Saints 6.3
The Way Of The Warrior
DISCLAIMER: X-MEN, GARGOYLES, HERCULES AND XENA DO NOT BELONG TO ME. THEY BELONG TO MARVEL, DISNEY, AND RENAISSANCE PICTURES. ALL ORIGINAL CHARACTERS BELONG TO DENIGODDESS2001. NO INFRINGMENT IS INTENDED. THIS IS DONE FOR LOVE NOT MONEY. PLEASE DO NOT SUE.
They rode hard and fast from Thrace north toward Macedonia. Wren spent her days working with Duricles transcribing maps and documents as they headed north. They negotiated treaties with many villages as they made their way north. Wren became disheartened as she fulfilled her role as translator. She negotiated for supplies and foodstuffs with the locals as the army passed through their territories on their way to Macedonia.
Wren managed to dissuade Draco from torching every village. Of the one hundred twenty villages they passed through, only thirty-three were burned to the ground. Demetrius managed to prove himself worthy of a commission and brandished the rank of lieutenant. Draco's interest in Wren proved advantageous.
One morning in mid-summer, Wren busily translated a map of a rather arid region of Northern Greece. She noticed that the mocha skinned warrior. His piercing gaze bore into the middle of her back. How she abhorred the way he scrutinized her every mood.
[Someday he might just stick a dagger in my back.]
"What have you found according that map?" He asked.
"It seems that we'll passing through Centaur territory according to this trade map." Wren's brow creased in contemplation. "If I remember right from the series, Amazons and Centaurs have a treaty of peace. That means trouble."
"You say strange things, girl." He said gruffly. "But, you're usually right."
"What's the standing number of your army?" She asked.
"Eight thousand."
"Amazons, according to this map made three years ago, have a standing army of warriors totaling 7.000. The centaurs are 2,000 strong. However, Amazons fight from the trees and Centaurs are excellent archers. Your people are primarily ground forces." She studied the map and found a path that led elsewhere. She pointed to the road marked on the map. "Here is where we want to go."
"Through the valley of the rock giants! You're mad." His voice bellowed in the tent.
"Your men are good, but they don't stand a chance against the Amazons and the centaurs. They are foot soldiers and cavalry not guerilla fighters." Wren turned to her commander. "Rock giants are descendants of Titans and exceptionally stupid. Eight thousand men are more than a match for a few hundred rock giants even when their twenty feet tall."
"Since when did you learn such strategy?" He chuckled.
"I'm a big Xena fan." She said absently.
"Are you a friend of Xena's?"
"Never met her to be honest. I've just have studied many of her exploits." Wren's nebulous reply caused him to give her a sly smile. [That and I watch re-runs on TV.]
"Join me for dinner this evening Resumeres." He moved closer to her. He smelled strongly of leather, sweat, and spices. He towered head and shoulders over the young woman who considered herself tall at 5'7".
"Dinner?" Her eyebrows seemingly flew off her brow in genuine surprise.
"I have a proposition for you and your lover." When Draco smiled, she knew that meant trouble.
"Demetrius?"
"I've seen the way he handles my cache of weapons. He's better caliber of warrior than my men. I think he can be put to better use. You may fight well, but that mind is a terrible thing to waste." He tapped her on the forehead. "What you lack in beauty you compensate greatly in awareness."
Wren turned her back to Draco and leaned on the table. She took several breaths to calm herself. She didn't want to admit that his words hadn't hurt. The words came from Draco but that didn't make them any less cutting. She dared to stare him in the eye as she turned to face him. "Don't you know better than to tell a lady she isn't easy on the eye."
"O come on, Rensumeres, you don't care how you look to the men." Draco guffawed. "You have a keen mind and you're educated. You're worth three of my men just for your language skills alone. Because of recruiting efforts, my army has doubled in the past month. Ares will be pleased and that means blessings for me. In turn, that means something better for you."
"What would that be?" She asked coyly.
"You and Demetrius join me tonight at dinner and we'll talk." How she hated his smooth, seductive charm. [No wonder Xena had a hard time turning this guy down.]
"All right, I'm curious." She nodded. "We'll be there."
"Ach!" Wren executed a perfect strike on Demetrius' broad shoulder with her quarterstaff. "The son-of-a-bitch said 'What you lack in beauty you compensate greatly in awareness.'"
Demetrius deflected most of the damage of her staff be parrying effectively. Her staff stood upright as they stood only inches away from each other. His eyes gleamed with mirth while hers burned with fury. "So, the warlord isn't smart enough to realize that you're lovelier than most mortal women. That is good. It is better for me."
Wren brought her quarterstaff down and lodged it behind Demetrius' taloned ankle. She planted her legs in a pushing stance and twisted her quarterstaff. Her unique move upset Demetrius' balance. Her forward advance caused him to stumble backwards and fall over then end of her staff. The mirthful expression vanished, as he lay sprawled on his back staring at the end of staff centimeters from his face.
"Do you surrender?"
"Hades hath no fury like a woman scorned." He said with great solemnity. "I give."
Wren extended her hand to the handsome Gargoyle lying on the ground. She helped him to his feet. He dusted himself off and cloaked his wings around him like gabardine. "You are growing dangerous with a staff in your hands. Your strength increases daily. You grow more confident in your moves."
"This land and this life are making me hard, Dem." She looked away to the encampment of the army. "A month ago, I would have looked at this staff as one giant toothpick. Now, I realize that how I use the damn thing can determine if I live or die."
"Do not let your anger cloud your judgment, Wren." Demetrius cautioned her gently. "Let not Draco's callus words find their way into your memory. They are but words."
"It still hurts..." she said in a small voice. "Atalanta said that you spoke similar words."
"Atalanta is a petty, bitter dame with nothing but the handle of her hammer to keep her company at night. No sire would find his way to her with her bitterness."
"You said that I was plain." She cornered him.
"I was erroneous in my words." Demetrius cupped her chin. "Let us return to our tent and I will show you what I think of your beauty now."
"Demetrius, you have a one-track mind." She snorted.
"Let me remind you that I feel silk beneath my talons when I stroke your golden skin. I find myself lost in eyes of amber and jade. Your hair catches the rays of the sun."
"Yada yada yada." She interrupted. "You love me. But, still the words hurt. I'll deal with it and get over it."
"You let yourself become jaded and you will lose your humanity."
"Speaking of lost humanity." She wanted more than anything to change the particularly sensitive subject. "Draco has invited us to dinner in his tent tonight. He has a proposition for us."
"How so?"
"His army has doubled in the past month because of my supposed recruiting efforts. I speak all the local languages and I'm learning how to lie to innocent people. He thinks his army is better trained because of your adeptness with just about any weapon in his stockpile." Wren leaned forward and spoke in a quiet voice. "I think we're going to get a raise."
"And you think that he means us no harm?"
"If he wanted us dead he would have killed us by now." She whispered in one tantalizing pointed ebony ear. "I don't think he suspects anything and that's the way I like it."
"Perchance you are right, Milady." Demetrius' tail twitched violently. "Be on your guard this night."
"You'll be there, won't you?" Tension filled her voice. "It would look bad for us if you weren't."
"I will be there, Wren." He vowed. "Where you go, I go."
After sundown, Wren made her way to her tent. In many of her negotiations she acquired fineries otherwise not available to her. With great care she selected a Roman lady's gown of deep indigo silk. She chose to accessorize with Phoenician gold. One of Draco's concubines intricately braided her hair while another rubbed her back with scented oils.
Within the hour, she met Demetrius at the entrance of the warlord's tent. She noticed that the handsome warrior wore fine black leather armor and new bracers with sharp studs. Rather than donning his kilt he wore leather pants that hugged his sleek, muscular thighs. Her heart somersaulted inside her bosom as she drank in Demetrius' demonic gorgeousness.
"Milady?" He asked as he offered his lover his arm.
"I'm ready. Let's go." She took his arm in hers.
They held back the flap of the tent and entered the den of decadence. Wren saw several of Draco's concubines dancing around the tent for his officers. One kneeled before an officer resting back on red velvet pillows. As Wren noticed the girl's head bobbing in rhythm, she quickly turned away blushing. The officer's moans left little to the imagination as to the activity.
"An inner haven of piousness and sanctity." She drolled.
"Demetrius, Rensumeres, come and sit with me." Draco motioned to them to join him at his table. They advanced toward him and sat where he bade them. He had Wren on his right and the Ebony warrior at his left.
He motioned for one of the veiled concubines to serve them food and wine. The frightened girl said nothing as she trembled while she poured the wine. When done, the wide-eyed girl flitted from the scene in a flurry of silk and satin. Draco chortled deeply at the young woman's nervousness. "Good help is hard to find these days."
The feast continued and the three exchanged small talk. Some of the concubines preformed the dance of the seven veils. The wild roar from the officers indicated their strong approval of the entertainment. Wren sat there and gingerly sipped her Athenian wine. She was not amused.
"Let's get down to business." Draco finally turned to look at Wren. "You have negotiated two treaties and double my army in a month. Your knowledge for languages and your aptitude for strategy are invaluable. I'll keep it simple. I offer you the commission of Captain and four hundred dinars a month if you'll consent to sign on for a year."
"I'm already doing that now."
"If I keep you around, Ares will be pleased and give me great blessings and riches." Draco reminded her. "You're my good luck charm. I've won the last six battles because of your counsel. I need your skills."
Wren remained silent as she watched the warlord face Demetrius.
"I offer you the rank of lieutenant and three hundred dinars a month if you'll become the one of my trainers for my troops. Your spryness in battle makes you a worthy adversary. I want you working for me."
Demetrius growled. Wren wondered if it were in contemplation or contempt.
"I shall consider your offer." Was the nebulous response.
Wren imagined the Demetrius' clever mind sizing up the situation. If they held Draco's favor, they might get a better opportunity to retrieve the fragments from Ares. [Hell, it's worth a shot.] Wren mentally shrugged.
"Good." Draco heartily patted Demetrius on the back. "Now, let's enjoy the entertainment."
Wren knew that she had done her job to well....
TO BE CONTINUED...
The Way Of The Warrior
DISCLAIMER: X-MEN, GARGOYLES, HERCULES AND XENA DO NOT BELONG TO ME. THEY BELONG TO MARVEL, DISNEY, AND RENAISSANCE PICTURES. ALL ORIGINAL CHARACTERS BELONG TO DENIGODDESS2001. NO INFRINGMENT IS INTENDED. THIS IS DONE FOR LOVE NOT MONEY. PLEASE DO NOT SUE.
They rode hard and fast from Thrace north toward Macedonia. Wren spent her days working with Duricles transcribing maps and documents as they headed north. They negotiated treaties with many villages as they made their way north. Wren became disheartened as she fulfilled her role as translator. She negotiated for supplies and foodstuffs with the locals as the army passed through their territories on their way to Macedonia.
Wren managed to dissuade Draco from torching every village. Of the one hundred twenty villages they passed through, only thirty-three were burned to the ground. Demetrius managed to prove himself worthy of a commission and brandished the rank of lieutenant. Draco's interest in Wren proved advantageous.
One morning in mid-summer, Wren busily translated a map of a rather arid region of Northern Greece. She noticed that the mocha skinned warrior. His piercing gaze bore into the middle of her back. How she abhorred the way he scrutinized her every mood.
[Someday he might just stick a dagger in my back.]
"What have you found according that map?" He asked.
"It seems that we'll passing through Centaur territory according to this trade map." Wren's brow creased in contemplation. "If I remember right from the series, Amazons and Centaurs have a treaty of peace. That means trouble."
"You say strange things, girl." He said gruffly. "But, you're usually right."
"What's the standing number of your army?" She asked.
"Eight thousand."
"Amazons, according to this map made three years ago, have a standing army of warriors totaling 7.000. The centaurs are 2,000 strong. However, Amazons fight from the trees and Centaurs are excellent archers. Your people are primarily ground forces." She studied the map and found a path that led elsewhere. She pointed to the road marked on the map. "Here is where we want to go."
"Through the valley of the rock giants! You're mad." His voice bellowed in the tent.
"Your men are good, but they don't stand a chance against the Amazons and the centaurs. They are foot soldiers and cavalry not guerilla fighters." Wren turned to her commander. "Rock giants are descendants of Titans and exceptionally stupid. Eight thousand men are more than a match for a few hundred rock giants even when their twenty feet tall."
"Since when did you learn such strategy?" He chuckled.
"I'm a big Xena fan." She said absently.
"Are you a friend of Xena's?"
"Never met her to be honest. I've just have studied many of her exploits." Wren's nebulous reply caused him to give her a sly smile. [That and I watch re-runs on TV.]
"Join me for dinner this evening Resumeres." He moved closer to her. He smelled strongly of leather, sweat, and spices. He towered head and shoulders over the young woman who considered herself tall at 5'7".
"Dinner?" Her eyebrows seemingly flew off her brow in genuine surprise.
"I have a proposition for you and your lover." When Draco smiled, she knew that meant trouble.
"Demetrius?"
"I've seen the way he handles my cache of weapons. He's better caliber of warrior than my men. I think he can be put to better use. You may fight well, but that mind is a terrible thing to waste." He tapped her on the forehead. "What you lack in beauty you compensate greatly in awareness."
Wren turned her back to Draco and leaned on the table. She took several breaths to calm herself. She didn't want to admit that his words hadn't hurt. The words came from Draco but that didn't make them any less cutting. She dared to stare him in the eye as she turned to face him. "Don't you know better than to tell a lady she isn't easy on the eye."
"O come on, Rensumeres, you don't care how you look to the men." Draco guffawed. "You have a keen mind and you're educated. You're worth three of my men just for your language skills alone. Because of recruiting efforts, my army has doubled in the past month. Ares will be pleased and that means blessings for me. In turn, that means something better for you."
"What would that be?" She asked coyly.
"You and Demetrius join me tonight at dinner and we'll talk." How she hated his smooth, seductive charm. [No wonder Xena had a hard time turning this guy down.]
"All right, I'm curious." She nodded. "We'll be there."
"Ach!" Wren executed a perfect strike on Demetrius' broad shoulder with her quarterstaff. "The son-of-a-bitch said 'What you lack in beauty you compensate greatly in awareness.'"
Demetrius deflected most of the damage of her staff be parrying effectively. Her staff stood upright as they stood only inches away from each other. His eyes gleamed with mirth while hers burned with fury. "So, the warlord isn't smart enough to realize that you're lovelier than most mortal women. That is good. It is better for me."
Wren brought her quarterstaff down and lodged it behind Demetrius' taloned ankle. She planted her legs in a pushing stance and twisted her quarterstaff. Her unique move upset Demetrius' balance. Her forward advance caused him to stumble backwards and fall over then end of her staff. The mirthful expression vanished, as he lay sprawled on his back staring at the end of staff centimeters from his face.
"Do you surrender?"
"Hades hath no fury like a woman scorned." He said with great solemnity. "I give."
Wren extended her hand to the handsome Gargoyle lying on the ground. She helped him to his feet. He dusted himself off and cloaked his wings around him like gabardine. "You are growing dangerous with a staff in your hands. Your strength increases daily. You grow more confident in your moves."
"This land and this life are making me hard, Dem." She looked away to the encampment of the army. "A month ago, I would have looked at this staff as one giant toothpick. Now, I realize that how I use the damn thing can determine if I live or die."
"Do not let your anger cloud your judgment, Wren." Demetrius cautioned her gently. "Let not Draco's callus words find their way into your memory. They are but words."
"It still hurts..." she said in a small voice. "Atalanta said that you spoke similar words."
"Atalanta is a petty, bitter dame with nothing but the handle of her hammer to keep her company at night. No sire would find his way to her with her bitterness."
"You said that I was plain." She cornered him.
"I was erroneous in my words." Demetrius cupped her chin. "Let us return to our tent and I will show you what I think of your beauty now."
"Demetrius, you have a one-track mind." She snorted.
"Let me remind you that I feel silk beneath my talons when I stroke your golden skin. I find myself lost in eyes of amber and jade. Your hair catches the rays of the sun."
"Yada yada yada." She interrupted. "You love me. But, still the words hurt. I'll deal with it and get over it."
"You let yourself become jaded and you will lose your humanity."
"Speaking of lost humanity." She wanted more than anything to change the particularly sensitive subject. "Draco has invited us to dinner in his tent tonight. He has a proposition for us."
"How so?"
"His army has doubled in the past month because of my supposed recruiting efforts. I speak all the local languages and I'm learning how to lie to innocent people. He thinks his army is better trained because of your adeptness with just about any weapon in his stockpile." Wren leaned forward and spoke in a quiet voice. "I think we're going to get a raise."
"And you think that he means us no harm?"
"If he wanted us dead he would have killed us by now." She whispered in one tantalizing pointed ebony ear. "I don't think he suspects anything and that's the way I like it."
"Perchance you are right, Milady." Demetrius' tail twitched violently. "Be on your guard this night."
"You'll be there, won't you?" Tension filled her voice. "It would look bad for us if you weren't."
"I will be there, Wren." He vowed. "Where you go, I go."
After sundown, Wren made her way to her tent. In many of her negotiations she acquired fineries otherwise not available to her. With great care she selected a Roman lady's gown of deep indigo silk. She chose to accessorize with Phoenician gold. One of Draco's concubines intricately braided her hair while another rubbed her back with scented oils.
Within the hour, she met Demetrius at the entrance of the warlord's tent. She noticed that the handsome warrior wore fine black leather armor and new bracers with sharp studs. Rather than donning his kilt he wore leather pants that hugged his sleek, muscular thighs. Her heart somersaulted inside her bosom as she drank in Demetrius' demonic gorgeousness.
"Milady?" He asked as he offered his lover his arm.
"I'm ready. Let's go." She took his arm in hers.
They held back the flap of the tent and entered the den of decadence. Wren saw several of Draco's concubines dancing around the tent for his officers. One kneeled before an officer resting back on red velvet pillows. As Wren noticed the girl's head bobbing in rhythm, she quickly turned away blushing. The officer's moans left little to the imagination as to the activity.
"An inner haven of piousness and sanctity." She drolled.
"Demetrius, Rensumeres, come and sit with me." Draco motioned to them to join him at his table. They advanced toward him and sat where he bade them. He had Wren on his right and the Ebony warrior at his left.
He motioned for one of the veiled concubines to serve them food and wine. The frightened girl said nothing as she trembled while she poured the wine. When done, the wide-eyed girl flitted from the scene in a flurry of silk and satin. Draco chortled deeply at the young woman's nervousness. "Good help is hard to find these days."
The feast continued and the three exchanged small talk. Some of the concubines preformed the dance of the seven veils. The wild roar from the officers indicated their strong approval of the entertainment. Wren sat there and gingerly sipped her Athenian wine. She was not amused.
"Let's get down to business." Draco finally turned to look at Wren. "You have negotiated two treaties and double my army in a month. Your knowledge for languages and your aptitude for strategy are invaluable. I'll keep it simple. I offer you the commission of Captain and four hundred dinars a month if you'll consent to sign on for a year."
"I'm already doing that now."
"If I keep you around, Ares will be pleased and give me great blessings and riches." Draco reminded her. "You're my good luck charm. I've won the last six battles because of your counsel. I need your skills."
Wren remained silent as she watched the warlord face Demetrius.
"I offer you the rank of lieutenant and three hundred dinars a month if you'll become the one of my trainers for my troops. Your spryness in battle makes you a worthy adversary. I want you working for me."
Demetrius growled. Wren wondered if it were in contemplation or contempt.
"I shall consider your offer." Was the nebulous response.
Wren imagined the Demetrius' clever mind sizing up the situation. If they held Draco's favor, they might get a better opportunity to retrieve the fragments from Ares. [Hell, it's worth a shot.] Wren mentally shrugged.
"Good." Draco heartily patted Demetrius on the back. "Now, let's enjoy the entertainment."
Wren knew that she had done her job to well....
TO BE CONTINUED...