Paths Once Taken

by oldscout1011

Written During Season 3: After season 3, what could have happened to cause Xena and Gabrielle to go their separate ways and where would these new paths take them. Complete

4. Book 4 Gathering

PATHS ONCE TAKEN (BOOK 4:GATHERING)

by OldScout

VII. JOURNEYS

1. FLIGHT.

The small expedition fled from the boxed canyon. They moved as a unit, spreading out only enough to allow them between the hills of the canyon. Captain Lyons rode point, leading the men directly to where Xena had instructed. The warrior queen brought up the rear, pacing the slowest of the men, inspiring them on. Behind them, thundered the mob of misfit soldiers Xena's former captain had pieced together to take her throne.

For twenty minutes, the expedition raced across the rolling plain, putting some but not enough ground between them and their pursuers. Ahead, a tree line blocked their path. Thick, stunted trees lined the prairie, backed by a dense thicket of younger trees and heavy ground covering brush. Far beyond the tree line, the rolling prairie rose steeply out a valley.

Xena's men slowed as they realized they were headed toward a steep drop off into a gorge. Instead of slowing, the Queen of Catatona cried out with her blood curdling war cry and kicked her horse to an even faster run. She raced passed her men and jumped her horse into the thicket. The ground disappeared beneath her as the steep hill dropped into the valley.

Trees and branches rushed by as Astron barreled down the steep slope, without regard for his rider. To keep her horse balanced and to remain upright, Xena had to lean far back in her saddle and let the Astron find the way.

The men who'd been riding in back with their Queen, never slowed, they followed the warrior queen down the slope without hesitation. Lyons and the faster riders had only a few heart beats to regain the speed they needed to make it down the hill.

It was an eternity, the hill would never level out, the barrage of sticks and branches seemed like it would never end. Finally, Xena broke from the trees, splashing directly into an old, slow moving creek. She urged her horse to the opposite side, drew her sword and waited.

The fury of horses crashing down the hill thundered out of the trees as other riders ended their journey. Her men started emerging from the trees, much as she had, with a sudden surge of joy and a hard splash through the creek. They might have doubted themselves, but Xena knew her guard and the Calatonians were all fine enough horsemen to make that ride. The mercenaries, however, were a different story.

One of the last to emerge from the woods was Captain Lyons. He crashed across the creek and rode directly up to Xena. "You are a lunatic!"

"What's worse?" Xena responded "To be one or to follow one?" She looked back up the hill. "Did any of them follow?" They heard no sound of pursuit.

"My Queen." A Catatonan Lieutenant reported. "We are missing one of the men."

"Who?"

"Guard Smythson."

Xena scanned the faces of her men. "He was the one riding at the back with me?"

The Lieutenant nodded.

A frown crossed the Queen's face. "He was a good young man, a lot of potential." She looked at the remaining force. "Here we'll split into two groups. Half of each force in each group."

"We don't have enough men to fight that army now, how are we going to do it split up?" Lyons asked.

"We aren't." Xena replied.

"How are we going to retrieve the prince and princess?" Lyons's horse shifted nervously about as he questioned the Queen.

"Leave that to me." Xena looked up and down the valley. "We don't have much time before they get down here, now spit up the forces, one group will go south east along the border, the other will head directly east, through the bad-lands. We'll meet in Elatona in seven days."

"Which group will you lead?" Lyons asked assuming they each lead a group.

"Neither. You and I have to meet someone."

Lyons started to say something but Xena stopped him. "The Catatonan with the most experience in each squad will be in charge. You will pick the second from your men. They have one mission ride as hard and fast as they can to meet us at Elatona in seven days. Have them dispatch a messenger to a tavern called The Wild Horse to wait for us. We'll meet there."

The Calatonian Captain knew this was not a matter for discussion. He quickly split the force up and soon the men were riding down stream to a path that Xena assured them would be there.

As Xena watched the men head off, she turned toward Lyons. "Come, we've got to go too." She swung her horse around and headed up stream.

2. OBSTACLE.

The army stopped at the tree line. Men and horses milled about in confusion as the Captain caught up to the group. "What happened." he demanded of the first squad leader he came to.

"Sir," the filthy mercenary said. "They went down into the canyon."

Broken branches and trampled brush made the path obvious. "Was anybody man enough to follow an old woman and her love sick puppies down that hill?" The Captain spat at the group.

As Artaxerxes spoke, his brother, Cyrus, approached and looked down the steep hill. The young man shuddered. "Those people are nuts. I thought you said the Queen was predictable? Did you predict she would run from that fight so quickly?"

"No, I did not predict she would run so quickly." the Captain replied through clenched teeth.

"Well, what would make her leave those royal pains in our custody."

"By the gods." the Captain cursed. "She must have gotten somebody to our camp. Lets go." He turned his horse and started riding hard to the north.

Halfway back to the camp, the western side of the gorge finally slopped down to the creek, but the eastern side had risen to become steep rocky cliffs. "Captain there!" one of the men called out and pointed to the eastern cliffs. High above them and quite a distance to the east, four riders sat looking down on them.

The sight of the woman with her tattered dress left little doubt who the riders were. "If their guards aren't dead." the Captain growled. "They will be."

"What is she doing?" Cyrus indicated the Amazon.

The young woman had her bow out and an arrow notched.

"She thinks she can hit us from there." one of the men laughed.

After several seconds, Terina finally released the arrow, aiming high into the air. The men on both sides of the valley watched without a word as the arrow caught on the wind and sailed across the gorge, landing a considerable distance up stream of the army.

Jeers and laughter rose from the men as the Amazon notched another arrow. Some even rode forward and bared their chests, baiting the young girl. No one noticed that this time along with the arrow she had notched, she held three more between her fingers. Within the span of a breath, all four arrows were in the air and Terina was drawing four more.

The laughter stopped when they lost sight of the missiles in the late morning sun. A horse fell, then a soldier as the arrows found indiscriminate targets in the closely packed soldiers. Panic consumed the army, they raced in all directions to avoid the falling arrows. Two more men died from the second barrage, and five horses were injured in the scramble to avoid being shot.

By the time the Captain and Cyrus got the army back under control, they had lost ten horses and six men and the four on the opposite shore were no where to be seen. "Cyrus, I want you to take twenty men and go after those four."

"And what about you?"

"I'm going to take the rest and hunt down the remains of the Queen and her guard. It's time we ended this little game."

"Very well." Cyrus responded. "They are as good as back in your hands."

"No." the Captain said. "I want them dead, I want them all dead. I'm done playing with them."

A smile spread across Cyrus's face. "Consider it done."

4. ARROW.

The flames were gone, the coals were cold and the ashes were scattered. A bright full moon hung in the night sky lighting the Amazons' way back to the royal palace. The women met King Triton in the stables, the place where Gabrielle had seen Ipiphany, Serena and Ella off, what seemed an eternity ago.

No royal robes of office or expensive clothes adorned the King. He was dressed to travel swiftly, without notice. Leather britches, a dark loose riding jerkin and a gray hooded cloak were his clothes of choice. None of his guard or advisors were with him, the man worked alone, preparing one of his fine horses.

"I'm sorry I couldn't attend the funeral." Triton said as the Amazons entered the stable. "There's just so many preparations to make."

"No need for apologies," Gabrielle said, approaching the king. "We understand what needs to be done. We are ready to leave when your men get here." Gabrielle and the Amazons had changed out of their traditional Amazon leathers to common Calatonian traveling clothes. The outfits weren't as practical for Amazon warriors as they were used to, but the clothes were sufficient.

"There will be no one else." Triton said quietly. "If I were to leave with any of my guard, my destination would be clear. No, we must travel at night, and unrecognized. I need to speak to Prince Orian before somebody can spin some story about why I am coming."

"We'll make an interesting sight," Gabrielle observed, "The King in the company of seven Amazons."

"Oh, no." Triton corrected. "A simple farmer, his wife and their six daughters."

"What?" the Amazon queen exclaimed. "I do not look old enough to have six grown children, especially their ages." She said the last indicating her two personal guards.

Triton laughed. "Well, come up with your own relationships, just let me know before we meet anybody we have to try the story on."

One of the palace guard appeared in the stable door. "Your Majesty." he said quietly to the King.

"Yes?" Triton looked up from his packing.

"Sire, there is a messenger from Captain Troyus of the Eastern Legion." The guard looked concerned. "He says it is urgent he speaks to you."

Triton shrugged. "Show him in."

Another man soon entered the stables. He had several days growth of beard, was covered with road dirt and wore disheveled armor. He immediately dropped to one knee before the King. "Your Majesty, I bring word from Captain Troyus, your humble servant."

"Stand up man." Triton demanded. "We are not in court. Now tell me your message."

The messenger stood up then looked at the King and the seven women who were also in the stable. "Sire, the message is of a critical nature."

"You may speak openly." Triton reassured. "They are trusted."

The man nodded then began. "Sire, several days ago, a patrol found eight bodies on the eastern road. They had only been dead for a day or two; it was obvious they were mercenaries, with three Catatonans."

"How could you tell?" Gabrielle asked stepping forward

The man looked to the King.

"Answer her question."
"By their amour and weapons, they were unmistakable."

"Do you know who killed them?" Triton asked.

"It couldn't have been one of our patrols." the man replied. All of our men are accounted for when it happened." He reached into his shirt, "We did find these." He brought out two Calatonian arrows.

"Then they were our people?" Triton asked.

"We thought so, Sire, except these arrows have been marked." The messenger showed the fletching of the arrows to the King. Each arrow had a small signature added just below the feathers. The marking was small but distinct, a feather was drawn on the shaft with two hash marks through it.

After studying the arrows for a few minutes Triton handed them to Gabrielle. "These don't look familiar to me, do you recognize this signature."

Gabrielle took the arrows, glanced at them and handed them back. "Yes."

"Do you mind filling me in?" Triton asked, a bit irritated by the woman's too quick answer.

"Later." Gabrielle said, looking at the messenger.

"What other details do you know about the killings?" Triton asked the tired man.

"It was a massacre." he replied. "Several of the bodies looked like they had been killed after they'd been wounded. One showed no sign of a struggle but had a broken neck. The soldiers brought down by the bow had several non lethal wounds before the lethal strike."

Seeing he was going to go on with more details, Triton held up his hand and stopped the report. "Report to the Captain of the palace guard. He'll write down your full report."

The messenger saluted and left the stable.

"Now." Triton said turning toward Gabrielle. "What about those arrows?"

"Those are the arrows Ipiphany was given from your armory before she left."

"How do you know?"

Gabrielle pointed to the signature. "The feather, or quill, is the symbol of my house. Two lines indicate Ipiphany and three Terina." As she spoke, Gabrielle pulled her staff forward, showing it to the King.

For the first time, Triton took a close look at the Amazon's fighting staff. He had always assumed the symbols on it were just for decoration, but now he saw them in a different light. Up and down the shaft were markings, scars and decorations. Among the jumble was the symbol of the quill with no lines through it, then in another area was the symbol that was on the arrow, along with one with three slashes, for Terina. The tall staff was a history of the Amazon Queen, either by the symbols burned and carved into it, decorations hung from it or the scars gouged into it.

Handing the staff back to the Amazon, Triton said "As a man lives his life, he tends to forget that others are experiencing their own lives and adventures." He looked away from the woman, then back at the arrow. "The Queen of Catatona was correct in assuming they would come for the princess. I'm glad Ipiphany and Serena were there to protect her. Now, we must be going, the Cunaxans are getting too bold for us not to make contact with Prince Orian."

"Sire," Gabrielle said as the King headed for his horse. "May I have one of the arrows?"

The king stopped in mid-stride and considered the weapons and the Amazon Queen. He was going to ask her why, but instead just handed one over. Gabrielle gave the arrow to one of her guards who packed it away. The small force slipped out of the palace and headed north.

5. MEETING.

Not long after separating from the rest of the force, Captain Lyons followed the Queen up a steep path out of the valley. This was probably the last trail west for quite a distance, since just up stream, the valley walls became shear cliffs.

The two riders pushed their exhausted horses up the treacherous path for over ten minutes. Finally, just as it seemed the animals should collapse from exhaustion, they reached the top and nearly crawled on to level ground. Both warriors dropped from their mounts and started inspecting the animals for injuries from the climb and the earlier rapid decent.

"I was curious." Lyons queried. "If you know about this path, wouldn't your guard know about it too?"

Xena held one of Astron's hooves up, trying to dislodge a stone that had become imbedded there. "Not at all," she replied and a devious grin came to her face. "Riduron and I would often leave the royal palace for days, sometimes weeks at a time and explore the country side." She put the hoof down started inspecting another. "Our guard would never admit that we did this, because by their oath they were to accompany us anytime either of us left the palace. By admitting we were able to get away without them noticing, would mean they weren't doing their jobs. Instead, the King and I simply went into 'seclusion' for a few days, to deal with matters of state or something."

"Then what about now? Shouldn't at least one of them insisted on riding with us?"

"Your with me, and we're riding to meet my Captain."

"I'm not Catatonan."

"So? You're royal guard, riding with the Queen, that is sufficient if I say it is. Now, lets go we don't have far to go to get to the rendezvous."

Xena jumped back onto Astron. "We've got some distance to cover."

It was a dry forest with thin scrubby trees. Dried leaves crackled under foot as the four fled the pursuing force. They couldn't see or hear them, but knew they'd be coming.

Prince Victor knew his Amazon wife was a good archer, but had never realized how good. He was proud of her skill, but they had revealed themselves to make the attack. Now, they headed south-west, following the rolling hills of the old river valley. The Queen had instructed them to ride hard, following the top of the river valley.

Movement ahead brought the four to a stop. Terina brought her bow to bear, and the men drew their swords.

"Could they have caught up to us this fast?" Terina asked softly as a horse and rider stepped out from the trees ahead.

"Lyons!" Victor exclaimed, the second he recognized his uncle.

"Not just Lyons." A woman said from directly behind the four.

The group turned in unison at the sound of the Queen of Catatona's voice. Terina was the first to speak. "Xena!" she said, rushing forward. "It's so good to see you."

"Where's everybody?" Vanek asked with concern as Captain Lyons rode forward. "What happened to the rest of our people?"

"We sent them south, to try to split up the Cunaxan forces." Xena replied. "With just the six of us, it'll be easier to ride fast and avoid our pursuers," a dangerous smile crossed her face. "or beat them at their own game."

6. ENCOUNTERS.

Cyrus lead his men through the straggly woods, they had found the trail less than half an hour after the Amazon's attack. In the dried leaves and debris from last fall, it wasn't difficult to follow the four horses on their southern route. The problem was, once the party had turned east their trail faded.

"Something changed when they turned east." Cyrus said after examining trail. "Their traveling more carefully." The man smiled. "Careful means slower, they're going to out think themselves." He reigned his horse to the east and yelled to his men. "Lets go."

The party of mercenaries and Catatonan regulars formed up and headed deeper into the stunted woods. Low, ragged branches obstructed the view and occasionally blocked the easy path. Soon the party was spread out over a wide area, some were totally out of sight of the rest of the group. They were the first to die.

----

A rider approached one of the mercenaries who had gotten separated from the group. He recognized the Catatonan armor. "Funny," he thought. "I didn't see any of them head in that direction."

The rider continued toward him and waived. "Where are the other's?" the man asked as he approached.

"I thought everyone else was in front of me." the mercenary replied as the man rode up next to him.

"They are." the rider said then spun around and rammed a long dagger high into the base of the man's throat. He pulled the dagger loose then watched the man clutch at his throat, blood spurting from the wound. The man collapsed and fell from his mount. Captain Forsete wiped the blood from his dagger and continued forward.

----

Elsewhere, two Catatonan regulars found themselves separated from the rest of the force. "Cyrus told us not to loose sight of the others." the younger of the two commented as they pushed through the brush.

"Cyrus is a mercenary dog." the other stated. "I don't know what his relationship is with the Captain, but I didn't sign on to be following the likes of him." he looked past his frowning partner and nodded to their left. "Besides there's someone over there." Not far away, they could barely discern the shape of another rider moving through the brush, shadowing them.

Approaching the Catatonans, wasn't easy, the brush was thick enough to provide camouflage, but also made the approach difficult. Vanek held his loaded crossbow to his side, and loosened a throwing knife. He had to get close enough to kill both quickly, but had to keep his distance so they wouldn't recognize him as the enemy. If they raised the alarm, they may not be able to call in help, but it would warn the others and make it harder to sneak up on them like this.

"Have you seen any others?" Vanek called out, still keeping a lot of foliage between them.

"We were hoping you were part of the main force." the younger soldier returned.

"Who are you?" the older asked, "I don't recognize you or your armor."

Pushing through the last of the brush, Vanek approached the two soldiers. "I'm with the Palace guard." he said with a grin.

"There's no Palace guard with us." the younger Catatonan remarked.

"There aren't." the older hissed and reached for his sword.

Vanek moved fast, first he threw his knife at the older of the two then swung around with his cross bow and shot the other at short range. The knife hit the Catatonan in the neck, opening a large wound just below his jaw. The other was struck squarely in the chest knocking him from his horse.

"Ahr.son of whore!" the Catatonan hissed, reaching to his neck and for his sword at the same time.

"Sorry, sir," Vanek said pulling his own sword, "another time and place and we may have been comrades."

The man tried to pull his sword but the exertion caused him to slump forward in his saddle. "Long live Cunaxa." the man spat before Vanek finished him.

----

Dense foliage and thick branches blocked the way into the clearing, but the scout pushed his way in. The rest of the group could be heard forcing its way through the brush behind him, but he needed to keep his attention ahead. The last branches parted, allowing access. As he rode in, another mounted figure appeared across from him, he reached for his bow, but was too late, a loud metallic whooshing sound was the last thing he heard.

"There's a clearing just a head." a voice called out. "Careful, looks like someone is there."

Ten riders pushed their way into the clearing. Some had drawn swords, others readied crossbows. An agitated horse stood in the middle, a headless body laid across its back, feet still in the stirrups. A stream of steaming blood dripped from the body and pooled behind the beast.

Cyrus broke in and approached the body. "Does anybody recognize him?" he asked after finally seeing the body's head laying a distance from the horse.

"He's one of our scouts." a Catatonan replied, approaching the body. "He never even had time to draw his sword." he added, observing the man's sword still in its scabbard at his side. One of the body's hands still gripped the reigns. "He was a bowman," the man reported, "his bow and arrows are missing."

"By the gods." Cyrus cursed. "Who could have attacked him so quickly?"

"This just happened." someone observed, "that body still bleeds."

A sound like a bird taking flight echoed through the woods, then one of the men screamed. An arrow had ripped into his upper arm, tearing a giant gash into his bicep.

"We're under attack." a mercenary yelled, pulling his sword.

Leaves and twigs snapped and ripped signaling the approach of another arrow. This time a man was hit low in the side, the arrow imbedding deep through his armor.

"We're sitting ducks in this clearing!" Cyrus said, "Get to cover, then spread out and find that damned Amazon."

A third arrow crashed through the woods and bounced off a soldiers face, hitting him from behind and opening a gapping wound from the back of his jaw to his nose. Blood sprayed from between his fingers as he clutched at the wound and fell forward in pain.

The group broke for the cover of the thick brush, but not before a fourth arrow pinned a man's leg to his horse. The horse was killed instantly, trapping the rider under the animal where it fell. "Get back here you cowards!" the pinned rider yelled as his companions disappeared.

Phantom arrows from un-seen archers continued to tear into the party from all directions. The thick brush knocked the missiles from their paths, making the targets seem random and pointless. One rider was hit in the arm, pinning it to his side. Another arrow hit a man low in the back, just below the belt line. Some just nicked their targets, others ripped through them leaving terrible wounds. Several horses were hit, making their riders even easier targets.

The group pushed on, now just trying to stay ahead of their attackers. A figure would appear through an opening in the brush and a man would die.

The tables had turned, the hunters had become the hunted. Branches and leaves were smashed aside as the small army crashed through the thick brush, trying to escape the unseen attackers. Occasionally, an arrow would slam home and bring one of the men down, or an unknown rider would join with the group and take out one of the stragglers.

Finally, the dense, thick trees gave way to an old growth forest with its tall wide trees and open floor. The remaining troops reigned up next to Cyrus as he took stock of his force. The ranks had been decimated, from twenty, they were down to five. Several of them injured.

"Who the hell is out there." Cyrus hissed at his men. "That can't be just the brat Prince and bitch Amazon."

"Your right." a female voice said from behind them. "It's not JUST the royals you kidnapped."

The Queen of Catatona sat tall on her pale horse, she held a loaded long bow across her lap. Her cloak blew open and long black hair danced in a tangle about her face. "You have committed treason against the throne of Catatona." the woman said coldly. "A capital crime."

"Kill her!" Cyrus yelled at one of his men.

The man raised his crossbow but wasn't quick enough, Xena raised her bow and released the arrow in a fast, fluid motion. The soldier flew from his horse, the arrow impaled to its fletching in his chest. Before anybody else could react, she had notched another arrow and returned the bow to its place across her lap.

Movement in the woods behind them distracted the small group from the Queen. Five riders appeared out of the thick brush. Two they recognized, the Prince and Princess who had so recently been their captives, now they had the drop on them.

"Fine, we give up." Cyrus spat. "You have us, what are you going to do with us now, my Queen." the man's voice dripped with contempt.

The Queen nudged her mount forward and approached the remains of Cyrus's unit. She looked at the disheveled group of Catatonan regulars and defeated mercenaries. "I don't want your pitiful excuse for an army." Xena said through clenched teeth. "Your name is Cyrus?"

"I am Cyrus." the man confirmed.

"You were involved in the original attack on the Amazons?"

The man bared his teeth in a greasy smile. "I was even rewarded for killing one of the savages."

"Let me kill him." Terina said, pushing her horse forward.

"No, I will not allow you to become an executioner, that is not something your mother would take kindly too."

"He must pay for his actions." Terina insisted.

"That he will." Xena pushed her cloak fully open revealing the sword she had liberated from Kleon in Black Hills. "Just as the other who carried one your swords did."

Cyrus's eyes widened. "That sword was given to my brother, what have you done with him?!"

A cold smile crossed the Queen's lips. She produced a large piece of cloth from her belt and threw the material to Cyrus. It was part of the red cloak his brother had worn, and was stiff with dried blood. She spoke in the luscious, soft, sexy voice she had used on Kleon. "He was oh so willing to show off his magnificent weapon to a stranger in a tavern. Especially with a few pints of strong ale in him." Her smile grew colder. "Don't worry, though, he never knew he was in danger until I ran his own prized sword through him."

A blood curdling cry escaped Cyrus's lips and he spurred his horse forward. The man's sword quickly cleared its scabbard as he raised it to strike the Queen. Xena returned Cyrus's yell with her own battle cry and charged forward to meet him. She didn't draw her sword, just ducked his swing and swung her bow hard into his gut, knocking him from his horse.

The mercenary rolled to the ground, winded, as Xena leaped from her horse. "Get up you coward." Xena hissed and kicked the man in the stomach. Cyrus tried to crawl away only to be kicked flat by the warrior woman.

After gathering his strength, Cyrus rolled over, grabbed his sword and jumped to his feet. The Queen of Catatona stood before him with an amused smile. Her swords still hung in their sheaths. "Now's your only chance to kill me." she stated. "It's more then I gave that foul brother of yours."

"Draw your sword, bitch." Cyrus hissed. "I'll defeat you in a fair fight, and avenge my brother's murder."

"I won't give you the honor of dieing like a warrior at my hands." Xena returned. "Make your attempt, then I'll kill you."

A scream of frustration bellowed from Cyrus as he raised his sword to strike the Queen. Instead of ducking or backing away, Xena stepped forward and grabbed his sword arm, locking him in an iron grip. She slowly forced his arm down then grabbed his sword hand with her other hand. Cyrus's only response was to grab Xena's hand and fight for control of the sword. Slowly, the sword was twisted around until it was pointed to the ground between them. Realizing he was being overpowered by this graying old woman, Cyrus looked with fear into her cold blue eyes.

"Give Hades my regards," Xena whispered "and tell him I still enjoy a good kill." she forced the sword down into his stomach and out his lower back. She leaned on the weapon, straightening it out then pulled it free. The mercenary's limp body dropped to the ground.

"By the gods." one of mercenaries whispered. "What are you?"

"I am Queen of Catatona." Xena returned.

The four men had gone ghost white. "What will you do with us?" one of them asked.

"Disappear." Xena motioned back at the brush. "Many of your comrades lay out there, injured. Go find who you can and tend to them. Then leave Catatona, don't ever come back."

"Yes my Queen." The remaining border guard whispered and turned back into the woods. The others followed without saying a word.

"Come." Xena said to her companions. "We have an appointment to keep."

VIII. DUTY AND HONOR

1. DELTHEA.

Morning came too soon. Triton stretched his large frame and opened his eyes to the early morning sun. The small party had ridden through the night and the next day, putting as many miles between themselves and the palace as quickly as possible.

The hour was still early, but the campsite was deserted except for a lone Amazon sitting patiently by the coals of the dead fire. The woman's presence was confusing because Triton recognized her as one of Gabrielle's personal guard. He had never seen one of them except by her side.

"Where are the others?" Triton asked, expecting them to be just out of sight.

"They have gone for morning exercises." the Amazon replied.

"Have they been gone long?" Triton stood and stretched his camp sore back.

"Not long." the woman stood too.

There was a change with the Amazon. Every time Triton had seen her before, the only weapon she had carried was a fighting staff. Now, a large sword hung at her side, and a long dagger was sheathed in each of her boots.

"I thought you were one of the Queen's personal guard?" Triton asked. "Why did you stay behind?"

"We could not leave you without guard." the woman stated. "That is why you asked us to journey with you. But my sisters required time alone, we are still mourning the loss of our own. As senior, I have been reassigned as your personal guard."

"That means you will not leave my side?"

"I will, of course, be respectful of your need for privacy. But it would be a great tragedy if something should happen to you. Queen Gabrielle is concerned that we are able to fulfill the honor you have given us in accompanying you."

Triton nodded toward the Amazon's weapons. "Why the sword, when you didn't carry one before?"

The woman smiled. "Our Queen has a great respect for life. That is why she now fights only with a staff. Out of respect, her personal guard only carry staffs openly. She is willing to take the risk of being protected by non-lethal weapons, it is her choice." It was obvious the woman was proud of her Queen's convictions. "But it is important that I offer effective protection to you, so I carry my weapons, as you do."

"Does this leave Gabrielle with only one guard now?"

"One of the others has been chosen to fill my place at the Queen's side. It is a great honor."

Triton looked at the Amazon, a blank and far away look was filling her eyes. "Tell me, will you reclaim your position once this is over?"

"Come, I'll take you to the others, morning exercise is good before a long journey."

"What happens when this is over?" Triton pushed, allowing some royal authority in his voice.

"I will take a seat on the counsel or perhaps find a place training new warriors."

"You don't sound too thrilled."

"It is a change. I was not expecting it so soon."

"Why can't you just reclaim your position?" Triton asked. "This is just a temporary assignment."

"As long as I was the Queen's Guard," The woman stated. "I was sworn to put her safety above all others. To properly guard Your Majesty, the Queen had to release me from my oath to her. Once done, another had to take my place. If she was set aside to allow me to reclaim my position, the honor would become a disgrace, I could not allow that."

"So the second I asked the Amazons to accompany me," the King surmised. "your position was forfeit?"

The Amazon nodded.

"What is your name?"

"Delthea."

Triton bowed his head toward Delthea. "Your dedication will not be forgotten."

Delthea returned the bow with a deeper one and repeated the oath she had made to her Queen years before. "My life for yours."

2. INTERCEPTION.

Boredom led to routines which led to predictability which led to trouble. Prince Julian stood at his place on the wall, watching the sun set to his left. He'd taken to coming here in the evening and looking north, wondering what events were occurring in Catatona that could change his life and the Kingdom. Had the Catatonan Queen found his brother and sister? Were the young couple still alive? Had they been injured? Worse? A sighed escaped the Prince's lips as he thought of his family and how they must be worried.

But more than just worry for Victor and Terina troubled the young man. He still knew that his own uncle was some how involved in this conspiracy but couldn't make the connection. Granted, he was young and not really experienced in the matters of investigation, but he just couldn't fathom what Winston stood to gain from the Catatonans. His uncle had to know that what ever the Catatonan rebels had promised him couldn't be worth this betrayal to King and country. Could it?

A motion drew Julian's attention and he watched Lord Winston emerge from one of the towers with a number of soldiers. "My good young prince," Winston's rough voice boomed as he approached Julian. "There has been a communiqué delivered for you from the King." Winston handed his nephew the folded paper. The man wore a wicked grin as Julian took the message with its broken seal.

"This is an official seal." Julian said looking at the broken wax, "It's treason for anybody but the intended to deliberately break it." He looked around the group. "Where is the courier, he should have insisted on delivering it to me personally."

"Your worrying about details before reading your message, boy." Winston growled. His men started spreading out, walking around Julian.

Something was very wrong and Julian felt it. These men were there to collect him, and that meant his own soldiers must have some how already been neutralized. Was Winston that confident in his treachery? Or did something else precipitate it?

The young prince backed up a step from his uncle and men, stopping against the top of the keep's wall. Julian made a show shaking the letter open and reading it. He quickly looked back at his uncle. "This is about Cunaxa? How could you betray your own country and family this way?"

"I had no choice." Winston replied with a satisfied smile. "My dear brother has brought this country to the brink of civil war. It is my duty to my country that dictates that I take these measures. Being of both families, only MY leadership will have the power to keep us together. Nobody believed me last year when I petitioned for the throne during your father's long absence. Triton just thought it was a power grab, but I could see this coming. Now here we are, both countries about to be torn apart by war, and I don't have the power to step up and negotiate."

"Your trying to tell me your only concern is for the country and her people?" Julian asked with a drip of contempt.

"I only wish to serve." Winston said trying not to grin.

"Then why come after me?" Julian asked as he glanced at the soldiers who had surrounded him.

"It's for your own good, Triton is blind in his dislike for me. He can't see my loyalty to him and the country." Winston waived his hand at the dispatch. "He even thinks I am involved in orchestrating this whole incident. I know you'd never believe me over your father, so I must insist you remain here with me until it is over and I can prove my interest in the safety of the kingdom and our family."

The lonely spot on top of the wall had become a familiar place to the young Prince during his stay with his uncle. The couple of hours he'd spent each night contemplating the events unfolding just over the border in Catatona had given Julian the time to study the detail of the wall and the systems that kept the guard station supplied. The young man did the unexpected, he rushed one of the guards standing near the edge of the catwalk toward the court yard. Julian pushed the guard aside and jumped out toward the yard, catching a rope that was part of the system to haul supplies up to the wall.

"Come on boy." Winston called. "You can't escape, and you can't defeat this many men."

Momentum carried Julian far out away from the wall, but he started his swing back all too quickly. Lord Winston stood with his arms crossed, patiently waiting for the boy to return. As he swung past the mass of ropes that fed the pulley system, Julian pulled his sword and cut one of the support lines, releasing a counter weight. The plunging weight immediately yanked him three meters to the top of the service system.

Winston gestured toward the maintenance ladder and three men were immediately on their way up. "Come now, nephew, let's not make this any harder than it has to be."

"I'm sorry, uncle." Julian spat the familial title. "I don't agree with your conclusions." He grabbed a different rope, then cut another support line and leaped out over the wall. Three pulleys turned as rope was fed out to the falling prince. The slack pulled tight leaving the Julian dangling just a meter above the ground. The young prince dropped to his feet, backed out from the base of the wall and looked back up at his uncle and palace guard. Julian raised his sword in salute then ran off into the woods.

Winston stared at the retreating prince. "Don't just stand there." he growled at the men around him. "Go fetch him back."

3. TO SERVE.

The main crossing between Calatonia and Catatona was one of the busiest towns in the region. The main street was an open air market, giving vendors from both countries a venue for their wares. By tradition, the activity centered in Calatonia, the southern country's laws had always been more favorable to street vendors, foreign or domestic.

King Triton and Queen Gabrielle both decided that their party would be too noticeable if they passed through the town together. They spit into groups. Gabrielle with her two guards, Triton and Delthea together and the other three Amazons together. They would shop their way through the throng of people, always keeping the others in sight.

"Watch it wench!" a Calatonian soldier swore after backing into a serving woman bringing him drinks.

The woman jumped back as the three large tankards of ale spilled down the front of her dress. "M..m..my apologies, sir." the woman stuttered as she tried to settle the mugs back on her tray.

"Now look what you've done." the soldier said, looking at the stain washing down the woman's front. "Now we're going to have to wait even longer for our ale. How does an oaf like you hold a job any way?"

"Kind, sir." a new voice said. "Don't you think you're being a bit rough on the lady? Perhaps you should apologize for your temper."

The large bald sergeant turned around to face a short red-headed woman. Streaks of gray in her hair and wrinkles around her eyes belied her age, but her confidence and beauty were unmistakable. "Who are you?"

"Me?" the woman gestured to herself. "Just a traveler and occasional bard."

"Well, bard, this woman is nothing to sing about." he turned back to the woman who stood there staring at the woman who had come to her defense. "Well, wench, where are our drinks?"

"Yes, of course." the woman mumbled and headed back to the bartender.

"She has to pay for every drink she picks up." Gabrielle said to the soldier. "And it was your fault she spilled your drinks."

"You expect me to pay for the wench's clumsiness?" the soldier laughed.

"You could at least be more gracious to the people you serve." Gabrielle observed.

"Me serve her?" he laughed even louder. "I serve the King, lady, not the peasants."

"But in Calatonia, doesn't the Royal family serve the people?"

"Of course they do..." the sergeant stopped in mid sentence and frowned at the woman confronting him. She had trapped him and he knew it. "Lady, I am in no mood to be debating the status of a stupid serving wench." the man turned to his two companions. "Let's get out of here."

As he pushed by Gabrielle, some how, his feet got caught around her staff which had been well out of his path an instant before. The sergeant stumbled and fell across a table. Ale and food flew in the air, covering the man from head to foot.

4. TO LEARN.

"What is she doing?" Triton asked Delthea as he watched the sergeant crash head long across the table. "She's going to get herself killed." He started toward the scene to break it up. "And where are her guards?"

A hand on the King's shoulder stopped him. "Sire, please, let the Queen be." the Amazon whispered. "She is in no danger, and we must allow her to follow her heart."

"What is she doing?"

"It's a part of her nature, to protect people from bullies." the woman smiled. "And to try to teach those bullies a lesson or two. We learned a long time ago that we can not turn the Queen from this path once she chooses it. We just watch her back in case she looses control of her students."

"You did that on purpose." the bald man growled as he fought his way to his feet.

The area was suddenly clear of people and Gabrielle had a look of shock on her face. "I am sooooo sorry. Please accept my sincere apologies." she leaned on her staff and smiled, "Sometimes I just loose all track of where I put this thing."

"That does it, I'm going to teach you some manners."

With the man's approached, Gabrielle turned toward his companions. "Does he always get upset so easily?" As she turned, she swung her staff around, accidentally catching him in the stomach.

"Ohf."

"Oh, sorry, did I do that?"

"Assaulting a sergeant in the King's army is a crime." The man said and reached for his sword.

Before he could touch the weapon, Gabrielle swung her staff up, catching under the hilt of the sword. The weapon flew out of its scabbard. Gabrielle caught the sword, glanced at it and dropped it at her feet. "If you want a lesson, lets keep it fair." She swung her staff a few turns.

This time the sergeant smiled out of respect, and held his arms wide. "Now that you have relieved me of my sword, it seems you have me at a disadvantage."
Somebody in the gathering crowd, tossed in a staff very similar to Gabrielle's. "It seems I have a benefactor." the sergeant said after picking up the stick. He swung the weapon around, getting a feel for its weight.

"Tell me, why does somebody have to be a warrior to have your respect?" Gabrielle asked. "Why don't you just simply apologize to the lady?"

"What, and miss my chance to put a would be do gooder in her place?"

"Very well." Gabrielle took a simple on-guard stance. "Now's your chance."

Two quick swings started the sergeant's attack, both missing their target as Gabrielle easily sidestepped out of the way. She continued to stand casually, as if she was just another spectator in the battle. The sergeant attacked again, this time more aggressively, swinging his staff around powerfully as he stepped towards Gabrielle. Once again, Gabrielle sidestepped the attack, but this time she spun her staff close to her body, matching it to the captain's advance. The move barely touched the man, just increased his momentum, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Nice move." he observed. "But it wouldn't keep you alive in a real battle."

"I just don't want to hurt you before you have a chance to apologize."

He attacked again, this time the exchange turned into a fast blur of a swinging staff and moving bodies. For every powerful and skilled move the captain had, Gabrielle had an equally simple defensive move that kept the man off balance and frustrated at his inability to connect even a single blow. The man seemed to be spending more time laying in the dirt then pressing the attack on the bard. He knew she had not taken one swing at him and he was nearly exhausted.

Pride brought the sergeant to his feet again and he faced the woman who had called herself a bard. She smiled at him and opened her arms, inviting him for another round. This time his quick rush got him closer to her then he'd ever gotten, but she had stepped aside again. He felt the length of her staff catch him from his shoulder to his hip. Gabrielle used the sergeant's momentum to flip him. Head over heels, the man somersaulted in the air and landed with solid thump into the hard back dirt road.

Gabrielle squatted down and leaned over to look into the side of the sergeant's face that wasn't pressed to the ground. "You okay?"

"Fine." he replied, without moving.

"Not everybody's what they appear to be. Are they?"

"Guess not."

"Something to remember, huh?"

"Guess so."

After standing up, Gabrielle leaned down and offered the man a hand up. Finally, he rolled over, sat up and took her hand. She didn't need to help him, but he let her.

The sergeant brushed himself off, and looked around at the spectators. His gaze landed on the bar maid. "My apologies ma'am, I should have been paying better attention to those around me. A soldier who doesn't pay attention to his surroundings usually ends up a dead hero."

The sergeant handed the woman enough coins to pay for the round she carried, the round she had spilled and a generous tip. When he turned back to talk to the "bard", she was gone.

5. THE RIVER.

"I don't swim."

"What?" Ipiphany turned toward her companion.

The blond Amazon pushed the ever present tangle of hair out of her face and looked back at the messenger, a half smile quirked on her lips. "I've never liked it."

"But I've been with you at the swimming hole, even on our trip to the sea." Ipiphany stated.

"I never went in over my head." Serena replied. She looked out over the grass of the rolling field. The fresh green of the spring time fields was cut by a wide, slow moving river. The morning sun glinted off the dark water.

"There are crossings to the west." Ella volunteered.

"No, we must avoid people." Ipiphany said. "With the Black River swollen by the spring run off, the crossings will busy. We have to cross here." She looked at Serena. "Don't worry, just stay on your horse, she'll get you across."

"I don't think she likes the water either." Serena smiled as she leaned forward and hugged her horse's neck.

"You said you'd following me into Tarterous." Ipiphany said, trying to force a frown at her friend.

"I would, but a river, now that's a different matter." Serena sat up and squared her shoulders. "A different matter indeed."

The trio rode up to the water's edge. A cold wind blew across the swollen river. From as distance, the current looked slow and shallow, but up close the water was fast and deep.

"It's going to be very cold." Ipiphany said. "We'll need our warm clothes dry when we get to the other side." She jumped from her horse and dug into her saddle bag, producing the oiled cloak she wore during bad weather. "Take your clothes off and wrap them tightly in your cloaks."

The women did as Ipiphany suggested. When they were done, the three stood by the river, shivering. The Amazons wore only their traditional leather breach clothes and bras and Ella wore a thin cotton shift.

"I don't know if this is such a good idea." Ella observed as she tried to wrap her clothes in her rain cloak.

"Once you get your bundle made." Ipiphany said. "Tie it high on your back, like this." As she spoke, the messenger put her arms through loops she'd left in her bundle and secured the roll high on her shoulders. "It'll help keep the clothes dry if you don't fall in.

"You go first." Ipiphany told Serena. "Ride hard, but if the water gets too deep, float off the horse's back and let her pull you to the other side."

"Don't worry about me." Serena said after she climbed back onto her horse. "Make sure Ella makes it safely, the last thing we need is her mom and Queen Gabrielle both mad at us.

"Yah!" Serena kicked her heals into the horse's sides and guided the beast into the water.

"Your turn." Ipiphany turned to the young Princess. "Try to stay up stream of Serena."

"Mother would have our hides if she knew what we're doing." Ella commented as she climbed to her saddle.

"Don't you just love the thrill of doing something you know your mother wouldn't approve of?" Ipiphany asked as Ella headed to the water.

"I'll tell you on the other side."

As soon as Ella hit the water, Ipiphany followed. She pushed her speed to catch up to Ella and keep Serena in sight now that they were all just bobbing heads in the water.

The current pushed all three women down stream, making the swim as much an up stream battle as it was a crossing. Ipiphany stood in her stirrups to spot her friend but her horse faltered. The King's fine stallion started struggling under Ipiphany and she fell head long into the water as the beast bucked against something in the river. The horse panicked and started kicking out to find footing. In its struggle, one of the horse's knees struck Ipiphany in the head as she fought to find her equilibrium.

Loud splashing from the horse behind her caught Ella's attention. Ipiphany's horse struggled in the water, but the Amazon was no where to be seen.

"Ipiphany's in trouble." Ella yelled to the other Amazon. The young princess turned her horse back toward the southern shore and started looking for their leader.

"Don't stop!" came the voice of the blond Amazon. "Get to the shore, I'll find Ipiphany!"

Watching Ipiphany's riderless horse struggling in the water, Ella didn't know what to do. She looked back over her shoulder and saw Serena struggling slowly back across the river. When she turned back toward the foundering horse, there was something new in the water, just down stream of the horse.

"I see her!" Ella called and urged her horse down stream, toward the floating form. The current had caught Ipiphany's body and was carrying it out of reach. The young woman had one hope of saving her protector and friend. The whip supplied by King Triton's armory was immediately in Ella's hand as she searched for a target on the floating blotch of pale flesh in the water down stream from her.

Finally, something appeared, an arm? A leg? It didn't matter. With a loud crack, the leather whip caught the unconscious Amazon. Ella started the torturously long swim back toward the northern shore.

As soon as Ella's horse made foot fall, a cold and shivering Serena was at her side. Both wet and freezing young women needed all of their strength to steady the horse and get Ipiphany's still form safely to shore.

Ella was immediately next to Ipiphany, checking for signs of life. There was a pulse in her neck, but the woman wasn't breathing. Rolling Ipiphany flat on her back, Ella turned toward Serena.

"She's got water in her, we need to get it out." Ella straddled the Amazon's legs and pushed up on her bloated stomach. After several slow steady pushes, water started coming out of Ipiphany's mouth. The young princess rolled the Amazon on her side and let the water come out as the Ipiphany started coughing up the liquid in her lungs, and the contents of her stomach.

After a few minutes, all Serena and Ella could do was stare at their friend, as her shallow breathing steadied. The two stared at each other, shivering.

"What now?" Serena asked, slightly in shock from the cold and the ordeal.

"Find wood for a fire." Ella returned. "We need to get warm and dry our clothes." As she spoke, Ella unpacked the bundle on her back and covered Ipiphany with her cloak.

With Ella's touch, Ipiphany's eyes fluttered open. She looked at the shivering, concerned young woman leaning over her. "I told you I'd get you across safely." the Amazon rasped through her rough throat.

IX. CONVOCATION.

1. CHANGES.

One day from Elatona. Xena sighed to herself. Home was so close, yet so far. The Warrior Queen looked out over the rolling hills and thick woods of her Kingdom, then back at her companions. The small group was about ten minutes behind her, allowing her to scout, and have some time alone.

It had taken so many years for Xena to really think of Catatona as her country. That she was a citizen of any land other then Thrace and had a home any place other then Amphipolous. Now her home was Elatona and her country was Catatona. She accepted that, and was proud of it.

The scent from the farms in the valley bellow drifted across the warrior's senses. She smiled at the sight of the many small, peaceful farms that dotted the valley. There had been a time when a farming community, like this one had to live like an armed camp. The Catatonan army had grown too large, the leaders had lost control of many of the units and the thug soldiers had begun to pray on the people they had sworn to protect.

The country as a whole had changed significantly since Xena had arrived. She knew she had a part in the change, but it was really Riduron's vision and trust in her skills that allowed the change. She had slowly taken control of Catatona's military and turned it into a proper defense force. Now the villages no longer lived in fear.

Once again turning back to her companions, Xena watched the group approach. In the middle rode the young newly weds. Their honeymoon cut horribly short, they still found time to smile, and flirt with each other on their trek.

"How things have changed." Xena thought to herself as she watched Terina riding close to her husband, occasionally leaning over and bumping shoulders with him. Xena absently reached up and stroked the fine white streak of hair that flared back from her temple.

The scar was a constant reminder of events that had changed her life. What a terrible day it was that had sent her and Gabrielle on separate paths..........

Pain woke the warrior to darkness. The world spun in blurred confusion as she fought her way back to conciseness. The coldness of the forest floor where she lay reminded her of the horror of the battle, but the warmth and comfort that embraced her head and shoulders helped her find her way back to the light. Warm hands caressed her face as words spoken by a familiar and comforting voice blurred through her mind.

"Xena, can you hear me?" the voice said softly. "I can feel you coming back, please come back, don't let that dog take you with him."

The darkness lifted, Xena opened her eyes. Blurred colors assaulted the warrior's senses, but she welcomed the rush of light. A familiar face came into view. The young woman's red hair was a tangle of mud and sweat. Her face was streaked with dried blood and dirt and fresh tears ran down her cheeks as she looked into her friend's now open eyes.

"Gods, Xena." Gabrielle whispered. "I thought for sure I'd lost you that time."

Sharp pain burst through Xena's head as she tried to sit up. Strong arms held her down as Gabrielle tried to keep her still. "Lie still." she said firmly. "Xena," Gabrielle continued with new tears forming "You took a terrible blow."

Xena looked up at her friend and tried to smile. "I know Gabrielle, I've been wounded before."

The young woman took a deep breath for strength. "Oh, Xena," Gabrielle finally said. "I've got the bleeding stopped, but there's going to be a scar."

"Don't worry;" Xena replied hoarsely. As she spoke, she reached out and stroked Gabrielle's face, leaving behind a new smear of blood and dirt. "we both came through another one, and that's all that matters."

Xena carefully turned her head from side to side, looking at the remains of the battle. Behind Gabrielle, Amazon warriors wondered among the wounded, retrieving their sisters and finishing off any invaders. Gabrielle didn't notice the carnage that continued around her as her total attention was focused on her friend. Above them, the severed head of the invading governor continued to stare into the sky from its standard.

A new surge of energy from sudden revulsion at the death around them brought Xena to her feet. She leaned heavily on Gabrielle to keep her balance. "Let's get out of here." .

"I'll have them bring Argo." Gabrielle replied. "Or perhaps we should make a litter."

"No, I've never been carried off a battle field." Xena replied firmly. "I'm not going to start now."

"Xena, your weak, you've lost a lot of blood. Nobody will think any less of you for being wounded in battle."

"That's not the point, I will walk away from this one." Xena motioned back at the remains of the governor. "I will not give him the satisfaction of seeing me carried away from his army."

The two women started back across the battle field. As they left, one of the Amazon's approached the head to remove the grisly trophy.

"Leave it." Gabrielle commanded. "Leave it as a reminder to all, of what happens when we are forced to defend ourselves and our homes." Gabrielle looked around the battle ground as she and Xena made their slow crossing.

After making about half the journey, Gabrielle caught one of the Amazon war council organizing the clean up. This Amazon had seen more than forty summers and was one of the most respected members of the council.

"Yes my Queen?" the older woman asked once Gabrielle had her attention.

A coldness had settled into the young Queen's eyes as she struggled to help Xena. "Retrieve only our people for funerals, leave the rest where they fell. These men fought so hard for this little piece of ground, let them have it now."

The woman looked at the young bard Queen. A mere girl who had never really ruled as queen, now handing out orders to all who crossed her path. The woman smiled, it was time they had their rightful Queen in place. "As you wish." the woman answered then turned to the other Amazons and started issuing orders.

Gabrielle continued to ignore the killing that proceeded around her. It took all of her effort just to get Xena back to the trees and onto Argo without letting her fall.

A week after the battle, Xena sat motionless in the bright morning sun as Gabrielle inspected the wound. The gash ran up the right side of Xena's face from near her mouth, up into her hair line above her ear. To properly sew the wound, the Amazon healer had to shave back much of the hair from her temple.

"What's wrong?" Xena asked, noticing a tear run down the young bard's face.

"I almost got you killed, again." Gabrielle finally said. "If I 'd stayed out of the fight like you'd asked, this never would have happened."

"Listen to me." Xena tried to reassure. "You weren't just joining the fight, you were trying to help the injured. How could I ever blame you for following your nature." She let out a deep sigh. "Besides, it was more my fault for getting distracted and not trusting the Amazons to protect their queen."

"I noticed in your hut this morning, your packing?"

Xena tried to look at her friend. "I'm going to Amphipolous to spend some time with my mother. It's been a long time since I've had an extended stay at home."

Hesitation washed over Gabrielle's face. "Okay, you should have told me, I'd have started packing too."

"No," Xena whispered. "You can't leave, and I think you know it."

"What?"

"You took over." Xena replied. "You led the Amazons in a war to protect their homes, you made decisions that could have caused them to loose everything, but you won. Now they really look to you as their leader. You can't just walk away to continue following me around the country side."

"But it was your plan, your leadership, your fighting skills that won the battle."

Xena stood up and looked down at her friend, grabbed her by the shoulders and held her still. "You are their Queen. Every good leader knows they must surround themselves with good advisors. I could never have convinced them to abandon their homes as easily, it was your belief in my plan that made it work, therefore, it was your leadership that won the day. Don't ever sell yourself short on the decisions you make and the effect they'll have on your people."

"My people," Gabrielle repeated softly. "I never really thought of it that way." She looked at Xena. "I don't know any other life but that of a traveler. These last few years have been so intense, that my life in Potadia is but a memory."

Gabrielle tried to put on a strong face. She knew that Xena was absolutely right. She had stepped up from being an Amazon Princess, to being the Amazon Queen. With the experience she had gained traveling with Xena she had unique qualifications to lead the Amazons, besides, part of her heart still told her that Xena would not have been injured if she had not been there for the warrior to worry about.

"The wound is healing well." Gabrielle finally ventured. "What will you do once it is no longer a problem?"

The warrior turned toward the morning sun and shook her long, black hair back, allowing her face and shoulders to be warmed. She stood for several minutes thinking of her future. "True, the scar on my face will heal quickly. But there are other scars, deeper ones from the violence of my past. They get reopened with every battle I fight." Xena looked back to Gabrielle. "It's time for the Warrior Princess to take a rest and allow Xena of Amphipolous to heal all of her wounds, I need to spend time with my family to do that."

"We are family."

"We are, Gabrielle," Xena said with a soft smile. "but you are also part of the Amazon family, and you need to be here for them. I have to find the rest of my family and get to know them again."

"This is it then," Gabrielle said, new tears forming in her eyes. "Everything we have together is ending?"

"What we have will never end, Gabrielle." Xena replied, pulling the young woman into a hug. "It is just time for us to take separate paths for a while, we both knew we couldn't just go on forever, wondering whichever way the wind blew us." Xena looked at the camp of Amazons around them. "From the day I stood as champion and affirmed you a place as an Amazon, we both knew that one day I would leave you here."

"The hardest part is admitting that your right." Gabrielle finally said. "In fact, I guess I've been thinking it too, I just didn't want to admit it was over."

"This isn't an end." Xena finally said, "it's a beginning. You have been through a lot, now it is time for you to make a life for yourself and make a difference in the lives of those who look to you for guidance. Draw on all that has gone before, all that we have experienced together and bring that experience and knowledge to the Amazons; give it all meaning."

By the time the sun stood at its zenith, Xena was astride Argo and stood with the Amazons at the edge of their territory. She didn't wear her customary dark brown leather and armor, but a long faded red and black dress she had carried since Gabrielle knew her. Even though it wasn't her armor, there was still a formidable look about the garment. Thin red panels of the skirt were slit to the waist, allowing easy movement, the front of the top was made of two panels of fine black leather and the whole thing was anchored by a wide golden belt.

"You've never told me why you carried that dress all this time." Gabrielle said looking at her friend.

A bright smile spread across Xena's face. "It was the beginning of the end of my warlord days." she replied. "I was wearing it when I first went after Iolus to get to Hercules."

"Then why do you wear it now?"

"Because, this is the end of the beginning." Xena smiled. "Besides, its the only thing I have other than my armor." Xena reached down stroked her friend's cheek. "Fare well, I'll see you before the seasons change." Before Gabrielle could reply, Xena reined Argo up and galloped off.

"Good-bye." Gabrielle whispered, suddenly feeling totally alone surrounded by Amazons she really didn't know...............

2. NORTH BOUND.

A man dressed like a Calatonian merchant and his extended family of seven modestly dressed women kept a steady pace north to Elatona. The road to the Catatonan capital saw a steady increase in traffic as they approached the city.

"Have you been to Elatona before?" Gabrielle asked Triton as the group pushed their way past another line of trader's wagons.

"Never." Triton replied, a slight frown punctuated his answer.

"How could that be? You traveled all over Greece for nearly a complete turn of seasons, and you've never been to the capital of your nearest neighbor."

"The relationship between the two countries has been extremely cold since the end of the war that split us up." Triton sighed. "It's become a fact of life for the governments to ignore each other, but the people maintain a relationship. I think a relatively open border is about the only thing that has kept us from another war."

"So the royal houses distrust each other and wage a constant war of words." Gabrielle suggested. "While the people continue to trade and be neighborly."

"Essentially."

"Hold." Delthea commanded from a few paces ahead of Triton and Gabrielle.

"What's wrong?" Gabrielle asked her former body guard.

"There are riders hidden in the trees." As she spoke, the Amazon drew her sword and backed her horse toward King Triton. At the same time, Gabrielle's guards pulled up near her. The other three Amazons drew their swords and spread out in front of the royals . As the women took positions, the merchants they had just past, continued north up the road.

The scout stood motionless in the trees. He had been waiting for the current traffic on the road to pass before crossing to retrieve his squad. Somehow, one of the women riding by had sensed him. He watched as the others took up protective positions around two of the group. He finally got a good look at the single man in the group, and nearly jumped from the trees. There was no doubt, it was King Triton, he had ridden with him for a year. He looked at the plainly dressed and well armed women again, they were Amazons. The King had ventured into Catatona, guarded only by Queen Gabrielle and her Amazons.

"Show yourself." one of the Amazons demanded of the foliage the scout hid in.

There was no option, the young man nudged his horse forward and stepped onto the road. He looked over the Amazons then to the king. "Sire."

King Triton's eyes went wide when he recognized the amour of his own guard. The Amazons recognized him too. Some from his armor. Others, remembered the handsome young lieutenant they had noticed during the first days of the expedition, before they had turned back.

"By the gods, what are you doing here?" King Triton choked out. "Are the others with you?"

Lieutenant Ashton saluted his king and smiled back at some of the women. He then quickly explained that the Queen had split her forces, hoping to draw the mercenary army away from her and, hopefully, the royal couple.

"Does she have, Terina and Victor?" Gabrielle urged. "Are they alive? Have you seen them?"

"All I know," Lieutenant Ashton replied. "is that the Queen saw a signal and she called for us to retreat. I can only assume that it was a signal of success. I suspect her mood would have changed greatly if it meant anything else."

"Enough for now." Triton smiled. "It's good to see you. Now, take us to your squad."

3. THE WILD HORSE.

"It's an outlying village of Elatona." Ella said to her companions.

The trio approached the lines of houses and shops cautiously. There was no telling who they would encounter in the streets, palace guard who would recognize the princess on sight, soldiers and mercenaries who would see the Amazons as a challenge for their many skills. Others; Cunaxans, thieves, scum looking to prey on three young women traveling alone. They could all be there, and more.

Ipiphany pulled her cloak about her, and motioned for the others to do the same. The Amazons covering the traditional dress and the tribal tattoos on their arms and thighs, the princess concealing her face. With the braids and weaves washed out, Ipiphany's long straight hair hung to the middle of her back, like a long brown mane. Serena's blond locks danced about, her usual tangled mop.

"What now?" Ipiphany asked Ella. "Do you want to approach the Palace directly, or should we sneak in?"

"I just thought we would ride in." Ella whispered back. "This is my home, I should have nothing to fear."

"Unless Cunaxan traitors man the gate."

The princess looked down and muttered. "Yes, unless Cunaxan traitors man the gate."

"We'll find an inn and wait." Ipiphany finally decided. "By night fall, we should have a feel for what is going on. We'll decide on our plan then."

"THE WILD HORSE" Ella read the name of a tavern. "I've heard mother mention that name before, but I've never there."

An empty tavern greeted the visitors. It was the fanciest tavern Ipiphany had ever been in. Brightly polished wood was used on all of the surfaces of the bar, floor and walls, giving a rich and elegant feeling to the place. The tavern's main bar didn't line one wall, but stood in the middle of the main dining room, to serve customers from all sides. A second dining area stretched out from the back of main room, with another bar lining its back wall. Stair cases wrapped up the walls to the left and right of the front door, leading to another gathering area, with another richly appointed bar.

The three travelers were about to make a quick exit in search of a more obscure tavern when the hostess spotted them. "Welcome." the woman greeted when she saw their hesitation. "Come on in, we're open, it's just early for our normal patrons."

The hostess was a sturdy looking woman, who had seen maybe thirty summers. Her light brown hair was shoulder length and drawn back in a tail. She wore a clean, fresh looking light blue serving dress. With a motion of her hand, she waived the three women in.

"We weren't expecting such a quality establishment." Ipiphany said softly as she turned the group back toward the door.

"Non-sense." the hostess said, "Come on in, we have a fine restaurant, only because we don't put up with ruffians, it's easy to have a nice place if you keep it that way." she continued to smile. "My name's Sarra, and I'd be happy to help you have a fine meal, and stay within your budget."

"We don't need charity." Serena replied proudly.

"My apologies," Sarra said quickly, "I just meant that I understand how travelers have to watch their drachmas. Come on in, I'm sure our prices aren't as high as our decor might imply.

"There is just one rule." Sarra added quickly. "If you want ale or any other hard drink, you have to check your weapons. You'll get them back as long as your sober when you leave."

"We'll drink water." Ipiphany stated as she followed Sarra toward some tables. "And can we have a table in a corner, against a wall?"

Sarra smiled. "Do you have something specific in mind?"

Ipiphany pointed to a table directly opposite the door, and pushed into a darkened corner. "That one would be sufficient."

"Of course."

The three women settled at their table of choice as Sarra gathered mugs of water for them. She watched as they kept their cloaks closed, though it was rather warm in the tavern, and the shortest, and apparently youngest, kept her hood up and most of her features obscured. Sarra wondered who they were, and why the youngest looked familiar. It didn't matter she finally decided, she had customers during the slowest part of the slowest day of the week.

Swords had appeared from under all three women's cloaks as they sat down, and carefully stored in easy reach under the table. Sarra frowned at the display, she had assumed that they were armed, but hadn't really expect all three to produce such lethal weapons. She placed the mugs on the table in front of the women, then sat down next to the woman with tangled blond hair, who sat alone on one side of the table.

"I'm really glad you three came in." Sarra started off, "Sometimes this place stays empty until after dark, but the boss wants us open, so we're open." She smiled again, then started reciting the days specials and the more inexpensive items they offered for weary travelers.

After serving each of the women a large bowl of stew, and a loaf of bread, Sarra was about to ask if they needed anything else when she finally got a good look at the youngest's face. Bright blue eyes, high cheek bones, thick brow, it was no mistaken the Princess of Catatona. The Queen had spent too many nights in the Wild Horse before she married the King for Sarra to miss the same dangerous beauty so evident in the woman's daughter.

The taller of the Princess's companions saw the look of recognition and stood up holding out her hand. "Come, sit with us a while."

4. NORTH OF TOWN.

"What's the plan?" The young Captain asked after riding up beside his queen. The group stood on a hill, in a tree line overlooking the city of Elatona and the magnificent Royal palace and grounds.

Xena glanced at the young man. It wasn't that long ago that he had nearly died of fear when he approached, now he at least acted comfortable. That was good. Xena looked over the rest, Lyons and Vanek stuck close to the prince and princess. She looked back to Forsete.

"We have to find the others, but if we ride directly into town, it will create a stir." She looked at the surrounding country side. "Plus if all went well, there's an army of mercenaries around here looking for us."

"What about the patrols? We haven't seen anybody in days. I thought we had better coverage then that."

"If the Cunaxans have played this game as I suspect." Xena said. "Their spies will have convinced Orian to pull in the regiments loyal to us to protect the town and palace and thus leave the troops loyal to Cunaxa to guard the frontier."

"Where now?"

"The Wild Horse. After dark, each squad is to send a messenger to meet us."

"They'll know you there, won't that raise the alarm?"

"It's time."

5. MESSAGE.

Six plainly dressed women worked their way through the crowded streets of the village on the edge of Elatona. Three stayed close to one another, while the others spread out as if they each traveled alone. A smile quirked on the face of the leader as she saw the tavern's sign barely lit by the street lamps that illuminated the building.

"The Wild Horse." Gabrielle reflected aloud. "Sounds like a place Xena would frequent."

"They weren't real happy when you decided to come here." Gabrielle's senior guard stated.

"With Triton reunited with his own guard," Gabrielle said quietly. "our duty to him was over. If Terina is going to be here, then this is where our duty is."

"Triton has his guard back, why does Delthea stay with him?"

Gabrielle stopped and looked at the woman. "I know you miss her, I do too." she said gently. "She trained you well and you have both been constant and faithful companions to me, but her duty lies with King Triton until he returns home safely."

The three women, each dressed in plain Catatonan traveling clothes and carrying a sturdy walking staff stood at the doors of the Wild Horse. A steady stream of people of all sorts flowed in and out of the building. Gabrielle thought she saw one of the Catatonan messengers enter ahead of them, but wasn't sure.

"Let's go." The Amazon Queen said to her guard and the three women entered the din of the crowded bar. Soon, the other three would find their way in too.

In her many years, especially during her time traveling with Xena, Gabrielle had been in many taverns and inns. Some expensive, some worse then neglected stables, but the Wild Horse took her breath away. Three giant rooms were packed with people, patrons even lined the walls along the stairs to the upper area. Many people liked slow empty taverns to get lost in, but this one could hide a regiment of warriors amongst its patrons.

"Anonymity in a crowd." Gabrielle said in the ear of one of her companions. "Just Xena's style."

"How will we find them?" the woman asked over the noise of the crowd.

"If they're here, they'll find us." Gabrielle replied confidently. "Else, we'll watch for them to arrive." As she spoke, they pushed their way to the main bar.

"What'll you have?" one of the several tenders asked.

"Do you have fresh cider?" Gabrielle asked out of habit.

"Too early in the season for that." the man smiled back at the attractive women. "Have some good hard cider though."

Gabrielle glanced at her companions and leaned on her staff as she considered the tavern. "I'll try the cider," she indicated the other two. "They'll have ale." She knew herself and her Amazons, they would have the beverages so as not to stand out too much, but they could not allow themselves to be effected by the alcohol.

Turning from the bar with the mugs, Gabrielle bumped into a man heading toward the bar. Strong, hard cider splashed down his expensive tunic. He stood not much taller then Gabrielle, had thick gray hair with some remaining black and was a few years older then the Amazon.

"I'm so sorry." Gabrielle said sincerely. "Please excuse me."

"You stupid wench." the man growled, "this was new tunic, now its ruined."

"It's just cider." Gabrielle replied calmly. "It'll wash out." But she could tell he was not an even tempered man, the best thing to do was walk away. But he grabbed her as she turned.

"Where the hell are you going."

Before Gabrielle could say anything, she looked at the man to see a familiar hand at his throat, holding a small blade against his skin. His face had gone ghost white.

"Sir," Gabrielle said softly. "I apologized, what else would you have me do? There are something's I can control and some I can not." She gestured toward the woman holding the knife at the man's throat. "What she'll do to protect me, I can not control. I suggest you accept my apology, and allow me to buy you a drink."

The man nodded and said. "I accept your apology." The knife disappeared.

Gabrielle turned back to the bar that she still stood against and looked at the tender who had watched the incident in mute shock. She gave him several drachma saying "My friend here will have one of your finer ales."

After the women had left, the tender turned toward Sarra. "Who was that?"

"I don't know, but there's something about them that's familiar." She thought for a second. "I'm going up stairs, there's someone up there who may be interested."

On the upper floor of the Wild Horse were private dinning areas and meeting rooms for the more affluent local business men. This evening, the house was providing a room to three women who needed to rest and clean up. Sarra entered carefully, knowing they were wary of attack.

"There are three women down stairs that reminded me of you?" Sarra told the leader of the trio. She had caught them just as they were preparing to leave.

"How so?" Ipiphany asked.

"Two of them were, well, fast and tough." Sarra replied. "They seemed uncomfortable in the crowd.

"The third, the older of the three seemed liked she belonged here, she had a gleam in her eyes like she was really enjoying the Wild Horse."

Ipiphany approached Sarra. "Describe this woman."

Gesturing about half way down her back. "She has long reddish blond hair," she said "with some gray in it. About my height, and a lovely, soothing voice."

"Could it be the Qu..." Serena stopped and looked at Sarra, then to Ipiphany.

"Were they carrying weapons?" Ipiphany asked the defining question.

"No swords," Sarra replied, "but they all carried staffs and at least one has a small knife."

"It must be her." Serena said. She reached under her cloak and produced a small knife that looked like the one Sarra had seen used.

"Take the knife." Ipiphany said as Serena handed it to Sarra. "Deliver it to the woman then bring them here."

Taking the knife, Sarra wrapped it in a bar towel . "What if she doesn't want to come?"

"She'll come."

6. DAGGER.

Somehow in the congestion of the crowded tavern, Gabrielle found a small corner table to sit at and watch the main door. Her senior guard took a seat with her and the other stood watch nearby. Would Xena just swagger in with her people in tow? Would she cover up and sneak in? Perhaps slip in through the kitchen and stay hidden? What ever she did, Gabrielle was sure they would find each other, they always did.

One of the senior waitresses approached the table. From her dress and demeanor, Gabrielle guessed she may be the head hostess. "Excuse me." the woman said cautiously.

Gabrielle looked at the woman and smiled sweetly. "Yes, can I help you?"

"I, uh," Sarra hesitated and looked at the woman patiently waiting for her to find her voice. "My name's Sarra."

"Hello, Sarra, my name's Gabrielle." Gabrielle said, still returning a smile. "Are you the hostess here? You have a wonderful tavern, I've never seen one quite as fine."

There was something about the woman's demeanor that put Sarra at ease. There was also something, a wisdom in the way she spoke, the age in her eyes that made her compliment significant. "There is somebody.." she hesitated then started again. "I was asked to deliver something to you." As she spoke, she pulled a folded bar towel out of her apron and set it and whatever was inside on the table.

With cautious hands, Gabrielle reached out and opened the towel, revealing a small Amazon dagger. Gabrielle's guard nearly jumped to her feet, but maintained her seat as Gabrielle held out her hand, motioning for her to remain seated. "Who gave this to you?"

"Three women, asked me to bring it to you." Sarra said carefully. "They said I should take you to them."

"Would you excuse us a minute?" Gabrielle asked Sarra and nodded for her to back away and let them talk.

Once Sarra had backed up, Gabrielle leaned over to her guard. "Do you recognize it?" she said sliding the dagger toward the woman.

"It must be Enara's or Lusain's." the woman hissed. "Their killers are taunting us."

Gabrielle turned the knife over and showed the symbol on the other side of the blade. "This is Serena's blade." she said softly. "I was there when Ipiphany had the design etched in it for her coming of age ceremony."

"Three women, one Serena." the guard said. "That would mean the other two are Ipiphany and .."

Gabrielle held up her hand to silence the woman. "Yes, that's what I was thinking." She shook her head and smiled. "Some times Ipiphany reminds me too much of me; can't do a thing she's told." She motioned to Sarra. "Lead the way."

7. THE STABLE.

A small party of riders pushed through the crowed street. No one recognized the cloaked and hooded leader, but several noticed the two soldiers wearing Calatonian armor. The same people also realized that one of the Queen's own guard rode with the group, in Elatona, that made them nearly un-approachable. Finally, the group entered a well maintained stabled.

"The Wild Horse is around the corner." Xena said softly to her group. "We'll leave the horses here."

As Xena spoke, a young stable hand approached the group. "Welcome." he said. "I can see you people appreciate the fine facilities my family offers here."

Keeping her hood up, Xena jump from Astron and turned to the boy. "Is your father here tonight?"

The boy looked at the hooded woman standing before him. "Yes ma'am."

"Fetch him, now."

The boy hesitated a few breaths then ran to the back of the stable and into the attached living quarters. As they waited, the rest dismounted and began checking their gear. On instructions from Xena, they carefully loaded themselves with as many weapons as they could carry. By the time Terina got the long sword Xena had returned to her, secured under a cloak she had donned, the boy returned with his father.

"What is the meaning of this." the man demanded as he approached.

The Queen of Catatona pushed the hood far enough back from her face for the man to recognize her. "I just wanted to make sure that my presence here would not become a topic of conversation for you this evening." she said flatly.

"My Queen." the man gulped. "I will tend your horses personally."

"No gossip." she repeated.

"Yes, ma'am, no gossip."

Xena smiled. "You'll have plenty of time to tell this story tomorrow."

The man smiled a bit. "Yes, tomorrow will be soon enough."

Walking from the stable, Terina pushed up next to the Queen. "Why did you do that?"

"What?"

"Reveal yourself to that man, we could have left the horses with the boy and he never would have seen us."

"That man would recognize Astron on sight, he's worked for me before. I needed his word to keep quiet, else he would have been having all of his friends in to see my horse and speculate what I was doing here."

In the stable, the man and his son started working on the horses. Looking at Astron, the boy said. "There's another horse here with the same kind of saddle."

"What horse?" the stable owner asked, turning toward his son.

"Sarra, from the Wild Horse, and another woman brought them here awhile ago. I stabled them in the new stalls, over there." The boy pointed into a barn they'd just finished refurbishing.

The boy led his father to the three horses. Two were tall, of fine expensive bloodlines, one brown, the other black. The third, a mare, was a mottle of brown and white. It was a hand or two shorter then the others, but had a much wider chest. The mare's mane had been woven into hundreds of thin braids, none thicker then a bow string.

Patting the brown on the nose the man whispered. "I know this one, it belongs to Princess Ella, and the other," he indicated the black. "Is of royal stock too. But the mare, she's of different stock all together. Tell me, the woman with Sarra, what did she look like?"

The boy smiled. "Oh, she was beautiful, a little taller then Sarra, and wild blond hair. She warned me to watch out for the mare."

"Careful." the boy warned as his father reached for the braided horse. "That one is real spirited."

In response, the horse whinnied and swung its head toward the approaching man. The stable man snapped his hand back. "That one is barely broken." He looked at faded markings on the horses flank. "There is something happening at the Wild Horse."

Continued in book 5 (Final Round)