Chapter 3

Xena helped out her mother for the rest of day in the tavern. She thought that if she put in a good effort around there she might be more open to her request. She was biding her time for the right moment, silently praying to catch her in a good mood.

The sun had just set well over an hour now and she hoped she wasn't too late to join up at the camp. It was slow at the tavern that night, so she could have easily made it if she left soon. She watched her mother as she made her way around the room. Seeing her go back into the kitchen, she quickly walked back there to get it over with already.

The moment she entered the small room though, she saw that Toris was there and mentally cursed her luck; she certainly didn't want an audience and she knew he wouldn't support her crazy idea. He was as much against her being a warrior as their mother was. As she didn't see any other solution though, she decided to take her chances so she stepped further into the room.

Cyrene looked up at her as she neared.

"Xena…. you have been such a great help today!" she gave her a warm smile as she moved some dirty plates to a back corner, but even engaged in that activity she immediately noticed her daughter's hesitant posture. "Is there something on your mind, dear?"

Xena wasn't sure how she should go about the subject, so she consequently thought that being up front about it might just do the trick. Looking at her mother's inquisitive gaze she jumped right in.

"Well….I heard that Athena was having try outs for her elite warriors and I wanted to know if it was ok with you if I went and tried out." she had the most hopeful look on her face as she stared at her mother. But it faded quickly as she saw the look on her face.

"Xena I thought you had put these silly fantasies of you being a warrior to rest."

Judging by her expression, she couldn't believe they were back on that subject again. "Besides, you don't need to be going off and trying out for some God. There is plenty to do around here."

Xena saw that she was quickly losing the battle. She quickly figured that she should act fast and be as convincing as she could be.

"But mother don't you see? This is my chance to do something with my life. I'm not cut out for this village life." she looked at her with pleading eyes.

"You are far too young to be having these notions in your head." she was getting angry now.

"Too young? Mother I'm 16 and in the spring I'll be 17. I'm not a child anymore." she was hoping to get her to see her point but she knew that look. Her mind was made up and it would be nearly impossible to change it.

"That's enough of that talk. You're not a warrior Xena, you think you are but you're not." She then moved closer and placed a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder. That was the last thing that Xena needed.

"You don't even know how to use a weapon."

Xena started shaking her head. "No I've been practicing with father's sword and I'm really.." but her words where cut short.

"You've been sneaking your father's sword out of the house and been practicing with it?" she said in an accusing tone.

"Xena how many times have I told you not to mess with your father's weapons and gear?"

She had a disappointed look on her face.

"Mother it's not what you think.." but she was interrupted again.

"Not what I think? Xena I've clearly told you not to touch that stuff! You could severely injure yourself so get those warrior fantasies out of your head!"

That being said, she simply backed away from her, shaking her head disapprovingly.

She could tell she was losing this battle and mentioning using her father's sword had not helped her cause.

"Can't you see I'm meant to do so much more?" Xena protested, stubbornly clinging to one last hope.

"More?" she said with shock "Xena there is a lot more you can do around here you don't have to join anything to do that. Besides what about Acacio?"

"Acacio?" she gave her mother a puzzled look. "What does he have to do with this?"

"He is such a fine young man and would make a great husband."

At her mother's observation, Xena just stared back at her with a dumbfounded look on her face.

"You can't be serious?" She just couldn't believe her mother was bringing him up.

"And why not? He's a strong, young man and he likes you. You two could have such a great life together."

In her turn, Cyrene hoped that a miracle would happen and Xena would get to see all that she had in front of her and finally put those silly ideas of hers to rest.

"He's not exactly someone I see myself with." she gave her mother a disgusted look. "You just don't understand that this life is not for me and by joining Athena's warriors I can do so much more."

All that vain talking wasn't working in her favor and she knew there was nothing to change her mother's mind now.

"No Xena. I've already lost a husband to one God, and that only happened because he thought he had to fight for Him and I am not about to lose a daughter to another one because she thinks the life she has now is boring."

She was really upset with her now and she could tell by her hasty gestures that their conversation was over.

"Mothers right Xena. We've been through enough already with father's death. You need to stop these musing and start focusing on what's important."

She turned towards Toris and gave him a steely glare.

"I wasn't asking for your opinion Toris. This is between me and mother." she told him in a clipped tone.

"Don't get angry with your brother Xena." she told her in a stern voice. "This topic will no longer be discussed and I don't want to hear you mention anything else about it."

Xena just shook her head not wanting to accept it. "As for your father's things I see now that keeping them here was a bad decision."

"What are you saying?" Xena had a good idea about what she meant but she wanted to hear her say it.

"I think it's best if I finally get rid of all of it." Xena was taken back a little by her words and knew for certain that she would do exactly that.

"Mother you can't do that." she tried to reason with her but saw there was no changing her mind.

"My mind is made up Xena and first thing tomorrow I will take them to the blacksmith to dispose of."

She was angry at her mother for doing this.

"I think it's best if you turn in for the night." her mother continued, glaring daggers at her.

Xena knew that it wasn't a request but a demand. She stared at her mother for a couple of moments, doing her best to control that anger she was feeling from the whole situation. She shifted her gaze to Toris and saw the slight smirk he had on his face. That only enraged her more.

Not wanting to say something she might regret later, she clenched her jaw and turned to leave. She headed for her bedroom where she decided to contemplate the rest of her options.