Chapter 2

Xena sat in front of the mirror putting on gold earrings and a necklace to match. Throughout her entire life she had not been a glutton for jewelry but in this land it was seen strange if she did not at least appear to be royalty. She sighed and put her hair in a long ponytail and slicked back her bangs with golden headband. She noticed the Egyptians really enjoyed fine white linen but she was not going to adopt everything here. She wore her traditional black short sleeve dress with a mesh shawl wrapped around her shoulders. After examining herself in the mirror for the millionth time she exited her room to find Gabrielle.

One of the servant girls came running towards her and she knelt down holding up a scroll. Xena smiled and gently lifted the girl up. Xena ripped off the ribbon on the scroll and unrolled the parchment. "Ugh Latin," she grumbled. She brushed passed the servant girl to find Gabrielle.

After awhile of searching the long deserted halls she finally found Gabrielle in one of their large meeting rooms. Gabrielle smiled weakly at her and continued organizing scrolls on shelves in alphabetical order. Xena stepped in and folded her arms, a bit embarrassed to ask Gabrielle to read this for her. She had just given up on that language of the Romans many years ago.

Gabrielle turned around and saw Xena still standing at the entrance with a scroll in her arms. "Do you need to me to read something?" she teased.

Xena marched forward and handed the scroll to her friend. The blonde smirked and took it from her. "Oh," Gabrielle's eyes twinkled, "your favorite language!" Xena rolled her eyes and sat down in a chair resting her chin on her palm waiting for Gabrielle to decipher the text. "It's from Solan and Allat!" she beamed and this caught Xena's attention and a warm smile appeared on her lips. Gabrielle sat down next to her and then Xena saw a distinct frown form on her friend's lips.

"What does it say?" Xena scooted to the edge of her seat and Gabrielle rolled up the scroll rubbing her chin. "Gabrielle, you can tell me. Gods knows that I have seen horrible things in my life," she joked. Gabrielle looked in her eyes and Xena frowned standing up.

"They lost the territories to the Roman Empire..." Gabrielle sadly admitted. Xena buried her face in her hands then she left the room in a hurry. Gabrielle blinked and then ran after her. "Where are you going?"

Xena stormed down the hall as Gabrielle ran after her. "I'm going to write a letter to the Roman Emperor," she smiled tightly. Gabrielle crinkled her nose and pulled Xena's arm.

"But you don't write," Gabrielle stared at her with a confused face. Xena snatched her arm away from her and she frowned. "Let me write it!" she called out and Xena halted turning her head over her shoulder. "You don't exactly have a good reputation for writing in Latin," she half smiled. Xena nodded and Gabrielle followed her into her bedroom.


Hours later Gabrielle had gone through four parchments trying to write exactly what Xena wanted written down but she was being so indecisive which was very unlike her. She could tell by her constant pacing that she was not acting like herself. Gabrielle threw the quill down and Xena stopped pacing.

"What are you doing? I'm not finished yet –"

Gabrielle stood up and slammed her fist on the table, "we've been in here for hours and we haven't written a single proper letter!" she groaned and Xena blinked, a bit shocked at her friend's frustration. Gabrielle sat back down and dipped the quill into the ink and grabbed a fresh parchment. "I'm going to write this and when I'm finished I'll read it to you."

Xena shook her head, "but Gabrielle I..."

"No Xena! Just go sit down and wait until I'm done. You're starting to irritate me," Gabrielle huffed and began writing. Xena did as she said and sat down in a chair as she watched her intensely as she jotted some words down.

Gabrielle's eyes peered up and saw Xena's intense stare and suddenly she couldn't focus with that look in her eyes. "On second thought why don't I just leave your room and continue this down the hall...you can wait here," she smiled and exited the room leaving Xena alone. As soon as Gabrielle walked down the hall she was glad to be out of that room. Xena's pent up energy was clouding her mind and preventing her from thinking. She had observed Xena's odd behavior for quite some time now but had not asked her about it. She thought maybe that it was because she wasn't in Athens anymore and in a strange land. Her palace in Athens was now turned into a school and run by teachers.

Xena told Gabrielle that she no longer wanted to live in Greece as it only brought her problems but Gabrielle didn't think that's why Xena wanted to leave. She was either up to something or something was bothering her, she couldn't tell. They had been in Egypt for over a year now and it wasn't that much different than Greece except it was very hot, extraordinarily hot. The people of Egypt did not seem the least bit fazed by Xena becoming the leader of Egypt. She figured that these people have had many leaders throughout their lives and the last one Cleopatra, wasn't a great one. Though, Xena had yet to touch on changing the laws of Cleopatra's dynasty since she moved here. After Cleopatra died Xena had control of some territories but Octavius was able to weasel his way into the Egyptian kingdom and have guards posted there. Xena drove them out very quickly as she wanted to make sure that Egypt was ruled by a woman, not by a man.

Octavius had shown his gratitude by sending Xena many bribes to convince her to give Egypt to him, though none of them worked. Xena turned his gifts and bribes away. She was more disgusted that he would stoop so low to bribe her. She figured that the Emperor was growing tired of her and wanted to wipe her out.

Xena tapped her fingers on the armrests of the chair as she waited in her bedroom while Gabrielle wrote the letter. She grew tired of waiting and grabbed her sword to practice while she waited. She did not like to waste time and sitting there wasn't going to make Gabrielle write any faster.

She swung the sword to her side and stood in a defense mode. She circled around herself and then heard something. She swiftly turned around and thrust the sword forward into the intruder's chest. Ares looked down at the sword in his chest and Xena smiled.

He took a step backwards and the sword slid out of his torso. She twirled the blade in her wrist with a sly smile. "What are you doing here, Ares? Haven't you had enough of me?" she teased and set her sword on the bed.

The War God thought about it and said, "no I haven't. I've been watching you Xena for many years."

"What a surprise," she rolled her eyes. She held out her palms and smiled endearingly, "come on, tell me what you've come for."

Ares folded his arms, "you haven't changed at all. You like to get right to the meat, that's what I like about you!" he chuckled and sat on her bed comfortably. She raised an eyebrow at him and her lip quivered at his relaxed state. She swatted him off her bed and he got up holding his hand up in his defense. "Alright, alright!" he sighed and she folded her arms staring at him.

"I'm not getting any younger, Ares. Tell me what you've come for and then I'll tell you' no' then send you on your merry way. Sound familiar enough?" she smiled and Ares pursed his lips at her. He was too predictable, he gathered.

"speaking of youth," he pulled out the blue bottle from his vest and Xena eyed it cautiously. "I have a proposition for you."

Xena scoffed, "we both know your propositions don't end up as you've planned. Do you think I am still the little girl you once found all those years ago? Get out of my palace," she shooed him away and he remained standing there. She went to the mirror and fixed her eyeliner on her eyes. Ares appeared behind her and she frowned. "I thought I told you to get lost?"

"Hear me out then I'll leave," he smiled and she turned to face him with a knowing disbelieving look. "Promise," he snickered. She sighed and folded her arms waiting for him to explain himself. He held the blue vial in front of her eyes and she eyed it as he swayed it back and forth. Her eyes followed the vial and she creased her brows.

"this little bottle of magic is just for you. It can make you younger with just a few drops," he teased her and she eyed the bottle then stared into his dark eyes.

"Do I look like someone who is a glutton for vanity?" she raised an eyebrow and the War God grabbed her turning her around to see her reflection in the mirror. He touched her high cheekbone with the backside of his hand and she snatched her face away.

"If you use this...you can become almost immortal. Look at your face, Xena," he placed his hands on her shoulders as she stared at herself. "You were not the same as you were thirty years ago," he whispered in her ear.

Xena blinked, getting caught off guard by his seductive voice. "Everyone gets old, Ares. I am not excluded from this cycle of life," she stepped away from the mirror and went to the balcony overlooking Cairo.

Ares came up beside her and sighed watching the busy city go on about their daily routine. He saw the Mediterranean Sea not far from here and smiled. "You once used your looks to get what you wanted Xena and now...you can't do that," he slyly smiled as he saw her face change from stoic to solemn in a few moments. He snapped his fingers and the blue vial appeared in his palm. "Just keep it. Think of it as...a gift...from me," he grinned. He put the bottle in her palm and folded her fingers over it. she stared up at him with a blank face.

"I always knew you were destined for greatness Xena," he winked and disappeared in a flash. Xena let out a large sigh then stared at the small vial in her palm. The temptation was obvious and she felt herself wanting to open the bottle and see what it was capable of doing. She uncorked the bottle and peered inside. The liquid was quite thick and a strange color, but it did smell nice, very nice.

"Alright, I think you're going to like this," Gabrielle came into the bedroom and Xena quickly corked the bottle and slipped it down her dress. Gabrielle looked at Xena as she stood on the balcony. "What are you doing over there?"

Xena smiled and came forward close to her friend. She touched her hand and looked into her green eyes. "Just admiring the city. Let me see what you have," she sat down in a chair and Gabrielle frowned then unrolled the scroll to read what she had written.


Eve drew her sword and pointed it at the mysterious woman inside of her tent. Eris grinned and stood up at least two feet taller than the princess. Her mouth gaped at the woman's height and the goddess didn't realize that she seemed more menacing. She snapped her fingers and shrunk down to mortal size, about Eve's height.

"Better?" Eris grinned and Eve backed away slowly.

"Olympian gods are obviously trying to distract me," Eve snarled and sheathed her sword as she knew this would not be any use against a goddess.

Eris walked around Eve and touched her dark hair. "You know your gods." She gathered and smiled wickedly, "but do you know who I am?" she pointed to herself and Eve shook her head 'no'. "I should really build some more temples in Greece!" she huffed. The dark haired goddess casually sat down on the floor and Eve didn't want to come close to her. "No matter, I'll just introduce myself. My name is –"

"I don't care what your name is. I don't want anything to do with the Olympians," Eve interjected. Eris blinked, a bit surprised at the young woman's behavior.

The goddess twirled her hair around her finger and chuckled. "Wow, you really are like your mother." Eve's eyes widened. The goddess grinned, "your mother's name has made its rounds around Olympus for many years, princess. Don't act so surprised." Eris stood up rolling her eyes. "Xena this, Xena that. I'm pretty sure if not for Ares, she'd be wiped out by now!" she threw her hands in the air at her own frustration.

Eve knew who Ares was, though she had never seen him before. Her mother told her never to talk to Ares or any other Olympian gods for that matter. The dark haired goddess circled around her and Eve closed her eyes, feeling the woman's long fingernails graze her skin. "So, Xena has you wandering around these strange lands all by yourself?" she hissed. Eve refused to answer and looked up at the ceiling trying not to give into this goddess' words.

"I heard you sent out a few men after those riders. Dumb move, if I do say so myself."

Eve frowned, "it's not dumb! I want to see where they are heading."

Eris tisked and wagged her finger in the princess's face. "So you defy your mother's orders to see who those riders are?" she shook her head disappointingly. "You seem like a good girl but you have a rebellious heart," she traced Eve's heart with her fingernails and Eve winced as she felt the heat radiating off the goddess' fingers. She backed away slapping Eris' hand out of the way. The goddess frowned as she didn't like being the one out of control. She grabbed Eve by her throat and lifted her in the air with ease. "Don't do that again. Ares may be more forgiving towards your mother, but I won't be!" her gold eyes glowed and Eve coughed as she threw her down on the ground.

"About those riders," Eris waltzed over to a pile of pillows and sat down making herself comfortable. Eve coughed and rubbed her throat, still feeling the burning of the woman's hands wrapped around her neck. "I think you'll be very disappointed once you find out who they are or maybe..."

Eve stood at a fair distance from the goddess, "or maybe what?" she snarled.

Eris smirked, "never mind. Anyway, I didn't come down here to torture you, though it was fun even if it was just for a moment." Eve opened her mouth to speak and Eris waved her hand, rendering Eve mute. "No talking," she wagged her finger.

Eve touched her lips and she opened her mouth but not a sound came from her lips. Eris chuckled at the young princess. She was far too easy to manipulate. If Xena were here, she would have already done something irrational. Eris was thankful that Eve was not as skilled as her mother. "I'll let you talk again if you promise to do something for me and stay quiet about it, got it?" she narrowed her eyes. Eve shook her head folding her arms.

Eris sighed heavily and tapped her fingers on her hip as she laid down comfortably. "Fine. I hope you know some sign language." She grinned and disappeared. Eve's eyes widened and she tried to scream but couldn't. she touched her throat and felt nothing. This is just great! She picked up a vase and threw it on the ground to express her anger.

A soldier ran into her tent and saw the broken vase on the ground smashed into pieces. "Are you alright, princess?"

Eve frowned and pushed him out of the way exiting the tent. He rubbed his head in confusion but followed behind her. She mounted her horse and wrapped the veil around her face. The men stood up from the campfire and stared at her waiting for her command. She opened her mouth and soon forgot that she had no voice. She waved her hand forward and gestured them to follow her. All the men stared at one another thinking it odd that she didn't speak but they mounted their horses and followed her as they head north of the outskirts of Qin.


Gabrielle finished reading the scroll and waited on Xena's response. She saw that her eyes were fixated on something or something in her mind. She rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers in front of Xena. "Did you even hear anything I said?" she pouted.

Xena shook her head and adjusted in the seat. "Of course I did, Gabrielle," she waved her hand dismissively.

The blonde didn't believe her. She folded her arms doubting her friend. "Okay then tell me what the last line said." She pressured her and Xena smiled weakly. "Xena! I worked really hard on this and you didn't even listen to me!"

Xena groaned and stood up, "alright, alright. I'm sorry, for Zeus sake Gabrielle, you're giving me a headache."

"The only person who's giving you a headache is yourself!" Gabrielle threw down the parchment on Xena's bed and the empress turned with shocked eyes. "Don't look at me like that! You've been acting strange ever since we came here and now..." she sighed as she realized yelling was not getting through to Xena and she was being ignored. "Something is wrong with you and I don't know what it is."

Xena's eyes lowered and she folded her arms. She had kept that vision locked away inside of her for many years and Ares always wants to come in with his stupid propositions and mix her emotions up all over again. She didn't want to tell Gabrielle and she wouldn't –she couldn't. She thought it'd be best if she stayed quiet and not speak of it. maybe if she didn't speak of it then it wouldn't come true.

"I'll read the scroll before I go to bed," Xena remained facing forward with her back turned on Gabrielle.

Gabrielle cocked her head to the side, "but you can barely read Latin..." she thought this was obvious to Xena and since she remained silent in her response she figured that she was just using her sly words because she wanted to be left alone. "Don't be push me away Xena." She walked towards the exit and saw Xena still standing there by the balcony. "If you need to talk to me, you know where to find me."

Xena nodded her head slowly, "yes I know," she responded in a low voice and heard Gabrielle's footsteps leave her room. She turned around and saw she was alone. She was around Gabrielle and many people constantly but she felt alone, more than ever. She took out the vial hidden inside her dress and stared at it, frowning. She set it on her bedside table and sat on the bed looking at it, as if waiting for an attack.

She grabbed the bottle and uncorked it wafting the scent close to her nose. The smell was almost intoxicating. Though she was never one for gloating over her looks, Ares did have a point. She often used her charm and sexuality to get what she wanted for half of her life and now that she couldn't, she had to rely on her other skills more than others to get what she wanted. It wasn't working at all for the last five years especially since Octavius was expanding his empire very quickly and efficiently.

Xena put the bottle close to her nose letting the scent engulf her nostrils. The temptation was almost something unworldly. She felt as if the bottle was speaking to her. She was more than tempted to pour a drop onto her skin but she resisted. She corked the bottle and put it in a drawer in her table and laid down staring at the table for several minutes.

Gabrielle leaned on the wall as she watched Xena seal the tiny bottle and put it back in her drawer. She frowned knowing something was definitely up with her. She crept into the room and scrawled on the bed sitting close to her. Xena felt a body come close to her and she knew it was Gabrielle.

"What's in that bottle?" the blonde asked. Xena sat up and turned to look at her friend with a half smile.

"Something that plays with life," Xena said cryptically. Gabrielle didn't understand so she continued, "Ares came by with another one of his propositions. He didn't give me a chance to reject him."

Gabrielle's eyes widened, "Ares came to you? I haven't seen him in years!" she saw the distress in her friend's eyes and rested her palm on her knee. "Xena, we both know Ares is trouble. Nothing good comes from him." Xena nodded in agreement. "So...what does the...what does the bottle have in it?"

Xena pulled out the vial and examined it. "I don't know. He said something about youth and that it can make you younger. I don't really know."

"The elixir of youth. It belongs to one of the Muses on Mount Parnassus," Gabrielle said and Xena blinked. "I read about it when I was a little girl. "I thought it wasn't real, but I guess anything is possible." Gabrielle eyed the bottle and took it from Xena placing it back in the drawer. "Xena, that stuff could be dangerous. There could be effects..."

Xena smiled, "I wasn't going to use it Gabrielle. Just going to keep it for insurance."

Gabrielle grinned, liking to hear some of the old Xena once again. "Glad to hear you being yourself again." She kissed Xena's hand and Xena grinned in response. "Have you heard from Eve?"

The empress shook her head with a sad frown. "Not for a few weeks. I know she wants to do things by herself but I still worry about her."

"Me too but she's a strong young woman now. She's not a little girl, though she could definitely handle a few men even as a little girl," she chuckled. Xena shared a laugh with her friend. "Hopefully she comes back with good news."

"Yes, hopefully."