Chapter Eleven

Meeting the Amazons

"Before we go out, you should know that Gabrielle is an Amazon queen. And everyone knows about you and her being switched, so they're going to be very curious to see if you look any different."

"Then maybe I ought to look like me."

"No, they need to know it's really Gabrielle, or at least her body. Maybe after everyone's curiosity has been satisfied, you can do some kind of magic, like you did with the mirror or the coin."

The two of them stepped through the door of the hut, Xena in the lead. As she predicted, most of the tribe were waiting to see if there was any change.

"Could someone find something for her to eat?" Xena asked the crowd. Two of them reluctantly left to fetch the remains of breakfast.

"I really need to go," Willow said almost in a whisper. "I'd hate to pee all over myself in front of everyone."

"This way," Xena told her and led her around to the rear of the hut and pointed to a well-beaten path that led into the woods. Willow gave her a weak smile, then headed that way, determined to make the best of the situation. She could conjure up some toilet paper if she had to.

When she returned, there was a large wooden bowl of stew waiting for her. So far, no one had spoken to her. They were all too intimidated despite Xena telling them she was no threat to them.

"This is pretty good," Willow said after a couple of bites. "It could use some salt, though."

"Unless you live near the sea," Xena told her, "salt is rare, and expensive."

Willow nodded, then putting her hand over the bowl, she rubbed her fingers together and grains of salt sprinkled into the stew. Then she stopped, a delighted expression on her face.

"I know!" she said excitedly. "You said to do some magic. Well I know just the thing. Is that copper cup still inside the hut?"

"Yes," Xena answered.

"Do you think you could get it for me?"

Before Xena could answer, one of the younger Amazon women ran to get it. When she returned, she bowed down while handing it to Willow, never looking her in the face.

"Thank you. But you don't have to do that. It kinda makes me uncomfortable."

The young woman looked up tentatively and smiled at her.

"Okay," Willow said to them. "Xena told me that salt is hard to come by and is expensive. So, as my gift to you -- a never-empty cup of salt. "

She passed one hand over the cup and it was brimming with the tiny white crystals. She poured the cupful on the ground, and as a she turned the cup upright, it was full again. She did this twice more to prove to them it would never be empty.

"Well, almost never-empty," she told them. "Once Xena and Morgar and I take care of business and the real Gabrielle and I are switched back, the magic ends. So you might want to fill up some jars or saddlebags or whatever you have." Then she turned to Xena. "So, who should I give this to?"

"Perhaps I should take it," Morgar said, then introduced himself to Willow. "I am the shaman Morgar, who summoned you to this land far from your home and your time. A gift such as yours would be a great temptation to be stolen. It will be safe in my hut."

"Or," Xena contradicted, "you could give it to Queen Yakutamor." As she spoke, the queen stepped forward and nodded her head to Willow.

"I thought you said I -- Gabrielle -- was the queen."

"Gabrielle is the queen of the Greek Amazons. Yakutamor is the queen of this tribe."

"Oh. Well, it's very nice to meet you. And I guess this is yours." She handed the cup to Yakutamor, who held it tightly with both hands, as if it contained her life essence.

"Such a gift is beyond our means of expressing gratitude. Whatever we may do for you, or whatever it is you desire, you have but to tell us."

"You're certainly welcome. But, uh, just go easy on the salt. Got to watch the ol' blood pressure, you know."

Yakutamor had no idea what she was talking about, but thanked her again, and assured her they would. During all of this, only Xena saw Morgar's barely contained anger as he glared at Willow. It was evident to her that he didn't like this witch usurping his role as self-appointed shaman of this tribe.

"Everyone," Willow said to the crowd. "I've already shown Xena, but now I want all of you to know what I look like where I come from. So, I don't want any of you to be frightened or anything, okay? Okay. Here I go."

And once again Willow Rosenberg appeared, wearing a fuzzy pink blouse with a green kitten embroidered on it, blue jeans, and ankle high brown boots. There was a collective intake of breath at the magic they were witnessing. Not even Morgar had shown them such as this. Xena watched as Morgar's anger turned to rage, and he abruptly turned and stomped off to his hut. Soon afterward, Willow allowed the Glamour to end and Gabrielle was back.

"That's quite a gift you gave them," Xena said as Willow finished her meal. "I just hope the nomads that roam these steppes never catch wind of it. If they do, they will attack unceasingly to get it. A lot of lives could be lost. It's even possible this tribe could be completely wiped out."

"Oh my god! I never meant to put them in danger. I can stop the spell, but then I'd look like some kind of liar. Maybe with Morgar here to protect them, they'll be all right."

"Maybe."

"Xena, there is something about Morgar that I'm not really comfortable with. And I don't know exactly what it is. Or is it just my imagination?"

"No. I've felt it ever since Gabrielle and I arrived here. Something isn't as it should be. For instance -- he told us finding a protector wouldn't be easy and he would have to have Yakut's help, but he already had chosen you. I think we both need to keep an eye on Morgar."

"Well, if you really..."

"There's something else, too. He wanted to keep you unconscious and tap into your magic."

"He wanted WHAT? My god! That - that's like -- rape! You DON'T violate someone's mind like that! It was bad enough he brought me here without my permission. But I guess you talked him out it, since I'm awake and I have all my powers, that I know of."

"To be honest, at the time I was more concerned what would happen to Gabrielle's body if he kept making her, you, drink the potion. For all I know he could be poisoning her."

"Xena, I think you're right, we both need to watch out for him. I have a sneaky feeling he can be very dangerous."