Chapter 1 - Introductions

Slowly she released a soft groan; her hand touched her lightly pounding head. She quickly realized her hand against her forehead was bandaged without even opening her eyes. This seemed to remind her of her earlier predicament and she shot up into a sitting position on the hard surface she was resting on.

Janice sucked in a deep breath against the pain all over her chest and stomach but then her eyes widened. Just about twenty feet away from where she rested were two tall women in leathers, masks on their heads, and swords at their sides. "Holy shit," she wheezed in between the pain. "Who are you?"

The seeming guards turned heads to each other. One signaled the other and she opened the door then marched out into the next room.

The archeologist knew she wasn't going to get any answers from the guards. Instead she took a moment to absorb where she was, which certainly wasn't the campsite. The room was rather small and the only other piece of furniture in the room beside her hard wood bed was a wood chair to her right along with a table. The table was covered by bowls, rags, and some type of plant. Finally she lowered her gaze to her body because she sensed it was hard to move her upper body.

Starting from Janice's lower stomach all the way up to the top of her chest she was bandaged up. She still had her pants on but her hat, shirt, jacket, and boots with socks were gone. That also meant her gun was missing, which didn't settle well with her. Suddenly her musing was cut short when that guard returned but with two other women.

Janice was absolutely dazed by the unfamiliar women. She never seen something like this as they all wore leathers, bare stomach, and carried swords. She was quite curious about their masks they had on as her educational mind ran through the possibilities. The only possibility that came to her was also an impossible one.

The two women came to Janice's right side. The one closest had rich brown eyes and her hair was longer than Janice plus much blonder. The second woman behind the first had curly dirty-blond hair, lighter amber eyes, and one stone cold expression.

"I am Queen Cyane of the Amazons," started the closest woman.

Janice blinked at the title of queen. Queen of the Amazons? Her impossible theory was being easily confirmed and her heart began to pound against her chest.

The woman, Cyane, could tell the stranger was uneasy. She held her hand out to the other woman beside her. "This is Ephiny… she was one of the Amazons that found you."

There, she said Amazon again, thought Janice. She moaned as her head fell forward into her bandaged right hand. This could not be real, debated Janice but Cyane's gentle voice pulled her back.

"Do you need the healer?" offered Cyane, who was nearing the pallet some.

"No," finally spoke up Janice, "I'm fine." She lifted her head again and gazed at the Amazon Queen. "The name's Janice Covington."

Queen Cyane straightened up at hearing the name. She found it peculiar to hear the stranger say two names. She deduced she must be Roman as many Romans had two names and she knew the name Janice was also Roman heritage. She decided to leave that alone for now. "We found you within our borders about four days ago. You've been unconscious since then."

The archeologist remained quiet as she tried to process everything that was happening to her. She pushed herself up better on the pallet even though it was painful.

"Do you remember what happened?" queried the queen.

Ephiny shifted her stance, her steely eyes on the stranger. She didn't trust anybody and especially this odd woman. With how the known-world was today, nobody was ever honest.

Janice sighed and ran her left hand through her messy bangs. "Some. Its confusing enough to me but it'll be beyond you."

"Try us," interrupted Ephiny.

Janice's eyes narrowed at the Amazon's clipped tone and attitude. She bit back a harsh retort because she knew she was at the mercy of these people, besides they'd already been giving hosts.

"Ephiny," gently warned the queen. "Let her speak." She returned her focus to the small woman on the pallet.

Janice noticed how Ephiny backed off. She returned to the Amazon Queen. She noted the leather headband that Cyane bore, which had strange markings on it. Janice could tell they were Greek letters but she couldn't translate it and she cursed herself for not knowing Greek syntax better. She knew if Melinda was here that she'd know exactly what that headband said without even thinking about it.

"Tell me what happened," tried the queen again.

Janice broke from her thinking. She cleared her throat then signaled the chair near Ephiny with her chin. "You might need to sit for this."

The queen agreed and Ephiny gave her the chair.

Janice waited for the Amazon Queen to get settled then she tried to think of the best place to start. "Before I ended up here I was in the town of…." Her mind quickly worked to recall the ancient town's name. "Trachis."

"That is only two candlemarks of a ride from here," mentioned Ephiny.

The archeologist tried to decipher the length of a candlemark would be. She had no idea but she did know it couldn't be too far. So she was in Greece but obviously it wasn't 1949 anymore.

"What were you doing in Trachis?" asked the queen.

"Well that's where it gets confusing." At seeing the queen's narrowing eyes, Janice hastily added, "And interesting."

Queen Cyane nodded. "Go on."

"This is going to sound really insane but…." Janice paused to try and thinking about how to put this carefully. She figured there was real no way. "I'm from the future and I don't mean the near future but distant future."

Cyane blinked and stared Janice as if she were Medusa.

Ephiny snorted. "My queen, she's high on henbane."

One of the guards by the door snickered.

Janice ticked one of her back molars with her tongue. She did not like this Ephiny Amazon what so ever.

Cyane twisted in her chair and looked at the Amazon. "And do you have a better explanation for her clothes and that metal thing she had?"

Ephiny sighed but said nothing else.

The queen turned back to the stranger.

Janice slightly perked up at hearing something about her metal thing, her gun. She tried not to show it because she knew it would tip these women off.

"Okay so you're from the future… if this is true how did you get here?"

The archeologist sighed while folding her hands in her lap. "I'm not exactly sure." Her eyes stared at her left hand, which was fine while her right hand was covered. She lifted her head and looked at the Amazon Queen. "I'm an archeologist from my time."

"Ar…arch-eolo-gist," tried Cyane. At Janice's nod, she asked, "What's an archeologist?"

"It somebody that researches history," explained the small woman, "especially by well… digging through the ground." She slightly grinned at her plain definition of her job. "I'm particularly interested in Ancient Greek history."

The queen leaned back in her chair and thoughtfully stared at this strange woman. She wasn't sure what to make of the story so far but she would hear it out. "So you were in Trachis digging up Greek history in the future," summarized the patient queen.

Janice nodded. Her eyes briefly flickered to Ephiny, who was rolling her eyes but kept quiet. "My… friend and I just finished up a dig there when something strange happened."

"You turned into a man?"

Cyane growled at Ephiny for her smartass remark. "Ephiny, be silent."

Janice's expression was dark at Ephiny. "No, I dug up your grave and fuckin' desecrated it."

Ephiny's temper reared up and she stepped forward with her hand moving behind her back.

Cyane made a hidden signal.

The closest guard drew her sword faster and stepped up to Ephiny.

Ephiny became still, her hand on her sword hilt, and her eyes borrowing into Janice.

Janice held her ground, her green eyes flashing with every promise to beat Ephiny if she touched her.

"Step back, Ephiny," coldly ordered the queen. "Or else get out. I've had enough."

The Amazon in question released her hilt, lowered her arm to her side, and backed away from looming over Janice.

The guard resheathed her sword and returned to her post.

"I apologize," offered Cyane. "You were saying."

Janice released her anxiety and focused on Cyane. "Some robed woman appeared in front of me and my friend. She was after me personally but we fought her. We couldn't stop her… she was able to force pain on us without even touching us."

Cyane now had an explanation of the wounds the small woman suffered. Although she found the burn marks a bit odd if they were in combat.

"The woman had some golden staff," explained Janice, her eyes fuzzy. "It had a large green stone on the top that glowed."

Ephiny's brow was taut as her mind raced through memories of such a scepter. For some reason it struck a cord.

"What did this woman look like?" Cyane's voice was gentle but very curious.

Janice shook her head. "Tall… just under six feet." At seeing Cyane's confusion of height she tried to reformulate how to explain the height. Her eyes quickly scanned the room and rested on the guard to the left. "Just taller than her."

Cyane glanced at the Amazon.

The tall Amazon cleared her throat but stayed silent.

Janice looked back at the queen. "She had black hair and her eyes were almost black."

"She didn't say who she was?"

The archeologist moved her head in a no. "Her voice was unusual though… it was scratchy and deep." Like she'd been smoking too many cigarettes in her life, thought Janice, not that they exist right now.

"You said she had a gold scepter with a green stone?"

Janice was surprised by Ephiny's voice. She only nodded her answer.

"My queen, when I was in Corinth I saw such a scepter."

Cyane peered up at her Amazon. "The Conqueror's?"

"Yes." Ephiny folded her arms across her chest. "The Conqueror's scepter in the hands of a tall, dark woman, who is a shaman?"

Cyane's eyes went black for the first time. "Alti," she seethed in a hate driven voice.

Janice easily picked out that Cyane had some long history with this Alti woman. Even the name made Janice's skin crawl. "Who is Alti?" She then recalled they'd said Conqueror. "And who's the Conqueror? Julius Caesar?"

Cyane huffed then replied, "Julius Caesar would be a blessing compared to the Conqueror."

"Then who's the Conqueror?" Janice's mind was reeling with possibilities on who it was then another name hit her. "Alexander?"

Ephiny snorted from behind. "Long live Alexander… if only." Her expression was full of remorse.

Janice was lost now. She looked to the Amazon Queen for help.

"The Conqueror is...." Cyane stopped because to this day she had a hard time choking out the name. She clamped down on her old emotions. "Xena… the Warrior Princess," she whispered as if speaking the ruler's name was a sin.

The color washed away from Janice's face and she tried to desperately grasp what was happening. She suddenly wondered if Melinda's idea about fainting wasn't a good one. She moaned as her hands covered her face. "My god… this can't be right."

The Amazon Queen watched the archeologist tried to handle the situation. She could tell the small woman was genuinely shocked, which told her that maybe Janice was being honest. Everybody knew who the Conqueror was and everybody feared her, almost.

"Janice," tried the queen.

The archeologist forced her mind out of her racing thoughts.

"I believe you did face Alti," started the queen, "but I don't completely believe you're from the future or… anything of the sort." She tilted her head. "And not because it's not impossible… I've seen stranger things in my time. But…." She signaled to Ephiny to finally speak.

Ephiny took a step forward. "The problem is that nine days ago I saw you in Corinth." Her expression wasn't teasing or even demeaning but stone cold. "It is possible for somebody to get here from Corinth in that time but it's impossible for you to do it." She stepped forward again, lowered her hands to the edge of the pallet, and leaned towards the strawberry-blond. "You were sentenced by the Conqueror to the cross and your legs were shattered." Her eyes stayed locked on Janice's. "I remember your scream."

Quickly a vision flooded Janice's mind of a powerful swinging mallet almost connecting to her ankles. It never struck her in the vision as the vision was originally disrupted by Melinda saving her from Alti.

Ephiny could tell the small woman wasn't offering anything. She tilted her head some. "Your name isn't even Janice is it? Its Gabrielle… you're the rebel leader everybody talks about but nobody sees…until now."

"Gabrielle?" murmured the archeologist. Her eyes widened at the realization that not only did Xena exist here but so did her ancestor. It made perfect sense. "I'm not Gabrielle but I know who Gabrielle is," she argued.

"Your twin sister?" chided Ephiny with a snort.

Cyane was carefully listening to the interrogation.

Janice showed her best smirk. "No but close enough." She gave a challenging look as she stated, "Actually she's my ancestor."

Ephiny opened her mouth to refute it but Janice's explanation sunk in. She didn't know what to say or do so she merely straightened up to her full height again.

Cyane took this as her opening. "Just how far in the future are you?"

Janice folded her arms against her patched up chest. "Roughly two thousand two hundred years… give or take a hundred years."

The Amazon Queen was baffled by how far in the future that meant but she was still intelligent about this. She knew whatever time Janice came from it was beyond her comprehension and it meant that Alti had very precise plans.

"Besides," cut in Janice, "If I was Gabrielle how come my legs aren't shattered?" Her question fell on Ephiny.

The Amazon huffed, folded her arms, and had no answer.

Queen Cyane suddenly rose up to her formidable stature. "There are many things I must think about, Janice before I can decide what's going on here." She rested her hands on her hips now. "Until then, you will remain here and when the healer says you're well enough you may take a guest hut." She saw the narrowing of Janice's eyes. "You're not a prisoner here," she explained, "however I'd like to know what's happening. It sounds as if you don't have anywhere else to go."

The archeologist sighed because she knew the Amazon Queen was right.

"You'll be safe here," stated the queen. "Until then get some rest and recover." She considered something then looked at Ephiny and back to Janice. "If you need anything, Ephiny will be here to help you."

Ephiny's mouth quickly opened.

Cyane knew it too but she cut her off. "Ephiny is quite competent as an Amazon and despite things, she's very helpful."

Ephiny snapped her mouth closed because she couldn't argue when the queen just complimented her.

Janice chewed on the inside of her mouth. She really disliked this but she didn't have much choice either. "Thank you…." She silently cleared her throat. "Queen Cyane." She never thought she'd hear those words come from her mouth.

"You are welcome." Cyane stepped away and went to the door but she gazed back. She noted Ephiny was planted in place, most likely to see if Janice needed anything. She nodded her head at Ephiny then turned around.

Janice studied the queen's backside. Something caught her eye, which was the defining scar on Cyane's lower left back. She'd seen a similar scar on the front side too and it had an interesting round shape.

The Amazon Queen vanished into the main part of the healer's hut.

Ephiny saw the guards at the open door and she said, "You can take a break if you'd like."

The two guards exchanged looks then made a silent agreement so they walked out with the door closing.

Janice made eye contact with Ephiny once they were gone. "You don't believe me, do you?"

Ephiny's eyes narrowed. "I don't know… but I do know I trust you as far as I can throw you."

The archeologist slightly grinned at this. "Well at least we're finally in agreement about something."

The Amazon glowered at the chatty woman. She then was remotely surprised when Janice started to move around. "What do you think you're doing?"

Janice slid her sore legs off the pallet and touched the floor with her bare feet. "What's it look like, Sherlock?" Her back was to Ephiny but her head was sidelong. "Wait… you don't know who Sherlock is." She chuckled to herself.

Ephiny ignored the remark and walked to the other side of the pallet. "The queen ordered you to stay here."

"Now what fun would that be?" Janice forced her aching, sore body off the pallet. She straightened up to her full yet short height and her head swooned from the movement. She moaned and stumbled some.

Ephiny quickly moved and caught the woman before she collapsed or bumped into anything. "Get back on the pallet."

The archeologist pushed her dizziness aside. "No." Her eyes met Ephiny's. "I've been on there for four days. I need out." She stepped around the taller woman and went for the door.

The Amazon was fast and stood between the short woman and the door. "I can't let you go," she hotly stated.

Janice put her hands on her hips and stared down the woman. "What you going to do? Wrestle me onto the pallet?"

"I will if you don't." Ephiny held her hands up in demonstration.

The archeologist grunted. "I'd love to hear you explain this to your queen about why I'm even more injured." She wagged her index finger at the Amazon. "Tsk, tsk… you have to be sweet to your guests."

Ephiny's amber eyes went into slits. She knew she was losing this battle so she relaxed her hands at her sides again. "Fine. If you're so damn pigheaded about this then at least get dressed."

Janice held out her arms while saying, "If I knew where the rest of my clothes were I would love to."

The Amazon sighed then ordered, "Stay here… I'll get them." She slipped out of the room to hunt down Janice's clothes.

Janice though went to the pallet again and sat on the foot of it. She took the quiet time to check her wounds but pulling the bandaged away from her body. She peered down between her cleavage to get a view of her stomach. She was surprised to see her stomach was definitely burnt but the burns weren't too bad. She picked out the scent of some medicine but she wasn't sure what it was since she wasn't too familiar with them. She then lifted her right hand and unwrapped it some. She instantly regretted it with a cringe at seeing so many deep cuts on the top of her hand. She picked out some stitches too that seemed to be well done.

Janice was shaking her head while wrapping her hand back up. "I can't wait to see that bitch again." She knew she would too and when she did she'd make sure Alti paid for this, especially Melinda. She sighed at the thought of Melinda but she was pulled out of her reverie when Ephiny returned and with another Amazon.

"This is our healer, Eilis."

The healer smiled at seeing her patient up and moving. "I hear you wish to leave the hut."

Janice nodded. "I need to move around."

"I understand." Eilis looked to Ephiny. "Why don't you wait outside? Leave her things on the chair too."

The Amazon went to the chair and placed the boots down first then piled the clothes on top. She silently left the room.

Eilis was an older Amazon but she seemed quite nice Janice noticed. Eilis first went to the table and fiddled with all of the items. "Your burns will probably not take as long as those cuts on your hand." She found what she was looking for and picked up a clay bowl with white paste in it. "I'll need to take off your bandaging and put more of the salve on."

The archeologist was skeptic about revealing her body to the healer but she knew too she wasn't in any position to refuse.

"Don't worry." Eilis chuckled. "I've see it all plenty of times."

Janice rolled her eyes despite she couldn't help the grin. "Alright." She slid off the pallet and Eilis helped her unravel the seeming endless bandage.

"How do you feel?"

"A bit shaky and sore."

The healer nodded as she placed the wrap down on the pallet next to the salve. She dipped her fingers into the salve and put a thick coating over her hands. "I suggest you ask Ephiny to take you to the dining hut then." She came behind Janice and began liberally yet carefully rubbing the balm into the red skin.

"What is that stuff you're putting on me?" inquired the stranger.

Eilis smiled and replied, "It's a balm mixed with Acacia Nut… its rare actually… from Egypt. The Acacia helps properly heal burns and hopefully you won't have any marks left." She dipped her fingers back in the balm before ordering, "Turn around."

Janice hesitated but she faced the woman but with her eyes closed.

The old Amazon smirked and didn't say anything about it. Instead she busied herself with getting the balm over Janice's chest, upper breasts, and her stomach. "You really have a fair colored stomach."

Janice blushed then cleared her throat. "Are you finished?"

The healer quietly laughed. "Yes, turn around and I'll bandage you back up." She quickly worked to wrap Janice back up but it wasn't exactly a fast process. "You have a usual accent by the way."

"It's Yankee."

Eilis was clearly confused but she decided it was easier not to ask. "I'll check your hand later when you come back."

"Ooo no." The archeologist faced the healer. "There's no way in Hell I'm sleeping on that bad excuse for a bed again. It's probably why I'm so goddamn sore anyway."

Eilis stood still, her hands on her hips, and her head bent. "I meant for a check up."

Janice blinked then her defensive demeanor dropped. "Oh."

"You can stay in a guest hut but I want you to come by each night and morning until you get a bill of perfection from me."

Janice stepped around the Amazon with a grunt. "That'll be neva then."

The healer went to the door but paused. "See that you stop back here tonight, Janice. I can tell you're a stubborn one."

Janice shot a devilish smile at the healer. "I will… thank you."

The Amazon nodded then quietly left Janice alone.

The archeologist took a few minutes to get ready even though it was painful process. It was especially hard for her to get her boots on then lace them up. Her hand hurt too much while curling her stomach as she was bent over was also excruciating. She finally straightened up with her booted foot hitting the floor. She whipped her belt off the seat and laced it through the loops very slowly but she didn't buckle it. Janice was beginning to feel more herself and in control merely from having her clothes back.

The last part was her shirt, which she shrugged on and button by button she seemed to feel more alive. All she needed, in her mind, was her gun and she could beat any of this hocus pocus going on today. After she had her shirt tucked in, she buttoned her pants up and buckled her belt perfectly. Janice went to the door and grabbed the large handle but it took a lot of effort to get the heavy door open. So maybe she wasn't in perfect, prime condition like she thought but it was better.

The healer lifted her head from her scrollwork at her desk and said, "Ephiny is just outside." She signaled the door straight ahead.

"Thanks." Janice wanted to tip her hat to the Amazon but she was missing that piece of article along with her jacket. And that gun, that damn gun she grumbled inwardly.

Ephiny twisted her head up when the short but glowing woman stood at the top of the steps to the healer's hut. She took a heartbeat to adjust to the dress style despite she'd already seen Janice in these clothes.

Janice stomped down the wood steps with her heavy boots. She grinned at the Amazon. "Where to?"

Ephiny blew at a loose piece of curly hair on her forehead. "Dining hut," she clipped.

The archeologist enjoyed Ephiny's annoyance at having to baby sit her. At first it hadn't sat well with her that Ephiny was her keeper but now she realized this could be a lot of fun.

"This way." The Amazon headed off in the direction of the dining hut. As they traveled across the village, she noticed two things. First was that Janice was engrossed in her surroundings and taking in every detail. And second, well every passerby Amazon was just as curious about Janice. Ephiny was wondering if they would have a trail of Amazons following them but luckily not.

Janice turned her head to Ephiny. "I see there are a lot of guys here."

Ephiny narrowed her eyes at the small woman. "I guess you missed out on your history about Amazons huh?"

The archeologist actually knew quite a bit about them. She smirked. "In my time, the Amazons are just myths… stories about women running around with arrows and axes… and no left breast."

The Amazon came to a dead stop and faced the stranger. "I happen to not be a myth." She then bent her head down closer. "And I have both my breasts."

Janice slowly smiled at the annoyed Amazon. "I can see this."

Ephiny sighed dramatically, rolled her eyes, and continued onward. She mumbled something under her breath though.

Janice was smug and thoroughly enjoying this. She was a master at getting people's goads and she couldn't resist Ephiny's. "So there are never any men here?" She already knew the answer though but she liked playing dumb.

"Not unless they're guests otherwise no." Ephiny now took on a proud tone as she spoke. For some reason, she decided Janice required a real history lesson. "It's a man's world right now and not because it should be but because we let them. The Amazon world is based on truth, on a woman's individual strength."

Janice licked her lips as she listened to Ephiny. Her eyes darkened a shade and just glowed with mischief. "Damn right, Eph." She curiously looked up at the Amazon. "You don't mind Eph do you?" Just as Ephiny was about to snap out her harsh answer, she cut in, "Great. I like it too." She then suddenly stopped.

The Amazon went a few steps further but did an about face.

"You know, you're right." Janice put her hands on her hips. "It's even a man's world in my time period too. I'm all for the Amazon… thing. You know, I consider myself a single-minded woman."

Ephiny rolled her eyes.

"I would become an Amazon," proudly stated the archeologist.

"Ooo sweet Artemis," moaned Ephiny.

Janice thoughtfully weighed this then stated, "But I think first I'd ask my husband if it's okay."

Ephiny's expression darkened and she menacingly stepped towards the stranger.

Janice laughed and jumped back with her hands up in defense. "Now Eph, you don't want to do anything silly." Her teasing voice wasn't helping Ephiny decide though. "It was just a joke."

Ephiny stepped closer though and lifted her right hand then fisted it. "I could just...." She furiously growled and spun around then marched off.

Janice happily snickered to herself. What other fun could she have with this Amazon? It was almost too easy to toy with her keeper. She hurried after Ephiny while muttering, "I guess being an Amazon wouldn't do me much good in my time though."

Ephiny had a furrowed brow. "Why's that?"

The archeologist smiled up at the Amazon. "They don't exist anymore."

The Amazon was losing her patience very quickly. She grounded her teeth but kept silent knowing that was the safest bet to keeping her last wits. She finally came to the food hut and ducked into the entrance.

Janice senses were suddenly taking in the wonderful smell of food. Her stomach agreed with a rumble.

Ephiny stared at the small woman's talkative stomach. "I can't believe it's as loud as you."

"Ha… real funny, Eph." Janice stepped past the Amazon and went for the food line.

Ephiny turned on the balls of her feet and watched her go. "I hate that nickname," she complained but followed after her charge.

The archeologist got inline next to an Amazon, who was looking her up and down. So Janice just smiled and played along like she did this everyday. She had no problem figuring out how the buffet line worked since it was much like home. She'd easily collected a wood plate and scooted down the line.

Ephiny yanked a plate from the stack and trudged behind the stranger.

Finally the pair had their meals and went to an empty table. Janice was on one side while Ephiny sat across from her. Ephiny quietly ate but she noted how Janice started out by inspecting her food curiously.

"Got any pepper?" complained the small woman.

The Amazon started at Janice like she was stupid.

Janice couldn't help her laugh now because the look wasn't very becoming of Ephiny. She shook her head with a few more laughs and poking her food with her fork.

After a little bit, Ephiny sensed somebody coming up to her side and she gazed up with her neck bent around.

"Hey, Ephiny." Solari smiled at her friend then her eyes trailed over to the stranger. "I see she's up and moving."

"And annoying too," complained the frustrated Amazon.

"It's not polite to speak about somebody in third person when they're here," butted in Janice.

Solari greeted Janice with her best smile. "Hi." She stepped around and held out her arm. "I'm Solari."

Janice prepared to clasp the new Amazon's hand but instead ended up with her whole forearm. She was momentarily shocked but recovered quickly by shaking arms. "I'm Janice… Janice Covington."

"Ooo are you Roman?" At seeing the small woman's perplexed look Solari explained, "Romans have two names typically."

The archeologist grinned as her arm was released but she remained twisted around and head back. "No, I'm a cold blooded American." She knew Solari would have no clue what that meant but that was okay. At least she was being honest.

Solari's lips puckered as she tried to understand. "I see." She glanced at Ephiny for help but received none. "Is that east or west of Greece?"

Janice tried to remain very serious. "Very west of here."

"Oh." Solari pretty well knew the kingdoms west of Greece and Rome but America did not ring any bells for her. She cleared her throat as she felt uneasy.

"Solari," interrupted Ephiny, "Janice here says she's from the future."

Solari's eyes widened at Ephiny then she too stared at Janice like she was Medusa.

"What the Hell is with that look today!" complained the agitated stranger.

Solari chuckled at the woman then said, "So you're from the future huh?"

"Sure am, sweetheart." Janice brought out her best, winning smile.

Solari's lips curled into a grin. "Well this I have to hear so don't move. I'll need a few drinks for this." She laughed and dashed off to the food line.

Janice turned in her seat and saw Ephiny shaking her head uncontrollably. "What? You don't like losing out on the attention from your friend?"

Ephiny snorted and shot a glare. "Hardly." She then felt some of her tension dissolve when Solari took a seat by her.

Solari wiggled into her seat and got comfortable. She brushed back her brown hair and took a healthy drink of her diluted wine first. "Okay, so fill me in." She heard the unnecessary sigh from her friend but she ignored it like Janice. She carefully listened to Janice weave an amazing and unbelievable tale about how she arrived here in their borders.

When Janice finished her story, she felt relieved to get it out. Each time she went over the story, she seemed to get a clearer idea of what was happening but she still didn't have her questions for the answers.

"So you research history in your time?" Solari played with her mug. "That's what an archeologist does?"

"Yes," replied the archeologist in question. "My specialty is Ancient Greece… or other words this time right now."

Solari chuckled but gave a devilish grin. "Really? Okay… let's see." She narrowed her eyes playfully at the small woman. "What you know about the Amazons?"

Ephiny smirked at Janice. "Yeah, what do you know?"

Janice licked her lips and puckered them out as if she really had to think this out. "Well… the Amazons first started in Pontus near the shore of the Euxine Sea by Queen Hippolyta, who's name actually means 'she let's her horses lose'. They also spread out to other areas such as Smyrna, Sinope, Paphos, and particularly Ephesus. In Ephesus the Amazon Nation built the beautiful, amazing Temple of Artemis, which actually no longer exists in my time."

Solari stared in awe at the archeologist. "Wow," she breathed.

Ephiny huffed. "Alright… who's Antiope?"

Janice's hungry smile showed she loved this challenge. "They say she's the daughter of Ares but her sister was Hippolyta and Melanippe. She married Theseus the King of Athens at the time. Then she died by the hands of Molpadia when she was seriously injured during the Attic War." She paused then whispered, "She didn't want to return to Theseus after just siding with the Amazons again."

Solari was speechless.

Ephiny was irritated. "Alright then who is Otrera?"

The archeologist grew smug. "Everybody knows Otera… not only is she the mother of Hippolyta, Antiope and a few others but she's the mother of the Amazon Nation some say. She really started the first Amazon Nation before her daughters then later the founder of the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus."

Solari chuckled and elbowed her friend. "She's got you, Ephiny. Give it up."

The Amazon grumbled but decided to let it go. She would make sure to get even with this impertinent woman later on that'd been playing her all along.

Janice pushed her empty plate aside then asked, "I will admit though despite I think I know a lot about Greek history I had no clue about the Conqueror."

Solari was bent forward over her mug of wine. Her eyebrows were tied together. "What do you mean?"

The archeologist sighed folded her arms on the table so she could lean against them. "You see, in my time nobody knows anything about Xena and she's my main interest. I'm trying to discover proof that she's real."

"Ooo she's real alright," hotly complained Ephiny.

"I know that," started Janice, "but the thing is what information I do have on her, she was never a ruler." She stopped in consideration of things then it struck her. "Actually what's really strange is the fact there is no record or knowledge of her being a ruler. There would have been something left behind of her legacy with that sort of power."

"Yes, a legacy of death." Ephiny sadly sighed and glanced at her quiet friend.

Solari had a sad expression too. "The Conqueror is very powerful," she informed Janice. "She rules Greece, Rome, Gaul, Britannia, and is in control of Egypt as well as Chin."

Janice ran the name Chin through her mind and realized that she meant China. "So the Conqueror isn't the ruler of Egypt?" This could help her if she knew who the ruler of Egypt was currently.

"She controls Egypt indirectly," explained Solari. "The ruler there is Cleopatra."

Janice's eyes widened in realization. "Shit… that puts the date somewhere before 30 B.C."

Ephiny had a curious look as she tried to decipher what Janice meant.

Solari though added, "Cleopatra sided with the Conqueror when Julius Caesar and Mark Antony began civil war in Rome. They tried to court her for her navy."

Ephiny smirked then chimed in, "It seems though that the Conqueror courted her better."

Solari rolled her eyes but agreed with her friend. "Supposedly."

The archeologist was carefully listening to every piece as she tried to glue them together. She could only wonder what this would lead up to. What still wasn't making any sense was how her scrolls and records of Xena depicted her has a warlord turned hero. Never did the scrolls say she was a ruler and especially of Europe including England. If that were true then there would surely be records left behind of her existence as such and not this meager trail that Janice had been following. Besides that when Janice met Xena, well in Melinda's body, she didn't exactly seem like the ruler type. Janice knew she was missing a piece and probably a big one.

"So who's this Alti person anyway?" asked Janice. She hadn't heard much about her kidnapper yet and still needed to know. All she had was that Alti was a shaman that knew Xena somehow.

"Alti?" repeated Solari, her tone was cold. "She's Hade's spawn… even worse."

"You said she's a shaman?" Janice's question went to Ephiny.

The Amazon slowly nodded.

Solari cut in by explaining, "She's also an ex-Amazon." She took a nice gulp her wine then continued talking. "She was actually in Queen Cyane's Nation many, many moons back."

Ephiny propped an elbow on the table to rest her face in her hand and she listened to her friend tell the tale of Alti, Queen Cyane, and the Conqueror.

Janice was also quite entranced as carefully listened to every detail.

"This was back when there was more than one Nation… like you said when the Amazons were further east in Smyrna, Sinope, and Ephesus was the capital." Solari sighed while shaking her head at memories of the good days.

"What happened?" queried Janice.

"Well it started when this warlord came from Chin to Queen Cyane's Nation in Macedonia."

"Xena you mean."

Solari nodded at Janice. "Yes, the warlord was Xena. She befriended Queen Cyane and the Amazons but became close to Alti." She noted how Janice's face took on realization. "Alti was a weak shaman at the time but she saw the dark potential that Xena harbored so she took it. Alti promised Xena she would rule the known-world and in return Alti would stay by her side and receive all the power she needed."

"What is her power?"

Ephiny for once spoke up. "A dark shaman, like Alti, feeds off of hatred and fear by taking both light and dark souls. When somebody is killed she'll drink their blood then controls their very soul for how ever long she decides."

"Which is always forever," added Solari. "At the time Queen Cyane didn't trust Xena or Alti. She became suspicious about their growing relationship and just before she was going top banned Xena from the Nation she attacked her and several other Amazons."

Janice absorbed the long winded information thrown at her. "I see that Cyane survived."

"Barely," retorted Ephiny.

"It's still talked about to this day." Solari fiddled with her mug, her eyes peering into the empty container. "They still talk about how Xena was dishonorable and attacked the Amazons. She betrayed them… us." Her eyes lifted to Janice. "She left Queen Cyane to die… hanging on a thick tree limb through her stomach."

The archeologist flinched because even she couldn't imagine. Now she understood why the Amazon Queen had those scars on her stomach and backside.

"Alti did manage to steal Cyane's blood as she hung from the tree." Solari shook her head. "To this day, the queen believes her soul will not be hers when she dies."

Janice's emotions came to life when she heard this. She was beginning to admire this queen.

"Needless to say, Alti and Xena escaped back to Xena's waiting army. Together the pair marched over Greece. Alti grew in spiritual power while Xena grew in feared power." Solari broke from her story and gazed at her best friend beside her. She looked back at Janice. "The only reason we're still here is because of Queen Cyane. The Conqueror drove us from Ephesus, through Macedonia, southeast into Epirus and now here into Thessaly. And it was Queen Cyane that kept us together and kept us safe through everything. Now… we're a stones throw from Corinth just so the Conqueror can sit there and watch us."

"Why doesn't she send an army to destroy the Nation?" urged Janice.

Ephiny straightened up now. "Because she enjoys watching us dwindle into nothing. Her favorite thing is a slow death… in many forms."

"It won't happen though," challenged Solari, "not with Queen Cyane. She's the driving force behind the Nation." She looked at Ephiny then said, "If she can survive the Conqueror then so can the Nation."

Ephiny nodded her head in agreement.

Janice released a deep breath she'd been holding. She was absolutely fascinated by the events despite she was also bewildered. "So the capitol is in Corinth then? Not Athens?"

"Athens is gone," reported Ephiny. "The Conqueror leveled it a long time ago."

The archeologist was mystified. "Why?"

"Some say it was because she hated the arts and the Academy of Performing Bards was located there. She believed if the people were cultured then they could rise up against her. She prefers her people to be dumb and fearful."

Janice stared at Solari then asked, "What's the other reason?"

"She just liked the view better in Corinth than in Athens," answered Ephiny.

Janice thought it was a joke but she could tell it really wasn't at all. She huffed out and straightened up from leaning against the table.

"Trust me, if that's all you hear about the Conqueror… you'd be so lucky." Solari swiped at her empty mug. "I need to get onto patrol duty." She turned to Ephiny. "I'll see you later." She offered a smile now to Janice. "It was nice to meet you Janice… Covington."

The archeologist mirrored back the smile. "You too, Solari."

Ephiny waited for her friend to get out of earshot then she chided, "How's that for a history lesson?" She didn't wait for a response and got up with her plate.

The archeologist frowned at Ephiny's question. It certainly wasn't history that sat well in her stomach on top of her food. None of it made sense but she knew it would eventually. She gathered her plate and utensils then followed her keeper. "So where to next?"

Ephiny stood by the table where the dirty plates and dishes get dropped off. "How do you feel?"

The archeologist wait a second then finally answered, "Pretty good."

"We'll do a tour then." The Amazon directed the stranger to follow her and into the sunny day.

"What season is it?" Janice was gazing off to the sun and determined it must be about the middle afternoon or so.

"It is a moon before the Fall Equinox."

Janice's mind quickly worked out the time and figured it must be roughly August 22, 30 B.C. but give or take a few years along with days. Hmmm wonder if it's Friday, thought Janice, 'cause a stiff drink would be perfect.

"I will show you the sparring fields first." The Amazon took off in that direction.

"Sparring fields?" muttered Janice. She wasn't about to pass this up or any of the tour. She just wished she had a paper, pen and a camera with plenty of film. This was a chance not even in a lifetime but her memory would have to do her. She was thanking god that she had a perfect memory and an eye for detail. For Janice, she was a kid not just in a candy jar but in a candy factory.

Ephiny came to an abrupt stop and held her hand out. "These are the sparring fields." Her hand fell to her side.

The archeologist stepped up and focused on the scene of many leather clad women with swords that were sparring. Off in the distance were also women practicing their aim as archers. She stood rooted and memorizing the scene. It was breathtaking and overwhelming.

Ephiny folded her arms across her chest and studied how the stranger was just mesmerized. She'd seen this everyday of her life but she had no idea how this scene would look from new eyes. She gazed out over her sparring sisters and just couldn't make that mental leap.

"Does anybody… train them?"

The Amazon nodded then answered, "Eponin is our weapons master." She turned her head to the small woman. "She also found you."

Janice gave Ephiny a curious look. "How many people found me?"

"Solari, Eponin, and I… we were on patrol duty when we heard you scream."

The archeologist slowly grinned at the Amazon. "So did my scream sound like the same one from Gabrielle?"

Ephiny narrowed her eyes. "Let's continue." She spun around on her boots and stomped off.

Janice ran her tongue along the front of her teeth. She knew she needed to stop aggravating Ephiny but it was just an uncontrollable need for Janice. She hurried up to catch Ephiny and they stopped by a building that was much larger, more beautiful, and very defined compared to anything else in the village. Janice tilted back as her eyes followed to the top of the building. "A temple."

"Very good," tormented Ephiny.

"A temple to Hades?" teased the archeologist.

Once again Ephiny found herself rolling her eyes then ascended the steps of the temple. She held open the door for the stranger.

Janice stood by the open door and smirked at Ephiny. "You're good at being a door holder. You might want to think about changing jobs, Eph." Before she got the hot response she knew she would get she hurried into the temple.

Ephiny stood still, her eyes closed, and calming her irregular breathing. "Artemis, why? What have I done so wrong to deserve this?" She finally went into the temple and was surprise to see Janice just making a circle where she stood.

The archeologist slowly rotated as she stood in the middle of the temple. She was absolutely awed by the beauty as she took in every careful detail. She'd never seen such amazing statues, art pieces, and a table covered by more offerings than she could imagine.

The Amazon stepped around Janice when a small but pronounced woman approached them. She bowed her head in respect.

Janice finally realized there was a newcomer and she grinned.

"It's good to see you, Ephiny."

Ephiny straightened up and offered a smile. "You too, Yakut."

Janice filed the name away with the woman's beautiful, petite face. "I'm Janice… Janice Covington." She held out her hand.

Yakut slowly smiled at the abrasive stranger. "I am Yakut." She took Janice's entire forearm and shook.

When the pair broke the arm contact, Ephiny informed Janice of Yakut's position. "Yakut is the shaman of the village."

Janice stiffened at the news, which wasn't lost on anybody.

"A good shaman at that," clarified Ephiny.

The archeologist curiously studied Ephiny to confirm it then looked back at the shaman. "Sorry. I had a bad run in with Alti."

Yakut was now stiffening up and she quickly gazed at Ephiny. "What has happened?"

"It's okay," assured Ephiny. "We don't know everything but it has something to do with Alti."

The shaman folded her arms. "I will speak to the queen about it then."

"It would be best," agreed Ephiny. She then cleared her throat as she braced to tell Yakut more. "Janice was…." She glanced down at the small women then back at Yakut. "She was kidnapped by Alti from the future and brought here."

The shaman didn't act surprised at all by Ephiny's words. She'd seen many things in her days, especially with being a shaman. "When was this?"

"Four days ago."

Yakut nodded at the Amazon's words. "Well, welcome to the Amazon Nation," she offered to Janice.

The archeologist had a wide grin. "Thanks."

"If you require any guidance, Janice my door is always open." Yakut bowed her head some. "If I am not then surely Priestess Idola will be here."

Janice opened her mouth to ask something but she was too dumbstruck.

Somehow Ephiny picked this up. "We have a shaman and a priestess. Typically Nations only have a priestess but Queen Cyane's Nation only had a shaman while all the others had a priestess."

"So she just kept both then," concluded Janice.

"Yes," agreed Yakut. "Priestess Idola handles the worship of Artemis. I, however, handle anything in the spirit world… especially those Amazons that have passed on. I make sure they make it to the Amazon Lands safely."

Janice's head was just swimming with information. She wasn't sure what to do with it all.

Ephiny could tell the stranger was having a hard time taking everything in at once. She looked to the shaman. "Thank you, Yakut. I believe Janice has seen enough for today."

"Very well." Yakut gently smiled at the stranger. "I am sure I will see you again, Janice. Please rest up." With that, she turned and glided across the stone floor.

"I think you need some rest," suggested Ephiny. For the first time, her voice held a note of concern.

The archeologist touched her forehead with her left hand. She could feel the throbbing starting when she thought she'd rid of her headache earlier. "Maybe so."

The Amazon was surprise there was no argument. "I'll show you to your hut." She guided her charge out of the temple, down the steps, and through the busy village. She finally came upon the hut that Queen Cyane had assigned for Janice whenever she was ready. Ephiny pushed the door open and stepped in to find everything in order.

The archeologist was humbled by the simple surroundings of the room. There was a bed, small desk with chair, a fireplace, and an entrance into another small, dark room. Now she wondered what the bathroom situation was here. She decided she was in no mood to find out right now.

Ephiny stood in the doorway of the hut. "Dinner will not be until sunset. That'll give you plenty of time to rest." When Janice faced her again she continued speaking. "There will be two guards at your hut if you require anything… or me." She caught the devilish grin from Janice, which made Ephiny huff. "I will see you then."

Janice brushed back her loose hair and said, "Thanks, Eph."

The Amazon hesitated in mid stride of walking out and she softly replied, "You're welcome." Then with that, she was gone.

The archeologist went to the bed and stared at it. She could tell the mattress idea was beyond the ancient world but this was far better than the wood pallet. "Well… not like I'm not use to roughing it." She chuckled then went to the desk to sit down. She took several painful minutes to get her boots off, socks, and she decided to just go ahead and remove her shirt. The bandages pretty well covered her upper body and nobody would care.

Finally Janice found herself in the bed and was quite surprised by how comfortable it was on her. "God… not bad." She snuggled in under the smooth sheets and remained on her back. She preferred being on her stomach but that was out of the question.

Janice remained awake for some time as her mind tried to work out today's events and information. She had no doubt she was in the past and it was in Cleopatra's age. That much was a proven fact and so was her being in Greece. What was beyond her was this whole Xena the Conqueror thing. She slightly shook her head at the idea. It was practically impossible for Xena to be such a powerful ruler then nobody ever know of her in the future. Even when Egypt tried to erase their first queen from history it didn't work.

So far Julius Caesar, Antony, Alexander, the Amazons, and the Attic War were real events and people. Somewhere in the thick of all this there was a break in history and Janice had to find it. She would have to keep probing to find this break to get her answer. She just didn't know why there was a break or what it meant. And even if she did find it then what good would it do if it didn't get her home?


Continued.