Section 3

~*~*~*~
The warrior-bard gazed down at her lover, whom slept quietly in the bed since about a candlemark ago. She'd tried sleeping herself but she was too concerned about the Conqueror, it was nagging in the back of her mind. So she had carefully worked her way out of her lover's arms, after years of experience, and put her attire back on with boots. Gabrielle silently slipped out of the hut into the late afternoon.

The first place she decided to head to was the Conqueror's hut, but once she peeked in, her shoulders slumped at not seeing the ruler inside. Immediately she went to Solari's hut and knocked on it.

"Yeah come in," called the second in command.

The Amazon Queen entered the hut with a quiet close of the door.

Solari smiled gently at her friend and asked, "What you up to?"

"Looking for the Conqueror, seen her?"

The second in command just shook her head and shifted closer to her desk. "The guards at the gates reported she went out of the village about… well about the time everything happened."

"Hmmmm." Gabrielle folded her arms and fell back against the doorframe. "You still annoyed about earlier?"

"Its not that." Solari turned her head to the warrior-bard. "Just scared," she whispered.

"Why?" The bard dropped her hands back to her side. "Of what?"

Solari licked her lips while her eyes lowered to the floor. "We can't loose Queen Gabrielle." She gazed up at the warrior-bard. "And the Amazons can't be lost… this is all I have left," she uttered sincerely as she held her hands up to everything around her. "I can't lose my home, Gabrielle."

The small warrior dropped her head for a moment then lifted it back up while pushing onto the flat of her feet. She came over to her friend and grasped her shoulders, her eyes locked with Solari's. "You won't, I promise." For a moment, she remained silent then whispered, "Queen Gabrielle will be fine and the Amazons will survive and grow." A partial smile shifted onto her lips. "Just believe in it, Solari."

Solari's head lowered this time, and she considered Gabrielle's words for several seconds. Slowly she looked back up and gave a faint nod. "I do."

Gabrielle's smile grew and even more when her friend hugged her tightly. She felt Solari's body shaky some and worry instantly formed inside of her. "Solari?" She pulled back then saw the few tears coming down the Amazon's cheeks.

"Sorry," muttered the second in command as she harshly wiped her tears away. "Its just been rough." She laughed sadly, her lower lip quivered faintly. "I just wish Ephiny was here."

"She'll be back soon." Gabrielle then reassured the Amazon with another gentle hug. She'd never seen her Solari this upset nor thought it possible for Solari to get upset yet this wasn't the same Solari from her world.

Solari this time broke the hug and actually gave a genuine smile. "Thanks, Gabrielle."

"You're welcome." The warrior-bard mirrored the smile back and asked, "Out of the gates?"

The Amazon laughed some and nodded. "Yeah not too long ago. Go catch up with her, you're the only one that can talk any sense into her right now."

The bard huffed and went to the door. "You're kidding right? I mean, we're talking about the same Conqueror, aren't we?"

Solari laugh at the joke and grinned. "Yeah same one, go get her tiger tamer."

Gabrielle shook her head with a sigh. "Some of the things you Amazons make up." She opened the door, stepping out and calling, "Bye, Solari."

"Bye, Gabrielle."

The small warrior hastily made her way out of the village but stopped at the gates to ask the guards in which direction the Conqueror went. After finding out, she went directly in that direction to find the ruler. As she made her way deeper into the forest, she picked up on the sound of a sword clanging, and she recognized the sound all too well. Coming upon a clearing, she stopped and stood there watching the Conqueror sparing with herself and occasionally using a tree for an enemy.

Gabrielle sighed and walked into the clearing while saying, "You shouldn't be moving around so much after what happened to you earlier."

The Conqueror seemed to take no notice of the warrior-bard but after a many seconds, she finally stopped and sheaved her sword. She faced Gabrielle. "I need the exercise."

"But your wounds don't," countered the younger woman.

The Conqueror shook her head and just disregarded the comment as she went to sit down on a near by stone. "Why did you come out here?"

"To talk to you." Gabrielle slowly strolled over to the Conqueror, standing in front of her.

"Don't you think you've said plenty, Gabrielle?" The ruler peered up with icy blue eyes.

The smaller woman sighed and knelt down, sitting on her legs with her hands in her lap. "Yeah… I think I have."

Xena raised an eyebrow at her friend's submission.

Gabrielle slightly nodded, her words coming directly from her thoughts. "For once, I've said plenty." She peered up at the Conqueror. "I can't say anything more… the rest has to come from you." With a heavy sigh, she stood up to her feet, brushing of the blades of grass from her legs and began walking back towards the village.

"That's it?" questioned the ruler.

Gabrielle stopped and half turned to the ruler. "I can't do anything else." She shrugged. "I can't save people, that's something you've come to teach me… but I have realized I can help them. I just hope in your case it'll be enough." Turning back towards the village, she continued trekking back to the village her worry about the Conqueror never disappearing.

The Conqueror shook her head still a bit amazed that Gabrielle had agreed with her. She then lifted her elbows to her knees and clasped her hands into a fist; she dropped her forehead against her fisted hands. Slowly her sea eyes closed and many thoughts and ideas passed through her mind.

Gabrielle, on the other hand, made her way back to her hut as the sunset began. She decided she really did want to rest before tomorrow. Entering her hut, she saw her soulmate awake and sitting up in the bed.

Xena didn't say anything, she simply studied her lover.

The warrior-bard sat on the edge of the bed on Xena's side and untied her boots slowly.

The older warrior reached out and gently rubbed her soulmate's back.

The small woman sighed in relief at the warm touch as she got her last boot off. She then turned to Xena and crawled into her arms.

The Warrior Princess pulled Gabrielle in close against her body and tangled her legs with Gabrielle's. She then placed a tender kiss to her partner's temple.

Gabrielle closed her eyes and slightly rubbed her cheek against Xena's chest before starting to slip away into her dreamscape.

Xena soon joined her lover in the dreamscape, her body finally relaxing after being worried about how Gabrielle was feeling from all the stress.

~*Part 11*~

"Is everybody ready?" asked Gabrielle went briskly walking up to Solari.

The second in command turned to her friend. "Yes… except for the Conqueror."

The warrior-bard nodded while saying, "I noticed."

"If we are to go, it should be now," cut in Queen Varia. "There is too much to do."

The small warrior shook her while sighing. "We can wait a few more minutes. Either way, we need the Conqueror. Solari, how many Amazons are going with us?"

"There are twenty escorting you," replied the second in command. "Do you need more?"

"No that should be plenty."

"Where is the Conqueror?" suddenly cut in a deep voice.

Gabrielle faced her soulmate. "We're waiting on her… hopefully she'll be here in a few seconds."

The Warrior Princess slightly nodded and caught sight of Eve and Cyane coming towards them with two horses in tow.

When Eve came up to her mother, she handed her the reins.

"Thanks, Eve." Xena gave her daughter a smile before placing her supplies from last night into her saddlebags.

Gabrielle had taken her stallion from Cyane and put all her belongings away in her saddlebag as well. She then mounted her horse and turned him around towards her friends. She quickly counted the Amazons waiting to travel with her, she noted them all there. "Amazons, lets head out of the village," she ordered in a loud voice.

Varia took the signal and mounted her own horse that was beside her, as did Xena. The group of Amazons began walking through the village towards the gates.

Gabrielle quickly scanned the village for any signs of the Conqueror yet with a heavy sigh, she began for the gates.

Solari walked between Xena and Gabrielle's horses while talking to the warrior-bard. "Make sure you bring Ephiny home safely."

The small warrior laughed lightly and said, "Don't worry, Solari."

The second in command simply smiled back. "Please be careful," she said to Xena.

The Warrior Princess gave a reassuring smile to the Amazon. "It'll work out," she stated.

"I know it will," stated the second in command.

Gabrielle noted the gates ahead of the village, and she sensed Varia looking at her so she gave a nod to the queen.

Varia then yelled, "Out of the village, Amazons and head south!"

The warrior-bard pulled her horse to stop at the gate, as did Xena. "I'll be back soon with Ephiny."

"Hopefully by the time you return the southern Nation will be here." Solari then took a deep breath and said, "Bye, Xena and Gabrielle."

The soulmates smiled and tapped their horses in the side while calling out, "Bye." The pair quickly caught up to the escort.

Solari watched the group slowly begin to shrink in the distance. Then her eyebrows furrowed together as she saw somebody reappearing from behind a tree headed towards the group. She quickly realized who it was and a small grin formed on her lips. "Good luck to you too, Conqueror," she whispered before she turned back to her village.

~*Part 12*~

The regent poked at her right calf lightly and hissed in response. "Hades… would you heal over already," she grumbled. After shaking her head, she stood up from her bed and with a hidden limp, made her way to the window. She crossed her arms on the ledge and studied the new Athens. She still couldn't believe that she was here and not saving her Queen. She figured Gabrielle had already been sold into slavery; it'd been awhile since everything happen. Now she just wondered what had become of the Conqueror.

She lowered her head a bit, and stared at the cracks in the window's ledge. More thoughts came but of her Amazon Nation and whether they were safe. Occasional thoughts came to her that the Conqueror had laid this trap with Lord Sinteres. Then use this as a likely excuse to wipe out the Amazons forever yet something remained in her that told otherwise. She thought it had something to do with the way the Conqueror had always looked at her Queen with gentle eyes. It seemed that one look the Conqueror continually gave Queen Gabrielle was the only reassurance that Ephiny had at this point.

With her shoulders slightly slumped, she gradually lifted her head and gazed about Athens once more. She then noted a few glints far away at the gates of the city. She furrowed her eyes and straightened up off the ledge, her lips pressing together. Thoughts of Queen Gabrielle safely returning filled her but at the same time it could be Lord Sinteres arriving to claim his place as the King of the Conqueror's realm.

With that sort of idea in mind, she quickly went for her sword and sheathed it at her back. She went out of her room and down into the castle's throne room while yelling, "Guards!"

Three guards instantly raced up to her side, walking beside her as they crossed the throne room.

"Who are the strangers entering the city?"

"We have no idea, regent," replied one guard.

"Well I want to know who the Hades it is," she growled lowly and watched the guard rush off. She then gave her attention to the other two guards. "You two round up the other men and the secondary guard captain."

"Yes, regent." The two soldiers hurried off.

The Amazon came to the huge double-doors of the throne room and flung them open with both arms as hard as she could. The early morning sunlight struck her in the face soon as she opened the doors. She went down the many steps and onto the grounds that circled the castle.

She found several of the soldiers already herding to the gates with their weapons drawn. She then decided to join them at the gates as well. She also found the secondary guard captain there and quickly questioned him. "Who is coming into the city?"

The guard captain shook his head. "We are not sure, regent. One man was sent already and he should be back in a moment."

"Good," muttered the Amazon. Lifting her right hand, she shielded the sun from her eyes and saw a soldier running back to the castle with on arm waving. She slightly heard him yelling but couldn't make out what he said. "What is he saying?"

The guard captain paused for a moment then whispered, "They're going to conqueror us."

Ephiny's eyes widened and her heart sped up. "They can't be here."

"Wait," called a soldier from beside Ephiny, "He's saying the Conqueror is coming."

The regent hesitated for a moment then listened to the soldier's yelling as it became clearer, and she did realize he was yelling the Conqueror is coming. "Oh gods," she whispered in relief.

The soldier came into the gates, his breath gone but a smile on his lips. "The Conqueror… is here," he rasped.

"Anybody else?" asked the regent hastily.

The soldier nodded while taking several deep breaths. "So are Amazons… lots of them."

A small grin pulled at the corner of Ephiny's lips. She looked up from the soldier and saw the group of Amazons coming closer to the castle's gates.

"Ephiny!" called a familiar voice.

The regent shook her head for a moment in disbelief as she walked through the gates. "Gabrielle?" she called.

She heard an excited laugh and it only caused her to have one herself as she hurried towards the group. She quickly spotted her friends and watched Gabrielle dismount from her horse.

"Its good to see you," greeted Gabrielle.

The regent grabbed her friend into a strong hug. "I'm so happy you came here." She slowly pulled away from the hug.

"Well, the Conqueror came for Xena and me." The warrior-bard brushed back some of her bangs from her forehead. "How you doing?"

Ephiny shook her head a bit. "I've been hanging in there. Anything about Queen Gabrielle though?"

Gabrielle took a deep breath then slightly nodded. "She's been sold to Gurkhan… about three days ago."

"Centaur shit," growled the regent.

"I know whispered," the warrior-bard.

"Let's get into the castle," suggested the Conqueror as she cut into the conversation.

Gabrielle nodded to the Conqueror's idea. "Come on, I'll tell you more."

Ephiny turned back to the castle, walking with her friends. "What of the Amazons?"

"They're fine, we just came from there."

"I figured," replied Ephiny as she signalled to the Amazon escort. "A couple I don't recognize," she whispered.

Gabrielle grinned faintly at her friend's suspicions. "I brought my Nation here."

"Your Nation?" The regent's eyes widened in disbelief. "From your… world?"

"Yup." The warrior-bard winked right before making Torqueo walk faster to the castle's stables.

Ephiny shook her head while she watched the Amazon Queen walk off with Xena at her side. The Conqueror then stepped into her view.

"How do you feel?"

The regent lifted her eyes up the length of the ruler's body until she met winter blue eyes. "I'm okay."

"How's the leg?"

"Slowly healing," stated the Amazon plainly. "Did you see Queen Gabrielle or Eponin in your travels?"

"I did," answered the ruler. "They were both fine."

"Your guard captain too?"

"Yes." The Conqueror folded her arms against her chest. "I presume you had no problems with my men…?" She then glanced over at her soldiers who all began to look anywhere but at their leader.

"None at all." Ephiny placed her hands on her hips. "No problems at all." The one thing she was grateful for was that the Conqueror did server a purpose of blocking the sun for her. "Athens was fine too," she quietly added.

"Good to hear."

"You didn't hear anything from Sinteres by any chance did you?" suddenly cut in another deep voice.

Ephiny looked at the warrior, who was returning from the stable with Gabrielle. "No… was I suppose to?"

"Not really," answered the warrior-bard.

"You three go ahead and talk," cut in the Conqueror, "I need to talk to my secondary guard captain."

Gabrielle nodded to the ruler and watched her go; she then noted Eve, Varia, and Cyane coming up beside her and Xena. "Oh Ephiny, I want you to meet Eve."

The regent smiled to Eve and held out her arm. "Pleasure to meet you, Eve."

"All mine," responded Eve.

"And Eve is Xena's daughter," added Gabrielle.

Ephiny laughed in surprise while she released the younger woman's arm. "Really? Thought some of those features looked similar."

The warrior-bard grinned faintly then pointed to the queen. "This is Queen Varia." She paused for a moment but spoke again while Ephiny and Varia were shaking arms. "Varia is the queen of the Amazons when I'm not around… which is most of the time. Then this is Cyane beside her."

Ephiny's eyes quickly lit up at the name. She stared at the well-built, blond haired Amazon beside Varia. "Cyane?"

"I know," commented Cyane, "Not the same Amazon though." She held out her arm.

"I don't know about that," whispered Ephiny as she took the young Amazon's arm. "Nice to meet you as well."

"Trust me," started Varia, "Its more our pleasure than yours, Ephiny. There are many legends about you in our village."

"Maybe so but I'm not the same Ephiny as your one once was."

Gabrielle shook her head. "I highly doubt that, you have all the same qualities as our Ephiny once did… you're very much her."

The regent said nothing else and kept silent, taking the comments at face value. "Thank you," is all she said after several seconds.

"I think we need to find the Conqueror and fill in Ephiny about what's going on," suggested the Warrior Princess.

"Good idea," agreed Gabrielle. "Cyane, can you take care of the Amazons for me? Take them into the castle and if you ask one of the guards to get food and water they will help you. Okay?"

"Sure thing, my Queen." Cyane nodded then strolled off to escort the Amazons into the castle.

"Let's go track down the Conqueror," ordered the Amazon Queen. Together the group went into the castle and decided the best place to go was to the Conqueror's office. Once near the doorway, they could hear the Conqueror talking to somebody.

"Instruct them to be here tomorrow morning at best. Is that all clear?"

"Yes, my liege."

"Good. You're dismissed."

"Yes, my liege." The soldier hurried out of the door and slipped past the group of women and went on his way.

"Come in, you five." The Conqueror sat down in her chair as her allies entered her office. "Take seats."

Everybody had a seat but Ephiny and Xena, the warrior, walked towards the opening to the balcony and picked up a chair from the corner. She carried it back over to the group and sat it down near the desk, saying, "Sit down, Eph."

The regent shook her head. "Go ahead, Xena."

"Sit," ordered the warrior in a growling tone.

Ephiny blinked then sat down while muttering, "Thanks."

Xena chuckled to herself and took a few steps back to lean against the wall.

"Xena, do you want my chair?" offered the Conqueror as she began to stand up.

The Warrior Princess shook her head while replying, "I'm fine, Conqueror… thank you though."

The ruler nodded and sat back down. She turned her focus to everybody and stated, "I sent two soldiers out to find Autolycus and Iolaus. Also in about ten to fifteen minutes my Naval Captain will be here." She folded her arms and sat back in her chair.

"I believe we need to inform Ephiny on what's going on," spoke up Varia after the ruler had spoken.

Gabrielle decided to stand up from her chair and she walked to the Conqueror's desk, she sat on the corner of the desk and looked at the group. "So far what we've come up with is we're going to basically steal Queen Gabrielle back."

Ephiny raised an eyebrow up. "How is this going to happen?"

The Amazon Queen took a huge, deep breath and began explaining. "Xena, Varia, Cyane, and Eve are going to Africa. Cyane and Eve are posing as slaves to infiltrate Gurkhan's castle and find Queen Gabrielle. Once they have done so, its up to Xena and Varia to kill him."

"Wait," cut in Ephiny while shaking her head. "How do you plan to save Queen Gabrielle and kill Gurkhan at the same time?"

"We're working on that," cut in the warrior from her spot against the wall.

"No, no." The regent stared hard at Xena then looked at everybody else in the room with a serious face. "I want a plan right here and right now on how you plan to get my Queen… my best friend from Gurkhan's liar. I will not let any of you endanger her life… I'd rather have her remain a slave than get killed," growled the regent. "She stands better a symbol of slavery than a dead corpse of a deluded plan that went wrong."

Xena licked her lips as she glimpsed over at her soulmate from across the room. She then straightened up off the wall, her arms falling to her side from her chest. "As Gabrielle said, Cyane and Eve will pretend to be slaves and be bought into Gurkhan's castle. Varia and I will be lookouts through this entire thing. When Eve and Cyane feel its safe enough, we'll go in and take care of Gurkhan."

Ephiny considered the plan, she knew it still had a few 'holes' in it that would be filled later on as Xena had more time to think the finer details out. She slowly began to nod and simply said, "Okay."

"While that's been done, we're responsible for getting the Amazons together," continued explaining Gabrielle. "You and I will return to the Nation and get the Amazons ready for war. The Conqueror in the meantime will be doing the same with her troops. Hopefully some time in there we'll join forces relatively close to Sinteres's camp."

Ephiny laughed slightly and peered up at the Conqueror then at the warrior-bard. "You're kidding, right?" She sat up in her chair. "The Amazons will not join up with the Conqueror."

The Conqueror closed her eyes as she felt her rage return like it had early in the meeting back in the Amazon village.

"I'd much rather have the Amazons fight Sinteres and Draco on our own without her help. She's liable to-"

"Ephiny," growled the warrior-bard. She stood up from the desk and her eyes were lit up with fire. "I am the Queen... in this world and in mine. Queen Gabrielle has agreed to a treaty with the Conqueror and we will abide by it. To do anything less is to destroy the Nation's honour." She paused, her chest rising and falling quickly. "We will fight beside the Conqueror."

The regent chewed on the inside of her lip because she knew this was a crazy and down right insane idea. She liked the idea now. "Alright. But how we plan to strike Sinteres when he has Eponin and Palamon?"

"Autolycus and Iolaus, the two best thieves in the known-world will take care of that," answered the ruler.

Ephiny glanced over to the Conqueror. "I hope they can do it."

"If they can't then nobody can," simply stated the Conqueror. As soon as she finished her words, a tall and thin woman entered the office. The ruler stood up. "Welcome."

Everybody else's heads turned and a few eyes widened in surprise.

"I heard you need me, my liege."

The Conqueror laughed slightly to herself. "I do, Callisto."

Callisto flashed a devilish grin and she walked over towards the Conqueror. Her fiery eyes lowered to the warrior-bard, looking her over. For some reason, she could already feel a bit of hatred coming off this younger woman.

Gabrielle looked away from Callisto and moved away from the desk, turning and facing the Conqueror.

The Conqueror looked to everybody else while saying, "Callisto is my naval captain, the best one I've had." She glanced at Callisto then at the group, introducing them one by one.

Callisto couldn't help but be surprised when she found there to be two Queen Gabrielle's and two Xena's. She definitely was interested in knowing on how this came to be, something to look into later on.

"I've decided to add a little something to our plan," cut in the Conqueror's voice.

Xena raised an eyebrow at the ruler's announcement.

"After you have saved Queen Gabrielle, I plan to have Gurkhan's entire castle destroyed. Queen Cleopatra will be there to assist in this and along with killing anybody loyal to Gurkhan."

The warrior-bard peered over to her soulmate then back at the Conqueror. "Why is this?"

The ruler folded her arms and locked eyes with the smaller woman. "I will not leave my enemies alive... not any part of them."

"So what is this little plan, my liege?" inquired Callisto.

The Conqueror turned her head to her naval captain. "You are to transport Xena, Eve, Cyane, and Varia along with two hundred troops. Take a few juggernaughts and war galleys with you."

"A catapult trireme?" Callisto raised an eyebrow at the ruler and a sly grin creased her lips.

"One," replied the Conqueror with a chuckle.

"Deal." The navel captain then put her hands on her hips. "So I take these four down, what else?"

"They will take care of getting Queen Gabrielle. While that's happening you and Queen Cleopatra will get the men ready. Soon as Queen Gabrielle is out you are to take out Gurkhan's lair, wipe it off the earth. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, my liege."

"Good." The Conqueror gazed back at the group. "Oh," she turned back to Callisto, "take a scout ship with you as well. I want them back here to let us know if the Queen is safe or not."

"Yes of course," agreed the naval captain.

"Is there anything else?" inquired the ruler to the group.

"I think that's everything," replied the warrior-bard. "We should get moving with our plans."

~*~*~*~

Gabrielle jerked the strap down hard and Torqueo whined in response. "Sorry, boy," she whispered while patting him on the side. She then rechecked to make sure his tack was all on place, especially the saddle.

"You ready?" called her soulmate, as she entered into the stable.

"Just about."

Xena came up to the stall door and crossed her arms on top of the door. "How you doing?"

"I'm okay." The smaller woman continued checking her horse's tack and not looking at her partner.

The warrior for a moment was silent then asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Gabrielle shook her head then patted her horses neck before looking at her lover.

Xena just raised an eyebrow. "What is it, huh?"

The bard sighed as her shoulders fell. "I just... don't know about this."

"This?... with Callisto?"

"Exactly." The younger warrior shook her head several times. "I don't like her being there."

"I know... maybe she's not the same as our Callisto was."

"Maybe she is," countered the Amazon Queen. She shifted closer to her lover, her hands coming up and resting on top of Xena's. "I know Callisto changed in our world but... here it could be different, completely different."

The warrior licked her lips, her eyes studying her hands and Gabrielle's as she slowly laced their hands together. "I know... we'll be careful," she whispered while lifting her soft sea blue eyes.

"I know you will be... just can't help but be worried." Gabrielle shook her head a bit while saying, "Callisto is always in something for herself."

Xena squeezed her lover's hands gently before leaning in for a long kiss. "You need to be careful as well," she muttered at the end of the kiss.

"I will be." Gabrielle grinned a bit. "Aren't I always?"

The warrior laughed lightly. "Trouble comes to you like flies to shit."

"Thanks," deadpanned the warrior-bard. "Real big of yah."

Xena laughed and took a few steps back. "Come on."

The bard grabbed her horse's reins and led him out of the stall. With Xena, she strolled out of the stables into the afternoon sunlight. Just ahead she saw her group of Amazons waiting to travel back to the Nation.

"In five days we will meet on the battlefield," stated the Conqueror to Gabrielle.

The warrior-bard nodded at the ruler. "Five days." She then shifted her attention to her Amazons. "Head out," she ordered before looking to Ephiny. "Ride Torqueo, Eph... you'll need it with that leg."

"Thanks." Ephiny slowly mounted the stallion with her friend's help.

"I'll be right out," uttered the Amazon Queen to the regent.

Ephiny simply nodded then left through the gates to join the Amazons.

"Be careful." Eve smiled at Gabrielle.

Gabrielle returned the smile. "You too huh?" She went over and hugged the taller woman. "Bring her back safely." She then said her goodbyes to the rest of the group. As she walked towards the gates, her soulmate came along side.

"I'll see you in a bit." Gabrielle stopped at the front of the gates and turned to her lover. "We have a lot of damn sex to make up for this," she grumbled but a grin streaked her expression.

Xena laughed quietly and lowered her head some. "I'm not worried about that one bit. You just be careful."

"I will." The warrior-bard then finally gave in to a long hug with her partner. "I love you."

The warrior kissed the side of her lover's head while whispering, "I love you too." She gave a tight squeeze then said, "Go on."

The Amazon Queen released her soulmate and gave a rare smile of hers. "Bye."

Xena grinned a bit and winked. "See yah soon." She watched her partner go out of the gates and join the Amazons. A sigh slowly escaped her as she waved to Gabrielle then watched her disappear in the distance.

The Conqueror quietly neared Xena and said, "Not easy huh?"

"Not at all." The warrior peered up a little at the taller version of herself. "Are the ships ready?"

"Anytime you're ready," mentioned the ruler.

"Good."

The Conqueror turned to a guard and said, "Escort these ladies down to the docks. See to it Callisto greets them."

"Yes, my liege." The guard waited for the four women to come up beside him and he quietly led them out of the gates, towards the docks.

The Conqueror briefly watched them go but then yelled, "Somebody bring the secondary guard captain to my office."

~*Part 13*~

Autolycus rubbed his hands together and grinned. "Here we go; we knock out those two sentries at the gates. Then take their clothes and pose as them."

"You gotta be kidding me?" Iolaus shook his head and knelt down more behind the tree while looking at the two guards at the gates of Sinteres's compound. "We have to lure them away. We can't just knock them out that close to the compound."

"Exactly... sssso that's where you come in." The King of Thieves grinned evilly.

"What you want me to do? Dress like a woman and do the drag?"

Autolycus suddenly had an evil smirk.

"No," growled Iolaus.

"Don't worry, there's nothing to it."

Iolaus just glared at his partner.



Autolycus stumbled through the forest some, coming closer to the sentries at the gate.

"Stop!" yelled a guard.

The King of Thieves stopped and held up his hands. "What's wrong?"

"Who are you?" called a guard.

Autolycus smiled drunkenly and said, "I'm just a man... having a good time."

"Oh yeah?"

The King of Thieves grinned. "I found myself a real nice lookin' bitch." He waved his hands towards the woods. "You fellas like to join in?"

The guards exchanged looks and then nodded to one another. Together they left their post and followed behind the guy.

"Oh Georgy boy, where'd you go?" called a light voice.

"I'm coming, my sweets," yelled Autolycus.

The two guards snickered together while sheathing their swords at their sides.

"Where are you?" called Autolycus.

"Right over here," replied a light but throaty voice.

Autolycus stopped and put his hands on his hips.

"Where is she?" questioned a guard.

"She was just here," answered the King of Thieves. He cleared his throat. "Oh sweetie, where are you?"

"Right here," half growled a man's voice from the tree branches above the guards.

The two guards instantly looked up but soon found a foot coming into their face.

Autolycus laughed as he watched them fall on their faces out cold. "Nice job."

"Thanks... Georgy boy."

The King of Thieves threw a glare at his friend. "Come on, let's get these damn uniforms off them."

Iolaus seconded that idea and quickly began taking the clothes off the sentries. Afterwards, he and Autolycus tied and gagged the soldiers before putting on the uniforms.

Autolycus came out of a bush, pulling on the collar of the leather uniform. "This Hades of a thing is too tight."

"Mine fits perfectly," commented the smaller thief.

The King of Thieves sighed and said, "Let's get this over with."

The pair walked up to the posts at the gates and adjusted themselves accordingly, swords drawn.

"So I guess we'll stand here all day?" grumbled Iolaus.

"Nope, we'll get in," muttered Autolycus. "We just need a way, maybe you can think of something since you're a bright candle."

"What in Tartarous is that suppose to mean?"

"It means you're little ideas never work half the time." The King of Thieves shook his head. "I still remember that screw up with the girl in the bar."

"Don't start that shit again," growled Iolaus. "I almost had her."

"Right... she almost had your face on the floor is what you mean."

"Will you shut up!" yelled Iolaus. "Like none of that kinda of centaur shit happened to you. I wont even mention the one with the Amazon."

"That was a mistake," yelled the King of Thieves.

"Yeah a funny one too." The smaller thief started laughing.

Autolycus snarled and suddenly brought the tip of his sword under his partner's throat. "Wanna keep laughing funny boy?"

"Get the Hades off me!"

"What the Hades is going on over here?" yelled a deep voice.

The two thieves turned to a tall, dark skinned man that was glaring down at them.

"He started it." Iolaus pointed a finger at the other thief.

"I don't care," growled Draco.

Autolycus had already let go of his partner.

"I want you two in the dungeon now."

~*~*~*~

Iolaus grumbled to himself as he stomped down the steps of the dungeon, Draco was behind him and his partner was ahead of him.

"You two stay the Hades down here until somebody pulls you off duty, understood?"

"How long might that be?" inquired Autolycus.

Draco glared from the fifth step up from the dungeon floor. "If you're lucky two days." After a smirk, he hurried up the stairwell and back outside.

The King of Thieves tilted his head as he heard the dungeon door at the top of the steps slam then lock. He then turned to Iolaus. "Thanks," he chided.

The thief peered up at the taller man. "What? you got us here." He shook his head and pushed his helmet further back on his head. He sheathed his sword then started searching through the dungeon. "Wait... Auto," he called.

The King of Thieves briskly walked down the tight space between the cells on either side of him. "Well whatyah know." He grinned to himself and folded his arms as he stared at the two prisoners in the cell. "And you had no faith," he taunted his friend.

"Right." Iolaus flashed a brief grin but turn his attention back to the two prisoners as he wondered how to wake them up in the best manor. "Hey," he started calling to them but he got no response. "Yo prisoners... wake up!" He still got no response.

Autolycus stood there completely amused by the scene. He just leaned against some bars of a cell and decided to watch his partner try to wake up the prisoners.

The smaller thief sighed but then suddenly kicked at the bars to make a loud clatter. Still nothing. "That's it," he growled. "Amazons are a bunch of sissy girls with nothing but sticks for weapons just like the Conqueror's captain!"

A set of dark brown eyes opened and a tall Amazon stood up in the prison cell.

Iolaus grinned to himself as he knew he accomplished his mission. Yet suddenly something went a bit wrong when he found himself choking and his face slammed into the bars of the cell.

"Your mother could kick your ass, little man just like I will," growled the Amazon. She lowered her head, close to the small thief's. "Do not even let me near a stick for what I may do to you with it.... because it'll be right up your ass." She squeezed a little tighter then threw him across the dungeon and he hit the other cell on the opposite side.

Iolaus groaned and slid down the bars onto the floor.

Autolycus laughed finally and straightened up from the cell. He instantly found piercing brown eyes on him but he simply ignored the threatening look. "May I introduce myself...? I'm Autolycus... the King of Thieves." He held his hand down towards Iolaus. "And this would be my partner, Iolaus."

"And why are you two here?" questioned the guard captain as he stood up from the cell floor.

"The Conqueror," stated the King of Thieves.

Palamon grinned and chuckled lightly. "She would send in thieves to steal something stolen from her."

"Naturally... and only the best of course," added Autolycus. He then glanced down at his partner, whom was rubbing his neck. "So what you coming up with?"

"Mmmm." The small man chewed on his lower lip while studying the dungeon. "Not a plan, I'll say that."

Autolycus started rubbing his chin as he considered some ideas.

~*~*~*~

"Have you heard anything from the other village yet, Solari?"

The second in command shook her head while crossing her arms against her chest. "Nothing yet… my guess is they could be here tonight definitely by sometime tomorrow."

"Good." Gabrielle took a step back and leaned against the post of the hut behind her. "How is Eph?"

"She's doing better… recovered finally from that long walk from Athens," the Amazon half joked.

"Rrrright." The warrior-bard smirked at that. "She rode the entire time… on my horse not to mention."

Solari nodded a couple of times. "She seems to be doing a lot better," finally admitted the Amazon. "I was pretty worried.

"I was myself," confessed the small warrior.

The second in command glimpsed up to Gabrielle from looking down at her boots. "How you been doing?"

Gabrielle closed her eyes for a brief moment then opened them again. "I'm doing okay… worried though."

"We all are," reminded the Amazon but added, "And I also know you're the most stressed out of any of us."

"Stress?" started teasing the small woman, "I live for it."

Solari chuckled quietly but then reached out to grasp her friend's arm. "Don't get too worked up… Eph and I are here to help out."

"I know… thank you." Gabrielle smiled warmly. She then sighed a bit and quietly whispered, "The Conqueror should be here tomorrow as well."

"Where is she planning to position her troops?"

"Not far from Sinteres compound… but she is bringing a set of troops here to protect the Nation from any outside harm."

Solari raised an eyebrow at that. "Outside harm or is she the ha-"

"Solari," warned the temporarily queen. "Don't."

The Amazon's shoulders dropped, and she viciously brushed back a few strands of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry… but you got to understand…" she held up a hand while saying, "that we've been at war with her ever since I can remember. If its not one thing… its another." She paused as she knew her friend was starting to understand. "It takes a bit to just… trust her."

"I know," whispered the Queen. "But you can trust me when I tell you she won't harm us."

Solari nodded slowly. "That's what I am trusting."

"Thank you," uttered the warrior-bard. She lifted herself from the post while saying, "Let's go see Eph."

Solari agreed with a nod and followed along side her friend.

~*~*~*~

"So what do you think, mother?"

Xena turned her head to Eve that stood beside her on the bow of the ship. "About?" she whispered with a gentle smile taking her lips.

"Anything." Eve shrugged a little.

"Mmmm…" The warrior reached out and held onto the railing and leaned forward against it a bit. "I think we've got ourselves in quite a mess."

The daughter chuckled but yet had to agree. "We sure did."

The Warrior Princess flashed a grin at her daughter before gazing over the sea again.

"You know what I think?"

Xena felt a small laugh vibrate inside of herself." What's that?"

"I think it's nice to be out on an adventure with my mother."

The warrior felt a smile creep along her lips despite the entire situation ahead of them. "I think I have to agree with that."

Eve felt a bit of warmness fill her but slowly it faded out and a heavy sigh escaped her.

"Now what's on that mind of yours?" inquired the mother.

Eve shook her head a little and said, "Just been having a long… lllong debate with myself."

"About?"

"About… what my destiny truly is," confessed the younger woman. She slightly peered up at her mother before looking back to the sea. "Whether I'm suppose to be God's chosen… peace keeper or-"

"A warrior," finished Xena. She felt her own heavy sigh come and leave her. She knew exactly how her daughter felt. "Its not easy, I know that." She brought her right arm around her daughter's shoulders and pulled her in a bit closer. Gazing down at Eve, she whispered, "The best thing you can do… is go with what feels natural."

"I'm not quite sure what that is right now." Eve gazed into her mother's eyes hoping to find her answer there even though she knew she would not.

"I know and you won't for right now." Xena let a small smile appear in her expression. "You give yourself time and soon you'll know." She lowered her head and kissed her daughter's forehead while whispering, "Promise."

Eve smiled at her mother's reassurance feeling a bit of weight leave her. She wrapped her left arm around Xena's waist and dropped her head against the larger shoulder beside her. "Mother… did Callisto, by any chance, have green eyes?"

The warrior suddenly furrowed her eyebrows at the random question. "No… why, sweetie?"

"Just wondering…." Eve licked her lips while staring at the sea before her. She then said, "Didn't you ever wonder why I have green eyes? I mean… you don't have green eyes and neither does Callisto. So how did I end up with green eyes?"

The Warrior Princess didn't say anything as the question sank into her mind. She never really had thought about why her daughter had green eyes… she just simply accepted it. "Green eyes," she whispered aloud to herself in thought and then her suddenly her expression took on realization. "Gabrielle…."

"Yeah… that's what I thought too." Eve lifted her head. "She's my mother as well."

Xena finally came to the realization too that Gabrielle was most likely Eve's mother as much as her own. She then gazed down at her daughter and studied her for several silent seconds. She truly examined Eve's bright green eyes and knew in her heart that those eyes were Gabrielle's. Bringing her free hand around, she lifted a lock of Eve's golden brown hair and knew it was blond and black together. Eve's height, Xena recognized, was higher than Gabrielle but shorter than her. And then finally it clicked to the warrior that Eve… well despite all that Eve has done in her life for some reason she still held some type of innocence to her, much the same way Gabrielle has all through her life.

"So guess this means she isn't my aunt after all huh?" finally cut in Eve's voice.

Those words made one of the rarest smiles slowly shape across Xena's face. "Yes it does," she whispered softly.

"Hmmmm." Eve began to grin a bit devilishly. "So… what should I call her now… mother, mom or mommy," she joked.

Xena couldn't help but laugh. "Mother is mine, I reserve it."

The younger woman laughed as well. "Well I don't think a 25 year old should go around calling her mother mommy… so I think that leaves me with mom."

The warrior grinned and said in an evil tone, "Make sure when we get back you call her that first thing."

Eve snickered quietly. "You would, mother… and I'll make sure to do it around you."

"Good girl," teased the Warrior Princess.

Eve laughed while shaking her head as she went back to taking in the scenery around her. "So what you think about having Callisto as the naval captain?"

"I don't know what in Hell the Conqueror is thinking," half joked the warrior and in part she was rather serious. She then added in a huff.

"I have a feeling she'll turn on the Conqueror when the time comes," muttered Eve. She then turned her head sidelong and watched Callisto in the corner of her eye. "Very soon at that," she whispered.

"Mmmm," agreed the warrior. "I have that feeling as well. And it'll be a bad fight as well."

"Yes with as many ships as the Conqueror has… I wonder how many are loyal to Callisto before the Conqueror?"

"I don't even want to think about it," replied Xena. She sighed then mumbled, "That's the problem with switching sides… get new enemies and new allies."

"Hmmm," agreed Eve quietly.

~*Part 14*~

The queen lifted her head and straightened her back out as the two Amazons from the trees lowered to the ground bringing her and her horse to a halt. "I am here with my Amazons at Queen Gabrielle's request."

The two patrol Amazons glanced at each other and added nods. One patrol Amazon stepped forward and said, "Welcome, Queen Velasca."

The queen smiled a little more proudly and asked, "May we be escorted in?"

"Of course," answered the patrol Amazon. "Please follow me." She turned and headed for the village gates.

The other patrol Amazon however took a few steps back and watched the queen and her Amazons pass by.

The patrol Amazon led the party to the gates and soon as she neared, she saw the gates opening for them.

Velasca examined the larger village as she entered it.

Gabrielle left her hut soon as she heard word of the queen coming, she was glad to hear the other Amazons had arrived. She went directly to the village centre knowing this would be where the other queen would be escorted to. In the centre she saw Solari already waiting. "You heard?" she said a bit loudly.

"Yeah," called back the second in command.

Gabrielle came up beside her friend and faced the gates; she then spotted the patrol Amazon escorting the queen and her Amazons to the centre. As she got a better look at the queen, she realized exactly who it was on that horse. "Oh my god…" she uttered in fear.

"What's wrong?" quickly asked Solari.

"Velasca is the queen?" she hotly asked as she looked to the second in command.

"Yes," whispered Solari, "I don't know if you know of her in your world but here, she is very well known." She narrowed her eyes a bit. "She is well regarded by all Amazons… this village and in her own. She technically should be the head queen, the only reason Queen Gabrielle is cause she stumbled into it by caste." She shook her head before adding, "Queen Gabrielle is lucky Velasca hasn't yet challenged her for the caste. I'm not even sure why Velasca hasn't…"

"Mmmm," was Gabrielle's only response before she forced a smile on her lips when the queen approached. "Welcome, Queen Velasca."

The queen smiled at the warrior-bard and dismounted quickly. "Thank you, Queen Gabrielle." She then suddenly gave a puzzled look. "My… you've changed quite a bit since I've last seen you."

"I'm afraid I am not the same Queen Gabrielle you are thinking of."

Velasca's expression went from puzzled to completely confused.

Solari chuckled lightly at the look and decided to explain the situation. "Well, have you heard the tales of a hero that came from another world to change the Conqueror?"

"Yesss… she supposedly looks like Queen Gabrie…." Velasca glanced back to the warrior-bard and then laughed. "Looks like? Well you certainly are a perfect copy."

The smaller warrior gave a small grin. "Well, I am Gabrielle just from another world."

"And an Amazon I do hope…?" further inquired the queen.

"Yes," replied the Amazon Queen quickly. "I am the Queen of the Amazons in my world and I am the Queen here until the rightful Queen returns."

"Yes, I've heard the predicament but I was unsure when I received the letter from Queen Gabrielle. I guess this would explain everything now."

Gabrielle faintly nodded then said, "How about we take care of your horses and direct you to your huts."

"Thank you," replied Velasca.

Solari and the Queen led the group of Amazons through the village and took them first to the stables to let the Amazons on horseback stable their horses. Afterwards they went to the west side of the village where there were several vacated huts set up for two Amazons at a time. Gabrielle announced to the Amazons to choose a partner and select whatever hut they desired. The warrior-bard and Solari then escorted Velasca to her hut, which was closer to the centre of the village.

"I hope this will be satisfactory enough," commented Solari.

Velasca smiled lightly. "I'm sure it is, thank you."

Gabrielle crossed her arms against her chest and settled her hard eyes on the other queen. "Later this afternoon, before dinner, we'll be having a brief meeting. So we can catch you up-to-date on what's been happening recently."

"That would be great."

"Get some rest till then," recommended the Amazon Queen.

Velasca slightly nodded at the idea and stepped into her hut with her saddlebag of belongings.

Once the hut door closed, Gabrielle quickly turned and marched off.

Solari furrowed her eyebrows but then hurried after her friend. "Gabrielle, is everything okay?"

The small warrior sighed and quickly came to a stop. "I do not like Velasca here," she slightly growled.

"Gabrielle, she is highly regarded by all Am-"

"Is that so?" hissed the bard, "I'd like to know if Ephiny thinks the same thing."

The second in command let her mouth stay hanging open for several moments before finally saying, "No she doesn't think much of Velasca."

"And why is that?"

"Because Velasca… well she has a different way of running things sometimes."

"That's exactly it." Gabrielle placed her hands on her hips. "She does not do it the Amazon way, she does it her way." She took a step closer to her friend. "Do you know what she did in my world?"

"What?" squeaked out the Amazon.

"She doublecrossed me, stole some of my Amazons, happen to get lucky and get some ambrosia. And after she ate it, she attacked my Amazons, and was bent on killing me." She paused for a second then added, "I do not like anybody that endangers my Amazons." She continued walking to the village.

Solari let her shoulders drop as she stood there watching her friend disappear ahead.

~*~*~*~

"The Conqueror?" repeated the queen, a slight bit of humour in her tone. "The Conqueror?"

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow at Velasca. "Yes, the Conqueror. Is there a problem?"

Velasca shook her head and replied, "I just can't believe she's going to work with us… instead of against us."

"Neither can I," muttered Solari under her breath but quickly looked up as if she didn't say anything.

"She will… trust me," stated Gabrielle. She then turned her head back to the entire group. "As I'm sure you know, I have the Amazons getting prepared… some I've already sent out to Sinteres's as outposts, in case the two thieves need any extra help." She then straightened up, lifting her hands off the long table, and continuing to stand behind the chair at the head of the table. "I think that about covers it…?"

"Just what happens if say the Conqueror does turn on us somehow, what are our plans then?" questioned Velasca.

The small warrior sighed during the few seconds she had to think. "Then we pray we can take her."

Velasca huffed in her seat and looked away from the other queen. We'll see just how good the Conqueror is now, she grumbled to herself.

~*Part 15*~

The three Egyptians stood tall at the end of the dock and the one in the middle held a lit torch. The other two, however, hurried to help the ship dock against the pier head of the marina. The other ships from Callisto's fleet also were docked but in various slips down the pier of the marina.

"Drop the gangplank!" ordered Callisto. One of the men scrambled to lower the gangplank down to the dock and as soon as he did, the three Egyptians boarded the ship.

Callisto met the men near the top of the gangplank.

"Welcome, Captain," greeted the Egyptian with the torch.

"Thank you," replied Callisto in her light voice. "Is the Queen home tonight?"

"She is and she is waiting inside for you and your men."

Callisto smirked a bit. "Wonderful. Let me get my… 'men' and you can escort us there."

"Yes of course," replied the man.

The Captain disappeared ahead, going down several steps to the galley of the ship where she bumped into her 'men.' "We're docked."

Xena nodded.

Callisto turned and headed back up the steps with Xena, Eve, Cyane, and Varia following behind. She led them to Egyptians and introduced them. "This is Xena, her daughter Eve and two Amazons… Cyane and Queen Varia."

"Very nice to meet you, ladies," replied the man with the torch and he bowed is head. "I am Torrid… but better known as Ra." He suddenly turned while saying, "Please follow me."

The group went down the ramp and onto the dock, their boots echoing as they made their way to the palace. At the door of the palace there were two guards keeping post as they entered inside then went to throne room. There the Queen of Egypt sat at her throne with a priest beside her and heavy built guard.

"Welcome to Egypt, ladies." Queen Cleopatra stood up and came down the steps to welcome her guests. "My, my you do look exactly as the Conqueror," she commented to the Warrior Princess.

Xena grinned. "So I've heard."

Cleopatra smiled and looked to Callisto, her smile faintly falling. "Its good to see you again, Captain."

"I wish I could say the same," whispered Callisto, her right eyebrow raised up.

The Queen ignored the comment and looked to the other three women she did not know. "And these ladies?"

"This is Eve," began Xena, "then Cyane and Queen Varia."

"Queen?" repeated Cleopatra.

"Queen of the Amazons," explained Varia, "in my world that is."

"Its wonderful to meet another queen then," joked Cleopatra lightly.

"I assume you received the Conqueror's message?" interrupted the Captain.

Queen Cleopatra turned her attention to Callisto, her stone cold look masking her features. "I did and I will be providing you with men and a guide to help you on your mission."

"We won't need any men," stated Callisto hotly. "The Conqueror provided us with plenty of men."

The Queen of Egypt chuckled amusingly. "Well I'm afraid, Captain it wasn't a request from the Conqueror… it was an order. And I do plan to keep my Conqueror happy." She narrowed her eyes. "Not her sea Captain."

Callisto only smirked as she grind her teeth quietly.

"I'm sure you all could use a break tonight."

"We could." Xena folded her arms and dropped her head to one side. "But we'd like to leave at first light."

"Yes of course." Cleopatra turned to Torrid, who stood by the entranceway. "Torrid."

The man crossed the throne room and came to the Queen's side.

"Please escort these ladies to their rooms. And tonight let my guard captain know that at first light he will be leaving for Gurkhan's."

"Yes of course, my Queen." Torrid bowed his head and turned to escort the women into the main portion of the palace.

"Goodnight," called Cleopatra. She stood there and watched them leave before sighing to herself, her eyes directly on Callisto's back. "She'll be the death of us." With a shake of her head, she decided it was best for her to retire for the night.



"What'd you think of that, mother?"

Xena leaned her sword against the wall and placed her chakram on the nightstand beside the table. "I'd say they don't get along," she joked.

"Mmmm," agreed Eve. She came up behind her mother and helped her unbuckle her brass armour. "Did you come up with a plan on how to get Cyane and I into Gurkhan's palace."

The older woman grinned and asked, "Have you ever wanted to be a belly dancer?"

"What?" choked out Eve.

Xena turned around while pulling her armour off. "A belly dancer?"

"Um… no not really." The daughter lifted an eyebrow. "What are you planning?"

The warrior shrugged and went to place her armour down on a sofa nearby. "Simple, you're going to do what Gabrielle and I had to do to save Sara."

"And that was become belly dancers?" chided Eve.

The Warrior Princess sat down on the sofa next to her armour and began untying her boots. "We got into Gurkhan's lair by being sold as slaves… it was the only way to get close enough to Gurkhan without being killed. Its what you and Cyane are going to have to do."

Eve nodded and asked, "Once we get Gabrielle, what do we do?"

"That's where it gets a bit fuzzy."

"Well… what'd you and… mom do?"

Xena peered up at hearing her daughter call Gabrielle mom, it made her smile. "Your… mom and I…" She stopped midway as she removed her boots. "…we ended up killing Gurkhan then escaping with Sara… lucky enough."

"Then we can do the same."

"True but…" Xena sat back in the sofa. "you have to keep in mind that they have Gabrielle… Queen of the Amazons. Anybody and I mean anybody would love to get their hands on her. Sara… she was easier since she was just a slave with no other importance to anybody."

"And it's not simple enough to get Gabrielle, kill Gurkhan in his… sleep, then escape?"

"Its not that, Eve." Xena sighed and stated, "I don't think Cyane can handle killing Gurkhan… not like that."

The daughter realized what her mother meant and dropped her head a bit. She kept thinking as her heart sunk a bit and she decided to sit down in a chair across from her mother. "I can kill him," she finally said.

"Eve," warned Xena.

"Mother, you know I can… I'm more than capable of handling it."

"I know that, Eve but you are on the path of God… not the warrior." The warrior sat forward, her arms resting on her legs. "You can't do that."

Eve raised an eyebrow. "I can… and I'm going to have to, mother. There's no other way… I'm not God's messenger… I never can be. I was born to be a warrior," she whispered.

Xena licked her lips; she swallowed down a lump in her throat. "Look Eve, do not kill him unless its your last resort, alright?"

Eve simply nodded.

The warrior nodded back then stood up. "Come on, we need some rest."

The pair gathered themselves and climbed into the large bed, hoping soon enough to sleep.

~*~*~*~

Autolycus stood still at the bottom of the steps in a strict formation.

Iolaus also did the same but sighed a bit, he'd been standing like this for three candlemarks now and nothing was happening like his partner planned on.

"Any minute now," muttered the King of Thieves.

"I've heard that eleven times already," grumbled the smaller thief.

"It should be pretty soon," called Palamon, "they always come in around this time."

"Gods I hope so." Iolaus sighed and leaned against the wall, his right hand resting on his sword.

Suddenly the door jerked open and two soldiers came into the jail. They hurried down the steps, each holding a tray of food for the prisoners.

"We heard you boys got stuck on dungeon duty for some stupid bickering," joked on of the soldiers.

"Yeah, yeah," replied Autolycus. "Shove it up your leathers."

The soldier that made the comment huffed while the other one snickered. Then they marched down the isle way to the cell. One soldier handed the other one his tray and took a ring of keys off his belt. He quickly unlocked the cell and took one tray at a time, placing them on the floor.

Autolycus flickered his eyes to his partner.

Iolaus slightly nodded and gripped his sword a little harder.

The two soldiers begin heading back for the stairs after locking the cell.

Iolaus tensed up and right when the soldier on his side came close enough, he drew his sword and stabbed the man in the stomach.

The other soldier froze briefly but quickly grabbed his sword.

The King of Thieves had reacted faster with his sword drawn and easily rammed his blade into the soldier's chest. He ripped out his blade and stood there as the soldier fell down and landed on top of the other one. "Well… that worked so far."

The smaller thief shook his head and knelt down while sheathing his sword. He unhooked the ring of keys and hurried down to the cell.

The King of Thieves followed behind helping his friend jerk open the cell door.

"Ready to go?" asked Iolaus with a smile.

Eponin smiled back, she started to stand up. "Hades," she growled.

"What's wrong?"

The Amazon gazed up at Autolycus. "I don't have much strength."

"Neither do I," admitted Palamon.

"What you mean?" quickly asked Iolaus, "Why didn't you say anything before?"

Eponin sighed while slowly and carefully getting onto her feet but she fell back against the wall, her breathing laboured. "I don't know… I've been feeling this way since I've gotten here."

"Me too." Palamon ran his fingers through his hair while tightly gripping a bar of the cell.

"Since you've been here?" Iolaus repeated. "Hmmm… I wonder," he thought aloud. He knelt down beside the food the soldiers had brought and lifted some of the food up on the tips of fingers. He carefully smelled it twice then licked it. "Yup… there's something in this stuff to keep you feeling weak. Some kinda of sedative."

"How come we didn't notice from the start?"

Iolaus looked up at Palamon while standing back up. "They probably used smaller quantities then so that you wouldn't notice until you got use to the stuff. It's a great way to keep a prisoner sedate."

"That explains why they give us such nice food," huffed out Eponin.

"Its worth the nicer food if it keeps the prisoners quiet and easier to handle," pointed out Autolycus. "You think you two can walk at all?"

"Yeah we'll be fine." Eponin glanced at Palamon, whom nodded his agreement.

"Let's get out of here then." The King of Thieves reached around his back and pulled out to sets of cuffs. "We'll keep these loose so you can get out of them."

The pair nodded and held their hands out, Autolycus put on one pair and Iolaus put the other pair on Eponin. Afterwards, the group headed up the stairs, the two prisoners in the front and the thieves behind with their swords drawn.

"So what you plan to say if anybody asks what we're doing with the prisoners?" inquired Iolaus.

Autolycus shrugged as he opened the jail door. "I'll think of something at the spur of the moment."

Iolaus sighed at his partner's answer but decided to leave it. He went outside with the prisoners into the cool night, happy there was some kind of darkness to cover them.

After Autolycus locked the jail back up he came behind the prisoners again. The group quietly walked through the centre of the fort making their way to the gates. They noted all the guards at the top along the walls, standing guard not towards them but towards the forest that surround the compound.

"What we gonna do about the two guards at the gate?" murmured Iolaus.

"I don't know yet," muttered the King of Thieves.

And as they neared the gates, those two guards drew their swords and stepped forward.

"Iolaus, whatever happens don't let either of those guards touch that bell."

The small thief nodded, knowing exactly what would happen if the bell was sounded.

"Who goes there?" called a guard. He squinted his eyes a bit but he recognized the two prisoners immediately when the group approached. "What are you doing with the prisoners?" He grabbed his sword without drawing it.

The other guard however unsheathed his sword, tense about the situation.

"Well you see," started Autolycus, "we're taking them to Lord Sinteres."

"Sinteres's office is that way, you idiots." He pointed in the direction with his free hand.

Autolycus looked in that direction and nodded. "So it is… my mistake." He smiled back at the guard. There was one brief second of silence then he shoved Palamon to one side and fisted up his hand. He punched the guard square in the face.

Iolaus did the same, pushing the weapons master to one side and bringing his sword at the guard but his sword clashed against the guard's.

Both Palamon and Eponin had fallen to the ground, out of the way, and too weak to get up quickly.

Autolycus had started sword fighting against his opponent.

Palamon saw that the King of Thieves was having a bit of trouble fighting the guard so he tried giving a hard kick up with his right foot. He smashed his boot right between the guard's legs.

"Oh fuck," moaned the guard, his hands directly going between his legs.

"That was cruel," stated Autolycus jokingly. "But a good idea." He grabbed the guard's shoulders and rammed his knee between the man's legs as well.

The guard squealed and fell on the ground holding himself.

Iolaus's enemy was still fighting and was trying to near the bell alarm. Iolaus quickly stopped him when he brought his sword around and stabbed the guard in the side.

The soldier dropped his sword and fell on his knees.

Iolaus turned to help Eponin up while Autolycus helped Palamon to his feet.

The bell rang.

"Shit!" yelled Iolaus as he swung around with his sword and drove the blade into the guard's chest.

The guard released the bell's rope and finally fell to the ground.

"Come on, let's get out of here," ordered Autolycus.

"Stop them!" yelled a few soldiers across the compound.

Iolaus looked behind Eponin, when she was standing, and saw several groups of soldiers racing after them.

"Get 'em! They have the prisoners!"

"The prisoners are escaping!"

"Time to go," announced Autolycus. He whirled around and kicked the gates open.

Draco came rushing out of his room half dressed in uniform. He quickly realized what was happening and yelled out, "Stop them! and kill those soldiers!" He growled before disappearing into his room again to throw on the rest of his uniform.

By then, Autolycus and Iolaus were out of the gates half dragging Palamon and the Amazon behind them.

"Can we go a little faster?" screamed Iolaus.

"We're trying," growled Eponin, "we're too weak."

The King of Thieves looked behind and saw soldiers coming up from behind with swords out and torches burning. "You two are going to have to try a little more if you want to stay alive." He then felt his ears ringing with the sounds of horse beats. "Oh no," he whispered.

Iolaus glanced back and confirmed his partner's worries; there were ten men on horseback coming after them and one of them was Draco. "We're not going to make it now."

As the runaways made it deeper into the forest, they knew they'd be dead in seconds, as the horse beats became closer and closer.

The King of Thieves looked ahead and suddenly saw metal flashing and small fires in the air moving quickly towards them. "Oh Hades."

The rest of the group realized exactly what was happening as the enemy surrounded them. They gave up, coming to a complete stop in the middle of the dark forest.

Iolaus turned his back to Autolycus, facing the compound. "Been nice workin' with yah, Auto."

"You too," muttered the King of Thieves.

The first person on horseback to come into view was coming from deep in the forest. The rider reappeared out of the darkness on a golden horse and gave out a war cry. The rider came directly at the group of runaways with sword drawn.

Autolycus took a deep breath and closed his eyes, waiting for the sword to rip through his chest. And he waited. He opened one eye slightly and carefully but then both his eyes flew open when the rider came right up to him then the horse leapt over him and Iolaus.

"Wait… I know that horse." The King of Thieves quickly spun around.

Iolaus squinted and said, "I know that rider's hair, sheath, and armour." He laughed to himself.

"The Conqueror," whispered Palamon, and he sighed in relief.

Suddenly ten women dropped from the trees above them with masks on and swords out.

"Attack them!" yelled one of the Amazons.

Nine of those Amazons disappeared into the night, heading to attack Draco's men.

Then there was a surge of fifty horseback soldiers that swept past the runaways heading after Draco and his men.

The one Amazon remaining turned to the group. "Well… good to see you again, Ep." She pulled her mask back and curly red hair fell down.

"Amarice." The weapons master smiled and hugged her friend. "What you doing here?"

"Gabrielle sent us here to make sure everything went alright."

"Thank Artemis she did."

Amarice smiled but looked away when she saw four men on horseback came up to the group.

The leader of the group smiled down at them. "Nice to see you again, sir."

Palamon returned the smile to his soldier. "You too, Joxer."

"Can we offer you four a lift back to camp?" inquired Joxer, the second in command.

"Would love one," confessed Eponin. She took Joxer's hand and felt herself hefted up into the saddle behind him.

"See you at the camp, Ep," called Amarice. She smiled before pulling her mask down; she left for the battle ahead.

The others gathered themselves onto a horse and were ridden back to the Conqueror's camp.

~*~*~*~

"So what did you have planned at that point, Autolycus?" The Conqueror folded her arms over her chest and revealed an amused smile.

"I really don't know, Conqueror." He laughed to himself. "I just planned on you appearing out of the darkness to save the day."

The ruler huffed. "I could tell." She dropped her arms to her side again, walking to the entrance of her tent, she said, "Get some rest tonight, Autolycus. Tomorrow we'll discuss the… bill."

"That'd be great, my liege."

"Uh huh." Xena held up the flap for the smaller man as he passed through. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my liege."

The Conqueror waited a brief moment before deciding to see how the Amazon and her guard captain were doing now. She quietly left and went to Eponin's tent first.

Amarice glanced over when she saw the tall ruler step inside of the tent; she immediately stood up.

Eponin sat up more in her bed, her full attention on the ruler.

"How you feel?" The Conqueror's voice broke the silence first.

"Still weak."

"I can imagine." The Conqueror took a step closer to the foot of the bed. "Sinteres likes to use a lot of sedatives with his prisoners… easier to deal with them."

"I've come to notice it," the weapons master joked lightly.

"By tomorrow you should be a lot better," promised the ruler.

Eponin nodded and then asked, "Have you heard anything from Gabrielle?"

"No but tomorrow I'm expected at the Amazon village. I heard reports that the other queen has arrived at the village."

Eponin nodded a couple of times. "Anything on Queen Gabrielle?"

"Nothing yet," confessed the ruler. "I hope to expect a report in a few days of their progress. They should have arrived in Egypt by now."

The weapons master pressed her lips together, her stomach twisting a little.

"Get some rest tonight. There's a guard tonight at your tent in case you need anything." The Conqueror turned to leave

Eponin hesitated for a second but spoke out. "Thank… you, Conqueror."

The ruler glanced back and gave a nod; a faint smile creased her lips slowly before she disappeared out of the tent. She stood near the entrance of the tent.

Amarice let out the breath she'd been holding the entire time. "That woman always scares the feathers off me."

"Amarice… get over her," joked the weapon's master.

The Conqueror grinned to herself at hearing the Amazon's comments. With a chuckle, she walked off. She directly went to Palamon's tent to check on him.

"Conqueror," greeted the guard captain, he tried getting out of the bed.

"Stay there, Palamon." The Conqueror came over to the bedside. "How you feeling?"

"Better… some of that poison has worked out of me."

"Good to hear." Xena placed her left hand up on the bed railing. "I'm going to need you when this fight comes against Sinteres."

"What are the plans so far, my liege?"

"The Amazons will be here soon, I plan to surround Sinteres's compound and cut off any supply routes."

"Starve them some huh?"

"Exactly," replied the ruler, "then once we know Queen Gabrielle is alive and safe, we'll attack Sinteres. Finished this stupid game."

Palamon sat up a little in the bed. "What is going on with Queen Gabrielle?"

"Fortunately, Xena and Gabrielle are here to help."

The guard captain grinned. "Ah and they're off getting Queen Gabrielle…?"

"Not quite, Xena, her daughter and two Amazons left the other day to get Queen Gabrielle."

"And Gabrielle is with the Amazons?"

The Conqueror nodded.

Palamon lowered his eyes while he thought about everything that was happening. "Sounds like everything is falling out well."

"So far," stated the ruler. "Let's not get cocky just yet."

"Mmmm," agreed Palamon.

Xena moved away from the bed, retreating to the tent's entrance. "Get some rest, Palamon."

"You too, my liege."

The ruler took one step out but stopped and turned back. "By the way, I've decided to make you my general now, Palamon."

The guard captain blinked.

The Conqueror laughed quietly as she left the tent.

"Thank you, my liege," he squeaked out.

Xena took a deep breath until she couldn't fill her chest anymore with air. She quietly went through the dark camp back to her tent. She noticed a few of her men relaxing around a campfire and decided to… encourage them. She came up quietly behind them. "I suggest you, ladies do something a little more productive than keeping your asses warm by the fire," she growled as she emerged before her men.

The four soldiers scrambled onto their feet after they'd stopped laughing from a joke from earlier.

"Sorry, my liege," called one soldier.

They quickly hurried off to take a post around the camp.

The Conqueror looked towards where they ran off. "And one of you dowse this fire!" she yelled hotly. She unclenched her teeth and continued her journey to her tent. Once inside, she unattached her sword and chakram, placing them beside her bed. Lying down, she stared up at the tent, her mind wondering about what laid ahead of her.

Her entire world was changing and she had little control over much of it. She'd always had control over her own destiny, her path but at the same time she had to wonder if she really had a choice in the matter of her fate.

As of right now, she was too concerned about the war ahead. She knew it'd be easy to win this battle against Sinteres, she had little worries of defeat. The only defeat she did have fear over was Queen Gabrielle's death. She wasn't there in Egypt so she had no control of what happens to the Queen. She couldn't stand not knowing what was going on within Gurkhan's palace. The only thing that kept her from going insane was knowing Xena, her counterpart, was there to supervise the entire mission.

Yet, she still felt this dread in her that made her shiver each time she thought of Queen Gabrielle being lost in the middle of all of this. And the fact that she felt this dread towards Queen Gabrielle's death made her fearful for her very destiny. She'd never been conquered in her life and promised herself never to be conquered by anybody… or anything.



~*Continue to Section 4*~