Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Blue Eyes, White Horse, and a Chakram

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Chapter 10: Sparring

13 years ago…

She'd had a dream. Deep within her bones she felt in, a shift in the balance. The words of her rival echoed in her mind. "A new Xena is born tonight…" With a twisted grin she knew what she had to do, what her father had meant all those years ago. She wasn't meant to conquer this rival by killing her, but rather by taking her power from her like she'd done to so many other apprentices over the years. Xena, this new Xena, would be her next student.

She didn't want to leave the new land, but knew it was in her destiny to do so. The young queen, who she had been slowly manipulating, had grown heavy with child. The child was to be a boy, and like his father, have great potential. She had seen it, and knew that he could wait. It would be at least ten years before the child would be strong enough to add to her collection of souls.

Valdemar could wait until she conquered her next pray, Xena, was now ripe for the picking. Hungrily she drank in the power, raping the land itself of its magical life force, and leaving behind a barren wasteland. It was time to return to Earth… and to her rival… Xena…

-X-

Crack! went the first strike. Gabrielle grimaced as the vibration shook through her staff. She quickly counted, sweeping low and making the dark warrior leap into the air. Xena then brought her staff past the bard's side, causing the bard to twist to block it. Gabrielle faked going low again, and then at the last moment went high. Xena ducked, missing the blow, and using her powerful legs to spring back up again, she flipped over the bard's head letting up her war cry. Gabrielle knew from experience that she wouldn't have enough time to twist around, so instead she threw herself to the side, effectively missing the warrior's blow that would have swept her legs.

Xena nodded and muttered a "good," as Gabrielle somersaulted and landed back on her feet. Gabrielle then managed to get two quick hits off, which Xena expertly blocked before backing up a step as they circled again, each waiting for a moment to open to start the next round.

Jorlyn was impressed. They were both very good. She could tell by the muscle tone and the way that each moved almost effortlessly that not only were they two of the best fighters that she had ever seen, but they were enjoying themselves as well.

Xena and Gabrielle managed to go another 3 rounds before the warrior finally bested the bard and Gabrielle found herself knocked into the dirt, with the end of the staff pressed against her throat.

"Do you yield?" Xena asked with a smirk.

Gabrielle, panting, looked up into the beautiful blue spheres that were Xena's eyes and thought to herself, gods yes, I yield. She trapped the warrior's eyes into her own and she brought her leg around, kicking Xena in the back of the knee. Xena was startled for a moment as her knee gave out and she had to rebalance. The moment was long enough for Gabrielle to push the end of the staff away and back-somersault. As she flipped around she reached into her boot and pulled out a dagger. Within a very short span she was back into a standing position.

Now it was Xena's turn to be impressed. That move was new. Xena eyes then narrowed as she caught the sunlight reflecting off the blade now in Gabrielle's hand. Where did she get that? Xena wondered. Suddenly the bard moved, throwing the knife directly at the warrior. Xena went on pure instinct, moving the staff to intercept the blade.

Xena's eyebrows shot up, as she glanced from the blade sticking through the staff and the cocky grin on the bard's face. "Eponin?" Xena asked.

Gabrielle answered with a grin and a nod. Xena shook her head. "When we get back, remind me to have a long talk with that Weapon's Master of yours and just what she is teaching her Queen."

The bard grimaced, "Don't blame her, Xena. It's my fault, I asked her to help me figure out a way to distract you."

"And she did. And I have to admit, I'm impressed"

"You are?" Gabrielle felt like a kid in a candy store.

"Yes, I am. But do me a favor. Don't throw any more knives at me." Xena chuckled. "What if I missed?"

"You never miss."

"I'm human, Gabrielle. Sometimes I miss." Xena stretched out and wrapped her arm around the bard. "Had enough for now?"

Gabrielle nodded, and for the first time looked up and noticed that they were surrounded by a group of trainees. The first morning class had shown up in the middle of their match. The group was quiet, although with Xena's superior hearing she could pick up whispered voices. The crowd was stunned and she heard the phrase 'queen' and 'princess' echoed a few times. It seemed if nothing else, these trainees and probably the adults too were fast on spreading rumors.

Xena decided to put an end to it before it got out of hand. She cleared her throat loudly and waited for attention to focus on her. "It seems as though there are a lot of rumors flying around about Gabrielle and myself. I want to clear those up for you all right now. Yes, by full rank and title Gabrielle is a queen. She is an Amazon Queen, and damn proud of it. I also have a title that I earned in a faraway land called Chin, Warrior Princess. It is just a name. I am warrior. It is what I do. Gabrielle is a bard, it is what she does. If you have questions, address them directly. Do not whisper behind our backs."

The crowd, stunned, somberly nodded. "Now," Xena continued, "Does anyone have any questions?" She glared at the crowd, daring someone to say something.

It was quiet for a moment, and then she heard a small voice, "Can you teach me to fight with a stick like that?" Xena looked down through the crowd, surprised to see that is was Prince Tereth asking.

Xena nodded and replied, "Yes, I can, and it's called a staff, not a stick." Then as almost an afterthought, Xena made eye contact with the Weapon's Master, and then added, "If that is ok with Jorlyn. This is her class. I didn't mean to interfere."

Jorlyn smiled, "Actually I was thinking about asking you the same question."