Usual disclaimers apply.

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Chapter 15

"Sam?" Dark eyes looked into mine and I smiled fully.

"It's about time you woke up, Tabitha."

"I feel like I got run over by a centaur. What happened and where am I?" she asked hoarsely

Grabbing the cup from the table I helped Tabitha get a drink of water to sooth her throat before answering. "What do you remember?"

Walking and hearing hoof beats. I moved off the road so the horses could pass and the next thing I remember is being with some men in a wagon." Tabitha frowned. "Where am I, Sam?"

"You're safe," Mom answered. She had been notified by the young healer in training the minute Tabitha had started talking to me and had made it to the healer's hut quickly.

"Gabrielle," Tabitha tried to sit up but was stopped by Mom.

"Don't move yet, Tabitha. You were hurt pretty badly. I want the healer to look at you and make sure that you're okay."

Tabitha nodded and looked around, "Where is Xena?"

"At home." I sighed. "We're in a sister village about a week's ride away from home."

"How did I get here?" Tabitha smiled when Mom helped her sit up slightly propped on a pillow.

"My friends and I found you in the woods," I began.

"Do you remember how you got hurt?" Mom asked noticing Regina had now come up and was standing on the other side of Tabitha.

Tabitha frowned slightly, "I remember pain. A lot of pain." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Some men starting hitting me and telling me that I was the bait for their meal ticket with the gods."

"Anything else?" Mom pressed.

Tabitha slowly shook her head, "I woke up here."

"Do you remember where you were walking?" I asked.

Tabitha was quiet and then smiled. "Yeah, I was heading to Amphipolis to find Toris."

"Why?" I interrupted.

"My father decided that I was old enough to get married," Tabitha sighed. "I didn't want to get married yet, but an older boy in the village asked for my hand. The crops didn't do so well this year and I guess one less mouth to feed was something my father thought outweighed what I wanted."

Mom shook her head, "So you were going to ask Toris to get in contact with us?"

Tabitha nodded slowly. "I remembered what Sam told us about the Amazons. I was afraid to leave at first, but Jason told me to go while I could. He said he would come and check on me the first chance he got after the harvest in the fall."

"Queen Gabrielle, the healer would like to look at the young one now," Regina finally spoke.

Mom nodded, "Then by all means let's let the healer do her job. Sam stay with Tabitha while I go and talk to Regina."

"Sure thing, Mom."

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Tabitha had been cleared by the healer for traveling home via Aphrodite and we were all packed in record time. Our horses were standing outside the healer's hut saddled and ready to go and we all were gathered around Tabitha's bed.

Mom and Regina had become friends and things had actually gone well with getting them to think of the entire Amazon picture and not just their village. Realizing the building blocks had been set for the future Zivah, Rory, and I had also made friends whom I felt we would be able to count on when needed.

"Aphrodite!" Mom's voice filled the healer's hut and I smelled the roses before my goddess mother appeared.

"You called?" She smiled at us and then frowned towards me.

Gulping I wondered if she was upset with me about Ares as much as her sister had been. "Hi Auntie."

"Gabrielle, could you give the little warrior bard and me just a few minutes?"

Mom nodded and Auntie linked arms with me. Feeling the world spin I looked around and noticed us in one of her temples though I didn't recognize it. "Auntie?"

"We're at one of my smaller temples near Sparta." She waved her hand and led me to the loveseat she had pulled from thin air. "We need to talk, Samina."

The use of my full name made me start and I slowly sat next to her glad when she pulled me into a side hug. "You know that I love you, Sam and that I hate to do serious."

I nodded, "I know. I love you too, Auntie."

Kissing the top of my head, Auntie took a deep breath and turned so we were facing each other on the love seat. "You called out Ares, my little warrior bard. Not only is that not cool it is more dangerous than you can imagine."

"But he didn't…"

My protest was stopped when Auntie held up her hand. "The fact that he didn't hurt you or make any deals with you shows that you are damned lucky. You should know that not even Ares is dumb enough to try and hurt one of the warrior babe's kids. Ares may seem like he plays nice with Xena but she's had years of experience with him. She knows how dangerous he is, Sam, and she knows what she could lose if she pushes him too hard."

"But I can kill gods now."

"You can, but were you prepared to do that? To kill Ares knowing what could happen on Olympus?"

I shook my head and snuggled back into my favorite goddess mother. "I really worried you didn't I?"

"Totally," Auntie sighed. "I was so bummed out I couldn't even enjoy my usual spa day. I mean it took Arte forever to even get me to enjoy the mud baths and you know how I love those."

I nodded against her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Auntie. I never meant to worry you."

"It's more than that, my little warrior bard." Auntie turned serious again. "You know better, Sam. You can't let your self-confidence be your undoing. You are not an adult no matter your skills. Leave the really hard stuff to your mommies."

Sniffing I nodded, "I'll try, Auntie."

"Good." Sitting up she smiled at me. "Now, let's forget this serious stuff ever happened. I so need to smile again."

"Me too." I hugged her once more. "I'm ready to go home, Auntie."

"Oh goody. I can't wait until you see what… Oh never mind, you have to see this for yourself." Auntie snapped her fingers and I was suddenly in the middle of the village with the horses, Mom, Solari, Eponin, and Rory.

"Why is it…" Mom began.

"That they're always naked?" I asked watching the scene in front of me.

"Well, at least they're wearing underclothes this time," Solari pointed out. "Thank the gods."

I nodded. "Yeah bareback riding naked wouldn't be fun."

"Where do you think Zivah and Tabitha are?" Rory asked moving her head to watch everything around us.

"Aphrodite told me she would zap them to the healer's hut," Mom explained shaking her head as yet another Amazon lost her footing and fell down trying to stop Haven's gallop.

Moving away from us a bit Mom held up her hands, "Amazons freeze!"

Dead silence met her request until it finally registered that she was back. "Mommy!" Eve squealed and turned Haven towards us as numerous warriors sighed.

"Thank the gods," I heard one mutter. "It's about time."

"Mama!" Addy called from behind Eve on Haven's back waving. "You're home!"

"Auntie Gabrielle, Auntie Eponin!" Mavis made up the trio on Haven's back and I looked at Rory.

"Auntie?"

"That's new," Solari quipped.

Haven finally reached us and Mom looked around the village. "Eve, where is your Mama?"

Addy giggled and Eve turned her head around, "Hush Addy."

"But it's funny, Evie."

"Eve," Mom's voice was serious and Eve sighed.

"She's at the twin's class."

"Why?" Mom asked.

"Because Emily and Zoe decided that it would be really cool to paint themselves and hide in the woods during the nature walk today."

"Couldn't the teachers see their clothes?" Eponin asked.

Addy and Mavis giggled again, "They weren't wearing their clothes, Mama. That's silly."

"Of course, what was I thinking?" Eponin slapped her own forehead as Edison joined our group.

"What happened this time?" She asked gasping for air.

"We decided to take Haven for a ride." Mavis explained.

"And whose idea was that?" Eponin spoke again.

"Sam's!" Eve smiled at me. "Did we do a good job of escaping with the horse, Sam?"

Stepping forward I made sure to keep out of Mom's range as Rory snickered. "What are you talking about, little bit? How was this my idea when I wasn't even here?"

Eve rolled her eyes at me and stood up on Haven making my heart drop. "Sit down before you fall," everyone spoke at the same time.

Eve giggled, "I'm fine. I've been practicing standing on Haven forever." Seeing the looks she sighed and finally sat down. "Anyway, Sam told me the story of how if you know how to steal an enemy's horse than you help out your tribe. We were practicing stealing Haven."

I nodded slowly as my brain finally figured out what happened. "Um, little bit, why are you wearing just your panties?"

Eve shrugged, "Mama said as long as I didn't go all the way bare she had bigger things to worry about than me getting dressed today."

Hearing Eponin's laugh Mom rounded on her, "And why are you laughing, Ep? In case you haven't noticed Ephiny isn't anywhere to be found."

"Mommy is helping Yaya," Addy spoke this time.

"Helping Yaya?" Mom asked.

"Yup," Addy smiled at us. "We're getting good at sneaking."

"You are?" Eponin shoved Solari as the warrior began to chuckle.

"Yeah," Mavis smiled this time. "We freed all of the nut bread, cookies, and cake from the kitchen. Yaya said it was only fair that Auntie Ephiny help put them back and learn that when you say you'll watch us you use both eyes."

Solari couldn't stop the full out laughing now and I shook my head as Rory joined her. "Seems like Trouble lived up to her nick name while we were gone," Solari gasped.

"Go home, Solari." Mom shook her head. "In fact, everyone get their kid and go home."

Solari finally controlled her laughter. "Will do, my queen. I am so glad I don't have kids."

"Enjoy it while you can Solari," Eponin muttered as she removed Addy from Haven's back.

"Mama we weren't done riding. It's fun when we make Haven go fast."

"You make Haven go fast?" Mom asked.

Eve nodded happily. "Yup, we have a lot of fun when she runs."

"On that note," Edison removed Mavis from Haven's back as well. "Should I even bother putting you in clothes in the mornings anymore, Mavis?"

Mavis shrugged at her mother, "I don't know. Evie do we need clothes tomorrow?"

Eve shrugged, "I'm not sure. I haven't made any plans yet, you have any ideas?"

Edison picked Mavis up from the ground and covered her mouth. "Let's go, little girl. Bath and clothes for you before evening meal."

Mom shook her head and pulled Eve off of Haven. "Let's go find your mama, Trouble."

"Mommy I'm not Trouble to you."

"Well in this case I think you are, little girl. My very own little bit of Trouble who takes after her mama. It's just one of the reasons I love you."

Eve sighed heavily, "Can't I ride some more?"

"No." Mom looked at me and shook her head. "We will talk later about the stories you tell Eve. Right now, take care of the horses with Rory and then yes, you may go find Daria. I know that your mama is going to want to discuss things with you later."

My stomach fell as I thought of the discussion with Mama. "Okay, Mom. I'd like to make sure Tabitha made the trip alright as well."

"Go on. Be at our table in the dining hall for evening meal." Mom grabbed Eve's hand tighter. "You too, Rory. Be at the family table for evening meal."

"Okay Aunt Gabrielle." Rory took the reins I handed her and we headed towards the stables.

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Okay- Shameless plug: I wanted to let folks know that the second book in the Mockingbird Chronicles is available at Stormy Night Publications, Amazon, Blushing Books, etc… The title is "The Art of Discipline: Running Toward Trouble". This book has things that were never posted to FF and Stardawn and I are happy finally share it with you. Enjoy. It is posted under the names Alexandra James and Stardawn Cabot.

Now- thanks once more to everyone still reading and adding the story to their alert lists.

Hope this chapter was as enjoyable to read as it was to write.