Chapter 2 The Adventure Begins
When I slowly began to come to I felt something warm and a bit heavy on me. Once my eyes were open they became wide as I saw a young boy wrapped around my arms protectively. I screamed and quickly pushed him away from me and scrambled up to my feet in a standing defense mode.
"Owe!" the boy cried. He looked to be between 8 and 10 years old. "That hurt" he wined. He looked up at me from the ground with innocent ice blue eyes, just like Xena's? He also had blond hair.
I relaxed a bit when I realized he didn't seem all that threatening. "Sorry you kind of surprised me there" I said innocently rubbing the back of my long black hair. His icy blue eyes met my dark blue ones.
He looked at me questionably. "Who are you?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same thing. And why were you on top of me?" I asked a bit irritated.
"My name is Solan; I don't know why I was on top of you. I swear I don't" he replied quickly with a blush.
I smiled at his embarrassment and put my hands up. "Easy tiger it's all right it just surprised me that's all. And to answer your question my name is Faith" I replied.
I held out my hand o help the kid up. He smiled and gladly took my hand to stand.
"That's a nice name. If you don't mind me asking where are you from? You have such strange clothing" he said.
I looked at my outfit comparing it to his. I guess my clothing would be different from this time to these people. I was wearing black shorts, a evil twin trail blazer pom pom strip kaftan top, and black boots.
"Actually I'm not really from anywhere, more like a different time zone all together. Wait a minute tell me Solan what is the last thing you remember?" I asked. Something about this kid's name was ringing bells in my head. I should know this name but my memory was a bit out of it at the moment.
He closed his eyes for a moment. "I remember one of the angels hugging me because I was missing my mother. She told me that I didn't have to be sad anymore because I was going to be taken back to her. She told me I had died before my time" he explained.
"Solan! Now I remember your Xena's son!" I said in awe.
He opened his eyes and I practically screamed with joy running to give the boy a hug. "This is so wonderful I can't believe you're alive!" I squealed.
"Yes will I might not be if you keep squeezing me" he replied.
I quickly pulled back but knelt down to his level. "Listen Solan I'm not exactly sure what's happening but Xena brought me to you for a reason. And I don't mean your mother Xena a Xena from a vision that I had in my time. At first she told me that I was only supposed to save her and Gabrielle, so I'm not sure why she brought me to you. I know this maybe all confusing believe me it's confusing to me to. But what I am trying to say is are you up for an adventure to find your mother?" I asked smiling.
The boy's eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. "All I've ever wanted was to travel with mother" he said quick with excitement.
"Then it looks like you and me are going to be traveling companions kid" I grinned happily.
"This is going to be great, let's go" he said. He grabbed my hand wanting to get a running start.
"Whoa slow down there tiger, where going to need to prepare ourselves for the journey first. We could probably use a horse, and well need money and food" I said.
The boy grinned. "Not a problem I recognize this land where not far from my home" he said.
I nodded and followed behind the kid as he led the way home. "This is going to be great I can't wait see my uncle again!" he cheered.
The reunion to say the least was emotional; it was weird seeing a half man half horse crying as he held Solan in a long embrace. I couldn't help but smile at the scene. After a while the centaur released the boy and finally looked up at me.
"Solan this is the friend that brought you back to me?" he asked.
"This is Faith uncle. The angel told me that she would help me find my mother" he explained.
The centaur frowned. "Then you are leaving again? I just got you back Solan"
"I know uncle but my mother and her friend Gabrielle are endanger and we have to warn them" the child pleaded.
"I don't like it Solan, Xena and Gabriella are capable of handling anything that comes after them. This strange woman might harm you, what if it is a trick so that she can have you alone for herself. She might use you against Xena and her friend" argued Kaleipus.
Now I was becoming angry, I have heard that centaurs were honorable and proud creatures but his attitude towards me was really ticking me off. I just brought back his dead nephew for gods sake! I folded my arms giving the creature an annoyed glared.
"Uncle! Faith would never try to hurt me" Solan argued back.
"How can you be so certain Solan. You've only just met her, she could be tricking you. You are too trusting sometimes"
"Look I would never hurt Solan ok Kaleipus" I said sternly. How could hurt the boy, he's too cute. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.
"How do you know my name?" he asked.
"Simple I'm from the future. I know all about Xena's past because I'm her descendent. I had some kind of weird vision of Xena telling me that I am the only one that can save her and Gabrielle from death. I don't really get why I was brought to Solan but I really think it's because the Xena from my vision wanted me to help the boy reunite with his mother. It may even be a way to save them I just don't know for sure. But I can tell you this Kaleipus I would never hurt Solan" I said in a serious Xena like tone.
For a moment Kaleipus was staring into my eyes to see if I was speaking the truth. After what felt like eternity he turned to look at Solan.
"What will you need for your journey Solan?" he asked.
"Oh thank you uncle!" he jumped into his arms again.
When he put the boy down he walked up to me. "You will protect Solan won't you?" he asked.
I nodded. "With my life" I said.
He held out his hand and I took it as a sign of peace between the two of us. "If you truly are the descendent of Xena I'm sure even the gods will have to watch their backs" he grinned playfully.
I chuckled. "If they are to lay a hand Solan than yes they will. If Xena isn't afraid to challenge a god than I won't be either should the time come"
We released our hands and he asked once again what I would need for our journey, I glanced at Solan and nodded so that he could explain.
"We'll need a horse uncle, as well as money and food" Solan explained.
"A weapon or two might be nice as well" I added.
"A sword you mean?" Kaleipus asked.
I shook my head. "No I don't kill, I'd like a long wooden staff maybe" I explained. "Back home I use to practice with a wooden sword"
"All right will give you everything you need for your journey. Would you like to stay the night tonight?" he asked.
"No it's best we get going as soon as we can. Who knows how far ahead Xena and Gabrielle are now. It's still early and will be able to get a lot of traveling done. We can check out the next few villages to see if there are any rumors of Xena and where she might be" I said. "And Kaleipus I can't promise you that Solan will come back to stay for good once this is all over. He might want to continue traveling with his mother after the threat has passed. But I can promise you that he will come back to let you know in person what he wishes to do" I said. He nodded and with both shook hands one last time.
After we had gotten the things we needed and said our goodbyes, Solan and I were ready. Of course I allowed Solan to take control of the horse because I was never really good at horseback riding. I held onto his small waist and we headed off.
TBC
