Xena, Gabrielle and the Amazons do not belong to me. They belong to MCA/Universal/Renaissance.
Part 16 of The Guardian Series
T he day was slowly turning into night and the Race was near its end. Everyone had gathered to the bonfires and they were waiting anxiously to see who would win.
Anxiety was also in the air in the common hut, but not in a good way. Gabrielle was walking around impatiently and Xena tried her best to ease the bard.
“Calm down Gabrielle before you burst”, she said leaning to a pole.
“Xena I'm so worried. There isn't much time left, it's almost night”, Gabrielle said after finally stopping and turning around to face the warrior.
“I know how worried you are, but I still think you're overreacting a bit. This is after all Exl we're talking about. She still has time to bring her team back safely, just like she promised. And you know that she never goes back on a promise”, Xena said stepping closer to Gabrielle and stroking her arm gently. Gabrielle looked at her warrior with the expression Xena knew all too well. She was concerned and afraid but still she had faith in Exl at the same time.
“That's true, but what about this?”, Gabrielle asked, took something from the nearby table and showed it to Xena. It was the Blue team's map that was torn in half, the Black team claimed finding it somewhere on the way. Xena had to admit it, Exl was a brilliant warrior, hunter and tracker, but she still didn't know the geography of Greece that well. Without a map, she would without doubt be lost, so the torn map in Gabrielle's hand wasn't a good sign.
“We can't go looking for them before the time is up. Right after the Race is officially over, I'll take a search party with me and start looking for them”, Xena said looking into her bard's eyes. Gabrielle smiled at Xena and the warrior wrapped her arms around the Queen.
“Thank you sweetheart”, was reply of Gabrielle's silent whisper.
After pulling away from the short embrace, Xena led Gabrielle out of the hut and back to the platform where the other Queens and Eponin and Ephiny were waiting. As Xena walked to Eponin, she asked very quietly:
“Any sign of them?” All Eponin did to reply was lower her head and shake it slightly. Gabrielle looked at Ephiny with the same sorrowful look as only moments earlier she had looked at Xena. Ephiny understood her Queen's distress, all the other teams had arrived with more or less success, and the Blue team was the only one yet to arrive.
Queen Dionis was glad of the situation and said with a satisfied grin on her face:
“Apparently your young Northerner isn't as tough as you all thought. Now she has gotten herself and her team lost with very little time to return. Well, that's what you get when you have a puny non-Amazon competing in a Race meant for the toughest and best-trained Amazon warriors.”
That was the final straw, Xena had had enough of Dionis' disparaging and contempt attitude towards Exl. She took a step closer to Dionis and said with an angry gleam in her eyes:
“That's enough. Exl is maybe small in size but she has a very big heart. She has more warrior spirit in her than you could ever imagine. And that counts for much more than the size and strength of any Amazon or non-Amazon warrior.” It wouldn't have taken much for her to attack the Queen, but Gabrielle was tightly holding her hand and pulling her away from the Scythian.
Suddenly, one of the guards in the watch tower saw something in the distance. She announced:
“Your majesty, there's something up ahead. It looks like… four characters. It's the Blue team, it's the Loyal and her team!”
For Gabrielle, Xena, Ephiny and Eponin, the announcement almost made their hearts skip a beat. They knew all along that Exl and the youngsters would make it back safely, time just seemed to be running out on them.
Exl, Myas, Fenci and Tiuwi had reached the top of the last hill before the village and as they saw the flames of one large and three smaller bonfires, Tiuwi said with a sigh:
“I knew it, three bonfires, we're the last ones.” Exl looked at her team and replied with a smile:
“It doesn't matter, we've still made it back, together. Let's go all the way, I think we're being expected.”
They were exhausted by the entire ordeal, but they still ran the rest of the way back to the village. When they entered the village, everyone cheered for them. They walked up to the last unlit bonfire and stood there side by side. Fenci retrieved a torch and lit it in the large bonfire. She went to stand next to Exl and handed her the torch. She looked at her friends and as they all nodded to her, she lit their bonfire as a sign that they had returned from the Race.
Four bonfires were now burning in a row as the larger one, which had been burning since the beginning of the Race, was slowly dying out. One of the Amazon council members kept a close eye on the sky, she was the official timekeeper. She was to signal when time would run out and the Race would officially end. She saw how the sky had darkened and the moon and stars had gotten brighter, it was night. She took some powder from a pouch and threw it into the fire, as soon as it touched the flames, the flames grew much larger and turned into a deep shade of red for a moment before changing back to their normal color and size.
This meant all four teams had made it back in time and none would be disqualified by returning back too late.
E xl led her team in front of the platform were the Queens were standing and waiting to greet the last arriving team. The Blue team stood before the Amazon rulers and when Exl knelt down and bowed her head, the others did just the same even though it wasn't an Amazon way of greeting.
“Your majesties, as leader of this humble team, I announce that the Blue team has finally returned from the Race of Warriors, in last place”, Exl announced with her bowed down and then lifting it to see the Queens ' response. Gabrielle and Philota were both smiling, but Dionis seemed very unhappy to see the Blue team back so soon. The Black team couldn't believe their eyes, how could they still be alive, the fall was lethal or so they had thought. The Northerner and her little buddies were gutsier than they had imagined.
“Please rise young competitors”, Gabrielle said and the request was obeyed immediately.
Ephiny, who was part of the Amazon council and one of the judges, asked the youngsters and their team leader:
“Were you successful in your tasks or did they prove overwhelming?” Exl took a very quick glance at her friends before saying:
“To tell you the truth, the biggest obstruction we faced was the Black team. Why? Because they tried to murder us.” The news was shocking, the crowd started to whisper immediately.
“First by the river, they broke the dam and Myas nearly drowned”, Tiuwi explained and Fenci continued:
“Then by the cliffs they lured us to a spot where the ledge was fragile, then they took our map and tore it right in front of us and dropped boulders on us. We fell down into the bushes below.”
“But luckily we survived both attempts and lived to tell the tale”, Myas finished.
“And they did all this because it was a command by their queen, Queen Dionis”, Exl said pointing at the said Queen. All eyes turned to the Black team and their Queen. Even Dionis was shocked to hear what had happened.
“No, that isn't true. I have done no such thing”, she said trying to save herself. But the Black team's leader addressed her ruler and said:
“You told us to make sure they wouldn't finish the Race and we had to use any means necessary.”
Dionis felt cornered and tried to explain:
“No, you misunderstood me. I didn't want you to hurt them, let alone kill them. They are our Amazon sisters after all.” Ephiny asked the startled queen:
“So you didn't want them killed because you despise Exl and thought it was wrong that she was allowed to compete?” The tough outer shell of the Scythian warrior Queen was starting to break apart when she started to show signs of regret and remorse.
“I admit, I was furious and upset when I heard that this young warrior was going to compete in the Race and that she was made team leader. I wanted to show that my warriors could beat anyone, even an outsider, no matter how good she is. So I ordered my warriors to slow down the Blue team just enough that they wouldn't make it back in time and that they would be disqualified.”
Exl felt responsible for all that had happened, she took a step closer to the platform and said:
“I'm to blame, if I hadn't been made team leader, none of this would have happened and my team would have been safe from all the dangers that we faced. I confess in front of everyone, I'm not really a warrior of this tribe. According to the rules, I should be disqualified and my team should be led by its real leader, Eponin.”
All the Queens, along with Eponin, Ephiny and Xena were surprised by Exl's comment. Ephiny discussed the matter quickly with the council and the announced:
“Noble and kind-hearted Exl, the council admires your act, but will not allow it. Whether you're an Amazon or not, you have competed in the Race of Warriors as a team leader and you will be judged accordingly. These are the rules and they must be obeyed. Besides you're not the only one to be blamed for this situation.” Ephiny looked at the Weapons Master and their Queen, both knew what Ephiny meant.
“Queen Dionis, your and your teams actions have been everything but honorable. You have mocked the real reason why we're here, to strengthen the alliances between our tribes. You have dishonored the meaning of sisterhood between tribes. But your dishonest behavior is only one of the reasons why the Black team is disqualified, the other reason is because they returned with only three of the four amulets”, Ephiny said and showed three black amulets to everyone. The Black team seemed disappointed by the judgment but they knew they'd be disqualified because they were missing one amulet.
“The council is also disqualifying the Yellow team because they forfeited the Race because of an injury”, Ephiny announced with two yellow amulets in her hand. One of the Yellow team members had hurt her arm in one of the tasks, so they decided not to risk anything and return back to the village and forfeit.
“I'm happy to announce that we have a team which succeeded in all four tasks and collected all four amulets, the Red team!”, Ephiny said with pride and the entire tribe began to cheer for Chelani and her team who were listening to the cheers being very self-satisfied. Ephiny turned to the Blue team and asked them:
“Blue team, do you have all four amulets to present to the council?” Tiuwi, Myas and Fenci all gave their amulets to Ephiny and then she was waiting for Exl's response. Exl stood quietly looking at Ephiny before she showed her empty pockets. Everyone around her sighed being upset, until Exl brought her hand to her neck and pulled something from underneath her shirt. It was the fourth amulet and when she took it from around her neck and gave it to Ephiny, Exl said:
“Had you worried for moment there.” Ephiny showed the four amulets and announced loudly:
“My sisters, we have a tie between two teams, who have each brought back four amulets: the Red team and the Blue team!” There was more cheering than before, most of it seemed to be meant for Exl's team, the youngsters listened to the cheering with big smiles.
T he Amazon council gathered to discuss how to decide the winner of the Race. Meanwhile, Chelani was preparing her team for more physical tasks, maybe there would be a final fight between them and their puny rivals. The only thing Exl said to her team was:
“Whatever happens, I have faith in you.” The teams and the viewers waited and waited for the council to return and determine the last task to finally find out the winning team.
Ephiny and the other council members walked to the platform and the two teams stood before them waiting for the council to give them instructions about what they would do next.
One of elder council members raised her voice and said:
“These two teams have faced many obstacles during the last few days and survived. They have had to use their knowledge and skills which they have learned during their training to overcome all the tasks. We the council now ask you, the Red team, what have you learned during this experience? What have you learned about being a warrior?” The Red team was baffled, they didn't know what to say. All of them kept looking at each other, waiting for someone to say something, anything. Even Chelani was silent, she had no idea what they should have learned.
Since the council didn't get any answers from the Red team, they now turned to the Blue team. The council member asked:
“What about you Blue team, what have you learned during this experience and about being a warrior.” Exl froze for a moment, she was afraid her friends would freeze as well but she was happy to be mistaken when Fenci said:
“Being a warrior is about protecting those you love and care for, standing by their side and standing by what you believe in.”
“Real warriors aren't the ones who are the biggest and strongest, but the ones who are loyal and brave and strong in heart”, Myas said right after Fenci had finished.
“A warrior must be honorable and trustworthy, a warrior must always use all her strength and abilities to do what is right.”, Tiuwi finished after Myas.
The council member was happy to hear these replies, then she looked at Exl with a wide smile.
“What about you, young Loyal? What have you learned about being a leader?”, the elder Amazon asked Exl, who was still a bit frozen. She turned her gaze to Xena and Gabrielle, then to Eponin and then to her team mates, before looking back at the council member and saying:
“I didn't learn much about being a leader, because to be honest, I didn't lead these young ones. I was more of a guide to them, we made the important decisions together. But what I did learn, is that when someone truly believes in you, you can accomplish anything. I saw these young warriors-to-be grow and I grew right with them. I trusted my team all along, I never doubted them for even a second.”
All the council members nodded after hearing everything the Blue team had to say. Once again, the council gathered to discuss their decision. This time the discussion was very short and Ephiny stepped forward to announce the winner once and for all.
“My Queen, honored guests, my sisters! The council has seen and heard enough, we have two teams which have both proven their skills in this demanding Race. But only one of the teams has really understood the meaning of this Race, to learn about what being a warrior really is about. A warrior must learn one's strengths and weaknesses as a warrior and how to work as a part of a team. And what leadership is about; not about commanding others and telling them what to do, but helping and guiding them. So it is clear that the winner of the Race of Warriors… is the Blue team!”, Ephiny announced and lifted a blue team band in the air.
Everyone started shouting and screaming with joy, they agreed with the council, the right team had one. The ones barely no-one had thought would have a chance of even finishing the Race, had proven to everyone that they were much more than anyone could expect of them.
Fenci, Myas and Tiuwi jumped in excitement, they had beaten the tough Red team and won the Race of Warriors! Exl stood still being very silent, her mind was full of happiness and cheer, but also amazement. She had taught and led a team of young Amazons to victory against almost unbeatable foes in a Race for greatest of all the Amazon trainees. She knew her mentor would be very proud of her accomplishment. She was woken from her “trance” when her team grabbed her into a great bear hug and then started ruffling her hair. Eponin had forgotten that her ankle was still a bit sore when she started jumping up and down on the platform; only when Ephiny gave her a look signaling her to calm down she controlled herself and continued cheering for the winning team. Gabrielle was just as excited as Eponin and all the other Amazons, she was very proud of the young team, but even more she was extremely proud of her Guardian. Xena was feeling the same pride and happiness but instead of showing it as lively, she just applauded and cheered for Exl and her team.
The Red team walked to the winning team and Chelani said to the Loyal:
“Well done Loyal one, it was a pleasure to compete against you. I think the best team won, congratulations.” Exl patted the other leader on the shoulder and replied:
“Thank you for being such a good adversary. You did a great job.” The Red team members, who had earlier acted very rudely and unkindly towards their fellow competitors seemed very humble before them.
“We're sorry about all the things we've said about you. We should have known better than to behave like we did. Can you forgive us?”, one of them said and offered Fenci her hand. Fenci looked at her friends with an expression that didn't seem very good at first, but when the others smiled at her, Fenci turned back to Red team, grabbed the arm that was offered and said:
“Forgiven and forgotten.”
T he Blue team was invited to the platform to be awarded, as they rose to platform and bowed in front of the queens, the crowd was shouting “Blue team, Blue team!” As the team was standing in front of all three Queens , Queen Philota was the first to speak:
“Young warriors, I want to congratulate you on behalf of my entire tribe and I also want to congratulate your teacher on your excellent training. There are many things we could learn from your teaching methods, Master Eponin” Eponin bowed her head and said to the Mesopotamian Queen:
“Thank you, your Highness, but I'm not alone responsible for the training of these young ones. I had help from Xena, and Exl of course. I would be very happy to share my knowledge with our sister tribes. Queen Dionis stepped forth and said a voice which was much calmer than her usual voice:
“I… I was very wrong about all of you, especially about you, Northerner. Now I see why people speak so highly of you, my prejudice about everyone from the North blinded me to see that you are nothing like the barbarians I've heard about. I apologize for my actions and for the actions of my warriors, I am very ashamed of what we did. I hope we put aside our past differences and start anew. We want to show the true nature of the Scythian Amazons, we are strong and brave but we also know honor. Very much like you, loyal warrior.” Exl greeted the Scythian ruler by bringing her right fist to her heart and bowing deeply, then she answered:
“Your majesty, I accept your apology and I also want to apologize. I wouldn't have entered the Race if I wouldn't have had to, but I did it only for the sake of my friends. I honor the Amazon laws greatly, but because my loyalty to my friends is greater than my respect towards all laws and orders, I did what I did. And I'm proud of it.” Queen Dionis smiled widely and said with a laugh:
“You would make a great Scythian, Northerner… I mean Exl.”
This was a beginning of a new friendship between the Northern warrior and the Scythian warriors, something many wouldn't have believed if someone would have told them about this a few days before.
Ephiny and Gabrielle were now ready to award the Blue team, as Ephiny placed the medals around their necks, Gabrielle spoke:
“For your success in this Race of Warriors, we award you with these medals signifying your knowledge and skills which you have used wisely.” The medals were hanging on colorful pieces of leather laces and on both sides of the medal were two blue amulets, identical to the ones they had searched during the Race. On the medal itself was the picture of a crescent shaped shield and a bow and an arrow crossed with a sword. The youngsters admired their medals with pride, but they didn't let their pride get in their heads. Then Gabrielle took one more medal from Ephiny and said placing it around Exl's neck:
“And to you Exl, brave leader of this team, I am very happy to give you this medal as a sign of your great leadership and loyalty to your team.”
Exl's medal was otherwise the same as her team mate's but on the shield there were three circles inside each other, signifying her being the leader of the team.
Gabrielle continued after all the medals were given out:
“Fenci, Myas and Tiuwi, you have proven yourself loyal and brave, much like your team leader. You have used the skills you have learned during your training just the way a real warrior would. That's why the council and I have decided, that your training days are over. Because from this day forward, you will officially be full warriors of this tribe.” The young ones couldn't believe their ears, they were warriors now. The Red team and many of the other trainees were very amazed, but they were also very happy for them. All their training had paid off and the others wished that if they trained really hard, they would soon become warriors themselves. The crowd applauded but when Gabrielle raised her hands, everyone quieted down in a flash.
“But that's not all, every warrior must know her place and her duty within the tribe. I think the skills of these young warriors should be put in good use immediately. And what would be a better place for you to serve in, than in the Queen's new personal guard.” The Queen and the Regent usually shared the same guards, but now Gabrielle had a personal guard of her own, and she knew these young warriors would be very devoted to their duty.
“I even have a name for the new guard, they shall be known as the Warders”, Gabrielle said and looked at her new guards. The warriors bowed deeply for their Queen, thanking her for the great honor that had been bestowed upon them.
Then Myas raised her fist in the air, wanting to say something. When she was given the permission to speak she said:
“My Queen, honorable Queens , respected council members. We learned a great deal of things, but most importantly, we learned that no matter how strong a team is, it still needs a strong leader. We would have never made it if we hadn't had Exl as our leader; she was the one who gave us the will and strength to compete in the Race in the first place. She has respected our Amazon ways and laws and proven herself to be magnificent leader. So we ask in her behalf that she too is awarded in some way.” Exl didn't care much for awards, but she didn't have a chance to resist when Ephiny and Gabrielle whispered something to each other. They both looked at Exl with a grin, then whispered some more and smiled very widely.
“You're absolutely right, we can't forget the deeds of the noble Guardian. Ephiny and I have discussed the matter and to continue her great leadership, Exl the Loyal shall be named the mentor and Captain of the Queen's guard. For it is a duty she is already serving, unknowingly”, Gabrielle announced to her tribe. Gabrielle took a step closer to warrior and asked her with a whisper:
“Am I right, Captain?” Exl's blue-green eyes were shining with the pride and joy that was in her heart. She was still baffled by all that had happened after they had returned, it was hard for her to say the right words, but when she heard the tribe, the other Queens and teams cheer for her friends and her:
“Hooray for Captain Exl and the Warders! Hooray!”, she smiled to Gabrielle and answered:
“Yes, my Queen” and bowed her head.
Gabrielle was tired of all the formalities and without a warning, she grabbed her Guardian into a tight embrace. Exl returned the embrace and when she let go of the bard, Xena, Pony and Ephiny had gathered around her to congratulate her for everything.
“Way to go Exl, I knew your could do it”, Xena said with a wink, Eponin had forgotten her ankle once again and she grabbed Exl's arm to congratulate her:
“Now that's what I call mentoring and leadership. I think you'll have several eager young trainees running after you wanting you to teach them what you taught the Warders, Master Exl.”
Exl turned to look at the new warriors, who were surrounded by other young Amazons and didn't see the three young, timid warriors-to-be, but three courageous and strong warriors. Now she knew what her grandfather must have felt like when she and her cousin Swyther had finished their training and were appointed warriors. He was proud of his grandchildren, the children he had taught for years and seen them grow to be honorable fighters. Exl had only once taught the three friends and then entered the Race with them. But during the Race she had witnessed how each and everyone of them had found their inner strength and courage and become the warriors they now were.
As the night was soon going to turn into morning, by the Queen's command everyone was to go and rest, because on the following day they would have to prepare the celebration of the Blue team's victory. All the teams, especially the Blue team was very pleased to finally be able to get a good night's sleep.
T he next night another magnificent Amazon feast was held, as the tribe and their guests celebrated the newly appointed warriors and their captain. Myas, Tiuwi and Fenci were telling everyone about their adventures during the Race, maybe adding a little something here and there, but Exl wouldn't reveal which parts were and which parts weren't true. She enjoyed the story just as much as everyone else, she knew that Gabrielle would write it down in her scrolls and tell it forward. It what was great story, but even more a great experience.
O n the following morning, Gabrielle, Xena, Exl, Ephiny and the Warders were saying farewell to the Mesopotamians and the Scythians. Queen Philota was smiling as usual when she thanked everyone:
“Thank you Queen Gabrielle for your hospitality and for a very memorable Race. And congratulations once again for having such fine warriors in your tribe and your family. We will hopefully see you next year at the next Race.”
“Thank you Queen Philota. You can be sure of that, we have to defend our victory, right?”, Gabrielle said jokingly to the Mesopotamians.
“Too bad your Weapons Master wasn't able to come and say good bye, I would have asked her if she could visit us someday soon and give our young trainees some lessons”, Philota continued.
All of Eponin's sisters and friends knew her condition in the morning after parties, she wasn't going to be up bright and early. Ephiny apologized for her absent sister Amazon:
“Our apologies Queen Philota, but Master Eponin's ankle was still bothering her, she thought it was best that she'd stay in and rest.” The Warders thought the situation was a bit amusing and they laughed a bit, but when they saw Exl's serious expression, they wiped the smiles from their faces and stood in attention as commanded.
Queen Dionis bowed before Gabrielle and said:
“Our sincere thanks, Queen Gabrielle. You are a fine hostess with a great tribe, you can be proud of all of them.” Gabrielle responded with a bow and by saying:
“Thank you Queen Dionis, it was a pleasure to have you as our guests.” Dionis turned to Exl and said:
“As for you, Northerner…” Exl was surprised to be called that again, before it sounded like an epithet but now it sounded more like a nickname.
“If you ever happen to be in Scythia , please visit us. And if you or your family ever need help, you can count on it that we'll do anything to help. In our tribe, you will be considered our sister”, Dionis said and all her warriors nodded behind their Queen.
“Thank you, your Majesty. I am honored”, Exl replied and greeted the Queen. Dionis looked at the young guards standing behind Gabrielle and noted:
“Try to keep your young warriors out of trouble, Captain Exl.” Exl turned around to see all three Warders were smiling, and she smiled as well.
“I'll do my best”, was Exl's final reply.
After some last farewells, both Queens left with their troupes, waving to their hosts before disappearing behind the horizon.
The guests were finally gone, and everyone was relieved. Fenci asked Exl:
“What shall we do next, Captain?” Exl shrugged her shoulders and replied:
“I don't know. What do you say, My Queen?” turning to Gabrielle. Gabrielle responded instantly:
“Well first of all, Exl, I want you to stop calling me your Queen. Even though you did compete in the Race of Warriors, you are not an Amazon.”
“But Gabrielle, you appointed me into this duty and being Captain of your guard, I see it my duty to call you by your real title”, Exl said trying to be very amusing. Gabrielle knew that Exl wouldn't easily quit, she knew the perfect counter attack. She turned to the Warders and asked:
“Have I ever told you about the time when we had to save King Lias from an assassin and we had to go undercover?” Exl knew this wasn't going to be good, so she took a few steps away from the others and stopped when Xena asked:
“Where are you going Exl?” Exl turned around and said:
“To find the giant, maybe it's still hungry. I sure hope it is.” Everyone burst out laughing, even Exl. She knew not to mess with the Amazon Queen.
End of “The Race of Warriors”
The series will continue in: “The Howling Moon”
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