Unholy Matrimony IV: Ghost
Xena capped off her final day of training for the Pankration by running a full ten kilometers. Strength, she knew was key to the fight, but endurance was of equal importance. As she ran back through the city gates, she discovered that Ares and Gunnr had arrived in Elis during her absence. The city was all abustle. Young ladies gossiped about the Nordic beauty and the handsome war god. Young lads boasted about how they were going to impress Ares so much that the god would beg them to serve in his famed army. Matrons hurried to buy all the foodstuffs they would need to prepare for the games' opening feast. Xena was able to get a little shopping in herself before the market stalls closed for the evening.
Gabrielle was shocked at the basket full of baked goods that Xena plopped onto the bed when she walked into the room they were sharing at the inn.
"You went shopping?" The bard's mouth was agape.
"Yep, the Pankration matches can be very long and drawn out fights, I need to make sure I have enough energy to stay in the fight," Xena gestured to the loaves of bread.
"Xena that's enough to feed a small army." Gabrielle salivated at the smell of the warm barley cakes.
"Trust me, it's not. Besides, you're sharing, aren't you?"
"If I eat that much bread, I won't ever fit into my skirt again.
"Sure you will, we might have to loosen the laces, that's all," Xena chuckled.
"I suppose you don't have to worry about fitting into your dress, since you are fighting in the nude tomorrow."
Xena shrugged. She wasn't sure why that point was such a big deal for Gabrielle. All Greek games were held in the nude. Her friend could be such a prude sometimes. "It's standard. All the other fighters will also be naked, Gabrielle."
"About that, Xena. Do you really think this is a good idea? I mean, have you seen some of the behemoths that have signed up for this thing?"
"Gabrielle, have you ever known me to run from a fight?"
"No," Gabrielle tore a chunk off a loaf of bread. "But I've never seen you run to one so pointless as this either."
"The Elians. . ."
"Oh, save it! Yes, the magistrate asked you to represent them in the games, but you could have said no. I think you want to fight. I think you want to fight for him."
"Don't be ridiculous, Gabrielle. Why would I want to do that? Why would I want to risk life and limb to fight in honor of a god that I despise?"
"Despise? Bah!" Gabrielle couldn't believe Xena was trying to backtrack now.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You hardly despise him. And, I don't think you are fighting to honor him. I think you are fighting to prove something to him."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." Gabrielle poured a glass of water and waited to see if Xena would open up a little like she had at the riverbank, maybe elaborate on her deeper feelings for Ares.
"That's right it's nothing," Xena ripped apart a loaf of bread, ending the conversation, and leaving Gabrielle disappointed.
XAXAXAXAXAXAXAXAXAXA
Xena should have been exhausted to the point of sleep from her rigorous exercise routine, but she was restless. She'd laid down shortly after eating only to find herself tossing and turning. The scratching of Gabrielle's quill point against parchment only added to her sleeplessness.
"Where are you going?" Gabrielle asked as Xena started pulling her leather dress over her shift and tying up her hair.
"Out." Xena pulled a boot on.
"Well, that's vague." Gabrielle quipped.
"I'm not sure, I just need some fresh air. Just for a short walk. I'll be right back, promise."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Gabrielle put her quill down.
"No, no, don't. You don't get a lot of time to write when we are on the road. I want you to enjoy it. Don't fuss over me. I'm fine, just need to stretch my legs." Xena grabbed her breast dagger and put it carefully in place.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive." Xena smiled and slipped on her other boot.
The moon sat full and fat on the horizon. The city was quiet, most people had gone to bed early in anticipation of the opening of the games the next day. A gentle breeze brought cool air from the Ionian Sea to the west, Xena could almost smell the salt. Before she knew it, she found herself standing in the city center looking up at the marble statue of Ares. Offerings had been piled all around the base of the idol. Heroes hoping to curry favor with the god at the Elian Games had brought various tokens which they hoped would please the god. It surprised Xena that she felt the urge to add an offering to the cluster of gifts. She hadn't brought anything with her and the vendors had all closed up shop for the night. She considered running back to the inn and grabbing some of the apricots but what would Ares want with apricots? No, the only thing that she had that he had ever wanted was her, herself, her body, her allegiance. And she wasn't too sure he even wanted those things anymore. Xena reached between her breasts and pulled out the dagger that she had concealed there. The warrior took a strand of her black hair and sliced the blade across it, severing it from the rest of her locks. She took the hair band from her pony and tied the cut locks together. Placing a tender kiss on the gift, she sat it at the base of the god's likeness.
On her walk back to the inn, Xena strolled past the villa where Ares and Gunnr were staying during their visit to Elis. It was the largest estate in the city, ornate for Elian standards with massive Corinthian columns. Xena could still see candles burning in the upstairs bedrooms. She knew if she concentrated hard enough that she would be able to tell exactly in which room he was staying but she refused to allow herself such an indulgence.
Xena continued on down the street but stepped behind cart that was parked along the avenue when she saw the balcony doors open. She peeked over the rim of the wooden cart and saw Gunnr basking in the Mediterranean moonlight. Her flawless Nordic skin looked like pure milk, her hair as golden as one of Odin's apples. The goddess was absolutely stunning. Xena was too far away to see the color of her eyes but she remembered them from years before and knew that they were translucent sapphires. Gunnr hadn't aged a day since the last time Xena had seen her. She was frozen in Scandinavian perfection. Xena looked at the backs of her own hands, time was starting show. Her formerly smooth skin was beginning to give way to the cracked fine lines of middle age. She knew that her hair too was growing more coarse with every washing. Her laugh lines now lingered long after the laughter had evaporated into the air. She always feared the day would come, the day Ares would look at her and see an old lady. He would pity her. And, Xena could take anything but his pity.
Gunner removed the wrap that she'd been wearing over her shoulders. The humid Mediterranean climate was obviously more than she could bear. She pulled a fan from her belt, unfolded it and started gracefully waving it back and forth. A curtain behind her moved and Xena worried that Ares was going to join his bride on the balcony. But, it was only a servant girl. She carried a tray with a silver pitcher and single goblet. She poured her mistress a drink then waited to be excused before scampering back inside. Gunnr took a couple of sips of the drink then leaned over the railing. After a few minutes, she walked back into her room. Within seconds, the room went dark which reminded Xena that she needed to get some sleep herself, tomorrow was a big day. Xena started to resume her trek back to the inn but a silhouette from the room next to Gunnr's caught her attention. It was a form she knew intimately. The unmistakable beauty that was the god of war. She could see his close-cropped hair, his strong, bare torso. It looked as if he sported only linen trousers. Then, as if Zephryus had answered her prayers, the west wind blew his curtain back, revealing the god in all of his splendor. Xena tried to look away but her eyes were transfixed. Then to her delight or horror, she wasn't sure, she watched as the same servant girl who had brought Gunnr the water pitcher approached Ares and then feel on her knees before him. When the girl took the god into her mouth, he threw his head back and fisted his hand in her hair. So, Ares was already tired of his marital bed? The thought gave Xena brief comfort but she couldn't watch the girl suck him any longer. She bolted down the boulevard.
AXAXAXAXAXAXAXAX
As the servant worked her mouth over his member, Ares had the strangest feeling that Xena was nearby. He looked down at the black-haired maid. She was younger than Xena and her pitch-black eyes lacked the fire of his love but he projected Xena's face on her nonetheless.
"Ahhhhh," he cried as he erupted in her throat.
Duty completed, the girl quietly left the god to his solitude. The door shut with barely a click as she tip-toed out of the room.
Ares walked out onto his balcony. He could almost smell Xena, hyacinth and leather. His mind was running away with him. He missed her. But he had to keep away from her. If his play for Olympus was going to work, he had to keep his distance. Besides, Xena made it abundantly clear that she didn't want anything to do with him. Maybe she was right. Maybe the time for them had come and gone. Xena would never agree to be his goddess. He was just going to have to be content with being King of the Gods. It wasn't everything, but it was something.
Ares looked out over Elis. It was a nice city-state. Well organized, a town on the rise. He was honored to be their patron god. The only thing they lacked was a decent army, but Ares planned on fixing that. He was determined that each of his poleis would be represented in his army. He fully expected Elis to put together a regiment. The games should help ferret out those who would make the best soldiers. The games had been a remarkable idea. Ares had already decided that the winner of the Pankration would be named the leader of his Elian regiment. He was going to announce the prize in his opening speech.
As he considered the future of his army, he felt compelled to visit his statue in the city center. He'd never been one to appreciate statuary but there was something deeply satisfying in seeing his image in places that his father had once lorded over. It brought him immense pleasure knowing that Zeus was somewhere with his toga in a bunch!
Ares snickered at the trivial offerings that the mortals had placed around the base of the statue. But then that scent came back, invading his nostrils. hyacinth and leather. He scanned the tributes until his eyes lit upon a lock of black hair entwined with a leather band. He picked the gift up and lifted it to his nose. He breathed her in and the image of her cutting the lock filled his mind. Xena had been here and she'd left him an offering? What was she playing at? He was tempted to search her soul signature out and go to her, but he couldn't risk it. Xena always managed to dismantle all his best laid plans. No, she was off limits. A ghost. A dream. A memory.