The barricade
stretched wide to deep gullies bordering either side, its walls high enough to
impede scaling. Though in the middle of
nowhere, it blocked passage of wagons and mounted groups seeking the most
convenient route to several popular port towns. A few guards lolled outside the narrow structure, another five or
so behind the open gates. Their
behavior suggested that – if not for card games and confiscated wine – they had
a greater chance of perishing from boredom than an arrow.
“Ho, what’ve we got
here?” One of the guards lurched to his
feet, shielding his eyes at a traveler approaching. “It’s a woman!”
His colleagues
joined him, intrigued by this interruption in their routine. The woman rode with confidence, wore a frock
displaying her cleavage, dark hair framing an attractively mature face. She pulled up a few feet away.
“You boys having a
good day?”
The guards grinned
at each other. An older man sauntered
in front of them. “As good as any. You here to make it better?”
“Well, if it’s a
toll you’re after, I’m afraid I’m low on dinars.” The woman smiled. “Unless
you’d consider something else in exchange?”
The captain
smirked. “I’m sure something could be
arranged.”
“Sure, for you,”
one of the others groused. “What about
the rest of us?”
“Not to
worry.” The woman winked. “I have friends. On foot. They should
arrive shortly. I’m sure they won’t
mind … paying … in similar fashion.”
She gestured toward the barricade.
“Someplace we can relax? Perhaps
have a drink, a few laughs before our … transaction?”
“Yeah, yeah, we can
fix things up for ya.” The guard
speaking checked his captain for confirmation before dashing inside with most
of the others.
The captain
gallantly helped the woman dismount.
“You’ll be my special guest.” He
grinned. “I have my own quarters.”
“Lovely. I’m not as comfortable roughing it
anymore.” The woman squeezed the arm he
offered her. “I’m sure you understand.”
The two strolled
inside. All but two guards stationed at
the gates busied themselves setting tables with food and drink or tidying the
tight enclosure they used for barracks.
At the woman’s suggestion, they’d taken off their weapons and gathered
around the tables to make things “more like a party.” They were telling jokes and singing bar songs when the other
women arrived.
“Help is here,
boys. Close your mouths and make my
girls feel welcome.”
Awhile later, the
men lay on the ground exhausted.
Trussed hand and foot. The women
gathered supplies, weapons and whatever money they could find.
“What about
them? Should we untie one? Give him a knife to free the others?”
“No.” The dark-haired woman’s lip curled. “Kill
`em all.”
~~~~~
“I’m so glad we did
this.” Gabrielle closed her eyes and
took in a deep breath. “Nothing like
the ocean. I didn’t realize how much I
missed it.”
Xena chuckled. “Better late than never.”
“Hey, being on
the ocean’s one thing. I don’t miss
heaving up my innards, thank you very much.
Lollygagging beside it – that’s what I call a nice trip.”
“Wanna hang around
a little more? Doubt anybody’ll be
surprised if we’re a couple weeks late.”
“True.” Gabrielle stretched. “But with that Alliance meeting coming up
…. Quite a few new members. We still haven’t hashed out who should – .”
“Yeah, yeah. All that hot air going to waste without you
fanning it the right way.” Xena smiled
good-naturedly and began clearing their dishes from the cloth they’d laid on
the grass. “We can take another way
back. Not as scenic, but more direct.”
“Sounds good.” Gabrielle got to her knees to begin rolling
the cloth. “Besides, I’ll have with me
the scenery I like best.”
“Mm. See how long that lasts.”
“Excuse me?”
“`Xena, must you
look like you’re in pain when I ask you to make a presentation?’ ‘Xena, the fish will be there tomorrow. Why do you disappear whenever the delegates come? I miss you.’”
Gabrielle
scowled. “I do not sound like
that. Maybe the words, but not that
whiny voice.”
“Point is, better
enjoy me while you can. Even we
domesticated cats need to chase something in the wilderness every now and
then.” Xena cut her eyes at
Gabrielle. “Especially when blow-hards
’re in the house.”
The two fussed
congenially until Xena busied herself loading their horses. Gabrielle walked once more to the
shoreline. Glanced up at the call of a
seagull. Smiled when soon wrapped in
wings of a different sort. Leaning into
the solid body that had come up behind her.
Sharing the tranquility in their closeness, of the blue-on-blue horizon
and sound of waves lapping a safe distance away at the water’s edge.
~~~~~
“Something wrong?”
“Been awhile since
I came this way.” Xena squinted at the
barrier ahead. “What’s up with that?”
“A guard post? Out here?”
Gabrielle frowned. “But no
guards?”
Xena indicated they
should dismount. She made a quick
inspection of the grounds. “Somebody
was here. Not long ago.” She unhooked her sword from the saddle and
retrieved the chakram from her bag.
“Um, should I arm
myself too?”
“Just being
careful. Not sure if the quiet’s good
or bad.” Xena slowly opened the gate.
“By the gods.” Gabrielle started toward the scattered
bodies. “Do you think any of them are –
.”
“Wait.” Xena pointed toward the sheltered
areas. “Could still be here.” She scanned the top of the walls. Satisfied no one lurked there, she began
checking inside the barracks.
Gabrielle trotted
past an older man. He lay with his eyes
open, throat slit. Her heart made her
go to the other victims, even though they too looked past hope. Finally she found one still breathing. She cradled his head.
“How’s he
doing?” Xena knelt beside them.
The man’s lashes
fluttered. He struggled weakly. “Shhh.
It’s okay.” Gabrielle tried to
calm him. His eyes blinked open,
focused on Xena and widened in fear.
“We won’t hurt ….” He fell back,
limp. Gabrielle sighed. “He’s gone.”
Xena rested her
hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder. “All of
`em?”
Gabrielle
nodded. “Xena, they were helpless. No sign of struggle. Who would do such a thing?”
Xena was staring at
the footprints in the soft dirt.
Swallowing back the bile rising to her mouth. She had an idea all right, but not one she felt like sharing
until she was sure.
“Xena? What is it?
Do you know who did this? How to
find them?” Gabrielle raised Xena’s
chin. “I’m with you, if you believe we
should. The Alliance business can
wait.”
Xena’s jaw
tightened. “I do,” she said. And prayed she was wrong.
~~~~~
The tavern bustled
with activity reflecting the town’s reputation as a place to do business of
almost any kind. Xena adjusted the
sword on her back before striding through the swinging doors. She’d surprised Gabrielle by fastening on
the old armor she carried “just in case” – wanting to present herself as a
warrior. She’d said this might help
elicit information about the mystery they’d decided to pursue. Gabrielle didn’t quite understand her
partner’s cryptic explanation about that or how she’d determined this as their
first stop. She hadn’t pressed,
sensing Xena needed a certain amount of distance to deal with whatever answers
they might learn.
They seated themselves
at a table near the entrance. Xena did
her usual scan. Gabrielle followed
suit, searching for likely unsavory types, until she realized the warrior
seemed more interested in the serving girls.
The blue gaze honed in on one in particular – a young brunette dressed
in the same revealing outfit as the others but weaving among the patrons with
less chitchat, more adeptness at fending off unwelcome interruptions.
“Hey!” Xena waved off another server, instead
beckoning the brunette. “Been on the
road all day,” she said when the girl came over. She threw a look at the server she’d dismissed, now flirting with
a customer. “Might not eat for an hour,
if one of those others takes our order.
My gut says you’ll be quicker.”
The girl studied
Xena a moment. “I reckon. Very observant.”
“Have to be, in my
business. We’ll take a mug of ale, cup
of port and whatever’s hot, filling and most edible.”
“Coming right
up.” The girl started back toward the
kitchen.
“Before you go
….” When the girl turned, Xena picked
up an empty mug that hadn’t been cleared away.
She tossed it to the girl, who caught it neatly. “Good reflexes too, eh?”
“Uh, yeah, I
guess.” The girl cocked her head,
chewing her lip. She finally
smiled. “Comes in handy in my
business.”
“Xena?” Gabrielle slid her eyes between her partner
and the retreating girl. “Mind telling
me what you’re up to?”
“Just playing a
hunch. Bear with me, okay?” Xena patted Gabrielle’s knee. “Oh, and my name’s … Lycea.”
“I see. The plot thickens.” Gabrielle narrowed her eyes. “And I’m …?”
Xena grinned. “Whoever you want.”
“How generous. I’m finally getting a say in this.” Gabrielle lightly kicked Xena’s foot. “Hmmm.”
She drummed her fingers against her chin in exaggerated
contemplation. Before she could
respond, the girl returned with their drinks.
“Food’ll be up
soon. The house specialty – beef
stew.” The girl pointed her chin at
Xena’s armor. “Don’t have to be
observant to see you’re a warrior.”
Xena chuckled. “Yup.”
“Haven’t seen too
many like you. Alone, I mean. You a mercenary? Bounty hunter?”
“Used to ride with
a gang. Long time ago. The leader in fact.” Xena shrugged. “Got tired of male … excesses.
Women, drinking, pillaging for the sake of it. I’m pickier about my battles now. Since I saved my friend here from slavers. Felt good.
I jump in when I see bullying going on, especially if it’s women and
children.”
“Yeah?” The girl came closer. “Wish we had more women … um … people like
you around here. Somebody with spine. Seasoned.
You staying long?”
Xena leaned back in
her chair. “Got a problem needs
solving?”
The girl glanced
around. “I’d like to talk some more,”
she said quietly. “Rooms’re all
filled. If you don’t mind roughing it a
bit ….”
“We don’t.”
“My cousin Danae
manages the stables. She lets folks
bunk there sometimes. I can check while
I’m waiting on your food.”
“Sure. See how we feel after we eat.”
“I’m Tasha, by the
way. Glad to meet you.”
“Lycea. My friend here is ….” Xena turned to Gabrielle with barely
concealed humor. “I’ll let her
introduce herself.”
~~~~~
Xena kept it
together until Tasha’s and Danae’s footsteps faded away.
“Xena.”
“G-G-Gab.” Xena had fallen back on a haystack, tears
streaming down her face.
“Xeeena.”
“Ga-Ga-blilla,”
Xena finally got out. “Bwahahahahaha!”
“Xena!”
“S-sorry.” Xena hiccupped. “It’s just …. Ga-blilla?
Ya gotta admit ….” Though she held her
sides, she couldn’t keep her body from shaking.
“How fortunate for
you you’re so easily amused.” Gabrielle
stood over her insufferable soulmate with folded arms. “Too bad I’m not sharing the moment. And for your information, it’s Gab-lilla.”
Xena cleared her
throat. “Oh …. Gab-lilla,” she echoed, trying
desperately to be serious. “That’s so
much bet – bwahahahaha!”
“I borrowed from my
sister’s name, like you borrowed from your brother’s. I had to think fast.”
Gabrielle discovered a smile threatening despite her pique. “Sounded better in my head.”
Xena took in some
deep breaths. Biting her lip, she sat
up and scooted against the stall that would serve as their accommodations for
the night. “C’mere,” she invited,
patting a spot beside her. “Please? Pretty please with molasses on top?”
“You’ll have to do
better than that, missy.” Gabrielle
took her time plumping down next to the warrior. “Not sure this is where I wanna be paid, but I will get
what’s due me.”
Xena grinned. “With pleasure, I’m sure.” She draped her arm around Gabrielle’s
shoulder. “That’s nice – honoring Lila. Didn’t realize it at the time. Kinda caught me off guard.”
“Yeah, I
know.” Gabrielle chuckled. “For a so-called bard, you’d think I’d do
better with names.”
“Well, Lyceus was a
little easier to work with.” Xena
rested her head against Gabrielle’s.
“If it helps, I needed a good laugh.”
Gabrielle
repositioned herself to see Xena’s face.
“I know. I’m trying to be
patient.”
“And I appreciate
that.”
“Does this have to
do with the past?”
Xena sighed. “Doesn’t it always?”
“You know you can
tell me anything.”
“Yeah.” Xena fiddled with a piece of straw. “This is … different. Something even I wouldn’t expect. Right now it’s just a bad feeling in my
gut. If I’m right, my gut also says we
may need you to go in … fresh. No
preconceptions.” She tapped Gabrielle’s
nose. “Your usual open, forgiving
self.”
Gabrielle
considered how accustomed she’d become to surprises, to mysteries that took
years to unfold. Her soulmate being the
biggest. But Xena always came through. Had failed Gabrielle less than her own
breath. She trusted her partner’s
instincts. Her silences, especially
after so many years of revealing to each other their deepest secrets. What mattered most was dealing with it
together.
“I’m in this the
whole way? No solo missions?”
“Where I go, you
go. And vice versa.”
“Humph. We know how creative you can be about
that. I’ll need some reassurance.”
Xena smirked. “A deposit on what’s due you?”
“Exactly. You can settle the balance later. For now, I’ll be satisfied with you glued to
me like your hands on a fishing pole.”
~~~~~
The feet carefully
picking their way through the darkness didn’t surprise Xena, who’d been dozing
in alert mode. She squeezed Gabrielle’s
shoulder. “Shhh. Company.
Don’t resist.”
“She said they were
over here,” someone whispered.
“Lookin’ for
us?” Xena squinted in the direction of
some gray shapes. Their movement
stopped at her words. “I’m Lycea.”
“Tasha sent
us. We’d like to talk with you.”
Xena sat up. “We?”
“Friends of
hers. We’ll take you to her.” The speaker shuffled closer. “Here.”
Xena felt a piece
of cloth brush her face. “What’s this?”
“Tie it around your
eyes.”
“Um, we got a
problem.”
“Look, if you want
to come with us – .”
“There’s only one.”
“What?”
“One
blindfold. We need two.”
“Two? Tasha didn’t – .”
“Maybe she got the
wrong impression about my sweet-looking friend. We’re a team. Where I go,
she goes.”
After some
whispering, a voice said, “Fine. Use my
scarf.”
Xena handed the
first blindfold to Gabrielle and tied the scarf around her eyes. “Now what?”
“We’ll lead you
out. You can ride double on the horse
we got for you.”
“Works for
me.” Xena stood, pulling Gabrielle up
with her. “Ready when you are.”
~~~~~
“We seem to be the only ones riding,”
Gabrielle noted softly out the corner of her mouth.
“Uh huh.”
“You’re not
surprised.”
“Uh uh.”
“Has anything
surprised you yet?”
Xena tightened her
arms around her partner. “Afraid not.”
“Mm.”
It occurred to
Gabrielle that Xena hadn’t been angsty about her past in a long time. What hadn’t changed was the warrior’s
getting angsty when something might affect a certain soulmate. Gabrielle couldn’t imagine what that could
be this time. Everyone who’d been a
threat was long gone. As far as she
knew, no recent enemies would be connected to Tasha and her friends.
“Just go with the
flow, okay?”
“Huh?”
“Be yourself. Even if I’m not.”
“Xena, what in –
.” Gabrielle’s question got cut short
by another voice.
“We’re here. Hold on.
We’ll help you – .”
“I got it.” Xena deftly dismounted from the back of the
horse, felt her way to Gabrielle’s side and gave her partner a lift down. She smirked when she felt a light “Show off”
swat to her midsection.
“Tasha had a
feeling you were good.” One of the
welcoming party grasped Xena’s elbow.
“You good enough to find your way inside blindfolded?”
Xena rolled her
hidden eyes. Amateurs. Judging by the terrain, “inside” probably
meant a building of some sort – not a cave or tent in the middle of a forest. She’d already sniffed the scent of farm
animals. She swept her right foot wide
from side to side, then her left. Just
as she figured, they stood on ground more trampled than the bordering
area. A path of some sort. And from the crackling and heat, someone in
front of them held a torch.
“Mm. Why don’t we see?” Xena pulled away from the hand on her elbow but kept her arm
around Gabrielle. She chuckled to
herself at the murmurs as she walked confidently straight ahead. Finally her foot stubbed against smooth stone. “Careful,” she warned Gabrielle. “Probably a step,” which led to a flat
wooden surface. She moved forward
slowly, one arm stretched in front, until she touched more wood. She ran her hand up and down it, confirming
a doorframe. Turning partially, she
addressed the others as if she could see them.
“Wanna announce us? Or should we
just go in?”
~~~~~
Once seated and
their blindfolds removed, the visitors casually scanned the common room of a
middle-sized home. Gabrielle was
particularly interested in gleaning anything that might be a factor in her
partner’s curious behavior. In reality
it seemed they’d joined a typical village sewing circle. Six mostly youngish women in peasant dresses
appeared to be working on pieces of fabric draping their laps. They nodded at their guests. Only one aspect departed from the norm. Except for Tasha and Danae, the others had
hats, scarves and/or masks concealing their faces.
Tasha stood and
smiled. “Ladies, I’d like you to meet
the woman … um, women … I told you about.
This is Lycea,” she said, pointing at Xena. “And her companion … uh …. Sorry.” She looked apologetically at Gabrielle.
“Call me
‘Lil.’” Gabrielle rolled her tongue in
her cheek. “Easier to remember than …
my full name.”
“And pronounce,”
Xena added under her breath. She
focused on Tasha, mainly to avoid a pair of cutting green eyes. “I take it you won’t be introducing the rest
of this gathering?”
Tasha sat on the
edge of a chair. “My friends’re taking
a big risk. We’re all part of something
our families and neighbors don’t know about.
We could be in big trouble if they did.”
“Far as they know,
I’m just the stable keeper.” Danae
leaned forward. “You might bump into
some of the others at the market or walking with their kids. We gotta know first if we can trust
you. Tasha and I think we can. If we’re wrong ….” She shrugged. “We’ll be
the only ones to pay.”
“You’re
vigilantes,” Xena stated matter-of-factly.
“I already figured out that much.”
“H-how …?” Tasha spread her hands. “I didn’t tell her anything about us,” she
said to the others. “Honestly. I just said I wanted to talk with her.”
“Like you said, I’m
very observant.” Xena relaxed back and
crossed her legs. “Let’s cut to the
chase, shall we? What’s your game? How do we figure in?”
Tasha checked with
the others. At their nods, she
explained how certain developments had gotten worse over the years. Developments that put the womenfolk at more
risk or lessened their stature. Like
warlords being replaced by self-described “governors.”
“They promise peace
and protection,” one woman said. “They
come to us all civilized like. Tell us
we can go on as usual. ‘All’ we have to
do is contribute to the expenses for maintaining their forces. It’s up to our husbands and sons if they
want to join. And they get paid for
doing it.”
“Yeah, our men
think it’s a good deal. The governors
have rules to keep women in our ‘place.’
They say we’re safer not being in positions of authority. Staying inside unless it’s to do chores. Pfft.
I don’t wanna run nothin’, but I’ll be damned if I’m takin’ orders from
some idiot I wouldn’t marry if he was a god.”
“And that’s another
thing. In the old days, we had strong
female gods like Athena. Great warriors
like Xena. Leaders like Gabrielle of
the Amazons. Our mothers and
grandmothers used to talk about them.
Now it’s forbidden. Or they
claim our heroes were the lackeys and handmaidens of men called the ‘true’
power or whatever.”
The women
complained how their men turned a blind eye to corruption, dissenters
disappearing, “peace keepers” who did and took what they wanted when it came to
weaker families. How mysterious attacks
occurred, with no one brought to justice.
“Excuse me?” Gabrielle raised her hand. “Sorry to interrupt. We passed through a barricade on our way
here. The guards had been slaughtered
like animals. Is that the kind of thing
the women have organized against?”
Silence fell. The women shifted and exchanged glances
uncertainly.
“Um ….” Tasha took a deep breath. “We don’t …. We’re newer to all this.
We have sisters who are more … active.
You know, going out on missions.
They’ve been teaching us how to protect ourselves. Letting us know how and when we can
help. What you saw …. We haven’t been briefed about that yet.”
“These
‘others.’” Xena cocked her head. “You interviewing us for them? If we pass, will we meet them?”
“Possibly.” An older dark-haired woman entered from
another room. She also wore a mask and
peasant dress, but had the bearing of someone used to being in charge. She stood behind Tasha. “What are your thoughts so far?”
Gabrielle turned to
Xena, who stared at the newcomer as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Do I seem
familiar? I thought from Tasha’s
description we might have met before.”
Gabrielle frowned,
trying to place that voice. “Maybe
so. I just can’t ….”
“I recognized the
signs.” Xena’s jaw tightened. “Didn’t exactly expect it’d mean you.”
“Commander?” The confusion on Danae’s face mirrored that
of the other women. “Is everything
…. Did we do wrong? Bringing them here?”
“We’ll know soon
enough.” The older woman moved from
behind Tasha. She waited for another
woman to get her a chair. She seated
herself across from the visitors. “It’s
been awhile. About 15 years would you
say?”
Xena nodded. “Already starting to feel like yesterday.”
The woman relaxed
back and crossed her legs in similar fashion as her dark-haired guest. “Same here.
Although I probably thought a lot more about you than you did about me.”
Xena shook her
head. “I thought about you. Just not like this.”
“You were my
mentor. It’s what we do.”
Gabrielle had been
shifting her eyes between the masked woman and Xena. At that last comment, old memories kicked in. She suddenly recalled footprints at the
guard post, had a flash of another time she’d come across bound soldiers with
arrows in their backs. Finally
understood Xena’s reluctance to talk about her hunch.
The woman noted the
comprehension dawning on Gabrielle’s face.
She chuckled. “My other
mentor. Seems it’s like yesterday for
her too now. Yes,” she said, taking off
her mask, “it’s me. Varia.”
Those gathered were
disappointed not to learn more about the puzzling interaction between their
leader and guests. Varia had explained
the trio fought together many years ago to save the Amazon Nation, in large
part successful because of Lycea’s battle experience and Lil’s negotiation
skills. She’d been interrupted by loud
singing from someone stationed outside, signaling the earlier than expected
return of the husband of the house.
By the time he
stumbled in, those inside had removed their masks, picked up their sewing and
were gossiping about a neighbor. The
man paid them scant attention. He wove
his way to the sleeping quarters, apparently too drunk to question the
late-night carryings on of women’s business.
The circle broke up shortly thereafter.
Varia indicated the
visitors should go with her. She
mounted one horse while they doubled up on another to trail her into the
forest. The three rode without
conversation, their route in the darkness off the beaten path requiring their
full attention.
After about an
hour, Varia pulled up. “One of my
camping spots. We’ll leave the horses
here.” She pushed through an opening in
some large bushes surrounding a small clearing. “I keep extra supplies here,” she said, digging up an oil-clothed
package. She unwrapped it and handed
Gabrielle a blanket. “This should
do. You’ll have each other for warmth.”
“No fire?”
“Don’t wanna risk
it. We’ll set out early in the
morning.”
“Where?” Xena
asked.
“My place.”
“Appreciate the
hospitality, but we have our own stuff at the stables.”
Varia lay her
blanket on the ground. “We can stop
there on the way.” She snorted. “I figured you’d want to catch up on old
times. See how the other half
lives. Gabrielle anyway.”
“Yes, of
course.” Gabrielle gave their blanket
to Xena, nudging her partner to take care of their sleeping arrangement. “Obviously things have changed since we saw
you last.”
Varia dropped down
to her blanket. “Yeah. They have.
And some others’ll always be the same.”
She stretched out and got comfortable.
“Good night.”
Gabrielle stared at
the lump she could vaguely make out.
“Good night.” She joined her
reclining soulmate. “Good night to you
too.”
“Mm.” Xena pulled Gabrielle in. “Wonder if tomorrow’ll be as good.”
~~~~~
Late afternoon the
next day, Varia stopped at the outskirts of a wooded area in front of a huge
rock formation. A couple of women in
breeches appeared and saluted her. They
removed a barricade camouflaged with various greenery to reveal a narrow
path. The party on horseback took that
route to the rock formation. A large
slab opened. They passed underneath a
long ceiling of stone to emerge into a large grassy area with trees and other
vegetation, encircled by a wall of rock.
A waterfall pooled at the base of one side.
Huts and other
structures gave a human touch to the otherwise natural scene. Thirty or so women in battledress were
engaged in drills or chores. To the
experienced eye, the settlement looked very much like a miniature Amazon
village.
“You can stay in
there.” Varia indicated a small
hut. “I’ll send for you shortly.”
“Well.” Gabrielle watched Varia ride to a large
structure in the middle of the compound.
“This gets more interesting by the moment.”
“Mmhm.” Xena dismounted, helped her partner down and
began unloading their things.
“You’re not
surprised by this either?” Gabrielle asked once they’d entered the hut.
“Not
particularly.” Xena tested one of the
two cots. “Yup. Hard as an Amazon’s head.”
Gabrielle
chuckled. “They do have a reputation to
maintain.” She cut her eyes at her
partner. “You know that’s not what I
meant.”
“Uh huh. Good thing we got our sleeping furs. That oughtta help.”
Gabrielle rolled
her tongue in her cheek as Xena blithely pushed the cots together and layered
them with their furs, before taking out a few items from their bags – her
sharpening stone and comb, Gabrielle’s brush and writing supplies – and
arranged them neatly on a small chest.
“You planning on
moving in?”
“Same as if we were
camping. `Cept for the four walls and
something to rest on besides logs or the ground.”
“Xena.” Gabrielle sat on the lone chair and crossed
her legs. “I’m this close to making
myself a widow. I suggest you share
whatever’s going on in the most legendary hard head before I lose the little
patience I have left.”
Xena blew out a
long breath. She perched on the side of
a cot. “She called us by our made-up
names.”
“So? Most of those women probably believe we’re
dead. You really think that was the
time to try explaining the truth?”
“I’m not sure time
was the problem. She had enough for a
half truth.”
“Okay, so what was
the problem?”
Xena scooted back
against a wall. “As who they think we
are, we could be more recruits. As who
we really are, we could be … a complication.”
“Xeena.”
“I’m not trying to
be difficult, okay? I hafta see how
this plays out. Can you wait until we
talk with her? I suspect it’ll be
clearer to both of us.”
Gabrielle studied
her partner a moment. “You afraid we
won’t see it the same? That I’ll take
their side against – .”
“Gabrielle,” Xena
said, leaning forward, “I count on you seeing things differently. What I said before? About you having a fresh perspective? I feel it even more now. Especially if I’m right.”
Gabrielle leaned
forward. “Xena, we work best as a
team. You know that. Why can’t you at least tell me – .”
“It won’t change
being a team.” Xena got off the cot and
knelt in front of Gabrielle. She took
her partner’s hands. “I trust your gut
as much as I do mine.” She smiled. “Remember how I said we’re like my
chakram? Two halves of a whole? Sometimes splitting apart, coming from
different directions? Whatever happens,
you have to believe it’s for the same purpose.
That we’ll come together in the end.”
“You’re scaring me, you know.”
Xena grinned
sheepishly. “Not buyin’ the chakram
thing, eh. I thought it was pretty
good.”
“Oh, it was. Any other time I’d be melting in your
arms. Under these circumstances? Not particularly reassuring.”
Xena batted her
eyes. “But you’ll go along anyway?”
Gabrielle sucked in
her cheeks. “Old habits do die
hard.”
Xena grinned. “That’s my girl.”
“I wouldn’t get too
cocky. There’s a particularly bad old
habit I still might kick before this is over.”
~~~~~
The woman who came
to fetch the visitors wore a long frock, as did several others exiting from the
compound. Those inside the main
building had on traditional Amazon leathers.
Most conversed and ate at long tables.
Varia sat by herself at a smaller table, above which hung an elaborate
ceremonial headdress. When her guests
approached, she signaled for trays of food and drink.
“I see Amazon
hospitality hasn’t changed,” Gabrielle said, seating herself.
Varia
shrugged. “I tried to keep the best of
what we had.”
“Had?” Xena got comfortable, stretching her legs
under the table.
Varia cocked her
head. “Right to it, eh? Same ol’ Xena. In that respect anyway.”
She gazed at the warrior. “The
years have been kind to you. You too,
Gabrielle.”
Xena nodded. “Look pretty good yourself. A few more battle scars,” she noted,
pointing her chin at a diagonal red line on Varia’s upper chest. “Another beauty mark to a warrior.”
“For some, I
guess. How about you, Gabrielle? You earned any more since Helicon?”
“I suppose.” Gabrielle chuckled. “Unlike some people, I’m not in the habit of
counting them.” Her expression grew serious. “Especially since many are on the
inside. Or were acquired those years
Xena was dead.”
“So it’s
true?” Varia glanced between her two
visitors. “About you getting
killed? Fighting hundreds of soldiers
in a land far to the east?”
“Yep. Would’ve been the last of many deaths.” Xena smiled fondly at her partner. “If not for a certain blonde.”
Varia studied
Gabrielle. “Once an Amazon, always an
Amazon?”
Xena snorted. “If you go by hard heads, she’s still the
queen.”
Varia snapped apart
the bones of a chicken wing. “Too bad
most of her subjects bit the dust.”
Gabrielle braced
her arms on the table. “What’s
happened, Varia? The Amazons in our
part of Greece still thrive, not far from a village I started. They have cooperative arrangements with an
alliance of other villages.”
“They stay in their
own little place? Intermingle on
somebody else’s terms?”
“It’s mutually
beneficial to everyone. We share our
resources. Band together when
threatened. We’ve worked so people
don’t have to kill each other over territory.
Sure, there are still those who – .”
“Some of us are
from the old school. We liked having
our own place. Our own ways and
rules. We tried the ‘cooperative’
route. Ended up with the short
end. Settlements popping up on our
land. ‘Etiquette’ for how we should act
if we went to town. Losing our young
women to so-called luxuries and protection from men. Forced to wander further and further away from decent areas for
growing or hunting or water.” Varia’s
jaw clenched. “I haven’t been north in
a while, but I hear we’ve dwindled there as well.”
Gabrielle
frowned. “Are you saying this is
it? What you have here?”
“Those Amazons over
there?” Varia indicated a table of
about a dozen older women. “Far as I
know, they’re the last of our force after Helicon. A few returned to their homelands. The rest of us have traveled together searching for somewhere we
could survive and protect our traditions.”
Xena raised a
brow. “And recruit new Amazons?”
“We’ve had to …
compromise. Do whatever it takes. It seems domesticated woman aren’t always
happy with their lot. If their lives
are more comfortable, it’s because they do most of the work. And sometimes husbands don’t protect them
from the dangers outside their homes.
Or inside.”
“Mm. So you decided to do it for them.”
“Like a certain
legendary Warrior Princess.” Varia
pointedly stared at Xena’s silver-streaked bangs. “When she still had her youth and fire.”
“Varia?” Gabrielle held the eyes of the woman she’d
once fought in hand-to-hand combat over how far the Amazons should go to
preserve their nation. “We passed
through a barricade on the road here.
The guards had been bound and killed.”
Varia relaxed back
in her chair. “So?”
“We didn’t see
signs of a mounted attack. The
footprints inside could’ve been made by Amazon boots.”
Varia snorted
softly. “Must’ve been
disappointing. Nobody to talk things
over with. As I recall, you preferred
–.”
“Cut the crap,
Varia.” Xena leaned on the table, eyes
unrelenting. “Did you or didn’t you?”
Varia’s lip
curled. “What’s it to either of
you? Gabrielle says you have a whole
new life now. Settled in a nice,
peaceful village. Model Amazons on
exhibit nearby. ‘Preserved.’” She pushed back her chair and stood. “I have business to take care of. You’re welcome to tour the place. We’ll decide tomorrow how best to get you
back where you belong.”
~~~~~
Xena sat on a cot
sharpening her weapons. Gabrielle paced around the guest hut, not sure whether
to be more disturbed by what they’d found or Xena’s apparent lack of
concern.
“Clearly we can’t
leave yet.”
Xena peered up at
her agitated partner. “Clearly.”
“It’s not just
about me, Xena. You saw it. You’re not the least bit disturbed?”
“I saw a lot. Anything in particular?”
Gabrielle stopped
pacing and crossed her arms. “Why does
everything have to be a riddle? I
swear, Xena. You can be so maddening
sometimes.”
Xena snorted. “My middle name. ‘Maddening.’”
“It’s not
funny. These women could be headed for
big trouble. With Varia leading the
charge. Maybe a lot of innocent people
caught in the crossfire. They need
guidance. Who else is there, besides
us?”
Xena let the knife
she was working on rest in her lap.
“She doesn’t want our help.”
“Clearly.” Gabrielle sat on the chair across from
Xena. “When has that ever stopped
us? When we knew it was right?”
“Right.” Xena raised a brow. “And exactly what is
that?”
“Oh, for the love
of – .”
“What’s ‘right,’
Gabrielle?” Xena blew out a
breath. “You’ve got maybe the last of
the Amazons, threatened with extinction.
How’re they to survive without new recruits? Nothing worth defending?”
“What about the
women they’re recruiting? The families
torn apart? The sons and husbands they
might be forced to kill?”
“It’s their
choice. You want `em subjugated? Little choice at all? Not able to see another way, let alone to do
anything besides accept they don’t deserve better?”
“And if she
attacks? They’ll be better off? Accepting violence as the answer?”
“They may have
to. The men started this. Accepting violence to defend their
‘right.’ Their way. Even the most reasonable will feel they have
no choice, if Varia threatens their homes.”
Gabrielle stared at
Xena. “Just whose side are you on?”
“Haven’t made up my
mind yet.” The corner of Xena’s mouth
quirked. “I’m only saying, ‘right’
isn’t always as simple as it seems.
Maddening, huh?”
~~~~~
“So, whaddya
think?” Tasha had come with Danae,
ostensibly to accompany the newcomers away from the compound, in actuality
hoping that wouldn’t be necessary.
Xena glanced at
Gabrielle. The latter gestured toward
their bed. “Sit a moment.” When they did, she asked, “What do you
think?”
Danae blinked. “Us?”
“You’re a part of
this, right?” Gabrielle smiled. “Amazons in training, so to speak?”
“Well, sure. We’re still green and all, but we think you
should stay.” Danae looked to Tasha for
confirmation. “Even we can tell Lycea
knows her stuff.”
“Exactly what of
her ‘stuff’ do you believe you’ll be needing?”
Tasha glanced
between the two guests, perplexed. “Her
warrior stuff. Like I said at the
inn. Teach us what she knows. How she’s survived this long.” She frowned at Xena. “Didn’t Varia say you fought together?”
“She say anything
else about me?”
“Um … well … not
much. Only that maybe you’d
changed.” Tasha grinned. “I said I didn’t think so. Not from what I got at the inn.” She cocked her head. “Almost like you already knew. Wanted in on the action. Checking to see if we were worthy.”
“Mm.” Xena studied her fingernails. “Not sure Varia’s on board with that. Gotta respect the chain of command.”
Tasha
brightened. “Why don’t we see? We’re having a big gathering tonight. Stay.
We’ll tell her we trust you, to give you a chance. If she agrees, will you?”
Xena raised a brow
at Gabrielle. Gabrielle nodded.
“Sure. Not much waitin’ for us at home, besides a
bunch of blow-hards.”
~~~~~
The meeting hut
hummed with women packing every inch – all ages, a small group in Amazon
leathers, some in make-shift warrior garb, many dressed as ordinary
villagers. Varia stood behind the head
table observing it all, particularly the entrance. When she finally saw the two figures she’d been waiting for, she
gestured for them to join her.
“Looks like a
party,” Xena observed dryly, coming up beside Varia. “Somebody’s birthday?”
Varia gave Xena a
long look. Her mouth quirked. “In a way.
Another milestone for the Amazon Nation. We’re celebrating its growth and strength. Its future.”
Gabrielle stood
beside her partner, surveying the room.
“It’s good to see.”
Varia gave
Gabrielle a long look. “No doubt Xena
knows there’s more to it. You should
too.” She pointed her chin at spears,
masks and other items adorning the room, which usually accompanied battle
rituals. “Judging by the … ‘party’ …
decorations.”
“Yes. That’s why we stayed. To help if we can.”
“You may change
your mind. Once you hear, I can’t let
you leave. Not before … we’re
ready. You can still go now. Back to your peaceful life. Remember us as we are now – a roomful of
women celebrating … whatever we can still celebrate.”
Xena leaned down,
her mouth close to Varia’s ear. “We
already know who you are and what’s worth celebrating. You, on the other hand, know squat about who
we are now. If you remember
anything about who we were, you know this whole place couldn’t stop us from
leaving whenever we damn want.”
Varia stared
defiantly into ice-blue eyes as unwavering as ever. She smirked. “So you do
have some of the old fire. Let’s see if
it burns for the Amazons.” She nodded
to servers to begin bringing out trays of food. “Eat first. Stomach what
you can. See about the other when it
comes.”
~~~~~
“All right,
everyone. Your attention please.” Gilda, one of the older Amazons, waited for
quiet. “There’s a few of us left who
have looked forward to this night for many, many moons. We feared it would never be. Commander Varia will now fill you in on why
it is so special.”
Varia rose, as
everyone else did as well. Finally she
put up her hand to quell the clapping that erupted. The women assembled seated themselves, faces beaming with
anticipation. Varia moved to the podium
behind her chair, accentuated by the queen’s mask above her and the step that
added to her height.
“So. You want to become ‘real’ women.”
“Yes! Like you!” someone shouted. “Amazons!”
Varia nodded,
smiling before her expression became serious.
“Know that I was not unlike many of you. Even though raised an Amazon, I too was once innocent. Gentle.
Trusting my feeling of safety came with the territory. Until men invaded it.” Her eyes hardened. “Led by a woman.”
“A woman?!”
“She killed my
sister. I had the chance to kill that
woman, but didn’t. I learned betrayal
comes in many forms. I vowed I would
not be fooled again.” Varia paused,
staring at the back of Xena’s head as though simply gathering her
thoughts. “I met that woman later.”
“You killed her
then?”
“I wanted to. But Livia had become someone else. Now known as `Eve.’ Someone who sought to protect us from an
enemy. Someone under the protection of
other women I respected. Who taught me
that sometimes the true enemy is within.
Guilt, fear or duty that keeps us from seeing clearly. One must be strong to vanquish that. It may mean hard choices between being
comfortable or being free. You will
soon have the chance to decide for yourself which it will be.”
Varia paused again,
this time to recognize the tense stillness produced by her words. Once again her eyes grazed the rigid back of
the mentor whose own decision might determine what happened tomorrow.
“As you know,
‘Governor’ Lapedus has taken tighter and tighter control of this area. He is conscripting more of your men. He established a barricade in hopes of preventing
his ‘subjects’ from leaving or help from coming in.” Varia drew herself up.
“Some of us responded to that.
In no uncertain terms. He did
not like our answer.”
“You?!” a woman
near the front gasped. “Those guards
found dead …. Unarmed and bound. Amazons did that?”
“Yes.”
“My nephew was one
of them!”
“And my brother!”
Varia raised her
hand. “I am sorry for your loss. But they too made a choice – to become
instruments of those who would defeat ‘real’ women. Lapedus is gathering forces to march against the Amazons
soon. No doubt he will sweep up more of
your men.”
“But ….” A middle-aged woman near the back jumped
up. “They don’t know about us! If they did –”
“They’d do
everything in their power to put you back in your ‘place.’”
“You expect us to
take up arms against them?”
“I expect you’ll
make a choice. Stand with the
Amazons. Stand against the
Amazons. Or stand on the sidelines and
let the victor decide for you.”
“But … I’m not
ready! Handling weapons is one
thing. How many of us are prepared to
kill?”
Others nodded,
obviously stunned by the potential reality of their romanticized notion of
independence.
“I’m ready.” Tasha walked in front of the queen’s
table. “Did you really think we’d
change anything by whining or wishing it so?
Becoming secret warriors who’d never have to fight? I’m through fending off drunks, being at the
beck and call of any dolt in pants.
Even if there was no battle, I’d rather die cramming a mug down one of
their throats!”
“She’s got a
point. Maybe all of us can’t use a
sword, but we have the power to weaken in other ways. As cooks. Spies. ‘Accidentally’ leaving wagons in their
path.”
“And what makes
anybody think our men will be better than us?” a stout woman challenged. “I’m the one does all the heavy work. I slaughter our food, `cause my husband
can’t stand the sight of blood.”
“Yeah, mine’s
gotten fatter and lazier, since Lapedus made him ‘king of the castle.’ It’s easy to bluster when you got no
opposition. How many of `em’ll wanna go
up against Amazons?”
The mood began to
shift from incredulity to cautious consideration.
“Lapedus still has
more seasoned soldiers than we do true Amazons,” a woman finally pointed
out. “Are we talking sneak
attacks? Sabotage? All-out combat?”
“Our strategy
depends on many factors. You – your
numbers and willingness among them.”
Once again Varia gazed at the back of her dark-haired guest. “On the collective wisdom of those with
experience in similar situations.”
This time Xena
turned around. She raised a brow. Varia nodded. Xena’s brow remained arched, but she nodded back.
“Fortunately, we
have among us a stalwart of the Amazon Nation. Thought dead by many, but
actually retired and still quite formidable.
She was introduced to you by another name. I will let her introduce herself as one of the finest battle
strategists the world has ever known.”
~~~~~
Xena hadn’t needed
Varia’s eyes piercing her back to figure she’d be sucked into both their
pasts. And Gabrielle’s. Xena finally had to acknowledge to herself
the mixed emotions she’d carried about her partner’s Amazon sisterhood. Yes, she was proud of Gabrielle’s status,
grateful it had given her a role and recognition apart from the Warrior Princess. But it had also been another source of
conflict – not just between them, but within Gabrielle.
It didn’t matter
that Gabrielle had become a warrior herself, able to command Amazons in battle,
that she accepted the consequences.
Even now, years later, she still viewed the violence as sometimes
necessary but nearly always evil. She’d
managed to help the Amazons in Thrace achieve a delicate balance between their
traditions and peaceful co-existence with neighboring villages. But in the back of Xena’s mind lurked
Amazons like Varia who defined themselves by their warrior spirit and the
battles they fought to preserve it.
Something Xena understood all too well.
She’d wondered what
she’d do if this moment came. In truth,
her breath had quickened a few days ago at putting on her old armor, striding
into that inn and being identified as a combat veteran. Testing Tasha as she had recruits long
ago. Determining her options, weighing
their practicality and itching at the chance to be personally involved. Something she hadn’t gotten to do much of in
the 10 or so years of settled life in Gabrielle’s Village of Dreams.
And Gabrielle? Xena would’ve wondered what was going on in
her partner’s head as well. If she
hadn’t already decided to choose for both of them. Aware of expectant murmuring, Xena prepared to stand, to deliver
words of encouragement that wouldn’t be too specific. She needed time first to find out more about the situation – both
the enemy and potential “troops.” Just
as she was about to rise, the person next to her beat her to it.
“I am Gabrielle,
proud to have worn the mask of Amazon queen.
And, yes, the woman beside me is none other than my champion and yours –
Xena.” Gabrielle smiled at the gasps this
evoked.
“No one has higher
regard for my legendary partner than I.
No one is more grateful for her support, which I’m sure she would
willingly give my sisters. Whether
already initiated or considering it, you are my sisters. I took an oath long ago to be and do
whatever necessary for your well-being.”
Green eyes swept the room, lingering momentarily on Varia and Xena. “With all due respect to your current queen
and the Warrior Princess, I stand ready to provide guidance during the trying
times ahead.”
The sentry cocked
her ear toward a sound that seemed out of place. She heard it again, further away. She picked up the torch positioned beside her, casting it about
in the darkness. It revealed nothing
unusual. Still, she walked a few paces
to her left and shone the light on the rock wall behind her. Not easy footing for someone sneaking in,
but worth checking just in case. It
didn’t occur to her someone might be sneaking out.
Quick and quiet as
a ghost, Xena slipped behind vegetation camouflaging exit from the
compound. She prepared herself for more
sentries she figured would be lining the passageway and on the other side. The war mask and Amazon leathers would
help. She strode purposefully toward
the first guard and saluted.
“Evening, sister.”
The guard looked
puzzled. “You’re going out?” She looked behind Xena. “Alone?”
“Varia doesn’t
completely trust the information she received.” Xena leaned toward the guard.
“Not everyone in our sewing circle has become accomplished at
reconnaissance.” She drew herself
up. “I am honored she believes me now
capable of such a mission.”
“But ….” The guard frowned a bit skeptically. “What if you run into ….”
“My mask will hide
me, if it’s someone from the village. I
know these woods like the back of my hand.
Once I’m through ….” Xena patted
a sack she carried. “I’ll change and
blend right in.” She steered the guard
to walk with her toward the end of the passageway. “If I’m lucky, I’ll find out exactly how many of our men have
joined with Lapedus.”
As they reached the
end, the guard motioned to other sentries.
“Our new sister is going out to scout.
Let us wish her well.” The women
saluted Xena.
“Thank you, my
sisters. I am honored to be counted
among you. With your spirits supporting
me, I am confident I will return safely.”
Xena began jogging away, turning to give the Amazon salute before
disappearing into the forest.
“Not sure which one
that was. Didn’t really get a good look
at her, but she must’ve done something to earn Varia’s trust.”
“Oh, I’m sure it
was Bethelme. The height, confidence. Figured she had the right stuff when I heard
how she wielded a knitting needle.”
“A … knitting
needle?!”
“Funny, huh?” The guard snickered. “Sure left her husband in stitches.”
~~~~~
Things had moved
pretty quickly following Gabrielle’s pronouncement at the celebration. The room cheered the former queen who had
become almost as legendary as the Warrior Princess. Older Amazons had told of Gabrielle’s command during devastating
battles against the Romans and at Helicon.
How she’d resisted suicidal strategies, even in a physical challenge
against their current queen – which Gabrielle might have won had Varia not
benefited from Ares’ assistance.
Despite what they’d heard about Gabrielle’s preference for negotiation
and compassion, the most enduring stories portrayed a fierce, brave, loyal
defender of the Amazon Nation.
Only Varia knew of
Gabrielle’s true mixed emotions about all that. But what could she do?
Appear egotistical or disrespectful by challenging Gabrielle’s
reputation? Dismissive of wisdom that
might be useful? Urge them instead to
seek inspiration from a Warrior Princess who had sat like a stone during
Gabrielle’s little speech – no indication whatsoever she should, could or would
be the military mind they needed?
Varia had swallowed
her pride, clapped along with everyone else.
Urged the celebrants to continue enjoying themselves while a council of
the elders convened to hear Gabrielle’s perspective. Hoped Xena would talk sense into Gabrielle during the break. If not, the council would soon see for
themselves their esteemed queen of yesteryear was now a relic better relegated
to the shelf. Which would leave Xena as
a bit of question mark. Would she go
along with confining Gabrielle to the sidelines? Become a dangerous irritant in their midst? Go her own way as she had in the past? Whichever, they’d both bear watching.
“Gilda?”
“Yes, Commander?”
“We’re at a
critical juncture. I don’t want to risk
intruders or … loose lips. Find Laeken
for me, will you? Tell her to seal the
camp.”
~~~~~
Varia listened to
the whispered report. She dismissed the
guard and glanced around the table before honing in on Gabrielle. “Seems Xena’s gone missing.”
“Mm.” Gabrielle relaxed back in her chair. “A habit of hers. She’s not one to hang around long doing nothing.”
“That wasn’t my
choice. Or hers.”
“She’s used to
playing the hand dealt her.” Gabrielle
snorted wryly. “It’s when she’s at her
creative best.”
Varia leaned
forward. “It changes everything. I’m not liking the odds. As you say, it’s not likely she’s off
twiddling her thumbs.”
“Gabrielle?” Gilda cleared her throat. “Could she be doing reconnaissance for
us? Surely she wouldn’t join with
Lapedus.”
“I’m not worried
about Xena.” Gabrielle cocked her head,
exuding confidence. “Would her presence
change the situation that got us to this point? Or her absence?”
“No.”
“Does it change the
need to take a stand? The Amazons’ vow
to do so?” Gabrielle held Varia’s
eyes. “The choice for how?”
Varia’s jaw tightened. “No.”
“If there’s one
thing I learned from Xena, it’s focusing first on where you have most
control. Yourself. Your goal.
Your resources. What you’re
prepared to do given the various scenarios you face. Which options might mean the greatest loss or gain.”
“Let’s say you’re
right – we shouldn’t worry about Xena.
Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“What’s that,
Varia.”
“You. You’re here. A voice of authority that came out of nowhere.”
Gabrielle
chuckled. “Not sure about the ‘nowhere’
part. But yes, I am a new voice at the
table.”
“That doesn’t
change anything either?”
“I certainly hope
it does.”
~~~~~
Gabrielle entered
the guest hut still in a daze from the council meeting. A quick survey confirmed her partner’s
personal items and carry bag gone. That
didn’t surprise her nearly as much as her own actions. What possessed her, after all these years,
to claim her mantle of Amazon leadership?
To stick her nose where Xena’s rightfully belonged? To risk so much to temper the bloodlust of a
woman who dismissed her as irrelevant, if not a troublesome substitute for the
Warrior Princess?
As for Xena, it was
if she’d regressed 20 years, not counting the 25 they lay frozen in that ice
cave. All the secretiveness and
concern. Gabrielle traced it back to the barricade where those men had been
slaughtered, suspecting even then it had to do with her. Protecting her somehow. Preparing her for potential danger. As if she needed that anymore. Yes, she knew it was partly because of Xena
too. Like Ares said, trouble would
always draw the warrior like a moth to a flame. Especially a moth cocooned for too long in domestic bliss. Gabrielle gritted her teeth. Still no excuse for unilaterally deciding to
stick her nose where Gabrielle’s rightfully belonged.
They hadn’t had
much time to talk during the break before the council meeting. They’d gone to their quarters without
conversation, each lost in her own thoughts.
Once inside, Xena seemed uncertain what to do next.
“Gabrielle, you
sure about this? I doubt Varia’d object
if I came with – .”
“I should go
alone. Don’t worry. Tradition’s on my side. They’ll have to at least listen to what I
have to say. They need to accept me as
– .”
“Gabrielle, you’re
long past needing to prove yourself.”
“Or needing you to
protect me.”
“Gabriellle …. It’s not about …. Listen, Varia seems intent on a fight. We don’t know for sure who’s in with Lapedus. What about those innocent folks who might be
caught in the middle?”
“I’ll do my best to
keep that from happening on this end.”
“What about the
other end? Do we risk them being left
defenseless?”
They’d stood in the
middle of the room gazing at each other, finally coming together for an embrace
that communicated reassurance words could not.
When they broke apart, Gabrielle smiled wryly, squared her shoulders and
headed out to fulfill what she hoped was her rightful role, trusting Xena would
do the same.
Now, surveying the
empty guest quarters, she acknowledged to herself how much they’d been kidding
themselves, how little the years had changed who they were. Two warriors – one driven to protect however
necessary, accepting it could be wrong.
The other dedicated to proving it possible her way could be right.
~~~~~
Xena shucked the
Amazon outfit she’d asked Tasha to find her so she could “fit in” better. Their conversation had also given her a
description of the town’s head honcho, who liked to hold audience at a corner
table at the inn. She wasn’t interested
in him at the moment. Instead she’d
strapped on her warrior gear and headed for the opposite corner. She got comfortable and waited for her
primary target. She didn’t know for
sure what he looked like, but felt confident she would when she saw him.
A couple hours
later, a handful of uniformed men came in.
They roughly pushed their way through to the bar. While most stood drinking and laughing, one
sat nursing his ale alone. Xena
beckoned a serving girl and whispered in her ear. The girl went to the lone soldier, tapped him on the shoulder and
pointed to Xena. He squinted at the
older woman indicated, said something to the girl and turned back to his
drink. After a while, he lifted his mug
to get the barkeep’s attention, nearly falling off his chair when something
whooshed past his ear and sliced the bottom off his mug.
The soldier whirled
in time to see a metallic blur miraculously miss several ducking heads in its
path to the older woman’s hand. He and
everyone else gawked as she rose and leaned casually against the wall with a
strange disk dangling from her finger.
“What the …?” The soldier waggled his mug. “You did this?”
“I asked nice. Maybe this is more your language?”
“You must be new
around here.”
“New ….” She brushed the graying hair at her
temple. “And not so new. You know what they say about judging a
scroll by its – .”
“You’re playing
with fire, lady.” The soldier drew
himself up. “I work for Lapedus. In case you don’t know, he’s the law in
these parts. Whoever you are – .”
“Name’s Xena. In case you don’t know, I once conquered
nearly the whole known world.”
The soldier put his
hand up to quell the murmurs. “I heard
of Xena. She bit the dust years ago.”
“You really wanna
rely on hearsay?” She cocked the metal
disk. “Or on what my chakram already
told ya?”
“Let’s say you
are. What’s your game?”
“Like the girl told
you – a little chat. You, me and
….” Xena pointed to the head honcho’s
table. “Him. Not here. You kinda blew
the privacy bit.” Xena pushed off and
sauntered toward the exit. She turned
to check on the two men, who hadn’t moved.
She waved the chakram. “Coming?”
~~~~~
A few weeks had
passed when a scout burst into Varia’s hut.
“Oh, good. You’re both here,”
she said, leaning over to catch her breath.
“I have word from the village.
Nearly all able-bodied men have been practicing with weapons. It seems they may move on us soon.”
“What about Lapedus
and his men?”
“There’s been
little sighting of them.” The scout’s
lip curled in disgust. “The one leading
the drills is … Xena. There’s little
doubt she will give the orders.”
“Ah. No surprise there. Never known her to be the
mediating type.” Varia turned to
Gabrielle. “Unless you believe facing
you will make a difference.”
“Xena will do what
she believes she has to. Whatever that
is, I have to do the same.”
“We’ve put our
trust in your wisdom, Gabrielle. You’re
still committed to the plan?”
“Yes.”
~~~~~
“Commander
Xena?”
Xena finished
showing a young man the proper way to parry a sword strike. “Yes?
What is it?”
Cretus, the head
honcho, fidgeted nervously. “It’s the
Amazons. Under cover of night, they
assembled on the high ground at the end of the north plains.”
“They …
‘assembled.’ Anything else?”
“Well,
nothing. No war cries or drums. Just standing there.”
“Sound the
alarm. We’ll take position a little
south of the center.”
“Um, Commander,
this isn’t how …. I mean, I thought
we’d make the first move.”
Xena shrugged. “The men’re ready. They can do this. They
just need to stand firm. I’ll join them
shortly, give ‘em a little pep talk.”
But what if – .”
“Nothing’s changed,
Cretus. You have your orders.”
~~~~~
Gabrielle
accompanied Varia to meet Xena and Cretus in the middle of the plains between
the Amazons and the village. She raised
a brow at her soulmate. “Well, this is
a bit awkward.”
“Awkward?!” Varia gaped at the village men behind Xena,
lined up shoulder to shoulder.
“Gabrielle, they’re armed with … with rakes and brooms! You said Xena – .”
“Likes being
creative in situations like these.”
Gabrielle rolled her tongue in her cheek. “Apparently she’s held true to form.”
“You’re
Gabrielle? Well, you sure
didn’t.” Cretus scowled at Xena, then
at the women behind Gabrielle bristling with weapons of every sort. “Thought she was supposed to be so
peaceful?”
“That’s usually her way. Didn’t say it was always so.”
“What’re we
supposed to do now?” Varia shook her
head in disgust. “Where’s the honor in
fighting those …those …. We could
defeat them with a couple of hard breaths.”
“At least you came
prepared,” Cletus groused, all pretense at confidence draining along with the
blood in his face. “You,” he snarled at
Xena, “would turn us into warriors! Sitting
ducks is more like it. Shoulda known
you were in with those … women … all along.”
“Cletus?” Xena blew
out a long breath. “I think it best you
waddle on back to the others. I’ll
handle this.” At Cletus’ hesitation, she
growled, “Now!”
Gabrielle bemusedly
watched Cletus ‘waddle’ off. She turned
to Varia. “If you don’t mind, I’d like
a word with Xena in private. Maybe the
two of us can sort this out.”
Varia snorted. “Yeah, can’t do much worse than you already
have,” she threw over her shoulder as she stalked back to the Amazons.
“Guess this is one
time you miscalculated, huh?”
“Miscalculated?”
“About what I’d
do.”
“Not really. Thought mediation was right for the
situation.”
“With brooms?”
Xena cleared her
throat. “Bit of symbolism.”
“Symbolism.”
“Showing solidarity
with their women. Too subtle?”
“I never thought
I’d be saying this, but it’s all too subtle for me. Please, educate me.”
Gabrielle lowered herself to the ground. “But not standing up.
Even you can’t do it that fast.”
“I’ll do my
best.” Smirking, Xena sat. “So, what’s most confusing that little bard
brain?”
“We’d heard you
were training the men. Maybe gotten
buddy-buddy with Lapedus.”
“I was. I did.”
“Xeenaaa.”
“Hey, you wanted
brief.”
At Gabrielle’s
scowl of irritation, Xena quickly explained her strategy of positioning herself
as a key player in whatever transpired at the village. First she’d had to prove herself truly the
legendary Warrior Princess. “I put on a
little demonstration for Cletus and one of Lapedus’ lieutenants.” That led to a meeting with Lapedus, during
which she convinced him she could whip the villagers into shape for his army.
Her regimen
included having them do maintenance tasks critical to well-prepared troops –
ensuring adequate food supplies, cooking, keeping things in order, patching,
healing. They’d been forced to do a lot
of that anyway, with many of the women sealed off at the Amazon compound. “Let’s just say they gained a new respect
for ‘women’s’ work.” But she’d given them
a taste of their own medicine when assigned those duties – belittling them,
dismissing their efforts, confining them to the stables with no privileges.
“They came whining
to me about how I’d said those tasks were important. Soon they came to the point of mutiny. They admitted they’d have a hard time being loyal to someone who treated
them like dirt – unless they saw no other option. I told them the Amazons provided an option. It didn’t matter whether the women really
wanted to leave their families or fight their men. Who else did they have to defend them from bad treatment, if
their men were too cowardly, selfish or lazy to do it?” Xena snickered. “That really got to `em.”
“Amazing.” Gabrielle shook her head. “Xena Warrior Marriage Counselor. You actually talked them into negotiating
with their women? With the Amazons?”
“I’ve seen it
work. You forget how often I’ve watched
you in action at those council meetings.”
“I believe you
refer to it as ‘yammering on and on.’
I’ve caught you dozing. Love may
be blind, but not necessarily in both eyes.”
“It’s not
necessarily deaf in both ears either. I
kept one open. Picked up a thing or
two.” Xena cocked her head. “Surprised ya, huh? Figured I’d be my typically unsubtle,
butt-kicking self?”
“Sorry, dear, but
you weren’t the center of my attention.
I had enough problems with my own creativity, let alone worrying about
the twists and turns yours can take. I
borrowed from your scroll because I thought the situation called for it. The Amazons and village women had already
given enough ground. They both needed
to bolster their confidence – in ability and heart to defend their dignity,
their rights.”
“Bet that surprised
Varia.”
“Especially after
we learned we might have to go up against you.
She’s never really understood me.
Never understood how you and I are alike. That it’s about what’s right.
Not killing if you don’t have to, or doing nothing when it could mean
more harm.” Gabrielle regarded Xena
thoughtfully. “Speaking of which, what
about Lapedus?”
“He thinks this is
a trap. Lulling you into a false sense
of security. When everybody’s drunk
with wine and Amazonhood, we’re supposed to drop the boom.”
“Instead, we join
against Lapedus.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Works for
me.” Gabrielle suddenly remembered they
were chatting in the middle of a field, the Amazon contingent waiting
restlessly on one side and village men shifting on the other. “Um, I think we’d better tell our troops
something before we truly do have mutinies to worry about.”
“Yeah.” Xena got to her feet and helped Gabrielle
up. “Out of curiosity, what if I’d had
the men ready to kick Amazon butt?”
“It crossed my
mind. We both knew I’d have a hard time
dissuading Varia.” Gabrielle
shrugged. “We’ve been to the brink
before. Heh, we live on the
brink. As long as one of us is
involved, anything can happen. It can
change everything.” She smiled. “Isn’t that what we do?”
~~~~~
Gabrielle bemusedly
watched her partner order the two sides to meet in the middle and bluntly
explain the consequences if they failed to cooperate.
“So, in sum, here’s
what ya got. You men can go back to
your old ways, in which case I help the women.
The women can decide to attack even if the men reform, in which case I
help the men. Either way, Lapedus’ll
win. Heck, I may join `im. No point wasting my time on a losing
proposition. But if you choose good
sense, you may all come out of this better off than before.”
Each side argued
among themselves. Finally one issue
emerged as a possible deal breaker – how grievances would be resolved if and
when they’d defeated Lapedus.
“Oh, that’s easy,”
Xena assured. “Gabrielle could teach a
turtle and a rabbit the joys of getting along.”
With the general
consensus being to put differences aside in preparation for dealing with
Lapedus, Xena rode off to fetch him. He
and his forces arrived to behold the Amazons surrounded with weapons pointed at
them.
“Well done. You taught them well.”
Xena smiled
back. “It’s what I do.”
“Which one is the
Amazon leader?”
Xena signaled for
Cletus to bring Gabrielle forward, wanting to protect Varia’s identity in case
anything went wrong. Halfway across the
field the two stopped, turned to each other and shook hands. Lapedus frowned as the villagers in front of
the Amazons moved aside. He became even
more concerned when he realized the women too were armed and that both groups
were forming lines facing his men.
“W-what’s the
meaning of this?!”
“Huh. Will you look at that.” Xena shook her head. “What’s the world coming to? Can’t trust anybody like in the old days.”
“W-why you …. You’re in with them!”
“You know, I
believe you’re right.” Xena rode away
from Lapedus to where Cletus and Gabrielle stood. She dismounted and cocked her head at Lapedus. “Seems you’re not wanted around here
anymore. Not without a fight on your
hands. From the Amazons. From the good men of this village. If that’s not incentive enough to go bye bye
….” She sauntered a few paces toward
Lapedus. “There’s always me.” She withdrew her chakram. “As you’ve noticed, I’m a handful all by my
little old self.”
Lapedus knew a bad
deal when he saw one. Especially if the
card played against him happened to be a lethal legend that simply would not
die. He’d turned his troops around without
comment, when a handful suddenly broke rank – village recruits who feared
losing their recently gained power, or their women to notions of equality. Enraged, they ran back toward the enemy,
shouting and brandishing their swords.
A few Amazons and village men rushed to meet the attackers. The ensuing confusion offered a bit of cover
for an archer who aimed an arrow straight for Gabrielle.
~~~~~
The victors stood
solemnly before the two funeral pyres, silently grateful there weren’t nearly
as many burning as they’d imagined that morning. One of the fallen was the husband of the woman whose home the
vigilantes had met in. His wife took
solace from the fact he died defending against former buddies who’d thrown
their lot in with Lapedus. The other
casualty was an Amazon.
“I still can’t
believe it.” Gabrielle wiped away a
tear. “Not with you there. Varia of all people should’ve known better.”
“She was a warrior,
Gabrielle. She devoted her life to
that. She died defending what she
believed in.”
“Maybe this isn’t
all she wanted, but there’s hope now. I
just wish she could’ve ….”
“I know.” Xena wrapped her arm around her
partner. “They’ll be okay. Gilda’s got a good head on her shoulders. Respect for tradition but open to
change. Tasha and the others’ll bring
some fresh air.”
Gabrielle glanced
around at the quietly conversing mix of people. “Guess I should focus on the good. Could’ve been a real mess.”
“Yup. Seems our work here is pretty much done.”
“Easy for you to
say.” Gabrielle swatted Xena’s
midsection. “The work you promised I’d
do has just begun.”
~~~~~
The two travelers
had resumed their course near the ocean, having decided the longer scenic route
was probably better for their health.
Gabrielle reclined on a blanket reviewing their latest adventure. Amazed as always at how much she continued
to learn no matter how many miles or years she’d covered before. At how the past could recede one moment,
then surge without warning into the present – the same waves rippling
differently and new again tomorrow.
She chuckled,
picturing her older self, dressed as an Amazon. Donning a royal mask she’d once dismissed to youthful
serendipity. She realized now how
similar that aspect of her life was to Xena’s warlord days – not so much
defining them, but as important fibers of their being. And of each other’s being. She could feel what propelled young Xena
into conquering everything around her, just as Xena understood what attracted
her partner to jump into other people’s lives while still wet behind the ears. Neither had really changed that much since
then, except as they’d continued to absorb each other – a process without
limits, judging from how they’d resolved recent events.
Varia. Gabrielle had long ago forgiven the young
hothead for her betrayal at Helicon.
She recalled that moment on the beach when she saw Xena restraining
Varia, holding the arrow meant for Gabrielle.
She’d seldom felt such fury. Not
because of the danger to herself. In
her desperation to save her nation, Varia had nearly sacrificed what mattered
most to them – their honor, their loyalty, their faith in themselves. Some 15 years later they’d faced off
again. Gabrielle again compelled to
take command, to fight. Varia again
deciding to take matters into her own hands.
“Thought this was
supposed to be a vacation.”
Startled, Gabrielle
looked up to see Xena standing over her.
“What?”
“Lookin’ kinda
pensive for somebody supposedly taking it easy.” Xena squatted beside her partner. “Varia?”
Gabrielle
nodded. “She was willing to sacrifice
just about anything for the Nation. I
just never dreamed it would be herself for me.” She shook her head. “For
no reason.”
Sighing, Xena
dropped down. “She had reason.”
“Allying with the
village? I did worry about that. If she’d have trouble adjusting. I hoped – .”
“No. Throwing herself in front of that
arrow.” Xena snorted. “Your great protector was too busy watching
my trainees. Didn’t see that archer
until too late.”
“Really?”
“Really. She didn’t just die for what was important
to her. She died saving the most
important thing to me. I might’ve cared
more about that once. That somebody
else had to do it. Now? I wouldn’t care if it was Najara with
Callisto’s old laugh and Alti’s eyes.”
Xena smirked. “See? I have evolved.”
Gabrielle stared at
Xena a moment. “I suppose that’s one
way of looking at it.” She
shuddered. “Sorry, I’d rather die
seeing somebody tall, graying and immaturely possessive.”
“Mm. Guess I’m still your girl then.” Xena stood.
“And since I’m here and you’re still alive anyway, I suggest we get back
to spending these moments on ourselves.”
Gabrielle shook her
head. “I don’t know why I ever worry
about running out of adventures. To
quote a friend of mine, you’re a handful all by your little old self.”
“Good. So get off you duff and grab some while I
still got it.”
“I can enjoy you
from here,” Gabrielle said, laughing.
“Go on back to whatever you were doing.
I’ll join you in a minute.”
“Suit
yourself.”
Xena strolled back
to the shoreline, dark head tilted toward the sky and fluffy clouds circling
two streaks of white, sighing contentedly when arms wrapped her waist. She leaned against the soft body that
grounded her, together appreciating the tranquility in their closeness, of the
blue-on-blue horizon and sound of waves lapping a safe distance away at the
water’s edge.
THE END