49

Morning had dawned wet with drizzle as the lone figure covered by a blanket to keep dry but also to hide with hunched shoulders walked through the encampment of centaur tents. Not having slept much, not that that was so unusual these days because she hardly seemed to need it but now for once she was actually tired. ' Not now.' she told herself not wanting to be reminded of what kept her awake nights and she walked on trying hard not trip over the guide ropes and keep her wits about her. Stopping dead at the perimeter of tents suddenly aware of the centaur ahead pacing back and forth along the line she ducked to not be seen. A sentry lord that was the last thing she wanted right now.

' Oh hell now what am I to do ? ' How far would he go? How could she get past him ? Jan asked herself as he marched on then she saw him turn and come back. A few more times and to Jan's disappointment the paces she counted would not match. 'Blast it to hell.' She kept the groan under her breath. There was no way of knowing when he was going to turn and she would just have to hope for the best that she wouldn't be seen. She made ready and as he turned his back to her and she made her run.

In her sleep Gabrielle reached out and felt for the warrior's body but found only a cold empty space and that brought her quickly awake and she sat up. ' Why don't I wake up with her these days ? ' A momentary sense of abandonment shook her but she told herself there wasn't anything to worry about Xena would be back in no time at all. Even as she was trying to convince herself of this she was hurriedly lighting a candle grumbling to herself as she got out of bed, dressed and grabbing her staff before snuffing out the flame Gabrielle left the barn.

The arena was empty. It was the first time she had visited the practice ground where she had learned the arts of war with her brothers and the other boys. The lessons had been anything but official as the arms master would not consider teaching a girl but her friends, and Lyceus especially had no qualms about showing her what they had learned.

Xena involuntarily shuddered at conjuring up the ghosts of her past walking about the ground with so many unwanted memories that began to crowd in on her and to shake off the feeling Xena started to do what she had come to the arena to do. Slow stretches, beginning at her neck and shoulders, moving backward and forward and from side to side. Then swinging her arms and arching her body back and forth, stretching her muscles in her back and front and then lower stomach. Then she went down into press ups following that with sit ups. Nothing was done too fast or strenuously, it was all for warming up the body then standing again she went into high waist bends then stretching her legs first on the floor and then swinging one out in the air and then the other in ever increasing wider arcs.

Now fully loosened up Xena began to push herself with a series of combat moves. Slow at first then gradually gaining speed. Punching to imaginary head and body. A round of kicks both high and low. Getting faster then adding spins and jumps ending every move with a killing blow.

Then she drew her sword and began to practice with the lethal blade spinning and twirling it around her head and body with increasing speed as she moved across the wide open ground slashing and stabbing the air to left and right killing her imaginary foes and adding to this deadly dance with flaying punches and kicks. Breathing hard now Xena came to a stop and while she stood calming her breathing and heart beat she listened to the sound of bird song from a nearby tree.

To anyone else that would have been the end of it. Instead Xena started from the beginning again going through the routine from start to finish. When she finally stopped at the end this time she was pleased with the completion of her workout.

Then Xena turned her attention to her weapons for inspection laying out sword, knives and chakram and going through each one for what would need attention.

Her sword's condition and noting the deep nicks along it's edges Xena realised that it was going to need more than just her sharpening stone to smooth out the blade and that would mean her seeking out the blacksmith.

Jan made it to the wall and hugged into it for cover and waited. Thankfully there was no shout from the guard to indicate that he had seen her and she began to slide along the stonework to the gateway. Once she turned in and could no longer be seen by the sentry she began to make her way to her sleeping quarters.

" What in Tartarus do you think you are doing ? " A dark figure loomed out in front of her blocking her path and Jan almost jumped out of skin in surprise.

" Jeeze Xena ! What the hell. Why don't you shout a bit louder I don't think the whole world could hear you. " Xena's eyebrows rose and Jan frowned. " I might think you were spying on me. Hey, look, you know how it is. Out all night with a man, all right well half man,,, you know what I mean. Can't you imagine the gossip ? We didn't. We just talked see. People would just assume. "

The warrior raised her hands in surrender. " No I wasn't spying, just my suspicious nature I guess but you're right it's none of my business, Just glad to see that you're alright. "

Not waiting for an answer Xena turned to go and Jan caught her by the arm and gave her a relieved nod of thanks and Xena smiled and moved on toward the forge where she was going to before she spotted Jan.

The smith was just lighting up his fire when the warrior walked in.

" Xena ! "

She turned and saw the bard in the doorway.

" I was looking for you. "

Xena's eyebrow rose. " And now you found me for sure ? " Gabrielle quirked a smile but it did not manage to hide the true nature of her feelings and Xena saw the look of uncertainty in the bard's eyes. " I was only getting in a little practice. " She said to reassure her. " Maybe if you joined me and get a little practice in yourself next time. "

Thinking about it Gabrielle nodded, it had been a while since she had done any work out. " Maybe I will at that. I'm fed up with waking alone I miss the cuddles but a work out will do. " the bard said.

" Well I'm all in and ready for a wash down how about you joining me in the tub instead or you think you can put up with sweaty me. " The warrior answered as the bard buried herself in her and she put her arms out to enclose Gabrielle. " Better ? "

" Mmmmm much. " The answering voice of the bard seemed to come from her breast plate. " Even if you are a bit sweaty. "

" Good. " Xena grinned to herself.

" Ahem. " The deep male voice brought them both back to the present. Arms folded over his thick barrel chest the smith was staring at them and the two women disengaged.

Xena drew her sword from it's sheath on her back. " I'd like to make use of your forge this needs some work done. " Xena said flatly as he wasn't the man of her time in Amphipolis and she still felt somewhat aggrieved towards smiths in general due to her recent past experience with them.

" I don't let strangers handle my tools give it to me and I'll do it. " the man said holding out his hand. Xena shook her head. " I don't let anyone touch my sword. "

Gabrielle cleared her throat at this deadlock. " Perhaps you two might like to work on it together. " she suggested giving first Xena an encouraging look and then the smith.

There was a moment of hesitation between the two and then the tension eased as warrior and metal worker relaxed and both nodded.

That was until a flash of light signalled the arrival of the goddess. Gaia appeared.

" Oh rats. " Xena groaned. " Run Gabrielle. Get out of here. GO. " For a moment wanting to stay Gabrielle hesitated then Xena gave her a forceful shove in the back which spurred her to run.