—OOO—

A young Amazon is tracked through a wild forest by Xena and Gabrielle. But the girl has great expertise and keeps ahead of her pursuers. Gabrielle will eventually have an accident.

Works which influenced the theme and atmosphere of this story were Bret Harte's 'In the Carquinez Woods'; Algernon Blackwood's 'The Man Whom the Trees Loved', Fiona Macleod's 'The Tempest' a nature study; and several of Richard Jefferies's nature essays.

—OOO—

Notes:—

1. The characters are on foot instead of horseback as this is required for plot purposes.

2. Kerkini is still, today, a real municipality of Northern Greece. Though my geographical descriptions may not reflect present day conditions.

Measurements of distance—1 parasang = 3 miles approx. (4.827 km). 10 stadia = 1 mile approx. (1.609 km).

—OOO—

Disclaimer: MCA/Universal/RenPics own all copyrights to everything related to 'Xena: Warrior Princess' and I have no rights to them.

—OOO—

Chapter 1

'Otrera and the Trees'

When the sun had gone down on the Kerkini Woods the previous evening Otrera had taken comfort from the fact she was still at least a day's travel ahead of her pursuers. The dim light had gradually become lost in the unfathomable depths of the countless tree-lined glades. The interlacing trunks and thick canopy above had seemed to slowly fade into a weird twilight in which the countless trees had, one by one, disappeared into obscure darkness. As Otrera trod noiselessly over the bark-strewn ground no sound, but a curiously fragrant dust, rose around her boots. She was alone in a vast echoless waste of trees; surrounded by an impenetrable shade; and an even more mysterious silence.

But Otrera had smiled quietly to herself amidst this wilderness of interlaced tree-trunks and dim vault of over-reaching canopy. She was in her element here, and knew the meaning of every last flicker of movement, quivering shadow, or breath of mingled scents which came gently wafted on the almost visibly motionless air amongst the towering columns which stood all round her, and receded for miles in every direction. She was an Amazon tracker with years of experience and somewhere, less than a day's travel behind, there were others on her trail with menace in their hearts. Otrera smiled again and swiftly, with the grace of a young deer and the silence of a passing shadow, vanished amongst the trees; leaving as much trace as might a flickering zephyr gently disturbing a leaf.

Now, with the onset of the earliest light of the new morning came those few, infrequent, almost careful noises which spoke of the awakening life of the forest. A few birds, braver than most, sang in the blue sky as they sailed over the sea of rolling tree-tops spread below their wings, like an everlasting ocean of green. In the high canopy itself, darting from branch to branch, or twig to twig, a variety of creatures searched for their first meal of the day. On the soft bark-laden ground below a few wild pigs, or even rarer boars, snuffled in the rich scented moist earth. In the thickest of the glades; in the most out-of-the-way gullies or copses, a bear might be seen as it raised its snout in the soft air searching for any clue to the life about it. At the side of an old tree, fallen to earth long ago and now virtually hidden by creeping weeds and bushes, a low flowering bush shivered faintly for an instant, then was pushed quietly aside as Otrera slid out from the little cavern-like space below the curving trunk which had given her safety during the night.

She was dressed in buckskin jerkin and leggings and had at her side a small shoulder pack in which she kept her most needed essentials. She had no horse, but was travelling by foot through this trackless forested wasteland of high ridges and deep river gorges. It was a country admirably suited to only the most determined and capable of explorers; but with her years of knowledge and experience, though she was still only in her mid twenties, Otrera felt completely at home in a situation she understood absolutely.

She was not so stupid as to light a fire for a cooked breakfast. Nothing would be surer to pinpoint her position to those who trekked in her rear. A small trickle over on her left, barely able to call itself a stream, gave her fresh water. With this and a few roots and vegetables she had garnered in her march through the never-ending forest she managed to make a fair meal. Then she buried all trace of her activities and covered over the spot with mould, fallen twigs, and scattered debris till it looked as if no living thing had passed that way in centuries. Throwing her pack over her shoulder and slipping the light bow she carried on the other shoulder Otrera gazed around for a moment; took a quick glance above at the now sunlit canopy, and the ground around; which now seemed almost alive with the flickering sunlight and shadows dancing over its surface. Drawing a deep breath of the richly scented air the Amazon girl turned and set off in a Northerly direction. She knew where she was going.

—OOO—

The morning was still only an hour old when Xena glanced at her companion as they moved softly through the all-encompassing trees. Gabrielle smiled back as she paused to shift the bow strung over her shoulder, then took a few steps to catch up with her friend.

"Another bright day! How far behind d'you think we are?"

"Not so far. We're doin' well." Xena smiled at the slim blonde-haired woman as they set off together along a faint trail that seemed to lead in the right direction, though the constantly moving shadows made it difficult to see very far in any direction.

"Gods! I didn't think the trees could be so thick!" Gabrielle took up the burden of a conversation she had started the day before. "I hardly know which direction we're going in, even now! How'd you do it?"

"Oh, just experience." Xena pointed at a nearby tree on their left. "See the moss there? It grows most strongly on the North-facing side of the trunk. Gives ya an idea of direction, even at night. And there are other things, too."

"Gods!" Gabrielle was impressed. "Glad I'm with you, and not against you! How's our quarry doin', d'you think?"

"She's good." Xena nodded her head as they walked through the shade and over the crackling leaves and mould which paved the floor of the forest all around. "Managed to stay well ahead for the last three days; and nary a sight of campfire smoke. Yeah, she ain't playin'; she knows what she's doin'."

"I'm amazed how far she's gone in just a few days!" Gabrielle brushed a hand over her forehead. Even though the sun was high in the morning sky, there was still deep shade at ground level and they had to constantly change direction round trees and spreading roots. Gabrielle had early found that keeping a sharp eye on the forest-floor immediately ahead of her was indispensable, if a broken ankle was to be avoided. And it was all hot work.

A few minutes later the trees thinned out to be replaced by waist-high bushes close-set with prickly leaves and twigs which caught on their clothing. On Xena's advice both women had changed their usual short skirts and tops for more body-covering clothes. Buckskin shirts, loose jerkins and long leggings over thick boots. Gabrielle had complained at the unaccustomed restriction to start with, but a day's struggle through the heavy undergrowth and towering trees had soon made her realise the benefit of scratch-proof clothing on her legs and body.

"There's a stream over there, Xena!" She was gasping for breath after the last stretch of terrain with its uneven ground. And tied over her shoulder was the carcass of a rabbit she had caught the night before, which didn't ease her movements any. "I could do with a drink. Maybe we could cook this rabbit? It's starting to feel heavy, y'know!"

"Drink, yeah!" Her companion looked around the open glade. It was about thirty yards wide, encircled by tall heavy-branched trees which soared about 40 feet above their heads. They appeared to be standing in a well of light, surrounded by a wall of deepest darkness. "But no cooking! We can't risk the smoke being seen. You'll hav'ta wait till dark for the rabbit stew!"

"So it's roots and cornbread, then?"

" 'fraid so. Here, lemme help!"

A few minutes later they crouched beside a moss grown boulder, munching cold rations and slaking their thirst with equally cold stream water. As the bare meal finished Gabrielle paused to wipe her brow once more.

"Can we catch up with her today; d'you think?"

"Nah." Xena shook her head, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. "Too far ahead yet. But tomorrow the rising ground, going up to the foothills, will be in front of her. It ain't steep, but there are plenty of river ravines and rocky slopes. She'll definitely be slowed down there."

"And we'll catch up over the low ground we'll still be on!" Gabrielle nodded. "I like it! So by tomorrow afternoon we might be within sight of her?"

"Not quite that." Xena mused, stroking her chin with a long finger. "Certainly within a parasang, maybe less, for sure."

Gabrielle rose and began packing their few utensils back in the small shoulder pouch she carried. Xena took the rabbit and threw it across her own shoulder, tied round her sword sheath; alongside her own shoulder pack. This terrain was far too difficult for horses and so both hunted and hunters were restricted to tramping through the heavily wooded wilderness. Within a few minutes they were ready to continue their journey.

"I was surprised ya decided to chase her, Gabrielle!" Xena spoke quietly as they passed on beneath the dark limbs inter-weaving far above their heads. "Would've thought, as an Amazon, you'da felt she was, well, sorta safe—inviolate!"

"She murdered another Amazon—supposedly! One of her sisters—she must be brought to justice. Amazon justice!" Gabrielle sounded far from happy, but there was a determined note in her voice which sounded strangely in Xena's ears. "It shouldn't take long to find her in this wilderness. Then we can bring her back to face the consequences of her act. Just as well Queen Thalestris of the Northern Tribe saw her do it! That's what decided me!"

"Well, come tomorrow we'll be closer; much closer." Xena gazed ahead through the long aisles of trees. "Then we can start to think about capturing the mean little bitch! I've got an idea or two about that!"

—OOO—

As the morning drew on towards noon Otrera kept walking steadily with the sun on her left. The trees never gave any sign of thinning though they did vary from mere copse to thicker groves and, in some parts, became almost impenetrable. She found herself having to wend her way more and more around areas which were simply impassable. This slower advance was also aggravated by a series of streams that were now beginning to make their presence felt.

The first of these had been nothing more than the merest of trickles which she had hopped across without hardly noticing; but then had come a respectable stream that had made her pause for thought before wading ankle deep to the opposite side. Now, just before noon, she stood on the bank of the first true river she had yet met with in this barren landscape; and it worried her.

A good point was that she could at least get a fair view of the sky and, through a rift in the trees behind her, a lengthy vista into the far distance over which she had come in the last two days. The downside was there was no sign; even to the small patch of far horizon, of tendrils of smoke or dust from anyone following, though she knew well enough they were there. The more immediate concern was right in front of her, though. This river was about twenty-five feet wide, and deep; probably up to her waist if she tried a crossing at this point.

Downstream was clearly no better, but a glance upstream showed a series of rocks and boulders forming a small barrier which seemed to stretch across the full width some fifty yards away. On reaching this Otrera soon discovered it was a natural line of water-driven rocks which had, fortunately for her, descended from higher parts to create an uneven row across the river just there. They weren't by any means perfectly placed, being of differing sizes with some well above the surface while others were just on or below the swirling water. But, after careful investigation, she decided they formed a passable crossing.

There was no impatience visible in her movements as she paused to take stock. Running a hand through her short brown hair she glanced all round; at the banks on either side; the trees along the thin pebbly shore on which she stood; and the line of blue sky above, with its faint tracery of clouds. Now, in the middle of the day, the heat was building. Standing amongst the close-set trees of this vast forest, Otrera could feel the waves of heat, beneath the ranks of heavily branched trunks, like living caresses washing over her face and causing rivulets of sweat to run down her back. The scent of pine, oak, fallen leaves, and old dry bark crushed beneath her feet was almost overwhelming.

She was further hampered by the leather satchel, quiver, and bow all strung over her shoulders and restricting her movements. Stepping gingerly out on the first, mainly flat, rock she darted forward onto the next. This was more of a boulder with a rounded surface, mostly above the water and dry. Another small jump took her to a series of smaller rocks all of which were of a size and shape to cause no real worry. But then she found herself out in the middle of the stream, and here there was an appreciable gap between the rock she stood on and the next boulder across the fast flowing water. The distance was about 4 feet, but the rock was rounded on the surface facing her and also had a curved top. It was going to be a difficult business just reaching it, never mind finding a steady foothold. It was quite obvious she would need to jump up as well as over in order to reach the top of the stone.

Knowing that hesitation would probably lead to failure she took a deep breath; gauged the distance with her eye then, bending low, took a wide-legged jumping stride. There was a moment when she felt sure she had misjudged the distance, then her boot came down hard and fast on the dry top of the granite boulder and after a few seconds scrambling she steadied herself with a firm foothold on the rock.

From there, she was relieved to note, it was only a case of stepping across a few more reasonably flat and easy-spaced stones to the other shore. When she set foot on the opposite side, and glanced back at the waters she had crossed she heaved a deep sigh of relief. This was the kind of obstacle that might not only have held her up, but could have resulted in serious injury; which in her present circumstances would have been fatal.

She threw her pack and weapons down on the pebbles of the riverbank and knelt to take handfuls of water and splash them over her face. Gasping with the chill of the cold water she shook her head, then sat back to review her position. The river would be a considerable hindrance to those following her trail. She was not quite sure how many there were but was working on the notion there were two. Even so she realised that these kinds of impediments in her course would soon end in those behind catching up with her. But she could do nothing about this. The thought crossed her mind of moving some of the stones in the river to make it harder still for those others to cross; but a moment's consideration showed this to be impossible. The rocks in the river were far too heavy, even the smaller ones, for her to have any hope of shifting. All she could do was pass on and trust to better options further ahead. But her hopes were not high.

Having filled her water-bottle and walked on a score of yards into the shadow of the overhanging trees Otrera sat beneath a spreading pine and opened her pack to take out the cold remnants of a small rabbit she had killed and had for supper yesterday. This, along with the refreshing water from the river, gave her heart and renewed confidence. Half an hour later her lithe form sped on through the thick undergrowth and endless trees, heading slightly East of North, her one purpose to outrun those on her trail. She moved with a smooth ground-covering step, breathing lightly and easily in a situation for which she had spent all her adult life training. She was an Amazon warrior, and this was her kind of country and way of life. Otrera grinned broadly as she darted on under the flickering shade of the majestic trees all around and above her. She felt safe and, as yet, still secure.

—OOO—

Gabrielle stared up into the blue high above. The sun was scorching and almost directly overhead, although it was only visible as scattered fragments of light sparkling through the high canopy. Where they now stood a gigantic tree had fallen to the ground in recent times tearing a jagged path between its neighbours, which had resulted in a relatively open patch of ground. This was now thickly covered in encroaching fern, bracken and small bushes; all fighting for their segment of the newly available light. But, at least, it also provided the travellers with a scrap of open sky.

"Noon, Xena!"

"Yup!"

"I can see a lighter green shining through the trees." Gabrielle pointed to her left, as she tightened the leather strap of her shoulder pouch. "Over there, Xena, see? A big clearing."

"You're right! Come on."

As the two women passed through the waist high undergrowth they came out into a more open and level piece of land where streamers of bright light gleamed on the open grass of a wide glade. A brilliant luminosity shone through the upper branches of the trees with golden scintillations that almost blinded the eye. Amongst the thick greenery all around a sudden distant blaze of deep crimson heralded the presence of a wide-spreading beech, making itself felt amongst the myriads of elms and oaks.

Towards one side of this clearing the grass was shorter and smoother, almost certainly the result of rabbit burrows hidden in the vicinity. But now it gave a delightful place to lie and rest. One of the surrounding trees also lent its shade to cool them where they dumped their heavy loads and sat close together.

"How're ya doin', Gabrielle?"

"Miles in me yet, Xena!" Gabrielle grinned at her dark friend as they both took long swigs from their water-bottles. "I've been on longer, tougher treks training with my Amazon sisters. I can do this!"

"I know!" Xena nodded quietly, staring at Gabrielle with a sparkle in her blue eye. "You'll still be driving on when I'm gasping for a break. Ya seem to be really at home in this kinda country!"

"Being with the Amazons for those months a while ago when you were in Attica helped me, Xena." Gabrielle looked directly and confidently into her partner's face. "I learnt a lot! Yeah! I understand the woods and what goes on in them far better now. I know what I'm doing!"

Xena nodded and then glanced around the nearby open ground, bordered on all sides by the dim recesses of the thick woods. She had taken a close look at the area where they now sat, as well as examining the bracken and bushes nearby.

"What're you looking for, Xena?" Gabrielle stared into her friend's face. "D'you think we're following right on her trail? I mean, in her footsteps?"

"I was hoping!" Xena's eyes swept over the terrain once more. "But, no! We're following; but not on the same exact line. Her trail may be some ways to the North of our own route."

"Can we find her trail?"

"If—I mean, when—we come to a river—then we'll probably have to cross at the same place she picked!" Xena nodded decisively. "That should put us right on her track."

"Tomorrow then, Xena?"

"Yup, looks that way."

Normally at this time of day any travellers would have been driven by the heat to seek shelter, or stop and rest, in the early afternoon. But in these Northern climes; and with the high tree-canopy acting as a cover over their heads, the two women would find it easy to keep moving. They didn't have the reassurance and speed of horses; but this was true of their quarry also. Horses, in this rough forested terrain; with rocky gorges, and steep-sided rivers and streams to cross continuously, would have been impossible to handle. Therefore they had no choice but to rely on their own physical strength and efforts. Their only consolation lay in knowing the girl ahead of them was in the same predicament.

This clearing also gave them the chance to study the sky and clouds. To try and gauge the wind-speed and its direction. To judge the weather outlook; and what it told the two skilled travellers was not encouraging. Xena let her companion speak first, after a detailed consideration of the panorama of blue, faintly washed with white, that was visible.

"I don't think it's looking good, Xena!" Gabrielle shook her head, white locks shimmering in the strong light. "That pale sheet of thin cloud ain't good! And the wind has changed direction since we set out this morning."

"And grown a little stronger!"

"Yeah, that too." The Amazon eased her shoulders gently as she gazed across the clearing to where a dark-leaved tree stood on the far side. "See that beech? The dull red tone of its colour; and the listless way the leaves are hanging, with dark shadows all through it?"

"What does that tell ya, Gabrielle?"

"That there's a storm coming!" She gave a quick look to her taller companion. "Not yet. Not right now! But maybe tomorrow! Wish I could see the horizon! See if there's a cloud-bank forming!"

"There will be, I bet!" Xena nodded in her turn. She didn't congratulate Gabrielle outright on her weather-reading skill; but the very fact she accepted Gabrielle's words without demur showed her trust. "Something in the air. I can't describe it! Something tells me it may well be a real terrible affair, too."

"This isn't cave country, Xena!" Ever aware of safety, Gabrielle thought first about the best shelter from any storm. "We may need to find some really close-growing oaks or cedars. Somewhere with some protection from the elements!"

"You're right!" Xena nodded as they munched on some floury cakes that Gabrielle had unwrapped from her satchel. Now a couple of days old they were beginning to dry and become hard, though still edible. "If we find something like that then I can build a good cover with branches and undergrowth. We should be alright."

"And the girl?"

"Figure she'll be as competent in scouting skills as we are." Xena mused on this idea for a moment. "And, of course, she'll be further ahead—higher on the ridges. Amongst the rocky terrain. She may find a cave for herself!"

"Huh!" Gabrielle's tone said everything necessary about her thoughts on this. "So! Which way now, then?"

"Your choice, Gabrielle!" Xena spoke without sarcasm or humour. Just like another Amazon looking to her companion to lead the way.

"Got everything, Xena?" The white-haired Amazon glanced at her friend's preparations to leave the temporary camp. "OK! I figure over this way. We go between these oaks—see the sort of trail leading along through the woods? Like a deer-run! That'll take us in the direction we need—and cut out fighting through heavy undergrowth for a while."

"OK! I'm behind ya!"

—OOO—

The afternoon had worn on over several hours; hours during which Otrera had made good progress. She stayed on her adopted course mainly by assessing various natural details on the ground around her and in the surrounding landscape; as much of the latter as was visible at any one moment, anyway. This, along with a clear understanding of the Sun's position, satisfied the young Amazon she was still heading in the right direction.

But now she had come to a halt as she paused to consider the obstacle that had suddenly shown itself immediately ahead on her chosen route, and spreading wide on either hand.

The thick pines had abruptly thinned out and more or less stopped, revealing a rocky ridge maybe 70 feet high and extending into the distance in both directions. The summit; creating an uneven and broken skyline, appeared to be just higher than the thick forest behind her. So her first thought was that, if she made her way to the top, the distant horizon would be opened up to view. She might have a good chance of seeing some faint traces of her pursuers; but this was off-set by the possibility that they might be close enough on her trail to actually see her climbing the barren ridge. She stood silently in thought.

Once more she wasted no time but came to a decision and started forward. Within a few yards the trees had been left behind as the ground began to rise. She was quickly reduced to a walking pace; then had to take each step at a time on the loosely packed stones, pebbles and broken rocks beneath her feet. Although only some 70 feet in height it took the Amazon nearly an hour to reach the final few yards to stand on the summit of the winding ridge.

She had to sit on a rock and take a swig from her water-bottle and wipe the sweat from her forehead before she was able to take in her present situation. Raising her eyes she first saw the rolling sweep of the tree-tops as they swept away in an ocean-like series of rising and falling green billows in the direction from which she had come. The ridge plateau was indeed just high enough above this canopy to afford a view for many parasangs towards the distant horizon; a misty blue in the heat haze.

A minute's keen observation told her there was absolutely no sign of human activity in that direction. Although she was well aware there was someone following, they were good enough at their task not to show themselves. Realising there was nothing further to be gained from gazing at the panorama behind her Otrera rose and turned to face along the ridge. Glancing in both directions she quickly took stock of the lie of the land. To her left the ridge seemed to disappear into the distance, rising and falling slightly as it went, but never showing any sign of returning to ground level. On her right the same was true except that about a third of a parasang away it did seem to fall significantly lower; not rising into view again, she reckoned, for another 5 stadia or so. Probably a river cutting through the ridge. And if this was so it would almost certainly be a deep, rock-bound virtually impassable gorge. Much better to cross straight over the ridge where she was and descend the opposite side back into whatever forest awaited her there.

As she came to this decision there was a loud crack, followed by the sound of many loose rocks sliding down the incline near where she stood. Instantly dropping to the ground she lay inert and motionless for an appreciable time before even risking a cautious glance around. Very slowly she raised her head and quietly looked in every direction; not forgetting to examine the terrain immediately behind her, along the path she had climbed to this present eminence.

But nothing stirred. All was quiet and peaceful again. Her quick eye spotted a movement on a nearby boulder and she recognised, amidst the grey-green moss covering its surface, a long sinuous lizard going about its business unconcernedly. After another swift reconnaissance Otrera slowly rose and flexed her aching shoulders. Another, lesser, rattle of pebbles suddenly sounded; but she was ready this time and marked the path of a rising patch of dust some fifty yards away.

Making her way carefully over the uneven ground she finally came to the source of her alarm. Here the ground opened out into an almost smooth sheet of small loose pebbles forming a long scree that fell all the way down the side of the ridge at this point. Apparently a boulder, working loose near the ridge peak, had slid down creating a mini-landslide in its wake.

It was as she silently examined this that another, potentially more dangerous, problem presented itself. Something on the far distant horizon caught her attention and she raised a hand to shield her eyes while she focussed on this new difficulty: because it instantly registered with her as of major significance.

Instead of the line of the horizon, some 3 or more parasangs off, being clear-cut and even there was a curious ruffled look to it. Closer scrutiny revealed the awful truth: there was a long encroaching wall of thick dark cloud spreading out all along the distant edge of the forest. Clearly a storm, probably of immense proportions, was building itself up in the far distance. And as she gazed fixedly she realised it was indeed coming in her direction.

Otrera's close appraisal soon told her the threatening storm was certainly moving forward, but only slowly and was as yet a long way off. Probably it would not reach her position till the next morning. She had that amount of time to descend this ridge and hope to find shelter somewhere ahead in the encroaching forest and rocky hills now hindering her progress. Her only pleasure was in the fact that the storm would inevitably hit her pursuers first; and they would necessarily be much more exposed to its dangers. Grimacing with tight lips Otrera turned to continue her course over the plateau in order to reach the now comforting forest on the other side. She tugged at the leather strap of her back-pack; took a deep breath and, without casting another glance behind, set off across the loose stones rattling beneath her boots.

—OOO—

"Let's hope it doesn't rain in the night!" Gabrielle's voice was troubled as she sat alongside Xena beside the newly lit campfire. The evening was drawing in, after a hot sultry day, though the atmosphere was still warm. The thick branches overhead hindered any wide view of the sky, but it was obvious that a thin cloud cover was spreading above them.

"I think we'll be alright, Gabrielle." Xena smiled across at her companion. "No need to worry about wet clothes till tomorrow."

"Ha!" Gabrielle seemed only half convinced but managed a smile anyway. "Think we'll catch the girl then?"

"We may get close!" Xena scratched her chin, staring into the growing flames of the small fire. Protected by the trees all round and the growing darkness, there was no need to worry about their quarry spotting them. And finally they could cook the rabbit for supper.

"There are supposed to be a whole series of rocky ridges and river channels ahead of us." Gabrielle sat with head supported by her hands as she gazed into the sparking fire. "That should slow her enough to let us catch up."

"Then?"

"Then we capture her." Gabrielle looked up at Xena. "I know it'll be difficult bringing her back as a prisoner through this wilderness. But we have to, if we can. If not—then she has only herself to blame!"

A few minutes later Xena put out their two flat metal plates and gave Gabrielle her portion of the cooked rabbit. With some freshly cut herbs it actually made a simple but good meal. Soon they were laughing about who would have the last piece from the pan.

Afterwards they curled up in their blankets and lay quietly beside each other, watching the shadows flickering in the bushes and trees at the edge of the camp as the fire sparked and guttered in the slight breeze.

"I like this, Xena!" Gabrielle spoke suddenly from the depths of a companionable silence. "Being here, far from civilisation with only you. I wish we could be like this more often. Nothing to distract us, I mean. Just ourselves."

"Yeah, it's good." Xena rolled onto her shoulder to smile unseen at Gabrielle. "Peaceful. I like it too. When we deal with the girl then afterwards we can really enjoy a break."

"The stars have gone, Xena!" Gabrielle had been gazing up into the dark, as her habit was at night. "Looks like the clouds are thickening. We may get wet in the morning!"

"But tonight we're warm and cosy, sweetheart!" Xena slid closer and laid a protective arm over the recumbent form beside her. "If I dream of you, will you dream of me?"

For answer Gabrielle chuckled quietly and reached out from under her blanket to clasp the hand laid gently on her bosom.

End of Chapter 1

—OOO—