This build up is the struggle right now. I'm building up to the war with Persia. Xena and Gabs included of course ;) stay tuned. I didn't expect this chapter to be quite this long, but oh well lol.

Chapter 38 –Byzantium Part I

Xena and Gabrielle sat inside the sheikh's tent once he was made aware of their sudden interest in the khat trade. The old sheikh had not said a word for nearly half an hour and Xena was getting impatient. Time was not of any importance to these people and why would it be? They lived a hard life in the desert and had endless time living in this desert. The khat trade seemed to have been booming long before she and Gabrielle arrived in Tunis.

Mustafa must have sent over trees months ago and somehow in this lifeless land, these trees grew rapidly. The elderly sheikh took his sweet time and sipped on extremely hot coffee while ogling his new guests. He eyed the fair skinned woman sitting beside the tall brunette and smiled. Gabrielle averted her eyes and never felt more awkward until this moment. She was used to living with several men but none ever looked at her like this man did.

Xena noticed the sheikh's wandering eyes and cleared her throat loudly. "If you have a problem with my friend then you can address it with me," she said tersely.

The sheikh smiled and set down the gold glass of sugary coffee on the brass tray. "It is not often that women come to this area of Arabia, sayaditi." He eyed Xena and she grimaced. "I realize that you are not from my land and you are not familiar with our customs so I will excuse your outbursts."

Outburst, he says, Xena smirked at the man's arrogance. "Can we just get on with the khat trade negotiation? We would like in on it."

He rubbed his long beard and nodded in silence. Gabrielle raised her eyebrow and saw the man reaching for his fourth cube of sugar to drop into his coffee. "Where are you white women from? Certainly not the desert. Your skin is unscathed by the harsh sun and winds. Your hands are not delicate like a dutiful wife. What is your motherland?"

She decided to stick with the story that she told the young khat trader back in that village further north in Arabia. "We're from Rome. We were sent here to discuss possibly trade deals into...Hun territory. Are you familiar with it?"

Gabrielle frowned, eyeing her partner and realized that Xena could be playing a very dangerous game here. She not only lied but she was setting up a trap and to tell the truth, she didn't know if Xena's plan was going to work or not.

He gave the women a brief nod. "Yes, I'm familiar with the barbarians. They are Rome's greatest enemy and soon to be the enemy of the Byzantines."

That name again. Gabrielle interrupted, "who are the Byzantines?"

He arched a thick brow and Xena's heart skipped a beat. She saw the suspicion in his eyes. "You are from Rome yet you do not know of the Byzantines?"

Xena attempted to save this conversation from turning into a much worse outcome. "We are not much for politics. We live on the outskirts of Rome. These Byzantines must be very new to the world, am I right?"

The sheikh never took his eyes off of Gabrielle but answered the brunette. "Yes, indeed they are." His eyes drifted to the tall warrior and half smiled. "The new empire stretches from Syria to Arabia. I fear that it will spread and soon take over the Persian Empire."

Very fascinating, Xena thought. He continued, "but as for your inquiry about the khat being sent to Hun territory," he said and she leaned forward anxiously. "I'm afraid that khat no longer is sent to that area due to a port blockade and military interference. Now that Tunis' supply is gone, Arabia is the only supplier of khat. So you see, I cannot send khat to the barbaric Huns. My apologies." He placed his hand over his heart.

Xena smiled tightly and bowed her head. "I'm sure we can work something out."

He raised his hand then wagged his head. "The negotiating will have to resume tomorrow. I must retire for the evening. You both may stay in my wife's tent. My men will show you the way." He shooed them out.

"Of course," Xena stood and Gabrielle followed. "Until tomorrow then." She smiled then left the tent with the guards.

The sheikh snapped his fingers at his vizier once the strange women left. "I want them heavily guarded. The women are not who they say they are. They are not Roman. The tall brutish woman is a liar and I do not trust her."

The vizier nodded. "Yes, sheikh. I will post guards outside your wife's tent."

"Do not make it so obvious, Ayoub. She is armed with a sword and I believe she knows exactly how to use it," he said and soon after, his right hand man scurried out of the tent. He remained sitting alone with his servants, sipping the hot sweet coffee.

Gabrielle unwrapped the turban off her head and felt a sense of relief. Her wet hair stuck to her forehead from the intense heat. She definitely needed a bath but she didn't think she was going to get one anytime soon. Xena on the other hand looked far more ragged than her. Her wild hair was untamed and frizzy from the dry heat.

She ruffled her hair and grunted whilst trying to take off her boots. Xena lay on the floor in silence, staring up at the tent ceiling. Gabrielle poured a good bit of sand out of her boot and glanced at her warrior.

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

"I am rethinking our entire quest to end this khat trade," Xena admitted. "I wanted to come here thinking that I could end something that is beyond my control. I realize now that I can't do that and no longer care about it anymore."

Gabrielle huffed and scooted closer to the worried warrior. "So, what are you saying? We go back to Pannonia?"

Xena rolled over onto her side and stared into the blonde's concerned filled eyes. "No. This is the second time someone has mentioned the Byzantine Empire to us. Don't you think that it's strange that we don't have a clue about it?"

"It has been bothering me and yes I do think it's strange. He said that the empire is here in Arabia and Syria. That's a huge stretch of land and so close to Persia and the Roman Empire too." Gabrielle concluded and lay down on the soft pillows beside Xena.

"We should cut our trip short and go to Syria. If this empire is growing then that means Constantinople will fall and invade Pannonia and other tribes."

Gabrielle lolled her head to the side, staring at her consort. "Do you think Anastasia and Ellac know about this empire?"

"I don't know. I don't even know what is going over there." She sat up and crossed her legs. "If we leave in the next few days, we can make it to Syria in a month's time. It will be a long journey from here and once we make it there and find out what is going on then I can write Anastasia."

"To inform her of the new rising empire," Gabrielle finished Xena's thoughts. "Assuming that she doesn't already know about it."

Xena had no reason to doubt her daughter. Anastasia was very smart and she knew the area very well. She also had a power that most, if not all, the Hun people didn't have. She could read and write in Latin and Greek. The population could barely even write a single word of their mother tongue, yet she was skilled in three languages. She was also a lot more diplomatic than Ellac could ever be. Xena couldn't help but doubt the son of Attila. He was not a good king when he was younger and everyone knew it. Surely, he would have learned better by now, she hoped.

"We need to make a convincing explanation for our sudden departure. We should wait here a few days and coax the sheikh."

Gabrielle nodded. "We could tell him that we are on a tight schedule and must return to Rome. It wouldn't matter if he gave us the go ahead for sealing the khat deal with Rome or not. We aren't heading there anyway."

Xena smiled. "Good point, Gabrielle. You're always good at talking to others. A skill that I never had."

"You've seemed to handle yourself pretty well over the years," the blonde teased. "And what is with you and your no killing spree lately?"

"A spree that is soon to broken once we get out of this hell hole," Xena chuckled and nudged her lover's arm in a playful manner.

"Oh good, I thought I was losing you for a minute there." She giggled.

Anastasia, Ellac and Ernak had been in the conference room for many hours, deciding what their next move was going to be for the Persian Empire. Ernak sat idly on the floor listening to his brother and queen bicker back and forth. He realized that the two were obviously heated about other things besides war and ruling an entire nation. They couldn't decide on anything, not on even how to parent their son. The constant disputes between the two was beginning to become very apparent among the other Huns outside the Adame walls.

"When Dengi returns from Balaam then we will have the go ahead to ally with Navaz," Ana said.

Ellac grimaced and tapped his fingers on his knees. He glared at his queen and retorted, "and you are so sure that your former husband is going to ally with us?"

"This is not personal, Ellac. Navaz and I have been separated for a long time now. He is still my friend and he will no doubt, side with us against the Sassan family." Though she said this to her king, her childhood friend, her teenage romance and now her husband, she felt animosity from him. He was angry about Navaz, or was he? He must be angry about something else.

Ernak felt the tension in the room between the two and placed his finger on the map that spread out across the floor. "Say that Navaz does not ally with us. What do we do then?"

Anastasia turned to Ellac's little brother, "then we will attack Persia alone. Anastasius is sending us his finest men. But I know for a fact that Navaz will be our ally. He has been wanting to war with the Persians."

The king grumbled under his breath and she snapped her head around. "Something you want to add, Ellac?"

"Yes," he began, "I make the decisions here, not you. You are the commander of the military yes, and you are the queen of our people, but I have final say."

She furrowed her eyebrows and gripped her pants tightly, trying to suppress her anger. "Get off your high horse, Ellac. You appointed me as commander and asked me to marry you –"

"Which you still refuse to do because your mother is not here," he interrupted.

She smirked, "what is the sudden hatred towards my mother all of a sudden? She is not even here! I am the commander now, she isn't and you can't accept taking orders from me." She rose off the floor. "You can't stand it that I have better judgment than you when it comes to strategy and war games. You are jealous, Ellac. You never thought that I would be good at this, did you? You expected me to fall and succumb to your horrible decision-making!" she stormed off.

His eyes widened and he jumped up. "I'm denouncing you as commander!" he yelled.

She stopped before reaching the doors and slowly turned on her heel. "You can't do that. I'm the queen." She smirked then pushed open the doors, marching off.

Ernak rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply. "Brother," he pushed on his knees to stand slowly. "You must stop this. You two cannot agree on anything and everyone knows it."

Ellac's nostrils flared and he grabbed his brother's robes. "Maybe we could agree on something if she would listen to me!"

"You are so arrogant, brother." Ernak slapped the king's arm. "This is the woman whom you claimed to love. You have a son together." He saw the fire in his brother's eyes and it reminded him of their father when he was fueled with rage and fury. "She was very upset when she thought you were dead. She didn't want to be with anyone else but you!" he shoved his older brother.

"And suddenly she angers you each time she enters the room," Ernak spat and shoved Ellac again."Father never had a problem when Xena was his commander."

Ellac was tempted to push his brother back but instead he checked himself and backed away. "Father was never married to Xena." He said and saw the shock in his little brother's eyes. "Anastasia has a child with another man, Ernak. That is embarrassing for me as a king."

The brother scoffed. "You were dead!" he yelled and threw his hands in the air. "You cannot blame Arielle for your anger, Ellac."

"I do not blame an innocent girl for Anastasia's marriage with Navaz." Ellac folded his arms in defiance.

"You just did."

Outside in the stables, Anastasia was ordering the Bulgur servants to tend to her horse. She was expecting Dengizich to return from Balaam in a few days with good news she hoped. She watched the servants brushing her horse and polishing the saddle. Her eyes lifted and saw Ellac's elder half brother, Ebnedzar leaning on the wooden beams of the stable.

He waved a letter in his hand. "A message from Constantinople," he smirked and she extended her hand. He waltzed over to her and she snatched the letter from him. "I should let you know that my son and Csaba are sparring together in the fields."

She frowned and looked into his charming eyes. "Is that right?"

Ebnedzar nodded and wandered around the stable while she read the letter. "Don't worry. I have a few of your men watching them like a hawk as promised," he said and she hummed, ignoring him.

Folding up the letter she stuck it in her bodice and noticed Ebnedzar watching her intently and she cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"I hear that you are having problems with my brother."

"My relationship with Ellac is none of your concern," she walked out the stable and he grabbed her arm. She hissed, "take your hand off me!"

He did not obey her command and stepped closer to her so the servants could not pry. "Your strained relationship with my brother has not gone unnoticed by the people," he whispered. "They will suspect that their leaders are not capable to rule this nation together. I suggest that you and Ellac remain civil in front of the masses, Anastasia." He let go of her arm and she lifted her chin.

"If you touch me again I will cut off your hand." She threatened and left the stable quickly. Ebnedzar shook his head at her insolence and stubbornness.

While in Arabia, a couple of days passed and Xena grew tired of waiting idly in the sheikh's wife's tent. She wanted to go to Syria and find out about the Byzantine Empire and she sure couldn't do it here in thi desert land. She felt like she was on another planet in this place. It was far different in so many ways compared to life back in the Greco-Roman world.

Tiring of the sheikh's continual dismissal of their meetings, she and Gabrielle left the tent and head straight for the man's tent on the other side of the camp. Xena saw a lot of guards surrounding them from behind, off to the sides and in front of them as well.

Gabrielle's eyes darted back and forth nervously. "We're being watched," she whispered.

"So it seems we are..." Xena muttered. They approached the sheikh's tent and they were met with guards blocking the entryway. "I want to speak with your tribe leader."

The guards stared her down and Gabrielle folded her arms, glaring at the two men. One of the men spoke loudly, "he is busy at the moment."

Xena bobbed her head in mockery. "We were supposed to have another negotiation about the khat trades two days ago. We are on a tight schedule and must leave soon. So, please, it would be very beneficial to speak with him before we go." She stepped forward and the guards crossed their swords, preventing her from entering.

The vizier emerged from the tent and whispered in the guard's ear. With a few short nods and whispers, the vizier disappeared in the sheikh's tent once again. The man straightened himself out and eyed the tall woman. "You may enter the tent."

Xena smiled and stepped forward but she was blocked once again. He grinned smugly, "not you," he said and eyed Gabrielle. "The great sheikh wishes to see your blonde woman."

"Why?" Xena snarled.

"It is not my position to challenge my master's decisions. Step aside," he said and Xena reluctantly took a step to the side and looked at Gabrielle's wide eyed face.

Gabrielle stepped into the tent and witnessed the sheikh having a hushed discussion with his vizier. He quickly dismissed the man and now it was just her alone with this man. She had no idea why she was sent in here without Xena, but she remained calm in front of him even though she was dying inside. She was very anxious and could sense his eyes boring into her. He knew something was wrong with her and Xena's presence. It didn't take a genius to figure that out and he didn't trust Xena.

He smiled and gestured for her to sit on the floor with him. "Please, have coffee with me."

She sat down at a fair distance and he scooted the tray of coffee close to her. Hesitantly, she grabbed a cup and poured some coffee for herself. She had no intention of staying long, but she must play along, she continued to remind herself.

"The woman you travel with is not who she says she is," he said as he dropped a sugar cube in his coffee.

She tried to not allow her emotions to show on her face. She learned that Xena kept a blank face during times like this and hopefully she could pull off the same expression as her consort. "What do you mean? We told you where we were from –"

He chuckled, interrupting her, "no, she told me, not you. She must do all the talking for you."

Hardly, she thought. The sheikh went on, "she is very persistent on negotiating the khat trades with me. She will stop at nothing. You must understand that in my culture it is not common for a woman to be so brash and demanding as your...friend."

She thought this was the perfect time to use her skills. Talking until she bored him. She was good at talking just like Xena said. Now is the time for her to shine. "You must forgive her. She doesn't understand your culture but I do. Your culture is valuable and important to you, I understand that. You're right that we are not Romans. We live in Rome but we're from the north."

"The north?" he looked in her eyes questionably.

She nodded while taking a quick sip of the coffee to play into his hands. "We're from Thrace actually. We work for the imperial Roman army of Constantinople. Emperor Anastasius wants us to survey the area for khat."

The sheikh frowned. "You work for Rome's counterpart?"

She smiled. "Yes. We didn't want to tell you because we had to make sure that we wouldn't be killed. We came alone but we have men in northern Arabia waiting for us. We are returning to Constantinople soon and we needed your confirmation that you will still supply Rome with khat. You will have to forgive my friend. She isn't very good at meetings and negotiations."

He gawked at her for a few minutes. She didn't know if her lie was going to sway him or not given by his expression. He seemed uncertain or perhaps he too was putting on a front to confuse her.

He broke out into a smile and wagged his finger. She was relieved to see that he relaxed his hardened face. "You white women are very conniving. Tell me, what if I refuse to continue to supply Rome?"

She shrugged a shoulder. "It will only please Emperor Anastasius. He despises Odoacer and hopes to see Rome fall."

The sheikh was pleased to hear that the Constantinople emperor was so keen on getting rid of the arrogant Odoacer. He sipped his coffee and Gabrielle copied him, continuing to play the game. "Tell me, white woman, if I stop my shipments to Rome, what will you tell your emperor?"

"That our mission was successful," she said with a big smile. "Odoacer is not smart enough or brave enough to send in his troops to Africa. After what happened in Tunis, I'm sure he is cursing himself. Rome has lost a lot of its commerce trades with Africa now that the khat fields are gone in Tunis." She said and he eyed her curiously. "So, what is your decision?"

He rubbed his chin and twirled the coffee with his metal spoon. "I will cease trades with Rome on one condition." He paused and she stiffened. Maybe her plan and lie didn't work after all? She thought the worst was about to happen. "Allow me to control the taxes on the khat in my own land. I do not want Romans in my country. The Byzantines have already conquered Arabia's coastal cities near the Red Sea."

Is that all? "I will see what I can do." She gave him a reassuring smile and stood. "Thank you for your time. My friend and I will be leaving as soon as possible. Forgive us for lying to you at first. We needed to be sure we could trust you..."

"Of course," he bowed his head. "Tell Emperor Anastasius that Sheikh Mosa sends his regards."

Gabrielle smiled briefly then exited the tent. She grabbed Xena's arm and hurried out of the area. The guards were no longer following them and for that she was glad. Xena felt the anxiousness from Gabrielle and felt her hand trembling.

"What happened back there?" asked the brunette.

"We need to leave. I just lied to him," Gabrielle whispered. She was suddenly understanding why Xena could be so paranoid at times. Negotiating was difficult but it was even more difficult when your entire story was a fabrication. "I told him that we work for Anastasius and convinced him to stop sending khat to Rome."

"Gabrielle!" Xena halted. "You are a genius," she smiled and the blonde grabbed her hand, pulling her along. "How did you manage that?"

"When I figure that out I'll let you know. For now, let's focus on getting to Syria before he sends people after us." Gabrielle ran to their horse and climbed aboard. She pat the saddle. "Are you coming or what?" she breathed heavily.

Xena smirked and mounted the horse.

Kreka walked outside and witnessed a heated conversation between her son, Dengizich, and Anastasia near the horses. The soldiers were rounded up and were to ride to Persia to meet with Navaz and the White Hun army. The khatun was not sure if it was a wise idea to war with the vast Persian Empire, but Anastasia saw gain in the land. She wanted it all to belong to her and Ellac. She wanted to create a new Hun Empire, far larger than Attila could achieve and the only way to do that was to eradicate the Sassan family. Navaz of course, loathed the Persians and had no problem allying with his Hun brothers to engage in a huge war. Kreka knew this war would last a long time. Weeks, months and even years.

Dengizich ceased conversation with Ana and that gave her the opportunity to approach them. He saw her coming their way and smiled warmly. He grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles gently. "Mother," he greeted. Kreka smiled at her son and eyed Anastasia whom was a spitting image of Xena. Those eyes. Filled with rage and spontaneous agenda. "How is Leila?"

"She's inside with Arielle and Erzibet. I have taken good care of her don't worry," she reassured him and he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sure she would be very happy to see you after your long absence." She hinted and he nodded. He leaned down and kissed her cheek then awkwardly walked away, feeling Ana's eyes burning into his backside.

Now it was the commander and khatun alone together in the field, surrounded by hundreds of men on horseback. Everyone was rushing around to fill the wagons with weapons and food. Even though there was chaos around the two women, it was as if time stood still.

"Anastasia," she said and stepped closer to the young queen. "I see you are strengthening your advances against Persia. You are leaving earlier than expected."

Ana lifted her chin and crossed her arms. "Yes, well, I had to change my plans. I received a letter from Anastasius' General of Constantinople. He wishes to meet in between Hun territory and Roman territory. Navaz is expecting us at the borders of Persia within a few weeks."

Kreka nodded. "I see. You are irritated by the change I can tell." She said and saw the queen's eyes darted back and forth watching her army gather supplies and horses. "I noticed Ellac is not accompanying you."

"No, he is not," the blue eyed queen spoke in a bitter tone. "I told him to man the kingdom and remain here. I know he is not happy about this decision but I am more fit to lead this army in battle."

"I am going to speak to you as a mother right now, Anastasia, not as your superior," the khatun began and already she saw the hostility in the queen's eyes. "You need to stop undermining Ellac's authority as king. You two are beginning to build a hatred for each other. One moment you cannot leave his bed and the next you are arguing like enemies. You are supposed to work together and if you continue to demean one another, this kingdom will fall."

Ana smirked. "Bold words, Kreka. Coming from someone who left all the commanding to my mother while you stayed in the Adame your entire married life. You denounced your warrior title and became a dutiful wife and mother. I don't plan to be like you."

Kreka frowned and raised an eyebrow. Clearly, the daughter of Xena had grown arrogant and too proud for her own good. Surely, this empire will fall before it established itself. "That was my choice and my choice alone. Attila had nothing to do with it. He was going to strip Xena of her military duties and give them to me after I had my sons. I declined the offer because I knew that your mother was a better commander than I would have been. I also knew that if I became my husband's commander that our marriage would sour and wither away."

Anastasia lowered her eyes and uncrossed her arms. Kreka continued, "just as your marriage is."

"We are not officially married." Ana retorted bitterly.

"And that is your fault, Anastasia. You are constantly looking for your mother's approval and she knew this was a bad idea from the start." Kreka cupped the queen's face in her palms and smiled warmly. "You never liked to listen to your mother, even as a little girl, but she is usually right. She is older than you and wiser than you, tatli kiz. She's been in your position for many years and you've just begun. Do not let your pride get in the way of your love for Ellac. When you start listening to each other then, and only then, will your marriage and this kingdom be saved."

Anastasia understood the khatun's concern and even without her own mother here by her side, she listened and respected Kreka as her own mother sometimes. She had a cold exterior and was very hardheaded but everyone revered her as the leading authority. The wife of Attila, she still was and she was the queen mother of Pannonia. Her word was not to be ignored by anyone.

"But...I already have my army ready. We are leaving today. I can't just change the course of action now," she said with a sad frown.

"Let Ernak man the kingdom and let Ellac come with you," Kreka suggested. "Ernak is capable of taking care of Pannonia and I will be here."

Anastasia smiled faintly and nodded. "Alright, fine." She sighed and leered over at the looming Adame. Ellac was probably in his room, sulking or furious at her. She almost didn't want to face his wrath but Kreka pushed her forward. She scowled at the khatun.

"Go on, tatli kiz," the khatun urged and Ana inhaled deeply then marched to the Adame. "Foolish girl," she muttered under her breath. One of the soldiers bumped into her and she snarled.

"Kreka Khatun, my apologies!" the young soldier bowed his head and she rolled her eyes.

She waved her hand dismissively. "Be careful where you step, you goat," she said and he nodded then ran off with his stack of weapons.

The two warrior women trotted into Damascus, Syria and there were men wearing red and bronzed armor walking around. This place screamed of Romans and this confused both Xena and Gabrielle. They expected to see something different when they heard about these Byzantines but there just a horde of Romans in the streets. Aside from the reds in this large city, everything seemed to be normal and nothing out of the ordinary.

Gabrielle hopped off the horse and the smells of regular foods invaded her nostrils. She couldn't believe that she could ever complain about goat, lamb, stews and rice in the past. She was obviously spoiled by the abundance of food in Pannonia and even though there was not much variety, it still tasted good but it got boring over time. She would never think about that again after living in the desert for months.

She walked over to a young Syrian teenager piling leg of lamb over a mountain of hot rice. Xena pulled on the horse's reins and smirked, seeing Gabrielle's mouth salivating. "Can we finally eat some normal food?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena smiled and tapped on the table. The boy lifted his head and set the hot pan down on the empty table next to him. "What currency do you take here?"

"Roman pounds," he answered with a big smile.

Gabrielle frowned sadly. "You exchanged all of our money back in Maghreb didn't you?"

Xena pulled out some dinars that were commonly used throughout Hunnic tribes and Roman territories. She dropped the coins on the table. "This is all I have. I don't have any pounds."

The boy picked up a dinar and examined it. He briefly eyed the tall woman and her short companion. "You are a Hun woman?" he asked and she nodded. He pushed the remainder of the change back to her and shook his head. "I can't accept your coin, kadin."

She grimaced. "Why ever not? Dinars are used all across the Steppes and I know for a fact that Syria uses dinar currency."

He looked into her eyes fearfully and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sorry, kadin. Syria no longer accepts dinars. Only Roman pounds." He nudged his head to the Roman guards roaming the streets. "I would stay away from the reds if I were you," he whispered and she whipped her head around, glaring at the Roman soldiers. "They don't like Huns. They jailed over thirty Huns this past month."

Gabrielle frowned and felt something was wrong here. "Who do these Romans belong to? Emperor Odoacer?"

The boy cocked his head on confusion. "No, kadin, Emperor Anastasius ordered that Huns be imprisoned."

"Anastasius?" Gabrielle looked up at her consort. "Xena, we have been gone too long. Something must have happened."

"He would never betray us. This isn't right. Nobody just goes back on their word and we were the ones who helped him claim the throne," Xena said.

The Syrian teen tried not to eavesdrop on their conversation. He scooped some of the rice and lamb into a bowl. "Here," he extended his arm with a big smile.

"We don't have the money to pay you," Gabrielle said and he shoved the bowl into her chest. She gasped and held the bowl of food.

"I have no quarrels with you people. Huns are my friends," he smiled and Gabrielle grinned back at him. They thanked him then went on their way, walking down the busy streets of Damascus.

They found a place to sit outside, surrounded by several men also eating, drinking and talking among themselves. Gabrielle scooped the rice into her mouth with her fingers. She saw Xena was surveying the area and she couldn't take her eyes off the Romans. "Aren't you going to eat some?" she asked.

Xena shook her head. "No, you go ahead, Gabrielle. I'm not very hungry." Across the street, she saw a man being thrown out of a tavern. Romans surrounded him and he tried to get to his feet as quickly as he could. She stood up and pulled out her sword. The man on the ground was pushed down by a tall Roman brute. Xena marched over to the troubled man and Gabrielle was about to get up and interfere but she opted to stay behind and watch her warrior get into someone else's business. It could be amusing.

She came in between the victim and Roman soldier. "What are you doing? This man has done nothing to you!"

The Roman scoffed, "you have no business being here, woman!" he tried to shove her aside and she smacked him with the dull edge of her saber. His eyes widened and he drew out his own sword. "Are you a Hun sympathizer? This man is a Hun and he shouldn't be here!"

"By whose orders?" she hissed.

"By General Justinian! Now, stand aside so I can do what needs to be done!" he growled.

"No! You will not lay a hand on this man!" she grabbed the Hun man's arm and stood in front of him for his protection. "You touch him, you die. You understand?"

He chuckled, "so you are a Hun sympathizer."

"The Huns are friends with Emperor Anastasius. You are following the wrong orders, Roman. Back down now or face the consequences." She warned and the Hun man gripped her arm tightly.

"Xena...don't," the man whispered in her ear.

Her eyes grew in shock, recognizing that voice. It had been a long time since she saw this man and was surprised to find him in Syria. Whatever was going on here wasn't good and she saw more Romans heading her way. "Go with Gabrielle. Get on the horse. We're leaving," she whispered back.

He nodded then ran away to find Gabrielle and said horse. She smiled at the Romans. "Now, boys, let's not make this difficult. Either you fight me and lose or you walk away."

"You are nobody to us!" The Roman laughed. "It makes no difference if I kill you or not."

"Don't be too sure of that, Roman. I am very good friends with your emperor and I'll make sure he hears about this." She backed away slowly. "Gabrielle!" she called out. "Get out of here!"

Gabrielle frowned and held onto the reins. "I'm not leaving without you!"

Xena grunted and looked at a pile of barrels. She swung her sword and sliced through the ropes that held the barrels together. The pile of barrels came tumbling down and blockaded the Romans near the tavern. She smiled then took off running. Mounting her horse with Gabrielle and the Hun man, she kicked the horse and rode off.

"Get her!" the Roman shouted as he pried a barrel off of his chest. The lesser soldiers took off running to grab their horses and follow them.

Riding into the fields outside of Damascus, Xena halted the horse and didn't see any Romans following them. "Looks like we lost them," she concluded and then the Hun man fell off the horse. She rushed over and saw blood seeping out from his side. "You're wounded," she said and he breathed heavily.

Gabrielle ripped off a piece of her tunic and hopped off the horse. She hurried over and Xena grabbed the fabric then wrapped it around the man's ribcage. Curiously, Gabrielle took the hood off the man's face and cocked her head. "I know you..." she said and he smiled faintly.

"Peticus," Xena said his name, "Kreka's older brother." She tied the fabric tightly and aided him to his feet. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, thanking her silently. "What are you doing in Syria? You're a long way from home."

He gripped onto her tightly and Gabrielle supported him from the opposite side. They walked over to a tree and gently, set him down to sit. Xena knelt down and saw blood continue to pour from his wound. "I..." he tried to speak but the more he breathed, the more pain he experienced. He held his wound and winced. "I received...a letter from your daughter," he said and Xena frowned at that. "She...is going to war against Persia. Shah Hormizd ordered all of my people to be sent to Syrian camps. I escaped. I came to free my people and travel to Pannonia to warn...warn them all."

Xena held Peticus as he was beginning to slump down against the tree trunk. "Warn them about what?"

"Persia...allied with Odoacer. Romans are waiting for them...I know the attack will be soon. I must warn my sister," he pleaded and grabbed Xena's hand.

Her eyes filled with tears and she smiled softly. "I will go to Pannonia and tell Kreka."

Gabrielle eyed the brunette. "Why can't he come with us?"

"He's too wounded, Gabrielle. He'll never make it."

"We can't leave him here to die," Gabrielle protested. "Where's the next city? We can go there and help him."

Xena sighed and slapped Peticus' cheek lightly. "Do you know the next closest city?" she asked.

He nodded. "Qutayfah..." he answered softly. Xena grunted and pulled him up, dragging him over to the horse. "Xena, please. Just leave me. I will be...a burden to you."

"I can't leave you here to die, Gabrielle is right. Kreka will kill me if I allow her brother to die." She lifted him up on the horse with Gabrielle's help. "Alright," she sighed deeply. "Which way?"

"West..." he said breathlessly and Gabrielle climbed abroad, sitting behind Peticus. They trotted in the grassy fields slowly. He smiled and leaned against Xena's backside. "I...didn't know your daughter was a commander."

Xena snarled. "It was her decision, not mine."

"I'm sure she is a beautiful young woman now," he noted.

Hearing someone else call her daughter a woman felt foreign to her. All this time she still thought of her daughter as a little girl and the reality was that Anastasia was not a girl, not anymore. She was indeed a woman now and Xena forgot that until now. Gabrielle was right when she still treated her daughter like a child. Ana was not a child and had left her childhood behind long ago, especially when Csaba was born. She grew up quickly and became a mother at a very young age. And a very good mother she became, Xena smiled softly at that. She had finally realized that she needed to treat her daughter like an adult that she was and not a child anymore. Perhaps, she could have a more normal relationship with Ana. Normal, she thought.

"Yes, she is," she said softly.

A few hours later they arrived in the small city of Qutayfah. This place wasn't swarming with Romans luckily and everything seemed normal here. Gabrielle was able to find a healer in the center of the city and there they stayed inside the healer's home as Peticus' wound was being tended to.

Gabrielle and Xena waited in the foyer of the man's home and sat in silence for awhile. Finally, the blonde spoke, "so, Anastasia is attacking Persia."

"It seems so," Xena said. "She is going against the deal I made with Peroz."

"You knew he was never going to keep that deal. I'm surprised he lasted this long. He allied with Odoacer and Anastasia probably has no idea." She ran her fingers through her hair and exhaled heavily. "Why would she attack Persia? What does that empire have that Pannonia doesn't?"

Xena smirked. "She wants land, Gabrielle. She is a queen and she is marking her territory. She is going to make Persia her bitch," she said tersely and her partner's eyes widened. "Toppling the Sassan family isn't going to be easy. It will take awhile."

"How long do you think?"

The warrior sighed. "Years, probably. I sure hope she knows what she is doing. She picked a big area to conquer for a first-time commander. I hope she doesn't go into Persia full force or...get hurt." She frowned sadly and her head hung lowly.

Gabrielle scooted closer to her warrior and leaned her head on her shoulder. "You know, mama birds push their young out of their nest, trusting them that will learn how to use their wings and fly." She said and Xena lifted her head and cocked an eyebrow. "They figure it out eventually before they hit the ground. Their instincts kick in. Anastasia is smart. She'll figure out what to do and you have to trust her."

The elderly Syrian healer came to the foyer and interrupted their conversation. "Your friend will be alright," he said and the two stood up immediately. "I gave him some medicine for the pain."

"Can we see him?" Gabrielle asked.

He nodded. "Of course you may," he wiped his hands on the apron he wore.

Xena looked at the man apologetically and said, "I...don't have any money to pay you. I have dinars and I found out that only pounds are accepted here."

The healer smiled. "Dinars are accepted here, kadin." He said and her eyes widened. "Huns are my brothers. I love them dearly and I hope that your people will free us from the Persians and Romans. God willing," he raised his hands to the heavens above.

She pulled out the small pouch of dinars she had. "This is all I have." She handed the pouch to him and he gave her a curt nod. "Thank you," she said then brushed by him to go see how Peticus was fairing.

Peticus sat on the bed and put on the bloodied tunic he wore earlier. He slipped his feet into his boots and Xena barged in with Gabrielle. "What are you doing? You need to rest!" Gabrielle chided.

He smiled. "I am coming with you," he persisted to get dressed and Xena folded her arms. "I want to see my sister. I miss her dearly and have not seen her for many years." He grunted as he bent over, tying the laces. "What are you two doing in Syria anyway?"

Xena and Gabrielle shared a knowing look with each other. "It's a long story..." Xena answered. "We left Pannonia six months ago."

He lifted his head and finished tying his boots. He grabbed his coat and slung it over his shoulder. With a big smile he said, "well I'm sure you can tell me all about it on our way to Pannonia. We'll be together for weeks." He walked to the exit and the two women looked at him confusedly. "Are you two coming? Time is of the essence!"

A week after leaving Pannonia, the army was lead to a neutral territory in between the Hun nation and Persian Empire. Only a few more days until the barren wasteland in between the empires and the meeting with General Justinian would occur. Ellac accompanied Anastasia after nearly an hour of convincing. He was not happy to be riding alongside his queen and everyone could feel their tension.

In order to conserve the tents, the king and queen opted to share a tent together instead of sleeping apart. Though, the two realized there would be no sleeping during this journey. A harsh rain storm blessed the barren flat planes outside of the Hun nation. These sudden storms were not uncommon during the spring season but they certainly were not welcome while traveling with a large army.

Ellac took off his silver armor pauldrons and tossed his thick furs aside. He looked over his shoulder and saw Anastasia undressing herself of her armor as well. The two remained in the tent no more than half an hour and they wouldn't say a word to each other. The only time they spoke was to give directions to the army and that was it.

Anastasia turned around, free of her corset and armor. She looked into Ellac's eyes and they stared at each other for a few silent moments. Thunder roared in the skies and the howling wind outside was the only thing that could be heard. The tent gently swayed as they continued to gape in each other's eyes.

He peered down at the assortment of blankets and animal furs on the floor. "You can sleep here," he said. "I will sleep over there," he pointed to the far side of the tent. She said nothing and walked beside him and sat on the blankets by herself. He grabbed an animal hide and blanket then made his way over to the far side of the tent.

She lay down on the blankets and he did the same. Their backs were turned away from each other. Anastasia clenched the fur in between her fingers and slowly, rolled over, staring at Ellac's backside. She hated to be at odds with him and it was probably the worst feeling in the world. She never experienced this in her entire life being around him. She did remember when they had a fight together when they were both teenagers and Csaba was almost two. The argument was so ludicrous that she couldn't remember what it was about but she did remember that they didn't speak for three days. It was the worst three days of her life.

The moment she saw Ellac again after many years of thinking he was dead, was painful and exhilarating at once. She could hardly seem to keep him away from her and now, they were much happier when they were apart. She would share his bed many times throughout the month but words were never shared in bed. It didn't use to be like that. Her life was different now and she feared that Ellac was distancing himself from her on purpose. He might even find another woman to lay with if she didn't talk to him and settle their differences. Work together like Kreka said, she reminded herself.

"Ellac," she finally got the courage to speak.

He didn't roll over to meet her face to face but he did respond. "What is it?" he said gruffly.

"I love you and never stopped loving you when I thought you were dead," she said and he adjusted the blanket on his shoulder. She sighed lightly. "I didn't want to marry Navaz because I couldn't stop thinking about you. I felt like I was betraying you. I didn't know what to do. I thought I lost everyone important to me. My mother, you, Gabrielle..." her eyes swelled with tears just thinking about it. "I forced myself to marry Navaz for a political alliance between his people and ours."

She was expecting a response but he remained quiet. So she continued, "I didn't get close to him at all until a year after our wedding. A few months before I had Arielle, we were able to grow closer and I thought that I loved him, and I guess I did." She heard him exhale deeply.

"I don't want to hear about your former husband, Anastasia," he said while his back was still turned away from her.

"Let me finish," she said firmly and he became quiet once again. "I didn't love him as a wife would her husband but as a friend. He will always be in my life because of our daughter but I never loved him the way I loved you. Perhaps we...I, didn't give us enough time to get to know each other again. Perhaps we didn't allow everything to sink in and we moved too fast. Perhaps I pushed you too hard and I'm...sorry."

Ellac sat up and turned to see his teary eyed queen staring at him. He frowned sadly and looked at her solemn face. He never liked it when she cried and hardly saw her shed a tear since they met again over this last year. She had grown too hard and her soft heart was gone. She wasn't the sweet Ana that he grew to love as a teenager. No, she was a woman now and he didn't get a chance to get used to that yet.

"You are a changed woman, Ana," he said softly and her gaze lowered. "I have always loved you and I still do but we are not sixteen anymore. We are two different people now. Life would have been different if I stayed in Pannonia, but the fact is that we spent a lot of time apart."

She lifted her eyes, tears blurring her vision. "What are you saying? That you don't want to be with me anymore?"

He smiled and crawled over to her. He wiped her tear stained cheeks with his thumb. "If I didn't want to be with you I would have found another woman," he jested and saw a faint smile on her lips. "I think we should start over so we can rediscover ourselves."

She sat up and stared into his promising eyes. "Alright." She wiped her eyes and he cupped her cheeks and kissed her forehead.

"So, Anastasia, would you like to court me?" he smiled smugly and she punched his shoulder lightly. "This is a serious question!"

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Yes, Ellac." She played along and she leaned in to kiss him and he pushed her away. She gasped and frowned.

"No kissing during courtship," he teased.

"Ellac!"

"I don't make the rules," he winked and she groaned. He was about to leave and she grabbed his hand. He scooted closer to her and she mischievously looked into his eyes. He wrapped his arm around her slender waist and then heard a whistling sound from outside. "What is that noise?"

BOOM.

Screaming soldiers. The field filled with the stench of burning grass. Swords clashing. Horse hooves stampeding across the camp. Loud explosions from afar.

Anastasia's eyes fluttered open and rain poured onto her face. Sounds muffled around her caused confusion. Once she stared at the tent ceiling moments ago, or minutes ago, she didn't know. Now she lay on the grass, staring up at the midnight sky. Her heart raced as she lay still as stone unable to move. Her arm reached out to the side and searched for her sword, but she couldn't find it.

Slowly, she lifted her head and then the upper half of her body. The tent was yards away from her and she was in the middle of the field. Fighting, her entire army was scattered across the field, fighting. Her head rattled from the explosion and she moaned. Her eyes traveled down to her injured bloody leg. Her shoulder out of place. She tried to stand and fell down into the mud.

She crawled in the mud, trying to get back to the destroyed tent to find her sword. She searched around for Ellac but he wasn't anywhere near her. Grunting, she dug her fingers into the mud and drug her body across the field. The tent was not far, but far enough.

A horseman came riding towards her and she knew it wasn't one of her men. Her vision blurred in the rainstorm and she shook her head, trying to make out who the rider was. Red cape, bronze armor. Roman, of course, she noted. Still, she persevered and continued dragging herself across the mud determined to get to the tent before the Roman could get to her. No matter how fast she crawled, the further the tent seemed.

The Roman skid to a stop a foot in front of Anastasia. She reached forward and saw a large black horse hoof. She lifted her muddied face and glared at the Roman. He smiled. "Hun Queen. You remember me don't you?"

"Y...es."

"General Basilius of Rome. Odoacer misses you greatly," he smiled wickedly and she snarled. "I see you have spread your legs for the Pannonian king, son of Attila. What a busy woman you have been. Jumping from one king to another. You must be known all around the Hun Empire. Isn't that right, your highness?"

"Burn in hell, Roman swine," She tried to stand and he kicked her down into the mud. She groaned and steadied her hands in the mud and struggled to rise again.

"You don't give up do you?" he smirked and watched her arms shake as she tried to lift her wounded body out of the mud. "I admire your strength." He jumped off the horse and stomped his boot on her spine. She cried out in agony and breathed heavily as her face sank in the mud. "Can't feel your legs huh?" he chuckled and stomped onto her back again and she winced, biting her tongue to hide the excruciating pain.

"You will be worthless as a queen to your people if you have a broken spine." He smiled and dug his heel into the center of her spine. Her fingers clenched tightly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of screaming. He frowned once he saw her arm extend outward slowly so she could escape. "Hun cunt!" he hissed and grabbed her hair, rearing her head back and bending her spine forcibly.

Ellac woke up and looked around, searching for Anastasia. He saw his men fighting Romans but these were the Romans of Anastasius. These were Odoacer's men given by their armor and crest on their shields. He groaned and realized his arm was broken from the explosion earlier. He heard someone yelling from afar. Quickly, he stood up as fast as he could. He saw a Roman over Anastasia and he had a handful of her hair in his hand. He whipped out his sword and marched over to the Roman.

"Unhand her," Ellac spoke firmly but calmly.

Basilius turned around and saw the Hun king. He smiled and threw Anastasia back into the mud. He twirled his sword and cocked his head. "I heard that the son of Attila came back from the dead. Didn't believe it myself until now."

"Surprise," Ellac smiled and looked over at Anastasia. She was laying in the mud and could barely move. "Are you going to fight me or stand there, Roman?"

"I shall kill two birds with one stone tonight then. Odoacer will be very pleased."

Ellac furrowed his eyebrows and steadied himself in the mud. "You won't be reporting back to your emperor." He enticed Basilius to come and attack.

Just as the Roman general was about to attack, a slew of arrows rained down upon him. He was struck in the arm and groaned loudly. He spun around and saw the Huns shooting at him from afar. Ellac used this opportunity to charge at the Roman and tackle him to the ground. Basilius gasped and tossed the Hun king over his shoulder.

Ellac grunted and rose off the ground then thrust his sword into the general's armor. He drove the sword as deep as the armor would allow him. Basilius smiled and grabbed the Hun's sword and took it out of his wound slowly. Ellac's eyes widened. The sound of the sword against the armor was ear piercing and there was hardly any blood at all.

The Hun soldiers invaded the field and surrounded Basilius with swords and javelins. "Go, your highness!" one of the men said. Ellac backed away slowly and smiled at the General.

He ran to Anastasia and lifted her out of the mud and wiped her dirty face and wet hair that stuck to her face. He saw her leg and blood dripping off her clothes. He cursed himself and his broken arm. He grabbed her arm and drug her across the field and called for help.

He dropped to his knees and looked at her face. The rain cleaned off the dirt from her serene unconscious face and he held her close to his chest. He placed his hand over her heart and smiled, knowing she was still alive.

"I'm sorry," he said and ran his hand over her head.

And stay tuned for part II.