Usual disclaimers apply.
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Chapter 48
"And who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?" An unfamiliar voice met my ears followed very closely by very familiar voices.
"My name is Eve and I'm an Amazon Princess, who the hell are you?"
"Yeah, she a princess, you have to do what she says." Zoey and Emily chimed in and I immediately took off towards the voices the moment I heard the unfamiliar voice's retort.
"I'm an Amazon Princess and I'm older than you so I don't have to do anything you say!"
Hearing footsteps, I smirked as Daria and Rory joined me in my impromptu jog. "Nice of you to join me. Little bit and the twins are starting something."
"Again," Daria grinned at me. "I sure will be glad when Addy and Mavis get back from town with Cyrene and Ephiny. Who thought Trouble could cause so much damage in just two days?"
"She does have help," Rory offered stopping short at the sight that met us. "Holy…."
"Mother of…." Daria added.
"The gods…" I finished. "Everyone grab a kid!"
I managed to corral Eve while Zivah and Rory each grabbed a twin. I was just about to try and contain the unfamiliar girl when we were joined by someone who had to be the young girl's older sister.
Grabbing her little sister, the brunette shook her head, "Knock it off, Iz. We don't want to be kicked out of the tribe before we're even in the tribe."
"Let me go, Ro!" The younger girl tried to get out of her sister's grasp, her light brown hair falling from it's braid. "That one needs to be taught a lesson."
"Bring it on," Eve taunted. "And I'll kick your ass!"
"Enough!" I followed the command with a whistle and held in my smirk as all eyes turned to me. "First and foremost," I turned to the older girl. "My name is Sam and I'd like to welcome you to our lands. Who might you be?"
"I'm Rosa and this," she nodded to the girl she was still holding by the arm, "is my little sister Izabella."
Extending my free right arm, I nodded, "Nice to meet you Rosa. I didn't know we were having visitors though."
"Why would you know?" She asked.
"I'm Queen Gabrielle's eldest daughter." Seeing the look in Rosa's dark eyes I waited. Yep, there it was, she'd heard some of the stories. Sighing deeply, I turned back to Zivah and Daria. "I think we're going to be having wagers soon."
"Yep," Daria chuckled. "She looks ready to take you on now."
Glad that Rory and Daria knew English I smiled at Rosa. "Now, how did your little sister get this far without anyone?"
"We are not alone," Rosa waved her hand and I watched as the rest of her party joined them from the tree line. "These are our traveling companions."
I looked at the ragtag party with Rosa and sighed. "Romans?"
An older woman nodded, "We lost most of our warriors and some of our children to them. We fought as best we could but finally followed the commands of our queen and headed here."
Extending my arm, I grasped hers, "I am Sam, eldest daughter of Queen Gabrielle and Xena. This is Daria and this is Rory." I added in introductions. "And my sisters, Eve, Zoe, and Emily." I finished. "How many are you?"
"Thirteen," the woman answered. "My name is Melaina and I guess I am the elder of what is left of our tribe." Dark eyes looked intently into mine. "Lailea is the youngest at eight months," she nodded to a small, curly headed child asleep in one of the younger girl's arms. The one holding her is Carina, she is twelve…." Melaina trailed off. "The rest of us, range from three years to twenty-two years."
"What happened to your tribe?" I asked as we began to walk slowly towards the village. I was sure that my mothers would address the fact that there were a little more than a dozen uninvited guests on our lands and nobody had seemed to notice, including the outer guards.
"We were attacked by Romans as you said," Melaina spoke once more as Daria slowly took the sleeping child from Carina. It was obvious the girl was tired and I couldn't help but watch as Daria held the baby as if she'd been doing it her entire life. "Our tribe was a smaller tribe and we were an easy target for the Romans."
Rosa then interrupted, "They seem intent on wiping out our tribe. In fact, they seem intent on wiping out every tribe they encounter and push the Amazons they capture into slavery."
"Yeah, they aren't the good guys," I quipped.
"Not to mention they like to steal the youngest members of the tribes and give them to rich Romans." Rosa spat. "We saved all we could, but most of our warriors were killed in the battles or in attacks on the village. My mother told us to head to Gabrielle's village."
"Why?" Rory asked as she picked up what must have been the three-year-old and began to give her ride on her back.
"We had heard of the treat Queen Gabrielle made with the Romans years ago. We had hoped we might be safe here."
"You will be," I reassured. "My mothers have no love for the Romans and you will be safe." My speech was interrupted by Izabelle yelling.
"I'm eight and I can take you!" The little girl yelled.
Sighing I quickly grabbed Eve and stopped our walking. "Eve, I would like you to take the twins and head back to the village. Let the moms know that we will be arriving soon."
"But I want to kick her…"
Cutting Eve off before she could continue I looked into her eyes and switched to English, "There will be no butt kicking for a while. Now you get going and be sure to stay on the path this time." I finished in Greek once more.
"Could I go with them?" A girl with reddish brown hair stepped forward, "My name is Elsabet and I'm thirteen. I'd like to join them if I may."
Nodding, I smiled at her. "Of course. Does anyone else want to join them?"
Carina stepped forward and I once again nodded, "Eve be sure that you all reach the village safely and no surprises or new pets." I added.
"Okay, Sam!" Eve began to walk and then turned stopped on the trail and turned back to the teens and the twins. "Each of you grab a hand and follow me. It's an easy way back but they like to wander from the trail."
"I understand," Melaina replied. "Ones so young sometimes must be taught in unusual ways."
"Especially Trouble," Rory stated.
"Trouble?" The only of age warrior asked. "She was limping heavily, using a staff as a walking stick and I wondered just how injured she was noticing that her boot was unlaced and barely able to fit around her leg.
"My little sister," I clarified. "Eve." I chuckled at the looks. "Yes, she is the one the prophecy was about, but she is not what you would expect. And her nickname suits her."
"And then some," Daria muttered remembering the most recent use of feathers, ink, berry juice, and a bucket rigged to dump said items on my unsuspecting girlfriend.
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"What in the name of the gods?" Gabrielle began as she ran from the official queen's hut towards the sound of Eve yelling for her.
Stopping short Gabrielle sighed and held up her hand to Eponin and Solari. "I have a feeling we will know what this is about soon." Striding across the village Gabrielle looked down at her children and then back to the young teens with them. "Care to tell me why you are screaming so loudly?"
"Hi, Mommy." Eve waved shortly and gulped. She'd seen that look before and it never meant good things for her backside. "Sam told us to come and tell you and Mama that we have some visitors from the south. We found them on the path near my tree."
Nodding in understanding Gabrielle looked at the newcomers, "My name is Gabrielle. It is nice to meet you." Waiting for a reply she shook her head and looked behind her following the girls' gaze.
"And this is my wife, Xena. Who might you be?" She prompted as Xena joined them.
"My name is Elsabet and this is Carina. Our tribe was all but wiped out by the Romans. We came here seeking shelter and safety. The rest of our tribe is still on the trail with Sam, Daria, and Rory."
Looking up at her wife Gabrielle gave a small nod and Xena nodded her head to Eponin. Both women then moved at a gentle job towards the area Eve had mentioned. "Have you been traveling long?"
The girls nodded, "It seems like forever," Carina finally admitted. "It has been about three weeks."
"Then I imagine a village looks rather nice," Gabrielle smiled at the girls and motioned to an older teen. "Will you please take our guests to the kitchens and get them something to eat? We will discuss where they will be staying after that; so bring them back to the Queen's Hut."
"Of course, my queen." Nodding slightly the older girl had the newcomers follow her allowing Gabrielle to turn her attention to her own daughters once more.
"Why did Sam send you back early, Eve?"
Eve shrugged, "I think so she could talk to the others and because she knew we were ready to head back."
"Or because you kept telling Izabelle you'd kick her ass!" Zoe declared rather loudly.
"What?" Gabrielle kneeled in front of Eve. "What does she mean?"
"She means that there was this other girl with the new Amazons and she told Twubble that she'd kick her ass and Twubble said that Izabelle would be the one to get her ass kicked." Emily explained.
Running her hand down her face Gabrielle stood up and took a deep breath. "All of you, follow me." Holding out her hands Gabrielle smiled briefly when each twin took one. She then looked at Eve pointedly and could barely contain the smirk when Eve sighed heavily before grabbing Zoe's hand in her own.
"I am old enough without holding anyone's hand," Eve mumbled.
"Maybe, but I'm not taking any chances." Gabrielle replied leading the girls towards their home. Deciding she'd drop them off and have Kassandra as well as Helen and Cora watch the girls the queen finally relaxed a little wondering how the newcomers would fit into her tribe.
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Hearing the sound of boots jogging on the trail I had our group stop and merely smirked as Mama and Eponin came into sight. Knowing that Eve must have made it back to the village safely I waited quietly until Mama and Eponin finally joined our group.
"Hi, Mama."
"Sam," Mama extended her arm to Melaina. "My name is Xena. This is our Weapon's Master, Eponin, and the queen sent us to escort you back to the village."
"It is nice to meet the one I have heard so much about," Melaina greeted. "We would very much like to make our way to your village. May introductions wait until we arrive?"
"Of course." Mama looked at Daria and shook her head, "Have I taught you girls nothing?" She questioned. Taking a loose piece of fabric from one of the traveler's few packs, Mama made herself a sling in a few moments. Taking the baby from Daria she placed the girl in the sling before taking charge and leading our group towards the village.
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Moving to catch up with Mama I smiled at the baby asleep in her impromptu sling. "I'm not getting another sister am I?" I asked in a low voice nodding to the baby.
Chuckling quietly Mama shook her head, "No. I think five children are plenty for your mother and me. This one," she gently brushed her lips to the girl's head, "I think will find a home easily enough."
"And the other girls?" I asked.
"You know the women in our tribe," Mama shrugged. "They will find homes."
"Even Izabelle and Rosa?"
"Why would they be harder to place than the others?" Mama asked.
"Their mother was the queen of the tribe," I said. "I mean, what is their status in our tribe?"
Mama sighed, "I don't think it will make it harder to place them, necessarily," she began. "It just means that there may be other things to consider when they are taken in, however, I'll leave that up to your mother to decide. You know my stance on Amazon politics."
Trying not to laugh out loud, I nodded, "I do. Stay as far away as possible and just be around if you need to kick ass."
"Exactly." Mama agreed slowing down. "Are you ready to bring more members into the tribe?"
I nodded slowly, "Yep, at least we know these women have no love for the Romans." I looked behind me and smiled at the group before motioning them to come closer. "And who knows, Mama? That may serve us very well in the future."
"I think you could be right, little one." Mama agreed as we finally took the last part of the path and headed into the village.
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Leading the group of newcomers into the village Mama and I headed for the dining hut. After talking to Melaina and the others we had decided the group needed food and rest before anything else. There was also the matter of getting, Giorgi, the only warrior with the group to see Cesya.
Entering the dining hall, the smell of lunch remained and I realized by the table already set up that Mom must have asked Shay to prolong the meal so that we could eat. Thanking the gods that stew was on the menu so we didn't have to explain spaghetti, I sat down happily next to Giorgi, hoping that my plan to get her to see Cesya would work. Digging into the food in front of me I made small talk with Giorgi and the others until I saw Zivah walk into the dining hut. Motioning for her to join us, I scooted over on the bench and had Zivah sit down.
"Glad you could make it," I commented as Zivah helped herself to some food.
"Thought I'd never get out of there," she replied. "A couple junior staff warriors thought it would be a good idea to try and spar with heavy sticks they found."
"What?" I asked wondering which of my juniors would do that.
"They were pretending that the sticks were chobos." Zivah grinned. "At least they weren't throwing daggers."
"What are these junior staff warriors?" Giorgi asked. "I've never heard of such a thing."
"They're our littlest girls," I answered. "When I first moved to the village, it was thought that I needed a better way to release some energy. I was chosen to teach the little girls the staff. It's been going on for so long now that my original girls are helping training the newest girls."
"Sounds promising, I would like to see such a thing." Giorgi said.
"I'm sure that can be arranged." I nodded to Zivah and she looked at Giorgi more closely. "I see you're injured," she began.
"I am fine."
"I'm sure that you are," Zivah agreed. "But as a healer in training might you allow me to look at your leg and foot? I'm sure I could learn a lot by seeing how you treated your injury."
Shaking her head Giorgi grabbed another piece of bread. "I am alright. I am sure that your healer has other tasks for you to do."
"I'm sure," Zivah shrugged.
"Wait," I had noticed the daggers Giorgi wore and figured a wager might work in my favor. "How about a wager?"
"A wager?" Giorgi was interested.
"Yeah, Sam, what type of wager?" Zivah added.
Pretending to think for a while I finally smiled, "What if you and Giorgi throw daggers? If you win, she lets you and Cesya check out her injury."
"And if I win?"
"Then you get to skip the check up my moms will insist on and get to pick something you'd rather do."
Smiling Giorgi extended her arm to Zivah and then to me. "I agree to these terms. What are we to hit?" Pulling a dagger from her waist Giorgi looked around the dining hut. Smiling she pointed to a large wooden shield on the wall furthest from us. "That work for you?"
Zivah nodded, "Bullseye to win or the one closest to the center?"
"Yeah, sounds good. I'll let the healer go first," Giorgi offered.
Shaking her head, Zivah pulled the dagger given to her from Nebula from the small of her back. "I'd like to know what I'm up against. After all, you are a full warrior and I'm in training as a healer."
"Fair point." Standing Giorgi steadied herself and taking a deep breath let the dagger in her hand fly. It landed in the shield almost dead center. I knew Zivah would have a hard time hitting the center but had no doubt that she would hit the center of the shield.
"Your turn." Giorgi sat down as Zivah stood and took a breath in front of the now silent people still in the dining hut.
Saying nothing Zivah looked at the shield and then to me, "I guess she's not too bad." With that Zivah let her dagger fly hitting the center of the shield with a resounding thud. As loud applause and cheers began Giorgi stared at Zivah.
Shrugging Zivah sat down next to Giorgi once more, "What? You've never seen anyone hit the center of a shield with a dagger?"
"Of course, but a healer, how?"
"Well you see," Zivah winked at me. "That's a rather long story and I think it would be best told as our healer and myself look at your injury. Sam can tell it to you to keep you distracted."
Shaking her head, the dark haired woman stood and clasped arms with Zivah once more. "Who's going to get the daggers?" She asked laughing.
"Sam," Zivah joined in the laughter and headed with Giorgi out of the hut. "Meet you in a bit, Sam."
"Sure," I shook my head. "They throw the daggers and leave me for cleanup. Wonderful." Getting up from the table I walked towards the wall holding the shield and decided to hurry up and retrieve the daggers so I could get to the healer hut as quickly as possible.
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Hopefully the next update won't take as long.