A QueenÕs Tale

Part 11

 ÒDori stay down!Ó Gabrielle put a hand on her daughterÕs back as she peered between two rocks at the fight in process.  They were pinned down behind a set of rocks, and their attackers were sheltered in the forest, and right now, no one was going much of anywhere.

ÒWe should rush them.Ó Nala was busy fixing an arrowpoint on one of her crossbow bolts.

ÒWe could do.Ó Bennu agreed.

Solari came over and crouched next to them. ÒI think we can get down the trail there.Ó She pointed. ÒIf we get some cover, we can hit them from that side.Ó

ÒSounds good.Ó Nala said.

ÒAye.Ó Bennu agreed. ÒSend my boys down the right side there, quick like.  Surprise em.Ó

ÒNo.Ó Gabrielle was watching the pattern of the arrows. ÒI think thatÕs what they want. Ò   She sensed the silence around her, but didnÕt look at her companions. ÒSo weÕre not going to do that.Ó   

The silence went on a few minutes more, then Solari cleared her throat. ÒWhat clued you to that, your maj

Gabrielle almost smiled at the political correctness of it.  ÒWell.Ó She eased up and rested her elbows on the stone. ÒIf they just wanted to attack us, theyÕd just have waited at the foot of the path, and when we went through that area there, theyÕd surround and hit us.Ó She pointed to a small clear spot near the bottom of the path.  

ÒMaybe we surprised them.Ó

ÒNo, because Dori saw them creeping around waiting for us.Ó  Gabrielle reminded them. ÒSo they knew we were coming.Ó

ÒHuh.Ó Solari grunted. ÒSo why are they just pinning us down here? Ò

Now that was a good question.  She hadnÕt really gotten that far yet. 

ÒWhy would they want us to attack them?Ó Nala asked. ÒYou said doing that would play into their hands, but why would they want that anyway? You think they have a trap laid down there?Ó

ÒCould be they want to draw us in, yeah.Ó Gabrielle was more than happy for the handout.  ÒMaybe theyÕve got a pit dug there, and they want to catch us instead of fight us.Ó

ÒAhhBennu made a low muttering sound.

ÒWhy capture us?Ó Nala said. ÒWeÕre just a bunch of ..Ó

ÒYou arenÕt.Ó Gabrielle turned to regard her. ÒBut IÕm really not, and neitherÕs Dori.Ó  She said.  ÒWouldnÕt be the first time someone tried to grab me to try and get leverage on my better half, and thereÕs a lot of people out there who want a piece of her for this damn war.Ó

ÒOh.Ó Nala exhaled. ÒWell, ArtemisÕ left tit, I never thought of that.Ó

ÒMe either.Ó Solari murmured.  ÒBoy that would have really sucked.Ó

Gabrielle glanced around, taking in the now respectful looks aimed in her direction and knowing a moment of that black self humor so common to her partner.   ÒAnyway.Ó She said. ÒSo now we are pinned down here and weÕve got to figure out what to do about it.  WeÕre wasting time.Ó

ÒMaybe they know weÕre going to look at those armed troops and they donÕt want us to.Ó Paladia spoke up.  

ÒWhy not just shoot us then?Ó  Nala asked.  ÒHer maj is right. If they wanted to stop us, they would have.Ó

ÒWell, maybe they wanted to delay us then.Ó Solari said. ÒSort of hold us off so weÉ aw crap. That doesnÕt make sense.  NalaÕs got it they Ôd just have shot us.Ó

They looked at Gabrielle. 

ÒUnless theyÕre afraid to shoot us.Ó  The bard responded.

ÒAfraid?Ó Nala looked confused. ÒOf what?Ó

ÒXena, dumbass.Ó  Solari rolled her eyes. ÒYou think youÕve seen some bad tempers? You just wait to see what sheÕs like if someone lays a finger on either Gabrielle or Dori.Ó

Actually, though she thought the notion was valid and that there was  a good reason to fear XenaÕs vengance; Gabrielle knew in the depths of her heart that if anything were to happen to either of them her partner would be far too rolled up in grief to much care.

It was a horribly uncomfortable thought. Gabrielle shifted away from it quickly.  ÒSo.Ó

ÒSo, what do we do now?Ó Solari asked.  ÒCause thereÕs no way in Hades weÕre going to risk them grabbing you, your maj.  IÕm not gonna be the one to go back and say I let that happen.Ó

 It really didnÕt do any good to wonder what Xena would do. Gabrielle picked up a rock and looked thoughtfully at it.  Xena would just go wipe the floor with all of them and they could continue on their merry way.

So if she couldnÕt wonder what Xena would do, she had to figure out what she would do, and the truth was she wasnÕt often in situations like this alone.

So what should she do?   Gabrielle had to admit privately she really didnÕt have a clue.

She got up on her knees again and peered between the rocks, the offset just enough to hide her from the forest yet give her a glimpse of it.  The trees were tall, and thick with leaves all the way up to their crowns, the summer rains having given the region a richness of growth everyone hoped would translate to the crops.

Her eyes traced the shape of the branches,  the glittering of moisture from the rains putting the kibosh on a nascent idea of setting them on fire.

Not really her style anyway.  She paused seeing some thick lumps in the branches, wondering if they were lookouts.

Too small, she decided after a moment.  Too small, but were they some disease causing the odd shapes orÉ

Or.

ÒSolari, whoÕs the best marksman weÕve got with us?Ó

ÒCaitSolari answered without hesitation. ÒSheÕs just waiting her chance down the slope there, though. Ò

ÒTell her to come here.Ó Gabrielle leaned her elbow on the rock.  ÒDori, stay where you are honey. DonÕtÕ go past that green stick, okay?Ó

ÒOkay.Ó Dori scrambled over to her and sat down. ÒMama, cÕn we go down wit the trees? Hot here..Ó

ÒI know honey.Ó  Gabrielle murmured. ÒThank you for being so good for mama. WeÕll go down there and see some pretty flowers soon.Ó

ÒHere I am.Ó Cait came over to her, crouching low behind the rocks. She settled on her knees at GabrielleÕs side.  ÒSomething lovely for me to shoot at?Ó

ÒYeah.Ó Gabrielle moved aside and cleared the way for her. ÒLook right through that slot there, at that tree with the bent top.Ó

Cait studied the area. ÒAll right.Ó

ÒJust to the left there, see those lumps?Ó Gabrielle said. ÒSort of looks like the trunk bends out?Ó

For a moment, the young Amazon didnÕt answer, then she leaned forward just a bit. ÒYou mean that bit there?Ó She pointed. ÒWhere it angles?Ó

ÒYeah.Ó Gabrielle leaned on the rock. ÒThereÕs a narrow bit there, where itÕs touching the branch?  You can just see the light behind it?Ó

ÒYes, I do see it, how odd.Ó  Cait frowned.  ÒIs the tree deformed or something?Ó

ÒNo.Ó The bard said. ÒItÕs a wasps nest. Can you knock it off the branch?Ó She peered through the gap. ÒI think itÕll drop right on top of those guys.Ó

Cait grinned. ÒRather.Ó  She very gently nudged Gabrielle out of the way.   ÒLet me get on with it.Ó

Solari squinted. ÒHoly  Artemis. You can tell what that is?Ó She blurted. ÒI can hardly see it!Ó

The bard got back away from the rock. ÒOkay folks, listen up.  CaitÕs going to drop a surprise into their laps, and weÕre going to wait up here and see what happens.  If those are what I think they are, our friends down there are going to come flying out of those trees. LetÕs be ready if they fly this way.Ó

The men and Nala got their weapons ready, grins on their faces. ÒGood catch, little hawk.Ó  Bennu said. ÒThatÕll stir em.Ó

ÒThatÕs sweet.Ó Nala agreed, drawing her sword.  ÒThis should be good.Ó

Gabrielle took DoriÕs hand and moved with her to the other side of the rocks. ÒOkay, Dor.  LetÕs see if we can find some pretty rocks for you here.Ó   She glanced over her shoulder. ÒWhenever youÕre ready, Cait

Cait rested the barrel of her crossbow into the slot and waited, her body settling into stillness as she carefully sighted down the shaft tucked into the mechanism.

She licked her lips and stuck her tongue out, almost making Gabrielle laugh until she realized why she was doing it.   She watched the Amazon take a breath, then release it, then take another one, and then slowly exhale, triggering the crossbow as she did.

They heard the hiss of the arrow, then the sound of leaves tearing, and a thunk that sounded oddly hollow.

Gabrielle smiled. ÒShe hit it.Ó  She said.

ÒSure did.Ó Bennu had been watching.  ÒNice shot.Ó

ÒGot it.Ó  Cait confirmed. ÒItÕs coming off quite nicely now.Ó

There was a ripping, tearing sound then they could hear something large hitting branches, and tumbling through leaves.

A yell of surprise.

Then a louder yell of alarm.

ÒLoud.Ó Dori said, looking up from sorting her pebbles out.   ÒWe go get fower now?Ó

ÒSoon, sweetie.Ó  Gabrielle said.  ÒMaybe mama can even work out a new story when we do that, hmm?  A story about how the pretty flowers grow?Ó

ÒMama makes good stories.Ó Dori contentedly arranged her pebbles in a circle.

Chaos erupted down below.  Gabrielle could hear thrashing and then running feet, and screaming.   ÒThank you sweetie, I do my best.Ó

ÒWow, listen to them.Ó Solari came over to her.  ÒBennu, they taking off?Ó

ÒWrecking the bushes right now.Ó Bennu said.  ÒGot a dozen of em I can see.Ó

There was another hiss.

ÒLess than a dozen. Good shot young Cait  Bennu said. ÒCÕmon boys, letÕs pick em off.Ó He steadied his own crossbow and Nala joined him, as they sighted over the stones towards the forest where their enemies had been hiding. 

Paladia was watching from the next rock over. She turned and looked at Gabrielle. ÒTheyÕre getting bit like crazy.Ó

ÒYellow jackets.Ó  The bard said. ÒThey really hurt.Ó She moved some of the rocks over. ÒLetÕs see if we can make a picture, Dor.  Then we can go see the flowers.Ó She ran her fingers over the pebbles  as Dori placed them into a pattern.

ÒReally hurts huh?Ó Paladia asked as screams of pain suddenly rang out.  ÒYou know that like personally?Ó

ÒOooohh yah..Ó Gabrielle exhaled, chuckling wryly. ÒThatÕs how I knew what to look for. I learned the hard way.Ó A brief memory flashed into her mindÕs eye of a long day spent soaking in a cold pool, trying so hard not to scream as Xena patiently treated sting after sting.

For once, Xena hadnÕt scolded her. Had felt truly, honestly sorry for her and it had showed in the gentle fingers and the quiet, serious voice.

She remembered cups of bitter tasting herbs, and falling asleep in XenaÕs arms, and the ungrudging comfort her companion had provided her.  

She remembered opening her eyes, and looking up to find XenaÕs gentle, loving expression gazing back, raw and unexpected and all the more precious to her for it.  All the more so when the look refused to alter, even after Xena caught her awake.

Priceless.

ÒWhatever.Ó  Paladia said. ÒPretty cool though. WeÕre not going to have to go get in another freaking fight now at least.Ó She leaned forward.  ÒThose things are kicking those guyÕs asses

Nala let out a whoop, and Solari joined her.  ÒLook at them go!  Hey, your maj, theyÕre clearing out! TheyÕre running!Ó  Solari said.  ÒWow!Ó

ÒBad mens go?Ó Dori inquired. 

ÒBad mens go.Ó Gabrielle confirmed. ÒMama made them run away, Dori. So we could go and see the flowers and the pretty butterflies and go where itÕs cool. That okay with you?Ó

Dori grinned. ÒGo mama!Ó

ÒGo mama.Ó  Gabrielle got up slowly, keeping behind the rocks as she peered warily over them, seeing the wild thrashing and hearing the voices slowly fading into the distance.  The plan had worked stupendously well.

Not bad. The bard suspected her partner would have been delighted with her.  ÒLets get moving people. Just be careful.Ó

A quarter candlemark later, and they were walking down the path, into an area now quiet and still.  Gabrielle led Argo carefully,  third in line behind Nala and Bennu who absolutely insisted on going in front. 

Mindful of her own suspicion that she might be a target, Gabrielle had given in. But as they reached the bottom it was obvious that their attackers had well and truly fled.   There were broken branches and ripped leaves everywhere, the ground churned up by boots and hooves.

There were discarded items in the grass, and they paused to investigate, wary of the still buzzing insects in the area.    The Amazons and BennuÕs men fanned out and searched carefully, them moved back in GabrielleÕs direction.

ÒJust some bags and what not.Ó Cait displayed her finds.  ÒAnd we got a handful of them.Ó She indicated the trees. ÒQuite dead.Ó

ÒOne of them I think from the critters.Ó Bennu said. ÒNo touch on im but that.Ó

Gabrielle nodded. ÒThey can kill you if enough of them sting youÓ She commented mildly. ÒUnless youÕve got someone who knows how to take care of that.Ó Her expression was thoughtful. ÒIÕmÕ glad I did.Ó  She turned and took ArgoÕs reins. ÒLetÕs go. Ò

ÒGabrielle, you mean you got bit by those bees?Ó Nala said.

ÒWasps.Ó  The bard corrected her. ÒYeah,  I backed into a nest in a swamp way east of here a couple years ago.Ó  She started leading Argo on, with Dori perched happily on her back.  ÒOne of the longest days of my life.Ó

ÒI bet.Ó Solari caught up with her.  ÒFound this.Ó She handed Gabrielle  a pouch. ÒMost of the stuff was empty, or just stuff they had food in. They must have been camping around here.Ó

 Gabrielle opened the pouch and examined it. Standard leather, and very common. Could have come from anywhere.   No stamp identifying where it was made, and inside, a comb and blade, and a tiny hunk of soap. 

She removed the soap and sniffed it.  It had a slightly rancid smell that wasnÕt pleasant, and none of the herbs common to the markets around Amphipolis.    The blade had remnants of short, thick hairs on it, and she reasoned it probably had been used to shave a manÕs face with.

Hence the soap.  She considered that.  What soldiers in the wild would bother with shaving?  ÒHm. We find anything else? Coins? Sharpening stones, anything?Ó

Cait came up and held out both hands. ÒThey were camping back there, absolutely.  Killing rabbits.Ó She displayed the bones.  ÒAnd this.Ó  She displayed a boarÕs tusk.  ÒQuite some days, it looks like.Ó

ÒAye, theyÕd been there a bit.Ó Bennu agreed.  ÒHad a middens to the back. Near the water.Ó

So. A group of soldiers, camping for a number of days,  who shaved, and apparently were determined to stop or delay É them? Or any travelers that way? 

It wasnÕt really adding up.   ÒLetÕs keep our eyes open.Ó Gabrielle said. ÒIÕm sure theyÕre out there, and theyÕll probably be back. We should ride on faster once we clear the ridge.Ó

ÒYes. MaÕam.Ó  Nala said.  ÒWhatever you say.Ó

ÒGot that right.Ó Bennu said. ÒWoudla spent half the day getting shot at werenÕt for the little hawk.Ó

ÒDoes he have to call you that?Ó Solari whispered to Gabrielle.

ÒItÕs a compliment.Ó Gabrielle whispered back.  ÒLong story.Ó

ÒHuh.Ó

Gabrielle started moving a little faster, anxious to get clear of the narrows.  She was inwardly pleased with the success of her idea, but sheÕd learned in long, hard lessons from life with Xena that one momentÕs victory usually meant a day of disaster to follow.

She wasnÕt looking forward to it.

**

Xena hauled up just past the curve in the path, when she saw the commotion ahead of them.  There was a huge group of people in a mass,  and she realized the wagons looked familiar to her.  ÒAh.Ó

ÒAh?Ó Iolaus barely kept from crashing into her. ÒWhatÕs going on?Ó

Good question. XenaÕs eyes flicked over the crowd. The riders were trying to get through a mass of bodies and there was a flurry of motion in the center of the group, hands and arms moving in hitting motions.

A whip cracked. 

ÒI think theyÕre bringing conscripts in.Ó Xena finally said.  ÒI saw them on the road.Ó

ÒWell.  Ah.Ó  Iolaus stood on his tiptoes to see better, resting his hand on XenaÕs shoulder for balance. ÒWhoÕs doing the fighting? Ò

Xena shook her head.  ÒI donÕt know. Probably the conscripts fighting to get away from those guys.  They didnÕt look happy when I saw them on the road, butÉÓ

ÒItÕs legal.Ó Iolaus concluded. ÒIt reeks, but itÕs legal.  Herc and I were arguing about that just last moon.Ó He exhaled. ÒWe could bust them loose.Ó

ÒWe could.Ó  Xena agreed. ÒBut then what? They all run off and get recaptured in a day and weÕre in lockdown watching them march on the ships anyway.Ó

Iolaus sighed. ÒI hate logical thinking.Ó  He muttered. ÒThatÕs exactly what Herc said.Ó

Xena smiled briefly.  ÒLetÕs get out of here before we get ourselves in trouble.Ó She headed down a side street, and Iolaus reluctantly followed her.  It was the second time sheÕd turned her back on the same group and she was starting to wonder if it wasnÕt the Fates who kept throwing them in to her path.

She spotted an inn, a one level, somewhat rough looking building, and steered towards it. ÒLetÕs ask in there.Ó 

ÒLooks scroungy.Ó The blond man said. ÒWhat are you saying about the Amazons, huh Xena?Ó He followed her through a broken gate towards the door.  ÒThey donÕt like frills?Ó

ÒThey donÕt like frills.Ó  Xena repeated. She pushed the door open and scanned the interior, then she entered and blinked as her eyes adjusted to the gloom inside.   ÒOn the other hand, they donÕt like stink either.Ó

ÒUgh.Ó

It smelled like spoiled beer inside, and long expired food.   Xena doubted EphinyÕd so much as stepped inside, but she continued forward anyway figuring it didnÕt hurt to ask if theyÕd been seen.  She spotted a small man in a stained apron near the back, and headed his way.

He had a cleaver in his hand, and his fingers flexed on the hilt as they approached, but he stood his ground and gave them both a trucelent stare.  ÒWhat yer want.Ó

ÒSome friends of ours passed through the city the last couple of days.Ó  Xena said. ÒWe were just wondering if  maybe you saw them.Ó

Iolaus merely folded his hands in front of him, and politely smiled.

ÒAintÕ seen nobody.Ó The man spat at them. ÒGet outta here.Ó He waved the hand with the cleaver at them and then had it taken from him.

Xena threw the cleaver into the wall where it stuck with a ringing sound. She then grabbed the innkeeper and lifted him up by his shirt, pinning him to the wall with a solid bang.  ÒOkay. Let me rephrase the question,  jackass

The smile on IolausÕ face went a little wry.

The innkeeperÕs eyes bulged. ÒDdddintÕ meant it.Ó He stammered. 

ÒMy friends are two Amazons.Ó  Xena said.

ÒCcccourse they are.Ó

ÒHave you seen them?Ó The warrior enunciated slowly. ÒOne had blond curly hair, the other long dark hair. They might have been alone.Ó

The man swallowed, then shook his head. ÒDidnÕt see em. For real.Ó

Xena studied his face, then she let him drop to the ground and stepped back. ÒThatÕs a damn relief. If theyÕd had to come in here theyÕd have been in real trouble.Ó   She looked around and shook her head.  ÒNext.Ó

Iolaus gave the innkeeper a bright smile.  ÒHasnÕt had her morning ale yet.Ó  He said, as he followed Xena to the door.  ÒSheÕs a laugh riot most of the time. Honest.Ó

They emerged into the sunlit day.  ÒA laugh riot?Ó  Xena eyed him as they moved along the road towards the next square.  ÒWhat was that all about?Ó

The blond man chuckled. ÒItÕs just good to see parts of you havenÕt changed, Xena.Ó  He said, surprisingly.  ÔYou were being so nice I was starting to wonder who it was I was walking around with.Ó

ÒGabrielle rubbed off on me.Ó  Xena ducked under an awning, and moved into the open space beyond where a big well sat in the middle well attended by citizens with buckets and waterbags.  There were several wagons passing through, and at least half of the people in the crowd were in half or full armor.

She and Iolaus fit in.  Xena strolled casually over to the well and waited her turn, pulling up the bucket and setting it on the well to dip her hands in and take a drink, her ears cocked to listen to the talk around her.

ÒSee them ships in?  Lotta dinars going out.Ó

ÒGot some fellows want to buy everything we got I say we wait and up the dinars..Ó

ÒTell em you fought in the war, idiot. TheyÕll pay ya.Ó

ÒThose kids, theyÕll end up with that bunch of women that went the last time.  All dead, IÕm telling ya.Ó

Xena slowly lifted her head and looked around to identify the last voice.  It was older and male, and she had little trouble finding the grizzled soldier who was filing his waterskin nearby.  He was one of the ones in full armor, and his beard was liberally flecked with gray.

An old timer.  She had some in her own militia.   He could even have been someone whoÕd fought with herÉ fought for her once upon a time.

His eyes shifted and met hers.  He blinked, then straightened, his expression altering to astonishment.

Xena deduced sheÕd once again been recognized.  She lifted a hand and crooked a finger at him.  After a brief hesitation, the man capped his waterskin and edged through the crowd, coming around to her side of the well as she leaned against a spare bit of the wall. 

ÒXena.Ó He said, as he arrived at her side. ÒBeen a while.Ó

ÒYes it has, Daniel.Ó  She agreed. ÒHeading to Athens?Ó

He nodded. ÒThatÕs where the pay is.Ó He said. ÒYou?Ó

ÒNot if I can help it.Ó  Xena watched the crowd clear a little, leaving them some talking space.  Daniel had been, she recalled, a minor member of her army back in the bad old days. A  farmerÕs son who didnÕt have a taste for planting, reasonably good with a sword, with a natural inclination to keep his mouth shut.  ÒStill selling your sword?Ó

ÒI am.Ó He glanced at Iolaus, then back at her. ÒI heard youÕre not.Ó

ÒNo.Ó  The warrior agreed.  ÒIÕm here looking for some Amazons. You seen any lately? Last couple of days?Ó

He was already nodding before she finished talking. ÒSure as Hades did. Big bunch of bitches.Ó He responded readily.  ÒGot in a big dustup down near the pier, broke up the inn down there and some of them got locked up.Ó

XenaÕs ears pricked.  ÒYeah?Ó

ÒStarted up with a bunch of kids signed on for the war, thought women had no part in it.Ó Daniel said. ÒMost of the oldtimers like me stayed clear.  But couple of the kids ended up dead, and one or two went to the healerÕs.  City was some upset at those Amazons.Ó

ÒI bet.Ó  Xena said. ÒThen what?Ó

ÒMost of em went shipboard that day.Ó Daniel said. ÒExcept the ones in lockup. Still there, maybe. HavenÕt seen em around the last day.Ó He added, studying her for a moment. ÒPeople said you retired.Ó

ÒI did.Ó Xena confirmed.

ÒSo whatÕya sitting here under arms in a muster town for, Xena?Ó  DanielÕs eyes twinkled, just a little bit.  ÒDidnÕt know better, I thought you maybe were shopping your talents out.Ó

Xena sighed.  ÒYouÕre not the only one whoÕs thought that.Ó She acknowledged.  ÒBut believe it or not, IÕm just doing a favor for someone.Ó She pushed off the wall. ÒNow it looks like IÕm going to have to go visit the jail.  Thanks Daniel. Good luck to you.Ó

ÒAnd to you, Xena.Ó Daniel held a hand out. ÒCourse, if you do end up in the war, might be like old times, eh?Ó

Xena clasped his arm and released it. ÒI doubt it would be like the old times, Daniel.Ó She waved as they turned to leave.  ÒBut do yourself a favor.Ó She paused. ÒThink about where in the lines you want to end up being.Ó

Their eyes met, and his lips quirked just slightly.  Then he turned and melded back into the crowd, just another armored form in a stream of them.

ÒOld acquaintance?Ó Iolaus asked, after a moment of silence. 

ÒHe was in my army, way back when.Ó  Xena started down the alley, feeling the draft of salt scented air hit her face.  ÒNow what are the chances the Amazons IÕm looking for are in the slammer?  Do I get that lucky?Ó

ÒIf I remember Ephiny right, probably not.Ó  Iolaus said, with a  rueful smile. ÒShe didnÕt seem that much of a firebrand to me.Ó

ÒNo, sheÕs pretty sharp.Ó Xena agreed, as they sidestepped a laboring pony trying to draw a laden wagon upward past them.  ÒAnd sheÕs pregnant. Hopefully thatÕll make her not want to take chances.Ó

ÒAhh. Her first?Ó Iolaus asked. ÒBut wait, no - I thought she had a ÉÓ

ÒSheÕs got a centaur son.Ó

ÒAh. Heh.Ó  The blond man murmured. ÒScratch that about firebrand and chance taking.Ó

Xena had to smile about that.  She briefly let her mind drift back to XenonÕs birth, and the chaos and heartbreak surrounding it.

EphinyÕs heartbreak, in losing her partner.  XenaÕs own heartbreak in nearly losing Gabrielle.

Nearly.  She swallowed the lump in her throat.  ÒShe took a chance on Phantes. Damn shame what happened to him. I delivered the kid.Ó

ÒHm. Yeah, I remember her saying.Ó  Iolaus mused. ÒSo she really is an old friend.Ó

Xena thought about what was then, and what was now, and what had come between in her history with the Amazon regent.  Then she smiled briefly. ÒShe is. Ò  

They reached the dockside and now they were in the middle of a crazed chaos of people and animals, wagons rumbling back and fourth and large crowds around each ship. It was hard to tell if they were coming or going.

The dockside shops were packed though, and Xena led Iolaus slowly along the fringe of them, keeping her eyes peeled for Amazons.  They would have stuck out, definitely, in the throngs of merchants in sturdy cottons and the ships crew in linen and leather.

ÒI think thatÕs the dock jail.Ó Iolaus pointed at a walled building at the end of the pier.  There were a half dozen city soldiers in front of it, and the windows had stout iron bars in them.  ÒDid you want to check for your friends there?Ó

They crossed in front of a dockside bar, already packed and busy despite the still early hour.  The crews had gotten off the ships, apparently, and headed right for the ale barrels and there were raised voices slurring out in bawdy songs.

ÒAh, the good old days.Ó Iolaus chuckled.  ÒI remember bars like that when I was a kid.Ó

ÒMe too.Ó  Xena admitted. ÒLearned some of my best fighting moves in places like that.Ó

Her companion laughed. ÒOh yeah.Ó  He paused. ÒWant to go get a cup?Ó

ÒNo.Ó Xena steered him past. ÒWeÕll end up in a brawl.Ó She glanced ahead at the jail. ÒDespite how much fun that would be, I got stuff to do.Ó   She dodged four men arguing so furiously they were unaware of anyone in their path, and caught sight of a group of armored mercenaries watching her and Iolaus.

Evil intent or just curious? She had a bare few seconds to figure it out before they were moving past the group, all her senses tingling and her body already flexing to move into a fighting position.

Maybe they sensed that.  The group shifted their attention abruptly to something else and Xena relaxed a little.

Until she spotted what they were looking at.

A wagon was rolling down the slope from the upper town, with soldiers in it, and several prisoners apparently bound for the jail.  Most were men, but one was a woman, and she was struggling in her chains like a wildcat.

Young, and beautiful, and dressed in the remnants of a silk gown, she was fighting so hard the soldiers holding her were sorely pressed to keep her in one place, two of them braced on either side holding the chains in both hands.

ÒThat one of them?Ó Iolaus hazarded, seeing XenaÕs expression.

ÒNo.Ó  Xena shook her head. ÒThatÕs trouble.Ó

Iolaus paused and looked up at Xena, both his eyebrows hiking up into his hairline.  ÒYou ever heard the term pot calling the kettle black?Ó

ÒWhat?Ó The warrior frowned. ÒCÕmon.  LetÕs go around the back of that damn thing I donÕt want to get involved with them.Ó  She ducked around a pole and merged with a stream of shoppers, working to blend in as they moved around the wagon and past the jail.

ÒWow. Look at that womanÓ Iolaus said. ÒWhat a beauty!Ó

The woman was gagged.  Her appearance was gaining a rapt audience though, and  Xena had to start to push her way through the stalled crowd to get around the wagon.   ÒLooks arenÕt everything.Ó

ÒOh cÕmon, Xena.Ó Iolaus started walking backwards to keep the woman in view. ÒI know youÕre a married woman now but youÕre not blind.  SheÕs gorgeous. Wonder what the deal is with her?Ó

ÒLetÕs not find out.Ó She and Iolaus had gotten most of the way around, and almost in the clear when a man on horseback moved to block her way.

ÒAh, our friend from the road.Ó The man raised his hand. ÒJust wanted to say thanks, citizen!Ó He pointed at the wagon. ÒYour tip lead us right to them.Ó

Iolaus stared at Xena. ÒCitizen?Ó

Heads swung around to see who he was talking to, and Xena had to pause as she reached the horses  side.  ÒNo problem.Ó She said. ÒAnytime. Excuse me.Ó

ÒNo rush!Ó The soldier said. ÒCome with us to the inn, Xena.  We owe you a drink.Ó  He gestured to the soldiers around him. ÒWe got high marks for capturing that bitch and her two friends!ÓÕ

Xena glanced at the wagon, to find a pair of absolutely venomous eyes glaring at her.  ÒMaybe later.Ó She said, then paused. ÒYou got any friends in the jail? Want to do me a favor back?Ó

The soldier hopped down from his horse and dusted his hands off. ÒMy brotherÕs in charge.Ó He said. ÒSure IÕd be glad to help if I could.  Men, take this prize into the lock down.  DonÕt let her loose for a minute!Ó

The men started hauling their captive down as she lunged in XenaÕs direction, but was unable to break the hold they had on her. 

The soldiers laughed and one went over and circled her with his arm, lifting her up despite her kicking and struggling. He walked to the edge of the wagon and tossed the woman to three of his comrades. Ò Be still you bitch! Or weÕll put you in the jail with some as not been with women for a year!Ó

ÒXena.Ó Iolaus looked uncomfortable.  ÒWhatÕs going on here?Ó He asked. ÒWhat did she do?Ó

ÒNow, what can I do for you?Ó The soldier asked Xena. ÒAside from stating again my offer of hospitality.Ó

ÒLater.Ó Xena muttered to Iolaus. To the soldier she pointed at the jail. ÒSomeone I may be looking for might be in there. Just need to find out.Ó

ÒAh!Ó The soldier gestured with his arm. ÒNothing easier. Come!Ó He glanced at Iolaus. ÒAnd your friend here as wellÉ do I know you sir?Ó

ÒAh, no.Ó The blond man muttered. ÒIolaus.Ó He held a hand out and exchanged clasps with the man. ÒWhat did that woman do?Ó

ÒWhat ddinÕt she?Ó  The soldier started to guide them towards the jail.  ÒA lot of people in Athens want a piece of her, I can tell you that.  My senior officer and the city council among them.Ó 

ÒReally.Ó Iolaus muttered, watching the woman be dragged off ahead of them. ÒShe seems so young.Ó He glanced at Xena. ÒSure there wasnÕt some mistake?Ó

There was a yell ahead of them, and as they watched, the woman twisted in the grip of the two soldiers, lashing out and kicking a third right in the groin.  The man went to his knees, and she kicked him in the face, then she yanked her escort around and glared back at Xena, raw fury in her eyes.

ÒOkay. Maybe not.Ó Iolaus remarked.

ÒDonÕt think she much likes you.Ó The soldier agreed. ÒCharming enemy you made there Xena, though it was for our benefit.Ó

XenaÕs fingers twitched, and she wondered if maybe she should have let her instincts get the better of her back in the town.   Death was often unfair, but it sure kept people from sneaking up and stabbing you in the back. 

She sighed. ÒLetÕs go and get this over with.Ó  She nudged the man forward. ÒThe sooner the better.Ó

**

ÒItÕs too quiet.Ó   Solari glanced around, taking a sip from her waterskin as they stood in the shade for a short break. ÒToo damn quiet.Ó

TheyÕd stopped for a brief rest, to get some water and get out of the sun for a few minutes.  The horses were sweating, and seemed glad to be clustered under the thick leaves of the tree theyÕd found as they caught their breaths and cropped the lush grass.

Gabrielle was watching Dori run around nearby, the queen walking around in a circle and stretching her body out as she relieved the cramping  even from the short ride as it tensed up the muscles in her back.

The sun had risen high overhead, and was baking down on them now that they were off the mountain path and into the lowlands that led to the pass to the lower plateau, the hills surrounding them blocking the wind and making it a muggy, breathless heat.

Solari sighed, and resisted the urge to dump the contents of her waterskin over her head.  At least in their new village, higher up the mountain, the heat was less and the mountain walls channeled a breeze pretty much all the time.   ÒI had to volunteer for this, huh?Ó

ÒSorry, did you say something?Ó Nala asked, as she leaned back against the treeÕs trunk, arms spread out along the lower branches.

ÒNah.Ó  Solari let her gaze wander again.

It was mostly scrubby brush they were moving through now, with only a few trees, and little cover.  That made it easier to watch for any followers, but also exposed them to the merciless sun.

Life and itÕs tradeoffs.  Solari dismissed the discomfort, idly watching Gabrielle flex her hands, the warm light dappling over the bardÕs tanned, muscular body.   It occurred to her again that her queen was completely ignorant of her own sex appeal and consequently equally ignorant of all the attention it got her.

She just really didnÕt clue into it.  She really was just sort of puzzled when everyone wanted to dance with her, or end up in the bathing room at the same time as she did, or carry her stuff back to her quarters for her.

No clue.  Solari watched Gabrielle hitch up her tooled leather belt, then hook her thumbs in it as she watched her kid chase butterflies.

No clue at all.

She really didnÕt look like the rest of the tribe.  Most of the Amazons were taller, for one thing, generations of being their own defense breeding them tough, with heavy bones and lithe, fighterÕs bodies.

Gabrielle wasnÕt. In comparison with them, or even with her consort, she seemed almost slight and when she had her town clothes on you would never take her for an Amazon at all.   But dressed as she was now, it was different.

Short and lithe, her light frame was nevertheless wrapped in visible muscle that shifted under her skin as she moved, giving an impression of confident power somewhat at odds with her gentle and humorous nature.

Very sexy.  Solari produced a wry grin. Very attractive, and completely unavailable and therefore frustrating in the extreme to a nation more used to casual promiscuity.  It wasnÕt even that people were too scared of Xena to approach her – the truth was Gabrielle just absolutely had no interest in anyone but her partner.

Village morals? Solari watched Dori crawl under the bush, down on her belly with her nose near the dirt in search of some creature or other.   Could be.  Or it could be what the queen had blurted out one late night in a dance, that Xena was just that good so why look elsewhere?

Or maybe that was just Gabrielle. 

Cait emerged from the underbrush and walked back over to where Paladia was holding both of their horses reins. ÒNo sign of anything.Ó She reported.  ÒI went quite back to that ravine there, under where theyÕd gotten cross of us, and itÕs all quiet.Ó

The queen leaned against a nearby rock, one eye on her daughter and the other on their scout. ÒThatÕs good news..Ó Gabrielle said. ÒBut it doesnÕt really make sense. I know we gave them a beating, but they were here for a reason.Ó She frowned. ÒHard to believe they scared off that easily.Ó

ÒAye.Ó Bennu agreed. ÒDonÕt like the quiet.Ó

ÒHmph.Ó Paladia scratched her nose. ÒCanÕt make anyone happy around here.Ó

ÒSh.Ó Cait told her. ÒThis is quite dangerous.Ó

ÒNo shit.Ó Her erstwhile partner rolled her eyes. ÒI ainÕt worried.  If those jerks come back we can just throw that kid at them. If they thought hornets were bad they ainÕt seen nothing.

ÒPallyCait poked her. ÒDo be serious.Ó

ÒI am serious!!!Ó

ÒAll right. LetÕs get going.Ó The bard went over and patted Argo on the cheek. Òmon, Dori. Ready Argo?Ó

The mare snorted, spraying her with grass bits and saliva and making her jump back with a yelp.

Dori giggled and danced around the horseÕs legs. ÒGogo you made mama all funny.Ó She scampered under ArgoÕs belly and bounced next to her mother. ÒMama, go up?Ó

ÒHang on there a minute.Ó Gabrielle boosted Dori up into the saddle, then she removed a piece of linen from her saddlebag and removed ArgoÕs gift from her bare stomach.  ÒCait, why donÕt you hang back a little after we move on.Ó She tucked the linen away. ÒJust in case someoneÕs following us.Ó

ÒRight.Ó Cait went over and took her horseÕs reins.  ÒNo surprises.Ó

ÒNo surprises.Ó The bard agreed, hauling herself up behind Dori.  ÒLetÕs hope what the watch saw was just a herd of sheep.  ThereÕs enough odd stuff going on around here.Ó

ÒGot that right.Ó Paladia muttered, climbing up onto her horse.

ÒHope it is, cause I donÕt like the idea of camping out here with those guys coming after us.Ó Solari remarked.  ÒCave was one thing.Ó

Bennu grunted assent.

Gabrielle took ArgoÕs reins in her hand and settled herself.  ÒWell, sooner we go. Sooner weÕll get there.Ó  She started the mare forward, only to have to pull her up a little as Bennu and Solari battled for point ahead of her.

She bit her tongue and looked down at Dori instead, while they sorted themselves out. ÒWerenÕt those pretty butterflies, Dor

ÒPretty.Ó Dori nodded. ÒMama itÕs hot.Ó 

ÒI know, honey.Ó  Gabrielle nudged Argo forward as they moved out of the meager shade and back into the glare of the sun, making their way out of the foothills and into the grassy plains approaching the pass. ÒBut maybe we can find a pond, and go swimming later. Would you like that?Ó

ÒYes. Catch fishes.Ó Dori thumped ArgoÕs shoulder with her boots and rocked back and forth.  ÒGogogogogogog

Gabrielle caught one boot. ÒHoney, stop thumping Argo. IÕm sure she doesnÕt like it.Ó

SheÕd begun to feel that this trek wasnÕt a good idea. A foreboding was twisting her guts and she wasnÕt sure entirely if it was what she herself felt or something Xena was going through since it was accompanied by a sense of impatient restlessness alien to her nature.

But not to her partnerÕs.  She let her thoughts slip for a moment, turning her attention inwards to the  always fragile and sometimes unreliable link they shared.

Lately, sheÕd come to realize, it was also hard to tell if what she was feeling was her or Xena, because theyÕd started to grow towards each other so much.  When she was down in town, and someone was bitching at her for something, she found her eyes narrowing and her temper shortening, and if she looked over at Xena, she saw exactly what she was feeling reflected in her partnerÕs expressive face.

Synergy. TheyÕd come around to the same viewpoint on a lot of things. 

ÒMama, wanna hoball

Jerked out of her meandering, Gabrielle looked down at her daughter. ÒHoney balls? I donÕt think we have them with us.Ó

ÒGood.Ó Dori held up a small sack. ÒSee?Ó

GabrielleÕs heart lurched as she reached for the sack. ÒDid you find this in the forest, Dori?Ó She anxiously examined it, relaxing as she saw the sigil stamped on one side.  ÒOr.. where did you get it?ÓÕ

ÒHere.Ó Dori tugged at one of the saddlebags. ÒBoo put it.Ó

Honeyballs. Gabrielle opened the sack and took one out, putting it in her mouth and smiling around the familiar taste. ÒShe did huh? I guess she wanted to surprise us.Ó  She peeked inside the bag, hoping for a note, but seeing a flash of metal instead. ÒHm.Ó

ÒGood. Boo Boo Boo.Ó Dori burbled happily. ÒGogo, go faster!Ó

The bard fished inside the bag and drew out the metal item, which turned out to be a pretty gold ear cuff, with three bits of jade in twisted wire hanging from it.  ÒOhÓ

ÒPretty.Ó Dori had turned around to see what she was doing. ÒOh, mama! Bitty rocks!Ó

ÒYeah.Ó Gabrielle felt her throat close a little. She reached up and fastened the cuff to her ear, feeling the cool metal warm to her skin quickly. ÒSee how much Boo loves us, Dori? She gives us such nice presents.Ó

ÒLove Boo.Ó

ÒMe too.Ó It was unexpectedly intimate, and gorgeous and she fairly ached with the hug she couldnÕt give her partner for it.  She gave Dori a hug instead, and they both rode along, sucking their honey balls. 

ÒShouldnÕt be long now. Ò Bennu said, having regained the point lead from Solari as they avoided some boulders. ÒThen weÕll be after it.Ó

ÒHey, is that someone watching us?Ó Solari pointed, and Bennu reined aside to look.  ÒSscuse me.Ó The Amazon neatly moved her horse around his, and continued on in front. ÒMy mistake.Ó

Bennu snorted, and shook his head. ÒSaucy woman.Ó

ÒYou both are just lucky IÕm letting you get away with it.Ó Gabrielle warned him, a faint twinkle in her eyes.  ÔEnjoy it while you can.Ó

ÒGenrÕls orders.Ó  Bennu said, in a virtuous tone.

ÒGenrÕls not here.Ó  Gabrielle countered,  shaking her finger at him. ÒAnd she left me in charge.Ó

As it happened, it was Gabrielle who was in the lead when they got to the bottom of the trail and turned to head through the pass.  She was riding easily, one arm tucked around Dori and her eyes scanning the horizon.

After a candlemark of working their way across  the plains they hadnÕt seen any of their attackers, nor seen any sign of them either.  The rest of the Amazons and Bennu and his men had fanned out, giving Gabrielle the point but creating a circle of  protection just in case.

So Gabrielle had let her nerves settle, once Cait had rejoined them and now she was telling Dori a short tale as she craned her neck to see what the pass had to offer to them.  

There was just an outcropping of granite blocking the view, and she kneed Argo into a gentle canter as she angled to one side of it.   ÒLetÕs get this over with.Ó

ÒGogo!Ó Dori was delighted with the pace. ÒGo faster!Ó

Dori the speed demon.  Gabrielle chuckled under her breath.  The gods help them when she started riding on her own – she could see years of being a nervous wreck in her future.

She rounded the granite and they cantered forward into the pass, a wide grassy opening between the hills that was pleasant and open right to the point where Gabrielle saw what was on the other side of it. Then she stopped Argo with a quick tightening of her knees. ÒWhoa.Ó

ÒMama?Ó Dori looked up at her.

ÒWhatÕs going on , your MajSolari came up next to her. ÒYou see someÉoh.Ó She stopped. ÒOh.Ó She repeated. ÒThat canÕt be good.Ó

Bennu trotted up, shading his eyes.  ÒBigods, thatÕs aÉÓ

ÒDamned army.Ó Gabrielle concluded, with a sigh.  ÒA damned big army.Ó

ÒA Spartan army.Ó  BennuÕs lieutenant said.  ÒI seen them banners. I knows em.Ó

Gabrielle licked her lips, and looked carefully around them. ÒI guess that explains the welcoming party.Ó She said. ÒAnd the other guys. They must be advance scouts.Ó She drew Argo back until they were just inside the pass entrance again, and out of sight.

Now what?  Gabrielle eased Argo up a little so she could look out at the invaders, under no illusion that they were anything but.

The army had just started to enter the pass on the other end, and apparently had stopped for some reason.  There were at least a thousand men there, all armored, with siege engines and all the panopoly of war tediously familiar to GabrielleÕs eyes.  ÒI should have saw this coming.Ó

ÒYour majSolari was peeking from behind her right shoulder.  ÒWere you, like, expecting this?Ó

Gabrielle sighed. Ò Not exactly.Ó She said. ÒBut the fact of the matter is, my life is just never simple or easy.  If thereÕs a catastrophic way to do anything,  IÕll find it. Hades, look at who IÕm married too.Ó

Solari muffled a snort.  

ÒSo, what are we going to do?Ó Nala asked. ÒYou think theyÕre part of the war? I thought it hadnÕt started yet.Ó She frowned.  ÔThatÕs what those women said. They were just preparing.Ó

ÒWell, Xena said the Spartans were no dummies. Looks like they decided to get a head start.Ó  Gabrielle watched the front of the lines, seeing a lot of horses and men riding back and forth in very well kept armor. 

Nothing good there.  They were equipped to march, and march they would across this sparsely populated area, crossing the hills and ending up attacking Athens by the rear. 

She knew the route by heart now, having traced it out on the map in her quarters a dozen times, trying to figure out how far her partner had gotten.   The question was, would they speed across the land and leave itÕs small towns and villages intact, or rape and pillage them as they went to leave Athens nothing to tax behind?

One course was bad for Athens, the other for her and their neighbors. And really, it just absolutely sucked.  

Gabrielle sat back in her saddle and considered. ÒItÕs possible theyÕll go right past us.Ó She said.  ÒRight past Amphipolis, I mean.Ó

Bennu shifted a little. ÒJust let em by then?Ó He said.  ÒLet em head past?Ó

The Amazons watched her in silence.  Gabrielle felt an unpleasant sensation in her guts again, and wished, vainly, that Xena was here to do what it is that she did best.   ÒGuys, I love all of you in the Militia and all my sisters in the tribe.  IÕm not sending a couple hundred of us up against a Spartan army.Ó

ÒGenrÕlÉÓ

ÒIn fact, Xena probably wouldnÕt either.Ó  Gabrielle said.  ÒBut what we need to do is head back home as fast as we can, so we can get ready in case they decide not to pass us by.Ó She started to turn Argo around. ÒLetÕs go, people. We came to see what was going on, and boy did we.Ó

She could sense the reluctance around her as she nudged them around and headed back up the path the way theyÕd come.   The story sheÕd been telling Dori was driven right out of her head, and she started thinking about everything that would now need to be done in fairly short order.

ÒMama?Ó  Dori half turned to look up at her. ÒWe go?Ó

ÒWeÕre going back home honey.Ó  Gabrielle hugged her.  ÒDid you see all the people out there? They were shiney huh?Ó

ÒBad mens?Ó Dori frowned. 

Were they?  Gabrielle felt ambivalent about that.  SheÕd been around and in wars long enough to know that usually there was no real right and wrong, good and bad about the participants themselves. They were just two sides of a coin.    ÒWell, Dor, they could be bad men.Ó She said. ÒIt depends. But we have to go tell all our friends about them, so we can all be ready in case they come to see us.Ó

ÒBad mens  Dori concluded. ÒGo get Boo.Ó

Gabrielle suspected their daughter had inherited in full measure her partnerÕs cut to the chase attitude and had to smile, despite everything.  ÒYeah, I wish I could, Dori. I wish I could.Ó

ÒYour majesty.Ó Cait had come up alongside her.   ÒDo you suppose they really will just go by us?Ó

The bard exhaled. ÒDepends.Ó She said. ÒDepends what their goals are. If their goal is to get across the land quickly and ambush Athens, then maybe.Ó  She glanced around them, feeling a sense of urgency to be out and away from the army.  ÒBut if itÕs not, if theyÕre invading, then theyÕll destroy and take what they can along the way.Ó

ÒOh. Dear.Ó  Cait frowned. ÒThatÕs awful.Ó

ÒWar is awful, Cait  Gabrielle said.  ÒIf this war comes to usÉ Ò  She paused, and shook her head. ÒWe donÕt have time to get ready for it.Ó

Cait moved her horse closer, and lowered her voice. ÒGabrielle.Ó She said. ÒShall I go get Xena?Ó

ÒWelre going to check to make sure them fellers didnÕt come back to ambush us.Ó Bennu rode up.  ÒDonÕt need no slowdowns.Ó

ÒOkay, thanks Bennu  Gabrielle eyed the path, knowing theyÕd need to get off and walk the horses shortly.  ÒLetÕs make time while we can.Ó   She watched him and the other militia men depart, and then she turned back to Cait who was waiting patiently.

ÒI know the route sheÕs taken.Ó Cait said. ÒI will find her.Ó

The bard reached out and clasped her shoulder. ÒI know you would Cait.Ó She said. ÒBut you wonÕt have to. SheÕll come back on her own.Ó

Cait studied her with interest.  ÒReally?Ó

ÒReally.Ó  Gabrielle said. ÒAnd if something were to happen to you when you were out there looking, Cait, sheÕd never forgive herself for it and neither would I.Ó

Cait blinked.

The last thing Xena would want, Gabrielle was sure, was for people to start heading out after her,  that sheÕd only have to turn around and go find again.   The bard was the only person who could journey out and absolutely track her down and though Gabrielle would have headed out in a heartbeat she knew she had a damned responsibility here.

Damn damn damn.

ÒMama, we should get Boo.Ó  Dori conveniently read her mind. ÒBoo chase the bad mens out.Ó

A thousand Spartans?  Yeah, Xena would certainly do her best to chase them out.  ÒI know she would honey.Ó  Gabrielle gently moved her daughterÕs dark hair out of her eyes.  ÒIÕm sure sheÕll be back soon. We wouldnÕt want to miss her if she came back, would we?Ó

ÒMama find Boo.Ó  Dori said. ÒWe could go an bring Guff and Gogo

ÒSo youÕve got it all planned out huh?Ó  Gabrielle felt more than a little bemused  ÒLetÕs get home and weÕll see whatÕs going on there, okay.Ó 

Her tribe, and the militia.. well, she wouldnÕt say they were helpless in the face of the Spartan army. After all those men, and her sisters had been part of the force that had beaten back the huge, frightening and truly evil force in the last war.

Gabrielle had learned, after all, to never say never.   But that force the last time had been led by Xena, who had a true tacticians mind behind those pretty eyes and had spent most of the time in the war outthinking the enemy more than outfighting them.

Fight they had, and Xena more than any of them but in the end it had been her cleverness, her knowledge of human nature, and the bond she had with Gabrielle that had won the day not the strength of her sword arm.

Try that without her?

No way in Hades.

**

Xena looked around cautiously as they entered the jailhouse, not being fond of the places even now when her visit was more or less innocuous.  She spotted two men in the uniforms of the city police and walked over to them. ÒExcuse me.

They turned, breaking off their conversation, and eyed them suspiciously.  

The inside of the jail was small, and close.  The outer door opened into a space with a table, and two chairs that the men were standing next to, and behind them a corridor extended with crudely made cells on either side.

It stank.  It was hot, and the door behind them was the only way out.

Xena came close to simply turning around and taking it.  There was a bad vibe here, and she felt all her senses come to alert.  ÒMorning.Ó She addressed the men.

ÒYeah?Ó One the men approached her. Ò What do you want?Ó

ÒJust to ask a few questions.Ó Xena tried her best to be non threatening.  ÒIÕm looking for some Amazons. I heard you had some trouble with them recently and some are here in the jail.Ó

The manÕs attitude changed immediately. ÒHades we did.Ó He glanced at Xena, then behind her at the patiently waiting Iolaus.  ÒYou responsible for em?  CityÕs looking for someone to pay bail and damages.Õ

ÒDepends who the ones you have here are.Ó  Xena said straightforwardly. ÒIf theyÕre the ones IÕm looking for, IÕll take responsibility for em.  If theyÕre not, sorry.Ó

The man studied her, then nodded. ÒWorthless lot of women if you ask me.Ó He said. ÒGot in a fight in AtheloÕs bar down the way.  Broke the place up, put a handful of citizens in the healerÕs house. Big mess.Ó

ÒWhat was the fight about?Ó Iolaus spoke up. ÒUsually Amazons donÕtÕ fight without a reason.Ó

Xena eyed him.

ÒThe ones I know, anyway.Ó The blond man conceded.

The jailer shrugged.  ÒThey were drunk.  Who knows?Ó  He beckoned them to follow him.  ÒBut see for yourselves, and make it fast. Got a bunch of thieves theyÕre taking back to Athens coming in here.Ó  He led the way down the corridor, seemingly oblivious to the stench wafting from the cells.

Xena wasnÕt.  She set the stink aside an glanced in each one as they passed, seeing little but ragged figures huddled inside.

ÒHere you are.Ó The jailer stood to one side and gestured.

Xena stepped warily up next to him and looked in the cell.  She had mixed feelings when the two sullen faces looking back at her were complete strangers, since getting anyone out of the cesspit the jail would have been an undoubted good deed.

ÒWell?Ó The jailer looked impatiently at her.

ÒNot the ones IÕm looking for.Ó Xena said, with some regret in her tone.  ÒSorry.Ó

ÒWait, who are you?Ó One of the Amazons surged to the front of the cell, gripping the bars. ÒWhat do you mean weÕre not the ones?Ó

ÒLetÕs go then.Ó The disappointed jailer gestured. ÒHavenÕt got time to hang about.Ó   He walked back down the corridor, clearly expecting them to follow.   ÒManios! Get that cell door open. WeÕll put all the new ones in there.Ó

Xena looked at the two women. ÒWeÕre looking for some friends.Ó She explained.  ÒTwo Amazons from the mountain tribe of Thrace.Ó

ÒYeah?Ó The nearer Amazon looked skeptical.  The other Amazon went back to the back of the cell and curled up on the dirty straw again.  ÒGet us out of here and weÕll help ya look.Ó

ÒTheir names were Ephiny and Eponin.Ó Xena ignored the jibe. ÒSeen em?Ó  She added, without really needing to. She saw the jerk of reaction from the woman in the back, and the sudden shift in the nearer oneÕs expression.

ÒGet us out of here.Ó The one close to her repeated. ÒOr we wonÕt tell you anything.Ó

ÒYou already told me what I needed to know.Ó Xena turned and started out, nudging Iolaus along in front of her. ÒCÕmon.Ó

ÒWait!Ó The woman said.  ÒHelp us, please!Ó

Both Xena and Iolaus stopped, and looked at each other.   IolausÕ pale brows twitched.  Xena exhaled and turned. ÒDid the rest of your tribe leave?Ó

ÒYes.Ó The woman said. ÒMy name is Auheila.  ThatÕs my sister Regi back there.  They all left, left us here when the boat left. Please. Get us out of here.  IÕll tell you about your friends. Ò

A loud noise interrupted the discussion.  At the front of the jail, the door slammed open and the soldiers worked their way inside, struggling with the two men and the woman theyÕd brought in. The men were yelling loudly, and all of sudden the jail seemed too full, and too noisy to stand.

ÒLet me go you stupid bastards! IÕll have your heads!Ó The older man was bawling. 

They were blocking the exit.   Xena could see Milena, still gagged and tied, twisting in the arms of two husky soldiers just behind him, and the third man sheÕd been traveling with was slumped in what appeared to be unconciousness behind her.

She took a step backwards, out of their view. 

ÒShut up or IÕll knock you out again!Ó The soldier holding the older man said. ÒYouÕll have your say in Athens!Ó

ÒDamned to Hades,  Jos.Ó The jailer said. ÒYou didnÕt say there was a woman. CanÕt put them in a cell together and IÕve only got one!Ó

ÒI got this.Ó Iolaus patted Xena on the hip and moved forward, emerging into the main part of the room. ÒWell, good fellow, todayÕs your lucky day.Ó He fished out some coins. ÒWhatÕs the bail on those two? WeÕll take em off your hands.Ó

His cheerful attitude distracted everyone, and even the older man stopped struggling and stared at him.   Short and muscular, with obvious weaponry yet clad in the distinctive woven leather and sturdy trousers of his traveling gear Iolaus wasnÕt easily  categorized.

Appropriate, for one who consorted with the gods on a regular basis.  He smiled at the jailor and hiked his eyebrows at him.

The jailer spluttered. ÒThought they werenÕt the ones you were looking for?Ó 

ÒTheyÕre not, but they know the ones we are.Ó Iolaus jingled the coins. ÒHow much?Ó

The jailer brightened. ÒTen dinars.Ó He said. ÒAnd lucky itÕs not more.Ó  He held out his hand, and took the coins Iolaus offered him, giving the blond haired man a crabby little smile.   ÒAll right, put the men in the first cell.Ó  He directed the guards. ÒQuickly.Ó

The guards wrestled the men past Iolaus and shoved them into the cell before the older one could protest further, slamming the door after them. ÒGood riddance.Ó One of the soldiers said. ÒHope they hang you in Athens, you lousy thief.Ó

ÒIÕm not a thief you stupid bastard!Ó  The man grabbed the bars. ÒAnd when I get to Athens, youÕll all pay! YouÕll pay!!!!Ó

The jailer scuttled past the cell and came over to where Xena was waiting.  ÒMany thanks citizen.Ó He unlocked the door. ÒGood riddance as well to these two, and I wish you much joy of them.Ó  He waited for the Amazons to evacuate, then turned. ÒBring the woman here!Ó

ÒCÕmon.Ó Xena put her hand on both AmazonsÕs backs and guided them towards the exit, shifting so their bodies were blocking the view of the furiously twisting captive the other guard were shoving past them.

Milena was a little worse for wear. The guards hadnÕt been gentle, and she had bruises on her beautiful face. Her eyes were practically on fire with fury as she fought to free herself right to the very end, when the door slammed on her and the guards dusted off their hands.

ÒBad piece of work that is.Ó  One of them said, as he followed Xena and her new friends out.  ÒGlad to be rid of her.Ó

ÒAs will I be when she is taken aboard ship tomorrow and sails for Athens.Ó The jailer said. ÒGood riddance to all of you.Ó He shuffled back to the back of the room and drew out a  book, and they all exited back out into the sunlight and the waterfront before them.

The Amazons paused, looking around uncertainly.  They, too, were battered and covered in dirt and the several citizens passing them looked at them with twitching lip disdain.  ÒNow what?Ó  The older of them sighed.

ÒNow you tell me about my friends.Ó Xena reminded them. ÒThereÕs a horse trough there if you want to wash off.Ó She turned her face into the sea breeze, and exhaled deeply, then inhaled to clear her lungs of the stench of the jail.

Grudgingly the two Amazons followed them over to the trough, and made use of it. ÒWho are you?Ó Auhelia asked.  ÒThose friends of yours acted pretty stuck up and said they knew people.Ó 

Xena chuckled briefly.  ÒIÕm Xena.Ó She said. ÒThis is IolausÓ

The woman took a step back. ÒOh.Ó She muttered. ÒYeah, okay. So thatÕs what she meant.Ó

Regi, the younger woman straightened from where sheÕd been rinsing her head off.  She looked at Xena appraisingly. ÒSo she wasnÕt lying.Ó

Iolaus spotted a tavern nearby. ÒWhy donÕt we all go over there and sit down with a nice mug of cider and talk about it?Ó   He gave the two Amazons a courtly half bow. ÒIÕm sure you both could use something other than jail food too.Ó

Regi smiled at him. ÒYoure the one who goes around with Hercules, arenÕt you?Ó

ÒI am.Ó Iolaus admitted.

ÔFigures. You actually have manners.Ó She glanced at Xena and finished wringing her hair out, stepping away from the trough and giving  Auhalia space to wash.  ÒUnlike some other people.Ó  She went over to the low stone wall surrounding the trough and sat down on it, resting her elbow son her knees and exhaling.

Xena didnÕt look or even feel ruffled, having never pretended to manners at any time.  

ÒSorryÓ Auhelia muttered, as she scrubbed her skin. ÒSheÕs cycling.Ó

The door to the jail slammed, and Xena looked back to see the soldiers who had brought Milena and her brothers in emerged, shaking their heads. One was holding his hand. ÒBitch.Ó He said loudly. ÒShould have cut her tongue out of her mouth for that.Ó

ÒServes you right for putting your hands that close to that mouth, Stefas  One of the others jibed him.  ÒYou wont forget that any time soon.Ó

ÒXena, who were those people?Ó Iolaus asked.

ÒCÕmon, lets go.Ó Xena jerked her head in the direction of the tavern.  ÒThen we can talk.Ó

They crossed the path and slipped into the tavern, finding it mostly full with sailors and dockworkers who nevertheless took one look at Xena and cleared space for them.  

Trouble knew trouble, Xena mused, as she claimed a table just to one side of the bar and motioned them all to sit down.   That had opened paths for her and Gabrielle on more than one occasion, and in fact the bard had learned finally to go with it and not protest when it got them where they wanted to be.

In fact, she vividly remembered the crowded city tavern full of overly hot bodies where sheÕd first heard Gabrielle say the words Ôcan we try this your way first this time?Õ to her.  What a crossroads that had been.

Yes, sometimes it paid just to be intimidating.   ÒAle.Ó Xena told the server briefly. ÔAnd whatever you have to eat.Ó

She sat down. ÒNow.Õ She addressed the Amazons. ÒTalk.Ó

The server came back with a tray of mugs and spread them around Auhelia  took hers and drank, then looked over at Xena. ÒWe met your friends on the road six days back.  My queen had taken an honor guard with her..Ó

ÒWhich we were in.Ó Regi said.

ÒAnd we journeyed in the direction of the port city, where she was to meet with another queen who was representing the Athenian army.Ó

ÒWhere do you come from?Ó Xena asked.  ÒI havenÕt seen your markings around here.Ó

Auhelia regarded her.  ÒNor I your friends, though your name is known to us. We live past the mountains, in the north.Ó  She took a mouthful of ale.  ÒIn any case, we were crossing through a small patch of forest when a gang of mounted men attacked us.Ó

ÒFor no reason?Ó Iolaus asked.

Auhelia shrugged.  ÒNone that we could see. We were just walking along the road. It was late afternoon, and we hadnÕt seen anyone else all day.Ó

ÒWhat did the men look like?Ó Xena asked. ÒWere they in unmarked armor, well cared for?Ó

Regi leaned forwad on her elbows. ÒFriends of yours?Ó

Xena ignored her.  ÒWe ran into the same type.Ó She said.  ÒNear the pass.Ó

Auhelia shook her head.  ÒNo.Ó She said. ÒThey said they were a town militia, and were mostly in mismatched junk.  They claimed to be chasing us away from their patch, not really too much of a threat.Ó

ÒMorons.Ó Regi grunted. ÒWoulda been nothing if your buddies hadnÕt shown up.Ó

Xena sipped from her mug for a long moment, enough for possibly a count to ten.  Then she set the cup down. ÒGo on.Ó

ÒGuess one of the guys knew them, because next thing we knew they were all over the two of them trying to rope them up like cattle.Ó  Regi said.  ÒNo idea what the Hades they were going after.  Not like they were any prizes.Ó

ÒWell now.Ó Iolaus cleared his throat. ÒI wouldnÕt say that. I know the ladies in question, and neither one of themÕs ugly.Ó  He said. ÒNot to mention, Ephiny is an Amazon regent, isnÕt she, Xena?ÓÕ

ÒShe is.Ó  Xena replied.  ÒShe and Eponin are highly ranked Amazons.  Maybe they were looking for a bounty.Ó

Regi snorted and went back to her mug.

Her sister exhaled. ÒWell, after all, our queen was there too.Ó She said. ÒIf thatÕs the case, why not go after her?Ó

Ah. Xena realized sheÕd stepped into Amazon ego hour.  ÒYour queen probably isnÕt married to me like the one EphinyÕs regent for.Ó  She remarked dryly.  ÒSo letÕs get out of the pissing contest and down to the facts. You met up with Eponin and Ephiny. Then what?Ó

ÒHey, you lot.Ó A large man  with a thick, full beard fairly screaming sea captain had opened the door and was now standing in the opening.  ÒGet your grub and move it. WeÕre untying in two candlemarks and heading back to Athens.Ó

The sailors groaned.  ÒCÕmon! Ò  The one nearest Xena stood up. ÒWe just got here, and through that storm too! DonÕt we need supplies? Fixing?Ó

ÒShut up.Ó The captain said. ÒNo questions. Get your cups and back to the ship with you. WeÕve got double dinars to leave.Ó

He left and slammed the door behind him, leaving a large contingent of grumbling men who reluctantly started standing up and tucking bits of their lunch away to take with them.   

As someone who had done time on a ship, and then come to shore, Xena sympathized with them. She wasnÕt prone to seasickness, but the feel of solid land after a long time at sea was a good thing.  Fortunately for the men, the trip to Athens wasnÕt that long.

ÒSo is this all about you?Ó Regi asked, staring at Xena.

Was it? Or was that just her ego talking?   ÒIf they really knew who she was, maybe.Ó The warrior admitted. ÒWhat happened next?Ó

Gabrielle was much better at this sort of thing than she was. The bard had a talent, probably linked to her own storyteller one, that drew information out of people almost effortlessly.  With her, it was like yanking a yard wide chain through a hand wide opening. 

She knew probably what had happened.  The men had recognized Ephiny, and either knew her for a high ranking Amazon that the men from Athens were in search of, or knew her to be the regent of the mountain tribe Gabrielle headed, and knew there was money in either their persons or news of them.

ÒWe fought them off, and our queen offered to travel with your friends the rest of the way here.Ó The older Amazon said. ÒAnd so , we learned their names.  I have to say, they were very strange Amazons.Ó

Ephiny and Pony had always seemed to her to be completely ordinary Amazons, so Xena was intrigued.  But she put that aside. ÒSo you ended up here?Ó

ÒYeah.Ó Regi nodded. ÒJust in time to meet up with about a hundred other Amazons and start a damned riot in the middle of the town.Ó She looked angry. ÒThese little bastards here refused us rooms. Said we were only fit for the stables.Ó

ÒItÕs true.Ó Her sister said.

ÒExcept your friends.Ó  Regi added sarcastically. ÒThey were special.Ó

Xena pondered with the idea of just letting all the Amazons go to Athens and have the Athenians have to deal with them.   The mental picture of hundreds of bickering women in the middle of the Army made her smile. 

ÒWell you know, from what I remember of those two, they are pretty special.Ó Iolaus gamely dove in.  ÒAnd anyway, I couldnÕt get a room here either.Ó

They stared at him. ÒYou?Ó

Iolaus shrugged. ÒItÕs not like I have Hercules stamped on my forehead.Ó 

ÒI could arrange for that.Ó Xena propped her chin up on her fist.

ÒSo anyway I É what?Ó Iolaus gave her a look.  ÒXena.Ó

The warrior chuckled.   Then she gave the Amazons a dour look.  ÒDid they go on the ship?Ó She leaned out of the way as a server dropped a tray of sliced meats and cold vegetables on the table. ÒTo Athens?Ó

Iolaus pulled over a trencher and stabbed a few things onto it from the platter.  ÒEveryone else is.Ó He sighed.  ÒI just hope HercÕs getting some headway in stopping the whole thing.Ó

The Amazons turned their attention to him. ÒTrying to stop what?Ó

ÒThe war.Ó Iolaus put a piece of meat between a fold of the dark bread theyÕd been given and took a bite of it. ÔHeÕs up on Mount Olympus, arguing with the family.Ó

ÒGood luck.Ó Xena muttered.

ÒYou should go help him.Ó  Iolaus commented. Ò You could keep his brother busy and out if his way in any case.Ó

A silence fell around the table, as Iolaus munched his sandwich. The Amazons stared at him, then stared at Xena.

Xena took a sip of her ale and thought about that.   ÒHeÕs got a better chance of talking them out of it than I do the Amazons.Ó She sighed.  ÒSo. Did they go on the boat or not?Ó

Auhelia shifted a little. ÒThey all did. On one big merchant ship. The only one that would take them.Ó She said.  ÒAfter the fight broke out, they had a choice to either leave that day, or be evicted from the city.  They picked the boat. We got caught in a mess while we tried to buy some stuff for the trip.Ó

ÒSo they threw you in jail  for buying provisions?Ó Iolaus picked up the thread of the conversation. ÒGlad we could get you out of that, by the way.Ó

They had the grace to look abashed. ÒThanks.Ó Regi said.  ÒThey threw us in jail for kicking the crap out of the city police chiefÕs son.Ó She drained her mug. ÒHear he holds a long grudge.Ó

The door slammed open again, and some of the city watch entered, with the typical faint swagger of those in power.  One of them claimed a table that had been recently vacated by sailors, and signaled the server over, while his mates surveyed the room before joining him.

Their eyes fell on the Amazons.

Xena sighed and rubbed her temples.  ÒEat fast.Ó She advised Iolaus. ÒItÕs going to be one of those mornings.Ó

**

Continued in Part 12