Chapter Sixteen

As they were following Alara, Xena said to Gabrielle, "Is it just me, or do these women look different?"

"I was just noticing that. Their dress is different. I've heard about some of the smaller tribes joining up with the larger ones. These must be some of those."

"Looks like they make the new ones do the grunt work," Buffy commented.

"What do you mean?"

"Guarding the perimeter. Not the most glamorous job."

"True," Gabrielle agreed. "But it IS an important one."

As they entered the village, Gabrielle and Xena began to recognize some of the Amazons. And as they recognized Gabrielle, they went to one knee, heads bowed, in respect to their legendary queen.

As Alara saw what was happening, she began to get angry. She had plans to challenge Ephiny for leadership of the tribe, and there was no place for this interloper.

"I guess some of them know you," Buffy said to Gabrielle.

"Yes. Some are good friends. And I know it's expected, but I still feel uncomfortable being bowed to like that."

Word of Gabrielle's coming reached Ephiny well before the visitors did, and breaking with tradition, Ephiny met them half way rather than wait for them to reach her hut.

Alara watched with suppressed rage as Ephiny and Gabrielle embraced each other.

"Welcome, Gabrielle! It's been much too long."

"And don't I know it. It's like coming home again."

Ephiny turned to Xena.

"Welcome, Xena. It's always good to see you."

Xena and Ephiny grasped forearms.

"I see you have brought us a visitor."

"Ephiny, this is Buffy. Buffy, Queen Ephiny."

Buffy hesitated, not knowing if she should kneel or bow or shake hands. Sensing her uncertainty, Ephiny put out both hands to take both of Buffy's. She then took a closer look at Buffy's shoeless feet. She was curious, but knew the story would be told.

"Gabrielle, I think your friend could use a bath, clean clothes and some footwear."

"I think we all could."

As Ephiny was about to say something, Alara leaned in to her and whispered in her ear. When she stepped back, Ephiny looked at Buffy in a new light.

"I hear you catch arrows," she said to Buffy.

"Only when they're shot at me."

"Xena is the only other one I've seen do that."

"Buffy has some unusual skills," Gabrielle told her. "We'll be glad to tell you everything, but after we've bathed and had something to eat."

"Certainly," Ephiny said, not realizing she was already deferring to Gabrielle. But Alara didn't miss it. And her anger, and hatred, for Gabrielle only grew.

It wasn't long before the three travelers had bathed, changed into fresh clothing and were sitting in front of Ephiny's hut, a small feast in front of them. As they ate, many of the members of the original tribe expressed to Gabrielle their happiness that she was back, if only for a visit.

As the afternoon turned into evening, Ephiny no longer could suppress her curiosity about the strange barefoot woman who caught arrows on the fly.

As Buffy explained who she was, where she came from, and how she arrived, Alara was sitting nearby, listening to every word. Eventually she would hear something useful. Something she could use to further her ambition to become queen.

"I'm not really sure I understand about this demon you mentioned," Ephiny said. "He has something to do with vengeance?"

"Yes," Buffy explained. "He recruits certain women who have been wronged by the men in their lives – husbands, boyfriends, or just some man who did something to hurt them, usually emotionally. And then these women become Vengeance Demons with powers to exact revenge other wronged women wish on the ones who hurt them."

"In what manner?"

"Turn them into toads, or pigs. Cover their bodies with sores and pustules. Just about anything the women can imagine. Even if it means their deaths. Sometimes it can get really gruesome."

"And what did you say his name was?"

"D'Hoffryn. As far as I know he's been around for thousands of years. He's probably doing business now."

"I don't think any of us have ever heard of him, or of these Vengeance Demons."

"Since you have no contact with men, and especially not having any romantic liaisons with them, then you probably wouldn't."

Alara made sure she remembered the name 'D'Hoffryn'. She didn't know how, or why, but she felt this demon could very possibly prove to be particularly useful.

"I couldn't help but notice there are a lot of new faces here," Gabrielle commented.

"Yes," Ephiny answered. "We've taken in a few of the smaller tribes who were in danger of dying out. Some of them have ways that are quite different from ours, and it's been quite a learning experience for all of us. There has been some conflict, some harsh words, and even a few fights. But gradually we're learning to get along."

"I'm glad to hear it. New ideas and different ways of thinking can only make us stronger in the end."

As the conversation died down, Buffy noticed that Ephiny was looking at her curiously.

"Did you want something?" Buffy asked.

"I was just thinking," Ephiny answered. "If you truly have the abilities you and Gabrielle have described to us, we would certainly have a place for you here. With us. As an Amazon."

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