Epinon paced up and down watched by a concerned looking Ephiny.
"Have a drink," said the Regent.
Epinon shook her head.
"You're not still rankled you didn't go are you Pon?" asked Ephiny.
Epinon turned and gave her a disgusted look and was about to open her mouth and say something, when she spun and looked towards the woods. Ephiny stepped forward and placed her hand on Epinon's shoulder. Within moments Xena, Thea and Otere emerged through the trees.
Xena gave a weak smile, and took a long drink from the water skin thrust into her hands by Ephiny.
"Well?" asked Epinon impatiently.
"Odd," said Thea.
"What in Hades does that mean?" said Epinon, her, temper rising.
"I know we left early, to get a good position, but I would have thought they would have taken up their position already, and reached the clearing before us," Xena frowned. "Their scouts' bodies are gone; they know we were there, we would return and yet they haven't moved forwards."
"We spotted a couple keeping an eye on us," said Otere, "and they disappeared off once they saw we had noticed them."
"Xena, what do you think?" asked Ephiny.
Xena inhaled deeply. "I would love to say they are a disorganised rabble of mercenaries that don't have a clue, but they are not." She paused and looked around. "Everything they have done has been deliberate- murdering the guards to get our attention, scouting us. I just don't know what they are up to."
There was a long silence as the amazons considered Xena's words.
"So what next?" asked Epinon quietly.
Ephiny looked at Xena.
"This is an ideal base for Piri and Clonie. I suggest we move towards the clearing as planned. Position archers in the surrounding trees. We won't want to go any nearer than the clearing as the path narrows."
"Ideal ambush ground," said Ephiny nodding.
"I'll tell Piri," said Thea, and left with Otere.
"Ready?" said Xena her eyes darting from one face to another.
The amazons both nodded, but it was Epinon that spoke. "Let's move out."
Xena concentrated on her breathing, making sure it was even and deep. Argo was standing tall and still and Xena patted her neck. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the opposing army begin to take their position, and she looked for any sign of whose army it was. There was none.
She could hear the traditional Amazon beat being played on the drums behind her as well as the last minute preparations. She looked at Epinon who had her eyes closed and was deep in thought and Ephiny who was giving last minute instructions to a group of women. Xena smiled; she knew the women were well trained and primed, but she could only hope that they were far too strong for the opposing army.
Ephiny caught her eye and nodded. "Good luck," Xena mouthed.
"You too," said Ephiny and mounted her horse.
The drums silenced and everyone turned to face the army. The army then advanced, and Ephiny cried,
"AMAZONS ATTACK!"
Xena led the charge on Argo, closely followed by about twenty amazons on horses. This was equalled by the army and within moments they were engaged. Within three strokes of her blade she had her first kill. Argo pushed past the now riderless horse to another opponent and this one proved more accomplished.
By this time the ground force had rushed past and was engaging the army's men. The numbers were closely matched, as were the skills of the combatants. The sounds of cries, sword on sword and the whoosh of arrows reverberated through the forest.
Xena was concentrating hard on her opponent but heard an arrow fly towards her. She held her sword horizontal to block her opponent's thrusts and at the same time ducked down so her head was below Argo's. The arrow flew over her, and into her opponent's shoulder. He fell off his horse, yelling, and Xena moved forwards on Argo. She glanced quickly to her left, and saw Epinon had already dismounted and was fighting furiously. Beyond her Ephiny was still sitting astride her horse and was aiming her cross bow and fired accurately at an enemy's chest.
Despite looking the other way, she could sense someone moving to her right. She turned her body quickly and raised her sword just in time to block a descending sword. The wielder was a large, powerful man, and it took all Xena's strength to keep the sword from her body. She tried to push against it, but couldn't get enough purchase behind it, and her body was moving further and further backwards onto Argo. She slipped both feet from her stirrups and gently nudged Argo. The palomino walked forwards, and Xena was able to flip backwards onto the ground, and the sword descended harmlessly into air, at the exact spot where Argo and Xena had been seconds before. Xena gained her bearings before her opponent and moved quickly towards him. He managed to defend her strike and then by virtue of his lofty position was able to continue to attack, and forced Xena onto the ground with a devastatingly hard blow. In his eagerness to claim the mighty Xena's scalp, he dismounted by jumping from his horse, and Xena was waiting for him, with her sword held firm, and he was impaled on it.
Xena pulled back her sword, and he fell bonelessly to the ground. She then wiped her sweaty face her wrist, and glanced around again. It was as she had thought; a very close match. Catching sight of an opposition archer, she yelled, "Aiiiiiiiiii" and let fly with her chakram. Reaching out, she caught the bloodied weapon and moved to face her next opponent.
"How are you feeling?" asked Gabrielle.
Aella looked up from the weapon she was cleaning and smiled. "A bit sore," she said, "but it is much easier." She looked down at the dagger and rag in her lap. "But you didn't mean that, did you?"
Gabrielle slumped into a chair next to Aella. "No," she shook her head. For a moment her lips quivered but she gave a weak smile. "Gods it's the waiting, that's so hard."
"And keeping a brave face for everyone," said Aella. "I don't know how you do it, Gabrielle. You are a rock."
Gabrielle patted her arm. "It's my duty."
"Duty or not, you have been wonderful. Where's Lyceus?"
"Having a nap. Tea?"
"No I'll do it. I need to move-"
"My Queen. My Queen," Helia, one of the young Amazons came rushing in the hut. "You need to come."
Gabrielle and Aella exchanged a concerned look and Gabrielle sprung up clutching her staff. With a groan Aella rose and shuffled to the door.
"Aella, you stay here," said Gabrielle as she walked out the door.
"I'm fine," said Aella with a grimace.
Gabrielle made her way to the centre of the village where several women were surrounding a very out of breath Agamede.
"Went…to…hunt," said Agamede, panting. "Enemy army… is coming in."
"Here?" said Gabrielle incredulously.
The older Amazon merely nodded.
"Oh Gods," whispered Gabrielle, and inhaled three times quickly to try and gather her thoughts. Solari had jogged over to see what had happened.
"Louka, take all the children and hide them, everyone else grab a weapon," Gabrielle's brain whirled as she thought of her priorities.
"Too late," whispered Solari as the sound of hooves came louder and louder.
They all turned to face the oncoming army.
"By the Gods," said Aella, as she limped to Gabrielle's side. "It's Teles, Aida and Okyale."
"I always knew I would be back," said Teles with a wide but cold smile on her face. She dismounted her horse smoothly and stood in front of it.
"You're not having the village," shouted Louka.
"Oh I don't want the village, "Teles said dispassionately. "It can burn for all I care. I have come for something of far more importance." She stared at Gabrielle for a long while, and then a tall man emerged from behind Teles' horse to stand next to Teles. He gave Teles a kiss on the lips and then turned to face Gabrielle. The former Amazon slipped her arm through his.
"No," whispered Gabrielle, shock evident on her face. "No."
The amazons all turned to her with questioning looks on their faces. Solari put her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder as she could see Gabrielle shaking.
"Hello Gabrielle. I have come for my son."
"Lindos?" said Solari incredulously.
"My fame precedes me, I see. Bragging of our wonderful time together Gabrielle," said Lindos.
Within moments he was flanked by Claudine one side with Teles remaining on the other. Aida and several men dismounted and stood behind them.
"We have come for my nephew. He should be with his family, us," said Claudine.
Solari gritted her teeth and clenched her fist tightly as it dawned on her who the woman was.
"He is," hissed Gabrielle, still shaking, but with a mixture of fear and anger. "He is with his family. He is nothing to do with you."
"Oh Gabrielle, surely you know how babies are made," said Claudine and gave a laugh when she saw how much the comment had stung Gabrielle.
"You have no rights to him at all," shouted Aella.
"Ephiny's pet, let you off the leash has she, "said Aida.
"I thought we had seen the back of you, you traitor," snarled Aella back at her.
"Well here's the thing," said Claudine, revelling in the amazons' discomfort. "Fate brought us together. And once we heard that Gabrielle had borne Lindos' child, we had to act."
"We thought you might not agree to use taking the boy," said Teles, coolly. "So we arranged a little distraction for the village. Make our entrance slightly easier." She chuckled. "After all, a few brats, elders and jumped up bards aren't any match for a god trained army." Claudine shot her a look of disgust, and put her finger to her lips.
Gabrielle shook off Solari's restraining hand. "Ares," she whispered. "He told you about the baby. He's been helping you." She put her head in her hands for a moment to compose herself. She then looked up and straight at Teles. "You mean the battle, is an orchestrated distraction?"
Teles clapped her hands together slowly. "Brilliant Queen Gabrielle, what a leader you were. Yes it's amazing what men will do for a little coin, and the promise of Amazon land. The mercenaries are fighting about now, so they'll be no Xena riding in to rescue you." Her voice became childish.
"Where is my son?" said Lindos.
There was silence.
When it became apparent no one would answer, Claudine spoke. "We will kill you all to get him," she said.
Agamede laughed, and everyone turned to look at the Amazon elder. "That's right, my dear. You will have to kill us all to get him. The boy is with his mother. He doesn't want anything to do with scum like you."
"What she said," said Solari, slowly pulling her sword from the holder. The former chief scout inhaled deeply. She wore her sword as habit and had not used it since that fateful day fighting the slavers. But she was prepared to wield it now.
"If that's your attitude, so be it," said Aida mirroring Solari's actions.
"Oh I will enjoy killing you, Gabrielle, and then Lindos and I will raise the boy together," said Teles.
Gabrielle stepped forward holding her staff at the ready. She pushed her fear down and it was anger that was the forefront. Anger that they all had been duped, and by whom. Anger that there had been and would be many deaths. The thought that Lindos would have anything to do with Lyceus made her sick to her stomach, and it was off this anger she fed, understanding Xena's beast a little more, as she confronted Lindos and landed the first blow on his shoulder.
With that blow, the atmosphere in the village changed. The invading number immediately engaged the amazons. Aella watched as Agamede waded in brandishing her sword like the stories of her youth, and was joined by her sister Anippe. Louka and Asteria were also fighting, and Aella smiled grimly as she saw the anger on Louka's face. Many other Amazons were scrambling back to their huts to retrieve their weapons. She watched as Okayle withdrew her sword and prepared to join Solari's battle but before she could, Aella threw her knife at the former Amazon. It hit her in the face and she screamed and dropped her sword.
"Thesesis, the sword," she yelled to a young Amazon.
Thesesis rushed forwards and before Okayle could reach for it, the younger Amazon had picked it up and impaled the former Amazon at the end of it. Thesesis withdrew the sword from Okayle's dead body and then picked up the knife and ran back to Aella.
"Go and get my bow and arrow," said Aella, as Thesesis handed back Aella her knife. "Helia, distract them," she shouted, and her gaze moved to the fire pit.
Helia frowned and then her face lit up in understanding. She motioned for her young friends and they ran to the fire pit and picked up stones and pieces of wood and started to throw them at the raiders.
Thesesis had returned with Aella's bow, and gave it to her. Aella immediately loaded an arrow and fired at Agamede's opponent. It skimmed his shoulder but it allowed the Amazon elder an opportunity to slash his side and then his arm. Within seconds Aella had another arrow ready and looked for Gabrielle. She could not get a clear shot at Lindos, and so she turned and fired an arrow at an enemy archer, and Aella took great pleasure when her arrow embedded in her chest, before she could let fly at her target.
Gabrielle was still fighting Lindos and was able, thanks to all the drilling she had done recently, to match him stroke for stroke. Adrenaline was still pumping through her body and she didn't feel the slash on her arm, or any aches in her hand. She continued to block Lindos' sword, and then as he tried to bring it down vertically, Gabrielle managed to hook her staff underneath it and with as much power as she could muster, rip it from his hands. The sword flew away from his grasp and Gabrielle swung her staff at his unprotected head. "You…will…never…get...Lyceus," she said after each hit, and Lindos fell to the ground unconscious.
Claudine ran to her brother and kneeling on the ground, cradled his head in her lap. "You'll pay for this," she hissed.
"Oh she'll pay" said a voice and Teles stepped in front of Gabrielle. "I have dreamt of this for so long."
"I don't know whether to be honoured or disgusted," said Gabrielle, as she raised her staff to meet Teles' descending sword.
Teles merely bared her teeth, and continued to wield her sword.
"Standards are slipping then, Teles," said Gabrielle. She continued to match the rogue Amazon stroke for stroke, hit for hit and was even able to get a couple of strikes on her. "Your army," Gabrielle snorted after that word, "can't beat a, what was it, bunch of brats, elders, and jumped up bards, and you are dependent on a man. Well, well, well."
The words angered Teles and she started to strike out even more wildly. Gabrielle smiled, knowing the Amazon was vulnerable to verbal insults. She was still fighting comfortably, and knew that from the noises surrounding her, the raiders were not having it all their own way.
Suddenly the world slowed for Gabrielle. She heard Aella's voice, "Gabrielle, watch out," and as she straightened up slightly and her eyes scanned for what the danger was, she felt a sharp pain in her leg. She could feel her leg shudder and go from under her and as she fell she saw her thigh had an arrow sticking out from it. She dropped her staff and fell to the ground and immediately reached to pull the arrow out. She sensed the light was blocked and she looked up and then saw Teles standing over her.
"Oh how I have waited for this moment," said Teles, and kicked Gabrielle in the head. Her nose and lip gushed blood and she groaned. Teles then kneeled on the ground and held Gabrielle down with one hand. She whispered, "At the first opportunity, I am going to kill your bastard." Gabrielle pushed up against her, but Teles merely smiled and in a swift movement dug a knife in Gabrielle's stomach.
"Ugggh," said Gabrielle, and she slumped further forwards onto the ground. Her stomach was burning, and her head was spinning. She tried to get to her knees but she had no power in her legs, and her sight was becoming blurrier by the second. Teles was trying to reach under her and retrieve her knife so Gabrielle turned her waning energy to stopping her. She knew Teles had meant to kill her with that stab, and would not be so careless with her next one. Her right hand clutched her stomach and she could see the blood oozing through her fingers, staining her tunic as well as the ground. Her left hand dragged the knife away from Teles' grasp and under her body. But she knew from her fading eyesight, dizziness, and diminishing feeling in her legs she would not have much more energy to resist Teles.
"Horses, I hear horses," came a shout. Gabrielle was unsure whose voice it was but she recognised Solari's as it shouted a curse. She shut her eyes; the village would fall, and Lyceus would be taken. But when she opened them she saw shock in Teles' face, and the next shout confirmed good news.
"It's those centaur freaks."
"We need the boy," said Claudine running to Teles' side.
At this Teles rose after shooting Gabrielle a look of disgust.
"Let's check her hut," said Teles, and she directed Claudine to Xena and Gabrielle's hut.
"No," whispered Gabrielle and tried to drag herself in the same direction.
Lyceus' loud cry caused everyone to cease fighting and look towards Claudine and Teles as they emerged from the hut. Claudine held the distressed baby aloft and her army cheered.
"Quick, let's go," yelled Teles, and she ran to Lindos, and supporting him made their way to their horses.
"No," shouted Solari and tried to block Claudine, but received an arrow to her arm and she fell to one knee.
The young amazons continued to throw rocks and sticks but their foes mounted their horses and rode in the opposite direction to the incoming centaurs and men.
Solari pulled the arrow out of her arm and ran to Gabrielle's side, and knelt by her. Aella joined her and she too knelt on the ground and turned Gabrielle onto her back and placed her head on her thighs. Solari pushed down on Gabrielle's stomach trying to step the blood that was flowing freely.
Gabrielle's eyes blinked and the amazons watched the tears track down her pale and sweaty face. She licked her lips, and opened her mouth but no noise came out, and then said in a whisper, "Lyceus."
"We'll get him back, I promise," said Solari.
Gabrielle nodded slightly. "Tell Xena, tell her I love her, and," she breathed nosily and Solari and Aella exchanged an anxious glance, "they are everything to me."
"Tell her yourself," said Aella, her voice rising slightly in panic. She turned and saw the centaurs, and men swarm into the village and smiled as she saw several familiar figures. She turned back to Gabrielle. "There's Joxer, he'll fix you up in no time." She comfortingly stroked the bard's blonde hair as she spoke.
Gabrielle's eyes closed and her breathing became uneven and ragged. "Stay strong Xena," she said in barely a whisper.
"Gabrielle," said Aella, frantically. "Gabrielle."
Gabrielle's eyes remained shut and her chest stilled. Solari continued to press down on Gabrielle's wound with one hand and with the other shaky hand she felt for a pulse in the bard's neck.
She looked at Aella, astonishment written all over her face. "Hades, Aella, she's dead."
Sorry to leave it on a cliff hanger (well I am not really!). Thank you very much for your reviews, it is appreciated. Off on hols so it will be several weeks before I will update, just keep reading and feeding those bards. Cheers! korkyra.