AN: I've broken up this battle into five parts. Each title important to the chapter. Enjoy and thank you for reading :)

Chapter 28 –Part I of V: Empire of Blood and Power

Gabrielle, Solan and Samuel were able to gather up the remaining army scattered across Delphi and Athens so they began their journey to the Balkan Mountains in Thrace. An entire army of one hundred thousand men following behind the three in front leading the way. Gabrielle lead the way remembering a few shortcuts, though it was difficult terrain it was pertinent that they reach this area. Gabrielle knew that Octavius would catch on eventually and follow them. He was obviously looking for a fight but Gabrielle wanted the fight to be difficult for the emperor only because he destroyed Athens and Xena's and her home. That palace in the highlands of Athens was demolished and probably couldn't be saved unless they tore the entire building down and started anew. Gabrielle didn't wish to see such devastation in Xena's eyes again and was going to make sure that it wouldn't happen again.

Xena had built that palace so long ago and it was more than a home to her, it was her legacy and now it was gone. Octavius may have seen it as just a large building that housed political discourse but it was a home, a school, a library, a political outpost, a training facility and more. Gabrielle began to think that a place couldn't be a home, but a person can be a home too. Xena was her home and she was going to make sure that Octavius would come crashing down just like he should have twenty two years ago.

Xena arrived in Athens though a bit delayed she stepped off the ship and onto the hillside of her city. She took a good look at her palace and sighed inwardly, thinking that her life had definitely come tumbling down right before her. She walked down the hill and saw Athens was deserted and Gabrielle, Solan and Samuel were nowhere to be found. A bit of distance away she saw three of her men waiting for her on their horses and she smiled, thinking that Gabrielle had a plan and must be good, but she also was on the lookout for the Roman Emperor. She thought he wouldn't dare show his face here again after what he did. After all, there was nothing left here for him.

She snapped her fingers and some Egyptian men she brought with her pushed Ptolemy down the hill to follow her. She didn't trust Ptolemy at all, considering his bloodline. He was no king to her, he was just an annoying man child that she wanted to lug around for her own amusement. Though she hadn't hurt him, she did tie him up in chains and got rid of his so called royal guard leaving them in Alexandria. She didn't trust them and wanted Ptolemy all to herself. Essentially she was using the Egypto-Roman as bait for Octavius. She couldn't wait to see his face when she presented the spawn of Julius Caesar himself to the emperor.

Meeting up with the soldiers they smiled, finally seeing her arrive, though it was delayed. She couldn't exactly send a message saying she was coming because at the time she had no idea how long she'd be in Luxor for. Leaving Eve with Hatima was the best possible solution to keep her safe. She smiled at them, "I guess you have a message for me?" she inquired.

One of her men nodded, "indeed empress. Gabrielle and the others are traveling to Thrace. They left two days ago to the Balkan Mountains."

Xena's eyes widened quite shocked to hear something like this. Why would they go to the mountains? The weather is treacherous there but then she cracked a small mischievous grin. She thought Gabrielle was a genius. The Romans would have to follow them to the mountains thus making it so difficult to fight one another, also it gave a lot of coverage in the warzone, giving them the advantage.

"And Gabrielle wants me to follow them there?" Xena asked and the men nodded in unison. She grinned, "clever girl," she sighed turning to see Ptolemy glaring at her. "I caught a fish in the desert. He'll be coming with us," she huffed and grabbed one of the men's horses, mounting it and began riding off. Ptolemy was man handled by Xena's men and they threw him on a horse and rode behind Xena.

If Xena was lucky enough she would be at least three days behind Gabrielle and crew, but she would make it eventually.


Gabrielle saw the mountains not far from where they stood now and she halted her horse. It was early in the morning and hopefully by nightfall they would reach the mountains. They had made two stops so far, but she wanted to keep rest stops to a minimum because she feared that Octavius and his Romans would catch up to them. She was constantly on the lookout for them but so far, they were not being followed just yet. She knew it was coming though and it might not happen tonight or tomorrow but it would happen eventually. Octavius was out for blood and he was going to do everything in his power to overthrow Xena and be rid of her for good this time. He will fail, she thought.

Solan rode up next to Gabrielle and yawned. "We are almost there," he smiled and Gabrielle nodded.

"Yes. We need to keep riding to make sure we get there by nightfall. We are making excellent time," Gabrielle smiled and continued riding at a steady pace. The entire army walked behind them, some on horses, though most didn't have horses due to the flooding in Athens. They were growing tired of walking all that way to Thrace, but it had to be done. Gabrielle wasn't going to stop anymore since they were so close.

Samuel rode alongside Solan and he squinted looking at the snowy tipped mountains. "It reminds me of Persia," he said aloud and the blonde prince smiled, nodding his head. "I miss my home. Don't get me wrong Greece is wonderful but it's not my home," he sighed.

Solan smirked, "a home doesn't have to be a place, Samuel. Eve is your home now." He pat the Persian's shoulder gently.

Gabrielle heard what Solan said and she slipped a small smile. It was exactly what she thought about Xena. Xena was her home, not Greece or Athens or the grand palace.

As the sun began to set Gabrielle and company finally reached the Balkan Mountains and now it was a lush green, but soon in a couple of months this terrain would be covered in snow and ice. It was the perfect place to deter Octavius. The army finally stopped and looked around at the terrain, quite in awe of the place. It was a beautiful sight to behold and there were even waterfalls not too far from where they stood. The air was crisper up in the mountains and autumn was a bit colder in Thrace than it was in sunny Athens.

"We need to find a place to set up our camp," Gabrielle frowned and looked around at the area. There wasn't much flat land unless they went in the trench of the mountains, though even then it was very rocky and hilly.

Samuel nudged Solan in the arm, "we will go scout for an area, Gabrielle," he suggested. She nodded and together the two men trotted off slowly down the sloped hill to find a suitable place to set up camp.


Xena now slowed to a steady pace giving the horse a rest on the long journey. So far she had been traveling for a day and didn't think to stop unless it was absolutely necessary. She looked behind her and saw Ptolemy sleeping on the horse, his head lolling side to side. Smirking she kept her eyes peeled for any Romans following. She hoped that Gabrielle did not run into them or anything out of the ordinary.

One of her men approached her on foot and cleared his throat getting her attention. She peered down at him and he smiled up at her. He was carrying a large bag with him, mostly filled with water and food for the journey. "Gabrielle asked me to retrieve something from the palace."

Xena frowned, "you went in the palace?"

He pulled out something from his bag and Xena broke out into a grand smile. He lifted the large silver helmet with the black fan shaped plume feathers. Her eyes showed excitement and she grabbed the helmet. There was at least one thing she had from her home and it was the most important thing. "Gabrielle gave me specific instructions to give it to you. She said that it would mean a lot to you," he bowed his head placing his hand over his heart.

Xena smiled and placed the helmet on her head, finally feeling like she hadn't truly lost everything. Gabrielle was right, a palace was just a building, but at least her family was safe and that was more important than a palace. "I'll have to thank her when we arrive in Thrace," she smirked.

Mid afternoon Xena decided to stop and get water from a nearby stream to replenish their wineskins as well as the horses. Ptolemy was next to the stream drinking water from his hands as a soldier watched over him carefully. Xena smiled and corked the wineskin placing it back on the horse, she walked over to him.

The Pharaoh lifted his head and saw Xena staring down at him through her veil of dark hair. He frowned, "you're keeping me as a hostage..."

"That's right. I don't trust you though I don't think you could do any damage to me even if you tried," she chuckled lowly and began walking away to grab an apple from the bag.

He stood up and wiped his mouth with the backside of his hand. "You act as if you're a god Xena."

She peeled the apple with her dagger and turned slowly to look into his dark eyes. "Now that's just silly," she smirked and ate a slice of the fruit. She cut a piece off and walked over to him teasing him with the fruit. He snubbed her and she smiled. "Don't like apples, Caesarion?" she teased.

"I don't take fruit from snakes," he spat and Xena shrugged her shoulder, walking away. "If my father were alive he would obliterate you."

Xena laughed, "obliterate me? His own people betrayed him! Don't make me choke, Caesarion." She spit out some skin of the apple and stared at the irate king. "When I assumed the throne of Greece your father was already on his way out. His empire was failing and he was losing trust in his people. In a way he sort of killed himself," she grinned and Ptolemy snarled. "Come now, Caesarion, don't be a spoilt sport," she winked and that only infuriated him more.

He was surprised that she was so arrogant towards him. He had always heard stories about Xena and her cryptic ways. She liked to dance around words that confused her enemies and it was a good tactic if the person was weak minded. Though it was hard to resist a beauty like Xena. He was expecting her to look old and worn out but it was just the opposite. She still looked as youthful as ever and he had never laid eyes on her before but given the time of his father's death, she should be in her fifties by now. He was surprised by her appearance to say the least, which also made him believe that she was a mortal god-like figure. Only kings and queens of Egypt could assume the title of god or goddess, but it seemed that Xena had broken that ancient rule.

He stared at her as she finished eating the apple and she cleaned her dagger in the stream. He had wondered this all his life and he had a right to know. "How did you gain power so quickly?" Xena lifted her head and wiped the dagger on her pants before sheathing it in her boot. She looked confused. "I mean," he continued, "how did you rise to take the throne of Greece so fast? After Caesar destroyed your army you were left with nothing. It seems impossible..."

She sneered, "do they teach this in history classes now?" she scoffed. He looked to be serious and wanted an answer. She mounted her horse and the soldiers forced Ptolemy to mount the horse behind her. "It is not impossible because I did it," she said seriously and began trotting off. "If you really want to know," she peered behind her and he looked a bit intrigued. "I made people submit to me or die. I gained status as a warlord after Caesar destroyed my army. I created a new army after I left Rome and we pillaged villages and I claimed them as my own. I went to every city in Greece, taking Roman territories for myself."

He frowned thinking of Xena's past. It was definitely rich. "So that is why the Roman Empire hated you so much..." he stated.

She nodded, "yes. I had many assassination attempts back then. Don't get too many of those anymore," she smirked. "Do not be fooled, Caesarion. The Greek people hated me for years but I was able to redeem myself to them."

He chuckled and she snapped her head around to see a smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I just find it hard to believe that someone like you could change for the better," his laughter dissipated.

"Believe what you want, Caesarion but your father was not liked by his people until his death," she said coldly and Ptolemy didn't like to hear that. She thought that might insight him.

They rode in silence for a few minutes until he spoke up again, interrupting the lovely silence. "What do you plan to do with me once we reach Thrace?" he didn't exactly trust the empress considering her past, though she wasn't a witch like many believed her to be. Perhaps she was different and she had changed. If she really was the Xena he had heard stories of growing up, she would have killed him in Egypt but she didn't.

"Let me worry about that, Caesarion," she smiled and trotted along, picking up the pace a bit.


Solan and Samuel were able to find a place to set up their camp and it would be a large camp. One hundred thousand men definitely was not a small army. Solan came to Gabrielle and offered some bread to her. She smiled taking the bread and he sat opposite her. "Gabrielle, we don't have any tents or yurts for our men," he sighed and she agreed that this was a problem. "We also do not have any supplies or extra weaponry except for the swords we have on our backs."

She knew this was definitely a problem. "I know I was thinking about that earlier today. Even when Xena arrives she will not bring a slew of weapons to us since most likely she is traveling alone."

He nodded. "Yes that's true. We are going to need help and we don't know when she will come here anyway."

Gabrielle smiled, "I'm sure it won't be long. She's Xena and always has a plan for everything."

He grinned thinking of his mother. Gabrielle was right, Xena always had a plan even in the middle of chaos and he didn't doubt her skills, though he worried for the army and lack of supplies. They were wedged in between these mountains with no real escape route either. If Octavius came in it would be difficult for him to find them but nevertheless, he would find them and try his best to annihilate them.


Octavius gathered up his entire army and rode through the low plains of Greece. He saw horse tracks and footprints leading the way. He frowned looking down at the tracks and it appeared that Xena's army was on the move.

He clicked his tongue and snapped his fingers to his scribe. "Tell Tiberius to reroute and not to attack by sea anymore..." he smiled seeing the tracks going north. He had no idea what they had planned nor had any idea what they were doing. "Oh Xena, what are you up to?" he looked around at his men and they were awaiting his command to ride further. "She seems to disappear and reappear like a Jinn," he smirked and kicked his horse trotting along the tracks eager to see where they would take him.

Xena was riding on the low plains of the desert part of Greece. She knew that it would not be long now, just a couple more days until they reached the desired destination. She heard something in the background and halted her horse. Her men looked around and she frowned as her hearing heightened greatly. "Horses," she hissed and rode up to a hill and her eyes widened. She saw the Roman army riding towards the Balkan Mountains following Gabrielle's tracks. She didn't think that Gabrielle was stupid enough to leave their position wide open like that. "She wants him to find her..." she whispered, thinking that interesting yet dangerous as well. A mysterious smile graced her lips thinking how clever Gabrielle really was. She didn't give her enough credit, she told herself.

Ptolemy looked behind Xena and saw Octavius leading his men and his mouth gaped. Xena turned to see the shocked king and she stifled a laugh. "Could've been your position." She said and he frowned at her.

"You're not going to do anything about him following us?" he cried out.

Xena shook her head, "do I look stupid to you?" she chuckled. "My army is waiting for me. I want this to be a fair fight..." she stared at the fearful boy king and smirked. "Don't be scared of Octavius. He is the lion and I am the mouse. He acts so tough but he refuses to come face to face with me and instead he destroys the things most precious to me," her eyes darkened thinking of what he had done to her beloved palace.

"I am surprised he hasn't attacked your daughter," he said and Xena's head snapped around her eyes widening, shocked and infuriated all at once. He turned his head and saw a menacing glare coming from her. He feared her just now, it was like the stories he had heard of her when he was a child.

"How do you know about my daughter?" she came closer to him on her horse and had her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Ptolemy eyed where her hand was and instantly his heart beat quickened. "I have spies everywhere. I –I don't know anything about her, I swear," he blinked and saw her hand slip from the hilt and he exhaled softly, relieved.

She stared him down for a few silent moments and frowned, turning her horse around to north. "Let's go." Keeping Eve a secret from the outside world was most important to her thought she knew the older she got she couldn't keep her locked away for long. Her appearance was unknown to Octavius, which she was thankful for that, but yet she was known through the grape vine and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. Now, she thought it was best to keep Eve hidden away from prying eyes, especially now.

Xena did not stop through the night and even took a shortcut to get to the mountains. She wanted to arrive there before Octavius and with no army behind her she knew that would quicken her pace and slow Octavius down since he had his entire army coming for her. Little did he know that her army was already in the mountains, at least that's what she hoped.


Early in the morning, the sun barely rising in the sky Xena arrived in the Balkan Mountains and smiled warmly seeing the beauty of the landscape. The mountains of her homeland was definitely a sight to see. Lush green terrain with waterfalls and snowy mountain tops. It was a paradise, though a bit rough in the winter, right now, the crisp air was wonderful and very refreshing from humid Athens and dry Egypt.

She trotted down the hillside and looked for Gabrielle and her army, she knew that they would be hiding somewhere though with the amount of men she had, they couldn't hide very well she knew. Ptolemy opened his eyes from his light slumber and felt the horse struggling to ride down the steep slope. His eyes widened at the sight before him. He had never been to Thrace or Greece before but it was definitely a lot more beautiful than Egypt ever was. Egypt had an odd beauty to it but it was nothing like this.

Near the large lake she saw a group of Persians filling up wineskins and she smiled. Whistling at them they turned their heads and saw Xena riding down the hillside. Large smiles graced their lips as they saw her coming towards them.

She finally made it to flat ground and they grinned, bowing their heads towards her. "Where is everyone else?" she scanned the area.

"Right through the trees there, empress," one of the Persian soldiers said and lead the way. They all noticed Ptolemy on the horse and eyed him cautiously. They weren't expecting Xena to bring anyone along, though they saw his hands were in chains and that was interesting, though they didn't question it.


Gabrielle was going over battle plans with Solan and Samuel. She drew in the dirt with a staff, drawing X's for Xena's army and O's for Octavius' army. She was guessing where Octavius would lead his army but there was no way to tell. She was deeply focused until she heard a few rustling in the trees ahead. Stopping she squinted her eyes and saw Xena riding in on her horse. Her face broke out into a large smile and she dropped the staff running towards Xena.

Xena smiled and dismounted from her horse, instantly embracing Gabrielle tightly. "I told you I would come back," she whispered.

Gabrielle pulled away, still smiling. "I had no doubt that you would come." Xena brushed Gabrielle's cheek with her palm and she blushed.

The empress took a good look around and saw all her men plus Samuel's men staring at her. She smiled placing her hands on her hips. "What made you want to come to Thrace?" she turned to Gabrielle.

The blonde shrugged, "it is your homeland. What better place to win a war than in your own home?" she winked and Xena smiled, grateful that Gabrielle had brought everyone here and so quickly too. She was rather impressed.

"A home doesn't always have to be a place," Xena said and Gabrielle's eyes widened. Solan smiled folding his arms as his mother spoke of the same words he said to Samuel a few days ago. Gabrielle couldn't believe that came out of Xena's mouth. It was like she heard her own thoughts even thousands of miles away. Xena walked over to Samuel and saw the concern in his eyes. She placed a hand on his shoulder, easing his anxiety. "Eve is with your mother in Luxor. Her fever broke before I left. She'll be fine."

Samuel let out a big sigh of relief and lifted his palms to the sky. "Thank God," he said.

Solan sighed, "this guy is always praying," he chuckled. "You made it here quickly, mother."

Xena nodded, "I wanted to beat Octavius here. He is on his way here, I saw him with his army yesterday." All eyes lowered, fear growing inside them. "He should be here by nightfall."

Gabrielle frowned, "Xena we don't have any supplies. Everyone brought the weapons on their backs, that's it."

Xena knew that this was a problem that they would run into. Her army had limited supplies and Octavius would have a slew of weaponry. She saw the caravans filled with weapons as she traveled here. Though she had one advantage and that was that she had double the amount of men than he had, but she didn't want to sacrifice hers or Samuel's men because of the lack of weapons.

"We will have to make do with what we have for now," she said and everyone nodded, feeling a bit hopeless right now. "But we're going to need help."

Samuel spoke up, "the sea is not far from here. I can have my men go back to Persia to get supplies."

Gabrielle frowned, "Persia is too far from here," she then had an idea and snapped her fingers, "what if we ask Allat to help us?" she suggested. Solan nodded, not opposed to the idea and Samuel agreed, shrugging his shoulders. All three looked to Xena for her approval though she remained silent.

Xena shook her head, "Allat's kingdom is recovering from the Roman invasion. He will not have enough supplies for our entire army." Everyone was beginning to worry now until Xena smiled suspiciously. "We are in my homeland," she stated and everyone looked at her confusedly. "We can send men to cities in Thrace for supplies." She said and Gabrielle smiled thinking that this was a good idea. "Send the men out immediately and tell the people Xena sent them. I'm sure they will have no problem offering to help us fight against the Romans."

Solan was the first to offer assistance, "I will gather a group of men and go with them to the villages." He smiled and Xena nodded. He disappeared to find willing volunteers to go with him per his mother's request.

Samuel looked to Ptolemy who was patiently waiting on the horse. He pointed at him, "who's that?"

Xena turned around with a sneaky grin, "oh him? Something I picked up in Egypt. Chain him to a tree, would you?" she smiled and walked off. Samuel blinked, confused why she brought this man here at a time like this but he learned not to question Xena and her ways of doing things by now.

Gabrielle followed Xena and both sat down around a campfire. Xena took off her helmet and Gabrielle grinned. "I see you got your helmet."

Xena smiled, "thank you for saving this for me," she set the helmet next to her boot and brushed her fingers across the black plume.

The blonde looked back to see Samuel chaining the mysterious guest to a tree like Xena asked him to do. "So...who is that?" she whispered.

"His name is Caesarion but he goes by Ptolemy," she sighed drinking some water, quenching her thirst. "He's the son of Caesar and Cleopatra."

Gabrielle gasped and looked back at the Pharaoh. "Caesar has a son?" she couldn't believe it and Xena nodded her head. "He kept him well hidden..." she supposed.

"He's a sneaky bastard," she chuckled. "I am using him as bait for Octavius. He wants me to give him Egypt." She saw the shock in Gabrielle's eyes and both started laughing. "I know, that was my instant reaction."

Gabrielle's laughter died down. "Are you going to kill him?"

Xena shook her head, "no. Even though he is the son of my enemy, he is innocent in all of this. He's lived his life in captivity because of his parents'. He doesn't deserve to die because of his parents' negligence."

"Wow I'm impressed. The old Xena would have beheaded him at first sight," Gabrielle smirked and Xena looked into her green eyes.

"The old Xena is dead...for now," she winked.

Gabrielle laughed, "Ha-ha, is that one of your jokes?" she said and Xena stared at her blankly and her smile disappeared. "That's not funny, Xena."

"We might need the old Xena for this war," Xena said with a hint of mischief. "Love and peace is not really working out for me and Octavius is like a flea that never seems to leave my skin. His entire empire needs to die along with him," her eyes darkened as she stared off in the distance.

AN: to be continued in Part II!