11 Marching Orders
Velasca was deeply irritated. "Ailliana I told you not to kill anyone. Not only did you disobey me, but you managed to kill Gabrielle's father. That's what this woman says." She points to Lila. Ailliana answered back casually "Wrist must of slipped." Velasca stormed away angry.
"Ares! Ares! Show your self!" Ares appeared looking sternly at Velasca, "Aren't we a little demanding these days?" Velasca said back "That woman you sent me, is a loose cannon. She killed Gabrielle's father." Ares breathed in slowly and answered back "Now you understand my position, besides this works in our favor. Gabrielle when she finds out will be more furious. Now you should march near Amazon lands and disguise a soldier as a villager and send them into her village to give the report of what happened including the death of her father." Velasca calmed, and decided to go along with the idea. So they marched for Amazon territory.
Three days pass.
Other than the little issue with Jett, things were calm. Gabrielle felt that this was a bad omen as it meant that Velasca may again be moving against her. Ephiny had returned from her visit with seeing that the Amazon nation was in alert status. There was several scouting patrols at the edge of the border. Joxer was kept in the village to keep Velasca from getting her hands on him. Gabrielle admitted that she was tired of having deal constantly with threats from Velasca. She was beginning to wish she had her executed back when she first became queen.
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Velasca had sent the man away into the Amazon territory, disguised as a villager from Potidaea. This would easily draw out Gabrielle. But then Velasca had another idea. She took her archers and moved towards Centaur lands. She knew of a habit of Tildas from back when she was with the Amazons. He liked to hunt in a little area of woods near Amazon territory. She figured, get rid of two enemies with one strike.
She continued to move towards his hunting area. She knew he would be there, maybe with Xenan. Oh that would be delicious. Ares appeared before her subtlety irritated. "What are you doing Velasca?" Velasca said back tired of his questions "Taking care of an enemy." Ares said back seriously "This isn't part of the plan Velasca." Velasca then said "Funny, it was always mine." Ares then said with a look of growing anger "Turn your squad around Velasca. Stick to the plan." Velasca replied fiercely "I am sticking with the plan Ares. My plan." Ares eyes were red with fury as he teleported away. Velasca said to herself "Gods. What do they know."
A few minutes later she was within range.
Ares appeared again this time furious "Velasca, you haven't done what I said! Turn my army around now!" Velasca scoffed "Your army? Who leads them? Who sends them to battle!? Ares this is my army!" Ares calmed and got real serious making direct eye contact. "You do this, you can forget about my promises." Velasca looked like she was offended by the statement as she said "Your promises Ares? Your promises. I'll I see is a petty God using me for his own ends." She took her eyes of Ares and directed her men to fire.
Ares was so angry that sparks flew from his finger tips. "Velasca I forbid this, I found you, I saved. Gave a purpose, a direction!" Velasca turned her head to Ares with disgust. "You forbid me? How can you forbid me? No one forbids me! This is my choice, my will! I don't need you God of war!" Ares then stormed away teleporting while saying "Your on your own!" Velasca was glad he left "Finally. Archers fire."
The arrows flew through the air. Soaring fast to their target. Tildas took two the Abdomen and one to the heart. Fortunately Xenan wasn't there however some of his guards were. Tildas said with blood coming out of his mouth. "Tell Celipus that he is guardian of my grandson until he is old enough to rule." He lay their dieing as he whispered "Phantes…" Tildas joined his fathers and his son in the afterlife that day. The Centaur nation would organize and destroy the people responsible.
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Gabrielle was alone in her hut. Ares appeared. Gabrielle said with a slight hint of irritation "Ares what do you want? Tired of the Velasca?" Ares replied coolly "Well yes actually. She is out of control. Different than Xena." Gabrielle replied with a stern look "I could have told you that." Ares said "But I'm not here to compare warriors. I'm here to give you some information." Gabrielle looked at him doubtfully "I don't want your information Ares." Ares replied "Oh trust me Gabrielle you do. You see its about your family. Velasca has sent a guard disguised as a villager here to tell you that your village had been burnt to the ground and she has your sister and mother. She expects you to ride out to save them and thereby ride into her trap and kill."
Gabrielle said with surprise. "My family?" Ares continued knowing he had her attention now "You see Velasca had your father killed and captured your sister and mother and everyone else in your entire villager in order to lure you out. I'm just letting you know it's a trap. And just so you know, she just assassinated Tildas as well." Ares looked happy with his "good" deed. He teleported away. Gabrielle sat there trying to take it all in when Ephiny came in the hut. "Gabrielle, there's a man here who said your village has been burnt to the ground."
Gabrielle's eye welled up with tears. Her father was dead. Ares was not lying. But Gabrielle put that past herself for a moment and said "That man is not a villager, he is a soldier of Velasca. He speaks the truth but he was sent to draw me out. Imprison him, we must form up our military, Velasca is waiting outside our borders. She aims to trap us, we must draw her in instead. Ephiny." She said looking her in the eyes. "Velasca has assassinated Tildas, I don't know about your son but I know Tildas is dead. Don't ask how I know." Ephiny stood there amazed. How could she have figured all this out. Still she realized it made sense. It was right.
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Ares appeared before Ailliana. "Only you can see or hear me so just nod. I didn't just pick you because I liked your work though it was beautiful. I choose you because I needed a fall back plan. Velasca has betrayed my will. I want this battle to take place. You must survive this battle, your job is to make sure Velasca doesn't. Don't kill her in front of the men if you can avoid it. Kill Liann also, she can't be trusted. You do all this and I will give you what I promised Velasca. A world forged by your will. Do you agree." Ailliana nodded slightly. Ares continued "When this battle is over and they are both dead then I will appear before you and provide instruction." Ares disappeared from her.
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Celipus had just taken command over the Centaurs a few minutes before. The spirit of Tildas appeared before him. "Listen to me, Velasca's army sets camp north of here on the Amazon border. They aim to ambush the Amazons as they march out to retrieve the queens family. They will need help or several will die including Ephiny. I have seen it in a vision right after I died. Save my grandsons mother. " Celipus said "For your memory I will save the Amazons." As he said this he left to prepare the Cavalry. No longer insight of Celipus he changed his form to reveal he was in fact the God of war. Velasca would pay for her betrayal.
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Salona was in her tent when the order came. Full battle dress ready to go to battle. Another chance she thought, for her to prove her loyalty. To make up for her past mistake. She grabbed her sword and sheathed it in her scabbard and then grabbed the spear as she was assigned to a spear squad. She would be ready. She was ready.
The Army of the Amazons had assembled quickly on horseback. Gabrielle had a spear. Ephiny had a crossbow. Several others well armed with spears, swords or crossbows. Gabrielle at the head of her army shouted loudly. "My sisters, a grave threat rears its head again. She has come this time for all of us. She wants to destroy each and everyone of our lives. Are we going to allow this?" "No" They shouted in unison. "Then we ride to put down forever the threat this traitor holds over our heads. For our Sisters!" The Amazons shouted with cheers.
The Army of the Amazons rode forth to destroy the Army of Velasca. They day had finally come for Gabrielle. The day when she must lead her sisters to battle. She knew she was leading her sisters into a battle that would cost lives. Each one a life she loved. A life she risked to put an end to the danger that was posed on each of them. Her day had come.