Alright, drifting away from the teenagers in this chapter. On to the root of the problem :)

Another note: While I don't know the names of all the Hun wives, I made up their names but they are very much real. The only wife that has her real name in this series is Ernak's wife, Bakkah. And Prince Csaba did in fact kidnap the Banat Czarina in order to make the people of Banat submit to him and the empire.

Chapter 7

Xena laid out a large map that she took out from underneath the bed in their yurt. Gabrielle frowned and set down a tray of coffee and gazed at the map, cocking her head from side to side. Xena set down some paperweights on the corners of the large map that took up almost the entirety of the large rug.

"Um, where did you get that?" Gabrielle asked a little surprised that she had never seen that map before in her entire life living in Pannonia.

Xena blew off the dust and Gabrielle coughed. She sprawled her hands across the map with a big smile. "This is Attila's map of all the Hun tribes. There's Akitziri, Khazar, Suevi, Atlyn, Bulgur, Onogur and….Ashina," she frowned sadly, thinking of the khatun's loss. "There's the White Huns," she pointed to the Caucasus Mountains. "We've lost the Onogur and Ashina. This map is really outdated but it has everyone surrounding us. The Magyars and Scythia and don't forget about those bastard Gokturks."

Gabrielle sat down on the floor and gave her cohort a glass of steaming black coffee. Since they were leaving tomorrow to find Csaba and Farah, she guessed that Xena wanted to look at a map first. "If it's so outdated then why are you using it?"

"Because it's still somewhat accurate except Pannonia is a lot bigger now and we have Bulgurs and the remaining Onogurs living with us. The Persians no longer have their empire anymore." She snickered at that, wondering how the Shah brothers were fairing now in a barren wasteland.

In between the Persian Empire and Hun Empire there was a large stretch of land that was unmarked, which intrigued the governor. She tapped her finger on the location. "What tribe lives there?"

Xena waved her hand. "Nobody lives there. I'm sure Justinian has control over that territory now considering it's within his reach." She sipped the hot coffee and burned her tongue in the process. She gasped and bit her tongue, hissing lightly. Gabrielle smiled and kept her laughter inwardly as she gazed at the map. "Csaba and Farah couldn't have gone far. He knows the area but not as well as I do. He might have gone to Navaz's area."

"I don't think he would do that. If he took off with Farah then he probably doesn't want anybody to know where he is." She concluded.

"You're right. Good thinking, Gabrielle." She nodded and planted her finger on the Khazar region which belonged in the old Sassan Empire. "Maybe he is here? The Khazars don't know him by his face."

"Xena, why would he go to another Hun tribe to run away? That doesn't make any sense."

The commander sighed and rested her chin on her knuckles. "Well, I don't know where else he could have gone. Maybe we should ask Navaz if he's seen him and Farah."

Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "It's a start." She said and looked at the map again and there was the Banat province inside Transylvania. "How come you never mentioned Banat before? They seem like important people."

"They like to lay low. They've never caused trouble with us or with the Romans before. The Czar was said to give money to Theodosius as a bargaining tool so he wouldn't be attacked."

Interesting, she thought. "And what about Zeno? How come he never invaded Banat?"

"Who knows? That insane bastard never did anything that made sense. Anastasius was the only emperor that I liked." She frowned. "He would have made the Roman Empire great."

"Yes he would have but now we have no allies and we obviously can't trust Odoacer. He's a bad seed."

"He's more than that," mumbled Xena. She lifted her eyes and smiled faintly. "I hear horses leaving. General Basilius must be heading back to tell Odoacer the good news. Hopefully Anastasia and Ellac made the alliance sound convincing enough."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "I think you're the one who should be securing the borders. It's not that I don't trust Ernak and Dengi but you're…"

"I'm what?"

"Better at it than them."

Xena smiled proudly. "Why thank you, governor, you're too kind." She winked at the blonde. "You're not a bad governor, yourself. I'm impressed by your skills."

"You thought I was going to be bad at it?!" she asked, sounding a bit hurt.

"I didn't say that. I just said I'm impressed."

"Which is code for 'disbelief' and 'shock'." She crossed her arms, pouting silently.

Xena scoffed. "Come off it, Gabrielle. You're good. I don't give out compliments often. Take it or leave it."

"Wow I feel so honored," she sarcastically alleged.


After four days leaving Akitziri, Csaba and Farah rode far away from Hun territory. Farah grew tired of traveling for days on end as she wasn't used to traveling more than a day from place to place. Csaba was not fazed considering he traveled much longer distances than four days. His parents traveled weeks to reach certain destinations but he hadn't realized that Farah was not accustomed to this lifestyle. She definitely was a spoiled princess.

"I'm sorry for making you travel so much," he apologized and she lifts her head off his shoulder and smiles, tightening her grip around his waist.

"It's alright. I've never traveled more than two days," she said with a heavy sigh and he chuckled. "Where are we going exactly?" she looked around at the unfamiliar territory and there was nothing in sight for miles. They were in the middle of a desert of some sort.

Luckily, Gabrielle trained him well to read maps correctly and he memorized the entire map from Western Rome to Persia, although he'd never been to Persia himself, he knew the Shah brothers were lurking there. Those two probably were poor and suffering greatly in their wasteland outside of Persia in a small territory by now. He also realized that his parents and Navaz owned Persian land now and it was considered Hun territory. He didn't want to be anywhere Hunnic tribes anymore, including the Khazar, which he knew lived not far from where they were at the moment.

He frowns and looks ahead to see civilization ahead. Khazars, he gathers. "We're in old Persia right now. There's got to be a river around here somewhere," he mutters.

She yawns and rests her head against his back again, closing her eyes. She felt the horse jerk to the left and it jarred her awake. "Where are we going?" she saw people ahead but perhaps she was seeing things.

"We're going northeast around Khazar territory. We can stop in Kazakhstan for food. It's about two days ride from here."

She groans and he smiles sadly, knowing that she was growing impatient. He didn't want to talk to any Nezak Huns while in Kazakhstan either and he hoped that Malka wasn't there either because then he'd tell his parents of his whereabouts. He'd have to lay low, extremely low, and stay in the territory for a limited time.

"There are a lot of Hun tribes scattered across the Steppes," she takes notice.

"Yes, there definitely are, but we are riding far from them. We need to go further east into Asia."

"Asia?!" she spits out. "What are we going to do in Asia?"

"We'll see when we get there," he kissed her hand and kicked the horse and took off, riding through the barren Persian land.


Xena held a handful of soil in her palm and let it trickle in between her fingers. She stood up and surveyed the open snowy landscape that was just outside of Balaam. Four days of traveling and they were so close to Balaam but not close enough. She also couldn't find any more tracks led by Csaba's horse.

"I taught him how to cover tracks too well," she lamented, feeling defeated already. Kreka looked to Gabrielle worriedly. "The horse tracks stop here which means they continued on foot which seems unlikely because it's cold and they wouldn't get very far. He must have bought a different horse after walking for awhile."

Gabrielle trotted up alongside her and proposed, "Well if he came up north then maybe he continued traveling north?"

"He's not stupid. He knew that his mother would send someone out to look for him and he probably knew it was going to be me." She grunted and hopped back onto her horse.

"Perhaps we should continue to Balaam and ask for Navaz's help, Xena." Kreka said and Gabrielle agreed with a nod of her head. She saw that Xena didn't like that suggestion. "We aren't going to get anywhere wandering around White Hun territory. This area is too large and it's way too cold! We should ask for help."

"She's right, Xena. We tracked him this far but he obviously outsmarted us."

Xena growled. "Fine! We will ask Navaz for help!" she yanked the reins and trotted through the thick snowy terrain.


Arielle lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling while she threw a rubber ball at the chandelier for the last hour or so. Her little brother, Soran, jumped on her bed and smiled down at her. She frowned at him and caught the ball in midair. "What do you want?" she grumpily asked.

The brunette prince plopped down on the bed and crossed his legs. "You wanna play a game with me, Arielle?"

"No thanks."

"Please? Come on! You're not doin' anything!" he shook her arm and pouted.

She snarled and sat up, staring at her little brother. She never thought she'd be annoyed by a sibling of hers until now. Soran was only a few months older than Cera but he was far more annoying than she ever was. Arielle never realized it until she actually spent every waking moment with him since she was confined to the Adame.

"I'm busy." She lay back down and continued throwing the ball at the chandelier.

He huffed and folded his small arms. "No you're not!" he said and she lifted her eyebrow at him. "Ari-ell-eeee!" he shook her body vigorously and she groaned.

"Get out of my face, you little maggot!" she yelled and he gasped and fell silent. Soran climbed off the bed and ran out of her room. She sighed. "Soran, wait!" she ran out of her room and he ran down the hallway, probably going to tell his mother what she said. "Great…"

She heard the drums outside and quickly ran to her window. A big grin plastered across her face when she saw Gabrielle, her grandmother and Kreka Khatun riding through the gates. She turned around and ran to her door and bumped into her stepmother. Her mouth gaped and she stepped backward. Soran frowned, furrowing his eyebrows as he hid behind Fairuza's dress.

The queen folded her arms and glared at the princess. "Did you call your brother a maggot?"

Arielle smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called him that he was just annoying me so much!" she peered at her little brother. "Soran, I'm sorry," she quickly said and tried to bypass her stepmother but she blocked the way. "Hey! My grandma is outside! I want to see her!"

Fairuza smirked. "Do you? You're staying in your room."

"What! But that's not fair!"

"Oh well." The redhead queen shrugged her shoulders and Soran smiled, enjoying his elder sister's reprimanding. She walked out with Soran and closed the door. Arielle gasped and tried opening the door but it was locked.

"Fairuza!" she shouted and knocked on the door. "Let me out! I said I was sorry!"

Navaz rounded the corner and heard Arielle pounding on her door and looked at his wife curiously as they were about to cross paths. "What is going on?"

"She called me a maggot!" Soran protested and puffed out his little chest.

"Do you even know what a maggot is?" he asked his son.

"Yeah! It's a tiny worm!" he explained and Navaz sighed.

"So you locked her in her room?" he questioned his wife.

Fairuza's eyes turned to the princess' room and then frowned at her king. "Navaz, she has been very unruly since she got here! She doesn't listen to me and she broke one of the large vases in the foyer! You are not here to watch her all the time so I have to."

He shook his head and went to unlock his daughter's door. "Xena is here and wants to see her."

"But Navaz! You are undermining me. She should be punished for the things she has done!"

"Enough!" he hissed and she flinched and Soran clung to her dress. He opened the door and Arielle nearly fell onto the floor but he was able to catch her in time. She smiled up at her father and hugged him tightly.

She turned when her grandmother, Gabrielle and Kreka entered the hallway. She let go of her father and instantly ran to the three women and wrapped her arms as best as she could, around all three of them. "I'm so glad to see you guys!"

"Us too," Gabrielle said.

"Are you here to take me home? Please tell me you're here to take me home," she begged and grabbed her grandmother's fur coat.

Xena pinched her granddaughter's chin. "I'm afraid not, Arielle. We're here about something else. I hope you're being good for Fairuza."

"Uh…" the princess looked back at her fuming stepmother. "I could be better…"

Xena hit her gently in the arm and then she got another swat from Kreka Khatun as well. "My god!" Arielle rubbed her arm and scratched her burning thigh. "I'll be good, okay! Just don't hit me anymore…" she backed away slowly from the two authoritative figures.

Xena rolled her eyes and wagged her fingers, instructing Navaz to come closer. "We need your help. Csaba ran away with the Czarina of Banat. He came through your territory but must have traded a horse or something and went somewhere else."

He rubbed his beard. "What do you need from me?"

The petite blonde stepped forward. "We were hoping that you could lend us some scouts to help find them. His tracks went dry as soon as he came here. The snow is too thick in this region."

"Sure. I can send some scouts with you. I'd come help you but I have other matters to attend to."

"What kind of matters?" asked Kreka.

He sighed heftily. "The Gokturks left the mountains and relocated. I want to make sure that Balaam is safe so I must stay here but you are welcome to all my scouts. I'm sure Zolten would love to help." The three women looked at each other, telepathically agreeing to the king's gesture. "I hope Csaba is safe. You said he's with the Czarina? Would that be Farah?"

"He's been seeing her secretly without Anastasia's permission." The commander explained.

"Can't control her daughter and now her son," he scoffed.

She got in the king's face and narrowed her eyes. "That is my daughter you're talking about, Navaz," she said in a threatening tone. "Who is also the mother of your child, may I remind you."

He placed a hand over his chest and knew he instantly overstepped his bounds. "You know I care for Anastasia a lot. She was my queen at one point in time."

"Hmm…"

"Xena, let's go. We don't have a lot of time on our hands," Gabrielle pressured her.


Two days of searching since they left Balaam and they weren't able to find any trace of Csaba and his little girlfriend. By the suggestion of Gabrielle, they stopped to make camp and continue their search in the morning when everyone was rested. Navaz did promise to give scouts and Zolten, his general, accompanied them all. Surrounding a small campfire, Kreka sat opposite of the two women and poked the fire with a long stick. All were grateful to be out of the cold snowy plains of Balaam. It was hard to believe that it was spring in that area and be covered in shelves of snow while Pannonia was bright, grassy and blooming with gorgeous flowers all over.

Packing light, they only brought some bread stuffed in the saddlebags and of course plenty of water, which seemed to be of no use given the amount of rivers surrounding the Caucasus region. Gabrielle pulled out a large portion of the bread and tore it in half to share with the weary khatun and her commander which Xena took a quick glance and snubbed the offer.

She wasn't prepared for this long journey and the more she stared at the commander the more sorry she felt for her. Anastasia always wanted her mother to be normal and that day may never come. Xena was so worried about everything when it came to her family and it showed, especially when she refused food. If only her enemies knew how compassionate and kind she could be. If only they knew how much her family meant to her, they'd probably rip her to shreds and attack every single family member just to spite her.

She had put up with a lot over the years and Gabrielle saw the wear and tear on that face she loved to see every morning when she awoke. Though she did not appear to be her age unlike Kreka and the silver streaks that continued to pop out of nowhere, making her appear much older than she actually was. No, Xena was younger than most living commanders out there. Aetius was older than her and Zeno was too, as well as Theodosius. Perhaps, Gabrielle thought, the years of commanding an entire nation was finally catching up to the worrisome commander.

"You should eat something," says Gabrielle.

"I'm not hungry."

"We've been traveling for six days now and you have hardly eaten anything." She tries pushing the bread into her loved one's face but was shunned.

Xena knew that Gabrielle cared for her and she has shown it in several ways, food being one of them. It wasn't really about the food, it was about showing her kindness and opening herself up for a conversation that Xena just didn't want to have.

"The moment I had Anastasia I knew I was in for it. I had no idea what to do with her. She was so small and fragile that I was afraid to touch her." She pulls her fists close to her chest as if imagining her infant daughter again. Kreka ceased feeding the fire and listened to Xena spill her feelings and thoughts all over the table, which was unusual.

She added, "I didn't know how I was going to keep a small creature alive for the rest of her life. Those few times when she was taken from me, be it by Romans, Vandals or rogue Huns, I wanted to burn everything in sight and kill anyone in my path to get her back." She let out a heave of a sigh that was holding in for far too long without realizing. "I promised I would do anything to protect her and I promised I would find Csaba and bring him home. I never break my promises but if I can't –"

Gabrielle put a stop to those dark thoughts and set the bread down, paying attention to the commander. "Xena, don't say things like that. We're going to find him."

"But something isn't right. I have a feeling that he's in danger."

"We need to keep thinking positively. You can't let those thoughts enter your mind, Xena, because I'm not ready for that side of you to come out and neither are you. I don't like it when that head of yours wanders off into that dark abyss." She poked Xena's noggin with a playful jab.

Xena couldn't shake the unsettling feeling in the spit of her stomach. She digs her fingers into her lush hair and gapes at the fire. "If anything has happened to him and I find out who is responsible they're going to wish that they never lay eyes on me."

Out of all the women in Attila's life, Xena was the least liked among Kreka's pick of the flock. But over the years, many years, she had grown to at least tolerate and get along with the ruthless commander. Although, she was not much of a ruthless commander anymore, at least not the woman Kreka used to know. Still, she had no problem lolling people's heads off and driving her sword into her enemies, she was much softer than she used to be, soft at all the right moments.

"Csaba may not be my blood grandson but Ellac is my stepson and I've loved both of them just as much you," spoke Kreka and Xena cast a pair of soft eyes towards her. "If he is in trouble I won't be the one holding your sword back," she says with a twinkle in her hazel eyes. "I can't speak for Gabrielle though."

The governor knew that Kreka was just teasing her but she didn't like being the crutch of Xena's problems either. "I would do anything to save Csaba, you know that."

A bit defensive, the khatun took notice. "I know. You helped raise him after all. You used to be his confidant once upon a time." She snatches the uneaten bread off Gabrielle's lap and tore a piece off and tossed it back at her face.

Gabrielle caught the loaf of bread and watched the hazel eyed woman wink at her while ripping her teeth into the bread. Xena was not in the mood to retort back to the snooty khatun like she normally did which concerned Gabrielle. She reaches for the commander's hand and pressed her thigh against Xena's.

As much as Xena loved her companion of many years she didn't want her love and compassion at the moment. She wanted to crush something. She wanted to stab someone. She was angry that she might fail her daughter which meant she fails herself as well. She did not receive Gabrielle's warm hand of comfort and instead laced her fingers together, brooding quietly.

"Why did he have to go after a princess? Why couldn't he like a simple girl like Leila or Bakkah!" she lashed out.

Kreka frowned. "Hey! Those are my sons' wives you're talking about, Xena."

"It wasn't an insult."

Gabrielle brought her knees close to her chest and insolates herself from the commander beside her. "Who cares if Farah is a princess? You get angry at everything, Xena. Anastasia wasn't a princess when she fell in love with Ellac!"

"But she is my daughter! The commander's daughter! This is the same if not more crucial!"

"Why does it have to be?" says Gabrielle with a softer voice. "You said it yourself that arranged marriages are outdated and ridiculous. You never even got married anyway!"

Xena hastily replied, not willing to let someone one up her in an argument. "That is beside the point!"

Kreka scoffs at the two. "Would you two stop this? Who cares if Csaba likes Farah? We need to focus on returning them home and you two can't stop bickering. Get over yourselves." She finished the last of the bread and wiggled the crumbs off her fingers. She stands up and smoothes out her dress while the two stare at her intently. "Honestly, you two are driving me mad with your arguing. You're worse than a husband and wife squabbling. I'm going to bed and don't dare wake me up until sunrise. I'm talking to you, Xena."

Gabrielle chuckles softly which annoyed Xena.

"Why are you laughing?"

"She's right," she cocked her head, staring at the blue eyes lit up by the campfire. "We'll stop at nothing to find him and I'll be right here with you like always."

Xena's face softens and she grabbed the governor's thigh. "Like always."


While Ernak and Dengi were in charge of guarding the borders of Pannonia and Dalmatia, Ebnedzar and his son, Oran, were in charge of guarding the Adame. Things in the royal family were not going well over the last week and since Xena and Gabrielle were gone, Ellac had to manage and train the new recruits and look after the Banat army by himself. Meanwhile, Anastasia took over Gabrielle's job temporarily and she never realized how much she gave Gabrielle until now when she looked over several documents and treaties presented by other Hun Beys from the surrounding tribes.

A large black caravan, pulled by black stallions pulled up to the Adame and Ebnedzar swatted his lazy son to jerk him awake. General Balasz and his wife, Rabia stepped out of the caravan and Ebnedzar rolled his eyes at the Banat royalty, especially the Czarina, who did not look pleased.

Oran recognized that woman and knew her to be Farah's elder sister. "Oh great. Should I get Queen Anastasia, father?"

"No. We must wait until they state their purpose."

Rabia marched up the steps, carrying her heavy blue dress. She was met with two Huns blocking her way. "Stand aside, Huns. I want to speak with the Queen about her son."

"I can't let you in, Czarina. The queen is very busy at the moment," says Ebendzar.

"I don't care if she's busy. Her good for nothing son kidnapped my sister! I demand to speak with her!"

Ebnedzar really wanted to sock this irritating woman in the mouth but refrained, especially since her husband was approaching quickly. "Czarina, I told you, she is busy. I can send someone in to tell her that you have arrived."

"Fine. Do that then. I will wait right here." Rabia crosses her arms and glares at the younger Hun. "Why are you looking at me, you swine?"

Oran frowned and puffed out his chest and looked out at the field, over the woman's head.

Only moments later Anastasia stepped outside and braced herself for the raging Czarina waiting. She took in a deep breath and even went over what she was going to say to Rabia or anyone from Farah's family, days earlier. Stay calm, she says to still herself, and she walked through Ebnedzar and Oran at the top of the staircase and Rabia uncrosses her arms the instant she sees her.

"Queen Anastasia!" she growled.

Ana raised her hand as a greeting. "Czarina, I'm glad that you came here."

"Your son stole my sister! My father almost had a heart attack when I told him what happened! Where are they? Where did that bastard take my sister?"

Bastard? Oh, don't play this game with me, Szekely woman. "Silence!" she yelled and Rabia took a step down, surprised by her tone. "I have my people looking for them. They will be returned safely, I can promise you that, Czarina. I hope this will not hinder our alliance with your father."

General Balasz stepped forward in front of his irate wife. "The Czar is not happy, your highness. Your son has caused quite a rift between our people and yours. If Farah is not returned to Banat safely I cannot assure your empire's safety against Justinian or any other society."

She certainly felt the pressure but had faith in her mother, Gabrielle and Kreka to make sure that Csaba and Farah come back safely and in one piece. She smiles brightly in front of the Szekely royals. "She will be brought back to your people safely."

"Your son ruined my sister's engagement!" Rabia yells at the queen.

Ana frowned confusedly and stepped down, eyeing the Czarina with dagger-like eyes. "My son did not ruin anything. Your sister is also responsible. He did not act alone." Why did this sound so familiar to her?

"He obviously seduced her," she snubbed her nose at the Hun Queen. "All you Huns know how to do is invade lands, bear children and marry multiple women." She huffed. "Because of your son, my sister is no longer able to marry anyone of noble status!"

Ana's mother always told her that not everyone liked their kind and now she was beginning to see that and not in a war manner of speaking. This was personal. "Careful of what you say, Czarina. My son is a prince. He is not a lowlife no body that swooned your sister into bed. Hun men treat their women very well here. My son would never take advantage of Farah and if he did, I would see that he is punished for it. You are always welcome in my empire and home." She bows her head to Rabia and her husband.

The Czarina groaned and stormed down the stairs, waving her hand to the horsemen to ready the caravan for departure. Balasz briefly bowed to the queen and ran after his wife. Oran whistled and Anastasia frowns at the Szekely royals as they left the heartland of Pannonia.

"You were very nice, Teyze Ana," the cousin of Csaba noted.

"See to it that I get reports from Ernak and Dengi immediately," she fiercely walked back into the Adame.


Ernak sat on his horse, observing the Roman army stomping their way into Dalmatia from the border of Pannonia. He really hated this side of Pannonia because hardly anyone lived in it and it was hours away from the inland. So far, Odoacer had yet to make an appearance and he felt this security on the border was unnecessary because the Romans didn't even know they were watching.

"This is fucking stupid," he muttered and Dengi shot him a look.

"Gabrielle ordered us to stay at the border. Stop being a baby and keep watching."

"We've been here for two weeks, Dengi!" he griped and crossed his arms. "I say we should go back. This is pointless to be here. This is Xena's job anyway."

Dengi let out a deep groan and punched his brother's arm. "We have orders. We're staying here until told otherwise." He turned back to observe the Roman army and finally saw Odoacer, riding in the back of the legion. "There's the bastard right now," he nudged his head and Ernak looked over the hill and smiled.

"I can't believe Ellac is allowing this invasion to happen. We have no quarrels with the Dalmatians."

"Anastasia said that this is a trap so that's why we're on the border in case we get attacked," Dengi reassured his little brother. "And I can't believe Ellac made you king regent. You're so immature."

"He didn't make you regent because you were a horrible king! I was a much better king than you," he snickers and receives a glare from his elder brother. "Besides, I am a better king than Ellac too. I only gave him the crown because he is the oldest."

Dengi's eyes widened. "You shouldn't talk like that, brother. Those words could get you killed. Ellac doesn't care if you're his blood or not."

While the two brothers bickered with each other a group of assassins crept into the camp and slit the throats of Hun soldiers behind them, which went unnoticed. The assassins, dressed in black, crouched down and came up behind the princes' horses and slit the back of their hindquarters.

The horses reared on their back hooves and kicked their front legs, neighing uncontrollably. Dengi held onto the reigns, trying to calm the wild horse. One of the assassins jumped up and stabbed Ernak in his side with a short sword then backed away, leaving the sword and ran off with the other assassins.

Dengi fell off the horse and looked up at his brother, clutching a sword stuck inside his side. "Ernak!" he jumped up to aid his brother and looked at the blood seeping from the wound. "Who did this?!" he yelled and turned to see half of his men dead on the grass with their throats slit.

Ernak pulled out the sword and clamped his palm on the wound. "Assassins!" he hissed. "I want them found and I want them dead!" he yells and falls off the horse into his brother's arms.

"We'll find them," Dengi says and rips a piece of his robe off and wrapped it around his brother's waist. He glared at the oblivious soldiers that stood in shock. "Go back to the Adame! Tell the king we were attacked by assassins!"


The black clothed assassins ran up to their leader and took the masks off their faces. "We assaulted one of the Hun princes, your majesty."

A woman sat on her horse, staring at the Hun camp and the Romans below, slowly making their way into Dalmatia. She rubbed her leather gloved fingers together and snarled in disgust at the Huns. She bats her brown eyes down at the assassins and nods curtly, dismissing them for the day. She flicks her long black hair behind her shoulder and observes the prince dragging his wounded brother across the grass.

A horseman with long dark braided hair approached her and glared at the Huns. He was about the same age as Ellac, maybe a couple of years his senior. His eyes flickered at the arrogant Hun princes. "Mother, why did you not kill the Hun prince? He yet lives."

She smiles softly at her son. "I need him alive, Balmaq. The other Hun will alert the king and queen that the young brother has been attacked."

"And when do we ransack Pannonia?" he asked, a bit too eager to have his hands wrapped the Hun king's throat.

"Not yet. We must wait until the king is alerted. He will send search parties looking for the assassins that he won't find," she smiled and pulled on the reigns, steering her horse away from the Hun camp. "I want the Hun Queen brought to our camp."

Balmaq nodded. "Yes mother. What about the king?"

"I don't care about him!" she hisses and he flinches at her harsh tone. She smiles, softening her hard exterior and her son raised an eyebrow. "Just see that it is done. I don't want anyone to raise any alarms in Pannonia. Watch her closely and catch her when she's alone. You understand?"

He nods again and trots off to find his other two brothers to tell them of the plan. She hopped off her horse and walks through the secluded camp in the forests deep inside the borders of Dalmatia and Pannonia. Her soldiers bowed their heads as she passed by and she stormed into her tent and ripped off her black headdress and threw it on the floor.

She ruffled her pin straight hair and looked at her pale complexion in the mirror and slipped the leather gloves off. She grimaced at her reflection and pinched her cheeks to bring back some color in her face.

One of her youngest sons walked into her tent and she turned, smiling at the dark haired young man. "Iliger, did Balmaq tell you about the plan?"

"Yes, mother," he bows his head. "What are you planning to do with the Hun Queen?"

"You'll see. Now, go away. I need to send a letter to Justinian."


Gabrielle rode ahead of everyone else to scope out the area and found an abandoned camp with a good amount of yurts. She whistled up to the commander and khatun then waved her hand. Xena and Kreka trotted down the sand dune and she pointed to the camp.

"I thought you said nobody lived in this area," she recalled the map that Attila had and they were in the stretch of land between Hun territory and old Persia.

Xena observed the abandoned camp and it looked similar to Pannonia, minus all the pastures and forests. She didn't recognize this area and wasn't very familiar with it either. "Csaba couldn't have come through here. There are no resources."

Kreka trotted down into the camp and Gabrielle gasped. "Kreka, don't! There could be people down there!"

She ignored the governor and hopped off her horse, walking through the camp. She peeked into a few yurts and everything was gone inside, except a few large rugs. She kicked over a pot which was supposed to be filled with water, but was filled with sand instead.

"There's nothing here!" she shouted. So then Xena, Gabrielle and Navaz's scouts trailed in with caution. "This place is a pile of goat shit," she reached down and picked up a wooden doll that must have belonged to a child at one point.

Xena dismounted the horse and took a look around. She saw a huge yurt that must have belonged to the leader of this place. Curious enough, she stepped inside and all that was left were a few low tables and couches, but everything else was taken. She turned and bumped into the blonde governor.

She frowned and Gabrielle stepped out of her way and took a look around the massive yurt for herself. "Well, whoever lived here was in a hurry to leave. They left so much stuff." She blew dust off one of the tables and opened one of the drawers to a vanity set. "This is a woman's yurt."

"How do you know?" asked Xena.

Gabrielle pulled out a set of pearl earrings and necklace to match. "Who do you think lived here? Could it be the Khazar Huns?"

The commander sighed, unknowing the answer. "Could be but why would they leave?"

Kreka walked into the yurt and cringed at the sight of the mess that was left. "I don't like this place. This territory was attacked by someone. People tried to pack up before someone invaded that's why there are a lot of belongings left behind."

"Is this Khazar territory?" Gabrielle approached her and put the pearls back into the vanity drawer.

"They probably relocated after the Sassan Empire was dismantled and settled here. But it looks like they were driven out by someone else."

"Persians?"

"I don't think so. We haven't heard anything from the Shah brothers." Kreka sighed, slowly becoming depressed to see yet another tribe be destroyed by invaders. She lost her tribe and the Onogur ceased to exist and now the Khazars have been attacked. "This is awful. We should go back to Pannonia and report this."

Xena spun around. "No! We need to find Csaba and Farah. I promised Ana I would. I can't disappoint her."

"Well, someone needs to go back. Ellac and Anastasia need to know about this. If our people are being attacked and driven out of their homes then we need to take all the precautions."

Gabrielle agreed. "Kreka, you can go back. I'll continue looking with Xena."

"No." She retorted and the governor frowned. "Anastasia needs you Gabrielle. You're in charge of everything that doesn't involve the battlefield. I'll stay with Xena and you go back to Pannonia."

Gabrielle sighed, knowing she was right. She looked to Xena who seemed more distraught about Csaba than anything else. She hated to leave her here while she went back to Pannonia safely, but if she had to, then she'd go back. This could be important like Kreka said.

"Alright. I'll go back but I'm taking Zolten with me in case something happens." She grabbed Xena's arm for comfort. "You'll be fine with Kreka, right?"

She nodded briefly and Gabrielle smiled and kissed her hand then quickly left the yurt. Kreka's gaze drifted to the ripped walls of the yurt and heard the commander sob softly. She didn't think she'd ever seen Xena cry or show any type of those emotions before, maybe one other time in her life, but it certainly was more taboo than normal.

The khatun approached her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "We'll find him."

"But…what if we can't find him? What if he was here and he…"

"Xena, he wasn't here. This place has been abandoned for a long time. You're the best at tracking people down. I should know," she grinned and Xena blinked her wet eyes at her. "He's a smart young man. He knows danger when he sees it. I'm sure he and Farah are safe. Don't worry."

"Xena!" Gabrielle shouted from outside.

Xena and Kreka ran outside and searched for Gabrielle.

"Over here!" she shouted from behind the huddle of yurts. The two ran to her, thinking she was in danger but they weren't prepared for what they were about to witness. Kreka covered her mouth, immediately sick to her stomach.

Xena's eyes widened as she gaze at the desert filled with hundreds of Khazar bodies. The bodies weren't that fresh but they weren't old either. She saw a corpse of a little girl holding her mother's hand as they lay in the sand. Their veils buried beneath the sand and their faces decaying, covered in beetles and other insects, feeding off them like they were a snack.

"Barbarians," the khatun said, now the feeling of nausea had passed, she was angry that someone would do this to their people. "Whoever did this…they're…savages!"

Gabrielle turned her pale cheek up to Xena. She had never seen the commander look so distressed before. She was horrified; her eyes were unable to hide her emotions. "Who…would do this?" she asked softly.

"I don't know."

Her face darkened and she frowned the longer she stared at the fallen Khazar Hun bodies. An entire tribe was wiped out and this was the smallest of all the Hunnic tribes. Whoever did this has an agenda and that meant they were still lurking somewhere.

"Gabrielle, go back to Pannonia. Kreka and I will take over from here." She said and Gabrielle didn't want to leave. "Go!" she yelled.

The governor frowned sadly and ran back into the camp to meet up with Zolten and the others. Kreka kept shaking her head and crossed her arms.

"We need to do something. We should bury them." She suggested to Xena.

"That'll take too long. We should burn the desert. It's quicker," she said and saw the horror on Kreka's face. "It's the only way. Whoever did this is long gone by now. They won't be in this area. After we're done here we continue looking for Csaba."