Chronicles of Absolution: 'I Get That A Lot'

Chapter 1

Three Thousand Years Ago

The night was extremely quiet in the woods even with all the noise that the animals made. The mist rose up in a thick fog, curling over the foliage. It almost gave the sense of foretelling the events that were to come as it swirled and created a sense that the world was not reality but a dream. The dream though started to become a nightmare.

The night was broken by foliage rustling, wood breaking and the sounds of men screaming their war cries. It was followed by another set of war cries that was distinctive. That didn't matter to the woman who was running from the sounds in an effort to get away.

It was supposed to be a simple delivery of the prophecy that she had been entrusted with to the Pericles who would protect it and then she would be free. She would be free after spending months writing it. Ciane would be free as a seer as was promised. It didn't go as smoothly as she had hoped though.

The initial caravan had turned out to be a magnet for thieves and cutthroats. Since she was from the oracle at Athens, under Athena's protection, it was a calculated risk on their part and they took it. The caravan was ambushed and Ciane was in danger of having her throat cut for refusing to tell them where the treasure was. Help came though and she couldn't believe it.

The woman with her companion leapt in the fray and was followed by the greatest of all heroes and the son of Zeus and his friend. They had heard of the caravan heading to where Pericles dwelt and came to help. Ciane was grateful and welcomed their help since she was the last one standing of her caravan. They accepted that she needed to get to Pericles to secure her tablet and accompanied her and for the most part it went well.

The band of thieves though hadn't given up and took chase. It appeared that they weren't thieves but soldiers sent by their master. They were to secure the tablet and the prophet. So now they were in that situation, fighting off those men when the warrior woman told her to run and not look back. Ciane obeyed even though she wanted to fight but she knew that her priority was the tablet. She took off running and prayed to the gods that no one had seen her.

She paused to lean against a tree and catch her breath. Her hand fell to the bag slung over her shoulder and she checked. The tablet was in there along with other odds and ends that the temple priestesses had given her to help. She touched her neck to make sure that her necklace was still there and froze when she heard the snapping of twigs.

Having been trained in warrior craft, Ciane tensed her muscles as she listened to the sounds of footsteps approaching. They were getting closer and closer and there were two of them. She could take them on. She was that good. When they were close enough, she flew out with a growl and went for the one that was the closest.

She grabbed his throat with one hand and with the other gave a backhand and a kick. It was perfectly executed and Ciane had a moment of pride of her accomplishment before turning back to the one she had in a one handed choke grip. Her eyes widened when she realized who it was.

"Good grip," the man rasped.

"Sorry," Ciane replied as she released him and gave a pat on his shoulder. She knew who the other one was.

The one she had knocked over stood up and straightened his armor which looked like he had melded together from a scrap heap. He had a good heart but was basically a chicken when it came to a fight. The other she had been choking was a bit roly poly and had a knack for trying to make a buck out of everything. They had accompanied the others when her caravan had been ambushed and they sort of stayed on.

Ciane looked at the pair and asked, "What are you two doing here?" She looked in the direction of the fighting.

The chicken of the group said, "We saw you running and we saw two of them chase after you. We'd thought we try to warn you and…"

Ciane raised her brow at that but it was believable. She looked at them and replied, "Thanks." She looked behind them and added, "They're still on our trail. We gotta move."

"More?" The roly poly man squeaked. "Honestly I thought this would be an ample opportunity to write a story about the famous prophets of the temple of Athena. Think of all the royalties and the publicity."

Ciane had started walking by this time and knew they were following her. They were better than no company at all. They could continue on the road to Pericles and the others would catch up. That she didn't doubt and that was pretty much the plan. "As much as the publicity the prophets would get sounds intriguing, I doubt they would go for it. It's all about secrecy, Salmoneus."

"And that's the beauty of it. Everyone loves a mystery. They love their secret societies like that one group you mentioned would come into existence," Salmoneus replied as he followed the brisk pace set by Ciane. "It's a perfect market."

"Maybe in a thousand years," Ciane replied as she looked around. She suddenly stopped when she heard something. She motioned for her companions to stop. She heard them. They were being followed. "Joxer," she hissed and motioned for him to move.

It was not perfect but they were able to ambush their pursuers and tie them up. Ciane looked at the one who was staring at her defiantly. Last time she didn't have the chance to get a good look at who they worked for. This time she could question them and see for herself. "Who are you? Whose man are you?"

The one glaring at her harrumphed before saying, "You should be in fear Prophet. What you have is something more valuable to our master than you can possibly imagine."

"I don't have the luxury of living in fear," Ciane replied as she pulled out the small knife she carried and pressed it against the man's throat. "Now tell me who dares to attack one of Athena's prophets?"

"Wisdom and battle go hand in hand. Something that sorely will lack in this land," the man replied in a taunting tone. He gave a smile to indicate that was all she was going to get from him. He wasn't going to say another word.

Ciane knew that it was going to be pointless. The best she could do was to look at what they were wearing and see whose banner they were carrying. She studied him, looking for any signs of his affiliation when her eyes stopped on a medallion with a familiar symbol. Using her fingers, she lifted it up to get a better look at it. She knew whose standard that was and she pursed her lip knowing that there was only one who would be that callous and bold.

The prisoner had been watching her expression and started laughing. "I see you know. You really should be afraid, Prophet."

Ciane knew that they had to move. She ripped the standard off and said, "We have to move. Come on." She turned on her heel and started towards the forest, leaving the prisoners tied up there. She would not show mercy since this was a serious breach.

The trio ran through the forest and it was clear that the sounds of the ambush were still prevalent. It made Ciane wonder if this had been planned out. It was a daunting thought as she wove through the trees, heading in the direction of the trail to Pericles. They came to a clearing and the fog seemed to thicken. Was this planned?

"I know what you're thinking Prophet of Athena," a familiar voice sounded, "You're thinking about whether or not this was planned. Well sister, it was." The owner revealed himself.

Ciane felt her throat convulsed. So it was true. The knowledge of that sent a chill down her spine. She managed to get out, "Ares."

Ares looked at Ciane with his smug look that he was well known for when he wasn't doing his usual. This was going to be fun even with the irritating elements. "In the flesh baby. Well you get the idea. Now little prophet, why don't you hand over that tablet."

Ciane backed up a step. This was not going to bode well. She played dumb, "What tablet? I have only scrolls for the old man in the hills. They are nothing more than records."

Ares gave a look that said he wasn't convinced. He wasn't stupid either and he knew that the girl had what he wanted. He had his means of finding out information. "Don't be shy. Give it to me and maybe I just might let you live."

Ciane narrowed her eyes at that. She knew that Ares was not one to keep his word especially if it concerned what he wanted. He was not going to get it. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't lie to me. I know that you were sent from the temple in Athens to bring the tablet to its final resting place," Ares replied. He pointed at Ciane to emphasize that he was being serious about the whole situation. "I know that you have it and that you are the prophet that wrote it. Now give it to me. I can be reasonable."

"Now we all know that you are a terrible liar, Ares," a new voice entered.

Ares looked in the direction of the voice and looked like his party had been ruined. He scowled at the newcomer and said, "You know how to ruin a good party don't you Artemis."

Artemis came out of the shadows holding her famous bow. Her green eyes were snapping as her fiery red hair billowed. She stood in front of Ares, creating a buffer between him and the Prophet. She replied, "I know when to leave the works of the higher powers alone. To interfere spells trouble. You know this."

"I do but then again it's not every day that a tablet describing my warrior princess comes up," Ares countered.

"You presume too much," Artemis countered. "The tablets speak of the future, the present and the past. They are revealed of their own accord."

"And I'm impatient. Now step out of the way."

"No."

Ares scowled, having enough of Artemis. "I will have it. Now Prophet give it over to…" He turned to look and saw that the prophet had left the scene. "Where did…?"

Ciane, Joxer and Salmoneus took the opportunity to take off. It was better to let the gods battle it out. Ciane reached into her bag. She had an idea that might work but it required a tremendous amount of power and someone who knew how to use it. She pulled out what she needed and began calling out in a strange language.

At the critical moment Joxer tripped over something and collided with Salmoneus and Ciane and they tumbled down a hill. The bag slipped from her shoulder and slid down and tangled with Joxer's arm. Ciane slid down quick and saw the light and held up her arms and went right through.

Joxer collided with Salmoneus at the bottom of the hill. It was a tangle of limbs that appeared at a pair of feet. Joxer managed to hold up the bag that had the tablet poking out as he climbed out. "Hey quit moving."

Salmoneus was on his stomach as he tried getting to his feet. "I will if you stop stepping on me. Where did you get those boots? They stink."

"They cost me fifty dinars," Joxer protested as he got to his feet finally. His armor clanged like a bunch of tin pots. He stood up straight and looked ahead and jerked in fright. "Uh… uh…"

Salmoneus got to his feet muttering about a waste of dinars when he looked up and whimpered. "Ahh… uh… hi?"

The being in front of them looked at them both. The look was cool and calm as it gazed upon the humans. They were not prophets but they had the tablet. The prophet must have passed on her charge to protect it. He said, "You are not prophets."

"No, we are warriors…"

"Actually I'm just a salesman and we have a problem with two gods that seemed to want a tablet and…" Salmoneus looked around before looking back at the man staring at them. "Uh where's the Prophet?"

The man looked at the two and then up at the heavens. "The Prophet has slipped time and space." He paused as if to listen. He then looked at the two. "The Librarian will know the answer."

"Excuse me," Joxer said, "We need to get the Prophet and get to Pericles…"

"You will find the warrior princess."

"Oh we know her," Joxer pointed out.

"No. You will find the warrior princess." The man then started speaking in a strange language. He raised his hands at the pair. Before he touched them he said, "Find the warrior princess. She will know what to do."

A light flashed and Joxer and Salmoneus opened their eyes. They were standing in the middle of a road but it was no road they had seen before. It was black and covered with rocks and there were lines painted on it. They looked at each other and then around. There was nothing but the sound of crickets singing their music in the night and it seemed to get louder as they stood there wondering where the hell they were. Salmoneus was the first to say, "Okay, this is good but I have one question: Where are we?!"

It had to be a dream. There was nothing familiar; nothing was recognizable to him as he walked around. It didn't help that he was dressed in something that belonged in Dungeons and Dragons. He really couldn't do much about it now since he was hunting for something. He knew he was hunting because he had the demon killing knife in his hand and he had it out, ready to get what he presumed was a demon.

He walked through the forest. The shadows made everything look eerie and he felt that a hell hound or worse was going to pop out. His throat convulsed trying to keep the fear at bay. He looked around and moved forward.

It came from the left and he flew and hit a tree. He fell to the ground and looked up. He saw someone in black with a hood step forward. He was demanding something and he raised a pretty nasty blade and it came down.

The blow never came. It had been blocked by… Absolution? It was the blade and it gleamed in the moonlight. Looking up, he could see the wielder. She blocked and shoved the guy in black back and gave a familiar cry. The guy in black was on his feet and running away.

The next thing he knew, she was squatting in front of him. She looked at him and gently raised her hand to stroke his hair with her fingers. Her new tattoo stood prominent and her lips… Then he felt something hit him in the stomach.

Sam opened his eyes and gasped for air from the pressure that was on his stomach and chest. There was no music blasting out his ear drums so it wasn't Dean. It was then that he heard giggling, little girl giggling. He knew who that belonged to.

"Morning Abba."

Sam rubbed his face and gave a slightly embarrassed smile while propping himself on his elbows. He had tried to get her to call him by name but she insisted on that one. Looking at the light brown hair in a ponytail and hazel eyes, the slight smile became a full one. "Morning Hibah. What are you doing here?"

"It's morning. Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey," Hibah replied as she sat back more on Sam's stomach.

Sam glanced at his watch and noted the time. It was time to get up, for him at least. Hibah seemed to have gotten into his and Angela's habits. He could hear Dean fast asleep on his bed and for once was glad that his brother wasn't awake. The dream he had was similar to the last one where she had given him mouth to mouth. It was probably a good thing that Hibah woke him up as she did. That was just…

"You awake Abba?"

Sam turned his attention to the little girl that had grown to the size of a four year old within the span of a month and a week. It seemed like yesterday that she was a little baby and now she was a cute little four year old wearing her favorite jeans, the mini Led Zeppelin t-shirt Dean bought her and the pink hoodie she always wore. He replied, "Yeah I'm awake. How did you get in? Where's Angie?"

"Ima is sleeping," Hibah replied as she began playing with Sam's shirt. She had a habit of grabbing clothes and balling them in a fist. "I wanted to see you. Amitz too."

It was simple and matter of fact and it made it hard to stay mad with Hibah for very long. Sam looked at the little girl that was insistent about the names that she had given them and replied, "You see me every day."

Hibah gave the look that Angela had called the 'yeah right' look and Dean said it was a mini bitch face. "You're always awake before me," she pointed out, "And Amitz is sleeping."

Sam had to think about that. It was like dealing with Angela at times but only smaller. Hibah would say something and he and Dean had to think about it. He finally got that it was probably her idea of a surprise. "Well this time you woke me up," he offered with a slight smile.

Hibah returned it with one of her own and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck. "I woke you up Abba."

Sam tried not to grimace since the hug was really tight. For a little girl, Hibah had a strong grip that was cute when she was a baby but now there was an issue of childproofing… like there was such a thing for a kid like her. He did like her hugs because they were given with complete love, no strings attached. He grasped Hibah with one arm and used the other to keep from falling. "Yeah you did. How did you get in Hibah?"

"I opened it."

It was logical. No one taught her how to pick a lock and Hibah sort of knew how to use a door key. The only other option was that Hibah had used her powers. To Sam, every time she used them, he would quickly look around to see if an angel or a demon would pop out and come for her. He was certain Angela felt the same way; she was just better at keeping calm. "How did you open it?"

"I told it to open."

That solved it. Sam looked at Hibah who was staring at him with an inquisitive look. He returned it but made a mock frown at her and it slipped into one of the faces he sometimes made to get a laugh from her. It worked this time and she smiled and gave a small giggle followed by, "Abba funny."

Since he was up and getting back to sleep was not in the cards, Sam decided to follow through and get up as usually. Dean was still fast asleep meaning that Hibah couldn't stay in here and wait for him. It felt weird too.

Sitting completely up, Sam picked up Hibah and set her on the floor. Inwardly he felt relief that he didn't decide on a t-shirt and boxers for the night and Dean just went with the sweats and t-shirt. Looking at Hibah, he said, "Okay, I'm up but you have to wait with Angie while I shower. Okay?"

"Okay Abba," Hibah replied looking at him expectantly.

Sam knew that meant that he was to escort her. It was his intention anyway. He shook off the covers and grabbed his shoes. Taking Hibah by the hand and remembering his key and Angela's spare, he led her down the hall to the room Hibah and Angela shared trying to shake off the last vestiges of sleep from his impromptu awakening.

"I can open it Abba," Hibah said in reference to the door to her room. "Ima helps me practice."

At least it's supervised, Sam thought to himself. It made sense since they really couldn't stop Hibah's powers from manifesting and even though Hibah was older, Angela had seemed reluctant to bind her powers with the spell that she had. Sam was perplexed at that but decided not to ask and would often watch when Angela worked with the little god.

Deciding that she had enough fun for the moment, Sam said, "Let's just use the key and knock." He had added the last part since he hadn't forgotten how he had just barged in and she had come out toweling her hair. He had been lucky that she was dressed then but the next time he might not be so lucky so he took to knocking.

Hibah frowned at that but readily obeyed. She knocked on the door and called, "Ima."

Her voice sounded almost like a shout since her voice was high pitched anyway. Sam thought it sounded almost like a petulant child demanding for everything without a please or thank you. He was about to say something when the door opened to reveal Angela with sleep still evident in her eyes. Hibah had been right when she said that she was sleeping. Now he felt bad for dumping Hibah back on her so he could get ready for the day.

Angela brightened the moment she saw the both of them but her gaze was directed at Hibah. She smiled and said, "There you are habibitti. I see you woke Sam up."

"Wakey, wakey," Hibah replied with a smile. She bounced a little on her feet. "I woke Abba up."

Angela looked up at Hibah's reference to Sam and noted the expression. She was at a loss to herself with this situation. She had been trying to get Hibah to call them all by name and even did it when Hibah was learning to talk. It didn't work and she was Ima, Sam was Abba and between the four of them, she gave Dean the name Amitz. In public she called him the Arabic term for 'uncle' and sometimes they got stares at that.

Looking back at Hibah, Angela replied, "Okay you woke him up. Why?"

"I want betfust with Ima and Abba. Amitz needs sleep," Hibah pointed out in a matter of fact tone.

Angela raised her brow slightly at that. Hibah was sensitive to Dean's state of mind lately and it was a blessing and a relief that he didn't lash out to harshly with the continuous jobs since Alistair made himself known. Angela figured it was Hibah's doing since she was a child and Dean liked spending time with the little girl. She looked at Hibah and said, "Okay, habibitti. Why don't you come in and play with Cerebus while we get ready?"

"Ceebee," Hibah exclaimed and started in leaving Angela and Sam at the door.

Angela had a bemused expression on her face as she rubbed the loose tendrils of hair on her head. She looked at Sam and said, "I guess ten to fifteen?"

"That'll work," Sam replied, knowing what she meant.

"Okay, but you're buying," Angela replied with a smile before turning to go back in her room.

A/N: Welcome to 3.07 'I Get That A Lot' and a first: characters from the show Xena are introduced. For those that have read Blindside, Jason is the Jason from Hercules. And it looks like Hibah is a month old in human years but looks four and already imprinted on Winchester and Co. Let's see where the adventure goes next time on 'I Get That A Lot'...