Chapter IV

For four tedious hours, Xena tried to keep Jason from going critical as Makia took care of his shoulder. Finally Makia got the arrow out of his shoulder.

"What is she doing here?" Xena asked as princess Kendra entered the room. Ioleus entered after her. Jason had long since passed out from pain. Xena was in the process of making Jason comfortable as Makia put the final touches on the bandage on Jason's shoulder

"I tried to stop her! But she kept insisting on seeing Jason."

"Why shouldn't I see my beloved betrothed?" Kendra remarked haughtily as she moved to sit beside Jason. Xena froze with a blanket in her hand. Makia paused cleaning up the bloody rags. Ioleus saw the two girls expressions and took on a confused look.

"She told us outside, remember?" Seeing that the girls, in their haste to save Jason, over looked this detail, Ioleus beat a hasty retreat.

Makia held her breath and closed he eyes. She could almost hear Xena's heart breaking. Makia knew that Xena really liked Jason. In fact that was all that Xena talked about the night she came to the academy. Makia would have even believed that Xena had fallen' for him.

Kendra, satisfied with Jason's condition, announced that she was stressed and tired. She then left the room. Makia finished cleaning the blood. She put everything into a basket and hastily thrust it into the arms of the waiting maid. Dismissing the maid, Makia turned to her friend. Xena grabbed her arm and lead her to Jason's sitting room.

"Why didn't you tell me!?" Xena said, more angry then upset.

"How in Tarterus was I supposed to know? Jason never tells me anything. I usually hear about things through Herc!"

"Herc didn't even know?"

"I'm betting he didn't. What I really want to know is why Kendra shot Jason."

"I do to. Let me go and beat it out of her!"

"Xena, NO!"  Makia stopped Xena. "You can't fight her. Jason's father could have you exiled. Not to mention Kendra would probably get you in more trouble with Jason. Let me handle it."

"Are you sure I can't just hit her once?" Xena was fuming with anger. "It's just that she really doesn't seem as if she cares about him…please just once."

"No, let me handle this. You go get some rest. This day has been hard on you."

"Alright, fine. I'll behave for now. But if she continues…" Xena's hands clenched into fists. She walked out the door to the hallway. Makia went back to check on Jason. Makia felt her anger rise. He was supposed to be her friend.  They never were really close, but how was Makia supposed to make peace between her tribe and Jason's kingdom, if she couldn't trust him. Makia was an Amazon queen. Her kingdom bordered Jason's land.  Her tribe didn't like Jason, but Makia insisted on peace talks. That was one thing both of them were supposed to work with Jason's father. Makia took a deep breath. She would talk to this princess….

Makia stalked out to the hall. Herc was leaning against the wall next to Ioleus, who was holding a sobbing Ashley. Makia ignored them and went down the hall gritting her teeth. Herc watched her stalk down the hall with her fists clenched.

"Ioleus, I'm going to see what's wrong with Makia…"