Chapter 2
Gazing skyward through the thinning smoke I realize the moon is well overhead. It's too late to travel, not that I have any idea where to go. I guess we should make camp. The most logical place would be the temple, but there is no way I'm going back there. Maybe Xena has a plan.
The warrior's large form stands silhouetted against the dying embers of Callisto's pyre, a silent sentinel standing watch over the funeral fires. Beside me Saraphen coughs out a choked sob, her mourning has been as loud as Xena's was silent. Though I've tried to offer the young woman some comfort, my thoughts keep wandering to the warrior. Her silence is more disturbing to me then all the sobbing wails circling among those gathered in the valley. I almost wish she would cry out, at least then I would know she is feeling something. Instead I fear the emptiness I'm feeling is consuming her as well.
Saraphen begins another sobbing fit reluctantly I slip an arm around her shoulders hopelessly trying to silence her. As her sobs finally quiet to soft whimpers I turn to the pyres. Fear grips my heart as I realize Xena is gone. Frantically I search the growing darkness for any sign of her. She must have slipped into the forest while I wasn't looking. How could I have been such an idiot? I never should have left her side. Maybe I should go look for her. A jerking sob from Saraphen ends any thoughts of following the warrior. Saraphen needs someone to watch over her and we still need to make camp. Despair begins to tug at my already faltering courage. From out of the dark night a gentle breeze passes over my face, soft neighing drifts along with it. I know that sound anywhere maybe if I find Argo I'll find Xena. Holding the young woman by the shoulders I led us toward the sound.
1.
Finding Argo hadn't been as hard as I had feared. In fact I think the horse was looking for me. The clearing she is gazing near has already been prepared for a camp. Xena and Gabrielle must have set it up before entering the temple. Somehow I've even managed to get a fire started. Sitting before the fire Saraphen silently rocks back and forth lost in her grief. Checking the wood supply I know it will not last till morning. I explain to Saraphen about the wood and why I need to leave for a little while, she nods but it is obvious she is not listening to me. Lacking the patience to repeat myself, I raise and start into the forest. Wood is not the only reason I need to get away from the cleaning, I need sometime alone, sometime to think. As the light from the fire fades shadows dance through the trees, I wonder if one of them might belong to Xena. If only I'd been paying closer attention maybe I could have followed her. 'Yeah right.' Nobody follows Xena unless she wants to be followed. What if she doesn't return? Panic seizes me, this is something I hadn't considered. What if I never see her again? The thought sends a chill down my spine.
1.
Plans for an early morning search are forming in my mind as I approach the camp. Stepping into the clearing I'm startled by the sight of Xena approaching from the opposite side. I actually feel a twinge of joy at the sight of her. Though it is quickly crushed as she moves toward Saraphen, there is something about the set of her jaw, which frightens me.
"Where did you get that?!" bellows the warrior.
Shocked by the enraged warrior's return the smaller woman draws back. "Wh...what?"
Xena snatchs a well worn blanket from trembling fingers. "Don't you ever touch those bags again!"
A shiver runs down my spine at the warrior's deadly tone. Dropping the firewood I move toward them though I'm not sure what to do.
"I...I was cold." stutters Saraphen."I thought it was Gabrielle's..."
"It 'is' Gabrielle's." hisses Xena through clenched teeth.
Saraphen's eyes narrow in anger as she raises to faced Xena. I just hope she doesn't do anything stupid.
"Gabrielle was my friend," her tone has changed from frightened to challenging. "I don't think 'she' would have minded me using her blanket."
'That was stupid.' I cringe waiting for Xena's reply.
Leaning to within inches of the blond's face, Xena whispers with barely restrained fury. "Well 'I' do mind."
Seeing Xena so close to the edge I'm frightened by what she might do. Gathering my bedroll I manage to move between the women. "Here," offering Saraphen my blankets. "use these."
Hesitating she finally backs down and accepted the blankets. "Thanks." she replies with a weak smile, the smile disappeared as she moves pass Xena.
Turning to face the warrior I find her glaring at me. If looks could kill I'd be half way to Cheron's boat by now. Swallowing hard I try to find the words to explain.
Ignoring me she storms to the small pile of belongings she calls her own. With one hand she scoops up her bedroll and tosses it to me without a word.
"Thanks..." I mumble as she turns away.
Kneeling beside Gabrielle's belongings she carefully inspects them. Satisfied everything is as it should be she drops to the ground with her back to the fire. Lifting the blanket to her face I notice she holds it close inhaling deeply of the bard's scent, which lingers so sweetly on the worn material. For a moment I envy her, how I long to smell that sweet scent once more. Watching her clutch the blanket to her cheek I expected her to break down. But instead she gently lays the blanket aside. Retrieving her sword and stone the steady rasping of metal against stone fills the night air.
Gazing skyward through the thinning smoke I realize the moon is well overhead. It's too late to travel, not that I have any idea where to go. I guess we should make camp. The most logical place would be the temple, but there is no way I'm going back there. Maybe Xena has a plan.
The warrior's large form stands silhouetted against the dying embers of Callisto's pyre, a silent sentinel standing watch over the funeral fires. Beside me Saraphen coughs out a choked sob, her mourning has been as loud as Xena's was silent. Though I've tried to offer the young woman some comfort, my thoughts keep wandering to the warrior. Her silence is more disturbing to me then all the sobbing wails circling among those gathered in the valley. I almost wish she would cry out, at least then I would know she is feeling something. Instead I fear the emptiness I'm feeling is consuming her as well.
Saraphen begins another sobbing fit reluctantly I slip an arm around her shoulders hopelessly trying to silence her. As her sobs finally quiet to soft whimpers I turn to the pyres. Fear grips my heart as I realize Xena is gone. Frantically I search the growing darkness for any sign of her. She must have slipped into the forest while I wasn't looking. How could I have been such an idiot? I never should have left her side. Maybe I should go look for her. A jerking sob from Saraphen ends any thoughts of following the warrior. Saraphen needs someone to watch over her and we still need to make camp. Despair begins to tug at my already faltering courage. From out of the dark night a gentle breeze passes over my face, soft neighing drifts along with it. I know that sound anywhere maybe if I find Argo I'll find Xena. Holding the young woman by the shoulders I led us toward the sound.
1.
Finding Argo hadn't been as hard as I had feared. In fact I think the horse was looking for me. The clearing she is gazing near has already been prepared for a camp. Xena and Gabrielle must have set it up before entering the temple. Somehow I've even managed to get a fire started. Sitting before the fire Saraphen silently rocks back and forth lost in her grief. Checking the wood supply I know it will not last till morning. I explain to Saraphen about the wood and why I need to leave for a little while, she nods but it is obvious she is not listening to me. Lacking the patience to repeat myself, I raise and start into the forest. Wood is not the only reason I need to get away from the cleaning, I need sometime alone, sometime to think. As the light from the fire fades shadows dance through the trees, I wonder if one of them might belong to Xena. If only I'd been paying closer attention maybe I could have followed her. 'Yeah right.' Nobody follows Xena unless she wants to be followed. What if she doesn't return? Panic seizes me, this is something I hadn't considered. What if I never see her again? The thought sends a chill down my spine.
1.
Plans for an early morning search are forming in my mind as I approach the camp. Stepping into the clearing I'm startled by the sight of Xena approaching from the opposite side. I actually feel a twinge of joy at the sight of her. Though it is quickly crushed as she moves toward Saraphen, there is something about the set of her jaw, which frightens me.
"Where did you get that?!" bellows the warrior.
Shocked by the enraged warrior's return the smaller woman draws back. "Wh...what?"
Xena snatchs a well worn blanket from trembling fingers. "Don't you ever touch those bags again!"
A shiver runs down my spine at the warrior's deadly tone. Dropping the firewood I move toward them though I'm not sure what to do.
"I...I was cold." stutters Saraphen."I thought it was Gabrielle's..."
"It 'is' Gabrielle's." hisses Xena through clenched teeth.
Saraphen's eyes narrow in anger as she raises to faced Xena. I just hope she doesn't do anything stupid.
"Gabrielle was my friend," her tone has changed from frightened to challenging. "I don't think 'she' would have minded me using her blanket."
'That was stupid.' I cringe waiting for Xena's reply.
Leaning to within inches of the blond's face, Xena whispers with barely restrained fury. "Well 'I' do mind."
Seeing Xena so close to the edge I'm frightened by what she might do. Gathering my bedroll I manage to move between the women. "Here," offering Saraphen my blankets. "use these."
Hesitating she finally backs down and accepted the blankets. "Thanks." she replies with a weak smile, the smile disappeared as she moves pass Xena.
Turning to face the warrior I find her glaring at me. If looks could kill I'd be half way to Cheron's boat by now. Swallowing hard I try to find the words to explain.
Ignoring me she storms to the small pile of belongings she calls her own. With one hand she scoops up her bedroll and tosses it to me without a word.
"Thanks..." I mumble as she turns away.
Kneeling beside Gabrielle's belongings she carefully inspects them. Satisfied everything is as it should be she drops to the ground with her back to the fire. Lifting the blanket to her face I notice she holds it close inhaling deeply of the bard's scent, which lingers so sweetly on the worn material. For a moment I envy her, how I long to smell that sweet scent once more. Watching her clutch the blanket to her cheek I expected her to break down. But instead she gently lays the blanket aside. Retrieving her sword and stone the steady rasping of metal against stone fills the night air.