Chapter 1

"Make sure you actually finish this time." she heard her mother yell out to her as she left the tavern. She shifted the linen basket to her left side and started on the small walk to the river. She took her time not wanting to get there too fast cause she knew if she finished early her mother would just come up with something else for her to do to keep her distracted.

She laughed to herself at how her mother thought those chores were actually keeping her from thinking about being a warrior. If anything, it had the opposite effect. The tasks she had to do day in and day out just made her even more determined to wanting something more from life. She knew she wasn't cut out for the village life….it was way too boring for her.

She stepped into the clearing and made her way over to the small river. She set the basket down and took a seat on a nearby log. Gazing across the water and just above the tree line she stared at the temple in the distance. She knew who it belonged to and thought about all the warriors who served him in the past including her own father.

A frown appeared on her forehead as she thought about how her father had given his life fighting in battle. Although he had been taken from her when she was seven she knew how much he loved being a warrior and if he had to die, loosing his life in battle was the most honorable way to do it. She briefly closed her eyes at the stream of memories that began invading her mind, just for a minute though before she chased them away, looking down at the basket instead.

"Let's get this over with." she sighed, letting out a deep breath and moved to kneel by the water. She set the wash board in place and began her tedious task. Xena took her time on each article of clothing. She wasn't in a rush to get back. Nonetheless, about half way through, she grazed the hilt of the sword she hidden in there earlier.

A small smile pulled at her lips. She took the sword out of the basket and held it in her hand. She looked from the basket still filled with clothes to the sword and back, as if contemplating her options, as if wondering whether or not she should give in to that itch. She once again averted her gaze to the temple in the distance and her mind was made up.

"Looks like it's time for a break." she grinned widely as she pulled the sword out of its scabbard. It was old and worn out and had all the markings from back in the days when it was still heavily used in battle by her father. She moved a few feet away from the river and began twirling the sword around.

She loved the way the blade moved through the air as she fought her invisible opponents. She slashed and swiped the nothingness, and absolutely loved the rush she always got when she practiced with it. It was a thrill she never got doing anything else and she reveled in the feeling. She had a satisfied grin on her face as she got closer to the end of her routine.

"Xena what are you doing?"

Hearing her name broke her out of her movements and she stumbled with the sword, letting it fall out of her grasp and to the ground. She turned around and saw Lyceus standing there, a rather confused expression engraved on his features.

"Lyceus what are you doing here?" she inquired as she bent down to retrieve the sword. She sheathed it and closed in the distance between them.

"Mother thought you could use some help with the clothes"

He looked from Xena to the half full basket then back "and it seems she was right."

Xena furrowed her brow at his last comment. "I was handling it just find thank you." she spat back. "I was just taking a short break."

"That was quite a break." He was teasing her and she couldn't help but smirk.

"Xena if mother knew you were out here practicing with dad's sword she would get rid of it in a heartbeat."

Her smile quickly faded.

"Well she won't know if you don't say anything." she crossed her arms across her chest. "Besides I was doing my chore. I just needed to let off some excess energy."

"Don't worry she won't hear it from me ." he gave her a soft, reassuring smile and she knew he wouldn't rat her out.

"Well since I'm here I might as well help you finish." he mumbled, making his way over to the basket.

Xena joined him and soon they were finished just in time to head back to town for something to eat. As they got to the tavern and placed themselves at a table with some food, Xena over heard a few people talking about try outs for Athena's elite archers.