Section 2

~*Part 5*~

The Conqueror lowered her quill onto her scroll. She laced her hands together, her elbows propped up on her desk, and she lowered her chin on top of her hands. She stared directly through her office and out to the balcony, watching the clouds and a few birds dip and dive in the air.

Xena stood up with her hands falling down to her side. Coming around her desk, she made her way out onto the balcony. She gazed across her capital, Athens, and looked to the extent of her realm reaching to the horizon. Lowering her eyes, she caught sight of a bruised and battered soldier limping in through the gates. Her eyes instantly narrowed, and she hurried out of her office.

"Damn it," she growled lowly while racing down the hall towards the thrown room.

"My liege, my liege?" called a guard, who was coming from the thrown room. "One of your guards-"

"I know," cut off the ruler hotly. "Out of the way."

The guard jumped to one side as the angry Conqueror flew past, her midnight hair floating behind and chakram glistening.

Xena came outside and neared a group of five soldiers plus the injured one. "What happened here?"

One guard looked up and said, "He's from Palamon's group, my liege."

"I know that, fool," The Warrior Princess snarled. "Has he told you what's happened?"

"No, my liege."

"Well why haven't you asked?" half yelled the ruler.

"My liege…" The guard fell silent then finished his sentence. "He has lost his tongue."

Xena's eyes faintly widened but went normal again as she glanced at the hurt soldier. "Get him to a healer." She then waved her hand before stomping off.

~*~*~*~

"It was ripped out, my liege." The healer looked to the soldier lying on the pallet. He then peered up at Xena. "Not cut."

The Conqueror closed her eyes briefly and licked her lips while reopening her eyes. "How are his wounds?"

"They are clean and he'll make it." The healer bit his lower lip then added, "But there was something strange."

"And that is?"

The man gazed up to his ruler. "On his back, he seems to have a map carved into his skin… done by a dagger."

"May I see?" inquired the Conqueror.

"Of course, my liege." The healer walked over to the pallet and with Xena's help, he carefully turned the man onto his stomach. "That is the map, my liege or what seems to be a map."

The Warrior Princess studied it quickly then walked over to a wall and plucked a torch out of its ring. She handed it to the healer and ordered, "Hold it over." She then peered down closer and studied the map more carefully.

The healer touched one spot on the man's back and said, "I believe that's the Amazon Nation there, my liege." He then traced his hand along a wavy line. "And my guess is that's the coast."

"They are," confirmed the ruler. Her index and middle finger touched an 'X' on an area of the coast to the south of Athens. She then noted an arrow pointing down the man's body. "Pull his pants down some."

The healer quickly grasped the leather pants and pulled them down a bit.

There directly above the soldier's ass were words cut in.

"Come alone and unarmed."

Xena's eyes narrowed, and she stared at the 'X' spot. She then quickly looked to the healer. "Make sure this man's cuts will heal over properly with no scars."

"Yes, my liege."

The Conqueror left the healer's office and went in the direction of her room. She then called, "Guard!"

A guard reappeared from a hall and walked briskly along side the ruler, "Yes, my liege?"

"Has Draco returned with my men?"

"I'm afraid not, my liege."

Xena stopped in front of the steps to the hall of rooms. "Find out which men he took with him and report back to me. Is that clear?"

"Yes, my liege." The guard hurried off.

"And I want a hand written list," called out Xena before she went up the stairs to her room. Once in her room, Xena went over to her trunk and opened the top. Grabbing her cape, she threw it on and clipped the top onto her shoulders. The next thing she pulled out was her breast dagger and tucked it between her breasts.

A knock came at the door and the Conqueror called, "Come in."

Two guards entered into the room and one with a scroll in hand.

"Read," ordered the ruler.

The guard unrolled the scroll and began reading a list of names of soldiers. He then lowered the scroll and added, "A hundred men total, my liege."

The Warrior Princess faced the guards and walked closer to them. "And what is their loyalty towards Draco?"

"A hundred percent for all, my liege." The guard paused before saying, "These were many of the men that have fought with him."

Xena nodded while walking away, back to her trunk. "And what's their loyalty rate towards me?"

"Rather low, my liege," whispered the guard.

"Hmmmm." The Conqueror narrowed her eyes while bending down and reaching into her trunk. "That'll be all."

The two guards nodded and left the room.

Xena lifted her whip out of the trunk; she tied the whip to her left side. "Lord Sinteres and Draco… quite a combination," muttered the ruler. Then a loud boom echoed in the room and Xena's large hands rested on the now closed trunk lid. "I hate traitors," she growled then walked briskly out of her room.

~*~*~*~

"Is that clear?"

The new head guard nodded to Xena. "Crystal, my liege."

Xena narrowed her eyes for a moment at the guard. "Leave."

The guard bowed his head then hurried out of the ruler's office.

The Warrior Princess sighed and gazed back down at her map of Greece. She studied the area where Lord Sinteres's compound rested, directly along the coast of the sea. The one thing she disliked was heading there without somebody she trusted in charge of her empire. It was the only thing that still kept her glue in her seat and not out slaughtering the kidnappers of Queen Gabrielle.

Xena laced her hands together and lowered her chin onto her hand and stared out to her balcony as she always did.

"I can escort myself." Came an angry female's voice.

The Warrior Princess looked up when her office door flew open with one angry Amazon standing in it.

"Conqueror," started the half beaten Amazon. She walked over to the front of the desk, droplets of blood rolling down her right arm. Then her body was rather covered by other smear marks of blood and bruises and in her right hand was her red bladed sword.

"Ephiny." The Conqueror was a bit surprised but stood up tall. "What happened?"

Ephiny dropped her sword to the floor; she grasped the edge of the desk with her head lowering. "We were ambushed on the way back from the Nation." She was breathing heavy but continued talking. She lifted her head, her dark hooded eyes rested on the great ruler. "I escaped… barely."

"And rather wounded," whispered the ruler. She'd come around the desk and was about to touch the Amazon but the regent had taken a step back.

"Let me finish," stated the Amazon harshly. "They killed your royal guards all of them." She paused, her eyes locked on the Conqueror's. "Palamon, Queen Gabrielle, and Eponin are being held… kidnapped but up for sale."

"To who?" whispered Xena.

"To the highest bidder." Ephiny's right hand still remained on the edge of the desk; she was gripping it as tight as she could. "They want you to come there but the men who captured us said they plan to only beat you. Especially because they know…" She paused and coughed before whispering, "they have the key to your kingdom in their hands." Her eyes closed, and Ephiny lost her strength. She fell to her knees beside her sword and then collapsed to her side.

"Guards!"

~*Part 6*~

Gabrielle's head bobbed back and forth, she moaned quietly. She opened her eyes a bit but quickly closed them again when she found it hurt too much. Her head was banging hard. Why do I feel like I'm on a hangover, grumbled the Queen mentally. Again, she tried opening her eyes but much more carefully this time.

Whatever she was sitting on suddenly shook violently then went back to the soothing rocking sensation. With her eyes now open, Gabrielle gazed around and noted she was chained to the bars of a jail wagon. "Great," she muttered.

Palamon from across the wagon gave a sad smile, his right eye black and blue and rather puffy.

The Amazon Queen returned the sad smile with her eyebrows going up briefly. She then saw Eponin sitting beside him; she was still unconscious and her head dropping back and forth. Looking beside herself, Gabrielle saw nothing but more stray and an empty set of shackles. "Ephiny," she whispered and she became confused instantly.

"She's okay, my Queen." The weapon's master's now open eyes rested on the Queen and a faint smile. "I saw her escape," she added quietly.

The Queen sighed in relief as her shoulders fell back down. "How are you feeling?"

Eponin nodded. "Wonderful despite things."

Queen Gabrielle then raised an eyebrow to Palamon.

Palamon dropped his head back against the bars. "I'm okay, myself." He lifted his head back up. "How about yourself?"

"I've been better." Gabrielle sighed with a shake of her head. She then glanced through the bars and saw the gates of a compound coming into view. A few memories flashed into her mind briefly and it made her eyes widen. "Sinteres," she said quietly.

The weapons master recalled that name and instantly looked to the gates. She recognized the symbol on the gate doors, the same as Gabrielle's brand. "Hades," she growled.

"Look alive, prisoners." One of the soldiers of the enemy came up to the jail wagon. He hit the bars with his sword. "Since we need you alive." He walked off with a snicker.

The gates of the compound opened gradually and enough in time for the wagon to slip through. The driver of the jail wagon gave out a big yell and pulled the horses' reins back. The wagon came to a hard jerk.

Queen Gabrielle looked through the bars, noticing several men being ordered to go to their tents. Yet around ten others came to the back of the wagon and stood in a semi-circle, eyes on their captives.

Slowly, a tall dark man pushed his way through the men and came up to the back of the wagon. "Hello, Queen Gabrielle. How's your day been?" He smiled evilly.

The Amazon Queen glared back and answered, "It just got worse when I saw your face, Draco."

"I'm hurt." Came Draco's saucy response. He reached to his side and pulled off his set of keys. He inserted it into the lock and once it opened, he flung the jail door open. "Welcome to Lord Sinteres camp, ladies…" His eyes then rested on Palamon. "And gentlemen." He then looked to him men. "Get 'em out." He stepped back as his men rushed in to drag out the prisoners.

Within a minute, Draco found Queen Gabrielle in the dirt on her knees before him. "Now, follow me." He smiled falsely then turned on the balls of his feet.

The Amazon Queen was picked up off the ground and shoved to follow Draco. She threw a quick mean look at her two guards but walked behind Draco. Quickly she glanced over towards Palamon and Eponin, seeing them escort to the barrack portion of the camp. With a sigh, Gabrielle continued following Draco.

After being led into the halls of the fortress portion of the camp, Gabrielle was coming upon a door to an office she knew of too well.

Draco stepped inside first then the Queen with her guards were next.

Queen Gabrielle's eyes instantly rested on Lord Sinteres.

Lord Sinteres walked away from the fireplace with a red-hot poker. He gave a wicked smile to Gabrielle and came closer. "Welcome back… home." He raised his left hand, his fingertips just touching the small woman's chin. "We've missed you."

Gabrielle turned her head away.

"Hmmmm." Sinteres nodded and looked to Draco. "Have any trouble capturing the lot?"

"None and we sent the 'message' to Xena."

"Good."

"Draco, forget to tell Lord Sinteres about the small mishap?" taunted Gabrielle- her eyes glimmering devilishly.

Lord Sinteres huffed a bit and averted his gaze from Gabrielle back to Draco. "Explain?"

Draco sighed and folded his arms. "One of the Amazons escaped."

"Which?"

"The regent named Ephiny." The warrior shook his head. "It'll make no difference."

Sinteres narrowed his eyes. "It makes all the difference," he whispered hotly. He suddenly raised the hot poker and the tip of it was close to touching the tip of Draco's nose. "That Amazon can make all the difference between our control in this game." He held his breath for a moment.

Draco was grinding his teeth as his eyes stayed focused on the smoke rising from the poker.

"You better hope to Gods she isn't our mistake. Otherwise you'll be my next slave," promised Sinteres. He quickly lowered the poker back to his side. Then an evil smile formed on his lips that was directed at Gabrielle. "Let's get you properly dressed, Queen Gabrielle." He studied her Amazon leathers momentarily. "Even those leathers cover too much. Guards, have her taken to her cell and give her… proper clothing."

The two guards unsheathed their swords.

Gabrielle sighed, knowing at what was ahead of herself. She walked to the door with her guards but stopped for a moment. "Lord Sinteres?" She turned her head sidelong to the slaver.

Sinteres raised an eyebrow at the Amazon Queen.

"How can you be so sure the Conqueror will come for me?" The small woman now arched her own eyebrow. "She is not my protector."

"No but you are her sanity." He smirked.

Gabrielle turned her head away and walked off.

~*~*~*~

"Ephiny," whispered the ruler.

The regent moaned and turned her head away.

"Come on." The Conqueror touched Ephiny's cheek for a moment then pulled her hand away. "Wake up."

The Amazon slowly opened her eyes and stared into cool blue eyes. "Conqueror?" she muttered.

"Yeah, come on… sit up." Xena sat down on the edge of the bed.

Ephiny carefully sat up, her back against the headboard. She then gazed about the room and recognized it as Xena's.

"Ephiny, what happened?"

The Amazon brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "We were riding back from the Nation. A little ways away from the Nation, we were attacked from front and behind by fifty or more men."

"Any idea who?"

Ephiny nodded and swallowed before quietly saying, "Draco." She briefly caught sight of those blue eyes flashing then calming once more.

"What of my men?"

"All killed… except for Palamon." The regent pushed herself up more then added, "They took Queen Gabrielle, Palamon, and Eponin… I'm not sure where to."

"Mmmm, I already know where," cut in the Conqueror. She suddenly stood up, her cape falling behind her. "Ephiny, can I trust you?" She whirled around, now facing the Amazon.

"I don't know… can you?" half taunted the regent. "I assume you have a plan already."

"More like a demand," dryly replied the ruler. Her arms crossed her chest as she stood tall and dark. "If you want, you may return to your Nation… round up your Amazons to seek out your Queen. I will have nothing to do with it."

"And what about your head guard, Palamon?"

"Replaceable." The Warrior Princess shrugged. "However, I believe your weapons master and especially your Queen are not."

Ephiny narrowed her eyes. "But I know I cannot go charging in after my Queen to a place I know not of. Since Queen Gabrielle-"

"Will be killed, naturally." Xena stepped closer to the bed; closer to Ephiny.

"But you cannot abandon the Amazons," stated the regent hotly.

"Why? What reasoning do you hold… what commitment do I have to you or your Queen?"

Ephiny tried moving but gritted her teeth when a shot of pain ripped through her body. Instead she peered up with menacing amber eyes. "You signed an alliance."

"And I can break it just as easily." The Warrior Princes waved her hand before she walked off. "The Amazons and their Queen are none of my concern." She reached the door with her hand preparing to grasp the door handle.

"Wait, Conqueror." Ephiny waited for the dark ruler to face her. She took a long breath and replied, "You can trust me… and the Amazons."

Xena stood still then gradually nodded. "I like trust." She neared the Amazon and folded her arms together. "Now, I am the only one with the knowledge of where the Queen is."

Ephiny nodded. "What do you want in exchange?"

The Conqueror's face broke out with a full on evil grin. "Ever thought of being a Queen, regent?"

The regent blinked.

~*~*~*~

Queen Gabrielle sighed, her head was drooped down and gazing at her clothes she now wore on her body. "Great," she muttered sarcastically, "I feel like a belly dance."

"And that may just be your next position," commented Lord Sinteres. He snapped his fingers and the guard opened the jail cell. He stepped in and falsely smiled at the Amazon. "Feel at home again, Gabrielle?"

"Queen Gabrielle," corrected the small woman.

The slaver cleared his throat and bowed his head. "Queen Gabrielle." He lifted his head again with a large smug expression. "I can respect a woman of your stature." He chuckled then added, "Well until you're bought out as a slave." He came closer to the ankle-chained female and looked up and down her length. "You've grown more beautiful since you last escaped my establishment."

Gabrielle folded her arms together. "And what do you plan to do with my Amazon?"

"Sell her as well… maybe even ransom her to your Amazons." He gave a faint laugh and stood before the Queen. "Depends." He shrugged for a second. "May even keep her for my own… for insurance reasons."

"And Palamon?"

Lord Sinteres gave a faint shrug. "Not too worried. He's of little use to the Conqueror."

"And what is your plan with the Conqueror…?"

"My, my… I forgot how chatty you are, Queen Gabrielle."

The Queen's annoyance sparkled in her ivy eyes for a moment then disappeared.

"We'll have to fix that." The slaver walked to the cell door and tapped his knuckles on a bar. He noted the guard coming so he turned back to the Queen. "Well, tomorrow evening we'll be expecting some guests. I'm sure they'll take an interest in you." He stepped through the door after the guard opened it. "Have a lovely night, Queen Gabrielle." He put his hands behind his back and walked off.

Gabrielle watched him go then let out a long sigh. She dropped down onto the cold floor and laid her head back on the rough stone wall behind her. "Great… how are we going to make it out of this one." She closed her eyes and muttered, "We need another miracle."

~*~*~*~

"Okay, I think I can handle it," stated the regent.

The Conqueror nodded and glanced back to the new head guard. "Make sure you follow her every order," she growled lowly.

The head guard nodded and forced a smile but worry shined in his eyes. "Yes, my liege."

"You're dismissed," commanded the ruler. She then rested her gaze on Ephiny. "Come with me."

The Amazon nodded, she followed along side the Warrior Princess in the moonlight and in silence but then soon asked, "You can trust us… and me but how do I know I can trust you?"

The Conqueror had a faint grin with her now amused expression. "Well… you're just going to have to huh?" She stepped into the stables and went directly to Argo's stall.

Ephiny waited outside of the stall, watching the tall woman tack up her mare. "How about this…" She suddenly grinned evilly at Xena. "You come back with my Queen and I'll keep your kingdom in tip top shape."

The ruler arched an eyebrow. "Remember it is my kingdom." She shrugged and then added, "But I think that's the naturally agreement."

"Mmmm," half agreed the regent. "So what plan do you have?" she inquired, her body leaning against the wall between the stalls.

"Haven't figured that out yet," casually replied Xena with a shrug of her shoulders. "Not too worried."

Ephiny closed her eyes and a faint groan filtered between her lips. "Wonderful," she muttered dryly.

The Warrior Princess opened the stall door and led her horse out with the reins. She came outside with the regent; together they neared the gates. She sighed once close to the gates then she faced the Amazon. "Look Ephiny…" Her words fell briefly, and she took a deep breath. "I do trust you… and that's only because Queen Gabrielle does… and the fact you conduct yourself has an honourable woman."

The regent licked her lips; her head turning away and she stared at the surrounding grounds of the castle. She faintly nodded again and gave her attention back to the ruler. "Thank you… and I know I can trust you… you're a woman of your word."

The Warrior Princess gave a brief nod then quickly mounted Argo.

Ephiny took a few steps closer and rested one hand on the horse's side. "Conqueror, please bring her back… I'm not asking as her regent but as her friend."

"I know," whispered the Conqueror. She then looked to the guards on either side of the gates. "Open the gates."

"Yes, my liege," called back a guard. He and the other guard open the gates and stepped aside.

Xena glanced at Ephiny for a second then kicked her mare's sides.

Argo whined and broke out into a gallop.

Ephiny stood there for several moments, watching the Conqueror gallop through the main street of Athens. She swallowed and sent off a prayer to Gabrielle. Slowly she watched the Conqueror disappear into the night and her final thought left her with hope to seeing her Queen soon. "Close the gates!" she ordered roughly. Turning around, she faced the huge castle that glowed with the flickering torchlights and glistening in the metallic moon's light. She would live in and rule in for however long it would take the ruler to return.

~*Part 7*~

The Conqueror dismounted slowly. She gazed about the forest and considered certain parts of it then decided on one area. Leading Argo behind her, she came to an open spot in the forest. She gave a quick look to the early eastern sun.

The ruler looked back to Argo and began untacking her. "Stay near, girl. Okay?"

The mare's head moved up and down, her big brown eyes locked on her master.

Xena hefted her saddle with the other tack on top. She easily sought out a hidden spot among some large rocks. Settling the tack down on the ground near the rocks, she began pushing a large rock out of the way. She then hid Argo's tack into the opening and rolled the rock into place, perfectly hiding the items.

Strolling back over to the golden horse, she told her, "Be careful, girl." She patted Argo on the neck before taking a step back and hitting her on the butt.

Argo whined for a moment then galloped off into the woods.

The Conqueror watched her go then her dark eyes shift towards the south, and she started walking. After about fifteen minutes of walking through the woods, she came to a large clearing and walls of a compound ahead of her. She carefully studied the area and the inside of the camp through the open gates.

"Who goes?" called a guard at the gate.

The Warrior Princess came a little closer then stopped, she stood tall with folded arms. "The Conqueror of Greece, Rome, and Chin," yelled out the ruler in a throaty tone.

The head guard gave a signal to another guard and that guard briskly jogged off.

"Please wait there, Conqueror."

The Conqueror gave a raised eyebrow but waited none-the-less. Within a minute, the guard returned, she noted, but with a few other guards and somebody she quite recognised.

"Conqueror, glad you found your way," called out a teasing male voice.

"Yes, I had a map… drawn out for me."

Draco smirked to Xena while leaving the camp with five guards behind him. "Lord Sinteres would like to talk to you."

"Mmmm, wonderful," muttered back the ruler.

"This way," ordered the warrior as he spun around.

"So, how does serving Lord Sinteres compare to serving me?" inquired the Warrior Princess, her eyes pinned on Draco beside her.

Draco gave a toothy smile. "Much more livable."

"For now," countered the dark ruler.

The warrior gave a snuff look to Xena then ignored her while entering into the halls of the wrap around fortress. He was first into Lord Sinteres's office and let Xena step in followed by the guards.

"Conqueror," greeted the slaver with a rough smile. He stood from his desk and stepped around. "So glad you made it."

"Sinteres," simply replied the Conqueror.

"I was informed that you wanted my establishment destroyed and me killed. Is this correct?"

Xena shifted her weight to her right foot and tilted her head. "Yes."

Lord Sinteres nodded before sitting back on the edge of his desk. "May I know why?"

"Call it a trade," answered the ruler vaguely.

"Well isn't that funny," retorted the slaver. "I happen to have a trade myself."

"And that is?"

Sinteres shrugged and said, "A stretch of your land for two amazons and one head guard."

The Warrior Princess released a small laugh. "I don't think so."

"Well… I'm sure some others might be interested in a trade." He shrugged it off and gazed at Draco. "Let's check on the merchandise. I'm sure the Conqueror would like to see their health."

Draco nodded and ordered the guards out with Xena following.

Once into the stocks of the cells, the Conqueror noticed all of the cells empty figuring the slaves were already bought out. She then came to two cells that held Eponin and Palamon, slowly her right eyebrow raised up.

"And here we are." Sinteres glanced up at the Warrior Princess. "A shame though that we didn't get that regent."

Conqueror shot a smug look to the slaver. "Yes… a shame, she seemed to slip through your fingers. And so easily at that."

Draco's upper lip twitched a bit but he held his tongue.

The weapons master opened her eyes and stared at the Conqueror before her. "Conqueror."

"How do you feel?" questioned the ruler.

Eponin answered with a half nod and added, "Could be worse."

The ruler flashed a big grin then glanced to Palamon. "And you, will have plenty to answer to."

"I know, my liege." Palamon released a long sigh.

"Just don't forget your mission," reminded the Conqueror.

Palamon said nothing else but read the ruler's further words in her eyes.

"And the Queen?" questioned Xena to the slaver.

"Ah yes, this way… she's in a special place." Sinters waved ahead a bit and lead the group.

The group came into a large open room where there was two large men with whips and swords plus a near by female slave. Then there in the middle of the room stood the Amazon Queen beside one of the large armed men.

"And here's my Amazon Queen," stated the slaver.

Queen Gabrielle turned around and she instantly felt hope refill her upon seeing the dark beauty of the Conqueror. "My liege." She bowed her head.

"Queen Gabrielle." The Warrior Princess's cold face didn't change but her eyes briefly warmed to the Queen prior to stoning over. She then glanced to the slaver. "And what is happening to the Queen?"

"Ah yes, she's being retrained as a slave." Sinteres licked his lips then mentioned, "I've missed her… I may not sell her." He gave a big grin to the ruler.

Xena clamped her jaw close for a second, she then asked, "May I speak with the Queen alone?"

"Of course, Conqueror." Lord Sinteres waved at the slave trainers and slave. "Leave." He then marched out with the guards however Draco did not follow.

"Draco," ordered the slaver.

"I do not like-"

"Leave now," commanded the Conqueror to the warrior. Her navy blue eyes locked on Draco's eyes.

Draco tried staring down the ruler but with no luck so he huffed and stomped out.

Xena waited for a moment then her attention went on the Queen. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay, Conqueror." The Amazon grasped the ruler's right arm tenderly. "Do you know where Ephiny is?"

The Conqueror nodded. "She is at my castle, healing over well." She watched the small hand release her arm.

"Your castle?" questioned Gabrielle, confusion masking her features.

"Yes," uttered the taller woman, "she is the 'queen' of my realm until I return."

"I don't think I want to know anymore," half joked the Queen. In return, she received a half smile from the ruler. "How are you doing?"

Xena shrugged a bit. "Same old."

"What's the plan?" asked the Queen, worry had set into her since the beginning.

"I don't know yet… depends."

"On?"

The ruler shrugged. "Only if saving you, Palamon, and Eponin is worth my time."

"What?" hissed the Amazon, her eyes flaring anger. "How can you-"

"Be quiet," growled the ruler lowly, her right hand coming up to grip Gabrielle's shoulder tightly. She lowered her head and asked quietly, "You still have the dagger I gave you?"

"Yes of course."

"Good… you may need it." The Conqueror relinquished her strong hold and took a step back.

"Wait, my liege." Gabrielle quickly grasped the ruler's arm and stepped closer. "I don't care what happens to me but please, at least save my Amazon and Palamon." She licked her lips, her eyes faintly watery. "They are not meant to die, not here," she whispered.

The Conqueror stared at the small woman, considering her request for several moments. Then she slowly lowered her head and finally answered, "I'll see what I can do." Her head came back up.

"No damn it," growled the Queen quietly. "You promise me that you will save my Amazon and Palamon." She jerked Xena's arm, bring her head back down. "You at least owe me that much."

Xena ran her tongue along the back of her teeth then whispered, "I promise… Gabrielle."

Gabrielle let out a heavy sigh of disappeared weight. "Thank you, Xena," she said faintly hesitant.

The Conqueror gave a hearty nod and straightened up while Gabrielle released her arm once again. "Be careful, my Queen." She turned and walked off towards the door.

"You too, my liege," Gabrielle whispered. She stood there in the center of the round room and watched the ruler of half of the known world leave her. A faint breeze blew in through the windows, and lifted up Gabrielle's long hair and the Conqueror's cape.

The Conqueror grasped the doorknob but glanced back at the Queen, she gave a stern nod.

Gabrielle returned one with closed eyes, and she listened to the ruler leaving the room. Within two seconds, the two slave trainers entered into the room with the female slave.

That female slave rested her soft eyes on the Amazon Queen; she felt a sense of helplessness for Gabrielle. She'd been her when the Queen was just known as Slave Gabrielle. She could only hope this Queen would survive the return of slavery torment.

~*~*~*~

"Well, a few of the bidders will be arriving this evening, Conqueror," informed Lord Sinteres.

"And your point?" retorted Xena, her eyes locked on the slaver. She stood in the middle of his office.

Lord Sinteres let out a light chuckle and sat down at his desk. "Well, you may want to stay for the bidding."

"When will that be?"

Draco was near the door, an amused smile on his lips while he leaned against the doorway.

"Tomorrow hopefully." The slaver laced his fingers together and placed his hands on the rim of the desk. "I can give you a room for the evening…?"

"No," replied the ruler darkly. "I'm not interested." She turned and walked towards the door.

"Not interested in Queen Gabrielle?" wondered Lord Sinteres aloud, as he stood up. "Now that is rather interesting."

The Conqueror pivoted on her left foot, half turning towards the slaver. "There is nothing interesting about it." Her eyes shifted into a navy blue. "None of them are of any value to me."

"I highly doubt that," whispered Lord Sinteres. "Now, we'll escort you out of the compound." He signaled Draco, whom walked out of the office.

The three of them came into the center of the compound and went directly to the gates.

Lord Sinteres stopped and inquired, "So it is of no interest to you to save the Queen?"

Xena faced the slaver. "None whatsoever, you can continue with your… bidding." Her eyes averted to Draco then back to Lord Sinteres. "But I promise you, by the third day you both will be burning on crosses for your treason."

Lord Sinteres chuckled humorously then he nodded at Draco.

The warrior glanced over at several men that were near the gate. "Form the gauntlet."

The slaver revealed a smirk to Xena. "And this is my response, Conqueror… the gauntlet for a ruler who has lost her edge."

The Conqueror's jaw was clamped down and her right hand fisted up. "Three days," she reminded in a snarl.

Lord Sinteres only laughed lowly at the ruler's promise.

The Warrior Princess suddenly growled and punched the slaver in the face. "Laugh that off." She spun on her heels and marched towards the two lines of men.

"Hades," growled Lord Sinteres, he was touching his right eye that stung.

Draco took a step with his hand going to his blade.

"No, its okay," ordered the slaver. "She'll never make the gauntlet." He lowered his hand from his eye and tried watching the Conqueror through his good eye.

Xena stopped in front of the line of men; she slowly raised an eyebrow at her own men before her. She tried estimating how many would actually hit her and how many would not. After licking her lips, she began walking through the two rows of men. The first three pairs of men never touched her but the ones to follow whaled on her with kicks then punches.

The Conqueror was thrown into one man, only to have him ram his elbow into the top of her head. She groaned and hunched over from the pain. The next blow came directly to the middle of her back sending her flat on her stomach. Her vision began swimming as she took a hit to her right side and her left side. A third kick sent her rolling into her back, blood trickling from the corner of her lips.

In the background, she heard the laughter of both Draco and Lord Sinteres and it rekindled a fire inside of her. Xena suddenly spun on her back kicking four men away from her. She flipped up onto her feet, grabbed one man by the arm when he threw a punch at her. She flung him through the gauntlet to the other side to slam into the soldier on the opposite side.

Her war cry rung from her lips, she pressed through the gauntlet seeing the end. She took a hard punch to the side of her head but she spotted the soldier to her right about to punch as well. She ducked and did a left kick, sending him flying. Caught of guard, she was slammed hard in the chest by a kick. She stumbled back a couple of steps only to get her feet taken from under her.

Two men on either side of the line began kicking vigorously at her. However, the Warrior Princess grabbed both of their ankles and jerked hard. The two soldiers dropped to their backs, knocked unconscious. That gave Xena time to hop back up; she made her way through the gauntlet more simply taking punches to her body. Then right before her, rested the end of the gauntlet and when she took her next step she saw a fist coming directly at her face.

Xena quickly caught the fist in her hand and gave a hard twist of the man's fist, breaking his wrist. She heard him cry out while she took her last two final steps, leaving the gauntlet.

"How could she…" whispered Lord Sinteres in wonderment.

The Conqueror stared coldly at Draco and Lord Sinteres through the line of the gauntlet.

Neither Draco nor the slaver said anything; they were being drowned by the look from Xena.

Slowly, the Conqueror turned away and started walking through the gates.

"Kill her!" ordered Draco to his men.

The Warrior Princess stopped directly in the gates, her back to them all but waiting to see if anybody attacked… nobody attacked.

"Kill her!" Draco yelled out angrily.

"The Conqueror survived," called out one soldier.

Xena didn't hear anybody move closer to her so she walked into the woods, disappearing in the distance.

"She will certainly kill us now," mentioned Lord Sinteres to Draco.

Draco just stared at the slaver, his stomach dropping in fear.

~*~*~*~

The Conqueror closed her eyes and stopped walking in the center of the forest. She could smell her own blood covering her body. Her muscles ached along with one broken rib and shaking legs. Suddenly, she fell to her knees and her head dropped forward. The sense of an execution came over her while her mind spun with ideas and worry. Then the sound of movement came to her, she lifted her head and looked ahead. A very faint smile creased her lips.

The golden mare stood there, staring at her broken down master but none-the-less she came closer and nudged Xena carefully.

The ruler rubbed her horse's nose and whispered, "Where to, girl huh?" She shook her head for a moment. "I'm not sure myself." She gave a sigh of the world's weight on her shoulders. "It's a fork in the road now."

Argo whined quietly and nudged her mistress again.

"Hmmm… these woods are lovely and dark," uttered the ruler, "but I have promises to keep." She gradually and with pain shooting through her body, climbed up to her feet. "Where'd we but your tack, girl huh?"

Argo whined happily and trotted to a large set of boulders.

"That's right," muttered the Warrior Princess, "Heavy rocks… great." She gritted her teeth while starting to push a rock aside. She then moved the other two smaller ones out of the way. With a heavy breath, she hefted Argo's saddle up onto her back and began the process of putting the tack on her mare.

After a few minutes, she hauled herself up into the horse's saddle and wrapped the reins in her right hand. "Stagira, girl."

Argo seemed to understand her owner's words and turned north; she began at a trot through the woods but soon picked up into a gallop.

~*Part 8*~

Eve studied the forest around her. She sighed and continued tossing the apple back and forth in her hands. She then decided to finally eat her apple, and she stopped and leaned against a tree next to her. She tore through the apple with her front teeth and continued munching on the red fruit.

"Gods mother, when are you going to get here?" she muttered to herself. She'd been waiting for Xena and Gabrielle for several days in the Amazon village since they left over four days ago. They'd just suddenly picked up and left her mentioning something about visiting a friend for awhile. She still didn't understand why she wasn't invited to go with them.

At the same time though, she knew why both her mother and Gabrielle wanted her to stay with the Amazons. She owed a lot to the Amazons and one of the things she wanted to give back to them was herself. She tried hard to show the Amazons she'd changed and that she would become the Princess the she was entitled to that was given to her by Gabrielle.

But there were still several things she was confused about. She still saw herself as God's messenger but at the same time, how could she become an Amazon Princess let alone the Queen? They were a tribe of war-like women, and she'd moved away from the way of violence. Deep inside her of herself, she still yearned to wield a blade and to stop the suffering of people with a blade. She had a never ending conflict inside herself on what her true path should be in this life. To fight fire with fire or let love conqueror all…?

Eve came out of her thoughts when she heard a loud crackling noise. She lowered her hand with the apple slowly while staring in the direction of the noise. "What hell?" she muttered. She silently leaped into the trees, forgetting her apple on the ground. Quietly, she moved through the trees closer to the noise but then the crackling stopped yet the woods were silent of any animals.

Carefully, Eve bent down on the tree branch and stared at the body lying stomach down on the ground. Her eyes then began to widen with clear realization of the person. "Mother?" she called while dropping down to the ground. She then heard a low groan as the person lifted her head confirming that it was her mother. "Mother?" she rushed over and knelt down beside Xena. "What happened?"

Xena stared at the young woman and then whispered, "Who are you?" She began lifting herself up onto her feet, her body extremely weak.

"Eve," replied Eve with a worried tone. "Your daughter…?"

Xena straightened up to her full height and her cape fell down behind her. She repeated the girl's words in her head and her eyes fuzzed over with confusion. "Eve?" she questioned, her voice rather deep.

"Mother, what's wrong… what happened?" Eve shook her head as her frantic worry heightened. "Where's Gabrielle?" Then she noticed how Xena stood so stoically towards her plus that her mother seemed almost taller. What even confused her more was that her mother's chakram was different without the handle in the middle and not to mention she was wearing a cape.

"Look… Eve, I need to find Gabrielle. Do you know where she is?" Xena now sensed her body starting to shake again, her vision hazing over, and the pain from the gauntlet coming back.

Eve didn't answer and instead stared at her mother in complete confusion. She knew now something was rather out of place. Then what shocked her more was when Xena's eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed to the ground, out cold. She then panicked; dropping down to her knees and tried to wake Xena. "Help!" she screamed out, "Help!"

~*~*~*~

Xena groaned a bit and her senses were filled with the scent of balsam. She turned her head to the right and opened her eyes. She studied the table where a container of balsam, wraps, and bowl of water resided on top. Her eyes shifted to the window, and she noticed the sun had already set.

The room about her was made out of brown stone and decorated in dark colors. She noted a mask hanging on the wall on the opposite side above another window, she immediately recognized the mask.

"Amazons," she whispered, her eyes narrowing into slits. Xena climbed out of bed and found her attire lying on a chair. She quickly pulled them on despite how sore her entire body was after the past couple of days. The only thing she was missing was her sword, chakram, and dagger. After she clipped on her cape, Xena went to the door and opened it.

"Stop," ordered a guard Amazon at the door. "You may not leave without seeing the queen first."

Xena stared at the Amazon as her eyebrow slowly rose up in annoyance. "Then may I see the queen?"

"No, she is rather busy at the moment. You are to stay here until instructed otherwise." The Amazon didn't move out of the warrior's way and stood her ground. "Return to your quarters."

"Hmmm." Xena turned and went back into her hut, with a hard slam of the door.

After about five or so minutes passed by, Eve appeared at the hut. "Is she awake?"

The Amazon nodded. "For a bit now," she added.

"Thanks."

The guard watched Eve enter into the hut then she returned her focus on the village.

"Hi," greeted Eve to Xena.

Xena continued staring out of the window as if she didn't notice Eve but then she turned to Eve. "So you're Xena's daughter?"

Eve licked her lips and her stomach turned with nervousness. "Yes… and who are you?"

Xena now faced the younger woman. "I am the Conqueror."

Eve narrowed her eyes at the ruler. "How…?"

The Conqueror suddenly had an amused smile, and she sat down in the nearby chair. "I am your mother's counterpart in an alternate world you could say."

Xena's daughter folded her arms and leaned against the doorway, preparing herself for this explanation. "Alternate world, what's this alternate world?"

"It is the opposite of yours," answered the ruler. "I've heard you have a hero by the name of Hercules…?"

"Had," corrected the younger woman.

"Had then." Xena laced her hands together. "He was the person to… change your mother from the darkness. In my world, Hercules never existed."

"Ssso… you're the outcome of my mother if Hercules had never been born."

"Yes," confirmed the Warrior Princess. "She would have been the Conqueror of the known-world." She revealed a tiny grin. "As it turned out, I got the job."

Eve replied with a small chuckle. "Why doesn't that surprise me?" She then went more serious. "And what about Gabrielle?"

The Conqueror faintly nodded then said, "She is the Amazon Queen in my world."

"No surprise there either," stated Xena's daughter. She lifted herself off the doorway. "Why are you here?"

"To find Gabrielle," quickly responded the ruler.

"What do you need from Gabrielle?"

The Conqueror now stood up tall, her cape cascading behind her. "That is my own business." To further her statement, her eyes edged into a winter's deep cold.

Eve didn't contest the Conqueror's words but instead stared at the tall ruler and seem to judge her for several seconds. She then finally asked, "Are you hungry?"

"Yes," answered the ruler.

Eve nodded at the door. "Follow me." She left the hut and informed the guard she would escort Xena to and from the dining hut.

The guard simply nodded and studied the pair walking to the dining hut.

The Conqueror studied what she could of the torch-lit village but then was soon inside of the dining hut.

A few Amazons that were still eating in the hut all turned their heads towards the Conqueror.

The ruler heard the low whispers that were clearly about her. She just narrowed her eyes and looked away as she came up to the long outstretched table of food.

Eve picked up a plate and utensils; she started down the table picking out what she wanted to eat.

The Conqueror paused for a moment yet picked up a plate with fork and knife. She gazed at all the food on the table and debated on if she really wanted to eat but decided it was best to eat after these past days. Her body would need the food for healing and repairing.

Xena's daughter had already gathered her food and was sitting at a table waiting for the Conqueror.

The Warrior Princess came over and sat down across from the younger woman.

"So what are the Amazons like in your world?"

The Conqueror peered up from her food and studied Eve briefly. "They're the same as here."

"There are several tribes of them?"

"No," curtly answered the ruler. "There is only one and its rather small."

Eve let the tips of her fork stand on the plate as she stared at the Conqueror, her eyes slightly into slits. "They fight against you," she stated.

The Conqueror ran her tongue along the front of her teeth before saying, "They did."

A sharp grin creased Eve's lips slowly. "Let me guess, Gabrielle setup some kind of treaty with you…?"

The ruler had a hidden grin in her expression. "Yes actually."

"That's Gabrielle," whispered Eve as she continued eating her meal. Eve then looked up when she saw another Amazon enter into the hut, it was the queen.

The Conqueror saw where Eve was looking to and turned her head to see a new Amazon in the hut. She automatically guessed it to be the queen.

Eve stood up from her seat. "My queen."

"Sit, Eve."

The queen then scooted in beside Eve, and she merely looked over the Conqueror. "I am Varia, the queen of the Amazons."

The ruler lowered her fork onto the empty plate and replied, "And I am Xena, the Conqueror of the known-world."

Varia glanced at Eve with an inquisitive look.

"Its true," confirmed Xena's daughter as her focus turned on the ruler. "The Conqueror is from an alternate world."

Queen Varia shifted her attention back to the Warrior Princess. "And why are you here, Conqueror?"

"I'm here to find Gabrielle."

"I'm afraid she nor… Xena are here. They are away but may be returning tomorrow, we hope." The queen paused for a moment but then asked, "Is there anything the Amazons can help with?"

"No… not yet," answered the ruler.

"May I inquire why Eve found you beaten and unconscious?"

Xena sighed while folding her arms, and she sat back in her chair. "I went through the gauntlet."

Varia's eyes slightly widened and a hint of surprise charged through her. "And how do you feel now?"

"Much better," responded the ruler, "Thank you for hospitality."

The queen slightly bowed her head. "I am sorry there has been a guard at your hut but we were unsure of you. But I feel its safe to remove the guard."

"Thank you."

The queen gave a faint smile before she stood up and said, "Princess Eve, be sure to assist the Conqueror if she needs anything."

"Yes, my queen."

"Tomorrow Gabrielle and Xena should return and we'll be able to settle what's going on," informed the queen, "Please get some rest tonight, Conqueror."

The Conqueror nodded to Varia then watched her leave the hut.

Eve waited then stood up with her empty plate. "I'll escort you back to the hut."

The ruler rose up with her plate and followed Eve. As she went outside the hut, she asked, "You're the princess?"

Eve gave a long sigh then replied, "Sort of." She glanced at the Conqueror then back through the village. "I'm unofficially the princess until I earn my status back."

"Back?" repeated the Warrior Princess.

"I was given the caste by Gabrielle when I was a baby," informed the princess, "however I've done a lot of wrong in my time… especially to the Amazons. So I must earn my caste back along with the trust of the Amazons. When that happens then I am returned my caste."

"Then why does the queen call you the princess?" probed Xena.

"To remind me of my coming title," uttered Eve. She then saw the guard and the Conqueror's hut. She came directly to the guard and ordered, "You're duty is finished. Varia requested no guards posted here."

The guard nodded then added, "Thank you. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," called Eve.

The Warrior Princess entered her hut for the evening with Eve following in behind.

"How did you meet Gabrielle and my mother?" Eve remained in the doorway.

Xena turned around with her arms against her chest. "Gabrielle… stumbled into my world and Xena followed after her." She fell silent in thought then said, "It's a long story."

"Hmmmm," agreed Xena's daughter. "I'd like to hear it sometime."

The Conqueror faintly chuckled in response. "Maybe you'll hear it sometime then."

Eve nodded, taking that as a cue to leave the hut. "Have a goodnight, Conqueror."

The ruler replied only with a nod and watched the young woman leave her hut. She then stared at her bed and gave a long sigh. "Not exactly royal," she muttered while reaching back to unhook her cape.

~*Part 9*~

Gabrielle briskly walked up the hill and looked down the valley at all the huts with light funnels of smoke filtering up from them in the distance. She glanced back down the hill. "You coming, partner?"

Xena laughed at her lover's question and climbed up to the top of the hill with Argo beside her. "Almost there huh?"

"Uh huh." The warrior-bard stared at the Amazon village in the morning sunlight. "Wonder how Eve is doing with them…?"

The warrior gave a shrug with a tilt of her head. "Probably well."

"Probably," agreed the Amazon Queen. "Hmmm… but wonder how the Amazons are doing with her?"

Xena chuckled as a grin tweaked her lips. "Probably hanging in there."

"Probably," agreed Gabrielle yet again. "It'll be nice to see her."

"Mmmm." Xena had to smile at that as she signaled Argo to follow her down the hill into the valley.

The warrior-bard turned to her stallion and patted his nose. "Come on, boy." She then followed after her soulmate down the hill.

The pair took about a candlemark to reach the border of the Amazon forest. Once they entered into the forest, they took only twenty minutes to arrive at the gates.

"Welcome back," greeted the guard Amazon at the gate.

"Its good to see you, Cyane." Gabrielle formed her warm smile to the Amazon.

Cyane reflected the smile back and hugged the warrior-bard. "We've been waiting for you both."

"Oh?" inquired the Amazon Queen.

"Yes… we've had something come up."

At hearing this, Xena turned from her mare to the Amazon. "What's happened?"

Cyane sighed and replied, "Nothing bad but… we've had an unexpected visitor. Wait here for a moment." She went into the village.

"What you think this is about?" asked Gabrielle.

"God only knows," muttered the warrior as she saw Cyane returning with two Amazons, Tyro and Bame

"Come with me and Bame will take your horses." Cyane lead her two friends into the village while Tyro took her post at the gate.

Xena and Gabrielle gave Bame the reins to their horses and then exchanged looks as they followed behind Cyane.

Cyane went directly to Varia's hut and knocked on the door. "My queen?"

The queen opened the door and smiled at the two warriors with Cyane. "Welcome back, Xena and Gabrielle."

"Its good to be back," responded the warrior-bard. "What's going on?"

"Unexpected visitor," briefly answered the queen. "Cyane, go find Eve and bring her to the guest hut."

"Right away." Cyane hurried off.

Varia nodded for her friends to come with her as she left her hut. "Yesterday Eve was on patrol duty," explained the queen, "and she came across some kind of crackling noise while on patrol. So she investigated it and found what she thought was you." Varia peered up at Xena. "But quickly figured out it wasn't you."

"The Conqueror," finished Gabrielle.

"Yes, that's what she's told us so far," confirmed the queen. "She says she's looking for you, Gabrielle but hasn't said why yet."

Gabrielle felt her stomach twist, and she licked her lips. "This can't be good."

The group came to the Conqueror's hut and went inside of it.

"Conqueror?" greeted the warrior-bard.

The Conqueror stood up from her chair with a warm smile, for the first time in weeks, coming into shape. "Hi, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle quickly smiled back and engulfed her friend in a strong hug. "Its good to see you."

The ruler looked up from Gabrielle to her mirror counterpart. "Xena." She took a step closer with her arm coming up.

"Conqueror." Xena briskly shook the Conqueror's arm with a smile.

After the ruler let go of the warrior's arm, Gabrielle asked, "Why are you here, Conqueror? And what happened to you?" She'd noticed the various scars, cuts, and bruises on the ruler's body.

The ruler let out a heavy sigh. "You'll need to sit for this one." She held her hand out to the chairs by the table.

Everybody took a spot in a chair right when Eve and Cyane stepped in the hut.

"Eve." The warrior quickly came out of her seat and hugged her daughter happily.

"Hi, mother… its about time you showed up."

The Warrior Princess laughed softly while releasing her daughter. "Sorry Gabrielle and I took so long."

"Its okay." Eve smiled and it went bigger when Gabrielle stood up to hug her.

"Miss us?" taunted the warrior-bard quietly.

A chuckle filter between Eve's lips, and she answered, "Of course."

Gabrielle pulled back and sat down. "Sit down."

Eve and Cyane took seats around the group and then everybody's attention turned to the Conqueror.

"Why are you here?" started the Amazon Queen.

The Conqueror didn't reply to Gabrielle right away but took a long breath then finally said, "I need your help."

"What's happened?" whispered the warrior-bard.

The ruler laced her hands together in her lap and rested back into her chair. "Queen Gabrielle has been taken into slavery by Lord Sinteres."

"Sinteres?" interrupted the warrior, one of her dark eyebrows rising up.

"Yes, he was one of my major slavers in my realm."

"Was? Then what happened?" questioned Eve.

The Conqueror licked her lips while forming the story in her head correctly. "Queen Gabrielle was headed back to her Nation to check on things. I sent my head guard with several soldiers with her plus her two Amazons, Ephiny and Eponin were with her. On the way back to my capital, they were ambushed by my own soldiers."

"What?" Gabrielle's eyebrows were furrowed together. "How?"

"The day before they left, I sent my general, Draco, with several soldiers out to kill Lord Sinteres and destroy his compound."

"For what reason?"

The Conqueror looked to Xena and answered, "Queen Gabrielle informed me that Lord Sinteres was her master during the years she was a slave. I wanted him killed and his compound gone as a debt paid back to Queen Gabrielle for her years of slavery. Unfortunately I did not expect Draco to turn on me."

"So they were the ones to ambush her?"

"Yes," answered the ruler to Gabrielle, "and she was kidnapped along with Eponin and Palamon, my head guard."

"What of Ephiny?" inquired the warrior-bard.

"Ephiny managed to escape and is now at my castle watching over my realm."

Gabrielle considered that for a moment and realized the Conqueror was taking a gigantic step in letting somebody else rule over her kingdom in her place. "And how did you get hurt, Conqueror?"

"Lord Sinteres… asked me to visit him and his compound alone, I did so. When I arrived there, I was taken directly to see Eponin and Palamon and both of them are fine. I saw Queen Gabrielle last… she's being retrained as a slave. Afterwards, Sinteres invited me to stay for the bidding on Queen Gabrielle." Then the Conqueror whispered, "Which should be today." She sighed before continuing with her story. "I decided to leave and before I could leave, I had to walk through a gauntlet."

The warrior-bard glanced at her lover, whom also had a confused look. "How can that be?" questioned Gabrielle, "Only leaders that have lost control of their army walk through a gauntlet."

The Conqueror faintly grinned at her friend's words. "True and I had lost control of the particular soldiers that Draco now controls. There are many changes happening within and around my realm, Gabrielle due to my own personal changes. Some people see my changes for better while others see it as a weakness."

"You're developing more enemies within your realm," finished the warrior-bard.

"Yes as well as I am making allies such as the Amazons."

The Amazon Queen nodded and sat back in her chair finally. "So the problem is saving the Queen."

"Yes, that's why I am here… I need your help and Xena's help."

The soulmates both averted their attention to each other as worried soaked into them.

Xena looked back to the Conqueror. "Who do you imagine will buy Queen Gabrielle? Gurkhan?"

The ruler slowly nodded her answer. "I imagine he would… she would catch a fine price. With that amount of money then Lord Sinteres will develop a large army."

"Then others will ally with him," added Gabrielle, "and attack you."

"I'm afraid so," confirmed the Conqueror.

"And what of Eponin and Palamon?" cut in Eve.

The Conqueror thought for a moment about Sinteres's options. "More than likely he will keep them both. He knows Palamon is valuable to me and Eponin is valuable to the Amazons. They'll be his shield."

Varia sighed deeply and finally spoke up, "That does not leave many options."

"No it does not," agreed the Conqueror.

"Conqueror, off hand do you know how large the Amazon Nation is in your world?" interrupted Cyane.

"I guess there to be roughly… a couple hundred."

"What are you thinking, Cyane?" asked the queen.

Cyane shrugged and glanced between Varia and the others. "Well… from the sounds of things, the Conqueror is going to need help. The Amazons in the Conqueror's world sound rather small… maybe the thing to do is send some of our Amazons for support."

"You think we even have that many Amazons, Cyane?" reminded the queen.

"And do you think Queen Gabrielle would hesitate to help you, Varia if this was reversed?"

Varia looked away then back at the Amazon Queen. "No she would not."

"We have Amazons to spare," stated Gabrielle.

"I don't think that's the main concern at hand," interjected the warrior, "the biggest problem is getting the Queen."

The Conqueror nodded her agreement. "That is my major concern before I can even begin to plan an attack against Sinteres. Gurkhan will be more than happy to team up with Sinteres to take over my kingdom… especially since I've put a death warrant on slavers now."

Gabrielle chewed on her lower lip while considering different routes to go. "Then we'll have to do what we did last time with Gurkhan," decided the Amazon Queen as she turned her head at Xena.

The warrior gave her nod of approval while saying, "We'll have to infiltrate Gurkhan's palace and kill Gurkhan."

"Wait, wait," suddenly cut in Eve. "How can either of you do that?"

Xena raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"She's got a point," agreed Cyane. "Gurkhan will undoubtly recognize you both… maybe Gabrielle can get away with it."

"They're right." The Conqueror brought everybody's attention back to her. "There's no way you won't be recognized."

"Cyane and I can do it," cut in Eve. "They'll never recognize either of us… even more so since our counterparts don't even exist there."

"Eve, you can't protect yourself," reminded her mother.

"That's why Cyane can come inside with me," urged the daughter. "You and Gabrielle can come for support to make sure we all escape safely."

The warrior was considering her daughter's words.

"Maybe the thing to do, Xena is we'll take care of Gurkhan while Eve and Cyane get Queen Gabrielle to safety," suggested the warrior-bard.

Xena nodded her head at her soulmate's idea. "As long as you both think you can handle it," she urged to her daughter and Cyane. "You keep everybody distracted and Gabrielle and I will take care of Gurkhan."

"I gamed," instantly stated Cyane, a grin touching the corners of her lips.

"I second that." Eve had her grin crossing her expression.

Varia now entered into the conversation, "I will gather several of my Amazons to take into the alternate world to assist Queen Gabrielle's Amazons." She then shifted her focus to the Conqueror. "You said that there is only one tribe?"

"For the most part, yes." The ruler considered for a moment then added, "There may be some smaller unknown tribes throughout Greece that I do not know of. I am sure the Amazons can tell you better than I can."

"Then it would be wise to bring all of them together." Varia got nods of agreements from the rest of the group. "I suggest then we leave this afternoon before anything else happens in the other world." She turned her head to Cyane. "Gather up the sisters, we will pick out the Amazons to follow us. And bring Bane to my hut."

"Right away." Cyane jumped out of her seat and left on her mission to round up her sisters.

"Eve, go help Cyane," ordered Gabrielle. "Please."

Eve took the hint, knowing her mother and Gabrielle wanted to talk more to the Conqueror alone. She quietly left the hut in search of Cyane.

Varia stood up and said, "If there is anything else between now and leaving, I'll be in my hut or in the center of the village."

"Thank you, Varia." Gabrielle gave a smile to the queen and watched her leave. "And what are we going to do about Palamon and Eponin? We obliviously can't strike until they're freed from Sinteres."

"Then we'll have to infiltrate his compound to get them. It is the only way to do it."

"A double scheme, I like it." The Conqueror grinned before saying, "And I think I know who just to send into the compound."

"Who is that?" inquired the warrior-bard.

The ruler chuckled deeply and said, "Well, we'll have to steal Palamon and Eponin back and the best person for that job is-"

"The King of Thieves," said both Xena's together, who both laughed lightly.

"Oh god," groaned Gabrielle as her shoulders slumped down.

"Him and his partner can do it," continued the Conqueror.

The Warrior Princess arched an eyebrow. "Partner?"

"And small man by the name of Iolaus, the two of them work together."

"Can we trust them?"

"As far as you can throw them." The Conqueror flashed a grin at Gabrielle but went serious again. "But jingle some money at them and they'll be very trust worthy. I've used them quite often."

"This just keeps getting better and better," joked the warrior-bard yet she then asked, "Conqueror, what will you do while we bring Queen Gabrielle back?"

The Conqueror sighed at the question. "The only thing I can do, Gabrielle… wait."

The warrior's eyes flicked to her soulmate then back at the Conqueror. "Then strike Lord Sinteres…?"

"If he doesn't strike first otherwise I will try to fend him off and rally the troops. The Amazons and I will have to work together, which will be a battle in itself from our pasts."

"Hell," grumbled the warrior-bard.

"It would be much simpler if the Queen was there to lead them," mentioned the ruler quietly.

Xena tilted her head to one side then asked the Conqueror, "How do you get along with Ephiny?"

"It is shaky."

The warrior tapped her right fingernail repeatedly on the arm rest in thought.

"What is it?" whispered the Amazon Queen.

Xena licked her lips and said, "You may have to stay to lead the Amazons. Ephiny does not get along with the Conqueror and Varia does not have the skills quite yet." She turned her head to her lover. "But you have the skills plus you get along with the Conqueror, not to mention all of the Amazons will follow you."

"Xena, you're going to need help with Gurkhan."

"Then she can take Varia with her," recommended the ruler. "It is a better idea to have some extra help, Xena."

The warrior gave a faint nod. "It would be the thing to do, Gabrielle."

The warrior-bard was silent for a few moments then finally answered to the hidden question. "Okay, we'll do it that way then."

"Thank you," uttered the Conqueror, "I will need your help with the Amazons."

"I'll do my best," promised the Amazon Queen.

~*~*~*~

"We're just about ready, Queen Varia."

Varia nodded at Cyane's update on the Amazons. "I need to finish with Bane and I will be out there. Will everybody be ready by then?"

"Yes of course."

"Thank you, Cyane." Varia heard Cyane leave her hut then she faced Bane again. "You think you can handle the village till we return?"

"Yes," answered the second in command. "How many Amazons are you leaving here?"

"Fifty, I hope that is enough."

"That's fine." Bane pushed herself up more in her chair then added, "I can call on the other two tribes for assistances."

"Yes, I sent out a messenger today to let them know of what's going on and that this village is under a low amount of Amazons if trouble were to occur."

"Thank you."

Varia sighed while standing up from her chair, as did Bane. "Hopefully there will be no problems. If we do have problems we will send somebody back from the alternate world."

The second in command folded her arms against her chest. "I will request the other two tribes to help fight in the campaign in the alternate world if need be."

"Exactly."

Bane reached out and grasped the queen's forearm. "Be careful, my queen."

Queen Varia smiled at her second in command. "I will, Bane… take care of our sisters."

"You know I will." Bane quickly pulled in the queen for a strong hug.

"Thank you," uttered Varia.

"You're welcome," whispered back the Amazon. She then released her friend and said, "We better get out there."

The queen nodded and left her hut with Bane at her side.

Together, they arrived in the center of the village where roughly three hundred Amazons were gathered along with Xena, Gabrielle, the Conqueror, and Eve.

"Is everything ready, Cyane?"

"Yes, my queen." Cyane glanced at various Amazons prepared for traveling either on foot or by horseback.

Varia nodded and looked at her Amazons and spoke to them all. "Today, two hundred fifty of you are following me, Xena, Queen Gabrielle, and the Conqueror into an alternate world to help your sister Amazons of an alternate world. You will come to realize that these sisters in the alternate world are the ones from our legends handed down for generations now. You will be meeting these legends and fighting by their side to stop the changes in another world that are evil and threatening to destroy our sister Amazons and the greater good. We will not rest or return to our home here until we have smothered out the ones that threaten our fellow sisters!"

The Amazons all threw up their hands with swords and cheering at the top of their lungs.

"Let's move, Amazons!" ordered the queen.

In unison, the two hundred fifty Amazons filtered out of the village and ranked up outside of the gates waiting for their queen.

"Your horses," offered Tyro and another Amazon.

"Thank you," replied Gabrielle as she took her horse.

"Thanks, Tyro." Xena smiled at the Amazon and took Argo's reins.

Varia took her own horse from the other Amazon, mounting the mare with ease.

"Do you need a ride?" offered the warrior to Eve.

Eve smiled up at her mother and shook her head. "No thanks, mother. I prefer to walk."

"Eve and I are going to discuss a rough plan for later," mentioned Cyane.

"Good idea," commended the warrior-bard.

The Conqueror glanced at Eve and Cyane. "And I think I'll help you two."

"You'll be fine walking, Conqueror?" questioned Gabrielle with a hint of worry held in her voice.

"Yes, I'll be fine, Gabrielle." The ruler gave her friend a smile.

Gabrielle nodded then looked to the gates. "Well, time to go." She kicked her stallion lightly on the sides and urged him out of the village.

Xena followed behind her soulmate with Varia directly behind and then the three women on foot.

Varia, Gabrielle, and the Warrior Princess came to the front to lead the Amazons towards Stagira.

Eve, Cyane, and the Conqueror were in the front as well but off to one side preparing a plan to save Queen Gabrielle from Gurkhan.

~*~*~*~

"Well, everybody is settled in," commented Cyane to her queen.

"Good to hear." Varia smiled at her third in command. "Thank you, Cy."

"Welcome." Cyane sat down in her spot beside the warrior-bard.

A rather large radius of the dark forest was lit up by various campfires from all the Amazons. The soulmates, Eve, Cyane, Varia, and the Conqueror were all sleeping separate from the rest of the Amazons. Gabrielle had been the designated cook for their group tonight and was keeping busy with that chore. The others were spread out around the campfire either talking or relaxing with the exception of the Conqueror, who had left the camp for awhile and was down by the lakeside.

"Gabrielle, where's the Conqueror?" inquired Eve.

"She's down at the lake, I think," answered the Amazon Queen as she went to the campfire to check on dinner.

After hearing that, Eve stood up and walked off towards the lake.

Gabrielle exchanged a look with her soulmate, whom just shrugged in reply.

Eve spotted the ruler sitting down on a large rock looking over the lake. She saw something make the water ripple, and she noticed the Conqueror had thrown something. She came closer to the ruler and said, "Hi."

The Conqueror peered up at Xena's daughter with a faint smile and she watched the younger woman sit down beside her on the rock.

"How are you doing?"

"Alright," replied the ruler. "Yourself?"

Eve shrugged and answered, "Not bad… a bit nervous about this mission though."

"You'll do fine, Eve." The Conqueror picked a stone out of her left hand and threw it into the lake. "Its all on a matter of determination."

"True," agreed the ex-Roman commander.

"But then I think you already knew that," stated the ruler.

The messenger of God glanced at the Conqueror, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"You have that air to you," mentioned the ruler. "How much did you conqueror?" she further probed.

"A better part of the known-world."

The Conqueror slowly nodded. "Egypt?"

"Yes of course."

"Chin?"

"Easily," replied Eve.

The Conqueror laughed lightly and then asked, "Gaul and Britannia?"

"Yes, Britannia was last before I laid down my sword."

Xena pressed her lips together and tossed another rock into the lake. "Why?"

Eve took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "My mother and Gabrielle suddenly returned and showed me everything I'd done wrong. After I moved away from the way of a warrior, I discovered I'm the messenger of God."

The Conqueror nodded without questioning any of it except for one thing. "Are you still… the messenger of God?"

Eve glanced at the Warrior Princess and considered her words. "I don't know anymore, honestly."

Xena grinned at the daughter and said, "Something to chew on huh?" She tossed her last rock into the lake and watched the ripples briefly. "So you're Xena's daughter too huh?"

"Yesss." Eve was grinning a bit about the Conqueror's question. "Why you ask again?"

"You're not her carbon copy, I'll say that."

"Well… it's a bit odd how I was… conceived."

The Warrior Princess raised an eyebrow in response.

"Mother became pregnant with me by a former enemy of hers."

"That is interesting," stated the ruler with a chuckle. "How did this come about?"

"I was a gift to mother from Callisto, her former enemy, as well as God. Callisto at the time was a spirit and so she is now my spirit."

"I see." The Conqueror nodded and then asked, "So your… 'father' would be Callisto…?"

"God is more so," answered Eve. "I think they both have a hand in my life."

The ruler dropped her head to one side. "What colour eyes does Callisto have?"

"I believe they were either brown or amber, I'm not sure. Why?"

"Hmmm… how tall was she?"

"About as tall as mother." Eve shook her head in confusion and asked, "Why?"

The Conqueror revealed an amused smile. "Just because you have green eyes and you're not very tall in comparison to Xena." She noted Eve's confused look and decided to further explain. "I think you need to figure out who your true… 'father' is, Eve. You're just between Gabrielle and Xena's height, ash-brown hair like your hair is a mix of blond and black. Besides the fact that your bone structure is small yet from what I can tell, you're rather strong physically."

Eve never spoke, her mind processing what the Conqueror said and she knew what the ruler was purposing. She was about to say something when she heard a tree branch snap.

"Hey you two, its dinner time."

The pair looked at a smiling Gabrielle behind them.

"Go on up," ordered Xena to Eve.

Eve nodded her head and left to return back to camp.

The warrior-bard sat down beside her friend and asked, "How you doing?"

"I'm okay."

Gabrielle peered up into faint dark blue eyes. "How are you feeling?" Her tone was rather stern.

The ruler dropped her gaze and stared at the ground at her feet. "Rather confused," she mentioned quietly.

The Amazon Queen let out a long dragged out sigh. "I was afraid of that."

The Warrior Princess lifted her head back up, gazing over the lake. "She made me promise to save her Amazon."

"I would have asked the same of you if I'd been her."

"I know," admitted the ruler. "I just hope we can pull it off."

"How were you and Queen Gabrielle getting along before everything happened?"

The Conqueror said nothing while considering her time with the Queen in the castle. "Things were getting better… easier." She then turned her head to the warrior-bard. "She's not you."

"No she is not," agreed the warrior-bard. "She is who I was… who I would be if I'd been in that world." She reached out and touched her friend's leg. "You don't need me… you need her."

"I'd like to not need anybody, Gabrielle." The ruler's eyes chilled over. "Depending on anybody is not in my favor."

"You haven't even begun to try it, Conqueror."

"Yes I have," countered the ruler. She leaned down to pick up a rock and threw it in the pond. "I stopped the day my brother died."

Gabrielle squeezed the firm leg under her hand then removed her hand. "I know its hard, Conqueror… I watched Xena go through what you're going through now."

"You were there to help her," reminded the ruler.

"As Queen Gabrielle is there to help you," countered the warrior-bard. "You're going through exactly what Xena went through."

"I am not Xena," half growled the ruler at her friend.

"Nor is Queen Gabrielle me," hotly whispered Gabrielle. "Don't be scared of somebody that is there to help you." She stood up quickly.

The Conqueror lifted her eyes to the smaller warrior. "This type of change is not what I need."

"This kind of change is exactly what you need, Conqueror." Gabrielle held out her small hand out to the ruler.

Xena studied her friend momentarily but took the hand and was heaved up to her feet safely by Gabrielle.

"Dinner will be getting cold if we wait any longer." Gabrielle started off for the camp and the Conqueror joined her at her side.

~*Part 10*~

Gabrielle dismounted her stallion as she heard Varia in the background commanding the Amazons to come to a halt. "Here we are."

Xena dismounted from Argo and patted her on the side. "We're going to have to do this a certain way."

Varia came up closer to the group and stopped her horse close by the soulmates. "They'll have to go inside by groups."

"That's the simplest way to do it," agreed the Conqueror, "Probably by groups of ten could fit in there. If they're on horseback then go by groups of five with horses."

Gabrielle folded her arms in consideration. "I think it'd be best for Xena and me to go through first because we'll end up directly in the Amazon forest just as the Conqueror did here." She looked at her soulmate. "We'll take care of telling the Amazons in the alternate world of what's going on plus keep our Amazons in line."

The warrior nodded her agreement. "Varia, Eve, and the Conqueror can come through last."

Everybody agreed together and began to carry out the plan.

Gabrielle and Xena entered into the cave first with their horses. They peered up at the sparkling bits of sulfur like gems and amber that welcomed them back in each sparkle. Together, they closed their eyes and felt their body begin to tingle and a certain amount of pain increase in their bodies. They heard the horses whine in protest as they gritted their teeth against the pain they were almost use to now. As the pain settled down and the blurred world around them began to resettle and organize into something understandable, they found greenery all around them.

Gabrielle was the first one to collapse onto her knees breathing heavily.

The warrior had also found herself down on her knees coughing.

"Xena, Gabrielle?" called out a familiar voice.

The warrior-bard lifted her head to see Amarice running towards her and Xena. She slowly pushed herself up onto her feet.

The Warrior Princess was already standing back up.

"Are you both okay?" asked the Amazon in a worried tone.

"Yes." Gabrielle took a deep breath before saying, "We need to move before the others come," she reminded her lover.

The warrior nodded and patted Argo. "Come on, girl."

"The others? What's going on?" Amarice walked between the two legendary heroes.

"We've brought help, Amarice," informed the Amazon Queen.

"Then… you've heard, about what happened to Queen Gabrielle?"

"Yes, the Conqueror sought us out."

Amarice stared at Gabrielle for a moment but soon looked to the spot where they'd arrived from as forms of ten other people began developing. "By the gods," she uttered.

"Amarice?"

The Amazon didn't make any signal of hearing the warrior-bard but she certainly snapped to when Xena's voice cut in.

"Amarice?"

"Yes?"

"Can you go get Solari for me?" Gabrielle had grabbed the young Amazon's shoulder.

"Yeah sure." Amarice took one last look at the ten women that were clearly Amazons. She then turned and ran off towards the village.

Gabrielle handed her soulmate the reins, "Thanks, Xen."

"Go on," whispered the warrior with a smile.

The Amazon Queen gave a quick smile and walked over to the ten Amazons. "Amazons, you need to go stand beside Xena once you recover from the shock. The others will be coming in after you."

Slowly, the ten Amazons gathered themselves and walked over to where the Warrior Princess stood.

Gabrielle took a few steps back herself and watched as ten bodies were materializing in the air. She watched as some of the Amazons dropped down in pain while others hunched over. "That's always the fun part," she grumbled half jokingly. "Ladies, I need you to go stand by your sisters when you're ready so the others can come."

The new Amazons, one by one, walked painfully over to their fellow Amazons.

Xena heard two people running towards them from the way of the village. Then she spotted Amarice returning with Solari running behind her. "Gabrielle, Amarice is returning with Solari."

"Great, thank you."

Solari came right up to Gabrielle at a brisk walk and breathing hard. "What's going on?" she rasped.

"Move," stated the warrior-bard, she jerked the second in command back by her forearm right before ten more Amazons began forming.

"Holy Artemis," whispered Solari in awe. She watched the struggling Amazons get to their feet and move out of the way as Gabrielle requested them. She then quickly turned her head to Gabrielle. "Gabrielle?"

The Amazon Queen flashed a grin at her friend. "We heard there was some trouble… Xena and I thought you might need some reinforcements."

"Yes some help but an entire nation?"

"Well…" The warrior-bard smirked at the second in command. "Its just one of my tribes."

Solari just gaped in response. "And um… how many is that exactly?"

"Two hundred and fifty Amazons." A chuckle could be heard from the Amazon Queen but she asked, "You don't want them?"

"Oh no, I'm not complaining." Solari watched another group of Amazons move to the mounting group of Amazons near Xena. "Exactly how did you hear what happened?"

"The Conqueror found Xena and me."

"Ah that would explain it." The second in command shook her head and asked, "I take it there is a plan…?"

"Yes of course." Gabrielle smiled at the ten new arrived Amazons. "Go by the others, sisters when you can." She then glanced at the second in command. "What has happened to Queen Gabrielle?"

"Ephiny sent word that she was bought by another slaver called Gurkhan. He spent a lot of money on her too."

Gabrielle chewed on her lower lip while thinking briefly. "What else did Ephiny say?"

"She told us not to strike because we were to wait on the Conqueror plus that Eponin was captured."

The warrior-bard nodded. "Good."

Solari was about to ask a question but she'd finally realized that all of these new Amazons seemed to be staring at her a lot. They all had expressions of awe, surprise, and pure respect. "Why are they all looking at me like that?" she whispered quietly.

The Amazon Queen felt a small laugh bubble up inside of herself. "Because the Solari in my world is long gone but she is a legend in their time." She grinned at the second in command. "You're going to get a lot of those looks."

Solari simply shook her head in wonderment. "I can tell this going to be odd at first."

"Yes but that's little of our worries." The warrior-bard ordered the new set of Amazons to join the rest of the group before asking Solari, "When did you last hear from Eph?"

"It was just yesterday."

"Have you sent a message back?"

"No not yet."

Gabrielle nodded and said, "Good, we'll take care of updating Ephiny."

Solari laughed quietly then folded her arms against her chest. She watched yet another ten Amazons move to the group as ten more reappeared in thin air. "I'm glad you're here to help."

"I know." Gabrielle smiled at her friend. "This is going to be hard."

"Mmmm," agreed the second in command. "And bloody," she added.

The warrior-bard released a solemn sigh. "Afraid so."

~*~*~*~

"It should be safe enough for just us to travel to Athens," stated Xena to her soulmate and the others around the table.

"Sinteres will be too busy building up his army and allies to bother to notice us," further persuaded Eve.

"So then, the plan is to return to Athens, release Ephiny from her duties," started the Conqueror as she watched everybody nod in answer. "Then Ephiny, Gabrielle, and few designated Amazons will return back to the Nation. Eve, Xena, Varia, and Cyane will be sent off to rescue Queen Gabrielle." She saw everybody agreeing with her explanation thus far. "I will take care of getting Autolycus and Iolaus and sending them off on their mission. While that is going on, Gabrielle will be organizing the Amazons and I will meet you on the battlefield after I raise my army."

"We'll figure out a plan of attack while Autolycus and Iolaus release Palamon and Eponin," added the warrior-bard.

"Yes but we cannot attack until we know that Queen Gabrielle is safe from Gurkhan otherwise we jeopardize the entire campaign," reminded the Conqueror. "Once Queen Gabrielle is safe then can we only crush Sinteres and Draco and whoever else may follow them."

"I still would like to know how we have your word, Conqueror that you won't back out of this once the fight against Sinteres begins?" cut in Solari, her eyes pinned on the ruler.

"I think its safe to say she won't back out," answered Gabrielle yet her stomach twisted in worry.

"No," demanded Solari in a deep voice, "I know you trust her, Gabrielle but you have not been in battle your entire life against the Conqueror like we have been." She looked directly at the Conqueror but her words directed at Gabrielle. "The Conqueror has threatened us and our way of life since the day she took Greece, she has wanted to exterminate us like we are mosquitoes. How can you suddenly expect any of my Amazons to just turn over and trust her? I will not without good insurance… I will not let my Amazons fight beside our own enemy."

The Conqueror stood from her chair simultaneously with Solari. "If you did not have my help, you will never get your Queen back," she growled lowly.

"If it hadn't been for you, our Queen would have never been re-enslaved!" yelled the second in command while slamming her fist onto the table. "You owe your life to the pain and death you've brought on my sisters! not to mention all of the other people in this world you've slaughtered, murderer! You are no ruler of this world; you are what everybody feared… you are the plague of Black Death that is sweeping this world. Your enemies hope each day that Tarterous swallows you whole, bitch."

The Conqueror said nothing back but her eyes told the only emotion she was feeling and that was pure primal rage.

Solari was breathing hard, her eyes locked on the ruler and body tense.

Suddenly there was rapid movement and the Conqueror disappeared in a blur of motion.

"Conqueror!" yelled Gabrielle as she leapt out of her seat.

The second in command found herself pinned up against the wall of the hut, her feet daggling in mid-air. She started choking from the tight hold on her neck.

Everybody else was out of their seats prepared to stop the Conqueror.

"Don't!" ordered Gabrielle to the others in the room. She moved hastily to the Conqueror's side. "Drop her, Conqueror please."

"What makes you think I will, Gabrielle?" snarled the ruler.

Solari felt her face burning and her vision spinning, she began clawing at the ruler's hand.

The warrior-bard grasped the Conqueror's arm that held up Solari. "Are you really what Solari says you are or are you something different?" She glanced at Solari quickly then back at the ruler. "Because the Conqueror that I knew was much different than this. Don't prove Solari right... Xena."

The ruler growled and then opened her left hand.

Solari dropped to the floor on her side, coughing and gasping for air.

The Conqueror stormed out of the hut and into the late evening.

Gabrielle raced after the ruler while saying, "Help Solari." She looked left then right and spotted the Conqueror. She ran after the Warrior Princess and grabbed her arm then spun her around. "Conqueror?"

"Back off, Gabrielle." The Conqueror ripped her wrist free from Gabrielle's grasp.

"Hell no," growled the warrior-bard as she reached up and jerked the ruler down by her armor; her face directly in Xena's face. "You listen to me for once, Conqueror and get it through your thick skull. That Amazon in there is watching after her sisters, this is her only home and the last bit of her family left. You did begin destroying their way of life and making each day a living hell to struggle to survive. Any goddamn self respecting person would give something back to try and repay what they owe. Each damn day I watch my soulmate and her daughter struggle to find some kind of meaning in their lives after what killing and suffering they caused. They maybe in a lifetime of debt but they are happier to know they recognized their wrong doings." She paused after saying so much then whispered in a much gentler voice, "An entire kingdom, full of people, depend solely on you realizing the darkness in you and in your realm. And you hold the power to change so many people's lives and futures. Don't string them up by their necks any longer, Xena." She finally released the armor.

The Conqueror didn't move, let alone ever blink but she slowly straightened back up to her full height. That's when she realized that numerous Amazons in the village had stopped doing their duties to listen to Gabrielle's speech. She gazed around at them and saw all varieties of looks on their faces; she could see the different stories in their eyes.

Xena took a step back as she felt herself shrink and become encaged by all the looks and emotions that surrounded her from the Amazons. Her blue eyes then fell on Gabrielle and she was the only one who had the look of love for the Conqueror. She shook her head lightly and turned around quickly, she jogged off towards the gate.

Gabrielle's shoulders drop as a sigh escaped between her lips. "God, I hope that was for the best." She turned back towards the meeting hut and went inside to see how Solari was doing.

"What happened?" asked the warrior when she saw her lover at the doorway.

"I gave her a serious speech."

Xena's eyes widened and then she said, "Didn't go over too well…?"

"I'm not sure… yet." Gabrielle shifted over to the where her soulmate was kneeling. "How you feeling, Solari?"

Solari coughed a little and patted her chest. "I'm okay… she knows how to squeeze," she joked lightly.

"Yeah I know." The warrior-bard noted how red the Amazon's neck was from the hard squeeze. "Next time, try to hold your tongue."

"Can you blame me, Gabrielle?" questioned the second in command. "You'd done the same if you were me."

The Amazon Queen nodded sadly. "I would have."

"So what's the plan now?" interrupted Varia.

"It remains the same." Gabrielle stood up and helped Solari to her feet. "If none of you can take the Conqueror's word then I hope you can take my word that she'll fight." Her attention moved to Solari.

The second in command licked her lips then nodded her agreement.

"Good." The warrior-bard folded her arms and turned to Solari. "By the way, I thought I'd mention the reason how all of this got started in the first place."

"How's that?"

One of Gabrielle's eyebrows lifted up. "The Conqueror sent Draco originally to kill Sinteres and destroy his compound."

Solari suddenly had a confused look.

"She wanted to pay Queen Gabrielle back for her past as Sinteres's slave."

"But… but…" whispered the second in command in utter confusion.

Gabrielle grasped her friend's shoulder and finished the sentence. "But she's suppose to be a cold-hearted bitch?" She grinned at the confused Amazon. "That label doesn't work so well now huh?" She patted Solari on the shoulder.

"Okay sssso… she's a kind bitch," partially joked the second in command but she was still in awe about why the Conqueror would try and repay the Queen.

The Amazon Queen sighed and turned her focus to the others in the hut. "Let's all get some rest. Tomorrow we'll be going to the castle; it'll be a long trip."

Everybody nodded and slowly made their way out of the hut.

"Take it easy huh, Solari?"

"Yeah," replied the second in command as she left the meeting hut.

"Oh God," moaned the warrior-bard. Her head dropped forward into her hands.

Xena felt a frown form on her lips. She shifted behind her lover and began massaging her shoulders. "Hard playing the peacekeeper huh?"

"Tell me about it." Gabrielle dropped her head back into her soulmate's chest. "You've been pretty quiet."

"I'm working on the possible plans in my head." Xena kissed the side of her partner's head.

"I kind of thought so." Spring eyes slowly closed as another sigh left Gabrielle.

"Want to get some rest?"

The smaller warrior lifted her head up while opening her eyes. "I think I better find the Conqueror."

"Leave her alone for awhile, hun. She needs some time alone."

"Yeah… guess your right." Gabrielle reached up and took her lover's hands into her own. "Let's go get some rest before we can't get anymore."

The Warrior Princess chuckled at that but leaned down, kissing Gabrielle tenderly.

"Mmmm." Gabrielle smiled at the end of the kiss. "Love you."

The warrior kissed her partner's forehead while whispering, "I love you too." She then straightened up while saying, "Come on," and led Gabrielle out of the hut. "Like you said, tomorrow will be a big day."

Gabrielle could only groan in response as she was led to their hut.

~*Continued to Section Three*~