Usual disclaimers apply.
Chapter 59
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***
Two more days had passed since my visit from Auntie and I had been thinking about what she'd told me ever since. Deciding that I needed to discuss it with someone I followed Mama into the barn hoping we could figure it out together. I knew that Mom would probably have ideas as well, but Mama held no special affections for the gods, and sometimes Mom would give them the benefit of the doubt. Right now, I needed the parent that acted as if the Olympians were just humans with a few special effects available to them.
"Mama?"
Putting the pitchfork back against the stall wall, Mama turned and sat on a bale of straw. "Little one," she invited patting the spot next to her.
I readily took the spot and leaned into her. Closing my eyes, I felt her arm go around me and the kiss to the top of my head. The familiar smells of leather and vanilla were present, and I relaxed into her feeling like my ten-year-old self. I finally opened my eyes and sighed deeply. We sat in silence for a long while and I finally broke it, "I don't like how Indar played with me all these years. Auntie says that we will talk more once we get home, but I have a feeling there's more going on, still. I don't like what I'm sensing, Mama."
"Neither do I," Mama kissed the top of my head again. "You're right, little one, something is going on with the gods; ours, Eli's, the ones from the East. I don't like it, either."
"Now that we have it established that we don't like what's going on, what do we do about it?" I asked.
"First, we ask Gabrielle what she thinks, and then we come up with a plan on what we need to do until we get to the bottom of it."
"Do you think it has something to do with the opening on Olympus?" I asked quietly.
"It might," Mama replied. "Even if that's true, little one," Mama hugged me closer for a moment before releasing me. "We will deal with it and you will figure out what to do. It will all work out."
"I hope so," I replied. "Because trying to figure out why the gods do what they do is a pain in the ass."
Mama laughed as she shoved against me, "I totally agree, little one. Now, enough serious stuff, it's time for you to help me clean the stables and then maybe we can go spar."
"Really?" I jumped up and grabbed a pitchfork before handing Mama the one she had leaned on the wall earlier. "Let's get to it. The faster we're done the more time we have to spar."
"Eager to land on your backside?" Mama asked with a spark in her eye.
Shanking my head, I began to muck the stall in front of me. "Nope, just eager to spar with you." I replied honestly watching as Mama shook her head and began to muck the stall next to mine.
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***
"Are you sure about this?" Toris asked for the millionth time. "I mean, it's great that you want to stay here, but are you really sure?"
I watched as Melodia and Arion gave twin nods. "We're sure. We'd rather stay here with you and hope that our parents will find us. At least we know what will happen if we stay here." Melodia spoke for them.
"Sounds like they know what they want, Toris." Mama spoke and moved forward pulling the twins into her arms. Kissing each one on the top of the head, she moved them back at arm's length. "Remember that if you change your mind you will always have a place with us."
Arion smiled, "We know, Xena. And thank you."
"My turn," Mom pushed Mama aside and gave the twins hugs as well before speaking softly to each of them, causing shy nods from them both.
"I will miss you," Yaya moved forward to say her goodbyes and the twins finally turned to me and Rory.
"Thank you for saving us." Melodia began.
"We are grateful that you found us." Arion ran forward and hugged us both before turning scarlet and staring at his feet.
"I'm glad we found you, too." I said moving forward to hug Melodia. "Take care of your brother." I teased. "I think he's going to need someone to keep an eye out for him."
"Don't I know it," Melodia grinned and then stepped forward and hugged Rory. "And you take care of your cousin," she teased Rory. "I have a feeling she's going to need someone to keep an eye out for her too."
Laughing, Rory turned around and punched me on the arm. "Hear that?" She asked. "I'm supposed to keep you out of trouble."
"As if that's ever worked before," I quipped before hugging Tabitha, Jason, and Toris goodbye. Heading to the stables I triple checked the horses and the wagon once more. I had had enough of goodbyes for now and still had an uneasy feeling about our trip heading home.
Hearing the footsteps behind me, I mounted Jedi and waited quietly while everyone else was settled. "Sam?" Rory came up next to me and I shook my head.
"I need to think."
Heading out of the now open stable doors thanks to Daphne I ignored the voices behind me and took point at a steady clip on the way out of Amphipolis and towards home.
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***
We had stopped for the night on the road and I merely shook my head at the large cave Mama led us to. It was not only big enough for all of us there was a covered area for the animals and a natural stone wall to stop the wind from bothering them or coming into the cave too fast.
A natural water source was in the back of the cave and there was a small crack in the ceiling of the cave, so it was possible to start a fire inside as well. Glad for the mild weather and the fire, I chose a spot far away from the others, yet still near my mothers.
Seeing Daphne look around the cave, she smiled and started to bring her bedroll towards me. Glaring at her I merely shook my head. Not taking my hint, she sat down next to me anyway. "Why don't you want me to sleep near you?"
"I want to be alone." I said simply.
"Why?" Daphne pressed.
"I need to think."
"Fine, but I bet once Rory gets done using the bushes you'll let her near you." Huffing, Daphne took her bedroll and moved back to her original spot closer to Cyrene and the fire.
Finishing setting up my bedrolls, I leaned against the wall of the cave and watched as Rory came into the cave. Looking at me, I shook my head and she shrugged and headed to set up nearer to the fire and my mothers and grandmother. Daphne looked at me in almost shock seeing what Rory was doing before turning from me once again.
"Hey, Mama." I leaned into my warrior mother and then, moving, put my head in my blonde mother's lap as she came to join us. "Mom."
"What's going on, little one?" Mama asked quietly while rubbing my back.
"I just have the strangest feeling about this trip home. Something isn't sitting right with me and I don't like it."
"We will have more answers once we reach home, Sammy." Mom stroked my hair gently and I sighed deeply.
"That's just it, Mom. I think something is going to happen before we get home. There's this feeling I am getting and it's not good."
"What type of feeling, Sammy?" Mom asked.
"Evil masked by fake friendliness. Hate, torment, love not being enough to stop the anger." I sighed heavily. "It's as if something wants me to…." I stopped, not able to find the words.
"As if someone wants you to give into the negative feelings, to share the pain and hurt?" Mama asked.
"Kind of," I replied. "but even more than that. It's as if it wants to encompass me and everyone I am around."
Mom's fingers slowly stopped combing my hair and she brought me from her lap. Putting her arms around me, she kissed my temple. "I have an idea, Sammy, but I need to think on it a little bit. Remember that your mama and I are always here for you and we won't let you face this alone."
"I know, Mom." I whispered.
"Let's go check the snares I set." Mama stood up and pulled me up to stand next to her. Putting her arm around my shoulders she pulled me to her and kissed the top of my head. "You want any company?"
"Not really."
"Then grab your gear and let's go."
***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***BARD***XENA***
Finally have another chapter to share. I'm still working on Glee and a couple other stories for publishing.
Hope everyone is surviving the cold (those of us who are in the freeze zone anyway)