I did some pretty extensive research for this chapter and those that follow...much of what I have written has come directly from translated texts, as this part of the story is not only the most important, but will be the most action packed and intense, and hopefully the most accurate. I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I have writing it. Thanks for hanging in there with me. The Xenaverse rocks.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The courtyard was a veritable jungle of plant life and cascading fountains, it was cool and dim, and the seating was conveniently tucked away in small cozy nooks, perfect for private conversation. Herodotus waited for Gabrielle to sit before taking a stool opposite of her and leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, he regarded her with a serious expression. " Let me tell you what Aphrodite has given me in the way of explanation, and then we can go over your options..is that agreeable?"

The bard nodded and he went on, " The way I understand it, Aphrodite approached Anubis about weighing your friends' heart to see if she is eligible for the afterlife?" He waited for her to respond, she nodded, and he continued, " If he finds a balance, the Goddess has offered to give up her immortality to bring the Warrior back…is that correct?"

"As I understand it…yes," she replied.

" Alright, then I will tell you what would happen in a normal Egyptian ceremony, and then we can infer what may happen in your situation, since it is markedly different. For a typical Egyptian, after death they would enter the Duat and undertake a journey through the underworld either by land or water, until they reach the hall of Anubis, who then takes them to Osiris where their hearts are weighed and either found in balance and surrendered to Osiris, or found unbalanced with Ma'at and given to Ammit for disposal.

The underworld consists of a series of gates, caves and mounds which are home to various creatures which try to prevent the souls from reaching Anubis. They come in many grotesque and violent forms and must be pacified prior to moving forward to the next obstacle. Considering your friends' formidable reputation, I believe the journey will be less of a test for her, than for most, but it should not be taken lightly. However, once defeated, the creatures will not trouble you again, and may even offer spells of protection against others.

Once the soul has completed the journey they are led by Anubis to Osiris and must recite the "Negative Confession" a list of 42 " I have nots…" He paused and gave her a wry look, " Xena having been a warrior of some ill repute previously in her life, would not be able to address many of the "I have nots" with any credibility…however, there are words of absolution that can be applied that can negate those to good effect. I can supply you with a scroll you can read aloud to Anubis during the ceremony that should be sufficient to…counter… her previous deeds, and it will be important that you innumerate her more recent achievements and illustrate her reformation.

Once she has recited the Negative Confession, Anubis will weigh her heart against the feather of Ma'at, or truth and justice and if she balances the scales, Osiris will judge where she goes from there."

He paused again, gazing at her speculatively then said, " It is unprecedented what the Gods are doing in your case, and I can only speculate how it will play out. The fact that she has no body, the fact that they have invited you a living mortal to be involved, and the fact that you were both previously under the jurisdiction of the Greek Fates, the Olympians, whom Xena coincidentally annihilated, and that you are not Egyptian are factors that boggle my mind."

Her shook his head regarding her with no small measure of awe. She smiled wryly and said, " If there is one thing I have learned in my travels with Xena, it's that we tend to blow precedents completely out of the water. If no living mortal has ever attended this ceremony, how do you suppose I will get there?"

He shrugged expressively," Again, I can only speculate, but here's what I think will happen…I will take you, Xena's ashes, her shadowbox, various offerings to Anubis and copies of the "Book of Two Ways", the "Book of the Dead" and your scroll of absolution, and introduce you to the chief priest at the temple. He is aware of your invitation, so he will be prepared for you. It is my understanding that he will give you a mixture of drugs that will allow you to travel in spirit form through the Duat with your friend, and into the presence of the God. From there, the rest will be up to you and Xena. If her heart balances the scales, Osiris and Aphrodite will complete their bargain. Xena's ashes will be turned over to Khnum for restoration, and you will both be returned to the temple, intact."

" Best case scenario…" Gabrielle replied rhetorically.

" Just so," replied Herodotus.

" And the worst case scenario?" she asked hesitantly.

He smiled, " Worst case would be not making it past the first gate…but should you make the journey, then the next worse case would be that her heart not achieve balance. If that should happen, her soul would be fed to Ammit the Devourer and oblivion. No afterlife. No reprieve, no parole. An eternity of nothing."

" Sounds delightful," Xena said sarcastically.

" And what of me?" Gabrielle asked earnestly, " Should Xena be denied the right to return."

Herodotus caught the note of fear in her voice and he looked away for a moment before answering, " Anubis will send you back to the temple…alone."

Gabrielle sighed, " That is not an option for me," she replied with conviction, over riding Xena's heated interruption. She reached out and clasped Herodotus' hand, squeezing it firmly until he met her eyes. " I know that we have only just met," she said softly, " But I am going to have to ask you for a very large favor."

" What would you have me do?" he asked tentatively.

The bard leaned forward and captured his gaze with an intensity that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up straight. " If all goes well, I will ask Osiris to return Xena first, so that you know everything has gone according to plan. But if she doesn't…I am going to leave my sai with you, and I ask….no, Herodotus I BEG you…please…use it to end my life."

His eyes grew wide and he started in horror, immediately raising his hands to ward off the very suggestion when she captured them between her own and gripped them with surprising strength. She smiled sadly, tears welling in her beautiful green eyes, " You see Herodotus…if I return without her….my life is over anyway. I was only just able to survive when she died, and only then because I made a promise to her. If this goes badly, all bets are off…I can't… I will NOT go through that again. I need your promise that you'll help me find peace."

Herodotus was shaking his head vehemently…the idea of ending her life unthinkable…until he looked into her eyes and saw the truth. He sat for a moment in complete silence, then looked up at her and replied, " I will have to think about it Gabrielle…it is no small thing you ask of me, and it goes contrary to every moral I hold dear." He blew out a pensive breath and his shoulders slumped, " But I can see that you will find a way, with or without my help…so I will give your request due consideration. I will give you an answer in the morning before we leave for the temple. That is all I can promise you."

"That is enough," she replied seriously, " For now."