I'm sorry about the abrupt change in format. I just realized I like it better this way.
Gabrielle jerked out of bed hearing Aphrodite's words. Throwing on her clothes, she asked the goddess of love, "What's happening?"
"The two pharaohs have formed armies, and engaged in all-out war." She replied, watching the bard arm her Sais.
"All right, while I find the pharaohs, wake up Virgil and have him meet up with me later, we need to have a talk with these pharaohs."
The two left the room, separate goals in mind.
Maybe there is a way to resolve this without bloodshed, the bard thought.
Absentmindedly, Gabrielle's hand fell to the chakram. Taking it off the hook, she raised the round killing thing to her face.
Trust, the Amazon thought, closing her eyes. With a flick of her wrist, that familiar whizzing filled Gabrielle's ears as the chakram took it's course. Boulder, wall, and then amazingly, back to her hand.
Trust, Gabrielle remarked, placing Xena's dangerous weapon back on the hook.
"The right of pharaoh is mine! My whole family was pharaohs." A yell came from up ahead, followed by the clash of metal against metal.
What now? Gabrielle thought irritably, running to resolve the problem, sais in hand.
Just in case…
"What is the problem here?" Gabrielle yelled at the two armies.
Noticing the appearance of the beautiful woman, the warriors ceased the fighting and just starred in awe at the traveler.
Taking advantage of the current situation, the pharaoh who had called out earlier stepped forward.
"Look at you. Even though you hold weapons in your hands, and despite your anger, you shine with radiance and beauty."
Not quite sure how to respond to this, Gabrielle stammered, "Thank you… I-I'm Gabrielle, Battling Bard of Potedia.
The pharaoh clasped the arm Gabrielle offered. A twinkle in his eye appeared as he said, "Atokamen, future pharaoh of Egypt."
"Now you see, that's a problem." She fixed him with a new Xena-like stare she had been practicing. "We need to talk."
Gabrielle grabbed Atokamen's arm and lead him to a private tent nearby where they could chat.
"I've got a proposition for you." Gabrielle remarked as they entered the pharaoh's place.
"Just what would that be?" Atokamen asked politely.
A wicked smile passed Gabrielle's lips. "Atokamen, you and the pharaoh both have strong forces. If you combine armies, and you both rule the land of Egypt, nothing could stand in your way." Atokamen looked doubtful. Wringing his hands, the pharaoh began to pace the room, thinking intensely. "I don't know…"
Gabrielle could just see the battle raging in Atokamen's mind as his pacing increased. Finally, "I'll run the idea by the other pharaoh." Atokamen stopped in the middle of the room, his mind made up.
"Great!" Gabrielle replied back as she left the tent, waving her hand in the air at Atokamen.
Outside, A sensation ran down the bard's spine as she felt Xena's spirit placed her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "I have to explain something to you, Gabrielle."
The bard nodded as Xena led her to a private area.
Let's hope she takes this well… Xena thought worryingly.
"What is it you want to tell me Xena?" Gabrielle asked calmly.
The warrior shifted her feet uncomfortably as she started to explain, "When I heard you
Retell our adventures in Japa to Virgil and Eve, I realized something. You see, Akemi is the one responsible for the death of those 40,000 souls."
Tears formed in Gabrielle's eyes. Holding her hand up to silence Xena, she did her best to contain the mixed emotions inside her. "Wait a minute. How is Akemi responsible? What does this mean?"
A twinkle kindled in Xena's eyes when she continued, "Remember when Akemi met and we traveled together?"
The bard felt a lump form in her throat that had since became familiar since Xena's death. "I remember. She asked you to teach her and the pinch, and you agreed. Then, she used the pinch to…"
"…kill her father, yes. The only problem with this is she killed herself and asked me to take her ashes."
Realization hit Gabrielle like one of Zeus' thunderbolts when Xena finished her statement. "Akemi knew the villagers would be angry because she killed her father! She knew they would attack you when you brought her ashes. Akemi had planned this from the beginning!"
That evil conniving bitch…Gabrielle thought with resentment, If she wasn't already dead, I would kill her.
Xena placed her hand on Gabrielle's cheek. "There's more. Because she is responsible for the souls, Akemi has to take her rightful place." Strong fingers ran through sun-bleached blonde hair. "Do you understand?"
The tears that had been threatening to fall finally streamed down Gabrielle's face like two rivers. Rivers of joy, Xena realized with happiness.
"So, how do we get you back?" Gabrielle asked with newfound determination.
"First, we have to travel to the underworld, and then get Akemi to admit everything. I can only come back if she confesses." Xena kissed Gabrielle on the head before saying, "I have to go Gabrielle."
Embracing each other in a hug only soulmates could give, Gabrielle whispered, "I won't let you leave me again." Breaking apart, Gabrielle and Xena stared into each other's eyes until the red sun set, and the bard's lover dissappered.
It was nighttime, and Eve, Virgil, Aphrodite, and Gabrielle were in the pharaoh Atokamen's guest bedroom after a long dinner. Eve was praying to the God Eli, Virgil draining his cup of ale leftover from the feast, Aphrodite lounging casually on the bed, watching Gabrielle pace around the room, swinging her sais impatiently in the process.
Apparently, Gabrielle was waiting for something. "Why is it taking him so long? Atokamen said he would be right back with a reply from the other pharaoh."
Aphrodite was worried about her favorite bard. "Gabrielle, are you alright? You seem antsy."
The irritation was obvious in the bard's reply. "Do I?" In truth, Gabrielle just wanted to leave Egypt and start on her new quest: Getting Xena back into her arms, flesh, blood and all.
Gabrielle ran to the door as soon as she heard the familiar knock. "Finally…" Virgil heard her mutter as the bard turned the handle.
"Hi Atokamen." Gabrielle greeted the pharaoh with a wide smile. "Any news?"
Atokamen extended his hand, in which it contained a small scroll.
"The pharaoh extends his thanks." He said politely, before turning and walking away.
Everyone watched for the answer as Gabrielle unrolled the scroll and began to read.
"Well…?" Aphrodite asked impatiently when the bard finally rolled up the scroll and placed it on a nearby table.
"He says Atokamen and himself would be proud to join forces and rule Egypt together." Unable to hold back a smile, Gabrielle thought, In a couple of days I can go and find that bitch Akemi and make her pay for what she made me lose…and return what I deserve…what Xena deserves.
Gabrielle took a quick bath, then she put her night clothes on and slipped into the soft bed. Immediately, dreams overtook the bard.
This is my soulmate…Xena introduced Gabrielle to her former lover, She is a poet like you Akemi.
Clouds formed in Gabrielle's mind as the dreams changed.
A bard's lips met a fallen warrior's as water passed through them. Allowing the water to enter Xena's lips, Gabrielle gently moved her tongue inside the spirit's. Nudging her lip against Xena's, the bard broke the kiss and smiled when her soulmate opened her eyes, refreshed and ready for battle.
The bard smiled at these dreams while the goddess of love shook her awake.
"Gabrielle honey, you have to get up."
Realizing she was asleep, the bard reluctantly opened her eyes. Her hand quickly flew to her head as a sharp pain coursed through her whole body. Memories of the conservations between the bard and Xena flashed painfully in her mind.
Suddenly remembering what she had to do, Gabrielle rand outside to call Xena.
"I have to bring her back!"