"You don't have a choice, Queen Gabrielle," the heavy man growled. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her to him.
"Stop him!" Ephiny barked. She and the eight other Amazons drew swords and surged forward.
"Get them!" the same man bellowed at his soldiers. He focused on the struggling Amazon Queen. He grabbed the dagger at his side just as his men ran past him. "I need shackles! Such a feisty slave now," he joked to the Amazon Queen.
"I will not go with you," Gabrielle hissed. She slugged him, which did little to help the situation.
"You're a slave, girl... these feathers mean nothing under the laws of Thrace," he sharply reminded. He was suddenly handed shackles from one of his soldiers. "Restrain her."
"No," Gabrielle begged but her arms were yanked behind her back. Next the cool iron locked around her wrists. "No!" She already felt the iron bite into her wrists like it'd never left her. "Please no, Hecht." Her tears appeared down her cheeks.
Hecht, the slaver, merely smiled ruthlessly at his former slave. "Your head will fetch me a fine price, Queen Gabrielle." He was overjoyed after he learned his former slave had become an Amazon Queen. "Take her to the wagon," he ordered.
Gabrielle was forced by the soldier behind her. She still struggled but yelled, "Xenaaaa!"
"Gabrielle, wake up... come on," Xena's voices urged.
The Amazon Queen sharply came out of the nightmare and struggled to get the blankets off her hot body. "Xena?" she demanded. She reached for her friend.
"I'm right here," the Conqueror promised. She helped shove aside the blankets then she pushed Gabrielle back down. Then she followed an old habit that she knew her friend always needed after a nightmare. She positioned her long, larger body over top of Gabrielle. Her body lightly pressed into Gabrielle's smaller frame, and Xena cocooned the bard.
Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Xena and buried her face into Xena's neck. The terror she felt at being taken back into slavery consumed her, and she started to cry.
"You're okay," Xena softly promised, "You're safe."
The bard shifted her hand to Xena's neck. She tried to settle down.
"I'm here, Gabrielle." Xena kissed her friend's temple.
Gabrielle swallowed her emotions down and took a few deep breaths. She started to gain control again and after a moment, she lowered her head back into the pillow. She found worried blue eyes studying her. "Thank you," she sincerely whispered.
Xena slightly shook her head in dispute for a thank you.
Gabrielle closed her eyes for a beat and pushed her head back into the pillow. She seemed to have control of the last bit of her emotions. "I hate those dreams," she muttered and focused back on Xena.
The ruler merely arched an eyebrow.
The bard had her left arm around Xena's back while she freed her right hand and clung to Xena's bicep. "I have dreams about going back into slavery... that Hecht finds me. Or somebody figures out I'm a branded slave, and I'm arrested and taken back to Hecht." She sighed deeply. "I haven't had one in quite awhile."
"You think something triggered it?"
Gabrielle developed thin lips as she considered it then it occurred to her. "I think when those men tied me up the other night." She lowered her eye contact some and stared at Xena's shoulder. "I just froze too... I should have been able to stop them or at least slow them down."
"It happens to all of us," Xena reminded.
The bard huffed and looked back at Xena. "Except for you."
"No," the Conqueror debated, "I was caught off guard that night. They shouldn't have gotten the jump on me like they did."
Gabrielle realized that maybe it was true because Xena had no problem dealing with them near the cave after she'd already been badly beaten. "Xena, I can't freeze up like that though... it's a heavy cost."
"Then perhaps we'll have to retrain your mind on how to react to being tied or shackled."
The bard furrowed her eyebrows and curiously studied her friend. "How...?"
"There's some methods," Xena simply stated. "I can come up with some things." She tilted her head. "You just have to be ready to do it."
Gabrielle wasn't completely sure.
Xena lowered her head down and whispered, "Think about it for awhile and decide." She kissed the bard's forehead then moved finally. She got onto her back and slightly cringed at the shot of pain in her side. She held back her groan but the pain dissipated.
Gabrielle though quickly rolled over and jarred Xena's side unexpectedly.
The Conqueror suddenly hissed at the sharp pain that exploded and jolted her body. "Gabrielle," she hotly urged.
The Amazon Queen pushed away hastily and sat up. She stared down at her friend in worry and confusion. "Xena, what's wrong?"
Xena sensed the pain fade back, and she released her held breath. "Just... be slower."
Gabrielle slotted her eyes and without warning she pressed her palm into Xena's side.
The Conqueror growled against the pain and grabbed the bard's wrist. She pulled the bard's hand away.
"Nooo," Gabrielle whispered in astonishment. "You're hurt."
"It's nothing," the ruler stated.
"Don't give me that." Gabrielle jerked her hand free. She realized what may have happened. "It's from the attack the other night, isn't it?" She shook her head. "No wonder you're riding your horse as stiff as a board." She reached for the ruler again despite she knew Xena would stop her.
Indeed the ruler grabbed Gabrielle's hand and gently held it. "It's fine... it's healing."
"Is it a cracked rib?" the bard insisted.
Xena sighed and could tell she couldn't get out of this one, especially since she never told Gabrielle. "I think they are."
"They?" the bard argued. "How many ribs?"
"Two... maybe three." Xena added a shrug.
"How many?" Gabrielle growled.
The Conqueror actually cringed at the bard's temper flaring up. She rarely saw Gabrielle mad but when it happened the aftermath could be ugly. "Three," she quietly answered.
"Three," Gabrielle repeated in a dangerous tone. "So exactly at what point were you planning to tell me?" She had a dark light to her eyes. "Perhaps never?"
"Gabrielle, it's not a big deal."
"Oh right," the bard snapped, "because my sprained ankle is a big deal compared to three cracked ribs."
"I don't need my hoplites to find out," the ruler rationalized.
Gabrielle became dumbfounded but sharply reminded, "I am not a hoplite. I'm your best friend." She was beyond herself and suddenly tossed the blankets off. She got out of bed and went to the saddlebags while loudly stating, "Of all the stubborn, pigheaded tricks to pull."
Xena grinned at the bard's ranting and almost chuckled. She then spotted the bard coming for her so she hastily became serious.
"Get your shift off," Gabrielle hotly ordered. She set down a few items on the nightstand nearby. "Have you done anything for it?"
"Not really," Xena confessed. She was upright and taking the shift off carefully.
"Amazing," the queen muttered in annoyance. She then caught her breath once Xena had the shift off and set aside.
The Conqueror wore nothing now and charmingly waited for her next command.
Gabrielle came out of it. "Roll onto your good side."
"Well," Xena started, "that depends on how you define good side."
"Xena," the bard warned. She then laughed but with anger.
"Did you think they just decided to only kick me on my right side and not my left?"
Gabrielle growled and snapped, "Rollover before I hurt you."
The Conqueror smirked but she rolled to her left and now faced Gabrielle. She became quiet.
The Amazon Queen gingerly rubbed the salix alba balm into Xena's skin in hopes it'd sooth the pain for tonight. She then did the same for Xena's other side. Finally, she had Xena sit up, and she wrapped up Xena's ribs to keep them from being jostled and added firm support.
Xena put on her black shift after Gabrielle went back to the saddlebags. She adjusted it some and noticed that the pain had subsided already.
The bard came back over to Xena's side of the bed. "Scoot over. I'll sleep on this side."
The Conqueror had a soft smile, but she made room and took Gabrielle's half now. She settled back down and found the bard snuggled up to her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Gabrielle rested her head on the ruler's shoulder. "I worry about you as much as you worry about me."
"I know," Xena murmured. "Get some more rest... dawn isn't far."
"You too." Gabrielle rubbed her palm over Xena's chest. She settled down and easily found a more pleasant dreamscape than earlier.
The Conqueror relaxed and soon followed Gabrielle's example. She would wake up to a less painful morning than the past couple of days.
A few candlemarks after dawn, the Macedonian Amazons started to rise. Ephiny had to get her hut mate to wake up because Solari always kept bizarre candlemarks at night. Eventually, Ephiny and Solari were ready and decided to get breakfast first thing. They attached their swords to their backs then quietly left the hut together.
Solari let out a low yawn then combed her hair back. She inhaled the crisp morning air. "You think we'll be busy today?"
"I'm not sure what Gabrielle has in mind," Ephiny confessed. She came past a hut and spotted Gabrielle coming out of her hut. She was about to hollrt good morning, but Gabrielle was shaking her fist at the open door then proceeded to yell.
"You're the most pigheaded woman on this earth!" Gabrielle hotly cried.
Ephiny came to a quick stop and glanced at Solari then back at the queen, who was yelling at the Conqueror.
Solari's jaw loosened but couldn't help but listen in on Gabrielle.
"Oh right... sure!" Gabrielle gave a harsh laugh then fired back, "At least I didn't get the crap kicked out of me the other night."
The Conqueror appeared out of the hut, and she wore her usual ruler attire. Her cape fluttered behind her as she stood toe-to-toe with the Amazon Queen. She easily towered over the petite bard. "I saved your life," she snarled.
"No, if I recall right," Gabrielle hotly debated, "it was Seven."
Xena laughed then quickly growled, "Then I think you're better off with her than me."
"Was that an offer," Gabrielle snapped.
"See if I care when you figure out you want me again." The Conqueror had enough and went back into the hut. She slammed the door.
"Sore loser!" The queen shouted at the door. She shook her head then turned around to find Ephiny and Solari staring at her. She sighed and approached them.
"Uh... good morning," Solari hesitantly offered.
Gabrielle looked from Solari to Ephiny and noted Ephiny's wide-eye stare. "What?"
Ephiny cleared her throat and held up her hands. "Nothing." She dropped her hands and asked, "Breakfast?"
"I'd love some," the queen agreed. "Getting into fights with that... that ogre makes me hungry." She started the walk to the dining hut.
Solari and Ephiny hastened to join the queen, but they exchanged looks real quick. Solari though decided to be the bold one.
"Is everything alright?"
Gabrielle glanced at Solari then sighed heavily. "The Conqueror is just being a regular... well..." She grumbled and honestly stated, "She can be a real ass."
Ephiny brushed back some of her curly locks at hearing this news. "What happened?"
The queen shifted her grip on her staff. "She's competitive all the time... we get into dumb fights about who's better at what. I brought up the attack from the other night, and she said the reason I was kidnapped was because I froze. And if I hadn't frozen then I'd never been kidnapped, and she wouldn't have had to save me." She sputtered then asked, "Can you believe her nerve?"
Ephiny was stunned.
Solari blinked a few times and was beside herself.
"She's arrogant," Gabrielle declared. "She has her head up on Mount Olympus." She became less worked up and more sadden. "She wasn't this bad when we were kids. But now it's like... it's because she rules Greece and has all these skills... drachmas... power. She just thinks she's a goddess."
Ephiny snorted and dropped her hand finally. "Right," she chided.
Solari edged closer to the queen. "She didn't seem like that earlier."
"I thought the same thing too," the bard agreed. "It's just been lately. She's rearing her ugly head, I guess." She frowned and looked at either Amazon on her side. "I don't know what to do about it."
The three Amazons continued to chat about the arrogant ruler and Gabrielle's dilemma as they went into the dining hut. Ephiny still couldn't believe her ears. However Solari was in the thick of it with the queen and tried to offer help as much as pump Gabrielle's for more juicy news. Queen Gabrielle had no problem talking to her friends about the recent ongoings that she hadn't told anybody.
After breakfast, Gabrielle excused herself and took her empty plate. She left the two Amazons alone while she rid of her dishes. Just as she came to the double doorway, she stopped short at seeing the dark ruler come through the door. She held her breath and peered up at Xena, but she lowered her head and tried to silently walk past her.
The Conqueror wasn't sympathetic and swiftly grabbed the bard's arm. She stopped the queen in her tracks and quietly asked, "You going to setup a meeting with Cyane?"
Gabrielle slowly lifted her head and met Xena's gaze. "Yes, I'm headed to her office."
"Good." Xena gazed over her friend's head and studied the two watching Amazons. "How'd it go?"
"Like a fly to shit," Gabrielle joked. She had a silly grin.
The ruler looked back at Gabrielle and contained her own grin. She double squeezed the bard's arm, affectionately. She then winked and promised, "See you later."
"See ya," the bard murmured. But she blatantly jerked her arm free then brushed past the ruler.
Xena slightly twisted around and coldly stared at the bard's back. She shook her head then went to the food line.
"I can't believe it." Ephiny leaned against the table and turned her head to Solari. "Gabrielle is crazy about Xena."
"That doesn't mean Xena is crazy about Gabrielle," Solari reminded. "Besides, it makes sense... there were hints too."
"Like what?" Ephiny debated.
Solari shrugged then argued, "Gabrielle was worried something like this would happen anyway. That Xena would be so different... changed."
Ephiny huffed and still tried to think about it more. She couldn't believe it.
Gabrielle continued her way to the administration hut and was pleased to find the guard there already.
"Good morning, Queen Gabrielle."
"Good morning." The bard then quietly asked, "Is Queen Cyane here?"
"Yes." The guard quickly opened the right door and stepped into the hut. "You want to go to the last door on the left." She pointed down the long hallway.
"Thank you." Gabrielle offered a smile then headed down the hallway. She heard the guard close the main door. She came to the last door, which was closed so she rapped on it.
"Come in," the Thrace Queen called to her unexpected visitor. She smiled warmly at seeing the young queen enter her office. "Good morning, Queen Gabrielle. How are you today?"
"Well rested," Gabrielle replied. "How are you?" She took a beat to lean her staff against the wall near the door.
"I'm good, thank you." Cyane signaled the closest chair in silent offer. "I visited with Yakut a bit last night. She spoke very highly about you and your Nation... I was pleased."
"She'll be missed in my Nation," Gabrielle confessed. "Maired, our priestess, commended to me how quickly Yakut learned and was always interested." She took a seat.
"Yakut seems to think she will have to return again to learn more." Cyane leaned back into her chair. "There seems to be a lot to the priesthood."
"There is," the bard softly spoke, "I believe there is much depth to the priesthood that most Amazons are not aware of."
Cyane found this interesting since she had little dealings with the priesthood. "Do you mean secrecy?"
"Possibly," the bard replied. "I'm not completely sure myself. But I have learned that the priestess dedicates her life not just to Artemis but to making sure her Nation survives." She lowered her eyes and murmured, "It must take a toll."
Cyane grinned and argued, "That reminds me of my caste as queen."
Gabrielle chuckled and focused back on Cyane. "Indeed."
"So how does Melosa fair now that you're in charge?" Cyane quickly noticed how Gabrielle became uneasy. She grew concerned.
"Melosa..." Gabrielle clenched her jaw then loosened. She made herself say it. "Melosa was killed."
Cyane was shocked and remained silent for a beat. She was the same age as Melosa or close to it and even rose to the queen's mask at about the same time. "During the battle?" she whispered.
"She jumped between me and the warlord, Draco, to stop him. He had a dagger."
"Gods..." Cyane slumped back in her chair. She'd heard nothing about Melosa's death, but she now realized that whatever Melosa saw in Gabrielle that it was worth dying for. She then murmured, "I suppose Melosa finally did avenge her sister's death then."
Gabrielle became confused and drew in her eyebrows at her twisted features.
Cyane merely explained, "You tried to save Terreis's life... Melosa saved you."
The bard now understood what Cyane had said earlier, and she bowed her head slightly. Perhaps it was true and maybe Melosa had some peace in the afterlife. "That's how Terreis would have wanted it."
"Melosa and I sent letters back and forth occasionally," Cyane explained. "She often mentioned you... the princess, and she knew you would be a great queen one day." She watched Gabrielle's eyes lift to her in curiosity. "But Melosa told me she would never hand you the queen's mask... that you would have to prove yourself to her and take it. She believed that if you did such then you were truly ready to be queen."
Gabrielle swallowed and tried to settle down. It became harder for her each time she heard more about Melosa. It was as if there was a completely different side of Melosa that Gabrielle never experienced or witnessed. Now Gabrielle heard this softer face to Melosa and made it all that much harder to lose Melosa.
"You should be proud to be her predecessor... she taught you well." Cyane had a tender smile for the young queen. "I envy you for having a predecessor that educated you and believed in you... wanted you to be queen someday. There are queens who work against their princess or rivals."
"I have heard," the bard murmured. She gritted her teeth just to help control her emotions. She then whispered, "Everyday as the queen I am thankful to Melosa for teaching me. She was a hard... cold teacher, but for that she made me stronger."
"And to be a queen, you must be strong... you carry your Nation on your shoulders. Even after you retire your mask, you will continue to do so." Cyane straightened up and leaned against her desk. "Once you are a queen... you will always remain as one."
Gabrielle nodded a few times. "I'm starting to see that." She then sadly smiled. "Thank you, Queen Cyane."
The Thrace Queen smiled back but slowly it turned into a grin. "You needn't call me queen, Gabrielle."
The bard chuckled and produced a deeper smile. "Very well." She straightened up a bit. "I wanted to find out if I could setup some meetings with you... perhaps with your council too. "
Cyane suspected as much, and she'd been considering her pending options with the Conqueror. To her, the relations with the Macedonian Nation were easy. But for her Nation to ally with the Conqueror was going to be hard.
"The Conqueror wants to work out relations as well."
Cyane crossed her arms on the edge of her desk. She leaned against it. "Has she told you about our history with her?"
"Yes," Gabrielle replied, "she's told me everything." She could taste Cyane's apprehension from here. She then pointed out, "I don't believe you would have invited and welcomed her here if you didn't mean something by it."
Cyane sadly smiled at the young queen's observation. "You have a point there." She became serious again. "Indeed I do welcome her here... but it is harder for my Nation. She threatened to take my mask, kill me, and finally exterminate my Nation. Or perhaps she hoped to weed out those that would follow her into battle... I suspect having Amazons in your ranks would serve well."
Gabrielle lowered her eyes but peered back up. "Those were her intentions back many seasons ago, Cyane. She's come a long way since then... I would imagine so has your Nation."
Cyane tilted her head and asked, "Have you ever ate something that didn't taste good, to you?" She lifted her chin slightly then asked, "Have you ever dared to eat it again?"
Gabrielle didn't like the context of Cyane's statement. She then recalled the tu last night that didn't taste great at first but grew on her after a few more sips. But she quickly figured out something better that Cyane could relate. "Actually yes... wine, perhaps." The bard easily spun her words. "I couldn't stand the taste of wine when I was young, but I've grown to enjoy it and find the different flavors between here and Sparta." She noted Cyane's slowly developing grin. "The Conqueror can remind me of wine... she grows finer as she ages."
The Thrace Queen now chuckled and leaned back into her chair. "Very good argument, Gabrielle." She rested her arms on the chair's arms. "They say you graduated top in your class at the Athens Academy. I can see they're just more than rumors." She then became more serious. "There were also rumors that you were entranced by the Conqueror. I can also see that's not the case."
Gabrielle sighed and explained, "The Conqueror and I grew up together... our villages were about a day's ride apart."
Cyane didn't know this about them, but it now made sense. "How long have you known each other?"
The bard sighed and did the calculations in her head. "I met her when I was almost ten summers old... but we didn't really become friends until after I was ten or so." She decided to explain more about her history with Xena in hopes it'd help Cyane. "Xena is about five more than me... she probably didn't think at first she should be seen with a nine year old."
Cyane couldn't help but chuckle at the thought.
Gabrielle had a grin then she slowly lost it. "We bumped into each other a lot in Potidaea's agora because her mother would come there for breads and mainly lamb for her taverna. But Xena would just ignore me mostly."
"So why did she stop ignoring you?" Cyane probed.
"I'm not exactly sure," Gabrielle confessed, "but I think it started when she was trying to buy this wooden lamb from a merchant. I was in the same shop and overheard her bartering with him." She hesitated and noticed Cyane's soft features. "Xena isn't very good at bartering, and the merchant was taking her drachmas so I butted in and talked him down."
The Thrace Queen softly laughed and deduced, "And that was the start."
"A small one... but yes." Gabrielle didn't get into the finer details about how her friendship developed with Xena. Nor would she confess that she eventually schemed and plotted her time to be in the agora on the same day at the same time as Cyrene and Xena. She was fascinated by Xena as a child and today she admitted she still was fascinated.
Cyane studied the young queen and something was obviously on Cyane's mind. She put together her thoughts and finally spoke. "I met Xena at a very dark stage of her life, Gabrielle."
"I know," the bard whispered. "And she's very different from that person. You can't imagine who she really is, Cyane with that thick layer of armor she puts on for show." She sighed and explained, "There were very... dark, angry events that happened to her and steered her in the wrong direction. She knows what darkness she's capable of, and she knows what good she can do."
"It must be a constant struggle for her," Cyane murmured. She then narrowed her eyes some but deduced, "But I suspect having you in her life has made it easier."
"Possibly," the bard murmured.
Cyane straightened up again. "I saw that goodness in Xena when she came to my Nation. I was hesitant to let her join the Nation because I suspected she could be a warlord. But I let her join anyway."
"Why?" Gabrielle was surprised by the truth.
"Because I had hoped I could change her... show her another way or give her new purpose to her life." Cyane shook her head and became dim. "I just didn't see Alti's plans, and I should have seen it. In some regards, I blame myself for letting Alti near Xena because it was like throwing wine on the fire. I had a lot of hopes for Xena."
Gabrielle sadly smiled and argued, "She turned out pretty well afterall."
"Indeed." Cyane smiled back, but lost her smile. "I am willing to join the Conqueror."
"You're joining Greece," Gabrielle cut in. "Xena may be the ruler, but she doesn't run the polis like a kingdom."
The Thrace Queen slowly nodded then corrected, "I am willing to join Greece. My Nation will take time... the Nation is represented by the council, and they may not like it." She gave a hefty sigh but promised, "If we cannot talk them into it then I will still sign the allegiance."
Gabrielle was surprised that Cyane could do that anyway. Gabrielle never had the authority to gave over her council's head, but it sounded as if Cyane held more power than the council. She gathered herself and replied, "Xena will be relieved."
Cyane now opened the right drawer at her desk. "You will not speak to Xena about our conversation, Gabrielle. I wish for her to work for it." She was looking for something in the depths of her long drawer. "Also, I'm not fully convinced this is a good thing." She found the item she'd tucked away a long time ago. She shut the drawer and focused on the bard. "Xena owes me and my Nation a lot... she betrayed our trust, killed an Amazon, plotted against us, and escaped."
Gabrielle released a heavy breath.
Cyane came around her desk now and sat on the edge. In her hands was a dull metallic object that hadn't seen the light in some time. She turned the object over in her hands then focused on the bard. "I had to prove that Xena was a warlord... not just to my Nation but to myself. Yakut at that time was learning her two-spirit and had a vision of Xena being a warlord and saving a girl in her army's camp."
Gabrielle hadn't really heard this side of the story. So she carefully listened.
"It seemed this girl, Dasha, was raped by one of Xena's men at the time. Xena found out, killed the warrior, and took Dasha back to her village." Cyane sighed heavily and lowered her eyes to the dull object in her hand. "I had Yakut describe to one of my Amazons the girl's face she saw in the vision. I then sent a few Amazons off to find the girl with the sketch."
"Dasha confirmed that Xena was a warlord then," Gabrielle concluded.
"Yes, and I went to arrest Xena." Cyane raised her head. "We fought... Xena killed a young Amazon named Jacinth." She still remembered the Amazon's face to this day. Cyane licked her lips then swallowed. "I had defeated Xena... barely. She was taken to a jail hut and was to stand for trial. But that didn't happen because somehow she escaped."
Gabrielle remained silent and didn't offered the information she knew about Yakut freeing Xena. She wondered if Cyane had any idea or if Cyane preferred not to know.
"The next morning, Alti was missing. I had a search party sent out for her... I thought perhaps she joined Xena and her army." Cyane shook her head and quietly revealed, "I was shocked to see Alti dead."
Gabrielle bowed her head and released a shaky breath.
"As much as I hate saying this... I was thankful to see Alti's lifeless body hanging from the tree." Cyane shook her head and concluded, "I suspect Xena was the only one who could manage such a feat. And I gather she figured out the cost she would pay if she joined Alti."
"And you haven't seen Xena until now?" Gabrielle checked, and she saw Cyane's nod.
Cyane held her gaze with Gabrielle. "There is something you must understand first, Gabrielle before we work any relations with Greece... with Xena." She felt the need to explain this to Gabrielle, and it was something she never told anybody else. "Xena was to be put on trial for treason and murder. She never was... she escaped."
Gabrielle became worried and asked, "Then why haven't you arrested her now?" She knew that would be the next step.
"Because of this." Cyane lifted the bronze feather in her hand. "I removed this from Xena just before she was jailed."
Gabrielle stared in amazement at the feather, and it hit her hard. "That's Xena's feather... her caste as Amazon."
"Yes." Cyane twisted the feather's shaft between her fingers and made it spin. "I could not try her after she escaped so I did what I could under the circumstances." She lowered the feather some. "She did a service to the Nation by killing Alti. But I still had to give her some form of punishment."
"Obviously it's not something that requires punishing her now," Gabrielle pointed out.
"No." Cyane looked from the feather to Gabrielle. "I banished her... I banished her caste from my Nation." She now lowered the bronze feather to the other queen. "She may never rejoin my Nation."
Gabrielle raised her hand up but stopped short from taking the feather.
"But that's not to say she can't join another." Queen Cyane now relinquished Xena's right of caste to Queen Gabrielle. "Perhaps someday she'll wish to wear her feather again and complete her caste."
Gabrielle gingerly took the dulled feather and studied it. She was stunned at the unexpected circumstances. She looked up from the feather to the other queen. "Thank you, Cyane."
Cyane wistfully smiled at the young queen, and she offered, "I hope you can do what I could not."
"That's really up to her," Gabrielle argued. She held tightly to the metal feather in her hand. "But I will see what I can do."
"When the time is right." Cyane now stood up and went around her desk. "We can meet this afternoon after sun high. I have some work to finish up and a council meeting to attend."
"I understand," Gabrielle replied.
"You and Xena can meet me in the dining hut for lunch... that would be good."
"We'll do that," Gabrielle promised. She got up from her chair.
"See you then, Gabrielle."
The younger queen nodded then went to the door. She plucked her staff off the wall with her freehand and quietly left. She closed the door behind her then took a beat to study the dull feather in her hand. She rubbed her warm, moist thumb across the metal feather. She watched as the thin layer of green tarnish disappeared and the soft bronze shined again.
Gabrielle sadly smiled and clutched the feather tightly. She quietly strolled down the hallway and left the administration hut. She wanted tuck the feather away first then she'd find Xena. She made it back to her guest hut in no time. She went right to her saddlebags after propping her staff near the door. She hunted around in her bags for somewhere to hide the feather. She didn't want Xena happening upon it.
The queen pulled out her scroll that had her first Warrior Princess story. She untied her scroll and unrolled it some on the table. She then placed the feather down and rolled it up in the scroll. She tied up the scroll and returned it back to her bags just before Xena came through the door.
Gabrielle glanced at her friend as she closed the flap over her bags. "Hi."
"Hey," Xena softly greeted back. She came over to the bard. "Did you catch up with Cyane?"
The Amazon Queen turned to the ruler. "I did... she wants to meet with us for lunch and into the afternoon."
"Good." Xena sensed something amiss with her friend.
"Did you check in on your hoplites?" the bard inquired.
"I did." Xena slightly narrowed her eyes and asked, "Everything okay?"
"Yes." Gabrielle edged closer to the Conqueror. "Everything is fine... I just had a long talk with Cyane."
"Was it good?"
The bard instinctively placed the flat of her hand against Xena's leather stomach. "It was good." She smiled up at her friend. "I think she wants to give all this a chance. I mean she's cautious, but I think she's willing."
"If she joins Greece then this will send a message to the rest of Thrace," Xena whispered.
"You think it'll help promote your image with the Dalian League?"
"I'm hoping so." The Conqueror noted Gabrielle's hand going to her side.
"How your ribs feel today?"
"Better." Xena took a deep breath then added, "The breathing is easier." She noticed how Gabrielle didn't remove her hand, which didn't bother Xena in the least. She always understood that Gabrielle talked with her hands and spoke with her touches. As kids, that had initially bothered Xena because she wasn't use to such a physical friendship, but she soon realized how much she enjoyed it and grew to crave it. Because Xena knew if Gabrielle wasn't touching her then they were failing to fully communicate and most likely Gabrielle was upset with her.
"I was thinking tonight I'd spend some time with Ephiny and Solari." Gabrielle evilly grinned and innocently added, "Get Solari to cut my hair... it is getting a bit long."
"Extremely long," the ruler taunted. She knew it was Gabrielle's cover just to stir the pot some more. "I taught you well, didn't I?"
The bard blinked a few times and innocently stated, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
The Conqueror evilly chuckled and whispered, "That's my Bri."
Gabrielle softened at the endearment, and she wanted to move in closer to Xena. But she refused her desire and instead separated. She entered the washroom as a diversion and went to the wash basin. "I was debating whether to do some sparring with my Amazons. I don't need them getting soft on me."
Xena went over to the bed's foot. She sat on the corner but faced the washroom. "I need to do the same with my hoplites." She then rubbed at the back of her neck as she felt a strain. "I could do with a work out myself."
Gabrielle was done drying her face and came back out. "I can't imagine them giving you much of a work out."
The Conqueror shook her head at Gabrielle. She had a sexy smile and a sharp hue to her eyes.
Gabrielle felt her mouth was full of cotton suddenly because of Xena's look. She went to her saddlebags and distracted herself by shuffling around her things. "I was thinking maybe tomorrow we could go for a ride. Maybe take lunch with us... you know, if it's a nice day." She mentally groaned because she knew she was fumbling. She then suddenly jumped at hearing Xena's voice right behind her. She hastily spun around and gasped because she never heard Xena come up behind her. "Xena," she hissed. "You trying to scare me to death?" She covered her pound chest and took a deep breath.
"Gabrielle," Xena drew out, "what's wrong?" She had sly smile because she already knew what it was bothering her friend.
Gabrielle became annoyed and defensive. "Nothing is wrong."
"You're rambling," Xena pointed out, "that means you're covering what's really on your mind."
"I am not," the queen snapped.
"What's really on your mind?" the ruler urged.
"Xena," Gabrielle fairly warned.
"Gabrielle," the ruler huskily reminded, "I know you."
The bard slotted her eyes and challenged, "If you know me so well then tell me what's really on my mind." She instantly realized her mistake about challenging her best friend.
"Alright," Xena accepted. She didn't bother to verbally explain it, but she merely demonstrated it. She lowered her head and softly pressed her lips against Gabrielle's. She heard Gabrielle's soft whimper as she drew away.
"Xena." Gabrielle groaned and whispered, "You just can't do that."
The Conqueror had only partially withdrew but murmured, "I know." She leaned in again and this time sealed their lips together. She felt her tongue brush across Gabrielle's, and she couldn't slow the passion she felt for Gabrielle. Xena's increased fever in the kiss was matched by Gabrielle, and Xena let out a low moan.
Gabrielle broke the kiss first because she could barely breathe now. She clung to Xena and lowered her head against Xena's chest. She had to get a grip on her passions because she knew Xena wasn't truly ready.
Xena was breathing heavy herself. She slipped her arms around her friend and held her. She rested her chin lightly on Gabrielle's head and closed her eyes. It gave her a moment to gain control again.
"You know," Gabrielle spoke up after a beat, "you're a damn good kisser." She didn't elaborate on how if Xena was this great with her tongue in a kiss then she couldn't image later during sex. She tried to not let herself think about it either.
"Well," Xena considered aloud, "I think I've been well taught on what not to do."
Gabrielle laughed and lifted her head. "You know, I don't think I've ever kissed a guy."
"You kissed Ly," the ruler swiftly recalled.
"Oh please." Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "How long ago was that? And it wasn't even a kiss... I just pecked him on the lips real quick."
"It was lip to lip contact," Xena debated.
Gabrielle instantly smacked her friend's hard stomach and realized it felt like smacking a stone wall. "You're still jealous after all this time."
"I am not."
The queen leaned back and suspiciously peered up into Xena's eyes. "Sure."
"I'm not jealous of the fact you kissed him first instead of me." Xena raised an eyebrow and stated, "I knew it was only a matter of time before you were falling all over me."
"I was already falling all over you," Gabrielle informed. She moved out of Xena's hold and went to the door. She grabbed her staff and turned back to Xena. "I just figured if Ly liked me that it would be a way to... keep you in my life."
"Ooooh," Xena started up, "I see. So you were using my brother then... and to get to me."
"Please," Gabrielle brushed off. She placed her left hand on her hip. "I thought I could settle for the male version of you. It wasn't as if you and I could get married at the time... buy land and build a house... have kids and grandkids." She sighed and dropped her hand.
The Conqueror studied her best friend then asked, "And what about now?"
Gabrielle felt her jaw loosen, and she stared at Xena in shock. She slightly recovered and nervously joked, "Well we can't have kids."
Xena shrugged but argued, "But we can buy land and build the house." Then she quietly added, "And we can marry now... considering I rule Greece."
Gabrielle was speechless and stared at her friend. She opened her mouth to say something, but she wasn't sure what to say. She finally found her courage and dared, "Are you proposing?"
Xena now came over to the bard and actually nervously toyed with Gabrielle's quill necklace. "It's my dream to spend the rest of my life with you." She lowered the charm and lifted her eyes to Gabrielle's soft, green ones. "Maybe I am proposing."
Gabrielle grabbed Xena's hand with hers and whispered, "And I think you know my answer already." She squeezed Xena's hand tightly. "I tell it to you when you're really ready to ask."
Xena partially smiled and whispered, "You know me too well." She bowed her head some.
The bard sadly smiled at the truth. She lifted onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips over Xena's cheek. She then whispered into Xena's ear, "I will wait for you."
"Not long," Xena murmured back.
Gabrielle offered a smile because she knew that already. She then went to the door. "So, you never said what you thought about a ride and lunch tomorrow?" She sensed Xena on her heels.
"That's because you didn't hear me earlier."
The Amazon Queen flushed and waited for the ruler to join her side just outside the hut. "What was the answer again?"
The Conqueror had closed the door. She chuckled and repeated, "I'd love to... if it's good weather."
"Good weather... right." Gabrielle prayed it would be. "Meet me for lunch with Cyane?"
"Yes," the ruler promised. She started to separate from the queen. "I'll see you in a few candlemarks." She then hurried off towards the gates.
Gabrielle stood motionless and watched her best friend leave. She leaned into her staff and replayed their earlier conversation in the hut. She was still shocked that Xena had felt comfortable enough to bring up marriage.
The bard still studied Xena's shrinking form. She then lifted her head off her staff just as Xena looked back at her. Gabrielle couldn't help her smile, and she knew she had to get rid of it in few heartbeats when she saw Solari and Ephiny. Queen Gabrielle and her Amazons eventually joined up and went to the sparring fields that Ephiny had reserved for them. The queen quickly devised sparring plans and organized her Amazons for the practice. She could tell everybody needed it including herself.
The Conqueror did much the same beyond the gates. She started with small groups practicing amongst themselves then made two large groups. Eventually, she had her hoplites solely fight against her in groups of threes. She wrapped up the practice with pairs sparring against each other. She could tell her hoplites needed the practice, and she planned to have them repeat it tomorrow but harder than today.
Xena spent a quarter of a candlemark conversing with Cyryl. She was pleased to hear the hoplites were keeping to themselves. She then reminded Cyryl to come by her hut this evening or so. She wanted to give him her scrolls that needed to be sent out. She suspected the messenger would arrive in two to three days. Xena then headed off and hurried back towards the gates. She didn't want to be late for the lunch.
"Yes, she'll be here shortly," Gabrielle responded.
Cyane seemed pleased with the answer. "How did practice go?"
"It went well." The bard was waiting for Xena just outside the dining hut with Cyane. "Thank you for letting us use a field today."
"We have plenty of fields." The Thrace Queen then edged closer and brought up, "Who is the Amazon that is tall? She has... unusual features." Cyane wasn't sure how to say it.
"You mean Seven of Nine." Gabrielle had a slight grin.
"Seven... of Nine?" Cyane furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head. "That is her name?"
"Well, she goes by Seven really." Queen Gabrielle could tell the other queen was baffled so she gave in to explaining it. "It's a little complicated, but she was apart of Draco's army."
Cyane goggled at the news. "The warlord who attacked your Nation?"
"Yes." The bard then heavily sighed because she knew this would take awhile to explain. She leaned her head against her staff. "She was born in Cirra but was enslaved. I believe she was sold to a master down in Arcadia. Eventually she was freed during one of the Conqueror's campaigns."
Cyane folded her arms and inquired, "And what is on her skin? It looks... metallic."
"It's actually steel." Gabrielle noted how Cyane seemed to become more confused each time she gave more information. "Seven was... kidnapped just after she was freed from slavery. She was taken by Ares and Hephaestus, who experimented on her and changed her into an automaton." She straightened up from her staff. "She had steel injected into her bone structure. The pieces of steel you see on her skin were the injection points and that's the excess steel from the injection."
Cyane shook her head and couldn't believe what she heard from the young queen. "The gods did that to her? Why?"
"Yes," Gabrielle explained, "Ares wanted to build an army of automatons to match Xena's army. He hoped to stop her conquest of Greece."
The Thrace Queen was baffled why the God of War would want to stop conquest. "The Conqueror rejects him then?"
Queen Gabrielle nibbled on her lower lip. "I think it's a combination of things. Xena doesn't believe in following the gods or a god. She believes in her own destiny and that she can control it." She then spotted the Conqueror coming towards them, but she peered up at Cyane. "From what I understand, Ares doesn't like how Xena has conquered Greece... with honor and to bring peace."
"Hmmm." Cyane shifted her weight to her left foot. She stared at the Conqueror, who was almost upon her and Gabrielle. She merely murmured, "It sounds like he's another Alti, to me."
Gabrielle glanced at the other queen and silently repeated her statement. She rid of her concerned look just as her best friend came up to them. "Hi," she softly greeted.
"Hey," the Conqueror responded in kind. She then shifted her attention to the Thrace Queen. "Hello, Queen Cyane."
Cyane slightly dipped her head in respect then held out her hand to the open dining hut. "Care to join us for lunch, Conqueror?"
"Yes." The ruler wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
"After you, Conqueror," Gabrielle insisted, and she had a glint to her eyes.
The Conqueror suspiciously eyed her friend, but she decided not to comment, for now. She entered the hut first and sensed the queens just behind her. She went right to the food line.
"So, how did you convince Seven to join your Nation?" Cyane brought up. She picked up a plate just after Gabrielle and followed down the line.
Xena overheard the queens discussing the automaton. She didn't cut into the conversation but still listened to it. She decided she didn't need much to eat since she was wound up from practice. She kept it rather light then grabbed a mug of wine. She then waited for the two chatting queens to finish getting their plates full.
Gabrielle picked up a mug then went over to her friend. She gave the Conqueror a warm smile.
Xena didn't exactly return it because she always remained rather stoic out in public. But she had a softness to her eyes as she studied her best friend.
The bard stood still and stared at the ruler.
"Gabrielle." The Conqueror interrupted Gabrielle's drawn out stare, and she pointed off to her left with her mug. "Follow Cyane."
The Amazon Queen blushed crimson and quickly trailed after Queen Cyane, who had gone to a table. She gained her composure just as she set her plate down. She then placed her staff on the ground near her seat.
The bemused ruler casually followed them and took a seat beside Gabrielle at the round table. She became seated and took her fork just after the two queens did the same.
"Gabrielle mentioned you were training the hoplites," Cyane remarked.
"Yes," the ruler agreed.
"Leave them a little sore?" Gabrielle poked.
Xena raised an eyebrow at her friend and made no response. She turned back to the Thrace Queen. "Thank you by the way... for sending warm food to my hoplites last night."
"I take it they enjoyed it," Cyane concluded. "I figured they hadn't seen a home cooked meal in some time."
"Be careful," the ruler warned, "their bronze armor tends to become tight on them with too much good food."
Cyane was surprised by the joke, and she quickly peered up from her food. She eased a smile and noted how Xena had a smile that gingerly tugged at the corner of her lips.
Gabrielle carefully watched the exchange. She didn't feel any tension, which relieved her.
"So you finally found your new code... Conqueror?" Cyane tested.
Now Gabrielle felt the tension flood her, but she remained quiet in hopes that Xena could hold her ground.
The Conqueror held Cyane's eyes with her own. "I have."
"You know," Cyane started after she set her fork into her food. "You have always had the potential to be one of the greatest woman warriors." She tilted her head and added, "At heart, you're an Amazon... whether you believe it or not."
Gabrielle sucked in her breath and prayed this didn't blow up with Xena. She wondered if Cyane wasn't bringing this up because of their earlier conversation, and Cyane was trying to redirect Xena back to the Amazon lifestyle.
Xena was quiet for a few beats then finally stated, "It's not for me, Cyane."
The Thrace Queen eyed the ruler but argued, "You can't tell me you didn't feel some form of belonging here in the Nation."
"I was a murderer then, Cyane... how could I have belonged?" Xena had her steel blue eyes set on the queen.
"Exactly." Cyane now pointed her fork at the Conqueror. "You felt a sense of belonging then, and you were lost at the time. So think how different it would be now." She went back to her food.
"It's not for me," Xena repeated more definitely than last time.
Cyane decided to let the debate go, but she hoped she planted some seed in the Conqueror. She would leave it to Gabrielle to make it grow. She turned to the young queen. "Xena was about your age when she came here."
"Cyane," the Conqueror warned.
"Please," Cyane fired back to the ruler. "I don't think Queen Gabrielle is so naive to your past, Xena. She knows... and she's inspired by it because she sees how hard you've worked to come this far."
The Conqueror felt complimented and slapped all in a matter of two breathes. She glanced over at her best friend.
Gabrielle peered up at the ruler and showed her sympathy in her eyes. She looked back at the other queen, who continued to speak about Xena's past.
"Yakut had been taken during a skirmish with Xena's army, but at the time we only thought Borias was the warlord." Cyane glanced at the ruler, who had stopped eating and slightly pushed the plate aside. She focused back on the younger queen. "Yakut was being held in the army's camp... to be sold as a slave or so we were told. While we were working on a plan to free Yakut, Xena was busy chumming up with Yakut."
The bard had pretty much finished her lunch earlier. She set her fork on her plate and carefully listened to Cyane's side of the story.
"Xena pretended to be a hostage in Borias's army and told Yakut they'd be sold to slavery soon." Cyane folded her arms on the table. "Xena was rather clever." She slightly grinned and explained, "Just before we decided to attack, she had Borias ease patrol to encourage us to attack." She paused and looked at the ruler. "I happened to figure that out after the fact."
The Conqueror only raised an eyebrow.
"We attacked the camp," Cyane continued, "and freed Yakut and Xena. We welcomed Xena to the Nation, encouraged her to join, and once she did we started to train her. We were grooming her to be the next ilarchès, but Xena had her own plan to challenge me and take over the Nation." She hesitated and turned back to the Conqueror. "From there, I'm not completely sure what you had in mind."
"It's in the past," Xena stated.
"Mmmm." Cyane blinked and turned back to Gabrielle. "I eventually caught onto her plan because of her brief moment of empathy to save Dasha... a girl from a village that'd been kidnapped by her army."
The bard knew how tense her best friend was, but she could tell Cyane wanted to bring out the history into the open for them all.
"I arrested Xena after a fight and locked her in a jail hut." Cyane bit her lower lip. "I don't know how she escaped the jail." She then slowly shifted her gaze to the ruler and seriously asked, "Did you kill Alti?"
"Does it really matter now?" the Conqueror pressed in a slightly annoyed tone.
Cyane smirked and remarked, "I'd like to thank whoever did me a favor and saved the Nation."
Xena cocked her head slightly. "Some things are not meant to be thanked." She then asked, "Are you done your story, Cyane?"
"I think we've established the history," the Thrace Queen stated. "We can continue our discussion in my office." She looked between the guests.
Gabrielle softly cleared her throat. "That's fine with me." She questioningly peered up at her friend.
Xena just nodded then got up. She took her dirty dish.
The bard stood up just as Cyane did the same, and she grabbed her staff first. She then quietly asked, "Was that really necessary?"
Cyane had a half smile but at Gabrielle's obvious concern for Xena. "The old Xena would have argued me or lashed out." She lost her smile and focused on the dark ruler off in the distance. "I can tell now that she accepts her mistakes... takes responsibility and is trying to make up for them." She centered her attention back on the bard. "You can't imagine how good that makes me feel after everything."
Gabrielle slightly narrowed her eyes but harshly asked, "Because your lunch conversation just rubbed it in her face?" Without another word, she walked off at a fast pace.
Cyane stood still and studied the young queen's ridged back. She considered whether or not she'd been inconsiderate. If anything, she had to admit that Gabrielle had a protective streak about a Roman mile long.
Gabrielle hastily rid of her dirty dishes then went out of the dining hut to find her best friend. She discovered the ruler outside waiting for them, and she approached her friend. "Hey, you alright?"
The Conqueror didn't look at her friend but quietly answered, "I'm fine."
"Come on," the bard softly debated, "I'm the one that's 'sly Bri can lie' here." She edged closer to the ruler. "I'm sorry about Cyane."
"It's nothing that's not true." Xena slipped her hands behind her back. "It's my history here."
Gabrielle gingerly touched the ruler's taut forearm. "Maybe so but it's not like you need to be slapped along the side of the face just to be reminded."
"I don't know," the Conqueror amusingly argued, "Perhaps it's good for me."
"Xena," the bard whispered and squeezed her friend's arm. "It was a long time ago and at some point you have to let it go."
Finally Xena turned to her friend and honestly responded to the earlier statement. "Maybe someday... but not today or tomorrow... not for awhile."
Gabrielle sadly sighed and wanted badly to help correct the past, but it was all real. "As long as it's someday." She did a double-squeeze and dropped her hand just before Cyane came out of the hut. She turned to the older queen.
"You were right, Gabrielle." Queen Cyane nodded once at the young queen then focused on the Conqueror. "I apologize for my rude manner." She recalled her brief lecture to Lyda last night about bringing up the past. "It is in the past and should remain there."
"I owe the Amazons a great deal," Xena reminded.
Cyane started to move but came closer to the ruler. "A debt that can be easily repaid." She then continued on her way to the administration hut. She sensed the pair following her.
The three leaders organized in Cyane's office and started the initial discussion about the Thrace Amazon Nation joining the Greek polis. Xena outlined what it would entail for the Thrace Nation to become apart of the polis. She also explained the benefits as well as the requirements that the Nation would have to fulfill. Some of the requirements would have to be completed each Helical Rising to remain compliant.
Cyane carefully listened to it. She only asked for clarifications, and she jotted everything down so she could consider them later. She would have to think them over before she seriously started to barter the terms. She would also need to get Ambassador Nikita onboard because Nikita would have some additional duties to perform as ambassador if the Nation took on the allegiance.
Gabrielle then gave her input about the allegiance that her Nation had agreed upon. She honestly told Cyane what were the opportunities for joining the polis. She then brought up some of the shortcomings such as the fact that her Nation would have to pledge fifty Amazons to the polis's military. Luckily the fifty Amazons would only be with the polis for six moons then rotate out and a new, fresh fifty Amazons would have to follow.
The discussion continued fairly long until all parties were rather mentally spent. Gabrielle and the Conqueror finally were able to bid goodbye to the Thrace Queen and leave the office. Xena didn't provide any comment about the talks in the office. She seemed to be still mulling over it.
Gabrielle didn't want to press her friend and would wait until tonight. She instead mentioned, "I think I'm going to check on Torqueo." She then grinned and added, "Get him a couple of apples from the dining hut."
The Conqueror flashed a grin then seriously stated, "I have to meet Cyryl in our hut so I'll be there for a bit."
"I'll come by when dinner is near." Gabrielle shoved open the right door for the administration hut. She noted the guard at attention as they passed her.
Xena just nodded her agreement. She then started breaking away from the bard. "See you then."
"See ya," the bard quietly called. She glanced once at the ruler's ridged back and sighed. She continued on her way to the dining hut to get the apples. Shortly after, she was on her way to the corral where she suspected Torqueo had been moved to after a day in the stable. She came up to the wood fencing and propped up her right boot after leaning her staff against the top rail.
Gabrielle gave a sharp whistle once she spotted her horse.
Torqueo whined at hearing his mistress's call. He broke away from the other horses and trotted across the corral to her. He perked up at seeing the red, round treat in her hands.
"Hey, boy." Gabrielle leaned forward and managed a kiss to his forehead. "I got something for you." She held up the right apple and let him nibble on it.
Torqueo lifted his lips and gingerly chomped away at the tasty apple. He hadn't eaten one in some time.
The Amazon Queen carefully rotated the apple as the horse ate along. She then groaned when Torqueo's runny slobber got on her fingers. "Torqueo," she complained.
Torqueo tossed his head and huffed. He now looked towards the other apple that was just a bit too far, yet he sniffed for it.
"How are those mares out there treating you?" Gabrielle held out the next apple. "Get any dates?"
Torqueo snorted again in the middle of his munching.
"Well, if the weather tomorrow is good then I think Xena and I want to do a picnic." Gabrielle softly grinned. "I hope you're up for a ride."
Torqueo took the last of the apple and finished chewing it up. He sighed contently when his mistress ran her hand over his head and toyed with his left ear. He then raised his head because he spotted a newcomer.
Gabrielle sensed it herself so she slightly turned and eased at seeing the tall, beautiful automaton. "Afternoon, Seven."
"How are you, Gabrielle?" Seven of Nine stood a few steps from the queen. She had her legs slightly parted and her hands behind her back.
"I'm tired but good," the queen truthfully answered. She patted Torqueo then kissed him goodbye. She watched him go for a beat, but she turned around and leaned her back into the fence. She felt her sword's scarab press into her back, and she lifted her left foot to rest on the rail behind her. "How are you?"
"I am operating sufficiently." Seven noted Gabrielle cracked a grin so she amended, "I am doing... well, too."
"How are you and Andra making out in the same hut?"
"Acceptable." The automaton tilted her head then added, "Andra and I have cultivated a friendship."
"Yes, I've noticed." Gabrielle folded her arms. "I know she's been grateful for your help in the smithing hut."
Seven slightly bowed her head then focused back on the queen. "I want to speak to you about the smithing."
The queen's interests were peaked so she encouraged, "I have time now if you do."
"I do as well," Seven agreed.
"What is it you want to discuss?" the bard probed.
"I would like to continue my work in the smithing hut with Andra... indefinitely."
"Ah... I see." Gabrielle lowered her head some and studied the grass around her. She considered the size of the smithing hut, the workload in the Nation, and whether there would be enough for both Seven and Andra.
"I wish for Andra to further school me so that I may master my skills."
The queen peered up at the automaton and clarified, "You want to do an apprenticeship with Andra?"
Seven of Nine considered the question then affirmed, "Yes, that is correct."
Gabrielle nodded then straightened up a bit. "I'll have to discuss this with Andra. I also need to get Commander Kaylee's approval." She unfolded her arms and placed them behind herself on the rail. "She's under the impression you'll be serving full time in the army."
"I do wish to serve the army." The Amazon thought about it and explained, "Perhaps not full time though."
Gabrielle bobbed her head a few times as she thought about it. "I'll talk to Andra soon about it. Then when we get back to the Nation, I'll discuss it with the stratègos." She then decided to voice her opinion about it. "I think it's an excellent idea, but I am concerned there would be enough work for both you and Andra. Andra does have her busy periods and can barely keep up on demand. But she has her slow points too."
Seven slowly nodded then brought up, "That is why I believe if I took on a security role as well then my time would be spent most efficient."
The queen slightly grinned at Seven's careful thinking. "You're probably right. But before I can get you to fill such a role, you need to pass your Amazon Judgment this summer."
The automaton promised, "I will."
Gabrielle couldn't help a small chuckle. "I know, Seven." She became more serious. "Until then, we can work to detail out what this security role will be.... function, name, and who will be in it." She was about to say more but stopped short at hearing the Amazon birdcall for a visitor at the gates. But the call specified that the visitor was not friendly.
Seven of Nine turned on her heels and studied the handful of Amazons that ran towards the gates.
The queen pushed off the fence and became concerned. "I wonder what that is about." She hastily scooped up her staff and neared Seven.
"I will accompany you," the automaton stated.
Gabrielle didn't argue it and broke into a jog for the gates. Seven was right by her side as she tried to make out the shouts ahead at the gates. She slowed down once she was only a hundred paces or so from the gates.
"You have violated Amazon law by trespassing," the stratègos, Lyda, spoke up. She then barked out, "Close the gates all the way." She then directed her next words to the intruder. "You will be escorted off our lands."
"Not until I have what is mine!"
Queen Gabrielle squeezed through the crowd of Amazons and tried to get a view of the intruder. She realized it was more than one because she counted several soldiers' heads and spears. She and Seven finally came through the pool of Amazons, and Gabrielle froze just behind Commander Lyda.
Seven of Nine stood beside the queen, and she felt the queen's fearful surge. "My queen?" she quietly spoke.
"And what is it that you think is yours that the Amazons own?" Lyda coldly inquired. She stood a few steps in front of the Amazons. She had her mask on her head, her sword at her back, and she glowered at the large man in front of her.
Seven of Nine realized she would not get a response from her frozen queen.
"There is an Amazon here who belongs to me."
Commander Lyda lifted her chin at such a wild fallacy. "No woman, especially an Amazon, belongs to a man." She stepped closer and dangerous drew out, "If you do not quietly leave our lands then we will force you out."
"I will not be denied," the man snarled, and he shifted his hand to his sword hilt.
"What is this about?"
Lyda glanced to her right at finding Queen Cyane at her side. "My queen, this man lies and says he owns an Amazon."
Queen Cyane placed her hands on her hips and smirked at the leader. She'd already counted fifteen soldiers with him so she didn't feel the least bit threatened. "Even if that were the case, we would surely not hand her over."
The large man gripped his sword tighter. "You would be aiding and abetting a slave, who belongs to me. It is against Thrace laws."
The Thrace Queen was obviously amused and reminded, "The Thrace Amazon Nation does not follow Thrace laws. We are our own independent polis here and do not answer to the Thrace's polis. So take your meaningless threats and leave our lands." Queen Cyane then edged closer and hotly warned, "Before I have you thrown out on your faces."
"I will have my slave returned to me." The man withdrew his sword but didn't attack. "I want Queen Gabrielle!"
Cyane grew wide eye at hearing the young queen's name. She then realized an instant problem with having such an Amazon crowd. She already spotted Gabrielle here earlier, just off to her left.
The Thrace Amazons began to murmur Gabrielle's name and looked over at her in shock.
The leader quickly picked up on the crowd's apparent interest in one Amazon in the front. He focused on the small, blond Amazon, who was his slave that'd aged over the seasons greatly. "By the gods," he breathed and quickly came for her.
Seven of Nine quickly reacted and unsheathed her sword. She stepped in front of her queen and pointed her blade's tip at the slaver. "I will terminate you if you move any closer."
The slaver immediately halted and studied the tall Amazon's full features. He flexed on his sword's hilt but focused on the young Amazon Queen. He then slyly smiled. "Hello, Little Gabrielle."
Gabrielle was breathing heavily, and the panic was clearly on her face. "Hecht," she fearfully rasped. She prayed this was another nightmare, and she'd wake up next to Xena.
"It's been a long time," the slaver, Hecht, taunted. "And I've heard you've been a long time without a master. By law, you are to be returned to me." He then reminded, "You don't have a choice, Queen Gabrielle."
Queen Cyane quickly came over and broke into the conversation. She angrily reminded, "She is not going with you."
Hecht sharply turned his head to the Thrace Queen and snapped, "You dare jeopardize your relations with Thrace over a mere slave? I will report your actions to the polis if you do not obey the laws."
Cyane raised her chin at the idle threat.
Hecht slotted his eyes. "Are you willing to risk your Nation's trades, relations, and even safety for a slave?" He pointed his sword at Queen Gabrielle. "I wouldn't, Queen Cyane." He lowered his blade. He returned his cold gaze to his former slave. "She is without a master, and by law she is mine again."
Gabrielle started to shake her head, and she took a small step back.
Seven of Nine glanced back at her queen, but she wrapped her other hand around her hilt. She then swore to Hecht, "I will terminate you and all of your men. I do not answer to any laws."
Hecht gritted his teeth and tried one last time. "Queen Cyane, order this Amazon to step aside and hand Queen Gabrielle to me."
"Seven of Nine," Queen Cyane softly called.
Queen Gabrielle thought her heart would stop because of the furious pounding. She almost felt as if she were going to go onto her knees from weakness.
Seven of Nine slightly looked at the Thrace Queen but never lost her focus on the slaver.
"Seven of Nine," Queen Cyane softly repeated, but she now crisply ordered, "do not let this slaver or his men near Queen Gabrielle." She then called out, "Amazons, attack!"
Hecht cried out for his men to attack. He then lunged for the automaton.
Seven of Nine met him and brought her sword around to stop his swipe. She then gave a solid kick that sent him flying back into two of his men.
Gabrielle backed up again as yelling Amazons raced past her. She then stumbled on her next step and fell to the ground while her staff rolled away. She sat up just as one of Hecht's soldiers came for her. She completely froze as his sword came at her.
The automaton suddenly appeared from nowhere, and she only had enough time to shield her queen by taking the blade into her stomach. She gritted her teeth at the pain and fell to her knees.
Gabrielle sat mortified. Everything was complete chaos.
Seven watched the blade pull back out of her stomach. She quickly twisted around and brought her sword swiftly with her. She killed the soldier in a quick stroke then she turned back to Gabrielle. She got to her feet then knelt beside the queen and read the terror in the queen's eyes. She then demanded, "You must wake up, Gabrielle."
The queen fearful peered up at the automaton and found no words. She could only clutch Seven's nearest arm for reassurance. She lowered her eyes to Seven's stomach and saw the wound was almost gone and all that remained were the trails of blood. But then there was a fierce battlecry that only one warrior owned, and it forced Gabrielle to gain some focus.
"Xena," Gabrielle murmured.
"Hoplites, prepare to attack on my command," the Conqueror called out loudly over the din of fighting, "unless Hecht orders his soldiers to pull back!"
The slaver did indeed hear the Conqueror's fair warning so he cried out, "Pull back, men! Disengage!" He too backed away from his fight with Queen Cyane.
Cyane hollered, "Pull back, Amazons!" She waved her Amazons to go behind her. She still held out her sword and aimed it at the slaver, who was several paces away now with his mostly injured men.
Hecht was breathing hard, and he stared off to his left at the famous Conqueror, who stood before twenty-five of her golden hoplites. He narrowed his eyes.
The Conqueror broke away from her hoplites after giving her dekadarchos a soft order. She approached the slaver and came to a stop slightly between the slaver and Queen Cyane. "What is the cause of this, Hecht? Why are you in Amazon territory?"
The slaver lowered his sword to his side. "I'm here to reclaim my slave by lawful right." He tilted his head and encouraged, "You understand such laws, Conqueror... being a figure head in your polis."
"Indeed." The Conqueror felt her skin crawl at seeing the slaver that'd bought Gabrielle from Bracis so long ago. "But I also do not condone slavery in my Nation." She then inquired, "Who is the Amazon you claim to be the slave?"
"You know who it is, Conqueror," the slaver snapped. "And I hear the games you play."
Xena slightly grinned then her voice deepened. "Humor me, Hecht and point her out to me."
Hecht clenched his jaw, but he pointed his sword at the Amazon and stated, "Queen Gabrielle."
Gabrielle was still being protected by Seven. She stood near the front and tried not to tremble from her fear.
The Conqueror focused on her best friend, and she could easily tell that Gabrielle was absolutely scared. Xena remained composed though despite her desire to run her sword through Hecht's heart. No, she had a better, more tasteful plan in mind. She now strolled past Cyane and Hecht and made her way towards Queen Gabrielle. "Queen Gabrielle, join me?" She had her hands slipped between her back and cape.
Gabrielle seemed to work enough past her frozen demeanor, and she carefully shifted past the Amazons. She felt relieved that Seven followed her. Now she had gained some composure back simply by having Xena with her. Finally, she was able to look at Hecht.
"Were you a slave of Hecht's?" the Conqueror quietly asked. She knew the answer.
"What is the point to this?" the slaver hotly demanded.
The dark ruler sharply looked at the slaver and was about to make a remark.
"I do not deny it," Gabrielle spoke up.
The Conqueror clamped her jaw down and waited a beat because of the rise of clamor.
Finally, Queen Gabrielle felt some will return to her, and she coldly swore to Hecht, "But I will not return with you." Her words caused everybody to go silent.
"You do not have a choice!" Hecht yelled back. "You are my property!"
"I am no owns property!" Gabrielle fired back instantly.
Hecht took a step closer, but he stopped short at the Conqueror's next words.
"I wouldn't wager your life, Hecht." The Conqueror then broke away from Queen Gabrielle and slowly neared the slaver. "I admit I am in Thrace. I am here as a friendly visitor... I will obey Thrace law." She held back her grin at the low gasps. She stopped a few steps from Hecht and remained stoic.
"Then demand Queen Cyane to hand her over," Hecht urged.
"I cannot," Xena argued, "not because I am not willing to follow or enforce a law." She then slowly showed a dark grin. "But because the slave law is being obeyed here."
Hecht was losing his patience with the ruler. He opened his mouth to fight her statement.
"Queen Gabrielle is with her master," the Conqueror cut off. She then sharply added, "She is my slave."
Hecht was dumbfounded then suddenly laughed at the outright lie. "Do not insult me, Conqueror. You would never own a slave much less your friend."
Xena arched an eyebrow at how Hecht not only mentioned her and Gabrielle's friendship but how he drew it out. She focused back on her task. "I can prove otherwise."
"The only way you can prove that..." Hecht stepped closer to the ruler. "Is if you have her legal deed."
"I concur." The Conqueror now revealed her hands from inside her cape. She showed a rolled up scroll. "This will suffice then." She untied the scroll, let the bottom roller fall, and held out the scroll to the slaver. "I believe that is your signature and seal at the bottom."
Gabrielle was a mix of confusion and shock at seeing her slavery deed in her best friend's hand. She could see that it was her deed that she'd seen in Cornelio's hands last. "How could she..." She was too stunned to find any answer.
Hecht had scanned over the deed then checked the signature for a third time.
"Satisfied?" the Conqueror purred.
The slaver growled and dangerously eyed the ruler.
The Conqueror rolled up the scroll and fairly warned, "I recommend you leave Amazon lands... I believe you've broken their laws."
Queen Cyane came to the Conqueror's side, but her center of attention was on the slaver. "My Amazons will escort you." She then coldly promised, "And if you return to these lands then you will be killed at first sight."
Hecht begrudgingly sheathed his sword. He ignored Queen Cyane's threat but warned, "If she is ever without her master then I'll be there to reclaim her." He looked from Queen Cyane to the Conqueror. "Even if it's for a single heartbeat." He then turned and marched over to his men. "Let's go."
"Cyryl?" the Conqueror called.
The dekadarchos hurried over to his leader's side and waited for orders.
"Take ten hoplites and join the Amazon escort."
"Yes, my liege."
"And have the others return to camp," Xena further instructed. She quickly tied the scroll then turned to the Amazon Queen. "I apologize I was not here sooner."
Queen Cyane peered up at the ruler once but looked back at the ten Amazons that joined Lyda for the escort. She quietly replied, "I don't need any apology... but perhaps somebody else will be."
The Conqueror gazed past Cyane and studied the bard, who was staring right at her. Xena slightly cringed because she knew there was a hefty argument approaching between her and Gabrielle. She squeezed the deed tightly in her right hand and silently prayed she would survive Gabrielle's anger tonight. From this distance, Xena already sensed Gabrielle's rage mounting because Xena had hidden the truth away from Gabrielle. Xena realized there were not enough excuses in the known-world that she could conjure up to make it any easier. She would have to suffer the consequences.
To be continued.
To be continued.