to get it back to Amazon land safely. I think your treasury, your majesty, is about to get a major boost!"
"Yeah, well," grinned Gabrielle, "It'll give the Amazons some security for a while. It takes the pressure off the harvest and means they can buy essentials, or even a few luxuries, should they need to." She gave her friend a quizzing look, "However, you still haven't explained that gleam you had in your eye, and Poni staying at your mother's inn isn't the whole story."
Xena grinned at her, "You're right there. I was just thinking about the fact that Sheraya isn't going to abandon a wounded Amazon in Amphipolis .. I presume she'll be staying there too?"
"Naturally," affirmed the bard, raising an eyebrow of her own as the warrior chuckled once more. "What?" she demanded.
The Warrior Princess gave her a wicked look, "Oh I was just musing over the fact that Ep's gonna have Sheraya all to herself .. I almost wish I could see it!"
"Xena, you are so bad!" admonished the younger woman trying hard to keep the grin off her own face.
"What?" demanded the raven haired woman, "You mean you don't think it's a fitting repayment for all of the snide comments, digs and flat out taunting I've had to endure from her while you and that Amazon gorgon had me confined to that bed!"
"That's not nice, Xena," admonished the bard trying not to laugh.
"Nor is the Amazon gorgon!" pouted the warrior. "It's bad enough being bullied by you ...."
"Excuse me!" interrupted the honey blonde, "All I did was hold you to a promise you made me. It's not my fault that you can't be trusted to look after yourself!"
The Warrior Princess couldn't resist grinning at her friend as she continued to tease, "As I said, bullied me!"
"Xena!" complained the bard delivering a backhand slap to her warrior friend's muscular stomach.
"What?" growled the other woman grinning impudently, before drawing her friend in for a quick hug and saying softly, "Did I ever thank you for being a bully?"
Gabrielle relaxed in the unexpected and unusual display of affection from her friend. Xena tended to be very economical with her hugs .. oh she'd gotten better over the seasons, she no longer shied away from the bard's gentle touch and could be cajoled into giving a hug when the younger woman was in need of comfort, which was a relief for Gabrielle who willingly admitted to being a touchy feelly type of person. Then, sometimes .. when the mood struck her .. the warrior would reach out and just give a hug to let her partner know that she loved and appreciated her for all of the sour moods she took in her stride and for caring enough to remain with a 'moody, psychotic, half mad and all dangerous ex-warlord' as she often described herself. It was something that made the bard feel everything was worthwhile.
"Nope!" she finally replied, "You never did."
The warrior smiled gently and kissed the top of her friend's head before saying quietly, "Thank you, Gabrielle. Thank you for caring enough about me to bully me into taking the time to get over my injuries. Thank you for being my friend and partner ... and thank you for not deserting me to Caesar's mercies, even though I deserved nothing more."
The bard sighed and allowed herself a moment more in the protecting arms of her friend before twisting out of them to confront her with a sad stare, "Xena, when are you going to forgive yourself? You have changed .. you're not the person you were and no one ... no one, not even the Destroyer of Nations, deserves to be left in Caesar's hands," she admonished.
The warrior turned away and looked across to the bank of the river, remaining silent for so long that the younger woman didn't think that she was going to get an answer. Finally the raven tressed warrior shook her head and said softly, "It's too soon to abandon the guilt I feel for the deaths of the people who fell at my hand and the hands of my army. For the people who died because they couldn't survive after their men were killed and their stocks plundered."
She held her long fingered hands up before her and stared at them seeing something that no one else could, "I once told Hercules that I had so much blood on my hands that I'd never get them clean .. and that was so true."
The bard reached out and closed her friend's hands with her own, willing the blue eyes of the Warrior Princess to look at her and once they did she told her firmly, "That was another person, Xena. YOU have changed. You just have to accept that."
The warrior looked deep into the greenish blue eyes of her bard, "I don't think I can do that, Gabrielle. I'm not sure I'll ever believe that."
The younger woman fought her emotions to stop a tear from sliding down her cheek. The depth of self inflicted pain that the Warrior Princess carried around with her was so immense that she sometimes wondered how she could bear the weight of it. Instead of crying she smiled, her face full of confident assurance, "Don't worry!" she told her partner, "I have enough belief for both of us."
Xena gave her a wry smile, "Of that I have no doubt, bard." She reached out a hand to cup the honey blonde's cheek, before sliding it down to gently finger the silver collar, a match for the one that encircled her own neck.
"Are we going to be able to get these off, Xena?" asked Gabrielle, a worried note creeping into her voice.
"We'll have some time once we get into Amphipolis to work out a way to get rid of them. Hercules will help. We can't go anywhere until your Amazons turn up with Argo," came the reply.
"Lasca and Jade are good warriors," assured Gabrielle. "I know they're young, but they're eager to help and they've got Karrellie and Hakine along with them to keep an eye on them. They'll get Argo back safe and sound .. they'll be here before you know it."
"They better be," grumped the Warrior Princess unhappily. "I would have still preferred to collect her myself ... and if they don't take good care of her ...." she left the threat unfinished.
The bard shook her head in exasperation, "Xena you know you weren't fully recovered enough to go and get Argo! She'll be fine .. and don't go frightening the Amazons .. we have enough trouble in that area without you adding to it .. right?" she poked her partner in the ribs.
"Right!" grumbled the warrior unconvinced.
"C'mon," Gabrielle tried changing the subject, "Lets go pack our gear .. we'll soon be in Amphipolis."
Xena looked quizzically upriver and nodded her head in agreement, "Fine," she said. "Let me get into my armour ... I want to make sure that I look presentable when I get there."
"Fraud," chided the bard good naturedly, "You just want to make sure that the entire town knows it's you!"
The dark warrior grinned,"Busted, huh?"
"Yup! Big time," agreed the Amazon Queen as they made their way below deck.
Breathing deeply of the sea air, the merchant looked appreciatively at the growing crowd of suckers .. erm customers that were flocking to the town's main market square. He happily set up his portable table and set out his wares, certain that this was the day that he would make enough money to invest in the land deal that he had his eye on down near Athens.
The little earthenware jugs clinked with a solid, comfortable sound as he set them out on his stall to make an attractive and enticing display of his goods. He knew that they looked eye-catching and intriguing, he'd had them painted bronze and highlighted with an almost silver like pigment that made the little clay pots appear to be something better than they were.
All in all he was quite happy with his latest get-rich-quick scheme. There was no way he could fall foul of the locals, no one was going to get hurt .. himself especially he fervently hoped. There was no local raider activity, no known heroes in the vicinity, and as far as he remembered, he hadn't been to this area in years so no one should remember him from any of his past failed schemes.
An almost beatific smile graced his bearded countenance as he faced his public ready to give them the spiel that he'd worked out in a few much smaller villages as he perfected his patter on unsuspecting, and largely innocent, populations where he was less likely to encounter major harm should something go wrong. Up until now, nothing had, and so he had determined to try his product and his selling technique on a far larger and much wealthier group of buyers.
Taking a deep breath he began calling in his marks in a loud, confident voice, "Gather round, folks, gather round. Step right up so that you can hear all about the miracle tonic of the age!" He picked up one of the small jugs and slapped it proudly, "Yes! Here in my hand I hold a wonder of modern medicine. This little vessel holds a mighty elixir that is guaranteed to make all those worrying aches and pains go away and make you feel at least ten times better than normal!" he proclaimed enthusiastically.
"What is it? A way to get rid of mother-in-laws?" laughed a raucous voice from somewhere in the crowd.
"Nah!" answered another, "It's exotic spices to improve the wife's cooking!" encouraging titters from the crowd.
"Yeah? Well you better buy his whole inventory, Damastocles, because your wife's cooking could sure use some help!" commented another wit, bringing a much bigger laugh from the crowd.
"Friends! Friends!" grinned the trader, calling attention back to himself, "I'm sure the gentleman's wife is a far better cook than she's given credit for ... and if she isn't, well a sip of 'Hippocrates' Health Tonic', before and after the meal, is just the thing to make it seem like a kings feast!"
That got their attention and one helpful person asked just the question he was looking for, "Just what is this Hipp .. Hip .. Hoorum," coughed the woman, "Health tonic? And what's it made from?"
"Ah, dear lady. This special elixir is made from a secret recipe known only to the great healer Hippocrates and a few other select people. It's said that Aesculapius himself whispered the secrets of the formula to the great healer and entrusted him to see that it would benefit mankind," he told them confidentially.
The excited murmuring that accompanied that piece of information buzzed around the crowd in muted whispers that made the trader certain that he was going to have a very, very good day of selling here. He could almost count the dinars as they racked up in his mind and he just hoped that he had enough stock on hand to cope with the demand. He frowned as a voice from the back of the crowd yelled something to dampen the spirits of his buyers.
"How do we know it's safe to drink?"
The bearded trader saw grudging nods and concern on many people's faces. Smiling easily, having experienced the suspicious nature of peasants before, "Choose someone from amongst you that you all trust and then that person can pick a container and I'll drink from it," he assured them. "There is nothing to harm you here, my friends."
An old woman was picked and she pointed to a jug no different from the ones that surrounded it. Invisible sparkles flew from her finger tip and coalesced around the container before seeping into it through the cork, "That one," croaked the crone decisively.
Smiling, the salesman lifted the jug with a flourish. He pulled the cork, cutting through the silent expectation with an audible "POP!", and took a long swallow of the liquid inside. Smacking his lips with unassumed relish .. the stuff was after all quite tasty .. "There, my friends ... absolutely wonderful .. what more can I say?" He noticed some worried looks from the crowd. "What's the matter?" he asked.
"Is your hair supposed to do that?" asked a young woman.
"Do what?" he asked mystified, putting his hand up to feel his head and bringing it away clutching a thatch of his hair. "Ah ... hmmm ... errr," he huffed beginning to panic.
"It's all a con!"
"Looks like it backfired on him!"
"Serves him right!"
Came the comments from the people as they walked away from the stall snickering nastily as the trader's hair and beard pooled around his shoulders. The luckless man stood there staring in disbelief at the jugs, - What in Hades just happened? - he wondered to himself in shocked awe, running tentative fingers over his bald pate.
"Don't sweat it studmuffin!" came a very familiar voice from the lips of the crone who had remained standing alone before the stall.
"This is a nightmare," muttered the man. "Any minute now I'm going to wake up in my nice warm bed and find out I've been dreaming." He said slapping his hand over his eyes knocking loose his eyebrows.
"Betcha won't slick!" grinned the old woman toothlessly.
Spreading his fingers apart, the salesman gave the woman a hard look before whispering, "Aphrodite?"
The figure morphed into the delightfully nubile image of the Goddess of Love in her habitual pink negligé, "Got it in one, Sal!" she giggled.
Salmoneus groaned, looked up at the sky and wailed, "Why me?"
"Because I know I can trust you to do me an incy wincey favour," she wheedled.
He looked at her incredulously, "You've got to be kidding! After what you've just done to me?"
Aphrodite pouted at him, "I can make it worth your while," she told him.
"How?" demanded the portly salesman as he hurriedly started to pack up his merchandise.
"I can give you back your hair," she grinned.
"Which I just lost because of you," he answered her snidely.
The goddess draped herself alluringly over Salmoneus' table, "I could rock your world, Studmuffin!" she told him leaning forward so that her breath tickled his ear.
The salesman looked at her with almost uncontrollable desire, but his thwarted financial instincts were putting up a valiant rearguard action. "I .. erm .. I .. uh!" He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and said in a squeaky voice, "No! You just lost me a fortune here, Aphrodite."
"That's way harsh, Salmoneus .. I did that for the best reasons," she pouted.
"Best reasons!" his voice raised an octave, "Best reasons? Making my hair fall out was for the best reasons? Alright, O great Goddess of love! What reasons?" he demanded as he stuffed the last of his inventory into a large pair of sacks that he then hefted across the back of a donkey.
"Your friend, the warrior babe, and her tag along bard .. well they got into some way uncool mess with some Roman dude called Caesar and have spent the last three moons or so as his personal property." she explained.
That brought the salesman to a stop and he softly exclaimed, "Xena!" before shaking his head sadly, "I can't do anything to help them .. I'm a merchant, not a fighter .. go find Hercules. He'll rescue them."
"Done deal, slick!" the goddess told him smugly.
"What do you need me for then?" asked Salmoneus, intrigued in spite of his determination not to be.
"Well while Caesar had them, he had these slave collars put on them that even Hercola can't break open. It's a real bummer!" she sighed.
"Must be if Hercules can't do anything about them," he agreed, worried about his friends.
She grinned at the look on his face knowing that the hook was set. "There's a way to help them," she told him. "The Hercster just needs to borrow a couple of Hephy's tools and with his strength and their forging he'll be able to like junk the hunks of tin around their throats."
He gave her a sharp look, "Then why don't you just give them to Hercules?" he questioned.
"Weeell," she shrugged, "Ares wigged out on us and made me and Heph promise not to give the tools directly to Hercules, or Xena, or anyone with them."
"Ares!" the chubby man exclaimed. "You want me to go against Ares? Have you lost you mind?"
"Chill mortal or we'll be talking big time retribution here!" she warned him.
"Okay, okay," he tried to placate her, "Don't do anything hasty!" He gave her a careful look, "So what's with Ares anyway?"
Aphrodite shrugged uncomfortably, "He had something on me and so got a promise from me .. but it didn't include getting an unconnected mortal to take the things to the guys!" She could see that he remained to be convinced. "Look. All you've gotta do is give the things to Herc. I'll set you and your," she looked hard at the donkey, "your friend down just outside Amphipolis ...."
"Amphipolis, but that's miles from here or anywhere!" he complained.
"I'll even erase the memory of the people here so you can do your selling thing when you hit town again," she promised.
"You're forgetting something," he prompted scratching his chin meaningly.
"Yadda, yadda!" she acknowledged with a wave of her hand restoring his hirsute finery, "So will you do this itsy little thing for me, studmuffin?"
Salmoneus gave her a long look before answering, "No. I won't do it for you," he told her with a shake of his head. "But I will do it for Xena and Gabrielle."
Aprhodite didn't quite know whether to frown or smile at his acceptance of her task, so instead, after she had handed over the tools of Hephestus, she settled for a wave of her hand that sent the travelling salesman on his way to Amphipolis in a cloud of pink sparkles. She grinned at the thought of the fifteen mile walk he'd have to make to get to the town, "That'll teach him to mess with me!" she mock growled as she took a quick look around the square before announcing, "Later!" to no one in particular.
"Wave Dancer" docked alongside the small but functional wharf that Amphipolis boasted and the process of unloading all the passengers, their equipment and the large chest of Roman coins, that Ephiny had acquired, got underway. Xena had only her immediate personal possessions; her leathers, armour, sword and chakram, courtesy of Autolycus. - Still haven't thanked him properly for getting them back for me, - she mused, allowing a somewhat vexed look crease her brow as she thought about the problem between the thief and demi-god for what seemed the hundredth time.
Xena sighed and cast a look over to where Gabrielle seemed to be stuffing an endless supply of trinkets mixed with a fair selection of pots and pans into a knapsack. Her frown became something more of a glare as her eyes narrowed and she told herself firmly, - If she thinks Argo's going to lug that lot around she's got another think coming! -
The bard caught her look and gave her friend an artfully contrived smile, "I know what you're thinking," she told her, "but don't worry, most of this stuff I'll give to your mother ... but I want the frying pan and the cooking pots as a backup, because a certain Warrior Princess I know has a habit of destroying cookware faster than I can acquire it!" she mock frowned.
The dark warrior bent her head down to hide her grin knowing that her younger partner was quite right on that point. As Gabrielle continued her packing, her thoughts returned to the problem of Autolycus. There was something about the thief that pulled deeply at her .. something that made her keep him at arm's length in a way that she never had with Hercules. Her thoughts skittered back to a moment on a night-shrouded roof in Rome when the King of Thieves had brushed past her defences, gathered her into his arms and kissed her deeply and unexpectedly. She could still feel the static buzz on her lips, when she thought of it, and her fingers drifted towards the spot almost involuntarily.
"You okay?" questioned Gabrielle, noticing the far off look in the warrior's eye.
Xena mentally shook herself and offered the bard a smile, "Yeah, just thinking."
The bard could tell that her frequently taciturn partner didn't really want to talk about what she'd been thinking, so instead she announced, "Well I'm packed .. time we went and put your mother's fears to rest." Nodding her agreement, the warrior reached for the bulging knapsack, intending to swing it over her shoulder, only to have her hands slapped away by her friend. "You may be fit enough to be back on your feet, Xena, but that wound in your shoulder still hasn't fully healed. It was really a bad one and I don't want to take any chances that it will open up again." She could see the larger woman was about to protest, but put an end to the argument with a firm, "Humour me on this one ... please?"
The Warrior Princess threw her hands up into the air with a resigned sigh, "Just don't come complaining about an aching back because you've packed everything into that bag including the ship's bath tub!"
"The ship doesn't have a bath tub," answered the bard a little confused.
"I know," breathed Xena with a grin eying the sack.
She earned another backhand blow to her stomach and a growled, "Funny, Xena, very funny!"
Smiling, and exchanging insults, the pair made their way back up on deck where Toris was waiting impatiently for them, "How long does it take to pack a few clothes?" he demanded.
"Ask her majesty here," the warrior pointed to the bard, "I've only got what I'm standing up in." She eyed her brother judiciously, "Thought you might have gone to tell Mother that we were here," she stated.
Toris nodded his dark head and looked at her with those blue eyes that were almost a match for her own, "Thought about it," he admitted, "But decided that if she saw me without you two she might get the wrong idea."
Xena returned his look before slapping him on the back and acknowledging, "Good call. Don't want her any more worried than she probably is." Her look strayed to the wharf that was beginning to be crowded with Amazons, before shifting across to the grass verged street where it appeared the local militia was assembling. She arched an incredulous eyebrow, "Just what in the name of Hades do they thing they're doing?"
Her brother turned his attention to where she was looking, "Give me strength!" he hissed,"Let me go and talk to them and just let them know what's going on, okay?" He gave his sister a warning look, "Don't do anything ... outrageous."
"Me?" she inquired innocently.
"Yeah, yeah!" he answered with a tight smile, "Save it for someone who doesn't know you."
"I am so misunderstood," she grumbled lightly, grinning as the bard elbowed her in the side, "What?" she demanded.
"The problem here is that we understand you all too well, O Warrior Princess of flamboyant intimidation. Just behave yourself and let Toris sort things out, okay?" Gabrielle instructed firmly.
Xena sighed, rested her arms on the railing and watched as Toris ran down the gang plank, pushed his way through assorted Amazons who were starting to look defensively at the Amphipolis militia, and strode purposefully up to the man in charge. - Why is it never easy coming home? - she asked herself wistfully.
As they waited, Hercules and Iolaus came over and joined them, "What's going on?" asked the blonde sidekick.
Waving a hand in the direction of her brother the warrior answered, "Seems like the militia is getting a little bit worked up by the amount of Amazons suddenly appearing on the wharf. Toris has gone to calm things down before it gets out of hand."
"Why did Toris get the job?" asked Iolaus confused, thinking that Xena's impressive reputation would be far better to back up assurances that the Amazons were just passing through and heading for home.
A quickly smothered, pain filled look swept across the Warrior Princess' eyes before she answered the question, "I .. am not well .. thought of here at home," she told her listeners. "We have a truce, of sorts, but ..." she shrugged, "there's an awful lot of old hatred for me here."
"But this is your home .. you have family here, they know you!" protested the blonde, who despite their rocky history had managed to fully overcome his animosity for Xena and counted her both as a friend and someone who could be relied on in times of trouble.
"That's the problem .. they KNOW me. What I was .. what I did. I doubt that anything I do will ever be enough to reinstate people's faith in me here ... well not everybody's. That's okay. I'm used to it, and I earned their hatred fair and square," she told them emotionlessly, her warlord mask firmly locked into place as she informed them of the facts as she saw them.
The two men exchanged glances while the bard tucked an arm around her friend's biceps and told her softly, but with firm resolve, "It's not okay, Xena. Not with me ... and eventually even the people here will see and understand that you've changed. When that time comes, they will forgive the sins of the past." She looked up into the warrior's carefully blank features, "You may not believe it, but that's okay. I told you I've got enough belief for both of us."
The Warrior Princess looked down at the Amazon Queen and gave her a faint, affectionate lop sided grin before she told her, "You have enough belief for the world, my bard."
Eyes turned back to where Toris was obviously losing his temper as he began to gesticulate wildly. Even from their current distance, the small group at the ships rail could hear voices raising as reason began to give way to anger. Xena noted that a large portion of the disembarked Amazons were now standing alert with hands resting seemingly negligently on their weapons.
"Oh this is ridiculous!" muttered the warrior testily as she sprang lightly up onto the rail and selected a suitable rope, leaning her weight onto it to test it's strength.
"Xena!" warned the bard, "You promised Toris."
"Actually, I never did, Gabrielle," grinned the dark haired woman, "You were so busy nagging at me that I never got a chance to," she laughed as she launched herself back across the deck to the far side of the ship gathering momentum to fly past her friends as she swung back past the rail over the side of the ship, describing a lazy loop in the air while rattling out her battle cry and landing neatly next to her irate brother.
"I do not nag!" yelled the bard after her, then repeated firmly to herself, "I don't nag."
Seeking out Praxedes, the leader of the group, Toris used a couple of hand gestures to try and calm him and the other men down before demanding, "What in Hades do you think you're doing Prax?"
"My job Toris!" retorted the other man. "When we got the alert that we were about to be invaded by Amazons ...."
"They're not invading, you moron, they're just disembarking to head back to their own land. If you keep out of their way, most of them will be gone by noon," the dark haired man told him.
" ... and not only that, but your demon sister was leading them! Well, no one here is about to let her start that game again," finished the militia leader puffing out his chest that was way along the road to becoming flabby.
"Great hairy toads in the morning," growled Toris under his breath. He clapped a firm hold on Praxedes' shoulder and leaned in close to him, "Prax, old buddy," he smiled, "How long have we known each other?"
The man's florid features looked a little puzzled as he answered uncertainly, "Since we were kids, Tor, you know that."
The raven haired man smiled mirthlessly, "Indeed I do, Prax .. and in that time that we were growing up, do you happen to remember my little sister?"
The other man's Adam's apple bobbed up and down convulsively, "Y..yes," he admitted, beginning to get some idea where this was going.
"Of course you do," agreed Toris affably, "She's the one that regularly beat the crap out of all of us! And you know what, Prax?" he asked conversationally.
"Wh .. what?" stammered the other man, wondering just why he let the head man talk him into this folly.
"She's a hundred times better at kicking butt now!" answered the tall innkeeper, struggling to keep a hint of pride out of his voice.
Screwing his courage to the sticking place, Praxedes drew himself up to his less than impressive height and looked up into the other man's burning blue eyes, "Damn it Tor! That's the whole point isn't it? We can't afford that bitch of a sister of yours to come charging in here like she owns the place. We got burned by her once .. never again."
Toris threw his hands up into the air! "Of all the mule headed, backwards thinking, brain numbing stupidity!" He stopped suddenly and skewered the town baker with a piercing look, "Prax? Just who in Hades came up with that idea?" he asked knowing full well that the pompous little man wouldn't have thought of this himself and so it was logical to presume someone else had put him up to it.
"It's my duty as head of militia ...." began the baker once more.
"Yes, yes .. I've heard that already .. now just who gave the alert?" demanded the tall, suddenly menacing man.
"Umm .. well .. ummm Tomas said ..."
Slapping his head in mock disbelief, Toris was almost ready to take on the militia himself and send them packing, "Tomas? TOMAS? What in the blue blooded blazes of Hera has he got to do with anything?" he yelled.
"He's head man here now, Tor! Was elected while you've been gone!" retorted Praxedes beginning to get angry himself, "So if he says get the militia out and arrest the bitch from Tartarus and clear off the harlots, then that's what I have to do!"
Above their shouting came the unmistakable ululation of Xena's battlecry replaced almost immediately by a soft thud as she landed gracefully next to Toris. With ice blue eyes flashing dangerously, she asked in the deepest, coldest voice she could muster, "You gonna try and arrest me, little man?"
The baker was close to peeing his pants. She could see the undiluted terror in his eyes as he struggled to say something .. anything! A distinctly feral grin lit her features as she swept a deadly look over the rest of the men in the militia and it deepened as they involuntarily took a step back away from her. "You wanna tell me what's going on here?" she returned her gaze back on Praxedes.
Finally summoning the courage to speak to the dazzlingly beautiful, but frighteningly scary, warrior before him, "You can't bring your Har ...." his voice stopped suddenly as a hand squeezed his throat.
Still smiling coldly, Xena told him, "They're Amazons ... remember that!" she hissed before releasing him.
The stout man grabbed at his throat as he drew in a couple of long deep breaths before finishing hurriedly, "You can't bring those ... Amazons in here. I have orders to arrest you if you do."
Taking a deep breath, the Warrior Princess growled, "The Amazons will be heading home more or less immediately. I and a few friends will be visiting with my Mother for a few days. I'll vouch for the Amazon's good behaviour while they are here."
"Yeah?" sneered Praxedes, "And just who is going to vouch for you?"
She smiled as she identified a small group approaching behind her, "I'll vouch for her," said a familiar male voice.
The little baker looked up at the giant of a man who had approached with a smaller blonde man and the more familiar looking bard that had been seen in Amphipolis with Xena before, "And just who in Hades are you?" came the almost expected demand.
"I'm Hercules," returned the reply complete with a shrug of the shoulders.
That caught the attention of all the militia. Praxedes struggled with the identification before stuttering, "You .. you're .. um, I mean .. you'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble here?"
"Oh yeah!" he agreed off handedly. "I'll keep her in line."
"I'll get you for that, Hercules," breathed Xena almost too quiet for even the demi-god to pick up.
"In that case .. erm," Praxedes shuffled trying to reconcile his orders with the latest turn of events.
"Just send the lads home, Prax. There's nothing for them to do here." Toris told him quietly.
The baker moved uncertainly, throwing worried looks at the group before him and the Amazons behind them, "C'mon lads .. let's get back to work," he said at last.
Breathing sighs of relief, the militia dispersed, leaving the group alone on the wharf road. Gabrielle approached a glaring Warrior Princess and gently rubbed her arm, "Hey?" she questioned, "You okay?"
"Jerks," muttered the warrior glancing after the retreating men. She glanced at the bard and added, "Yeah I'm fine."
"Eph says she'll meet us up at the inn. She'll come up with Poni, Joxer and Sheraya. Why don't we go and see your mother?" she suggested.
Quirking the ghost of a lopsided smile, Xena nodded her head, "Um, Herc? Can you bring Eph up .. just in case of trouble?"
"No problem," smiled the demi-god, "We'll see you in a while."
"Thanks," she told him, before she, Gabrielle and Toris headed up the street towards the town's best inn.
The walk through the street was executed quickly. There were few people to be seen around .. obviously nervous about the intimidating presence of so many Amazon warriors .. not to mention a certain home grown Warrior Princess. The trio didn't speak, but their eyes noted the wary looks they were getting from the few people that had braved the streets.
When they reached the inn, Toris entered first and found his Mother waiting anxiously beside the bar. As her son approached she held her arms open and pulled him in for a hug. "I've missed you," she said, "Is everything alright?"
In answer she heard her daughter's tentative voice, "Mother?"
Drawing away from Toris she looked across the room to where her tall, powerful daughter stood waiting by the door, still uncertain of her mother's welcome, knowing there was still so much past pain laying between them. Smiling, Cyrene started across the room, picking up pace the closer she got and was enfolded in a strong pair of arms as she reached her destination.
"Oh, Xena! I've been so worried. Welcome home little one .. I'm glad you've made it back safely."
The Amazon Regent had managed to pry the innkeeper away from her son and daughter for long enough to arrange accommodation for Eponin, Sheraya and two guards, insisting on paying even though the grateful Cyrene was adamant that she would be happy to host the Amazons for all they had done to help rescue her daughter and Gabrielle.
"Really Cyrene, I wouldn't dream of it," Ephiny told her firmly. "Amazons pay their way in the world."
"Especially since the Amazon treasury has just come into something of a Roman windfall," commented Gabrielle from the table where she sat with Xena and Toris, drinking cold mugs of cider.
"But ...." the elder woman started to protest.
"We're grateful for the offer, Cyrene," the Regent assured her, "But Queen Gabrielle is right. You run a business here and we're more than happy to pay for your hospitality." She gave the woman a considering looking, recognising the stubborn set to her jaw, realising exactly from whom Xena got her tenacious willpower and decided she had better come up with a compromise, "However, should some Amazon be in need of a meal and a roof at some time, I would be grateful for any aid you see fit to extend," she said with a warm smile.
"But of course," the innkeeper enthused strongly, realising that she was being offered a way to accept the situation without being seen to back down .. a compromise of sorts. "Any Amazon that passes through Amphipolis will always be welcome here."
Ephiny smiled warmly at Cyrene's declaration and extended an invitation, in return, "Should you ever venture towards Themiscyra, know that you will always be well received there." The Regent then turned towards the two women seated at the table, "I'd like to say that this adventure has been fun, but on the whole I think I'd rather deal with a string of domestic conflicts than have to deal with any of that again." She rested a hand lightly on her stomach, "I have a lot to think about resulting from this .. I hope you will both be able to be with me for the birth, I'll send you a message when it's time."
Gabrielle stood and threw herself into a fierce hug from her friend, "Thank you for coming after us, Eph. It really means a lot to me .. to both of us .. to know that we can count on you."
"Anytime, Gabrielle," answered Ephiny returning the hug in kind, then added in a whisper, "Just try keeping tall, dark and deadly out of trouble for a while, huh? There's only so much excitement us poor Amazons can take."
While Gabrielle and her Regent had been saying their farewells, Xena had risen and moved around the table to stand at the bard's shoulder, "I heard that Ephiny," she said wryly, startling the pair out of the hug.
"Good," returned the blonde Amazon with a laugh as she released Gabrielle and turned her attention to the dark warrior. "Maybe you'll give it a try then," she said as she held out a hand ready to clasp her friend's arm in a warrior salute, almost squeaking in surprise as Xena took it and pulled her into a brief hug.
"I always try, Eph ... but I have this little bard who seems to attract all the trouble going," she quirked a lopsided grin.
"Hey!" growled Gabrielle as she threw a light backhand into the warrior's arm, "I resemble that remark," she smirked.
"Keep in touch. We won't be able to see you until the child is due ... as long as there aren't any complications," she told her making it clear that if she was needed that exile or no, she would come at her friend's call. "But write and let us know that all is well. I'll be there to make sure that you and the baby come through the birth okay?" she told the Amazon warmly.
"I can't expect you to do that, Xena," Ephiny told her seriously, "The council would have a collective fit, and I don't know what they would, or could, rule if you should break the exile order," she grinned, "At least until I have time to look it up in the law scrolls."
Returning the serious look with one of her own the warrior told her, "Hey we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If the pregnancy goes well, then my period of exile will be over and I'll be able to be there to deliver the baby ... Can't have someone else bringing Xenan's little brother or sister into the world now, can I?"
Not knowing what to say, the Regent contented herself with a grateful look, "You take care of our Queen .. and yourself, you hear me? I don't want to tell Xenan that his favourite aunts ...." she left that unfinished and the Warrior Princess could see a suspiciously moist gleam in the Regent's eyes.
"Take care of yourself, Eph ... watch your back," she warned, not liking the situation building amongst the Amazon factions.
"No problems," agreed the curly haired blonde with something of a grimace, before she gave Gabrielle a final quick hug and headed for the door with a wave.
Xena and the bard exchanged looks. Both were concerned about the Amazon situation. They knew that ordinarily, Ephiny was, normally, more than capable of handling it .. especially with the capable help of both Solari and Eponin .. however, with a large percentage of the loyal guards returning in a state of pregnancy, and with the Regent herself expecting, things might become more than a little tense back in Themiscyra.
"Do you think ...." began Gabrielle.
The warrior shook her head, "She knows to call us if she needs help ... there's not a lot more we can do for now .. you need to trust her to cope with this."
"I do!" protested the honey blonde indignantly, "It's just I can't help being worried .. I'm Queen and a lot of Eph's problems stem from me."
"I know, Gabrielle .. I know," agreed the Warrior Princess, also knowing that an equal amount of blame could be laid at her door ... most of the Amazons did not like her. - Oh they respect me, - she mused, - They're just scared to death of me! So Gabrielle and Ephiny suffer by association. - She shook her head taking to herself responsibility and blame for her friend's troubles. Looking down at the blonde by her side she said, "C'mon, bard. Mother's dying to find out just what has been happening to us .. just try not to scare her too much, huh?"
Gabrielle looked up into the clear blue eyes of the warrior, "Yeah, yeah .. I know. Keep it simple," she breathed as they returned to their seats, accepting the mugs of golden cider that the innkeeper pushed in their direction and waited, with an assumed patient look, to be told of their latest adventure.
As the door closed, the son of Zeus spotted the glum look on Joxer's face, "Hey!" he said drawing the man's attention.
"Hmm?" came the distracted reply.
"It might never happen, you know," chided Hercules gently.
Iolaus let out a short bark of laughter, "Think you're a bit late with that one, Herc!" he grinned rapping his knuckle against the wood splinting the injured man's legs.
"Hey!" objected Joxer in a hurt tone.
"Cut it out Iolaus," reprimanded the demi-god.
"I was only pulling his leg," grinned the blonde. "Get it? Pulling his leg!"
"Ha, ha!" growled a distinctly unamused Joxer.
"Oh c'mon! We need to cheer up here," laughed Iolaus lightly, "I mean we just bearded the lion in his den and got out to tell the tale. We're home, we're pretty much safe and, alright there are some injuries, but all in all we got ...."
"Iolaus!" interrupted Hercules strongly.
"Hmm? Yeah what's up?" asked his friend with unfeigned innocence.
"Why don't you .. go and talk to Autolycus for a while."
The blonde frowned, "Why would I want to talk to Autolycus?" he grumbled.
"Because I asked you to," the son of Zeus told him levelly.
"You asked ..." he started as Hercules cocked his head towards the miserable looking man in the bed, "Oh yeah .. right. Well I do need to ask him .. um .. yeah ask him about that .. um .. tavern up in Philippi .. yeah that's it," he fudged uncertainly.
"Well?" asked the demi-god.
"Hmm?" responded his sidekick with a lost look on his face.
"Autolycus?" prompted the hero, gesturing towards the door.
"Oh. Yeah. Right," he mumbled. "I'll see you guys in a bit."
Hercules watched as his friend left the room muttering under his breath as he did so. Once the door closed behind him, the big man turned his attention back to Joxer who lay back on the bed staring moodily at the well kept plaster covering the room's ceiling. Drawing a breath, the demi-god gathered a chair, from where it stood against the wall, before taking it to where he could sit alongside the bed. The silence dragged for a while as he thought about how to tackle what was wrong with the injured man.
Selecting and discarding several ideas, the big man finally decided that the direct approach was probably the best option, "You want to tell me what's bothering you?" he asked.
At first he didn't think that Joxer was going to answer him as he continued to stare up at the blank ceiling. "You'll think that I'm being stupid," he said at last, "Not that you probably don't already .. everyone else does. Joxer the Mighty ... what a joke!"
"Hey!" barked Hercules, drawing the injured man's attention to him,"I happen to know that man saved a child's life not so long ago .. I don't think he's a joke, neither does the girl and nor do his friends."
"You're just saying that," answered Joxer, flatly.
Hercules shook his head in perplexity, "Look Joxer, what's really up with you? I know it's not this hero stuff, because you've been around long enough to know that we all care for you more than that."
The other man looked at the demi-god with soulful brown eyes, "It's just that ..."
"Yes?" questioned the demi-god when he realised that the injured man wasn't going to continue.
Joxer shook his head blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, "It's just that now this is all over, everyone will be leaving .. except me. I've got a pair of broken legs and I don't even know when I'll be able to meet up with Xena and Gabby again .. sometimes .. sometimes .. I get lonely, ya know?"
Hercules laid a big hand on the other man's shoulder, "You can be with people and still get lonely, Joxer," he said with feeling. "But, if you really want to catch up with Xena and Gabrielle, then you have all the incentive in the world to make sure that you get your legs in shape as quickly as possible."
"It's going to take forever," huffed the wannabe warrior.
"Well from what I heard Sheraya saying it'll be another fourteen days or so before you'll be out of those splints, then you'll have to work on strengthening your legs and get them back to fitness .. but if you do the exercises you should be able to get back on the road within twenty-five days. It's just a matter of thinking positively."
"Ya think so?" Joxer perked up.
"Yeah," assured the demi-god.
"Can you show me some of the exercises I need to do?" he asked eagerly.
Hercules nodded, having guessed that would be coming, "I'll show you a few and write some down for you to do when you get a bit stronger," he promised.
"Okay," grinned Joxer.
The big man sighed, "You want me to show you some now?" he queried knowing the likely answer.
"Sure," agreed the injured man amiably, grabbing onto something that gave him hope in his recovery.
"Oh boy!" muttered Hercules as he proceeded to demonstrate some simple exercises that would speed the recovery of Joxer's limbs.
Sliding into a spare place on the bench next to Toris, the hunter gratefully accepted the mug of cider that Cyrene pressed upon him and listened to the bard spin her tale. Pretty soon he was caught up in it, and adding comments of his own as the story touched upon areas he had lived through.
Cyrene sat through this mixed up in an emotional turmoil of distress at what had happened to her daughter and her partner; she needed to know, but at the same time it pained her to hear what they had endured .. and she could tell that much was being left out of the recital. Once she had Toris alone she would get him to reveal the details that were being kept back.
The bard managed to get half way through her recitation of events, accepting and incorporating the occasional comment from Toris and Iolaus, and was aware of both the tense anxiety on Cyrene's face and the stoic mask assumed by Xena, when they were interrupted by the arrival of Patroclese, Nebula and the ex-slave boys (the girls having left with the Amazons to start their new lives). She gave them a wave as they gathered over at another table and were served food and drink by Tryphena the inn's waitress.
As Gabrielle turned back to her tale, she missed the entrance of a large group of men on the heels of their friends. However, she didn't fail to notice the stiffening of her partner as the men marched purposefully up to their table, the leader glaring hatefully at Xena who merely arched an eyebrow in return.
"What do you want here, Tomas?" demanded Toris a tinge of anger in his tone.
"Her!" snapped the tall, painfully thin man with a pock marked face, staring balefully at the dark warrior.
"For what?" growled Cyrene protectively, "She's done nothing ...."
"Oh really? Just because old Garrick let her come and go, heedless of her past crimes against this town and it's people, doesn't mean that I will," he stormed.
"Xena isn't like that anymore," interjected the bard noticing that both Nebula and Patroclese were approaching and that Autolycus had come in through the kitchens from wherever he'd been lurking.
"That doesn't make any difference, girl .. it's time she paid for her sins. Besides as head magistrate it's my duty to take into custody runaways when they're found in the precincts of Amphipolis!" he sneered, reaching out a hand to finger the strange collar around her neck.
His hand never made the contact, "Keep that to yourself .. unless you want to lose it!" advised the dark warrior with a dangerous growl as her hand closed crushingly around his wrist, squeezing until he felt his bones beginning to grate together.
Tomas was unable to stop his yelp of surprise and pain, not having even seen the lounging woman move. He tried to draw his hand free and found it held immobile in a vice like grip, "Let me go, dammit!" he swore struggling.
Xena quirked a playful smirk and enquired, "You want it?" feeling the town headman increase his attempt at pulling his hand free. When his somewhat under developed muscles were fully employed she released him saying distinctly, "Ya got it!" and watched as he smashed himself in the nose with his own fist propelled by the force of his straining muscles. It didn't hurt as much as it would have done if Xena had punched him, but it was far more humiliating for him.
As soon as he'd recovered, he wiped the blood away from his nose, smearing it across the back of his hand, "Don't just stand there," he told the men behind him, "Arrest her .. and the girl!"
The fifteen men moved forward a pace, a couple of them brandishing manacles. Xena felt an irrational clenching of her bowels as she saw the irons and a low growl began to emanate from deep within her, "If you want to keep your arms attached to your bodies .. BACK OFF!" she snarled.
Seeing the dangerous woman's eyes alight with a dark fire, the militia men immediately took one step back, none of them anxious to face her ire, many of them still had memories of the lumps and bruises that she gave them when they were children. She had garnered an impressive reputation as a child, and that had simply grown along with her over the years.
"I said arrest them!" seethed Tomas, who also remembered the thrashings he'd received at the young Xena's hands, particularly one that had left him with broken bones after he'd dared to say something far from complimentary about her mother. That beating still rankled after all these years and he was not above using his new power and position in the community to finally exact his revenge.
"Tomas," interrupted Toris, in a tone that told everyone that he was trying to keep his temper in check, "It's not going to happen. Xena doesn't want any trouble and she'll be leaving town in a few days time. The past is the past, and those collars belong to a Roman dictator .. and as far as I remember the writ of Rome does not run in Greece, or even here in Amphipolis. So why don't you and the others just ... GET THE TARTARUS OUT OF MY MOTHERS INN!"
There was stunned silence from everyone in the bar room as the dark haired man's voice seemed to haunt the rafters with a threatening echo. Tomas looked like a goldfish gasping for air as his mouth opened and shut with nothing emerging. To say he was stunned would be a gross understatement. He'd always considered his childhood friend, Toris, to be somewhat spineless and easily ignored, but since he'd come back to Amphipolis, the first time and even more so on this second return, he appeared to be exhibiting a commanding disposition that had hitherto been more associated with his Ares cursed sister.
When the silence had dragged on for what seemed candlemarks rather than a few heartbeats, a low purring voice filtered into the tensely hung atmosphere, "I'd do like he said boys," the dark warrior advised. "You all remember me. You don't want to make me mad, do ya?" It was a mildly asked question, but it had the desired effect of having the militia men scrambling for the exit, leaving their erstwhile leader alone facing a potentially hostile group consisting of a mixed bag of heroes, rogues, medics and a few sundry others ... including one irate mother who was having to be restrained by a bard.
Tomas finally found his tongue, "Have a care what you do, Toris," he warned. "Your Tartarus spawned bitch of a sister won't be able to protect you if she's locked up or has been thrown out of town!"
"You have no warrants, so you have no right to detain her," snarled Toris angrily. "You also have no right to TRY and chase her from Amphipolis. Given my sister's reputation are you really sure you want to threaten either her or her family?"
"She won't stay here for long," jeered the head man. "You can't count on her 'protection'," he all but spat the word.
Before her brother could issue a retort, Xena stepped menacingly in front of him, "That's enough!" she snapped. "If you have a problem with me, that's fine. I can fight my own battles, and you're right .. I won't be here long. But if you're going to threaten my family, I may have to take steps to protect their security when I leave, you get me?" she demanded her eyes boring menacingly into his.
"Xena!" Gabrielle and Cyrene spoke together in concern.
"I asked if you understood?" growled the raven haired woman, ignoring her mother and the bard.
Tomas looked into feral blue eyes that crackled with icy anger. His arrogance and desire for vengeance had sustained his meagre courage up until this point .. that and the fact that it was widely reputed that the Warrior Princess had changed and softened. But looking into her cold eyes, he saw the wolf that lay barely leashed. His bowels turned to water and it was all he could do not to pee his pants as he stood there willing himself not to shake. Finally, when it looked like she was running out of patience, he stammered, "Y-y-yes! I understand."
"Good," she almost purred, "Oh and don't even think about causing them trouble when I'm gone because you'll regret the day you were born if you do .. you got that?" she demanded.
He nodded shakily, wanting to be away from the woman he was rapidly remembering to categorize as being a homicidal maniac. Without his militia to back him up, Tomas was like all bullies .. a coward when confronted by something or someone who could stand up to him.
"Alright," she sneered at him, "Now get your snivelling carcass out of here."
He backed up a couple of steps before turning to run after his men. Xena resisted the gnawing temptation to add a boot to the seat of his pants to hurry him along, although she really wanted to take out some anger on someone. With the inn returning to something like normalcy, she decided that some time alone, - Maybe in a nice hot bath, - might just do her the power of good.
"Mother, while Gabrielle finishes filling you in on things, would it be alright if I used the bath house?" she asked turning around to face Cyrene.
"Of course, little one," smiled the elder woman gently, "I'm sure your brother will be happy to help you with the water and I'll bring you in some fresh linens in a little while."
"Thanks, Mother," responded Xena appreciatively heading for the kitchen to start preparing the hot water that the bath would require.
The dark warrior relaxed gratefully into the steaming water that almost lapped the edge of the tub. As the heat worked gently to relax tense muscles, she found her thoughts drifting back to the innocent days of childhood. - How often did I do my best to try and avoid getting bathed? - she mused as she took a bar of her mother's soap and lifted a long leg to lather. - Gods! I never knew what I was trying to pass up. - She grinned faintly as she pictured a wild five year old running through the inn trying to escape her mother and her bath, howling with frustration as she was caught, stripped and dumped unceremoniously into the water. - How Mother ever had the patience to raise me, as well as Ly and Tor, I'll never know! -
Finishing up by soaping her hair, she ducked under the water to rinse off, then rising and relaxed against the back of the tub, allowing her eyes to close as she relished the feeling of being clean, free and home .. even if only for a short while.
Unconsciously, her hand drifted up to her throat to finger the hated collar. She almost desperately hoped that she and Hercules would be able to work out some way of removing the detested reminder of her enemy's power over her, - I'd suffer anything to be rid of it, - she told herself, then grinned wryly, - Short of cutting my head off, that is! -
She lost track of just how long she'd been soaking, but the water was beginning to cool noticeably when she heard the door creak open and sensed her mother's quiet entry with the linen. Breathing in the familiar scent of lilac and lily's that always seemed to cling to Cyrene, she allowed a wry quirk of her lips as she heard the other woman pad softly across to a table where she laid down her burden and turned to regard her daughter.
"You're going to prune if you stay in there much longer,"
Xena chuckled as she straightened up without thinking, but a soft gasp reminded her of the white lattice of fine scars that decorated her back and she cursed herself for revealing them to her mother, "Don't worry," she tried to reassure, "They've healed .. I'm fine."
Cyrene wasn't ready to accept her daughter's assurances and she moved to the edge of the tub, firmly pushing Xena forward from where she had leaned back against the wood in an attempt to remove the injuries from the other woman's sight. "Mother, I'm fine," protested the warrior, feeling like a child as her arguments were ignored in an almost perfunctory way. - Dammit! - she grimaced as she felt Cyrene's hands easing gently over the remarkably smooth skin. - I didn't want her to know about those. -
Releasing a wretched sigh, the older woman asked quietly, "How many?"
"I'm sorry," asked her daughter, confusion evident in her voice.
"How many times did they use a whip on you and how many lashes did you take to end up with these markings, Xena?" her mother asked sadly. "You see, I know how well and quickly you heal, my daughter. For your body to be showing this kind of damage you must have taken some wicked punishments."
The Warrior Princess detected the quiver in her parent's voice as she spoke and again cursed herself for failing to think! "Mother .. really .. it's over. Both Gabrielle and I survived. Please don't worry over it."
"They did this to Gabrielle as well?" Cyrene's voice began to harden into anger. She was fully aware that her daughter was able to absorb incredible amounts of pain and still act almost normally .. the bard however did not have the warrior's formidable fortitude.
"No!" Xena told her firmly, realising that her mother's protective streak was rearing it's head. - Damn! If she gets angry she's capable of marching on Rome herself! - A wry smile flickered across her face before she admitted, - Hades ... what am I thinking? I'd pay good dinars to see Mother take a broom to Caesar's backside! -
"Well just what did happen to Gabrielle, young lady?" demanded Cyrene, standing with her hands on her hips in a fashion that was very familiar to the warrior who had seen that stance on many occasions when she'd been scolded.
"Mother ..." began Xena. She swallowed a couple of times before she tried again, this was not a subject she really wanted to discuss, "She took a few stripes with a belt .. because of me."
Realising that Xena was exuding anguish "I'm sure that in that situation it could have been worse," Cyrene tried to soothe, knowing that she had just inadvertently raked over her offspring's insecurities.
"Yes it could," agreed the warrior coldly, "But the fact remains that if it wasn't for me she'd never have been in the position to get them. Guess I can add some more to the blood on these!" she said holding up her long fingered, calloused hands and looked at them with loathing.
"Xena! You stop that!" ordered the older woman in frustration, remembering all too well her unpredictable child's mood swings. She placed her own hands into her daughter's much larger ones and said, once she was sure that she had her attention, "Gabrielle is a grown woman. She's capable and well able to make her own decisions. From her story, you deliberately left her with the Amazons to protect her and she chose .. CHOSE, Xena, to come after you in the hope of warning you about Caesar's trap." She could see that the warrior had forced her closed mask onto her features and felt vexation rise in her.
- How can I reach her .. make her understand that she can't take the blame for everything? - she worried.
Before either woman could say anything more, Gabrielle came into the room, "Umm .. Xena," she said in something of an excited tone. "Salmoneus has just turned up and he wants to see you and Hercules and me."
"Salmoneus?" growled Xena, "What, from the depths of Tartarus, brought him here?"
"Salmoneus?" questioned Cyrene.
"A friend ... of sorts," explained the bard.
"Just don't buy anything from him," warned the dark warrior as she rose from the now tepid water that cascaded off of her long, toned body, catching the towel thrown by Gabrielle who had crossed to the table.
"Why would I buy something from him?" asked her mother getting confused.
The bard chuckled, "Salmoneus is a salesman .. it's just that his goods aren't always ... um ... reliable."
Xena stepped gracefully from the tub and wrapped the linen sheet around her body as she crossed to collect another with which to towel her damp locks, she suppressed a snigger at her friend's description of the salesman's products, "Mother, he once sold Talgamite weapons and belt buckles to a warlord .. who then lost a battle because it started raining leaving his soldiers with ruined weapons and trousers around their ankles .. Talmadeus was not a happy man!"
"I'll say," snorted Gabrielle, "We had to pull Salmoneus' butt out of the fire when Talmadeus wanted to spit-roast him!" Her chuckles faded as she remembered more details of that particular adventure. "That was the first time I thought I'd lost you, Xena," she said quietly.
The warrior gave her a meaningful look and said with quiet reassurance, "Don't go there, Gabrielle. The past is past .. we're both here and safe."
"Quite right," agreed Cyrene pointedly, while privately determined to get the full details of that particular story out of the bard before she left. Giving Xena a level look she added, "The past is just that .. past! And you can't live second guessing what happened there. Leave the past to the past and aim to move forward."
That little speech had the honey blonde wondering just what conversation the warrior and her mother had been having before she came into the room. - There has to be a way to get that out of Cyrene before we leave, - she considered, knowing full well that she had more chance of getting blood out of a stone than information on this out of Xena. "How long are you going to be," she asked the warrior failing to curb her natural impatience.
"Just let me get some clothes on, Gabrielle and I'll be right with you," came the assurance.
"Okay .. I'll tell them you're coming," answered the younger woman and headed back to the bar of the inn where their friends were gathered.
When the bard left, Cyrene turned to her daughter and cupped the younger woman's strong face in her lined and work scarred hands, "Little one," she said gently, "Please learn to forgive yourself ... you have grown so much away from that dark, evil person that you once were. You have much to offer a world that needs all the heroes it can get. Don't allow your guilt and remorse to overwhelm you. You are no longer the Destroyer of Nations. If you were you wouldn't have that collection of friends you have gathered .. you wouldn't have the friendship, companionship and love of that remarkable young woman that just left here ..." she drew a deep breath before adding, "... and you wouldn't be welcome here. In the last few years I've come to realise and rejoice that I still have a daughter .. a strong, capable and difficult woman that I can be proud of. Don't let your brooding chase her away ... please?"
Xena looked hesitantly down into the greyish blue eyes of her mother and felt at a loss to know what to say to her. Forgiving herself was not an option that she was comfortable with .. she had so much in her past to atone for it would be a long time before she considered easing up on herself. But the brooding over it, maybe that was something she could try to change.
"Mother .. I ..," she struggled, knowing sensitive words and talks had never been her forte, "I'll try," she conceded finally.
"That's all I can ask, little one," replied Cyrene, relief evident in her voice. Her hands slipped down to the silver collar and tears prickled as she stared at the Latin inscription 'RES FAMILIARES HABET GAIUS JULIUS CAESAR'
"Don't worry at it, Mother. Hercules and I will find a way to get them off," she gave a lopsided grin. "I have no intention of parading round Greece as a walking advertisement for him!"
"Oh Xena," the older woman shook her head and tried to smile.
"Hey .. c'mon! Let me get dressed, or Gabrielle will be back in here scolding me," the warrior told her, throwing the linen towel aside and shrugging into a fresh shift that her mother had provided.
"Your leathers needed cleaning, so I brought you in some trousers and a tunic of your brother's."
"What?" questioned the warrior with mock incredulity, "Are you trying to shock the good people of Amphipolis into insensibility?" she grinned. Than added in a gentle tone, "Thank you Mother."
"Anytime, little one," came the response, "And nothing you could do would shock Amphipolis any more!" was added with an impish smile.
Left speechless, Xena watched indignantly as Cyrene exited the room. Chuckling to herself, Xena quickly climbed into her borrowed clothes and pulled on her boots, stamping down into them to settle them on her feet before heading after her mother.
The demi-god waved a hand in front of his nose trying to fan the stench away and get some fresher air, "I guess that farmer wouldn't have been transporting pigs, would he?"
"Hey! Give it time. You'll get used to the smell ... I did," he barked mirthlessly.
"Did you have to play with them, buddy?" asked Iolaus with a chuckle.
"Ha, ha!" responded the salesman humourlessly. "You try walking twenty miles under a godly compulsion to hurry and see if you don't leap at the chance to ride in a pig cart!" he snapped.
"Do you want to tell me just what's brought you here?" questioned Hercules.
Salmoneus shook his head vehemently, "Not until Xena and Gabrielle are here. I only want to go through this once .. then I want to relax in a bath and get rid of the smell of porkers! How do I ever get dragged into these things?" he almost wailed. "Not only do I get to walk my feet off and end up smelling like a pig, but there's a very real chance that Ares might just want to make a barbeque out of me!"
"What has Ares got to do with this?" demanded the demi-god now intent on getting an answer.
"He's indirectly the reason why I'm here," informed the bearded man unhappily. "He made Aphrodite promise not to interfere with you guys .. some sort of marker he called in on her. So her way around it was to drag me into the line of fire ... do you know she ruined my pitch at Pagasae! I was all set to make a fortune selling ..." he looked around the company and cleared his throat, "Well never mind that .. but she destroyed my whole sales pitch, my credibility and my livelihood! She even made all of my hair fall out!" he told them, then saw their pointed looks at his very evidently in place hair and explained, "I refused to help until she at least restored that."
Gabrielle returned at that moment, "She's dressing, she won't be long." Hercules nodded and grinned as the bard waved her hand in front of her face and added, "I've also put some fresh water on to heat .. I'm sure we'd all appreciate it if Salmoneus took a bath as soon as possible."
There was a chorus of chuckles that increased as the salesman threw a glare around the room, "Laugh it up!" he growled. "Try and do some friends a favour and look what happens!"
"That's the way it works Salmoneus," laughed Iolaus, "You wind up in the sh ..." he blushed as Cyrene entered the tap room and choked off the word in mid pronunciation.
The innkeeper laughed at the pretty colour that the blonde sidekick achieved and told him, "You'll have to come up with something more inventive than that to embarrass me, young man, but I wouldn't advise practising here." She stopped dead in her tracks and sniffed ostentatiously. "What is that dreadful smell?"
There was another round of chuckling as Salmoneus looked at the handsomely mature woman who had just entered and rather shamefacedly admitted, "That would be me, ma'am."
"And you would be Salmoneus? Is that correct?" Cyrene deduced.
"That's right, miss .. um .. madam .. er ma'am," the salesman tried to get a handle on who he was addressing, "Er .. are you the owner of this fine establishment?" he took a wild guess.
"Why yes I am," agreed the matronly woman affably.
"Ah a business woman," he said smoothly and was launching into a sales pitch with practised ease, "Have you ever thought of modernising your fine inn .. importing a floor show, dancing girls, bards, comedians ..." he was so engrossed in his growing ideas that he failed to notice the entrance of the dark warrior.
"Salmoneus! Leave my Mother alone .. she's quite happy with her inn the way it is."
The bearded salesman did a double take between the two very different women. "Your mother? This is YOUR mother?" he asked incredulously.
"Yup!" acknowledged Xena, "Why?"
Salmoneus swallowed and blurted out, "But she's so .. um I mean she's not .. ah, that is," he realised he was digging himself into a hole, "Er is the bath house free? Hmm?"
"Is that smell you?" the warrior asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Long story," he excused, "I'll tell you all about it after I have a bath. But first I have a delivery to make, courtesy of Aphrodite." He reached down by his feet and hauled up a heavy sack which he swung onto the bar with an audible 'THUMP'.
"What's in there?" asked Gabrielle.
Hercules opened the sack, reached in and pulled out a weighty looking hammer and an extremely sharp and effective looking bolster, "Looks like Hephestus has loaned us the tools to remove those collars that are gracing yours and Xena's necks," smiled the demi-god.
"The stable has an anvil," suggested Toris, "That would probably be the best surface to work on."
"Mother, could you keep everyone here?" requested the Warrior Princess. "I think Gabrielle and I would prefer it if we could have some privacy when Hercules tries to take these off again."
"Of course," the innkeeper readily agreed, "I'm sure they'd like to try some of our ale ... you won't find a better brew between here and Athens," she confided happily to the group. "Besides, I'm sure Toris and maybe Iolaus and Autolycus would love to help Salmoneus with his bath water," she remarked with an insistent smirk.
"It's bigger than I thought," the demi-god said .. just for something to break the silence between them.
"Cyrene has a good business here. A lot of travelling merchants stay at her inn and so she needs plenty of space for their animals," Gabrielle answered him, while she nervously fingered the hated collar.
"I can't see an anvil anywhere," the hero noted as he looked around the tidy stalls, taking in the five well groomed horses as well as a contented looking donkey that was munching on a net of hay. A glance upward revealed a well provisioned hayloft but still no smithing tools.
"Through here," the warrior said as she led them towards a door pretty much concealed by the shadows at the end of the building.
The warrior moved to the plank doorway and pushed it open to reveal a neat, but serviceable smithy that had a small forge fire, anvil and a collection of tools that would allow someone with the skill to ply the blacksmith trade.
"Nice," remarked Hercules .. it was not often that such equipment could be found in the stable of a simple town Inn.
"Thanks," murmured Xena, then showed her nervousness by adding, "Toris, Lyceus and I set this up before ...."
Gabrielle reached out as her friend's words died away, and laid a comforting hand on the taller woman's back, "Before Cortese." she finished for the warrior.
"Yeah," agreed Xena tonelessly.
"Well it looks well used," commented the demi-god, trying to change the subject away from the painful memories that were assaulting the woman he loved.
"Mother has Otis, the town blacksmith, come over when something needs to be seen to, and old Rasmus comes in to tend to the grooming. But he's getting old and could use some help .. so I'm hoping that Mother will take in Fersan as an apprentice, and maybe Mattin to help in the kitchens too."
"Sounds like a good idea," agreed Hercules. "It's a big place for your Mother to manage .. I know she has Toris, but good help is always an asset to a business and those boys look able."
Silence descended on the trio once again. They were all reluctant to face another failure to remove the hated collars, and were all aware that if Hephestus' tools, coupled with Hercules' strength didn't achieve the results they hoped for, then they had nothing else that would.
Finally, the big man spoke, "You ready to give this a try?" he asked, looking from one woman to the other.
"Guess we're ready as we're ever gonna be," conceded Gabrielle nervously, "I mean .. what have we got to lose? If this doesn't work, we're just in the same position as we are in now," she gabbled on.
"Gabrielle ..." Xena tried to get a word in edgeways.
"I mean .. I'm sure that we can make them appear like jewellery, somehow."
"Gabrielle ..." the warrior tried again.
"It's not as if they are your normal type of slave collars .. they're much more dainty and the metal is really rather pretty."
"Gabrielle, do you ...."
If it wasn't for that inscription then it wouldn't be quite so bad."
"Do you ..."
"Maybe we can get someone to find a way to destroy the wording?" the bard rambled on.
Throwing her hands up in defeat, Xena knelt next to the anvil and swept her long raven hair out of the way, allowing Hercules to position the metal in the best position for him to hit the joint. Gabrielle had her back to them, talking aimlessly on about possible ways of disguising the metal.
"You ready?" asked the demi-god softly.
"Do it!" hissed the warrior decisively.
Hercules positioned the bolster into place and hefted the hammer in his hand. Narrowing his eyes onto the head of the bolster, he focused his strength and aim and struck down hard and fast, a metallic 'CLACK' singing out through the small forge room.
The bard whirled around and saw Xena kneeling by the anvil and Hercules beginning to straighten up, "Did it work?" she demanded. "Xena?" she questioned as the warrior remained unmoving. "Hercules ...?" she tried, taking a step forward.
Slowly the warrior straightened and put her hands to the metal around her throat .. felt the warmth of it, heated as it was by her body. Taking a firm grasp at each side of the collar Xena exerted her strength and wrenched the metal open, and away from her neck, leaving a red ring where it had chafed.
Breathing hard, the Warrior Princess stared at the hated object in her hand before flinging it into a scrap metal bin beside the forge, "Thank you Hercules," she said simply as she rose gracefully to her feet and motioned Gabrielle to take her place.
Grinning delightedly, the bard swiftly knelt beside the anvil flipping her golden hair aside so that the demi-god could position the collar and bolster. Again he swung the godly tool and brought it down with a thundering 'CLANG' splitting the sky metal slug that had been used to secure the joint. Xena stepped behind her partner and reached down to wrench the metal apart and toss it into the bin with the other one, glad that they were both finally free.
Gabrielle clambered to her feet and twisted around to give the warrior a bone crushing hug. She felt lighter than air and hadn't realised just how much that small piece of metal had weighed her down mentally.
"Hey!" Xena growled, although when the bard looked up she could see a lopsided grin on the warrior's face, "I might need my ribs later .. so if you're through with them ...?"
The honey blonde squeezed tightly once more before releasing her friend, "Sorry," she said with a smile. "It just feels so good to be rid of that thing."
"I know what you mean my bard," agreed the warrior, gently patting the smaller woman on her back. She turned to the son of Zeus who stood watching them with a fond look, "Thank you Hercules ... that .. getting rid of those means a lot .. to us both."
"No problem," he smiled. "You can call on me anytime you need someone to swing a hammer .. or a fist .. for you." Gabrielle threw herself at the gentle hero and hugged him tight to show her appreciation, "See what you mean about the ribs," he smirked.
"Yeah .. she doesn't know her own strength," teased Xena, ruffling her friend's hair. When Gabrielle released the demi-god, the warrior stepped forward herself and gave the son of Zeus a hug of her own before lifting her head and accepting a soft, but passion filled kiss from the man. When they finally broke the tender moment, she said, "Guess we should go and let everyone know that it worked, huh?"
"Sure thing," agreed the demi-god, with a tinge of regret in his tone. He knew that there would be no repeat of their afternoon of passion on Wave Dancer ... not for the foreseeable future at least. Xena had made that clear to him at the time.
Together, the trio headed back to the inn and the friends and family that eagerly awaited them.
Some quiet searching and rummaging eventually uncovered what the figure was looking for and a hand snaked out to secure the two discarded collars. Allowing itself a twisted, malicious smile, the figure tucked it's find into a belt pouch and slipped away from the building and Amphipolis with silent stealth.
"What took you so long?" she growled to Karrellie, the nominal head of the group.
"Well gee, Xena," muttered the scout testily, "It's good to see you too." They had not had an easy journey and Argo had been uncooperative to say the least.
The warrior frowned fiercely at Karrellie having clearly heard her comment. She knew that the scout was not one of her greatest fans, but was staunchly loyal to Gabrielle .. that was the only thing that saved her from being dumped in the water trough.
"Xena," called a voice from the recently vacated kitchen stoop, "I hope you're not baiting my Amazons .. especially after they just did us a favour," warned the bard, although there was a smile plastered over her face. The Warrior Princess muttered something darkly before adding a grumpy, "Thanks," and then nodded towards the stable, "There's plenty of room and feed in there for your horses and you can get something to eat in the inn."
The scout grunted her acceptance of the offer as she slid out of the saddle motioning the others to follow suit. As Xena hurried past the Amazons towards her horse she ruffled Lasca's blonde hair and muttered, "Good to see ya Sprout," and offered an almost friendly grin at Jade before throwing her arms around the golden mare's neck and whispering, "Did ya miss me girl?"
The warhorse 'whuffled' her greeting and lipped at the warrior's shoulder affectionately, sharing an almost silent communion with the human she shared a bond of affection and loyalty. The horse was not happy that she had been left by her human for so long, but she could tell by Xena's demeanor that it hadn't been her idea .. and then there was a strange red mark around her friend's neck that hadn't been there when she left and seemed to speak of pain and suffering.
Gabrielle watched the reunion with a gentle smile. She knew that she held Xena's soul, but part of the warrior's heart would belong to her noble steed forever. She couldn't begrudge Argo her place in her dark friend's affections because she knew that the warhorse had been the Warrior Princess' only friend and confidant long before the bard had arrived to claim a part of the raven haired woman. What did occasionally irk her, was the fact that Xena would often spend more time talking to the horse than her human companion!
- Still it's good to have Argo back, - she readily conceded. The warrior had been on edge waiting for her horse. - Of course that hasn't been helped by the attitude of Tomas and his cronies .. I really am surprised that Xena's avoided pounding them flat! - she mused as she watched the Amazons lead their mounts into the stable to tend to their needs before their own.
The bard watched with growing amusement as her warrior friend debated with herself whether she could get away with a quick ride on her horse. The blonde knew that the warrior's restless nature had felt stilted for too long, what with her captivity, the enforced bed rest on the trip home and then the wait for Argo to be returned to her. She could almost see the craving for solitude and the peculiar freedom that she only achieved racing the wind in tandem with the warhorse.
"Why don't you take her for a run," she suggested innocently.
Xena shot her a wry look, "Am I that easy to read?" But her eyes twinkled happily as she patted her faithful steed's glossy neck.
"Only to me, my warrior," laughed Gabrielle gently, "I know you too well."
"Tell Mother I'll be back before the noon meal," assured Xena as she leapt readily into her saddle and urged the horse into an easy canter as soon as they cleared the gate leading to the meadow behind the inn.
The bard shook her head as she heard the triumphant whoop of joy come from the direction her friend had taken and could see in her mind's eye the pair easing into a gallop that she could only describe as a wild form of poetic motion, warrior and beast become one as they melded together in the pursuit of speed. - I'll see if I can scrounge Argo an apple or two for when they get back .. she deserves them for bringing a sparkle to Xena's eyes. -
It wasn't long before Karrellie and her three cohorts appeared from the stable and she motioned them over before leading them into the inn through the kitchen. Seeing Cyrene showing Mattin around the cupboards and larders, the bard stopped a moment and explained, "Xena and Argo have gone for a ride."
The innkeeper snorted, "To let off some of that pent-up restlessness, more like," she answered knowing her daughter all too well.
Gabrielle grinned, acknowledging the older woman's insight, "Yeah, well she said he'd be back for the noon meal .. that's only a couple of candlemarks away, so she shouldn't get into any trouble."
"That child of mine could find trouble in an empty room," admonished Cyrene but with a laugh in her voice that told the bard it was only partly serious.
"No arguments there," smiled the blonde.
"Of course, since she met a certain young bard from Potidaea she seems to find more trouble than ever!" laughed the older woman with a twinkle sparkling in her gray eyes.
"I'd argue the point with you," smirked Gabrielle, "but I have a feeling I'd lose that one," she chuckled along with Cyrene. "Any chance of some food for four hungry Amazons?" she asked, knowing the answer before she asked.
"Of course. Get them settled in the common room and I'll have Tryphena bring them some venison stew and fresh bread that came out of the oven not a candlemark ago," the innkeeper told her.
The bard turned around to see three of the four Amazons with eager expressions of anticipation on their faces. The fourth, and youngest member of the newly arrived group, Lasca, was gazing with undisguised interest at the new apprentice cook, Mattin. As Gabrielle looked between the two, she could see that the young warrior's intent gaze was being reciprocated by the boy, whose neck and ears turned a startling crimson colour as he became aware of the attention they were getting from the others in the room who had also turned to see what was interesting the bard.
With a cough, the boy scurried off to the walk in pantry and gained some respite from the looks that naturally turned to Lasca, who now found herself blushing deeply under the scrutiny of her elders.
"What?" she demanded guiltily.
"Just how old are you, Lasca?" questioned Gabrielle.
"Going on fifteen winters," returned the girl promptly, puffing out her chest and attempting to stand higher than her 5'6" frame.
"Uh huh," smirked the bard, throwing a look at Cyrene. The innkeeper inclined her head to acknowledge her understanding and as the honey blonde ushered her warriors out into the inn's common room she drew Lasca to one side and told her, "I have a job for you, young warrior .. one that I think you are really suited for ...."
On the ship she had had plenty of time to keep it up to date and suspected that when she came to make a story out of the events that had taken place, - If I can ever turn this into a story, - she amended in her mind, then the notes she had made in the journal would be an invaluable aid to her. However, since they had arrived in Amphipolis she had not found the time to spend to work on it ... she was determined to make that time now. Unlocking the clasp, the bard tucked the key away inside a small pouch which she returned to a pocket in her skirt, opened the journal and quickly scanned over the last things she had written. Uncapping her ink bottle that stood before her on the table and picking up her quill she began to write:
So much has happened since we arrived home in Amphipolis .. although many of the people here have made it clear that this can no longer be considered to be Xena's home. She is tolerated here .. nothing more, and even that just barely. Amphipolis has not yet forgiven its infamous daughter .. maybe it never will.
Trouble started almost as soon as the ship docked at the town's wharf. The militia had been called out to make certain that the Amazons were not going to cause any trouble, although what thirty ill trained men thought they would be able to do against one hundred fully armed and highly skilled warriors was anyone's guess! As it turned out it, was Toris who actually managed to diffuse the situation, although he did require a little muscle in the form of Xena and Hercules to back him up. We thought that would be the end of the matter, especially as the Amazons, or most of them were leaving immediately .. but Xena's past continues to come back and haunt her.
For the past eight days, while we have been waiting for Argo to be brought here, she has been forced to undergo a series of slights and provocations, all instigated by the new Headman, Tomas, and designed to force a situation where he will be able to either have her arrested or at least driven from the town. He's playing with fire and doesn't realise just how lucky he is not to have been stuffed head first into a water butt at the very least! On several occasions I have watched her fight the urge to crack heads. I'm proud of the fact that she resisted the impulse, but it has been at the cost of her temper which has been foul most of the time we have been here.
Xena has tried to keep busy and out of the townsfolk's way. She has spent a great deal of time hunting and fishing in her old childhood haunts and I don't think Cyrene's larder's have ever been so well stocked!
Our friends, who gathered so gallantly to come to our rescue have gradually left to go about their own business. The first to go was Ephiny and the majority of the Amazons. They took with them all of the girls that were rescued from slavery and certain death at Caesar's hands in retribution for Xena's escape. The girls will be allowed to find a true place within Themiscyran society and, over time they will discover whether they are more suited to a warrior's life or perhaps become artisans, cooks, farmers, or healers. Whatever they become at least they will be free. I can see little Kendra becoming a warrior and maybe Milly will become a healer. I think she has the ability if she can overcome her shyness.
Ephiny will have a lot of hard work to settle down Tarelle's faction. Her group was already making noises about protesting their treatment to the council when they returned to Nation land. I don't envy Eph the problems that she has on that front, but she's a strong ruler and she should be able to keep the dissidents in line.
As for the Amazons who have remained in Amphipolis, well the two guards give no trouble .. they're merely here to protect Eponin and Sheraya, and I suspect to keep a wary eye on my safety, as if having the best warrior in Greece as a personal bodyguard wasn't enough!
Eponin is making fine progress in her recovery. That's an easy diagnosis to make and can be recognised by the prolonged shouting matches that keep erupting from her room. She's almost as bad a patient as Xena is .. and my warrior isn't helping the situation by winding Poni up every chance she gets. She spends a couple of candlemarks a day in with my Weapons Master, ostensibly playing chess with her .. but it's noticeable that after each visit that Eponin gets more fidgety and determined to be out of her bed before Sheraya thinks it's advisable. It's gotten so bad that Xena's been banned from the room for the last two days, and that's just made Ep's moodiness even worse!
I think that Sheraya intends to remain in Amphipolis until it's time to remove Joxer's splints and then maybe a day or two after to ensure that all is well with him. That will give her time to get Eponin started on a programme of light exercise before they head for the Nation, and also make sure that Joxer doesn't overdo things with those exercises that Hercules showed him ... it also means that Xena and I can leave here with guilt free consciences, knowing that Joxer is in capable hands. The hostility and relevant inactivity is really grating on her now and she's eager to be away from here.
In regard to Hercules, well he left three days ago along with Iolaus and Salmoneus. They offered their help to Nebula to crew 'Wave Dancer' down the coast to Pagasae to pick up a new bunch of potential pirates! She's managed to attract very few men from Amphipolis and those she has, have the look of rogues about them, so I suppose they'll make good pirates! Hercules will help keep them in line until they reach Pagasae where Nebula should be able to pick up some good seamen to bolster the scourings that she's bound to get as well.
Both Xena and I gave her our profound thanks for all that she had done to help us. She reminded us that she was getting paid for the trip in good gold, but as Xena said the payment didn't include all of the help she gave in Rome and that if she ever had need of a beat up ex-warlord all she had to do was yell. I think that kinda took the wind out of Nebula's sails for a heartbeat or two, but she recovered quickly and turned on that impressive smile of hers .. the one that makes me think of sharks .. and responded lightly, "Seems I'm collecting favours ... what with Hercules and Iolaus owing me and now the famed Warrior Princess."
Xena gave her a long hard look, but there was a glint in her eye too, and she told the pirate in that low growl of hers, "Yeah, well just don't make a big deal of it." Then she offered Nebula her arm in a warrior's clasp and I could see the mutual respect between the two of them as they looked each other in the eye.
Saying, "Goodbye," to Salmoneus is always a relief tinged with sadness. The man has the heart of ... well I don't know, but I'm sure if we opened him up it would look like a dinar! He also has the bravery of a chicken, but despite that he's been there for us almost as often as we've had to haul him back from the brink of death. Despite his short comings, of which he has many, I have to admit to liking him ... I'm just glad we don't bump into him too often!
He shipped out with Nebula because she was heading to Pagasae. Apparently, that's where Aphrodite found him, just as he was about to make a fortune in his latest scheme to misappropriate dinars from the local populace. He'd told us all about the tricks that the goddess pulled on him to mess up his deal, but she'd promised to erase the memories from the locals, so Salmoneus thought he might as well go back and fleece the suc ... um, sell to the customer base there.
Farewells to Hercules and Iolaus are another kettle of fish entirely. I wish I'd had more time to spend with Iolaus on this trip. I still feel a deep connection to him and I'm certain that he returns my affection. Sometimes I wonder if he's been my tree in the forest all along. I think that over the years we have been so afraid to test those waters that it has put a wall between us. The rocks in that wall are made of so many different things. He thinks he's too old for me, I worry about abandoning Xena .. again. He worries about not being there for Hercules. I'm concerned that my love life is truly jinxed. It's painful to admit but nearly everyone I fall for winds up dead! I'd hate to think that I was responsible for Iolaus' demise ... of course he has already died before so maybe that would let him escape my curse.
I can only hope that the fates will be kind to us and if our union is meant to be, then hopefully it will happen in good time. In the meantime I seem to be acquiring other would be suitors! I really should find a way to let Joxer know that although he's very dear to my heart, he'll never be more to me than a brother The trouble is that every time I try to tell him he misunderstands my intentions. Then again, he always manages to be there for us when we need him. As a warrior he may be incompetent, but he's loyal and would defend both Xena and I with his last breath, as he has proven that in the past and on this adventure. I don't want to hurt him ...I want him to have the chance to find love and happiness .. but he's never going to find that while he chases after me!
Then of course there's Toris. He's been very discreet, but I've seen the looks he gives me when he thinks he's unobserved. I have to admit he's handsome and he's changed a lot since I first met him when we stumbled across Cortese. If I ever decided to give up the life I lead with Xena, I could do worse than settling down here with Toris.
Hmmm ... well that just got me totally off track, didn't it? So where was I? Oh yeah, saying "Goodbye" to Iolaus and Hercules.
I said my farewells to Iolaus and had a really warm hug with him and exchanged a soft kiss that turned into something a little more passion filled ... I don't think I'll be writing that into a story any time soon, I'd like to keep some things private! Anyway, the kiss left me a little shaky, so being enfolded into the big guy's arms was kind of like finding a port in a storm! It's almost the safest place in the world .. well it's a toss up between his hugs and Xena's .. I mean, you can't get much safer than the two greatest heroes in Greece, now can you?
Xena and Iolaus are really funny together .. even after all this time. They tend to tread around each other like they're on eggshells or something. Xena has this guilt complex about what she did to Iolaus and he's still torn between infatuation (which most of the men in the known world suffer from) and feeling hurt by what she did. Yet despite this they have forged a friendship and like each other. Maybe one day everything else will be forgotten. Anyway, they took their leave of each other with a warrior's clasp, that was less tentative than those I've seen in the past.
However, the big guy enfolded Xena in a bear hug that seemed to go on forever and then they shared one of the most scorching kisses that I have ever been privileged to witness .. it made me go all weak at the knees again and so I was glad of Iolaus' steadying arm around my waist. Xena and Herc are an almost total match for each other, but I think that's the reason why they will never finally join. He's too used to being the strongest guy around and, although he seldom flaunts his power he's used to being listened to and obeyed. And Xena? Well .. she was the most feared warlord alive and commanded huge armies where her word was law. The power struggle in such a match would not be pretty.
So, anyway. Our friends left, leaving us with just Autolycus to keep us company while we waited for Argo. He's been strange ever since his falling out with Hercules on the ship. I thought he would have been one of the first to leave .. you know, temples to rob, the wealthy to pillage, but surprisingly he's still here. He's seldom actually with us .. just for meals, and occasionally he'll sit in and listen to the stories I tell in the evening to Cyrene's customers, so what he does during the day I don't know, although I'm beginning to have some suspicions.
As I've already noted, Xena's been really moody .. but once or twice I've come across her around the inn, with this really odd smile on her face and as soon as she saw me it would disappear and her hands would disappear behind her back. She's also started collecting flowers for her room! I mean this is Xena we're talking about. Asking her to stop and smell the flowers is like asking the sea's tide to come back later because it's gonna spoil the sandcastle I'm building! Besides, she's barely been out of the inn, other than to hunt or fish and she didn't bring any flowers back with her then! ... so ....
Guess that's another case of wait and see what happens.
Patroclese left yesterday with two of the boys. They were heading for the hospice that Hippocrates has set up at Pella. It will take them some time to walk there, but it gives the boys a chance to start learning from him and learn about being free. Three more of the boys will be taken in by Tyldus' centaurs. Ephiny sent word that he'd agreed to foster the boys and so they will wait until Eponin is fit to travel and go back with the Amazons.
Cyrene has taken in Fersan and Mattin, as Xena suspected she would. The boys seem to be settling into their new home and routine. They're both good boys, hard working and eager to learn. They'll get a chance to make a home and a life for themselves here .. something that just a few moons ago, neither would have thought possible.
Well that more or less brings me up to date. Argo and her Amazon escort have just arrived, which has made Xena happy and she's taken off on a reunion ride with Argo. I guess we'll be leaving tomorrow .. or maybe the day after. I think she's itching to get our lives back to some kind of normalcy .. well at least what passes for normal for us!
The only other thing to note at the moment is that Lasca (one of the Amazons who returned Argo to us) and Mattin, seem to attracted to each other. Normally I wouldn't worry about such a thing, but both of them are so young, and being Queen of the Amazons does make Lasca my responsibility ... and I don't want any trouble for Cyrene either in regard to Mattin. So I have taken steps to avoid trouble .. I hope! Lasca definitely did not like it, but being Queen does have some advantages, so on a direct order from me, she's now Sheraya's assistant until they get back to Themiscyra ... that should keep her out of trouble!
Ahhh! I do believe I hear the sound of hoof beats coming into the stable yard. Time to end this and see how Xena and Argo got on.
Cyrene had disappeared to her room for a while after the talk and Xena was uncommunicative and glum, her look saying quite plainly, "If you want to live, don't talk to me." Everyone wisely left her alone.
The tenseness of the meal, gradually eased towards the end, and by the time desert had been finished, everyone was beginning to relax a little. Xena wanted her last day at home to be enjoyable for her mother's sake, while Cyrene wanted to make the most of having her family around her while she could. So by silent consensus, they allowed thoughts of the coming parting to fade well to the backs of their minds and attempted to let the day continue as normally as possible.
When the gathering broke up, after the meal was finished, Xena excused herself from her family, Gabrielle, Cyrene and Toris, and her friend, Autolycus, "Argo needs a good rub down and brush. I need to check her hooves and make certain that she'll be ready for ...," she shied away from that subject, "well anyway, I'll be busy in the stable for a couple of candlemarks." She looked at her mother, "Maybe we can take a walk down along the river path when I get through? Just you and me?"
"I'd like that, little one," accepted Cyrene with a forced little smile that she used to try and hide her unhappiness.
"Good," the warrior answered with a cheerfulness she didn't particularly feel. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Heading out through the kitchen, Xena knew that her retreat to the stable was just that .. a retreat. She knew that she wasn't good at handling emotional issues and leaving here, leaving her mother, was shaping up to be one ... and she felt guilty about it! Spending time with Argo allowed her to think through her problems and get a rein on the rampant emotions that she wasn't equipped to deal with. The routine of brushing out the golden mare, with rhythmic, soothing strokes, worked wonders for her, as did being able to talk her concerns through to her faithful steed, who offered no opinions or arguments that could further confuse the warrior.
As she swung open the door to the stable, she stiffened almost imperceptibly .. aware that there were others within the confines of the building's walls. Heightened senses reached out to assess and prepare for danger but, without hesitation, the tall woman advanced into the shadow hung space and moved confidently down the line of stalls to where Argo waited. As she moved, she examined and eliminated all potential hiding places for the intruders, finally .. in the matter of mere heartbeats .. narrowing down the location to the hayloft.
A wry grin quirked her lips as she identified not one, but two personages up there. A soft rustle, a wisp of chaff falling, a nervous breath ... these things, subtle though they were, told the warrior that she had nothing to fear from her hidden companions. She was pretty certain who was hiding up there, and was content to leave them be ... at least for a while.
Reaching Argo's stall, she allowed the grin to broaden into a fully fledged, rare smile as she tenderly rubbed behind the mare's ears, getting a 'whuffle' of appreciation. Speaking softly enough for only the horse to hear she said, "They been up there long, girl?"
Argo snorted and stamped her hooves with dull thumps on the muffling straw of the stall, then bobbed her golden head up and down as if answering her mistress in the affirmative.
"That long, huh?" responded Xena. "Gabrielle's not going to like that ... they're young, but they're old enough to want to know and experiment ... we just have to make sure that things don't go too far .. right girl?"
The mare snorted her approval and lipped at the dark warrior's hair making soft, nickering noises before butting the tall woman with her head, inducing the required response when Xena scratched her long nose affectionately.
"Yeah, yeah ... I know. I missed you too," she told the horse giving her a pat on the neck before reaching for the curry comb and starting the familiar process of giving the warhorse a well deserved grooming. It was a task that she found soothing and gave her the time and peace to think.
She had almost finished her task, when a slight noise caught her attention, and she looked up sharply towards the door that led into the small forge room. As she watched the door slowly and silently opened giving her a glimpse of a familiar figure. Holding a finger to her lips, she pointed up at the hayloft and then held up two more fingers to indicate that she was not alone. The figure nodded once before it slipped through into the shadows.
Satisfied that the visitor was safely hidden, Xena turned her attention to the two youngsters, deciding that it was time that they were made aware that their presence was known and that they should get back to their respective tasks, before anyone came looking for them.
Silently placing the comb on the stall divider, the Warrior Princess moved out of Argo's box and sank into a crouch before using her powerful muscles to spring upward in a graceful flip that landed her soundlessly behind where the two youngsters had settled back into a nest of hay to enjoy some fevered kissing and inexpert groping.
"I think it's time you two got back to the inn," she said in a low purr as she leaned lazily against a support beam.
Lasca and Mattin jumped up as though scalded and turned to face the warrior who had successfully surprised them in their youthful assignation where they thought they had been clever enough and quiet enough to fool even the famed Warrior Princess!
When Xena had left, Gabrielle spent some time checking over their gear, making certain that they had everything ready for an early start in the morning. With everything stowed away, it was just a question of picking up some fresh supplies from the kitchen so that they'd have some food, just in case the impossible happened and Xena wasn't able to hunt them up something to eat.
"All packed?" inquired Cyrene as the bard sauntered into the inn's kitchen.
"Yeah .. I just need a few things if you can spare some .. emergency rations, you know in case of ..." she shrugged, "an emergency," and laughed.
Cyrene smiled, "I thought you would, and since Xena's packed my larders I have plenty to spare. Just what do you want?"
"Well mainly dried goods," Gabrielle told her noticing the quickly erased spark of unhappiness that gleamed for just a moment in the older woman's eyes. "Xena pretty much manages to catch what we need on a day to day basis. But there have been odd occasions when we've had to fall back on what we were carrying because of lack of game, or fish .. or just plain being too tired to hunt."
Moving across to the door to the cellar, Cyrene lit a heavy candle left there, for just this purpose, and led her daughter's friend down the steps into the store room. They rummaged through sacks and along shelves as Gabrielle picked out what she wanted, including a small wheel of cheese, some trail biscuits (that Cyrene kept in stock for travellers who needed stores for the road), a large joint of smoked ham that would be good for use in a thick soup with the pulses she had picked, or to eat with the trail biscuits, and finally the luxury of a small jar of honey and a bag of apples.
"That should keep us from starvation," grinned the bard, once they were back in the kitchen, seated at the table and drinking tea.
"Oh, I almost forgot," said the innkeeper as she caught sight of a cloth wrapped bundle. "I made some pies and pastries up for you both. They'll keep for quite a while," her eyes twinkled mischievously, "Or they will if you don't eat them all in one go!" That got a snort of protest from Gabrielle, but Cyrene continued, "I just thought you'd have something while you were travelling. I know Xena doesn't always remember to stop and eat."
"She's better than she was when we first met," conceded the younger woman a little defensively. She took a sip of her tea, well aware of the innkeeper's smirk that said she knew better. With a sigh she placed the mug on the table and added, "But you're right ... she doesn't always remember."
"And you, of course, don't always remind her," grinned Cyrene.
"Well sometimes we just don't have the time ... when we're trying to get somewhere because of an emergency .. I don't like to bother her. And we always try and eat well when we stop for the night ...." She caught the smile that the warrior's mother was unsuccessful in hiding and frowned.
Unable to restrain herself, Cyrene laughed, "Some things never change, Gabrielle. When she was little she'd go the whole day from the time she got up until the time she turned up in the evening without having eaten anything. Whenever I tried to push her on the subject, she'd get this scowl on her face, you know the one? and tell me, "There is so much stuff to do ... I don't have time to eat!'"
The bard giggled in delight, "She did that as a child too? No wonder she's so good at that look!"
The two women laughed together for a while before Cyrene finally said, "Well I better get the evening meal started ... especially if I'm going to have time for that walk with Xena when she comes back."
"Where's Mattin?" asked Gabrielle, suddenly realising that the boy wasn't anywhere in the kitchen.
"Well he'd finished his chores and we had some time before we needed to get the evening meal prepared, so I sent him into the village to the spice merchants for a few things ... it's funny, I thought he would have been back by now."
"Hmm," growled Gabrielle, a thought striking her. "Excuse me for a moment, Cyrene. I have to check on my Amazons," she said absently.
With the innkeeper nodding her agreement, her mind already on what she needed to prepare for cooking, the bard gathered up her supplies, and the extra pastries, intending to stow them with their gear before dropping in to check on how Lasca was doing.
"Hey! Can you read that bit again?" asked Joxer suddenly.
- Damn! - thought Jade, trying to hide her scowl. - I thought he was asleep! - "Which bit?" she asked reluctantly.
"The bit just before loss of manliness," grinned the injured man.
Jade cleared her throat and checked over the page for the relevant quote.
Yet simple in our tastes,
And we cultivate the mind without loss of manliness."
- Gods spare me! - Jade swore silently while plastering a false smile on her face. - I wonder if I could get away with killing him a little bit? I could claim justifiable homicide. Justifiable because he's driving me absolutely crazy! -
"Read some more, would ya?" asked the object of her homicidal fantasies.
Lifting the parchment, the Amazon glared at the patient over the top of the scroll before seeking out her place and continuing her recitation. - If Lasca doesn't get her butt back here soon, I am personally gonna kick it all around the practice field just as soon as we get home! -
She managed to read some more before she was interrupted once again, "Go over that bit once more," Joxer requested.
Jade couldn't stop her heavy sigh, but the wannabe took it as one of enthusiastic enjoyment for the writings. Gathering up her fraying temper, the Amazon re-read the piece.
Not to show more weakness than is natural to her sex
Is great glory.
And not to be talked of for good or evil
Among men."
- Arrrhhhhhh! - she screamed in her mind. - How much longer is Lasca going to be! -
Joxer sighed contentedly. "Hey!" Joxer looked at her with a perplexed frown on his face.
"Um yeah?" answered the Amazon trying to keep the annoyance from her tone.
"There's a scroll over there of love poems written by some Roman guy called Virgil ... Greek translations of course. Wanna read some of them?" he grinned.
- No! - she yelled silently as she pushed a gritted smile onto her glowering features. - How about I ram these scrolls where the sun don't shine, buster? I'm a warrior not a nursemaid! - she demanded mentally, although what she actually said was, "If you want."
"Hey?" he said again as she stood to collect the required scroll.
Jade turned and said through clenched teeth, "Yes?"
"If you'd rather stick with the scroll ya got, I don't mind .. you seemed to be enjoying it, and it was kind of selfish of me to want to change," he apologised.
Jade counted slowly to ten before daring to answer her patient, "Whatever you want, Joxer .. just let me know." He smiled, a big goofy grin that always appeared so boyish, "Well in that case the Virgil, I think ... unless," he stopped short as the door opened, both acts which saved him from the likelihood of more broken bones! "Oh hiya, Gabby ... it's good to seeya!"
"Joxer, I was only in here a few candlemarks ago," the bard told him patiently looking from him to his Amazon attendant, and scowling when she realised it was Jade there and not Lasca. "I thought I gave instructions for Lasca to be attending to Joxer," she said keeping her annoyance in check by dint of willpower.
"Um yeah," agreed Jade wondering just what she'd got into now. "She asked me to sit in for her for a few candlemarks ... no biggie."
"Did she happen to mention that I told her specifically that she was to remain within this room, or Eponin's, until you all left for Themiscyra? Except for mealtimes, of course."
Jade shifted uncomfortably under the firm, green eyed stare of her queen. - Lasca .. I'm gonna get you for this! - she promised herself. "Um .. actually .. no, she didn't."
"I see," said the bard, a touch of anger colouring her tone. She softened her voice a little as she said to the Amazon, "Would you mind staying here just a little longer, Jade? I need to find Lasca and remind her of the duty she owes the Queen's command, and I really would like someone here to keep Joxer company."
"Certainly, my Queen," agreed Jade with a knowing smirk, certain that Lasca was about to get her butt roasted.
"Thank you," smiled Gabrielle icily before turning to leave the room.
"See ya Gabby," called Joxer hopefully.
"Later," agreed the bard with a wave of her hand, closing the door after her.
- Oh yeah, Sprout! Paybacks are a bitch! - smirked the Amazon at the thought of the dressing down her young friend was going to receive.
"Ah .. if it's okay," called Joxer, drawing her attention, "Can we have the Virgil?"
- But I'm still gonna kick your scrawny ass when we get home! - Jade promised as she reached for the requested scroll.
Arrangements had been easy enough to make. Jade owed her for taking her turns at attending to Argo on the trip to Amphipolis ... for some reason her Amazon sister and the warhorse did not get on. It wasn't anything nasty .. it just seemed that the mare enjoyed playing tricks on Jade .. - Like that evening she knocked her into the river, - the young warrior remembered with a chuckle. So for the promise of a future favour, Lasca had taken over Jade's turn at caring for Argo. A favour she fully intended in calling in here.
So with a little grumbling on her friend's part, Lasca was able to slip out of the window and down to the stable to meet with Mattin for a little experimental education in the lust department.
The boy handed over the list of spices and the pouch of dinars to his friend and said with a wide grin, "Thanks Fersy, I'll do the same for you some time." He didn't bother watching the other boy trot off out of the yard, he had something far more important on his mind and eagerly headed for the stable where he hoped to find his Amazon Warrior.
"Um ... hi," Mattin finally got out, as he dragged the toe of his boot across the dirt floor of the building.
"H .. hi," Lasca almost squeaked in return. Then grasping her warrior courage she said in a rush, "I'mgladyoucame."
He grinned at her, "Me too." He leaned forward to kiss her, but she turned her head at the last moment so they ended up banging foreheads with a painful crunch.
"OW!" they said in unison before bursting into uncertain giggles.
"Can we try that again?" asked Mattin, not looking the Amazon in the eye, fearful of rejection.
"I'm willing if you are," she said softly as she leaned forward, her eyes drifting closed as she waited for his lips to meet hers.
Wiping sweaty hands on his tunic, the boy licked his suddenly dry lips and then, screwing his courage to the sticking place, he leaned forward to press his lips to hers.
The silky feel of her soft skin sent a startling buzz through his body, his mouth opened in a silent "Oh!" and a warm tongue invaded bringing with it a taste of spices and femininity that he was sure he wanted more of.
Lasca's hands reached up to his head as the kiss deepened and Mattin counter attacked pushing his questing tongue into her mouth, running it along her teeth, greedily exploring as his body reacted with an untutored naturalness and his hands began to wander across her body.
Gasping for breath, the Amazon broke the kiss and stepped away from the young man. Her eyes were smoky and her voice husky as she gasped, "Not here."
Confused and desperate to renew contact, Mattin stammered, "Wha .. um ... huh?"
"Not here," repeated Lasca firmly, if a little breathlessly. Then she took pity on him and pointed to the hayloft, "Up there," she told him.
"Up there?" he asked, struggling to unscramble his brain which seemed to have disconnected during that kiss.
"Uh huh," agreed the Amazon, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the ladder. "No one will see us should they come into the stable then."
"Oh gods," the boy mumbled as he followed the insistent tug of his hand.
Once into the hayloft the pair made a nest in the hay and after several moments of hesitation, they resumed their investigation of each other's mouths, finding that their hands soon joined in the exploration of the other's body and each felt flushed with fevered fumbling.
It can remain uncertain as to just how far their youthful lusts would have taken them, if it hadn't been for the creak of the stable door. It was enough to interrupt their frantic groping and a nervous peep over the edge of the loft was enough to quiet their raging passions. Being caught by the Warrior Princess was the last thing they wanted.
Flushed from desire, they were forced to curb their raging hormones, knowing that Xena's legendary hearing would be sure to pick up even the softest of their groans. It was frustrating, but as their senses cooled they were able to think logically and, their heads told them it was for the best. They waited until they could hear Xena start grooming her horse then, cautiously settled back in each other's arms, content with gentle kisses and the comfort of each other's embrace.
As time passed they began to feel a little anxious. It was quite likely that someone would miss them at some point and the longer they remained in the stable, the more certain that likelihood became. Yet while Xena remained brushing Argo, there was no way they could leave undetected.
It was something of a relief, as well as a shock when the warrior suddenly appeared behind them and said in that low dangerous voice of hers, "I think it's time you two got back to the inn."
The pair of them shot to their feet in surprised confusion, wondering how in Tartarus, she'd known they were there. They gaped at her not knowing what to do or say, and saw her cock her head to one side as if listening to something that only she could hear.
"I'd say that you're both about to get a serious lecture from my bard. I'd get out of here," she said whilst plucking some loose hay from their hair, "before she finds you in incriminating circumstances." They looked at her like startled chickens, totally unsure of what they should do. "Move!" she growled and was rewarded with the sight of the pair of them scrambling down the ladder and out of the stable.
Glancing out of the hayloft door, she saw Gabrielle standing by the well in the yard, pinning Fersan against the wall with a glare. The boy was holding a package out defensively and was grateful when the bard looked away from him as she saw Mattin and Lasca come scuttling out of the stable like the hounds of Hades were after them.
Xena chuckled as she heard her friend order all three youths into the kitchen, obviously primed and ready to give them a ringing lecture about duty, responsibility and control. She shook her head at the luckless trio, but was glad that they were going to keep her bardic friend occupied for a while.
"Kids, huh?" said a voice from behind her.
She knew he was there. She'd tracked the sounds of his stealthy movements as he'd swung easily into the hayloft before the kids in question were halfway down the ladder. She'd followed his movements across the loft, not with her hearing, for he made no sound, but her other senses had followed him and she could have pinpointed his exact location at any given time since he entered the building.
Smoothing the smile from her face, she turned slowly, almost seductively, to find him standing just inches from her, as she had known he would be. "We were all kids once," she told him softly, gently, her demeanour far from that of the hard, deadly, ice warrior of legend.
"No," he breathed .. his voice almost a whisper as he allowed the unique scent that was her infuse his thoughts and wrap around his desire. "I believe you're all woman and always have been."
She was tempted to laugh at him, but there was a vulnerability in his brown eyes that told her that to do so would have been a mistake. Instead she smiled a little hesitantly and shook her head and told him seriously, "You're wrong ... I'm just the same as everyone else. I was born, I stumbled through childhood and into adulthood, just like those two were doing. I've made terrible mistakes and done worse acts, but have been lucky enough to get a second chance at life. I'm not a fantasy woman, Autolycus. My life has been real, hard and bloody, so look somewhere else if you're looking for the perfect woman."
Brown eyes stared into blue as he searched for the words to tell her what was in his heart. "Xena, I have spent almost my entire lifetime in pursuit of the most beautiful and perfect." He laid a finger on her lips to stop her from speaking. "I have looted temples, stolen from gods, kings and the wealthy not only for the sake of money .. well that had a lot to do with it," he admitted honestly due to the look she gave him, "but also because I wanted to own this so called beauty and perfection ... and you know what?" he asked, continuing when she shook her head, "I've never found perfection. Everything, gem, statue, work of art .. everything always has some flaw ... and I think that's true of people too. I gave up looking for perfection a long while ago. What matters to me now, when I hold something beautiful is simply that it is beautiful .. flaws and all ... like you are beautiful."
"Autolycus ..." she started to protest.
"No," he stopped her. "Let me finish ... I've been trying to say this for a long time .. almost since we first met, even if you did sucker me," he grinned wryly.
"Autol ...."
"Hear me out," he pleaded and waited for her nod of agreement before continuing. "I love you Xena ... I think I always have," he said softly. "Even before we met, it was like I was waiting for the right woman to come into my life. You're that woman. I know that I'm no Hercules .. or even a Draco or Caesar." He saw her grimace at the last name. "I'm a thief ... the best there is," he said with no false modesty, "probably not a real match for a Warrior Princess. But I know I could make you happy .. if you'd let me. And I'm determined to woo you .. to win your heart, as you have already won mine," he told her with a sincerity that left her speechless .. defenceless, before him.
Taking his chance, he drew her unresisting body into a loving embrace and leaned in for a passion filled kiss that was crammed with the intensity of his emotions. Within a heartbeat she was responding to him and the embrace deepened, intensifying and making them both feel giddy with need.
With slow gentleness, he broke their contact and stepped back. The heat of desire and something more was in her cheeks, as it was in his own. He could almost hear the blood pounding through their veins as their hearts pumped to a rising crescendo. But he didn't want to seduce her. He wanted more ... that's what the flowers had been for and the poems he'd laboured over. He was determined to win her heart and her hand and, to that end, he was willing to wait.
"I love you, and want you, more than I can ever tell you, Xena. Just tell me that it's not hopeless, that I have a chance of one day winning you. I want more than a quick roll in the hay," he said gesturing to their surroundings. "I want you, heart, soul and body ... I want to marry you ... but I can wait until you are ready."
She looked at him, willing her heart to stop beating so rapidly. His kiss had touched her deeply, stirring feelings of an intensity she had never felt before. She took a deep breath and sighed, "Autolycus, I may never be able to give you what you want .. I may never be ready to settle down."
"But you might. Just tell me that I am not without hope," he pleaded softly.
She turned her back on him, looking out into the yard where she had played in her childhood, where she had fought against Cortese's men in her youth and had matured from child to woman baptised in hot crimson blood. She was silent for a long while .. long enough to make him doubt her answer. But finally she told him, "You are not without hope ... I can promise nothing, but should a time come ...."
"That's all I need to know," he assured her. "I can wait until you are ready."
"You deserve more ... better," she said turning back to him, a world of hurt and pain in her eyes.
He stilled her voice with another burning, breathless kiss, clutching her to him in an embrace that promised her his protection forever, comforting her in a way she had rarely experienced. "You are what I want ... nothing more. Nothing less."
She relaxed into his arms, happy to remain there for the short while they had.
It was hard for Toris to see his sister, and the woman he was attracted to, leave while he sank back into the obscurity of being a small town innkeeper. Xena's quiet words, praising his help and bravery on their behalf had gone a long way to healing old wounds, and it had been good to realise that his strong, many skilled sister had appreciated his efforts.
Gabrielle had also been fulsome with her praise and had even gifted the tall innkeeper's son with a gentle kiss that had made him tingle from the inside out. He sighed inwardly and wished that he had the courage to tell the bard exactly how he felt about her .... But he could be patient .. there would be time in the future, he hoped. Finally Xena appeared. Tight hugs were shared as they made their final farewells and the warrior brushed away a tear as it fell down her mother's cheek. "Don't cry .. we'll be back before you know it," she promised.
"I know, little one," sniffed the innkeeper. "Forgive me."
The raven haired woman quirked that lopsided grin of hers and said quietly, "There's nothing to forgive." She threw a glance at Toris. "Take care of him, don't let him get into any trouble."
"You just make sure you keep clear of Romans, brat!" he responded to her jibe.
She laughed and turned to the bard, "Time to go Gabrielle," she smiled, looking forward to the comfortable solitude of just the two of them .. although part of her yearned to return to a thief's embrace.
They waved to Cyrene and Toris and headed out of town, turning their backs to the rising sun and headed west into the mountains. The two women walking side by side with the great warhorse trailing behind them.
"Where are we heading?"
"I thought we could make our way down to Potidaea. Your parents must have heard the rumours about us by now .. I thought you might want to put their minds at rest."
"Thank you," smiled the bard. "I'd like to look in on an old friend while we're there. Before this thing with Caesar came up, her parents sent me a letter saying they were worried about her." "Oh yeah?" returned the warrior, "What's her name."
"Seraphin."