Chapter 5

Finding out

Aeryn had finally gotten the two to settle down but only by allowing Gabrielle to dunk Xenas head in the water tough several times. But the truce didn't last when they both ganged up on her and threw her in the trough.

After that they packed up and left the town soaking wet which earned then several weird glances from passerbyers. They traveled on through the night with all three of them riding on Argo.

At first Aeryn said she would walk while they rode because she didn't want to weigh the poor war horse down but Xena finally convinced her insisting she wasn't very heavy so she agreed and hopped up behind Gabrielle.

They rode all the next day and finally stopped close to sunset and made camp. Xena disappeared as usual and then reappeard holding two large rabbits which they cooked and ate. After dinner they went to bed, Xena and Gabrielle slept next to each other by the fire to keep warm and Aeryn slept farther away next to Argo. Even though she trusted them sshe didn't trust them enough to sleep next to them where she was vulnerable.

Later that night Xena woke from a nightmare, she rolled over and reached out her arm searching for Gabrielle's presence to comfort her. But all she grasped was air. She opened her eyes, sat up and looked around. She didn't see Gabrielle nor Aeryn and a worried look crossed her face. The sound of faint laughing pulled her attention towards the direction of the river. When she got there she saw both Aeryn and Gabrielle sitting on the bank looking at the sky and talking.

"Oh hey Xena, sorry if we woke you" apologized the bard. "And why wasn't I invited to your little party" said Xena looking hurt. "Well we thought you needed your rest since you had been riding for almost two days" replied Aeryn. Xena understood and thanked them for their thoughtfullness but told them that she wouldn't of been able to sleep without then there.

"Hey Gabrielle "yeah Xena" answered the bard. "Ithink its time we started teaching our newest member how to fight" said Xena looking at Aeryn. A huge grin spread across her face and she jumped up and hugged Xena and almost knocked Gabrielle over when she hugged her.

Over the next few day Xena and Gabrielle took turns teaching Aeryn different fighting tactics and they eventually go her her own weapon. It was a long shaft with blades at both ends that could also be separated into two swords. Aeryn had become very skilled with her weapon and had almost beaten Gabrielle several times.

Often during fights with bandits and other simple opponents Xena and Gabrielle would stand back and let Aeryn fight by herself for a while until she started having problems and then they would assist her.

One day while entering a town they were stopped by two men dressed in fancy armor. One was large and had a long beard that reached down to his chest the other was smaller and had a short mustache. "Whats going on here" asked Xena. "Just a routine seach, anbody who enters and leaves this area has to be checked" answered the larger man. "What is it you are searching for" asked the bard. "Didn't you hear theres been a sighting that the keeper has returned" replied the smaller man. Gabrielle utterly confused asked " who is the keeper." "The keeper is the one who is said to bring the end to life itself they say she is going to destroy the entire planet" said the long bearded man. "How are you supposed to find her" asked Xena "The only way they you can identify her is the four symbols on her right shoulder tjat represent four of the elements that she controls" answered the short man. They talked no more as they men examined Xena and Gabrielle right shoulders. They then turned to Aeryn and she scooted back a little as they approached. A thought suddenly struck Xena, she remembered seeing four weird symbols on Aeryn's right shoulder and she had an idea that Aeryn was the keeper they were looking for. She turned to see the same realization look on Gabrielle's face for she too had seen the four symbols before on Aeryn's shoulder. They prepared to run as one man grabbed Aeryn and the other examined her shoulder. The mans eyes grew wide and his companion peeked over at her shoulder as well. They drew their swords and prepared to tie Areyn up.

That's when Xena and Gabrielle decided to interfere. They knocked the two guys out who were not ready for a fight but not before one of them blew a horn signaling practically a whole army to come rushing out of the village at them. Xena grabbed Aeryn and they jumped on Argo with Gabrielle following and galloped away in to the woods.

They didn't stop until they had reached the next village where they camped out in the trees so they could stay hidden but still keep an eye out for anyone who entered the village. "Now your going to explain yourself and why these people are after you right not and don't leave anything out" demanded Xena looking sternly at Aeryn

I finally finished this chapter. The next chapter is going to be even longer. Hope you like it. Please R&R