The dark haired Amazon caught sight of her prey; sitting despondently on a fallen log gazing at the ground. She looked down at her feet, willing them to move forward.
"I won't bite Solari," said her prey without looking up. The scout moved forward until she was standing in front of the leather clad warrior. She finally looked up and smiled.
"Xena I'm sorry. I didn't ask for this. I know how proud you were of being the Queen's champion."
Xena gave a hollow laugh. "I always thought of myself as Gabrielle's champion really. She just happened to be the Queen."
"That won't change. You'll always be her champion." Solari glanced at the warrior who appeared to be in a reflective mood.
After an uncomfortable silence Xena spoke. "Is Ephiny speaking to Aella yet?"
"I don't think so."
There was another pause. "Who's with-"
"Pony. Right by her side. And Ephiny hasn't moved from her other side. I see the bandages are off."
Xena lifted her hand up. "Almost as good as new."
"Great," said Solari. There was a pregnant pause. "I'd better get back."
"Thank Sol. I'll return soon. Don't want to upset our visitors do we?" Xena's tone was sarcastic and her forehead furrowed.
"This'll be a one off, Xena. Gabrielle won't stand for you being excluded from anything any more."
"Maybe," Xena's voice drifted off. "You go Sol. Keep your wits about you."
Solari smiled and ran back to the party. Xena watched her disappear into the forest and then rose from the log and casually flipped onto a high branch. She moved quickly and quietly across the canopy as she had been taught by Cyane until she was at the outer area of the village. She could hear the drums; see the dancing and the young Northern Amazons being encouraged to have a try. As usual her eyes scanned quickly for Gabrielle and she saw her; flanked as Solari described, by Epinon and Ephiny, talking to Alti.
Xena's head dropped as she sighed. This was what she wanted to prevent; Alti from talking at length to Gabrielle. She wondered if it was the shameness that had suggested that Xena, a non Amazon should be barred from the ceremony or was it someone else. There were no shortage of suspects; she still had many enemies.
She watched as Alti bowed reverently to Gabrielle and then cocked her head gently. She turned and spoke to several amazons, Marpe and Aida among them, for several minutes. In that time she was happy to note that Gabrielle had headed back to their hut. Xena was about to go that way when Alti looked directly at her. The shameness gave a cold smile and gently nodded forwards.
Xena inhaled deeply. She watched Alti bid her goodnights and walk alone through the forest. She followed in the canopy, before jumping a few feet in front of the shameness. Alti remained unimpressed.
"Xena," she rasped. "So good to finally get you on your own. What a pity you missed such a wonderful party."
Xena remained impassive. Alti took a couple of steps toward her. Xena avoided her eyes, mindful of Ephiny and Gabrielle's experiences.
"And your little queen. Such a dear. But you always had such good taste." Alti started to circle Xena.
The warrior could feel her anger rise but she concentrated to keep it in check.
Alti smiled her cold smile again. "And carrying a bastard. Yet you still adore her. Even though she loved being rutted by Lindos."
Xena opened and closed her fists and breathed deeply.
"Oh I can feel your anger Xena. That's what made you great. And now it's so mis-directed. What a waste." Alti moved close to Xena. "I hope that you look after this child better than your son." Xena twisted around, her features snarled in rage, barely able to stop herself reaching out and choking the shameness. "But you had no chance did you?" Alti put her hand on the side of Xena's head and Xena's mind was filled with the image of her and Borias asleep together.
Alti entered the tent, silently.
"Son of darkness-- enemy of the land. Come and curse the child that Xena carries within her. Make sure that he never experiences the love of either of his parents. Ha!" The shameness chanted before vanishing.
Xena fell to the floor. Tears were running down her face. "You bitch. You cursed him. You cursed Solon," she spat out.
"And just think there is another child-"
"You stay away from her. STAY AWAY FROM HER." Xena flew at Alti and grabbed her neck and pushed her against a tree. Alti at first cackled, a soulless laugh, and then frowned. Xena recoiled backwards, and stumbled and fell onto the ground.
"I haven't decided whether or not I'll curse the blonde runt and her bastard. I've far more important things to do." She looked down at Xena who was still trying to regain her composure lying on the ground. "I will succeed. I had hoped it would have been with you, but sadly that's not the case." Alti turned and strode off.
Xena put her head in her hands and sobbed. She thought tenderly of Solon and the brief amount of time she had spent with him. And then of Borias. He wasn't her great love but he would have been a devoted father. And because of Alti that was denied him.
She got up and walked quietly along the path. She knew how to sneak into Gabrielle's hut without being spotted, although the mood she was in at present she would have relished a challenge. However there was none and she found herself outside their hut.
Gabrielle had been pacing the floor. She knew she couldn't put off telling Xena what she knew of her heritage any longer. She swallowed nervously as she heard the warrior's footsteps. She walked to the table and picked up a mug, just for something to do. Her hand trembled and the mug shook violently.
Xena entered the hut, her face bowed. "Xena, I need-" but Gabrielle got no further, as Xena's head rose and she saw Xena's swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks. "What is it?" She put the mug down on the table, thoughts of telling Xena what she knew from Iolaus evaporated.
Xena walked forward and embraced the bard, and laid her head on Gabrielle's shoulder and sobbed. Gabrielle didn't say a word only stroked the dark hair. Gradually the sobs stopped and Xena told her what Alti had shown her.
"Oh Xena, I'm so sorry." Gabrielle held the warrior.
"She knew that the light from a child's face would turn me away from her darkness. She couldn't afford that." Xena sniffed.
"But why tell you now?" Asked Gabrielle.
"She's up to something. She's admitted that."
"Come to bed, Xena." The bard ran her fingers through the warrior's dark hair. "Let me take your pain. Let me love you."
Xena looked at her tenderly, and lowered her lips onto Gabrielle's.
"Is it true?" Asked the young Amazon.
Xena nodded.
"You killed them all. All the elders, the leaders, the great Cyane?"
Xena nodded again. "I can never take back what I have done. But if you allow me, I can help you. Train you in Amazon customs."
"You're not even an Amazon," sneered one youngster.
"No but Xena has learnt a great deal from the amazons she has met. Especially the queens." Everyone turned to look at Alti who had entered the dining hut. Xena was standing at the front with Gabrielle, and the Northern Amazons were sitting listening to Xena's story. She had omitted Alti's part in it.
"My dears, you should allow Xena to train you. She is an expert at so many things," she looked at Gabrielle as she spoke. The bard looked away and Xena moved protectively in front of her. "And as she said, they can never return."
There was general muttering between the amazons, and finally one stood up.
"I'm Otere. I'm for learning from Xena. To ensure that never happens again." There were several cheers.
Another girl stood up. "I'm Cyane and I was named for my aunt. We will never forget what you did Xena." The youngster looked the warrior in the eye. "Never."
"Neither will I", said Xena quietly.
The amazons trooped out the hut chatting to each other. Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Xena. "I'm proud of you," she whispered. Xena nodded and kept her eyes fixed on Alti.
As the amazons left Epinon came in. "Gabrielle, I just need-"as she spoke Alti stared at her, and grabbed her shoulder. Epinon gazed at her and within a second the hold was released and Epinon stumbled. Xena was by her side in an instant, but Alti had left.
"You OK?" asked Xena.
"Intense, isn't she?" said Epinon rubbing her head.
"Tell me about it," said Gabrielle, drily. "What can I do for you?"
"Just need to sort out some paperwork."
"I'll leave you to it," said Xena and kissed Gabrielle and left the hut.
Xena took a deep breath as she rounded the corner. Standing waiting were eight Northern Amazons and Alti. She strode up to the group.
"Xena," said the Shameness huskily. "My Amazons have been looking forward to this lesson."
Xena gave the older woman a withering glance and turned to face the youngsters. She recognised Cyane as one of the group and she watched Xena intently.
"We're going tracking," she said. A couple of amazons perked up at this. Cyane merely slumped lower. "The scouts have left tracks and I want you to follow them."
"Boring." Said Cyane. Xena spun around to face her and spoke in a harsh whisper.
"You don't have to stay. If you feel you have nothing to learn from me just leave." She stared into the eyes that reminded her so much of the former Queen. The youngster averted her gaze first, and mumbling she picked up her bag and started to walk with the others from her tribe.
"Look after them please Xena," called Alti as Xena followed behind the small group. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to them." Xena carried on walking, ignoring the cackling laugh from the shameness that followed.
Ephiny ran her hand through her hair impatiently as she waited for Gabrielle to return. The queen entered the hut and sat down at the table. Ephiny walked over and joined her.
"Feel better?" asked Ephiny.
"Much," said Gabrielle with a slight smile. "It's bad enough I have to get up during the night so many times. I can barely drink a cup of water before heading off to-"she stopped and smiled. "Well you know," she added.
Ephiny smiled but it faded quickly from her face. "It is Clonie next." She said quietly.
"Oh." Replied Gabrielle, simply.
Ephiny stood up and went to the door and opened it. Sitting outside was the Healer's apprentice.
She followed Ephiny in and sat down and folded her hands in her lap.
"Clonie, we are a little perturbed. Why do you wish to resign?" Gabrielle leant towards the apprentice and gently touched her arm.
"I am finding it harder to work with Piri," replied Clonie.
"That's not a new one," said Ephiny with a snigger. There was a pause. "But Piri has always spoken so highly of you, the standard of your work and how well you two worked professionally."
"Evidently that was a lie," said Clonie, coolly.
Ephiny and Gabrielle exchanged a glance. "What has been said?" Asked Gabrielle.
Clonie shook her head. "I will not break a confidence. I wish to resign." She looked down into her lap.
Gabrielle got out of her chair and walked around, rubbing her back slightly. "Clonie, will you allow us to investigate?"
There was silence.
"I take that as a no then," said Gabrielle. "Alright. You have three days. I expect you to carry on working with Piri, but if you are unable to resolve your differences in that time, you may resign."
Gabrielle spoke in her no nonsense Queen's tone, and Clonie looked at her stricken for a few moments but then nodded silently.
"Thank you Clonie," said Ephiny and shepherded her out the hut.
"I'm getting tired of this," said Ephiny as she turned back to face Gabrielle. "Petty arguments becoming full blown rows, friends falling out and now this. What is happening?"
Gabrielle shook her head wearily. She echoed Ephiny's sentiments. They had to deal with more disputes than she could ever remember. She had been wrapped up so much in Xena's pain over Solon that she hadn't noticed the darkening of the atmosphere within the village until today.
She looked up and eyed Ephiny curiously. The regent looked at her friend with an odd expression.
"Do I have something on my face?"
"I was just thinking. You are a fine one to talk. Have you spoken to Aella yet?"
Ephiny turned away from Gabrielle.
"OK stupid question because I know you haven't. But you have to forgive her. She didn't know about Alti, what she'd done, what she's capable of."
"She should have trusted me." Ephiny still had her back to Gabrielle.
"Eph, it didn't make a difference. We would have been outvoted even with Aella. She voted what she thought was right. That's what it should be about."
Slowly Ephiny turned around. "I know it's-"The regent caught sight of the guilty look on Gabrielle's face. "What have you done?" she hissed.
Gabrielle's mouth quivered. She got up and walked to the door and opened it. Outside was a very nervous looking Aella, holding a picnic basket. "Invited Aella to lunch."
Ephiny rolled her eyes, and slumped on to her chair. She then looked up to see a still concerned looking Aella frozen to the spot. "Come in Aella."
The Amazon beamed and walked back with Gabrielle and they sat down.
"Sorry, "said Ephiny.
"Me too, "said Aella, and they shared a tender smile.
"Well I think I'll go and grab some lunch of my own," said Gabrielle. She was wearing a self satisfied smirk.
"There's plenty here," said Aella.
"It's ok," said Gabrielle. "I think I might have a lie down too."
"Everything OK," asked Ephiny quickly and got up out of her chair. She walked to Gabrielle and placed a hand on her shoulder and missed the wistful look that Aella gave her.
"Fine, don't fuss. I just fancy a little nap. I might have a little spar later so I could do with conserving my energy." She patted the regent's arm and peered around her and gave Aella a big grin and a wink.
Gabrielle left the hut and looked towards the dining hut. She took a couple of steps towards it but then changed her mind. She changed direction and headed towards her own hut. As she walked along she was joined by Teles.
"Teles," said Gabrielle coolly.
"Gabrielle," replied the Amazon. Gabrielle kept her breathing even. She was unsure what Teles wanted but it wasn't to exchange pleasantries.
"I have to say Alti has really invigorated the village," she said. Gabrielle turned to look at her, and saw the smirk on her face. "She will really change things around." Gabrielle stopped suddenly and looked at Teles.
"If, and I mean if Alti stays, she will have to abide by the rules as will all the Northern Amazons."
"Quite right, Gabrielle. After all there are so many rules, such as challenges to consider," said Teles innocently.
Gabrielle went cold. Was that Alti's game? To challenge for the mask? To gain control of the tribe?
"Of course you being a fine Amazon you know that," continued Teles. "Enjoy your lunch." She bowed her head slightly and walked away. Gabrielle hurried to her hut and entered and closed the door quickly. She leant against the door and breathed heavily. She couldn't allow Alti to gain control. The result would be catastrophic.