GOTTA SAY , I LIKE THIS CHAPTER :)
"Pitchforks and stalks …. " the Warrior Princess murmured unwillingly , Ares' words still echoing inside her head, in a blatant contrast with the secret weapon she knew those good for nothing peasants did actually possess.
''What was that, My Lady ?'' Theodorus inquired, in a weak kitty cat voice . Much to his horror, he had become literally overnight her second in command, rapidly filling Darphus'shoes-this new position offering him a grim perspective of the future to say the least.
Although her face was usually an inscrutable mask when it came to displaying emotions, she couldn't help that disgusted sneer that found its own way out into the world at the utter fear reverberating from the man's voice. He was a lame coward, that was as clear as daylight and she would have loved nothing more than to see his corpse rotting right next to the one of his plotting partner, but still, she couldn't. The soldiers might have disliked Darphus, but they did respect Theodorus, so a cold blooded execution was off the table for the time being. She couldn't afford losing the valuable support of her troops right before the major battles ahead and riding alongside a mass of men questioning her authority was never a good idea and thus, out of the question.
For the time being that snake was safe from harm, but the clock was definitely ticking …
''Nothing . I was just admiring their determination given the circumstances …''she replied, as she once again directed her gaze towards the useless massacre unfolding before her very eyes.
''…And to think that they could have just surrendered…'' she muttered, not really impressed with the deafening screams coming from the village where about one hundred of her soldiers were making sure Hades himself would be pleased with their offerings.
''They never do ….'' Theodorus said,more to himself than for Xena to hear .
''Oh, but they will….Soon enough they will be trembling at the mere sound of my name…'' she felt the need to add, grabbing the horse's reins even tighter.
She didn't usually display any emotions in regards to her victims- there was nothing-either positive or negative happening in the sentimental department so to speak, but with these poor villagers, things were waaay different. She hated them! She hated them with a passion, not because they had crossed her in any way – they were simply defending their lands for crying out loud – but because that bitch had used them to get to her, and that was something she wasn't going to forgive. As she well put it, by noon they would be all dead- men, women and children, young and old, she didn't care .She wanted their blood and their burning flesh more than anything, as if by chopping them to little pieces just to turn them into ash later on, she could somehow get back at Amytis …
''…they will come to me begging for their lives, willingly offering in return everything they have …''
This time, Theodorus didn't answer. He swallowed dryly. The tension in his jaw had become pretty visible by now although he was silently thanking the allmighty Zeus and several other deities for having kept him in one piece despite the fact that he could have easily shared his friend's ill fate.
Furtively scanning her features, the man frowned at the realization that his Commander looked almost …nervous….or at the best, impatient- and let's get one thing straight, Xena was never nervous before a fight- not that this could be actually qualified as a fight. Butchering a handful, of peasants hardly required an effort and that probably explained- he mused- the reason for which she had chosen to stay away from the bloodshed, on top of the hill with the rest of her men…Or maybe she knew….Maybe Darphus had told her all about their plan- about that gorgeous green eyed vixen and about the poison .
Theodorus shook his head sharply in an effort to dislodge that crazy idea ….No…he would have been already dead- and that important detail could only mean that he still stood a chance of taking control over that army ….With Darphus out of the way and with the Warrior Princess dead, he could prove himself to Ares . He was the right man for the job!
Xena's earsplitting battle cry brought him back to reality within a blink though, and before he knew it, two hundred more men were heading down the hill, ready to kill, plunder and enjoy the little excitement that such small countryside battle could bring- a well deserved distraction after those boring days in which she had been gone.
XXX
That magic globe sure proved to be a useful tool given that she had smashed the mirror into little pieces, Amythis thought,pressing her lips together and squinting slightly at the image of the dark haired Warrior Princess riding wildly into battle .
As much as she hated this woman, the Queen just had to admit it, she was simply spectacular.
From the way in which her hair was blowing in the wind to that crushing amount of energy she transmitted to her soldiers, she almost looked like an unbreakable force of nature …And yet , she would be the one to break her – but this time, now that she had Ares' blessing, she was going to make sure it was permanent.
Sadly, much to her dismay, it appeared that there weren't many villagers left to carry out her infamous plan- the one of reducing their common ennemy's impressive presence to an impressive pile of ash.
Closing her eyes Amytis gently touched the surface of the ceremonial bowl that she had filled to the rim with water , and after a few minutes of deep meditation, she started a rhythmic incantation in a language as old as time…
''Yamele thaais illo phati ,illo esetum , Irkalla eren, ighana, irum , Irkalla daar esturo! '', and ancient chant, a prayer to the goddess of the Underworld herself.
Within seconds, the clear water she had placed in the ceramic bowl, turned wine red, and then a bit darker and a bit thicker ….From water to blood ….It was exactly what she was looking for .
XXX
''Only fools play fair, Xena ! '' right out of nowhere, that very distinct voice that her brain simply refused to forget, surrounded the Warrior Princess like the air she breathed.
''Amytis …'' Xena exhaled sharply, as if the name itself had been compressing her lungs all this time.
As expected ,the narcissistic Queen had taken the bait .The only thing left to do –the only piece of the puzzle still missing –was to lure her into that particular area since she had little to zero chances of actually defeating her in that strange, between the worlds realm . The Warrior Princess was way too inexperienced for such type of fight and she was well aware of it, so physically drawing her on that battlefield was a must if her plan was to succeed.
''Still playing mind games and using cheesy parlor tricks, Amytis ?''Xena asked, turning her horse around while expertly catching an arrow that would have otherwise pierced her shoulder.''Well sorry, I'm busy! No time to sleep to keep you entertained!''
''No cheesy magic tricks, Xena I promise ….It's time to take our relationship to a whole new level! This time I'll make sure I turn all those nasty nightmares into reality.''
''Oh really ?! I'd love to see that,'cause fighting untrained peasants has become quite a drag lately !'' she retorted , beheading one of those desperate men running like crazy towards her.
''But wait ….I forgot ….Your battle skills are just as lame as the ones of my current opponents,here …You can't even hold a sword properly, let alone wield it!'' she smartly challenged, blocking the sharp tines of a pitchfork that was on this occasion aimed at her horse in the useless attempt to set her off balance .
''I guess ….And yet…'' the alluring voice continued while, under the Warrior Princess' very eyes, from a muddy puddle left behind by the recent rains, the glamorous Queen emerged like an unearthly vision that would have definitely stopped the very attack of the soldiers had they not been so preoccupied with what they were doing, about fifty yards away from where their Commander was situated. ''It so happens that the blade of Irkalla wields itself…'' she said, on an almost secretive tone that despite its low key, nearly pierced Xena's eardrums, making her instinctively cover her ears, and thus leaving an opening for a few seconds, enough for a blow straight in her back to throw her off her horse .
''The blade of the Underworld …'' the Warrior Princess mused, and for a split second she froze at the realization that it had been the same weapon that had nearly killed the War God himself three centuries before. A swift low kick later and her previous opponent bit the dust, screaming in agony while staring in shock at his dislocated leg.
''The very same ….'' Amytis pointed out, carefully analyzing the shining, curved edge of the elegant scimitar she was playfully holding, as if it weren't one of the deadliest weapons that were known to have been forged by the Gods themselves,but a flower or a bottle of perfume...
For a brief moment, Xena actually forgot to hide her stupefaction .It was a legendary sword, and mortal eyes had only rarely had to chance to actually see it – and when that unfortunate event did happen, it always ended with the tragic demise of the poor soul that had been graced with its presence.
Lethal or not , she couldn't help but marvel at its exquisite craftsmanship and, squinting her eyes, she could swear she was able to see the nine curses of the Underworld engraved in its silvery blade.
''Quite a beauty isn't it ?'' the Queen just had to agree, reading the admiration in her enemy's eyes. ''A legendary sword to mark the departure of a legendary Warrior…How fitting ….!''
''Have you gone mad Amytis ?You might have forgotten, but I am the Chosen of War!'' the blue eyed beauty responded , her steely eyes flashing with anger .'' Ares would pulverize you!''
''I don't know about that ….I just can't escape this hunch that such a worthy confrontation would actually spark his interest…'' she bit , on the same honeyed tone she regularly appeared to be using with Ares each time they met, a tone that Xena despised so much!
''His interest for you, you mean ?''the Warrior Princess laughed at the Queen's antics.
'' You are so naïve , in so many respects , Honey …..''Amytis simply stated, biting her lower lip, elegantly moving that sword from one hand to the other, with an easiness that made Xena rethink her strategy . She had anticipated many scenarios regarding their one on one but not this ….''Obsession would have been a much appropriate word…''she attacked, with the assuredness of a woman perfectly in control of her lover's heart and mind.
Her statement was met with an arched brow and a sneer .
''Oh, I dare you ! '' Xena insisted, refusing to attack for the time being .
'' Only if the company is right …''the Queen replied with a cattish grin.'' Ares ! Why don't you join us ? Maybe your presence will magically lift her spirits ? Gods know she'll need all the support she can get! '' the Queen invited, never losing sight of her competition .
Within a blink, the War God himself materialized on the battlefield, his disconcertingly casual expression leaving his Chosen agape.
''Ok ….time for a real fight- cause whatever it was you had planned to keep me entertained '' he told Xena , pointing in the direction of the burning village .''…..proved to be a dramatic letdown''