Usual Disclaimers Apply.
Chapter 63
Kyra was still on the examining table when Mom and Mama walked into the healer's hut. I knew they'd find out about the sparring match and wondered if I'd be in trouble for it or not since Eponin had asked for my help. Watching from my spot on one of the tables I saw Mom shake her head as Eponin spoke with her, and Mama merely turned to me and gave me a wink before turning back to the conversation in front of her.
Bracing myself mentally, I watched as my mothers spoke with Kyra. Mama inspected all of the injuries herself while Mom gave her advice on how to deal with her injuries, so they would heal properly and perhaps faster.
Finally reaching the exam table I was seated on, Mama and Mom pulled me into a gentle hug before pushing me back, so they could see me properly. "I don't know whether to lecture you or hug you some more," Mom began. My head snapped up and I looked at her with confusion.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"From what Eponin tells us, Kyra had that coming and more." Mama explained. Holding up her hand to stop my comments she continued. "The fact that Eponin asked you to come spar with that group, specifically so you could help put Kyra in her place weighs heavily on our decision."
"As does the fact that you went to do what Eponin asked of you." Mom added.
"So, what exactly does that mean?" I asked.
"It means that we will talk more when we get you home." Mom said quietly. Giving me a kiss to the cheek she looked up at Mama. "I'll meet you there, I need to go talk to Eponin some more and ask a few more girls some questions before heading home."
Mama nodded, "Sounds good. I'll make sure Sam gets home okay and doesn't try to run for the hills."
"Right." My comment was sarcastic, and Mama looked at me in confusion after Mom left.
"Little one?"
"Nothing is going to happen over this fight, is it?" I asked. "The fact that I gave Kyra that many injuries is just going to be chalked up to her having a learning experience and me once again doing the right thing." Not sure why I was feeling so angry and not being reprimanded at least a little a little bit I jumped down from the table and was out of the medical building before Mama even had time to answer me.
Deciding that I was going to take matters into my own hands I headed to the kitchens and entered quietly. Looking around I shoved one of the girls out of the way playfully and grabbed a short loaf of leftover bread from noon meal. Slicing it, I then moved to the larder and grabbed some dried meat. Slicing some of it as well I made a sandwich and wrapped it up in a cloth. Helping myself to a muffin, I also wrapped it in a cloth and placed it and the sandwich in my locket for later. Grabbing an apple, I began to eat it before taking a small version of an ancient Greece water bottle off a shelf and filling it with a mild cider. Finally leaving the kitchens, I headed to the stables and entered the stall with Mavri. Giving him an apple, I asked if he wanted to go into town with me or stay home. Nudging his tack, I smiled and saddled him up letting him know that we might need to do some fast riding.
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"Sam?" Turning my head at the sound of Autolycus's voice I felt the punch to the side of my head and groaned. I hadn't been as far away from the drunken idiot as I had thought.
"Give me a minute, would you?" I replied before putting my latest opponent on the ground and collecting my dinars. Lifting my money sack, I grinned and wiped my split lip. "Give me a couple candle drips to talk to my friend and buy him a drink and then I'll take on the next two that think they can take me."
"Two at the same time?" The bar keeps asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, I'm starting to get bored and I'll need to get home soon." I explained. "No reason I shouldn't start to have a little more fun. Hell, might as well make it the next three."
Grabbing a couple beers from the bars, I led Autolycus to a table and sat with my back against the wall watching the door. "How ya doing, Auto?" I asked.
"Better than you will be, once your mommies find out what you've been doing." He replied taking a drink of the offered beverage.
"Are you kidding?" I took a drink myself and laughed. "Don't you know that all the decisions I make are the right ones according to my mother's?"
"What are you talking about, Sam?" The man looked around the room. All the tables had been pushed back so a fighting ring could be set up in the middle of it and I had been winning dinars most of the day since beating up a few traveling mercenaries on my way to a village a fair ride away from home and ending up here.
"Well, you call out a foreign god in Amphipolis and get your first feather. You beat the crap out of some bitch during training and because Eponin asked for your help you get a 'good job, Sam'." I downed my beer and shook my head. "After today, I'll probably get a parade thrown in my honor and a party. You know how Amazons love to party."
Rubbing his hand over his face Autolycus looked at me with a sad smile. "I think I need to get you home, Sam."
"I think I have another fight to win. You might to place a wager. I'm taking on three this time. And you know I'll win."
"Overconfidence will be your downfall, little warrior." Ares silky voice was in my ear and Autolycus was on his feet sword drawn and pointed at the god of war before I reacted.
Standing slowly, I looked at Autolycus. "Thank you for having my back, Autolycus." I said quietly pushing his sword down. "It's not needed in this way though." Waiting until he lowered the sword I turned back to the god of war. "No one invited you, Ares. Leave."
"Oh no." He smiled at me and reached out to touch my face only to glower at me when I slapped his hand away. "I'd be careful, Sam. You aren't Xena and my patience doesn't run as long with you."
"And you aren't allowed to touch me." I countered.
"Fair enough." He nodded at me. "No, I think I'll stick around and watch this next match. I really want to see what happens."
"No interference." I instructed.
"You don't tell me what to do, little warrior."
"True." I acknowledged as the scent of roses filled the bar.
"Sam?"
"Hey, Auntie I greeted. "I have something to attend to and just want to make sure that Ares doesn't interfere." I gave her a hug and made my way to the center of the bar. "Next!" I shouted.
"Would someone care to tell me what's going on?" Aphrodite addressed Ares and Autolycus as she watched three large men descend on her goddess daughter.
"Sam has decided to take on those three at once." Ares said smugly. "I want to watch. She doesn't want me to interfere."
"Then you won't." Aphrodite directed. "Artie, a little help here!"
Artemis materialized and looked at her sister. "What do you need, Aphrodite and why am I in such a place?"
"Excuse me," Autolycus interrupted, but the match has begun. He motioned for the goddess to sit and then did the same never taking his eyes off of Sam. "Oh, that hurts." He winced crossing his legs tightly as the first of the men moaned and fell over clutching his crotch crying.
"Wuss," Ares muttered. "That was barely a kick or a back punch he received.
"Why is the future leader of my nation fighting in a bar?" Artemis demanded.
"I'm not sure," Autolycus supplied. "But it has something to do with decision making, first feathers, and beating up other girls during practice sessions."
"You don't do sensitive chats, do you?" Aphrodite asked as the second man came flying towards them only to hit the wall and slide down it unconscious.
"I'm a man."
"Who is raising a girl." Aphrodite shook her head. "Amazons and men. What am I going to do with you? Really, Artie you are going to have to start a sensitive chats class for dummies or something."
Artemis slowly stood up and held out her hands happy when the staff materialized in them. "Ares, leave."
"I want to watch."
"Now." The red head growled and Ares reluctantly left muttering about bossy sisters and never winning a bet.
Waiting until the third man was on the ground with a broken nose and two black eyes forming. Artemis was getting ready to walk forward when Sam walked to the bar. "Let me have something strong."
"Sure, kid." The barkeep pulled out a glass and poured some clear liquid from a jar with obvious Chinese style writing on it. "Be careful. This is made from something called rice."
"Similar to Sake I bet," I mumbled to myself in English. I watched as he filled the glass a quarter full and then downed it in one gulped. The burn of the rice alcohol and the rush it gave me was totally unexpected and I would have asked for another but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stand after. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my staff and then moved back to my spot on the floor. "Last call!"
"I believe that would be me." The voice caused me to do a double take. "Artemis?"
I received nothing except an attack from her staff in response. "Oh shit." Was my last thought before I began to fight with all I had in order to save my hide from a very pissed off goddess.
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"What the hell?" Hearing Mama's voice I groaned, and I tried to hide further under the cloth Autolycus was using to staunch the bleeding above my left eye.
"How did we get here? Where is here? Aphrodite?" Mom's voice wasn't happy, and I groaned again.
"Somebody kill me now." I begged.
"I told you this wasn't a good idea." Autolycus whispered.
"Gee, thanks for your support." I replied. "You could figure out a way to get me out of here until I heal you know."
"Are you kidding?" And have your mommies and the goddess after me?" Autolycus shook his head. "Artemis may have beat the snot out of you but Aphrodite can screw with my man hood and I take no chances with my man hood."
"Aww," I slowly sat up and looked at everyone in the room. "I don't need to hear about your man hood, Auto."
"Why are you saying anything to my daughter about your man hood?" Mama had Autolycus by the collar and off the chair in minutes. His hands up in a placating manner.
"Now, Xena, just calm down. I was just telling Sam that I can't help her here because Aphrodite could hurt my man hood and I can't take that chance."
"Oh, I'd never hurt your man hood, my good-hearted thief." Auntie said happily. "Though I do have other ideas for you…" she trailed off as I groaned and Autolycus twisted his mustache and grinned.
"Enough!" Artemis's voice was harsh, and all the bantering stopped.
"Artemis, what is going on here?" Mom's voice was quiet but laced with steel.
"It seems as if Sam decided to take on a band of mercenaries earlier today and when she found herself at a tavern, she took on anyone who wanted to fight. When I found her, she was taking on three at a time."
"And I won." I interrupted. "And then you became my last fight." I lowered my eyes and sighed. "And then you brought us here." I waved my hand around the room. "And I'm still not sure where here is," I admitted.
"It's a room in one of my temples outside the village." Artemis explained. "I wanted someplace to bring your mothers, so we could discuss why you felt the need to make such poor decisions."
"Little One?" Mama's voice was low, and I looked at her through my one good eye.
"I thought all my decisions were the right ones now, Mama. I mean I get my first feather for calling out a god. You were thrilled that I beat the snot out of Kyra, hell, I'm waiting for the party after the decisions I made in the tavern."
"And the parade." Autolycus piped up. "Don't forget the parade, Sam."
I nodded. "That's right, there should be a parade too. I mean, I beat the crap out of those mercenaries, I fought about 27 men today and defeated all of them in the tavern. I had some great beer and rice alcohol for some kickass energy. Yep, I'm thinking those decisions deserve a parade and party."
The sound of the slap echoed throughout the room and Artemis stood holding her cheek surprise on her face. "Gabrielle, care to tell me why you did that?"
"You decided to punish our daughter without checking with us first, Artemis. I understand that she needed the lesson, but Xena or I should have been the one to give it to her."
"No." Artemis held up her hand and stop the smirk from forming on her lips as Auntie held Mom's hands until Mama reached her side and put an arm around her. "In this case, I needed to let one of my future leaders know that decisions have consequences."
"No shit, Sherlock." I muttered quietly in English totally surprised when Mama made it to my side in under five seconds delivering a swat to my backside so hard, I thought I'd reach the ceiling. Not able to stop the tears I grabbed her and held on tightly as she kissed the top of my head.
"Oh, little one, what are we going to do with you."
"Well, I think giving her more alcohol and a free kitten is out." Autolycus quipped only to be slapped on the back of the head by Auntie. Grinning at he twisted his mustache again. "Not that this hasn't been fun, oh blonde one, but could you zap me home? I have a little girl I need to spend some time with before she gets ready for bed."
"Sure thing, cutie." Auntie replied. "Don't forget about our lesson."
"Oh, I won't." Autolycus gave another smile and Auntie sent him on his way in a shower of pink hearts and the scent of honeysuckle.
"Auntie?" I questioned as my tears began to stop.
"You are still too young, my little warrior bard." She winked at me and then sat down on one of the oversized chairs she had brought into the room for our comfort and hers.
"We still should have been consulted." Mom insisted as we all sat down on the furniture and got comfortable.
"That is why you are here now, my Queen." Artemis replied, and Mom blushed taking the point from the goddess.
I was glad for the short couch Auntie had in the room and I snuggled close to Mama happy for her familiar comfort. For the first time since Amphipolis I was beginning to feel that things would finally be going the way they were supposed to go in regards to me and my decisions."
"Before we start," Mama looked at Mom sitting in the chair next to her and then at the goddess. "Where are our children?"
Artemis and Aphrodite laughed and then stopped quickly seeing the looks on my moms faces. "Oh, no need to worry, my warrior mommy. The little ones have Aunt Hestia looking out for them along with your mommy, and Kassandra. They will be good."
"Its not them I'm worried about." Mama muttered.
"It's the village." I finished as Auntie laughed.
"The village is safe." Auntie held up three fingers. "Goddess mother's honor. No need to worry about any of it tonight."
She then turned her attention to me, "Okay, my little warrior bard, spill it. What in the name of my favorite mud bath made you do what you did today? I mean beating up a bad guy is one thing. But to drink, and t==ace on ruffians in the tavern like that? That is so not you."
"Mavri!" I suddenly shouted. "Where is he?"
"I sent him home," Aphrodite sighed. "I know he's important to you and I'd never let him suffer. You know that Peggy and he are more than friends. Now focus and explain to us what happened."
"I already told you," I sighed deeply. "Since I make such great decisions, I decided to make a few more on my own today and see how it went. It's not my fault nobody likes what I chose to do."
"What you chose to do was not safe." Mama's voice was soft.
"Neither was calling out a foreign god." I countered.
"Beating up all those men isn't something you should get used to either." Mom's voice entered the conversation. "You should only do that if there is a reason. Not just to show off or prove to someone that you can beat them in a fight. Beating someone up to put them in their place isn't usually the best way to handle things."
"Unless you are praised for doing just that." I responded.
"And as for the drinking," Mama continued. "You know the rules. Nothing that strong until you're eighteen."
"Yes, because at the age of consent you can have sex, but you can't have anything other than weak wine or beer. It makes no sense, Mama." I protested.
"That is the rule, Samina." Mom's voice reminded me.
"I know." I looked around Mama to Mom. "And that is my point. I made every decision today with a set purpose in mind."
"And was that purpose to be as reckless as possible?" Artemis asked before either of my mothers could speak.
"Pretty much." I replied. "I haven't felt right about things since Amphipolis. This is the first time I finally feel as if my decisions have garnered the correct responses from those involved." I cleared my throat and laid my head on Mama's shoulder. "So, the question becomes, where do we go from here?"
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