This story will contain the following: two women as life partners and mothers, spankings to minor children, and anyone else whom the author deems needs it.

The rights of Xena, Gabrielle, Cyrene, Argo, etc. belong to REN pics and whomever else makes a profit from using them. I own nothing.

All that said, enjoy.

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Chapter 10

We were finally back on Amazon lands and I was thrilled to be home. The week on the road had been uneventful and for that I was thankful. I think we all began to relax a bit more the closer we got towards home, and I was actually looking forward to getting back into my daily routine. I also knew that I needed to talk to Kassandra and Artemis the first chance I was given.

Reaching the first marker, I raised my hands above my head and clasped them together. Turning, I grinned to see Mom teaching Eve to do the same thing. Hearing rustling, the outer guards began to descend from the trees, bring a surprise with them.

"About time you got back," Eponin grinned at us. "Been awful dull around here."

"Glad to be back," Mama spoke with a twinkle in her eye and extended her arm to the weapons master. "Come on, I'll give you a lift back to the village."

"I don't know, Xena."

"Get on the horse, Eponin," Mom grinned. "Argo is really very friendly once you get to know her."

"Go fast, Argo," Eve squealed, causing the weapons master to grimace and Yaya to chuckle as Eponin finally seated herself behind Mama on Argo's back.

As we moved away from the outer guards, Eponin finally spoke again. "Ephiny asked me to meet you and update you on a few things."

"Such as?" Mom asked.

"Artemis appeared to Eph yesterday, says she wants to talk to you as soon as you're back in the village. Kassandra also has made the same request."

"Yeah, we figured," Mama's voice was dry.

"Then, there's the other thing," Eponin rubbed her face with her hand.

"Other thing?" Mom stopped her horse and we all came to a stop and waited.

"All these damn lesser gods keep popping up around the village. They're scaring the little kids and making the elders want to go to war. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

"Yeah, we have an idea, and we'll have a better idea after we talk to Kassandra and Artemis," Mama turned Argo towards the village. "We'd better get back sooner rather than later, I guess this can't wait as long as I'd hoped."

Entering the village, we stopped and allowed some older teens to take our horses. Giving them instructions, Mama then allowed Yaya to take Eve from her. "I'll take this one home and put her down for a nap while you go and do your errands," Yaya said quietly.

"Thanks, Mom," Mama smiled and then frowned as she looked at me. "Sam?"

"I can feel them," I said quietly looking at my mothers. "A lot of them, what should I do?"

"Call them out and use your words," Mom's voice was like ice and she slowly rubbed her belly. "Let them know to leave you alone for the time being."

Nodding, I moved into the large, empty square of the village, facing skyward, I finally yelled, "Show yourselves right now!" Feeling the tingling increase, I yelled once more, "Show yourselves, you cowards!"

Flashes of color were suddenly seen from everywhere surrounding the square. Warriors came running towards me and were stopped only when Mama and Mom held up their hands. "Leave them!" Mom commanded.

The warriors stopped running, but did not lower their weapons. I knew their weapons would be no match for the gods, but I was thankful for the support nonetheless.

A tall, muscular woman, with long waves of blonde hair approached me and bowed respectfully, "Child of the gods, we have come to ask you to make a decision for Athena's replacement."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded in understand before speaking. Choosing my words carefully, I moved to stand on the ever present dais in the square. "Gods and goddesses of Olympus, I have an announcement to make," holding up my hands as murmurs surrounded us, I looked to Mom and received an encouraging nod.

"I am not choosing a successor to Athena until I have had time to consult with the seer known as Kassandra, and even then, I may not choose anyone immediately. I must decide the criteria for anyone to fill that important role."

"But it must be done!" the blonde spoke again, her green eyes now flashing.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Nike, goddess of victories."

"And good tennis shoes too," I muttered under my breath. "Okay, here's the deal; you all know what talents my mother and I possess when it comes to dealing with the gods. Unless you want us to use those talents on you, you will NOT come into my village again without an invitation. You WILL leave me and ALL of my family members alone. If you do not honor this, I will see it as a violation of our treaty and Athena's death will not be the only one on Olympus."

Another rumble from the assembled Olympians was quickly quieted by Mama as she flipped on the dais next to me.

"QUIET!" her voice roared and there was silence once more. "Do all of you understand what my daughter has said?" she demanded.

Heads nodded all around and I nodded as well, "Good. Leave us and you will be informed of any decisions in this matter when I feel it necessary."

Glad for Mama's hand on my shoulder I watched as the gods and goddesses finally began to disappear around us. The warriors finally lowered their weapons and Mom turned to them. "Thank you for wanting to protect my family," she smiled at those assembled. "You truly showed the meaning of the word sister today and for that we will have a minor celebration tonight!"

As hoots and hollers rang through the air, I looked up to Mama with a grin. "You're right, Amazons love to party," I teased as we jumped off the platform and moved to join Mom before heading to Kassandra's.

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The door was opened before we could even knock and I was immediately brought into Kassandra's embrace. "Eve is with Cyrene?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Good, you handled that situation in the square well, child of the gods." Kassandra motioned us to sit and then began to pour out cups of tea. "Artemis and I must speak to you regarding this matter."

"Where is Artemis?" Mama finally spoke after taking a sip of the warm tea. "I thought she'd already be here."

"I believe she is waiting to be invited," Kassandra smirked. "That was some speech, Samina."

Looking up at her, I smiled as the seer used my name for the first time. Biting into a cookie, I took another sip of tea and then called out into thin air, "Artemis, please join us."

A flash of silver lit the room, and Artemis stood behind Kassandra, smiling slightly at me. "No wonder Dite calls you her little warrior bard," she said lightly. "That was quite the threat."

"I meant every word," I said seriously as I stood to shake her arm.

"I know, Samina," she replied, graciously sitting around the table with us. "I am sure you and your mothers have questions. I hope that I can answer them."

"Me too." I looked around the table. "I'd still like Auntie to be here, though."

"I expected as much," Artemis smiled as Aphrodite materialized with no summons from me.

"I so hope that invitation only stuff does not apply to favorite goddess mothers," she said moving to hug me.

"Of course not," I smiled at her and then giggled as a large puffy pillow materialized on the chair next to me before she sat down. "What is it with you Amazons and the no comfort thing? Just because you enjoy fighting, you can't have a few pretty frilly things to make life more comfortable?"

"Comfort has never been at the forefront for our people," Kassandra spoke softly. "Now, we must decide what to do about Samina before the rest of your siblings come calling."

"First, I want to know why you both wanted to see me," I shrugged as Mom just looked at me. "I mean, I wanted to see you both as well, but for different reasons."

"I wished to see you to help you understand your roll in this," Kassandra spoke first. "However, I will allow Artemis to explain first."

Looking at me and then my moms Artemis finally spoke. "I have been visited by numerous lesser gods since the day Pallas and Enyo came to see you. It seems they feel I can persuade you to choose them because you are an Amazon. I have tried to tell them that this is not so, but they will not listen."

"I wanted to warn you Samina. Do not believe any of them if they say I have given my blessing to them, I have done no such thing. It is not my place to choose Athena's replacement and we must decide how the replacement will be chosen and when."

"How much time do we have?" Mama asked.

"A long time for you, a blink of an eye for us," Auntie giggled. "Oh, come on people, I think my little warrior bard is brilliant too, but eleven is just a bit young to choose the next god on Olympus."

"I agree," Mom smiled at Auntie. "Therefore, let's wait, shall we say, five years before Sam will make the decision."

"The year I turn sixteen?" I looked at Mom and everyone else around the table as they nodded. "Why sixteen?"

"It is the year you are eligible to earn your first feather," Mom held my hand in hers. "It is the year that you will officially be brought into warrior training."

Smiling, I nodded, "Makes perfect sense then. Not quite an adult, but not a child either. Now, as for choosing, I am not just going to pull a name out of a hat."

"Well, we will have a few years to think of something," Mama's voice was low. "I'm sure we can be creative and think of something everyone feels is fair."

Hearing a low chuckle, we all turned our attention to Kassandra. The woman was now laughing in full, her wrinkled hands still around her tea cup. "I have no doubt, Xena, that you will find a very creative way for Samina to choose Athena's replacement. In the meantime, I will speak to the child alone. There are some things I need to discuss with her privately."

Getting a hug from Auntie, I waved as she disappeared, followed quickly by Artemis. Saying goodbyes to my moms, I turned my attention back to Kassandra after they left and waited for her to speak.

I had learned that she, like Mama, did everything for a reason and I wasn't surprised to find more tea in my cup and a few sesame balls brought out for us to eat. "I have seen much, child of the gods," she finally began as I munched on the sweet treat she'd given me.

"The next five years will not be uneventful, but they will not lend themselves to the challenges your sixteenth year will bring."

"You already knew that Mom would suggest waiting," it wasn't a question and she nodded.

"I did," she smiled and ran a weathered hand down the side of my face. "Your twin sisters have not yet told me their importance in the tribe, though I feel it will be significant. Your youngest sister however," she held up her hand to me. "Yes, there will be one more, and she will have my gift."

"She will be a seer?"

Kassandra nodded, "She will not know it as a very young age, but the young one will learn as she grows. Do not share this with anyone until the summer she turns eight," Kassandra took a long sip of her tea. "It is then, that you may tell your mothers what I have told you. I do not want them worried if her dreams start to come true."

"Will you train her?"

"Yes," Kassandra stood and moved to the window. Staring out of it, she said nothing for a few moments before sitting down and joining me once more. "I will begin her teachings and continue until I can continue no more. Do not worry Samina, my time here is long, and I will make sure she knows all she needs before my time ends."

"I'm glad you're time here is long," I admitted. "You are a wonderful friend."

Feeling her hands clasp mine, she smiled at me, "As are you, child. As are you."