Part 4
"Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the most powerful Empress of them all?" Callisto said melodically as she looked at herself in the mirror and carefully shifted some blond strands of hair. "Don't be shy, Daumas. You can speak up."
"Why, you are, Empress. Of course," he said.
Callisto was the most powerful ruler - currently. She had more land and military might under her control than any king or queen that had sprung up since the Conqueror's disappearance, thanks to him.
He knew the Empire was in trouble after Xena's extended absence. Besides the outbreak of skirmishes, that grew into bigger and bigger battles over land and power, revenue was way down. Daumas needed someone to reestablish order and was smart enough to realize it wasn't him. After Callisto took over, he knew Xena must have finally died on one of her outings, for she would certainly not have allowed this woman to take over unchallenged.
Still looking at the mirror, Callisto watched the advisor bow his head respectfully. "Of course," she hissed with a thin smile and swirled around to face the bearded man. His eyes widened slightly at the sudden movement.
"Do you tell that to all your Empresses, Daumas?" She asked airily, pushing a strand of his red hair behind his ear as if they were intimate. But Callisto was too smart for that.
"No, your highness. Just you," he responded, knowing it was the truth - Xena never asked him questions like that. But even with the truth, Callisto still might decide to cut his throat and he wouldn't be able to stop her. He was not a warrior, only a master manipulator . . . well, until Xena disappeared. Now he was living day-to-day wondering whether he'd survive Callisto's unpredictably violent personality. And she had seemed like such a good replacement at the time . . . .
"Are you saying Xena was more powerful?" She snapped.
"No, Empress," he answered her specific question truthfully, though Xena was much more powerful in her day. The Conqueror's army was much larger and protected far more land than Callisto's ever would and most importantly, the Conqueror's empire brought in much more revenue. Ah, those were the days, he recalled fondly.
"So you are saying she wasn't more powerful?"
"No, Empress," he answered nervously.
"What are you saying, Daumas?" Callisto crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently.
"At this point, your highness . . . I'm not sure," he said with forced calm.
Callisto looked at him, suddenly cackled, then stopped. "You amuse me," she said flatly, causing a brief sigh of relief from the advisor.
"So when is that little Amazon getting here?" She asked with irritation. "I really hate to be ignored. It's like she doesn't know her parents are in my dungeon," Callisto complained then suddenly asked with concern, "She does know I have them, doesn't she, Daumas?"
"Yes, Empress. My spies have reported she knows."
Callisto nodded, abruptly turned, walked across the room, and sat on the throne. She took a deep breath and glanced around the room, which was still full of paintings of Xena and her grand battles, though now they all sported large, black moustaches on each of the Conqueror's likenesses.
She would never get the satisfaction of crushing the Empress, Callisto thought with great disappointment. She believed the rumors that the woman, who destroyed her hometown, killing all but a few citizens, was indeed dead. But at least this Amazon Queen was providing an interesting challenge. If she'd ever get around to making her next move, Callisto thought with a heavy sigh. It had been very quiet since she took the Amazon's parents.
Impatiently strumming her fingers on the arm of the throne, Callisto sighed again.
"I'm tired of waiting!" Callisto finally blurted. "Just what does it take to get the Amazon Queen's attention these days? Maybe, I'll just go find her!" Callisto stood up with enthusiasm for that idea and marched to the door.
"NO Empress!" The blond halted in her tracks and turned slowly with a cold glare. "Uh . . . I wouldn't advise it," he quickly added uneasily, causing her to smile sweetly.
"Daumas, Daumas, Daumas," Callisto said silkily as she circled the nervous man. "Tell me why, before I get really annoyed and kill you." His eyes grew wide. "Quickly, quickly," she briskly commanded.
"Uh, I have heard a rumor she was heading towards the Centaur camp yesterday," he said with concern. "Their numbers are large and. . . ."
"What?!?" She screeched, making him cringe. "She's actually trying to persuade the Centaurs to join her?"
"Uh . . . so I understand. My spies are working to confirm this," he said with a cringe.
"Oh this is excellent news!" Callisto relayed with joy.
"But . . . with the Centaurs, she will be a serious threat," Daumas said with concern.
"Yes! Isn't that delightful? She might be planning to visit. Hmmm, I wonder what I'll wear."
"Do you think she might actually be planning to attack the castle and rescue her family?"
"One can only hope," Callisto gushed, then frowned, looking down at her black leather battle dress. "Do you think this makes me look fat?" Callisto asked, getting a concerned look from Daumas, who quickly shook his head no when she glared at him.
"But I wear this all the time. Maybe I should go with something new? It can't be too restrictive for our fight. Something in silk, perhaps? Oooo, I know! I'll go all natural, like that one Amazon of hers!" Callisto giggled.
"Surely, she must know we'd kill her family as soon as she attacked," he noted with concern, fearing he had incorrectly assumed the Amazon Queen could be controlled through her family.
"It must be just eating her up, not knowing what will happen. Will I kill them now? Will kill them later?" Callisto said with relish. "I am so ashamed of myself!" The Empress blurted suddenly with irritation. "How could I doubt her? Just when I think she's being too inattentive, she does something like this!" Callisto smiled happily.
Daumas eyed her with unease then continued. "Uh . . . the Northern army is between us and the Centaur camp. If she decided to forfeit her family and attack, she'd have to go through them first. We should minimize our losses by warning them she might attack soon. And if we call back all our regiments from the West, we might even be able to capture her and crush the Amazons and Centaurs for good!" Daumas said with enthusiasm. He was tired of all this battling, longing for the day when things settled down and he could focus on increasing the Empire's revenue.
"Now that would be rude, Daumas," she scolded him. "And I really don't want to scare her away after all this time. If we alert the Northern army or call back any regiments now, she'll know we know of her plans. She isn't above using spies, you know," Callisto said thoughtfully and went back to the throne.
Daumas rolled his eyes and exhaled with frustration as she sat and brushed off some invisible specs of dust from her leather outfit.
"Be a dear and keep an eye on her movements, Daumas," Callisto reclined back in the chair. "She'll want to move before we find out what she is planning and call in reinforcements. She will move within the next few days," Callisto said insightfully with a small smile.
Daumas listened to the woman who spoke with disturbingly obscure thoughts one minute and amazing clarity the next.
"And when she does, I want to be there to personally thank her for all those little inconveniences she's provided over the years that have weakened my hold on the East and South."
"But if we do nothing, they'll have a chance to . . . uh . . . " he started to complain but noted her eyebrows rise as she curiously looked at him. "We could sustain heavy losses on the battlefield . . . which we could avoid if . . . ," he added nervously, interrupted by her amused laugh.
"Daumas, Daumas, Daumas. What kind of hostess would I be if I spoiled her plans now?" She said and leaned back contentedly on her throne, wearily adding "Besides, this Empress gig can get really tedious without a real challenge."
"So I understand, Empress."
***
The Centaur general and his son, Phantes, looked at each other then back to the Amazon Queen, who explained her plan as she pointed out the key parts on the map covering the large table.
Lila stood nearby in the tent, watching her sister with great concern. Gabrielle had changed so much since they lived in Poteidaia.
It had been ages since Gabrielle told those frivolous romantic stories. And she no longer wore that ugly blue dress, instead electing more flattering, and her Father would say indecent, red leathers. She even broke Mother's heart and kept her beautiful hair short after it was partially hacked off in a battle with Callisto. Though Gabrielle had said it was better for fighting, Lila wondered if it wasn't because Najara had short hair.
But it was much more than the change in occupation and physical appearance, Lila considered with great concern. Gabrielle had become . . . cold.
"She has the advantage," the Centaur general said bluntly. "She has a big castle and a big army."
Gabrielle looked up at her ally and smiled thinly. "It's not always size that counts, General."
The Centaur general and his son grumbled. "The Northern Army should not be dismissed. They are formidable," the general noted.
"There are weaknesses even in the strongest armor, Tyldus. And we will exploit them," Gabrielle said wisely. "And we have surprise on our side."
"Gabrielle, what about Mother and Father?" Lila said uneasily, drawing a sharp gaze from her sister.
"She has a point, Gabrielle," Tyldus noted.
"Attacking the Northern army will risk your family," Phantes added with concern.
"Not attacking the Northern army now, when we are finally strong enough to beat them and take the castle, will risk everyone's family. Callisto must be stopped once and for all. And we have a chance NOW, before she can gather all her troops," Gabrielle argued as she pointed to the map, where the other armies were a few days ride away. "Am I the only one who sees that?" Gabrielle barked with frustration.
***
"You can't attack the Northern army! Mother and father will be killed!" Lila yelled as she paced in Gabrielle's tent, finally alone with her sister.
Gabrielle sighed and sat down on her cot. "That's a risk I'll have to take," she noted wearily, rubbing her temples.
"A risk YOU'LL have to take?!? I know you never got along with them . . . "
"They never got along with ME! They never tried to hear me once! NOT ONCE!"
"Gabrielle, do you hate them so much to sentence them to death?!?"
Gabrielle sighed wearily and blurted sarcastically. "Works for me."
"Stop this madness!"
"I'd LOVE to! Just tell me what I should do, Lila. Perhaps we should just ignore everything and settle down. Yeah. Maybe Callisto will just let our parents go. That's it! But let's hope the town we choose isn't one Callisto decides to destroy. Oh, better yet, how about I just go to her and plead for peace? Now there's a bright idea. Well, wait a minute, the peace idea didn't work out so well for Najara now, did it?" Gabrielle said, feigning deep thought.
"Najara was a nutcase! Callisto probably got tired of hearing her talk to herself," Lila responded.
"Oh wonderful, Lila. Blame the victim."
"Well she was odd. Even you have to admit that!"
"I can't believe you are speaking ill of the dead!"
"UGGGG!" Lila growled back in frustration. "You just can't do this!!"
"I have to," Gabrielle said coldly, her eyes hard.
Lila shook head with disbelief. Who was this woman who looked like her sister?
"I can't stand to be around you any more!" Lila said in a huff, turned, and bumped into Ephiny. "Ugh!!" Lila growled and went around the Amazon, pausing at the tent opening. "I'm going home to Poteidaia, or what's left of it."
The two watched as Gabrielle's sister stormed out of the tent.
"Shouldn't you . . . ?" Ephiny asked softly.
"Solari will," Gabrielle briskly interjected, then changed topics. "Did you get it?" She asked with hope in her voice. Ephiny grinned and pulled out the parchment from her belt.
"I knew you could do it!" Gabrielle said and hugged the Amazon, allowing herself to feel encouraged by the small victory.
Xena had seen poor people before. She saw quite a few before she became Empress. And even after she became the Conqueror, she'd occasionally spot a few when she ventured out of the castle on her outings. But never had she seen so many gathered together in so many places.
She slowly rode through one of the smaller camps she passed that day. They were all the same - depressing. And like in the other camps, many frightened eyes, peaking out of tents and from behind trees, followed her and her horse. Argo whinnied with displeasure. "Easy girl."
Xena noticed a small child, unhealthily thin, sitting dejectedly in front of a tent, holding a dangling rag doll by an arm as she stared at the ground. The curious Warrior Princess slowed to a stop and watched an old woman emerge from the tent and shake her head at the child.
"Mamma!" The girl bawled as a very thin, old man came out of the tent and attempted to comfort the girl. The cry tore at Xena's heart.
"Sex for food."
Xena's attention was quickly diverted to the scruffy young woman, who had boldly marched up to her. "Excuse me?"
"You got any food?" The gawky brunette asked directly, putting her hands on her ample hips.
"Uh . . ." Xena responded, glancing around the camp uneasily.
"Minya, get away from her!" A boyish looking man rushed up and attempted to pull her back, away from the dangerous looking stranger. "Don't you see, she's one of the Empress' soldiers!" He hissed nervously, eyeing the stranger in a battle dress and cape that emphasized her regal bearing as she sat on her mount.
"You think I'm a soldier of the Empress?" Xena laughed with amazement.
"You saying you're not?" Hower challenged, nervously stepping behind Minya when the stranger's cold blue glare fell on him.
"Hower, it never mattered before," Minya snapped. "So how about it? I've got good teeth," she said, pulling her lips back with her fingers to show her.
Xena's eyebrows furrowed. "Uh . . . I'm fine, thanks."
"Aw come on, we haven't had anything to eat in days," Minya pouted, motioning to the camp.
Xena pulled out a small bag of jerky and tossed it to the woman, who grinned and eagerly opened the bag as a few peasants emerged from the tents.
"Hey!" Hower said, eyeing the tall, beautiful stranger with concern as Minya passed out the food until it was gone. Minya returned to Hower's side, eyeing Argo with interest then elbowed Hower, who got the hint and valiantly stepped up.
"How many nights of unimaginable bliss would it take for your . . . ?" Hower offered with bravado, standing tall, willing to make this huge sacrifice with this beautiful woman for his beloved . . . what's her name.
"Touch my horse and die," Xena growled, her sword already unsheathed and at the peasant's throat.
"Okie Dokie," Hower said and stepped back away from the horse. Minya eyed him with disappointment. "Can I help it she prefers women?" Hower explained defensively.
"Can you blame her?" Minya said, shaking her head. "Ok, I got the food and I always keep my word. Where do you want to do it??" She said gruffly, looking around the camp.
"I'm not interested," Xena said bluntly, but saw the hurt look on the peasant's face. "Uh . . . I'm already involved," Xena offered with a weak smile and shrug.
Minya glanced at her boyfriend with dissatisfaction, then the beautiful woman rider. "So?"
"She's very possessive."
"Oh," Minya said with disappointment, then tried "But a deal's a deal . . . . "
"What if you pay me with information, instead?" Xena offered with a thin smile.
***
Xena sat at the campfire with a group of the peasants, including the old woman and the old man she saw by the tent earlier, and Hower. She was rather relieved that Minya hadn't joined them.
"So, tell me about this Callisto," Xena asked pointedly, provoking disturbed looks from the group.
Xena cringed uncomfortably when Minya finally joined them. The gawky brunette had washed her face, combed her hair, and changed into a dress without as many holes. Hower's eyebrows furrowed with irritation.
Attempting to be graceful when she sat but not quite succeeding, Minya flattened out the wrinkles in her dress then smiled coyly at her guest, who returned a weak smile and redirected her gaze to the fire, scratching the back of her neck.
"It's hard to believe you don't know, Callisto," the old woman and apparent leader of the camp said skeptically. "How do we know you aren't a spy for her?"
"First, I'm a soldier for her, then a spy?" Xena responded shaking her head with amusement.
"You haven't answered my question," the old woman said.
"No, I haven't. And as I see it, you owe me information, not the other way around," Xena said tightly, eyeing the old woman, who swallowed uneasily.
"Or we could go back to the original conditions," Minya suggested helpfully, suddenly tossing her handkerchief to the ground and leaning over to pick it up, pausing to display her attributes.
"I am not a spy nor a soldier for the Empress," Xena blurted quickly to the old woman. "I am the Empress," she added firmly.
The peasants burst into laughter. "I am!" Xena blurted with anger, making them laugh more.
"Your hair is not blond," the older woman countered.
"And you certainly are not skinny like her," Minya said, eyeing the stranger's build appreciatively.
"So you're saying you're Callisto?" Hower asked with amusement.
"Ugh!" Xena growled as she pulled out a coin from her pouch and tossed it to the old woman.
"My eyesight cannot be bought, warrior," the old woman said with irritation.
"I can," Minya blurted with a smile and added "Callisto," and fluttered her eyelashes.
"Minya!!" Hower snapped.
"Look at it," Xena commanded, startling the old woman, who inspected the coin.
Xena really wished Gabrielle was here to talk with these people. Talking to people was not her strong suit. Commanding or threatening them . . . sure. Why in Tartarus was she even bothering to be nice to them anyway?!? Because it's what Gabrielle would want her to do.
"So, I haven't seen a BC coin in a while. What is this supposed to prove?"
"BC?" Xena asked curiously.
"BC . . . Before Callisto," the old woman responded with surprise at the tall woman's genuine ignorance.
"When Callisto took over, she had her image placed on all the coin. Just like Empress Xena did," she noted, then eyed the likeness. She glanced between the coin and the stranger curiously. When she saw the stranger's eyebrow rise questioningly, she gasped. "By the GODs."
Suddenly the old woman fell to her knees, trembling. "I beg you forgive this old fool, Empress Xena."
"Please get . . . " Xena said wearily, interrupted when the old woman gasped, clenched her chest, and fell over.
***
Xena quickly placed the old woman on a cot inside the healer's tent as the peasants waited nervously just outside, except for Minya who hesitantly entered.
"Is she dead?" Minya asked as Xena checked for a pulse.
"No," Xena said with a relieved sigh. "Where's your healer?"
Minya pointed to the unconscious old woman. "Wonderful," Xena said, rolling her eyes. "Bring me the pouch of herbs out of my saddle bag and some hot water."
***
"How long have you lived like this?" Xena asked Minya, while she opened the pouch and inspected the herbs.
"About three winters, your highness," Minya said shrugging. The startled Conqueror looked up at her with surprise, which was quickly masked as she returned to gaze at her herbs.
"What happened three years ago?" She asked evenly and mixed together a few herbs in a cup.
"Callisto destroyed our town, your majesty."
"Why?" Xena asked as she poured the hot water into the cup.
"We had rebelled, oh great one."
"Minya," Xena exhaled with irritation, then took a patient breath and forced a smile. "Do me a favor and just call me Xena. Ok?"
"Ok," she said hesitantly and added with a shy giggle "Xena."
Xena stared at her. The pinch would be so much quicker. "And why did you rebel?" She asked the giddy peasant tightly.
"Well, Xena," Minya said with a grin and another giggle. "After you disappeared, no one wanted to be stuck with another selfish, oppressive dictator with high taxes, uh, what I mean is, uh . . . " the peasant said nervously.
"Minya," Xena snapped with irritation, then let out a long exhale. "I just want the truth. I've had enough ass-kissing for a life time."
"Oh," Minya said with disappointment then continued. "Well, like many other towns, we thought we'd finally be able to live free, under our own rules. So we declared our independence from the new Empire and stopped paying taxes. The next thing we know, Callisto arrived with a huge army. The only reason anyone from our town is alive today is because the Amazons came to help," Minya said, provoking a small smile from Xena, who stirred the herbal tea.
"But many were lost, even children," Minya said uncomfortably, Xena nodded sadly, recalling Gabrielle's disturbing account in that scroll.
"The Amazons even lost their Queen and their Princess was seriously injured. The town was quickly leveled after that."
"Seriously injured? What happened?!?" Xena blurted with concern.
"She was plowing through the soldiers, whacking them silly with her staff. You should have seen it! Bam, bam, bam. She was amazing! They couldn't touch her," Minya recounted enthusiastically. "But after Callisto killed Queen Melosa, she nailed Princess Gabrielle with her cross-bow, right here," the peasant pointed to her shoulder and shuddered.
"But instead of finishing her off, Callisto dragged her behind her horse, into the center of town," Minya relayed, making Xena grit her teeth and want to cause Callisto ten times the pain she had caused Gabrielle. "The Empress made her watch the town's destruction, threatening the Princess that more destruction would come if anyone else dared to rebel," Minya said. "Then Callisto left. I can still hear her laugh," the peasant woman said and cringed, shaking her head.
"The Princess almost died right there. She was bleeding really bad. But two Amazons, got her to Cumae in time," Minya relayed, eyeing the older woman.
Xena looked at the healer with amazement, then gratitude.
"We never could figure out why one of them was buck naked though," Minya said thoughtfully then added with a shrug "I guess it did distract a lot of the soldiers during battle but you'd think it would . . . "
Glancing up from her ample breasts to seeing Xena's irritated gaze at her tangent, Minya continued. "Anyway, Callisto made her biggest mistake. Her actions that day created her worst enemy - Queen Gabrielle. She has vowed to stop Callisto. The people want her to and eventually, she will," Minya said with confidence, which was quickly replaced with concern.
"But what will you do?" Minya suddenly said, disturbing Xena from her thoughts.
"Do?"
"Yeah, now that you're back, what are you going to do??" Minya said uneasily.
"I'm going to help your healer," she said, glancing at the older woman.
"Then what?"
"Go to sleep."
"THEN what?"
"Find Gabrielle."
Minya suddenly grabbed a small knife and nervously pointed it at the former Empress. "Queen Gabrielle is fighting for us. She is our only hope. I won't let you kill her," Minya said defiantly, bringing a pleased smile to Xena's face. "I mean it!" Minya added with irritation.
"I know," Xena said softly. "Put down the knife, Minya. I would never harm, Gabrielle."
"Why not? She would be a great threat to you if you regained the throne," Minya challenged the former Empress.
"Well, I guess I'd have to get her one too, so we don't fight over it," Xena offered with amusement, confusing the peasant.
"But . . . she wouldn't just sit around on a throne and allow you to dictate like you used to," Minya argued heatedly.
"No, I don't expect she would," Xena said with a smile. Her eyebrow rose as she looked at the loyal peasant then the knife still clenched in her hand.
"Oh, put the knife down, Minya. Before you stab yourself," the old woman said with a gravely voice, shifting in her cot. "Gods, the only thing worse than an old fool is a young fool," she grumbled.
"Good, you're awake. Sip this," Xena said, handing the mug of herbal tea to the old woman, ignoring Minya, who stood with the knife, still confused.
"Ah, you know your herbs," the old woman said approvingly as she sipped the mug of tea. "You wouldn't mind leaving a little behind for us when you go?" The healer asked, eyeing the bag of herbs.
"They're yours," Xena quickly said, making the old woman smile.
"Wait a minute! How do we know you won't just go after Queen Gabrielle and Empress Callisto to get your Empire back?" Minya challenged, still holding onto the knife.
"Minya, she helped us. Why would she do that if she was an enemy? Queen Gabrielle isn't in any danger from this woman," Cumae said.
"How do you know?" Minya argued, still holding onto the knife.
"Because it seems that this woman loves her," Cumae said, looking at Xena, who smiled and glanced down feeling suddenly shy from this woman's comment.
"She could be a stalker," Minya said knowingly and added ominously "they claim to love, but as soon as they are rejected . . . ."
"Minya, quiet! I don't believe that will happen," Cumae said with a
smile. "When I treated Queen Gabrielle, she said she loved Xena. Though, I
thought she was just delusional with that high fever she had," the old
woman admitted sheepishly.
At night, Xena made camp by the river, away from the peasant camp, though she was invited to share a tent with Minya, a number of times.
After placing a few branches on the fire, she lay on her bedroll. Her mind was too busy sorting through the incredible news to let her sleep. So, she stared at the stars, thinking.
War changes people, she knew. What if Gabrielle's claim in the scroll was no longer true. What if, like everything else, the bard's love for her had changed? So much time had passed. Almost five winters . . . .
Why did this have to happen just after finding happiness with Gabrielle, she wondered angrily, gazing at the heavens with a furrowed brow. Because she was still cursed, she concluded as loneliness welled up within her heart. Hearing a twig break, she knew she wasn't alone anymore.
Heavy, shuffling footsteps and muffled grunts clearly announced the intruder's every movement. With shut eyes, Xena waited, listening as he came closer and closer. When the footsteps finally stopped, she jumped up, unsheathed her sword and pointed it at the intruder, who dropped a heavy rock onto his foot with a deep thump.
"Ahhhh!" Hower screeched and clenched his foot, hopping around on one leg until he fell over. "Ooff."
Xena eyed him and sheathed her sword, shaking her head. "So what's the rock for, Hower?" She asked flatly, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Please don't kill me," he pleaded into the dirt.
"Why not? I'm usually not too receptive to people trying to bash my head in."
Hower shifted into a sitting position on the dirt. He looked pathetic and lost. "Your head is worth five thousand dinars. That would feed us for a very long time."
"And if you actually succeeded in bashing my head in, how would they know it was mine?"
"Oh," Hower said dejectedly, not having really thought about that. He had spent all day just coming up with the rock plan.
"You need to cut it off," she said helpfully, pulling out a dagger with a smile as she slowly crouched down next to him. "Nice and clean, so the face is recognizable," she explained pointing to his neck with her dagger exactly where to cut. ". . . and the trophy can be presented."
"Please don't kill me," he whimpered, eyeing the dagger with fear.
Xena sighed. "Have you ever thought about hunting for food?"
Hower looked at Argo, who neighed with irritation.
"Think about her again and I will kill you," Xena said evenly, causing the man to quickly avert his gaze from her prize horse.
"The land seems to have some game," Xena offered, putting her dagger away. "And there's a stream that's bound to have a few fish."
"Callisto killed most of the men in our village. I'm no good at hunting or fishing," he said dejectedly. "I'm no good at anything, ask Minya."
Xena rolled her eyes.
***
Xena sat staring into the small fire that Hower kept feeding with branches while he talked. And talked. And talked. . . .
Why me?
"When we first met, she only had eyes for me," Hower said, smiling fondly at the memory.
I don't recall inviting him to talk my ear off. But here he is. She glanced at him with a weak smile.
"Then her eye started to wander," he said with amazement at that possibility.
How did "You need to learn how to hunt and fish. I'll teach you in the morning," give him the impression I wanted him to stay and chat??
"Sure, I was starting to gain a little weight . . ."
Well, at least I should be able to sleep now. Xena yawned.
". . . but I wasn't fat," he said defensively.
I wonder what Gabrielle is doing right now. Probably something fun, like planning a battle . . . .
***
After long hours of debating over the Queen's plan, the Centaur General had enough.
"Let us sleep on it," the General said tersely.
Gabrielle would not be put off easily. "You know as well as I do there will never be an opportunity like this one. She has her troops scattered about the lands. She has never been as vulnerable as . . . "
"Queen Gabrielle, I am not arguing. But we will not settle all the details this evening," Tyldus said with a yawn.
"But . . . "
"I am tired. We will work with you - tomorrow. Goodnight, Queen Gabrielle," the Centaur general said briskly and left the tent with his son, who paused and smiled at Ephiny before he left.
Gabrielle sighed heavily and suddenly slapped her hand against the map table with frustration. She wanted the details to be ironed out quickly, certain they didn't have time to waste. Callisto must know that with the Centaurs, they had a chance of defeating the Northern army. So she would obviously call for reinforcements, Gabrielle thought. Then the advantage, and a real chance of victory, would be lost in only a few days.
Ephiny looked at the tent opening, then back at her Queen uneasily.
"Go ahead, say what's on your mind before I beat it out of you," Gabrielle said with irritation, rubbing her temples.
"I really like him."
"Huh?"
"Phantes."
"Oh?" Gabrielle said hesitantly.
"What do you think of him?" Ephiny asked expectantly.
"Uh . . . I, really don't . . . uh, he seems to be really . . . sharp. A good head on his shoulders," Gabrielle said with a smile for her relieved friend.
"We've been seeing each other," Ephiny relayed shyly.
"Really??"
"He's a great dancer," Ephiny offered wistfully.
"Centaurs dance?" Gabrielle's eyebrows furrowed curiously.
"Not all of them. But Phantes is a really great hoofer."
"Ah."
"My mother used to tell me it's very rare to find a man who will dance with you," she added, recalling her mother's little talks fondly. "And if she had ever found one, he would have been a keeper."
"A keeper? That sounds rather serious."
"Phantes and I have actually talked about getting married."
"You can do that?!?" Gabrielle asked with amazement.
"Sure, why not?"
"I . . . uh, no reason."
Ephiny smiled. "We wanted to tie the knot before the attack. Just in case things didn't go so well."
"So soon? But you only just met him, Ephiny," Gabrielle said with surprise.
"I've known him a week!"
"But how can you really be ready for a life-long commitment after such a short . . ." Gabrielle blurted then paused, realizing she was the last person to question knowing one's heart after such a short time. "You're sure, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Gabrielle nodded with a small smile and looked at the map. She sighed and felt obligated to offer her best friend an option. "You don't have to lead them into battle, you know. You and Phantes could . . . . "
"Queen Gabrielle, I am an Amazon," Ephiny said testily. "I have had many sisters die because of Callisto. I will not shirk my duties and dishonor those who died or risk those who remain, including my Queen, who happens to need my help!"
"And I certainly do," Gabrielle said and nodded at her friend, expecting no less from her.
"Once we bring peace to the land, we'll settle down and have a family," Ephiny said with confidence looking at the map.
The Queen never saw a scroll on that. How on earth . . . ?
Ephiny continued to study the map. "It will be difficult," the regent said, pointing to the area where the army was.
Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully. No doubt . . . .
"But I know we'll succeed," Ephiny continued with confidence, glancing to her Queen.
"Or die trying," Gabrielle offered with a smirk, glancing back at the map.
"Well, that would be better than dying of old age in a rocking chair."
"If you say so," Gabrielle said flatly. "I happen to be a big fan of old age and rocking chairs."
"If you say so," Ephiny said skeptically.
"Hey! Thanks to you, I now have a map of the castle, Ephiny," Gabrielle responded defensively. "I am planning on coming back, WITH my parents."
"I'd argue with you, but I know that wouldn't do any good."
"My plan will work. And I can handle myself, Ephiny," Gabrielle said with irritation, crossing her arms over her chest.
Ephiny looked at her friend, who had become a force to be reckoned with. Her skills had dramatically improved. She could beat any Amazon now with almost any weapon. But the bard Queen's most formidable weapon was her mind, which was perfectly suited for strategy. She had won many small battles against Callisto and was successfully eroding away her power. And now she was on the verge of a monumental victory.
But still, Ephiny worried, Callisto was an insane, unpredictable wildcard that Gabrielle was trying to predict. And she had Gabrielle's parents.
"This is Callisto, Gabrielle. She's not your typical evil bitch."
"I know," Gabrielle said with a weary sigh.
"I still wish you would take us with you," Ephiny grumbled.
"She has spies, Ephiny. I know the moment any of my Amazons are noted missing from the camp, she'll figure out what I'm trying to do. And I need you at the front, Ephiny. Now more than ever. Once you punch through the Northern Army, we'll be ready for you at the castle. There will never be another opportunity like this. This will work."
Ephiny grunted unhappily.
Gabrielle chuckled at her friend. "I bet you never imagined any of this happening when we were by the river with Terreis."
"No, can't say that was anything close to what I was imagining," Ephiny said with a smile finally filling her face. "So . . . will you marry us?"
"I can do that??"
"Sure, why not?"
"Uh . . . no reason. I'd be happy to marry you, Ephiny."
***
"Then she started dropping hints about trying new stuff," Hower continued as Xena blinked numbly at the fire.
I could still kill him. After all, he did try to bash my head in with a rock.
"I don't know any new stuff, you know?" He said with great frustration.
And it would get me out of my promise tomorrow.
"So I was thinking . . . "
Can't teach a dead man to fish . . . .
"Do you have any special . . . techniques you could share with me?"
But he seems like a nice guy . . . kinda. Did he just stop talking?
"Hmm?" Xena said, looking up from the fire.
"Techniques? Do you have any techniques that you could share?"
"Huh?"
"Look, I know you have a reputation for being . . . well, amazing in the bedroom and I was . . ."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
"Come on, Xena, please! I want to please her. I'm desperate here."
"You sure are, if you're asking me."
"From all those stories I've heard, you must have something you can share that will help me satisfy her."
Xena cringed when she heard a pathetic "please."
With a sigh, she shook her head wearily and eyed an expectant Hower, who quickly blurted "Please, please, please, please. . . ."
"Ok!" Xena sharply interrupted and rolled her eyes, getting a huge grin from the man. "I'll share a few things," she relented. Her new student eagerly leaned forward to hear every sage word from the infamous Empress.
"Let's see," Xena scratched her chin, thinking through her list. "You already know her name. . . ."
Hower's eyebrows furrowed curiously.
"Uh, she's not married, right?"
Hower shook his head hesitantly.
"You don't seem so sure. You don't want to be surprised about that, Hower. That certainly will ruin the mood. Trust me," Xena said wisely. "And when your mood is ruined, her mood will be ruined. . . ."
"She's not married," Hower said with irritation.
"And you aren't either, I hope."
"NO!"
"Hey, you're the one who asked the question," Xena said with irritation.
"Sorry," he grumbled softly.
"Ok," Xena said and looked up at the stars and smiled. "Do you trust her?"
"What? Aren't you going to tell me about any techniques?"
"Answer my question."
"But," Hower said, then saw the stern look on the Empress' face. "Yes," he answered hesitantly. "But what has that. . . ."
"Really trust her?"
"Yes. I do," he said with irritation.
"Good. That's very important. You need to trust her. Trust her to tell you what she wants when you ask her."
"You mean I have to talk to her about this?" He blurted with surprise.
"I know, it's scary, Hower. But you said she has already mentioned she was interested in new things. Did you ever let her actually show you what she wanted?"
"But I'm the man. I'm supposed to lead and know things!" He said with frustration as Xena rolled her eyes. "Are you going to tell me about any techniques or not??"
"You are looking for a quick fix . . . "
"Yeah?"
"Hower, there aren't any. If you aren't comfortable talking with her about this then it's no wonder you are having difficulties with . . . you know."
"Know what?"
The atmosphere was tense in the Amazon and Centaur camp. All knew that tomorrow, history would be made, regardless of the outcome.
But for today, the focus was not on battles but on unions as the Amazon sisters and Centaur brothers gathered, taking a short break from their war preparations. Years ago, no one would have imagined an alliance between the Amazons and Centaurs. Their history had been one of distrust, at best. But times had changed. And thanks to the Amazon Queen, who stood before a crowd in her ceremonial leathers, a new age of cooperation had begun. One which Gabrielle prayed would last well beyond tomorrow.
As the happy couple approached the Centaur General and Amazon Queen, Gabrielle raised her hand to hush the murmuring crowd. After a pleased grin at the couple, the Queen spoke, looking out over the gathering.
"Since I have become Queen, the ceremonies I've performed have been to honor our noble sisters who have died in our struggle against evil. But for today, I am truly pleased to be part of a ceremony that celebrates life, love, and hope for our future," Gabrielle smiled down at Ephiny and Phantes, who grinned and glanced at each other.
"Love is a precious gift. And as Ephiny and Phantes know, time with a loved one should not be wasted. So, to not waste any more time, let's get down to business, shall we?" Gabrielle said with a grin, eyeing the couple as chuckles erupted from the audience.
"Please face each other," Gabrielle said. After the couple stood hoof to toe, the Queen continued.
"Ephiny, do you promise to love Phantes, above all others and cherish each day with him?"
"I do," Ephiny said, glancing at the General, who nodded happily.
"Phantes, do you promise to love Ephiny, above all others and cherish each day with her?"
"Yes," Phantes said confidently to Queen Gabrielle, though his tail whipped about.
"As Amazon Queen, I pronounce Ephiny and Phantes married. May your life together be lived with honor and purpose, and be full of love," Queen Gabrielle said with warmth. "You may kiss."
Phantes smiled and leaned over, kissing Ephiny gently as the crowd cheered.
***
Solari stood at the front of Gabrielle's tent and softly called out "Gabrielle?"
"Solari! Come in," Gabrielle said happily as she finished changing out of her ceremonial leathers into a dark green tunic. "Tell me, did my angry sister go to Poteidaia like she said?"
"No. She went to the castle again, like you said," Solari said with irritation.
Gabrielle nodded thoughtfully and eyed the angry Amazon. "She's doing what she thinks is right."
"By spying for the enemy?!?"
"She's only trying to help our parents. I didn't give her much choice," she said guiltily for having used Lila and in doing so, endangering her.
"Do you really think Lila will be able to just walk away from the castle with your parents, Gabrielle?"
"No," Gabrielle said and exhaled wearily. "This time, I expect she'll be put into the dungeon with them. She won't be able to give them any more information before the attack," the Queen added, almost as if she were discussing the weather.
"My family will be fine as long as Callisto thinks she can have fun killing them in front of me. They're all just pawns in Callisto's game," Gabrielle said, desperately wanting this game to end. She was always aware that, like in the game of King's men, the Queen might have to be sacrificed to secure the victory. But she prayed the sacrifice did not have to include the Queen's family.
"Gabrielle?" A soft voice called from the back of the tent.
Solari's hand immediately grabbed the hilt of her dagger. Gabrielle waved off her tense Amazon friend and knelt by the tent wall. Pulling up the edge, the Queen allowed a blond Amazon to enter.
Solari's eyes widened, then she grinned. "You found them!"
"Shhhh," Gabrielle said as she helped the Northern Amazon up.
"Yakut, did you have any trouble?"
"Nope," she said with a shrug. "They are by the river with Otere, waiting for you."
"Wait a minute. By the river? Waiting for you?" Solari snapped.
"SSSSSSHHHH!" Gabrielle said, clamping her hand over her friend's mouth.
"I need your help, Solari. We can't have anyone knowing about the Northern Amazons or our mission tonight," Gabrielle said with urgency.
"Toodngmpft?!?" Solari looked at Yakut, who nodded, then noticed a very interesting birthmark.
"Yes, tonight."
"Mmookoodofbrustedme!"
"I know, but I didn't want Lila, or anyone else, overhearing any conversations or picking up that something was going on besides the attack with the Centaurs. I couldn't take that chance. Do you understand?"
Solari nodded.
***
Pulling her hood over her head, Xena emerged from the night and entered the busy Poteidaian tavern. Some things never change, she thought, glancing around the room full of people trying to escape their troubles.
Two uniformed guards wearing leather tunics, entered the tavern, eyeing the suspicious cloaked figure that sat quietly at the bar. Rubus, the bartender came up with a tired smile. "What will you have?"
"Port."
"Coming right up," Rubus said, glancing at the guards uneasily as he quickly poured the port and served it to her. She pulled out a dinar and tossed it on the bar as he placed her mug in front of her.
He picked up the old coin and looked at it with surprise.
"Barkeep, two meads," the smaller guard ordered.
"Yes sir," Rubus blurted and quickly got them their drinks. They took their mugs and headed for a table, which was immediately vacated by three nervous patrons.
"Excuse me? I think you forgot to pay," Xena said politely. The chatter in the tavern suddenly quieted as the guards halted in their tracks and turned around to the cloaked figure.
"Who dares question us?" The smaller guard snapped and pulled out his sword.
"Please, please, we don't want any trouble," Cyrene called out nervously, quickly descending the stairs.
Xena glanced at her mother, startled at the grey that now streaked her hair.
"Then teach your customers to respect the imperial guard," the large man snarled.
Not likely. Xena sipped her port as her hand rested comfortably on her chakram.
"Of course. Please, take your mead and enjoy, please," Cyrene said wearily with a forced smile. The guards grumbled and sat down.
The tavern owner turned to the hooded woman. "Please, I don't want any more. . . trouble," Cyrene finished absently, noticing the familiar round weapon at the customer's side peaking out from beneath the cloak.
Xena said in a low, quiet voice. "I'm afraid the trouble is just really starting, mother."
Cyrene blinked, struggling to believe her eyes. Xena had come home.
"Do you have rooms?" Xena said loudly as she stood, causing the lazy guards to briefly glance her way, satisfied the hooded patron would not challenge them again.
***
As they entered a room, Cyrene immediately hugged her daughter, who gratefully returned the embrace. "Dear Gods. Look at you!" Cyrene said as she laughed and cried, wiping tears from her eyes as she pulled back and inspected her daughter. Xena looked as if no time had passed. "No one thought you'd wake. Except Gabrielle," she added with wonder.
"Where is she?" Xena asked softly, searching her mother's face.
"I don't know," Cyrene said, guiltily cringing at the disappointment on her daughter's face. "The last I heard from her, she was going to recruit help to attack the castle. She's an Amazon Queen now, Xena."
Xena nodded as she paced. "She wants to attack my castle?"
"It's Callisto's castle now. And yes, she wants to attack the castle and stop that mad woman."
Xena looked at her mother, concerned Gabrielle's desire to stop the new Empress had clouded her judgment. "You don't just go and attack a castle without major losses," Xena blurted with frustration. "Why do you think I built those big stone walls with turrets around the castle?!? She'll be a sitting duck!"
Cyrene cringed at the outburst and Xena's unsettling point.
The Conqueror exhaled her frustration as she sat. "How is she?"
Cyrene smiled, heartened to see the concern and love her daughter expressed for the young woman.
"It's been almost five winters," Cyrene said. "Gabrielle is . . . ok, considering," she said hesitantly. Seeing her daughter's expectant gaze, she continued. "You don't know what she's been through," she relayed uneasily, sitting with her daughter at the small table.
"Tell me," Xena urged her mother softly.
"She's seen much death. So many have died, including Melosa," Cyrene said, glancing down and pausing a moment.
"I'm sorry, Mother," Xena said sincerely, grasping Cyrene's hand and squeezing it. "I heard she died honorably, defending a town from Callisto and her army."
Cyrene nodded and sighed heavily. "The town was destroyed. Melosa was killed. And Gabrielle was seriously injured."
"I've heard she was shot with a cross-bow," Xena said tightly.
Cyrene nodded. "After she regained her strength, the Amazon resistance increased. The Southern and Eastern lands are no longer under Callisto's control."
"It sounds like Gabrielle is doing . . . well," Xena said cautiously.
Cyrene laughed derisively. "No, Xena, she's not. That sweet, young bard has been scarred by all the bloodshed. I don't know if those wounds will ever get a chance to heal. And now, Callisto has her parents. They are in the castle's dungeon."
"She must know they'll be killed if she tries to storm the castle," Xena said with worry.
Cyrene frowned. "I don't know if it really matters."
"What? What do you mean?"
"When Callisto came for Gabrielle's parents, they claimed they didn't know her," Cyrene cringed guiltily. "The blacksmith and his wife heard everything. The news, all of it, quickly got back to her."
"Look, Gabrielle might have been hurt, but she wouldn't just let them die."
Cyrene sighed. "She's changed."
"But she wouldn't let them die," Xena repeated with irritation.
"She'll do whatever it takes to defeat Callisto, Xena."
***
Shortly after the sun set, no one saw the Amazon Queen leave the camp, as was intended. Gabrielle paused, looking through the trees, back at the small camp fires with a heavy heart. She knew that even with victory, there would be fewer fires the next evening.
Saying a small prayer that Artemis would watch over them all, she continued her journey.
Gabrielle arrived at the river, which calmly rolled along in the moonlight, blissfully unaware of the turmoil that would soon erupt. A breeze rustled through the leaves and Gabrielle paused to listen, enjoying the precious moment of peace while she could, for she knew peaceful moments never lasted very long.
"Quack, quack."
Hearing the faint call of her sisters, Gabrielle looked up to the tree tops. Pleased they were still well hidden, she clasped her hands above her head and responded with the ancient reply, "Quack, quackquack, Quack, Quack . . . ."
"Quack, quack," responded her sisters as they quietly emerged from the trees. There were only a dozen of them, Gabrielle included. But a dozen was all that she needed to penetrate the castle and do the job they needed to do.
"Patrols will come through here soon. We must go," Otere said as she clasped Gabrielle's forearm in greeting.
"Let's go then."
Moving through the tree tops, the dozen Amazons carefully watched the Army camp in the distant clearing. Soldiers sat around their fires, just like in the Amazon and Centaur camp, Gabrielle noted with a heavy heart.
Hearing footsteps crunching through leaves, the nervous Queen glanced at her sisters in nearby branches, who had stopped their movement. They silently waited as the muscular guard stopped just beneath them, stood tall, and looked around. Gabrielle held her breath, hoping he hadn't heard something that would betray their position.
Everything depended on them getting past this army undetected.
As she watched the guard, she noted he seemed familiar. She cringed, as did the rest of the Amazons, when he pulled his manhood out and relieved himself in the bushes.
"Perdicus, where in Tartarus . . . there you are!" another guard said as he jogged up.
"Just taking care of business," Perdicus said with a sigh.
"Can't hold your mead?" The other guard said with a snicker.
"I didn't have any," Perdicus said with irritation.
"Hold on," the other guard said tensely, grabbing the man's arm as he looked around.
The Queen shut her eyes and prayed they had not been discovered.
"What is it," Perdicus whispered nervously, whipping out his sword.
The other guard chuckled at Perdicus' gullibility.
"You're an ass, Talbot, has anyone ever told you that?"
"You, my friend," he smiled proudly. "You'd better put that thing away, before someone gets hurt," Talbot looked down at Perdicus and chuckled.
"Jerk," he growled and quickly put his sword and himself away.
Gabrielle looked at her old friend with mixed emotions as the men walked away from the area. He had joined the army because they recruited him. But he had a choice, either join or die. The kind of choice Xena used to give people, Gabrielle thought with a sinking stomach.
Hearing the soldier's continued chuckling at her friend, her eyes narrowed. She felt like kicking that jerk's butt. But she was well aware she couldn't indulge in that pleasure at the moment. At least she'd have more than enough opportunity to release her pent-up frustration soon, she considered. And after five winters, she had a whole lot of frustration, she sighed.
The other sisters curiously watched as their preoccupied Queen looked up and uncomfortably realized their eyes were on her. Before she could signal for them to move, another commotion captured their attention. A lone rider raced into camp on her black horse and pulled on the reigns hard. The horse stopped, neighed wildly as he reared up on his hind legs. When he settled down, Callisto dismounted.
Gabrielle's heart pounded as a cold chill spread through her, like someone had walked on her grave. But realizing the Empress had done exactly what she had expected - left the castle - a slow, satisfied smile emerged.
***
"Empress! We didn't expect you," the senior officer said nervously after rushing from his tent to greet the blond ruler.
The tired camp suddenly seemed to liven up. Soldiers stood more alert and the sound of whet stones sharpening swords increased.
"Apparently," she said flatly. "Bring your perimeter patrol here," she ordered and dismounted. Seeing everyone standing frozen, she sighed. "In my lifetime?" She added impatiently, prompting two soldiers to rush off to find them.
"S . . . so to what do we owe the pleasure, your highness?" Captain Faulks asked, poorly masking his fear.
"I thought it was a nice night for a visit," she said, glancing around the camp, then smiled at him. "Don't you think?"
"Uh . . . if we had known, we would have had a royal tent prepared."
She looked at him with narrow eyes. "Luxury makes one weak, Captain. I'm concerned my troops have had it too good. Do you think they are ready for battle?"
After glancing quickly around the camp uneasily, he answered "Of course."
"Really?" She purred.
"Yes," he said with a firm nod.
"How about tomorrow? Oh, let's say . . . against Centaurs and Amazons?"
He looked at her. "Huh?"
"Huh? Huh?" She mimicked, then spat "Imbeciles. Well, I did say I like challenges," she said and exhaled wearily. Suddenly, she perked up. "So, where are those crack perimeter guards of yours?"
Perdicus and Talbot jogged up to the Empress and stood at attention.
"These are the men who've been on patrol for the past two candle marks," the captain informed her uneasily.
Callisto walked up to Perdicus and slowly circled him, looking him over. He trembled, thankful he had just relieved himself earlier. When Talbot became the focus of her attention, Perdicus began breathing again. Slowly, the Empress walked around the other soldier, stopping just behind him.
"What's your name, tiger?" She spoke softly in his hear.
"Talbot, your highness."
"What a nice name," she said sweetly.
"Thank you, ma'am," he said and added proudly "It was my great grandfather's."
"Uh huh. Now Talbot," she said and smiled. "Tell me what you've seen on your little patrol."
"Nothing?"
"Are you asking me or telling me, son?" Callisto asked, placing her hand on his shoulder in a fatherly manner.
"Telling you?"
After she punched him in the gut, he huddled over gasping. She grabbed his head and violently twisted it, causing a loud snap and a few muffled gasps from the surrounding soldiers. Releasing the limp body, she dusted off her hands as she watched the body crumple to the ground.
Her eyes darted to Perdicus and she smiled.
"Can I count on you to do a better job on the perimeter?" Callisto asked Perdicus sweetly as stepped over Talbot's body.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Perdicus blurted as he trembled.
"Good boy," she said with a warm smile that disappeared when she added "Captain get your men ready to move at dawn."
"Where are we going?" The captain asked.
"Towards destiny," she said vaguely, staring out into the trees.
***
With ceremonial masks donned, Solari and Ephiny rode beside Yakut, as the Amazon troops started to assemble for the dawn march towards the enemy.
"Are you saying she already told you about all of this?" Solari asked Ephiny with surprise.
"Yeah?" Ephiny said. The sore Amazon grimaced as she shifted in her saddle.
"Why did she tell you and not me?!?" Solari snapped.
"Because you can't keep a secret?" Ephiny offered, shifting in her saddle again with a cringe.
"Now wait a minute. You're the one who . . . !"
"Would you two stop arguing?" Yakut said with irritation. "We need to focus on the battle."
"Just because you get to wear the Queen's mask, don't be thinking you can order us around," Solari warned.
Yakut sighed and shook her head. Looking over Solari, she asked "Are you really sure you don't want to wear something besides your mask?"
"No, I don't want to wear anything besides my mask!" Solari responded heatedly as the Centaur general trotted up with his son. "If the Gods wanted us to wear clothing, we would have been born with it! Don't you agree, General?" Solari asked the Centaur, who looked curiously at the only three Amazons in masks.
"Actually, I've always wondered why humans were so preoccupied with clothing," Tyldus said honestly.
Solari looked at Yakut and triumphantly said "Ha!"
"And I didn't realize Amazons fought in masks," the General said, looking at them curiously.
"We do it all the time," Solari said as Ephiny blurted, "It's for special occasions."
The General and his son looked confused as Ephiny nervously added "which we have all the time," as Solari blurted "occasionally."
The Centaurs looked at each other.
"Actually, they're for good luck," Yakut explained in a deep, stilted voice, which made her cough and the Amazons cringe.
"Are you all right?" Tyldus asked with concern.
"Bad cold," Ephiny said as Solari blurted, "Just a sore throat."
"From her cold," Solari added as Ephiny blurted "and sore throat." The two Amazons glared at each other. Yakut rolled her eyes.
The General looked at his son, who shrugged.
***
In the forest by the castle, the small group of Amazons searched for the entrance to the tunnels. Gabrielle had anticipated getting inside the castle before dawn, but dawn came and they had not yet found the markers. Each moment they searched in the daylight, Gabrielle grew more concerned her map was wrong.
"Queen Gabrielle! Over here!" An excited young Amazon called out in an urgent hush, prompting the group to gather about a small pile of stones, buried beneath years of growth.
"Good eyes, Celeste," Gabrielle said to the proud young Amazon. "All right, this is the way in and it may be our only way out if we can't secure the castle. I need two volunteers to guard this exit."
The Amazons looked at each other not exactly thrilled with that job. Finally, two Amazons reluctantly raised their hands.
"Thank you," Gabrielle said with a warm smile for them that made the others wish they had volunteered.
***
Racing through the forest, Xena pulled on Argo's reigns as she came upon a caravan.
On foot, on horse, and in various dilapidated wagons, a large group of people traveled with assorted clothing, furniture, pots and pans, which were haphazardly tied down to whatever would carry their belongings.
"What's going on?" Xena asked an old man and woman as she pulled Argo up next their wagon.
"Fighting. It just moved into our village," he said, shaking his head and glancing over his shoulder to the road behind them.
"I haven't seen a battle like that in years," the old woman said with amazement.
"Yeah, one of them Amazons was buck naked, wielding a sword," the man said with a little too much amusement and got an elbow from his wife.
"She wore a mask," the wife clarified.
"She did?" he asked, getting elbowed again.
The old woman was about to say something, but noticed the dark woman race away, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"How rude," she huffed.
Bodies littered the blood-stained streets as swords frantically clashed in the struggle for the future. As the battle waged on, both sides continued to suffer losses without either gaining a clear advantage.
Putting her foot on the Amazon's chest, Callisto yanked out her sword in time to deflect a Centaurs' blow as he galloped by. He turned around and watched her mount her black horse.
"Hey, big fella!" She smiled and charged him. After a few traded blows, she sliced a deep gash across his chest. His legs buckled and he crashed to the ground.
She pulled her horse around, eagerly searching the various conflicts for the elusive Amazon Queen. Having spotted the masked queen only a moment before, Callisto got the distinct impression she was avoiding her. "You can run, deary."
Finally spotting the masked Amazon she was looking for, she grinned. "Yoo hoo! Over here!" Callisto called out, waving her fingers delicately at the Amazon, who gasped just before blocking a soldier's sword blow with her staff.
"I wondered where you disappeared to," Callisto said with great relief, momentarily distracted by the Centaur that started to charge her. She pulled out her cross-bow and aimed it at his stomach and fired. The Centaur clenched the bolt sticking out of his gut and stumbled to the ground.
Felling her attacker, Yakut backed away nervously as Callisto reloaded her weapon. She thought of running but expected Callisto would just shoot her in the back. Facing her enemy, she believed, she had a chance - however slim that might be.
"You have been busy, haven't you?" The Empress said with appreciation, looking at the soldiers on the ground around her.
"We have so much to catch up on, Gabrielle. It's been, like forever," she pouted, then suddenly fired the crossbow at the Amazon's leg.
Yakut let out a cry as she crumbled to the ground clenching her leg.
Callisto smirked and slowly walked towards her prey and reloaded her weapon. "And I have to tell you, it's so much easier to catch up if you're not running away."
"Gabrielle!!" Perdicus ran over and knelt beside the injured Amazon curled up in the fetal position, clenching her leg. He looked up angrily at the approaching Empress, ready to protect the Queen.
"So you know the Amazon Queen? My, my, my. I didn't give you enough credit, did I? Now step away little boy. I might even let you live," she said, pointing the crossbow at the downed Amazon to finally put her out of their misery.
He looked at her with cold eyes and stood up slowly.
"Good boy. Back away. Come on boy, you can do it. You can do it," she cheered him on.
He growled and charged her. Without hesitation, she fired the crossbow and watched his eyes widened as the bolt hit his chest. Perdicus tumbled to the ground.
"So you had some backbone after all," she said thoughtfully, tossing her cross-bow to the ground next to the dead soldier. "What an unfortunate time to find it."
"Now, where were we?" Callisto said with enthusiasm as she unsheathed her sword in a flourish, looking down at the Amazon, who struggled to sit up and pull off her mask.
"Queen Gabrielle sends her regards," Yakut said defiantly through gritted teeth, knowing her pain would end soon.
"Noooooo!!" Callisto screeched at the ruse. She angrily raised her sword above the Amazon. Growling, she powerfully brought down her blade for the killing blow when it was knocked from her hands by a metallic disc that soared through the air.
The livid Empress quickly sought the person who dared to intrude.
Sitting regally on her pale horse, a stunning raven-haired warrior caught the amazing object with a feral grin.
"Oh," Callisto said with great appreciation. ". . . my."
The dark warrior let out a battle cry as she rode into the struggle, startling many of the soldiers, who remembered that chilling sound. Many fled into the woods as the Amazons and Centaurs continued to fight those left, pressing their sudden advantage.
Callisto laughed with delight at this unexpected return of the legendary Conqueror. Now that she was alive, she would be able to kill her, Callisto thought happily. Hearing the injured Amazon shift below her, the Empress glanced down. Her eyes narrowed with incredible anger. She still had the rude Amazon Queen to kill, who was likely trying to save her family at this very moment, she thought with irritation and admiration. Dismissing the felled Amazon as insignificant, Callisto vaulted onto her horse.
As the Empress raced away, Xena somersaulted off of Argo, landing near Perdicus. As she glanced at the man who earned her respect for trying to save Gabrielle's life, two soldiers charged at her. Grabbing one soldier, she thrust his sword into the chest of the second and kicked the first soldier in the head. They didn't even hit the ground before she spotted a Centaur struggling under a net held by two soldiers. With a swift throw, her chakram knocked over the soldiers and returned to her hand in time to clash with a sword. Grabbing the soldier's dagger from his belt, Xena buried it in his chest and pushed him away.
The fighting continued around her as she glanced to the injured Amazon, curled up in pain. "Gabrielle?" Xena called out with concern as three soldiers circled with their swords carefully trained on her.
"The Conqueror's head for five thousand dinars," the bearded soldier said with a greedy glint in his eyes. Xena's eyes rolled. "And four for the Queen," another added, leering at the injured Amazon. Xena's eyes grew hard.
"Not a bad haul, all-in-all," the bearded man said, making the others chuckle.
"You shouldn't count your heads before they're severed," she said with a chilling smile.
In a burst of deadly force, she unsheathed her sword and thrust it into one soldier's chest. With a morbidly elegant, economy of motion, she rapidly pulled the blade out, sliced the second soldier's chest, decapitated the bearded soldier, then the second soldier, then the first, and released a high pitched cry "Sheeeee Yah!"
Xena looked up from three heads to see stunned faces of soldiers, Amazons, and Centaurs, who stood frozen, having witnessed the brutal slaughter or its aftermath. When Callisto's army regained the ability to move, they quickly fled, handing the victory over to the Amazons and Centaurs, who still stood stunned as the Conqueror swiped her sword on a soldier's tunic.
After returning her sword to its sheath, she was quickly at the downed Amazon's side. "Gab . . . ," she said with concern as she knelt down, stopping when she recognized with great disappointment it wasn't her bard.
Yakut looked up from the severed heads with concern.
"We'll need to get the bolt out," Xena said softly, looking down at the injury. "I'm afraid it will need to pulled away from the bone and pushed through. Pulling it out will cause more damage. Do you understand?" Xena said, looking at the young Amazon with a sympathetic grimace.
The Amazon nodded hesitantly, feeling uneasy as she glanced back to the three heads, despite the current help being offered from the deadly woman. Looking back up, her eyes widened with concern.
Xena jumped up and unsheathed her sword in time to meet General Tyldus' blade with a resonating clang.
"We were victorious over Callisto, and we will be victorious over you!" he said with venom as he swung his sword at Xena again.
"Tyldus, I have no desire to fight you," the Warrior Princess said with irritation as she deflected his powerful blow.
"Then you will just make it easier to kill you, Conqueror" he spat as he continued to attack his former enemy. As Xena easily parried his blows, Ephiny, Solari, and Phantes ran towards them.
"NO!" Solari shouted. Ephiny, hobbling awkwardly behind Solari, called out "General, stop. Xena's a friend!"
The General hesitated, eyeing the Amazons, then the Warrior Princess, who stood tall and looked him in the eye as she lowered her weapon. Certain he would never have another opportunity like this, he lifted his sword to strike down the Destroyer of Nations.
"No, Father! Please. She saved my life with her round thing!" Phantes called out, standing beside his wife.
Tyldus looked at Phantes with shock at the impossible claim, but his son never lied. The General hesitantly lowered his sword, praying it wasn't a mistake.
"Xena," Ephiny exhaled with wonder as she hobbled closer to her long-missing friend.
"Ephiny! Are you all right?" Xena asked her limping friend with concern.
"By the GODS, Xena. No one thought you'd ever wake," Ephiny said with astonishment. "Except Gabrielle."
"Where IS she???" Xena asked uneasily, looking around the battlefield.
"That's a very good question," the General asked, glaring at the Amazons.