C h a p t e r 5
Traveling hard and fast, the search party spent the morning tracking Zared. Occasionally stopping to check the trail for fresh tracks. Apollo's chariot was approaching the halfway point of its daily journey, as they stopped once more. Agro waited patiently for them to move on. She wondered why Mistress had not traveled with them. Or why Mistress had not checked on her the night before, as she normally did. Instead it was the Talkative One who had feed, watered and brushed her for the night.
Shortly after the first rays of sunlight passed through the cracks in the stable walls, the Talkative One returned. Still there had been no sign of Mistress. As the Talkative One brushed and saddled her, she could tell something was not right. Normally the Talkative One chattered constantly when caring for her, but this morning she was strangely quite. Agro had learned that when the Talkative One was this quite something was wrong. While the Talkative One brushed her forehead, Argo nudged the bard with her nose, whinnying softly. This seemed to please the Talkative One. "You're worried too, aren't you girl?" asked the bard, affectionately scratching the mare's nose. "It'll be all right, we'll find her. I promise."
Outside the stable a large group of riders waited for them. Climbing into the saddle the Talkative One instructed her to follow the riders as they began to move away. Breaking into a trot she realized they were heading away from the place she had last seen Mistress. Raising her head into the air she tried to catch Mistress' scent. She could not.
Having traveled with Mistress for so long, she knew they where searching for something. Sometimes when the wind would shift, she could catch the faint scent of horses, other than the ones around her. Whoever they were looking for was not far ahead. Perhaps Mistress was with them. Lifting her head high, she again tried to find Mistress's scent. There was no sign of her.
"Easy girl." Gabrielle said, noticing the horse's uneasiness. Reaching forward she stroked the mare's neck. "It's all right." Stroking the muscular neck had as much a calming effect on the bard as it did the mare. Leaning forward she whispered. "Next time we stop I'll give you a nice juicy apple. Okay?" Argo whinnied. "Good." Patting the horse, Gabrielle laughed to herself. 'Oh, great I'm getting as bad as Xena about pampering this silly horse.' The laughter faded as her thoughts turned to her friend. She had tried not to think about the warrior. Instead focusing on finding Zared and rescuing the child. But each passing hour carried her further and further from the cave. And with each mile came the haunting feeling that she would never see the warrior again.
Before leaving the village, Amal had promised the bard she would send someone to the cave to search for the missing warrior. Gabrielle forced herself to believe they would find her. Probably a little battered but none the worse for wear. The image of a recuperating though irritated Warrior Princess waiting for her return, brought a smile to the bard's face. Closing her eyes she tilted her head back, welcoming the warmth of the midday sun. Breathing deeply she slowly opened her eyes. Several large white clouds floated by catching her attention. 'No time for cloud creatures today.' she thought regretfully.
Shifting in the saddle she tried to relieve the dull ache in her backside. What she really wanted was to get off the large warhorse and walk for a while. Unfortunately, Zared had a good head start on them and if they hoped to catch him before nightfall they would have to keep pushing. 'Besides,' she thought. 'The sooner we catch Zared the sooner I can find Xena.'
Septimus interrupted her thoughts. "Leiandros says the tracks are leading into the forest. He also said we're gaining on them."
"Good." Gabrielle replied, coaxing Argo forward. "Let's get going."
+
Sunlight reflected off the golden circle of metal, resting at the warrior's feet. Once again Xena found herself wishing the ropes holding her ankles where just a few inches longer. She could touch the weapon with the toe of her boot, but not enough to move it. Straining against her bonds, she was finally forced to relax, as fatigue over took her. For several minutes she hung there limply. Having spent more energy than her battered body could spare. Once the pounding in her head quieted to a dull throb she opened her good eye, staring at the unobtainable weapon once more.
Sarcastic laughter interrupted her concentration. "What are you trying to do?" Caecilius asked. "Move it with your mind."
"You got a better idea?" Xena asked dryly.
Caecilius laughed again. "Don't need one. I'm not the one worried about dying."
"Most fools aren't."
"What are you so worried about, warrior? I thought your little bard was going to show up and rescue you." There was no mistaking the mocking tone in his voice.
"Gabrielle will come." Xena said confidently. "But there is no need to hang around if I don't have to." Smirking at him. "No pun intended."
"Such faith." sneered the young Follower. "You are a fool warrior, believing in something as weak as love and friendship."
"I don't see Zared beating a path to save you."
"He'll be here." Caecilius said confidently. "This is just a test to see if I am worthy."
"This isn't a test." laughed the warrior. "Zared left you here to die."
"NO! He will return. I believe."
Xena wasn't sure if the man was trying to convince her or himself. "Yeah right." Was her only reply, as a heavy silence fell between them.
Finally Xena broke the silence. "Tell me about your Goddess."
Caecilius seemed truly amused by the warrior's question. "What's wrong warrior? Feeling lonely, just want to chat?"
Frowning at him. "Well, it's obvious neither of us is going anywhere anytime soon. No reason we can't talk."
"I have no desire to 'talk' with you."
Xena smiled at him crookedly. "What's wrong afraid I'll convert you?"
"HA!"
"Well, if this is suppose to be a test of your faith, it won't be much of a test if you don't talk to me."
There was truth in her words, yet he still did not wish to engage her even in small talk. There was something about the warrior that frightened him. Even in her present condition.
"Come on, tell me about her."
"Why?" Caecilius asked cautiously.
Shrugging slightly the warrior replied. "Just curious." Smiling at him slyly. "Who knows maybe you can convert me?"
Caecilius tried to force a smile at the warrior's joke. He did not succeed.
"Who is she Hera, Artemis, Athena? I can't believe any of them would demand the sacrifice of a child."
Hearty laughter greeted the warrior's questions. "All of your weak Goddesses are no match for my Goddess. She is the Goddess of war. Even Ares would fall in her path."
Xena pondered this information. A Goddess of war who was stronger than Ares, that was a disturbing thought. Especially when she demanded the blood of children for worship.
"So, does this almighty Goddess of yours have a name?"
Raising his head proudly, Caecilius answered. "She is known by many names. But we her true believers call her Fatima."
"Hum." replied the warrior, furrowing her brow in thought. "Never heard of her."
"Well you will." growled the young man, irritated by the warrior's lack of respect. "Soon the world will know the Goddess. Once Zared has his army we will destroy Greece and claim it in the name of the Goddess." Laughter interrupted his speech. "What's so funny?" he asked angrily.
Calming herself enough to speak, Xena answered him. "Zared is going to conquer Greece? Gave me a break. Tell me are you claiming Greece for your Goddess or so Zared can live like a God?"
Caecilius felt his face flush with anger. "How dare you insult the high priest of the Goddess. Zared will lead us to victory over the infidels."
Xena grew solemn. "Zared will lead you to an early grave. How do you know this 'Goddess' wants you to do this? How do you even know she's real? Have you ever spoken with her?"
"Of course not." Shocked she would even suggest such a thing.
"Why not?"
"It would not be right. I'm only a follower, she only speaks with Zared."
"So you're good enough to die for her but not good enough to talk to her?" There was a heavy silence. "How can you be sure this is what she wants you to do?"
"Because, Zared has been shown the way. The Goddess told him the path that must be followed."
Xena shook her head in disbelief. "A man tells you that it's all right to kill children and you follow him blindly. Did it ever occur to you that he might be lying?"
"Never!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because," Stammered the young man. "He...he is the chosen one."
"Chosen by who?" asked the warrior, not waiting for a reply. "Why children, what purpose could it serve hurting them?"
"I ...I'm... not sure." he answered quietly.
"You're not sure!" snapped Xena, unable to hide her contempt. "You were ready to stand by and let that animal kill a child and you don't even know why?!"
Softly Caecilius replied. "Zared said that if we destroy the children we will destroy the will of the people. Once they lose the children they will lose their hope."
Barely able to contain her anger the warrior growled. "You cold hearted coward. Using the blood of children to win your war. You...you talk about your 'faith' in your Goddess and how you would die for her. But the truth is you haven't got the guts to fight for your beliefs in a real battle. A real man would pick up his sword and face his enemies on the battlefield. Not murder defenseless children." Xena turned away in disgust. Anger drained her strength once more, causing her body to tremble from the strain.
Caecilius watched the warrior quietly there was truth in her words. Had he not said the same thing days before, when Zared told of his plan to kill the child? Caecilius had disagreed arguing that they should attack the men in the village instead. Zared had ordered him to silence, demanding to know why he questioned the will of the Goddess.
"Zared said..."
Xena cut him off. "Who cares what Zared said?! You've got a mind don't you? Use it. Think about what this man is asking you to do. Do you really want the blood of children on your hands?"
"No." Came the soft reply. "I don't."
Xena watched his face closely. "Than maybe there is hope for you yet."
Traveling hard and fast, the search party spent the morning tracking Zared. Occasionally stopping to check the trail for fresh tracks. Apollo's chariot was approaching the halfway point of its daily journey, as they stopped once more. Agro waited patiently for them to move on. She wondered why Mistress had not traveled with them. Or why Mistress had not checked on her the night before, as she normally did. Instead it was the Talkative One who had feed, watered and brushed her for the night.
Shortly after the first rays of sunlight passed through the cracks in the stable walls, the Talkative One returned. Still there had been no sign of Mistress. As the Talkative One brushed and saddled her, she could tell something was not right. Normally the Talkative One chattered constantly when caring for her, but this morning she was strangely quite. Agro had learned that when the Talkative One was this quite something was wrong. While the Talkative One brushed her forehead, Argo nudged the bard with her nose, whinnying softly. This seemed to please the Talkative One. "You're worried too, aren't you girl?" asked the bard, affectionately scratching the mare's nose. "It'll be all right, we'll find her. I promise."
Outside the stable a large group of riders waited for them. Climbing into the saddle the Talkative One instructed her to follow the riders as they began to move away. Breaking into a trot she realized they were heading away from the place she had last seen Mistress. Raising her head into the air she tried to catch Mistress' scent. She could not.
Having traveled with Mistress for so long, she knew they where searching for something. Sometimes when the wind would shift, she could catch the faint scent of horses, other than the ones around her. Whoever they were looking for was not far ahead. Perhaps Mistress was with them. Lifting her head high, she again tried to find Mistress's scent. There was no sign of her.
"Easy girl." Gabrielle said, noticing the horse's uneasiness. Reaching forward she stroked the mare's neck. "It's all right." Stroking the muscular neck had as much a calming effect on the bard as it did the mare. Leaning forward she whispered. "Next time we stop I'll give you a nice juicy apple. Okay?" Argo whinnied. "Good." Patting the horse, Gabrielle laughed to herself. 'Oh, great I'm getting as bad as Xena about pampering this silly horse.' The laughter faded as her thoughts turned to her friend. She had tried not to think about the warrior. Instead focusing on finding Zared and rescuing the child. But each passing hour carried her further and further from the cave. And with each mile came the haunting feeling that she would never see the warrior again.
Before leaving the village, Amal had promised the bard she would send someone to the cave to search for the missing warrior. Gabrielle forced herself to believe they would find her. Probably a little battered but none the worse for wear. The image of a recuperating though irritated Warrior Princess waiting for her return, brought a smile to the bard's face. Closing her eyes she tilted her head back, welcoming the warmth of the midday sun. Breathing deeply she slowly opened her eyes. Several large white clouds floated by catching her attention. 'No time for cloud creatures today.' she thought regretfully.
Shifting in the saddle she tried to relieve the dull ache in her backside. What she really wanted was to get off the large warhorse and walk for a while. Unfortunately, Zared had a good head start on them and if they hoped to catch him before nightfall they would have to keep pushing. 'Besides,' she thought. 'The sooner we catch Zared the sooner I can find Xena.'
Septimus interrupted her thoughts. "Leiandros says the tracks are leading into the forest. He also said we're gaining on them."
"Good." Gabrielle replied, coaxing Argo forward. "Let's get going."
+
Sunlight reflected off the golden circle of metal, resting at the warrior's feet. Once again Xena found herself wishing the ropes holding her ankles where just a few inches longer. She could touch the weapon with the toe of her boot, but not enough to move it. Straining against her bonds, she was finally forced to relax, as fatigue over took her. For several minutes she hung there limply. Having spent more energy than her battered body could spare. Once the pounding in her head quieted to a dull throb she opened her good eye, staring at the unobtainable weapon once more.
Sarcastic laughter interrupted her concentration. "What are you trying to do?" Caecilius asked. "Move it with your mind."
"You got a better idea?" Xena asked dryly.
Caecilius laughed again. "Don't need one. I'm not the one worried about dying."
"Most fools aren't."
"What are you so worried about, warrior? I thought your little bard was going to show up and rescue you." There was no mistaking the mocking tone in his voice.
"Gabrielle will come." Xena said confidently. "But there is no need to hang around if I don't have to." Smirking at him. "No pun intended."
"Such faith." sneered the young Follower. "You are a fool warrior, believing in something as weak as love and friendship."
"I don't see Zared beating a path to save you."
"He'll be here." Caecilius said confidently. "This is just a test to see if I am worthy."
"This isn't a test." laughed the warrior. "Zared left you here to die."
"NO! He will return. I believe."
Xena wasn't sure if the man was trying to convince her or himself. "Yeah right." Was her only reply, as a heavy silence fell between them.
Finally Xena broke the silence. "Tell me about your Goddess."
Caecilius seemed truly amused by the warrior's question. "What's wrong warrior? Feeling lonely, just want to chat?"
Frowning at him. "Well, it's obvious neither of us is going anywhere anytime soon. No reason we can't talk."
"I have no desire to 'talk' with you."
Xena smiled at him crookedly. "What's wrong afraid I'll convert you?"
"HA!"
"Well, if this is suppose to be a test of your faith, it won't be much of a test if you don't talk to me."
There was truth in her words, yet he still did not wish to engage her even in small talk. There was something about the warrior that frightened him. Even in her present condition.
"Come on, tell me about her."
"Why?" Caecilius asked cautiously.
Shrugging slightly the warrior replied. "Just curious." Smiling at him slyly. "Who knows maybe you can convert me?"
Caecilius tried to force a smile at the warrior's joke. He did not succeed.
"Who is she Hera, Artemis, Athena? I can't believe any of them would demand the sacrifice of a child."
Hearty laughter greeted the warrior's questions. "All of your weak Goddesses are no match for my Goddess. She is the Goddess of war. Even Ares would fall in her path."
Xena pondered this information. A Goddess of war who was stronger than Ares, that was a disturbing thought. Especially when she demanded the blood of children for worship.
"So, does this almighty Goddess of yours have a name?"
Raising his head proudly, Caecilius answered. "She is known by many names. But we her true believers call her Fatima."
"Hum." replied the warrior, furrowing her brow in thought. "Never heard of her."
"Well you will." growled the young man, irritated by the warrior's lack of respect. "Soon the world will know the Goddess. Once Zared has his army we will destroy Greece and claim it in the name of the Goddess." Laughter interrupted his speech. "What's so funny?" he asked angrily.
Calming herself enough to speak, Xena answered him. "Zared is going to conquer Greece? Gave me a break. Tell me are you claiming Greece for your Goddess or so Zared can live like a God?"
Caecilius felt his face flush with anger. "How dare you insult the high priest of the Goddess. Zared will lead us to victory over the infidels."
Xena grew solemn. "Zared will lead you to an early grave. How do you know this 'Goddess' wants you to do this? How do you even know she's real? Have you ever spoken with her?"
"Of course not." Shocked she would even suggest such a thing.
"Why not?"
"It would not be right. I'm only a follower, she only speaks with Zared."
"So you're good enough to die for her but not good enough to talk to her?" There was a heavy silence. "How can you be sure this is what she wants you to do?"
"Because, Zared has been shown the way. The Goddess told him the path that must be followed."
Xena shook her head in disbelief. "A man tells you that it's all right to kill children and you follow him blindly. Did it ever occur to you that he might be lying?"
"Never!"
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because," Stammered the young man. "He...he is the chosen one."
"Chosen by who?" asked the warrior, not waiting for a reply. "Why children, what purpose could it serve hurting them?"
"I ...I'm... not sure." he answered quietly.
"You're not sure!" snapped Xena, unable to hide her contempt. "You were ready to stand by and let that animal kill a child and you don't even know why?!"
Softly Caecilius replied. "Zared said that if we destroy the children we will destroy the will of the people. Once they lose the children they will lose their hope."
Barely able to contain her anger the warrior growled. "You cold hearted coward. Using the blood of children to win your war. You...you talk about your 'faith' in your Goddess and how you would die for her. But the truth is you haven't got the guts to fight for your beliefs in a real battle. A real man would pick up his sword and face his enemies on the battlefield. Not murder defenseless children." Xena turned away in disgust. Anger drained her strength once more, causing her body to tremble from the strain.
Caecilius watched the warrior quietly there was truth in her words. Had he not said the same thing days before, when Zared told of his plan to kill the child? Caecilius had disagreed arguing that they should attack the men in the village instead. Zared had ordered him to silence, demanding to know why he questioned the will of the Goddess.
"Zared said..."
Xena cut him off. "Who cares what Zared said?! You've got a mind don't you? Use it. Think about what this man is asking you to do. Do you really want the blood of children on your hands?"
"No." Came the soft reply. "I don't."
Xena watched his face closely. "Than maybe there is hope for you yet."
