Chapter Seven – Enemies and Angels
Gabrielle continued pacing the tavern, looking at every detail. Something about this attack did not make sense. What on earth would a Phoenician God be doing attacking in Amphipolis? And why would he think Xena was here? News of Xena's death spread like wildfire through every realm; mortal and immortal – it made no sense. If this was, in fact, the work of Baal – what was he after? Was it Eve? The Amazon Queen felt a shiver remembering the lengths they had gone to in order to protect Eve from the Olympians so many years ago.
"Gabrielle?" A voice called from the stairs. It was Lila with Meg at her side. "Are you all right?"
As Gabrielle started to answer, Virgil returned and she turned her focus to him momentarily.
"All set for now," he said.
"Good," she picked the bench up and set it straight then turned toward Lila and Meg. "We're fine. I think it's safe for tonight," she continued. "APHRODITE!" She called.
In an instant the Goddess appeared.
"I think it's safe for now to bring Eve and the children back," Gabrielle began, "BUT, I think that you should all stay at the house," she gestured to her sister.
Aphrodite nodded – popped away and was back with the entourage in tow in moments.
It was Gabriel who noticed the small trail of blood on his auntie's arm. He ran to her, eyes wide, "Auntie…"
Virgil looked and then noticed it too, "Gabrielle, you're bleeding."
The Amazon Queen looked at her arm, "so it would seem," she said calmly.
"It's all right, Gabriel. I'm all right, see?' she reassured him, "it's just a cut."
Eve looked at her with concern.
"Lila," Gabrielle started, "Go and get Sarah and then you should head down to the house. There's enough room… just have the children 'camp' on the floor." Lila nodded. Gabriel ran to his father to check him for any "cuts".
"I'm fine, Gabriel," Virgil smiled reassuring the boy, "Just a little excitement."
Gabrielle took hold of Aphrodite and pulled her aside. "What do you know about Baal?" she asked.
"Lightining God.. powerful… Zeus would have known better or Athena. Not my cup of tea, why?" Aphrodite answered.
"Apparently he thinks Xena is here."
"What? What's in the Phoenician tea?" the goddess quipped.
Gabrielle shook her head with worry. "I don't know.. see if you can find ANYTHING out. Anything at all."
Aphrodite squinted with doubt, "I'll try sweetie, but you know… things aren't…"
"Like they used to be…" the bard finished her thought, "I know. Just try, please."
Aphrodite nodded again and she was gone. Sarah, Meg and Lila had finally made it to the door with the children. Eve crouched down to Gabriel, "I have to stay here with your father and Auntie Gabrielle for a few minutes, okay?" He looked worried but nodded his understanding.
Gabrielle smiled. "We'll see you for a BIG breakfast in the morning," she faked a big smile – and they were gone.
As soon as the door shut Eve spoke, "Baal?"
"So it seems," Virgil said as he put his arm around her.
Eve watched Gabrielle, trying to gauge her perception of the event. Gabrielle was calm, but she continued scanning the room as if she expected something to jump out at her suddenly. Eve knew that the bard felt they were safe; if not she would have left them with Aphrodite. It was something else. Something was bothering Gabrielle.
"It's not Baal," Gabrielle said, "or at least it's not JUST Baal. It's something else."
Virgil looked at Eve and released her from his grip. She slowly made her way to the bard. "What? What is it?"
Gabrielle seemed to be having a difficult time mustering the words. "They were looking for your mother. Looking for Xena," She said biting her lip.
Eve could not speak. Gabrielle continued, "Something else is going on. Baal wouldn't come to that conclusion on his own."
Eve sat down on a chair. "Who?"
"I was hoping you might have an idea," Gabrielle shook her head. Eve shook hers simultaneously.
"No. None of the mini Gods have much power anymore, " Eve said.
Virgil interjected, "Maybe that's it… they're trying to…"
"Consolidate power…." Eve finished his thought and he nodded.
"No." Gabrielle was deliberate. "Aphrodite might be a bit flaky, but she keeps her ear to the Godly ground. I wish it was that. Whatever or whoever.. it is powerful. I feel it," She took a deep breath trying to focus her thoughts. "Powerful and fears Xena…." She shook her head again.
Suddenly there was an enormous burst of light and word that seemed to pierce through it, "Yes, POWERFUL," the voice was deep and commanding. "Who would hate Xena and Fear Xena.. in this place?" the voice continued.
Eve nearly fell off her chair, "Messenger.." it greeted her.
"…Michael…" Eve whispered.
Gabrielle stood impossibly still. She could feel her blood churning. "Yes…. Michael. To what do we owe this honor?" she asked.
"Gabrielle," he said calmly, "Good to see you too."
"Please," the bard answered. "What is this all about? You know who was behind this? They want Eve?"
He stared at her as if pinning her to the wall. "No. And, Yes. Who would come here? Who would think Xena might be HERE? Who would have enough hatred and yet enough desire to see her?" he asked, his expression never changing.
She kept her stare equally locked on his. Suddenly her eyes dropped. She stayed in a brief moment of thought before raising her head and speaking, "Lucifer…" she said slowly. The angel nodded.
"Why? Why now?" she asked. "He knows Xena is dead," there was anger in her voice.
"Because," the angel began, "It is his opportunity. People have moved away from their gods, even from heaven itself. He's tasted earth, you know that. Tasted its pleasures. Xena showed him all that before she cast him into hell," he looked at the bard with no expression, just cold fact.
It was true. When they first returned together to Amphipolis after saving Eve from the grips of Rome and the influence of Ares; they found the tavern, the town, possessed by hell itself. Xena had summoned Metastopheles, the king of hell and fought him right here. The warrior had a choice then, take the demon's place in hell or find a replacement. Lucifer was her offering. He may have been an angel but his vanity, his ambition and his lust for all things earthly were evident from the moment he arrived. She HAD tempted him – with food, drink, jealousy, power and with herself. That was many years ago and both the warrior and bard had always believed that even Michael saw Lucifer's flawed being.
"That was nearly twelve years ago. Xena is dead," the bard said.
Michael remained silent.
"I don't understand," Eve looked at Michael with reverence. "What is it he hopes to gain?"
"Heaven and earth," the angel answered.
Gabrielle looked at him with disgust. And shook her head.
"The people need a sign. Something to point them to faith, to heaven. They need hope. They need to believe in redemption," Michael said. Gabrielle's lips were pursed now, tightly, as she attempted to hold her speech. "He is gaining power every day, every day that people move father away from…"
"From their Gods?" Gabrielle asked angrily. "Isn't that what you wanted, Michael?"
"Gabrielle," Eve urged gently. The angel remained silent.
"Well, isn't it? The fall of the Gods for the one all-powerful God. Right?" Silence.
Gabrielle shook her head with a sarcastic smile.
"Even now he is organizing the legions of hell and he has enlisted the Phoenician Gods as his emissaries here on the earth," the angel explained.
"How are we supposed to fight the King of Hell?' Virgil asked not sure who he was directing his question to. "Love isn't enough for that."
"First," the angel began, "You have to move to your faith. You have to believe what you are fighting for," his eyes remained completely fixed on the bard, "You have to find the purpose…"
"Purpose?" the bard yelled. "Don't you dare talk to me about PURPOSE. God…" she exclaimed exasperated.
"Gabrielle, you've been to hell… and to heaven, you know…"
"Don't talk to me about heaven and hell. Gods. Purpose. Yes, Michael – I have been to heaven and I have lived in hell – lived in hell for 11 years. Purpose? How dare you! What kind of purpose is it? You tell me… You take our children… Solon. …. Hope?... You take our daughter from us for 25 years?"
Eve reached out for Gabrielle, "Gabrie…."
"No. Eve. No. I want to hear about purpose. I do. Tell me, Michael. Everything we sacrificed. All we lost…and you make her pay for something that she never even intended?"
"That was Xena's choice."
Her fury was rising, "Oh, I see. It was her CHOICE to die? And, of course you could have done nothing to prevent THAT, right? Only when its serves YOUR purpose. You are UNBELIEVABLE."
He took a deep breath, his eyebrows coming to a point. "You need to let go of this anger. Would you have Eve? Would you have Gabriel?"
"I can't do this."
"What would Xena say?" he asked. "If she saw you right now."
She let out a bursting laugh of sarcasm. "I don't know. I'd ask her, but she's DEAD. Is that enough PURPOSE for you?" She moved close to him and placed her hands on the armor of his chest and her voice become quiet with an anger she had never felt. Her voice was almost a whisper. "You. This 'purpose'… she was my purpose. You took her. You took EVERYTHING… I gave you everything – and you took it all…." She threw her hands up in disgust, bit her upper lip, looked him in the eye and she was gone….
