Being Her Mothers' Daughter Chapter 57, a xena: warrior princess fanfic

Usual disclaimers apply.

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Chapter 57

"At Amphipolis in this fateful hour,

"I place all Heaven with its power,
"And the sun with its brightness,
"And the snow with its whiteness,
"And the fire with all the strength it hath,
"And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
"And the wind with its swiftness along its path,
"And the sea with its deepness,
"And the rocks with their steepness,
"And the Earth with its starkness
"All these I place
"By God's almighty help and grace

"Between myself and the powers of darkness".

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"Sam, would you stop?" Rory was sitting on one of the beds in our room watching me while I paced. "Come on, you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep this up."

"I just don't get it," I said for probably the millionth time. "Why would Indar be interested in me?"

"No clue. Child of the gods." Rory stated dryly. "Maybe because of who you are. The child of Xena and Gabriel. Aphrodite's chosen. Wanted by Ares, and somehow connected to Eli's god. I wish you could just ask him."

Rounding on Rory, I pulled her to her feet. "What did you just say?"

"Which part?"

"The last bit," I prodded.

"I said that I wish you could just ask him why he wanted you."

"Why can't I?" I countered. "What's stopping me?"

Rory grabbed my arms and shook me a few times, "Are you out of your mind crazy, Sam!?" She asked. "Your moms will kill you if you call out this god. Not to mention what Artemis and Aphrodite might do. You know it's never a good idea to call out a god."

"True," I flopped onto my bed and watched as Rory did the same. "But I also know that sometimes you have no choice."

Screaming into her pillow Rory sat up and glared at me, "I know you've already set your mind to do this, and as much as I think you're being an idiot for doing it, I have your back. What do you want me to do?"

"I just need you there with me," I finally said. "I'll have Toris, Jason, and Tabitha with the twins." Standing I began to pace again, although much slower this time. Finally stopping I sat down next to Rory. "I have a feeling that you need to witness this, and that the Rune may just come in handy again."

"How so?" Rory asked. "You're the one who told Artemis not to let the gods pop into Amphipolis."

I nodded. "I know. I also know that Indar needs to stop messing with me and my family. I don't know if I can kill other gods, but if it comes to that, I will."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Rory muttered. Shoving me a bit, she finally smiled. "I wish Daria was here."

"Me too," I admitted before blushing.

"Yeah," Rory continued. "She's the only one that can get you to calm down and think clearly about things. Kind of like Gabrielle does for Xena."

"Or Ephiny does for Eponin," I added shoving Rory back gently.

"Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever think I'll find someone?" Rory's voice was soft. "I mean you already have Daria. Our moms found each other, and it looks as if Zivah and Andy might be more than just friends soon."

"You'll find someone," I replied with confidence. "It just isn't your time yet. I mean we still don't know why the gods made you Rhys and then had you come back here as Rory."

Nodding her head, Rory threw herself back until her head landed on her pillow and she was staring at the ceiling above her bed. "You'd think at least once they'd have given me better parents. I mean, Rhys had a deadbeat mom and Rory has folks she can't remember ever being there."

"I don't think they could," I countered. "I mean the gods don't really have a normal life on Olympias. Not like they could give you normal parents when they didn't understand the concept."

"Good point," Rory was quiet for a while before sitting up and grinning at me. "Did you just defend the gods? Ohhh Sam is going to be in so much world of teasing when her moms find this out. Ohhhhh," Rory teased before I shoved her, once more sending her to lie on her back looking up at the ceiling.

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"Does everybody understand what they are to be doing?" I asked again.

"Yes, Sam." Toris looked at me and shook his head. "I swear it's like having your mother boss me around all over again."

"Yeah, she does tend to go all 'Warrior Princess' at times," Rory agreed. "But it's always for the good. It's just up to us to make sure her head doesn't explode."

"I'm right here!" I protested as Arion and Melodia giggled.

"We know what to do, Sam." Melodia's voice was filled with a confidence I hadn't heard for her before. No matter what we hear or see, we are to stay here, in this room and wait for you to come and tell us it's safe."

"We got it, Sam." Tabitha seconded. "Don't worry about us, you just make sure that this newest god doesn't do anything stupid."

"He won't," I muttered. "Okay, you ready, Rory?"

"I am." Rory easily slid her sword onto her back and made sure she had her back dagger and boot dagger.

Checking my own arsenal, I placed the chakram in its holder. I hadn't been officially released onto using it on my own, but I knew it made a formidable sight and I wanted every advantage that I could have. Closing my eyes, I steadied my mind and then slowly opened them and looked around the room. "Let's get going, Rory. Everybody, stay safe."

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"Indar! Indar!" I was standing in the courtyard of the inn and my yells had brought General Aetius and a few of his soldiers running.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"Calling out a god. What do you think it sounds like I'm doing?" I replied casually. "Feel that?" I whispered to Rory.

"Yeah, he's on his way."

"Indar!" I shouted once more. "Show yourself, I dare you!"

"What, no bastard?" Rory whispered.

"Oh, I'm sure he is, I just don't know him as well as our own god of war."

"Got it," Rory smirked and then set her mouth in a cold line. "I feel him, Sam."

"So, do I."

"Sam?" Rory whispered once more.

"Yeah, there's more than one." Taking a deep breath, I yelled once more. "Whomever is there, show yourselves or I'm going to consider you all cowards!"

"You need to be quiet, girl!" General Aetius commanded. "We don't need trouble with the gods. Even if they aren't ours."

Ignoring the man, I was about to yell again when a blinding light hit the courtyard. Shielding my eyes, I finally lowered my hand to see four gods in front of me.

"To whom do we owe the pleasure?" I asked.

"I am Burijas," a tall man with tan skin, and a long black beard bowed towards me and Rory. "I am known as god of war to the Iranian Kassites. My people have found with the Persians. It was deemed that I should come for this meeting."

"Nice to meet you," Rory stated. "And you?" She pointed to two of the gods that looked almost identical save their clothing. One was dressed in gold and white, while the other sported black and gray.

"I am Spenta Mainyu god of life and the personification of good and light. This is my twin, Angra Mainyu, or Ahriman. He is the god of darkness. We are forever locked into a fight…"

"An eternal battle for light and dark." Angra Mainyu finished.

"Darkness has a hunger that's insatiable," I began.

"And lightness has a call that's hard to hear." Rory finished. "Never thought the Indigo Girls would have called it so readily.

"So that leaves you," I rounded on the last man. Dressed like the men from Zivah's tribe with a long beard, loose flowing clothing and a turban, I stared at him for a while as he stared at me without speaking.

"Why the fascination with Sam, Indar?" Rory asked. "You've been after her for years now, yet have kept your identity a secret. Why?"

"Can you imagine what we could do with the child of the gods on our side?" His voice was low and deep. It almost rumbled across the courtyard and I heard the General gasp behind me.

"And you thought I'd just come to your side and help you with whatever convoluted plan that you had?" I demanded.

The god shrugged and moved toward me. "Well, I thought using that mortal friend of yours might help. What was her name? Ah yes, Tabitha. She is here now, I believe?"

"She is of no concern to you," I warned.

"Of course not," he shrugged again and once more moved forward. "When that didn't work due to interference from your gods, I bided my time. Neptune's son was a fool, and not much help either."

"And what were you going to try this time?" I asked quietly.

"Oh, I would have used your siblings or your mothers to get what I wanted. After all, I have no promises to your family."

"You will," I growled.

"And why is that?" Indar asked.

Taking a breath, I rubbed my hands together and smiled with the fireball began to dance between my palms. "Because if you make a treaty with us, I won't have to kill you."

"She can kill us?" Burijas asked. "That is more than I bargained for, I am out of here." Snapping his fingers, the god frowned when he didn't go anywhere. "Indar?"

"Let's just say that there's no way out without me allowing it," the god smirked. "And I know that you killing light and dark would be too much of a headache. For one can't exist without the other and if neither existed. Well isn't that like a world without your Ares or Aphrodite?"

"How do you know of our gods and goddess?" Rory asked. "I would think that you don't have a lot to do with gods and goddess from other lands."

"That is true," he agreed. "mostly. There are times, however, when I make it a point to know about others who might be a threat."

"So, tell me, Idar," I began. "Why do you want me so badly?"

"There is a prophecy that I have been told from the time I was young. About a wonderful warrior who saved the world of the gods from extinction. And that whomever had that warrior on their side would be undefeated in battle and would one day rule the gods. Not just the gods from their origins, but all gods."

"You will never have me on your side, Indar. I came back to simply stop something that should have never happened in the first place. My job in that regards is done. I will also right a wrong in the future, but I will never pledge myself to any god affiliated with war."

"Even if within warfare comes courage and bravery?"

"Even then," I confirmed. "You are not welcome in my life, Indar." I threw the fireball towards him and smiled as it set the top of his turban on fire. "Next time, I won't miss."

"You did not miss this time, Sam." The man hissed. "I know that you are merely trying to end this without death. I do not know if that is possible." Raising his hands, he pointed his fingers at Rory and I moved in front of her right before a powerful surge came across the courtyard. Rory would have been thrown backwards while I was able to withstand it."

"You will come with me, child of the gods," he demanded again. "or you will see what I am willing to do to your friends and family." Waving a hand Tabitha was suddenly in the courtyard and I moved to protect her. By doing so, I was leaving Rory open and I knew that he only wanted to distract me.

Looking skyward, the darkening sky opened, and I felt myself bathed in a ray of light. "I know what to do!" I finally shouted. "The rune, Rory. Say it with me!"

At Amphipolis in this fateful hour," I began.

"I place all Heaven with its power," Rory's voice joined mine.
"And the sun with its brightness,
"And the snow with its whiteness,
"And the fire with all the strength it hath,
"And the lightning with its rapid wrath,
"And the wind with its swiftness along its path,
"And the sea with its deepness,
"And the rocks with their steepness,
"And the Earth with its starkness
"All these I place
"By Eli's God's almighty help and grace

"All these I place
"By all our gods almighty help and grace

"Between myself and the powers of darkness".

Hearing a roar, as Indar protested. I grabbed Tabitha and ran towards Rory. Linking hands, we continued to say the rune one more time before Tabitha joined us. Finally, the three of us hollered the rune into the now flashing storm that had brewed over the courtyard. Not sure what would happen we stopped at the end and then watched as the sky opened. The heaviness that had been over Amphipolis was gone and we could only watch as Burijas and the twins disappeared only to be replaced by Aphrodite, Artemis, and Ares.

"You summoned us?" Ares asked. "In a most fitting way, I might add, that becomes a god such as myself."

"She also summoned Eli's god," Aphrodite addressed her brother. "Don't tell me you didn't feel his help too. "No wonder my little peace maker is going to do such great things."

"Indar," Artemis finally spoke. "You are not welcome here."

"I won't leave without Sam."

"Then you won't leave alive…."

I was interrupted by Artemis, "No, Samina. This is a matter for us to deal with right now. Yes, he wants you, but you shall not kill another god. Not for his stupidity."

Linking hands with Ares and Aphrodite, Artemis stared at Indar, "You will join us out of the city. We will talk, and you will sign a treaty to leave Samina and her family and friends alone for all eternity."

"And if I don't?" He snarled. "Then you will not have to worry about Samina trying to kill you. I will." Artemis moved so quickly I wasn't sure what I was seeing until the arrow was imbedded in Indra's shoulder. The next one will kill."

Wincing in pain, the god nodded. "I understand." Turning to me, he glared and then bowed. "I know when I have been outsmarted, child of the gods. I shall sign the treaty and not bother you or your family and friends every again. If I break the treaty, I will willingly allow you to kill me."

Nodding slightly to him, I took a deep breath. "Go then. Leave Amphipolis and never return to our country. You also need to let the Romans know that their services will no longer be required."

"As you wish," waving his hand once more he finally disappeared in a cloud of gray smoke.

"Artemis?"

"Do not worry, Samina. We will take care of him." Nodding to Auntie and Ares the Amazon's patron goddess disappeared with her brother and sister in a display of gold lights.

"A little anti-climactic wasn't it?" Rory asked.

"Yeah, just a bit." I agreed. "No battle, no fighting at all, nothing."

"We used our words." Rory sighed.

"We let them fight it out so to speak," I sighed that time.

"We've had the Rules pounded into our heads for far too long," Rory giggled.

"I'll say." Smiling at her, I turned my attention back to Tabitha. "You okay?"

"I am," she confirmed. "I still can't believe that idiot thought you'd join him if he manipulated everyone you care about.

"Yeah, not too bright, is he?"

"Not very," Rory agreed. "Shall we go see how everyone else is in the bedroom?"

"Yeah," I turned around to head inside and began to giggle at what met my eyes. "General Aetius are you alright?"

"I have no idea," the man responded. "You just called out the gods of another land. Had our gods help you, and called out yet another god I've only heard things about. You truly are a child of the gods," looking at me again, he shook his head. "I think we will stay here a few more days and then head back to Rome. This was all too confusing, even for me."

"I'm glad you're going back to Rome," I replied truthfully. "I really am upset with you for making childhood in Amphipolis and other areas around Greece seem so much more dangerous than it needs to be, especially in being kidnapped and taken someplace else."

"I don't know why anyone would want to bother with you," the general finally retorted. "I'm going in to take care of my orders."

Nodding, I merely watched as he headed to the inn, finally disappearing inside as Rory, Tabitha, and I soon followed.

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Hope you all liked this chapter.