Gabrielle stood holding her hands in front of her looking at the floor. The other three sat at the table and waited. And waited.
Gabrielle had her eyes shut. She was breathing deeply composing herself to talk about an incident she had all but forgotten. That she thought she would never have to talk about.
Finally Gabrielle's head rose and she gave a wan smile and then swallowed. "At the camp- I saw-Pony-I mean." She stopped and put her hand to her mouth and looked to the side away from the concerned gazes of the three seated.
After a deep sigh, she turned to face them and blurted out, "Pony and Claudine slept together."
There was silence with only the breathing breaking the silence.
"Claudine told me. Probably to torture me. She liked those little mind games." Gabrielle thought fleetingly of Iolaus' anguish. "She brought Pony to me and kissed in front of me. Showed me 'who was boss of the amazons' she said.
"I promised Pony I wouldn't say anything." Gabrielle glanced away again. "I guess Solari found out somehow."
"Alti?" said Ephiny evenly.
"It must be," said Gabrielle. "We've both said how we felt she can read us like a scroll and see in us. Maybe she does. She's another who likes her mind tricks. That must be her plan, to disrupt the village, poison one against another."
"Poor Sol," said Aella.
"We need to talk to Pony, and Sol. And find out what is going on around here," Gabrielle spoke strongly, trying to push her emotional pain to one side. The amazons needed her and she would not fail them as she had failed Xena.
"I'll go and talk to Solari," said Ephiny.
"Good idea. I don't think she wants anything to do with me," said Gabrielle. "Aella we need to keep to ourselves today. Drilling practice that sort of thing. No hunting or rides. Try and prevent Alti and the Northern Amazons from being around too much."
"Yes my Queen," said Aella and she exited the hut with Ephiny.
"Piri, what happened with Clonie? You always got on so well." Gabrielle looked into the eyes of the healer.
"Someone told Clonie she wasn't my first choice as Apprentice." The healer smiled weakly. "She wasn't but I am so glad the first choice passed. Clonie is the best I have had in years."
"Make it up with her," said Gabrielle, sternly.
"Yes my Queen," said Piri and bowed deferentially and left the hut.
Gabrielle dropped into the chair, suddenly weary from the emotional anguish, lack of sleep and now concern over the village. "Xena I wish you were here," she whispered.
Xena opened her eyes and looked around the forest. It was dawn. She had slept surprising well. She eased herself off the branch that was her bed for the night and started to stretch and twist gently. She had slight aches from the previous day's exertions, but nothing could match the ache in her heart caused by her treatment of Gabrielle. Xena smiled briefly as she thought of her, and set off towards the village.
She ran evenly paced, unlike yesterday when she was more banshee than warrior. Xena kept replaying yesterday's events over and over in her mind, cringing each time she grabbed Gabrielle, yelled and pushed her.
Xena came to a halt suddenly and concentrated on listening. She could hear two voices, arguing. She moved silently through the forest so she could identify them. She sighed when she did and walked quickly to where Ephiny and Solari were standing, only a few feet apart, but still yelling at each other.
"Morning ladies," said Xena. They both turned to look at her and Ephiny gave her a hostile glare before turning back to Solari.
"For Artemis sake, come back to the camp. You need to talk it through," the regent said.
"We did our talking earlier. I've got nothing back there now," retorted Solari.
Xena looked from one to another. "What's happened?" She asked. "Is Pony OK?" she added worriedly.
Solari turned on her. "Don't play cute with me, Xena. You know exactly what's gone on. I'm sure Gabrielle told you."
"Told me what?" asked Xena perplexed.
"Looks like Gabrielle kept you in the dark about something else then," said Solari bitterly.
"What's Gabrielle got to do with it? And what is it?"
"Like you care if Gabrielle is involved," muttered Ephiny. Xena immediately pinned her with a stare.
"I made a mistake, but so did Gabrielle. It's between us." Xena turned back. "NOW. TELL ME."
There was a long pause before Solari answered, not looking at Xena, she said, "Pony slept with Claudine at the camp. Gabrielle knew and never told me."
Xena digested the news.
"Pony was under the influence of the challis. She had no control. She had no memories of you." Xena spoke gently and reached out to grasp Solari's shoulder. Solari shook it off.
"Solari, I know it's hard to take in. I didn't recognise Pony, the Amazons, Iolaus, or Gabrielle." Her voice faltered. "I handed her to Lindos, Sol. I knew what he wanted with her. I gave her up. That's what the challis takes from you. That's its power."
"But, but, how could she?" said Solari. "I thought she loved me."
"She does. The Epinon that slept with Claudine, never even knew a Solari. She would have killed you Sol, and not shed a tear. That wasn't your mate. So don't think she doesn't love you. Because we all know she does."
Solari stared at Xena and then her shoulders sagged. The anger had disappeared, but the bitterness was there.
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Gabrielle didn't tell me," said Xena. "I would guess she gave Pony a promise. Promises are very important to Gabrielle." She paused and smiled weakly at Solari.
"As for Pony, she probably wanted to forget it. That camp, those things," Xena looked in the distance and whispered, "It's so painful."
There was a long silence. "I'm just so angry at her," said Solari, tearfully. "For being unfaithful, not telling me."
"I know," said Xena looking at Ephiny's intense face. "But getting angry isn't going to help, believe me I know. Unfortunately too late."
"Are you heading back to the-"Ephiny started but she was stopped by Xena raising her hand and putting a finger to her lips. They listened intently. Ephiny strained but couldn't hear anything and Solari shook her head, silently. Xena motioned to follow her and they did noiselessly, moving through the forest.
Ephiny could hear the sounds of pounding hooves. They hid themselves in the undergrowth and watched as a matter of yards from them, a number of Amazons went by, on horseback. Ephiny had to stifle a gasp and watched horrified as she recognised several of the amazons. When they had passed, she slumped further on the ground.
"Oh Gods," she said. "Stonychia and Kleta. Did you see them?" She dropped her head into her hands.
"Antibrote and Derinoe, too." Added Solari. They both turned to look at Xena who was looking pensive.
"This isn't a coincidence," she said slowly. "Amazons banished from the tribe ride in the same time as Alti appears." She looked at the two amazons and got up quickly. They scrambled up and followed her brisk pace. "And the regent, the Queen's champion and the Queen's consort are not in the village." She hurried her pace along.
"And the healer and her apprentice aren't speaking as well as several other arguments." Said Ephiny, breathlessly.
"This was Alti's plan. Destabilise the tribe and the rogue amazons can slaughter us. And I fell for it." Xena's face for a moment showed her anguish but then she snapped her warrior mask on, and started to run full speed. Gabrielle, please stay safe, she thought.
"Pony, please," said Gabrielle. She followed Epinon into the weapons' store.
"Gab, I just need, oh Artemis, I don't know what I need." Epinon sat on a bench and put her head in her hands. "I need Solari back."
"I know," agreed Gabrielle, knowingly. Epinon looked up and exchanged a poignant look. "Guess we are both in the same boat."
Epinon smiled and got up. She selected a staff and inspected it. Out of habit, Gabrielle picked up a staff similar to her own one.
"Gabrielle, Gabrielle," Aella came rushing in the hut. "You'd better come."
The amazons left the hut, Epinon and Gabrielle clutching the staffs. There was a small group gathered watching a very out of breath Walia.
"Amazons riding in," she panted. She was bent over, hands on her legs. "'Bout thirty."
"Northern?" questioned Epinon.
"No, some I don't recognise, but many I do. Antibrote, Derinoe," she paused for breath and Gabrielle exchanged a concerned glance with Epinon.
"And Andromache, Toxophile and Doris. Quite a role call." Aida stepped forward smiling broadly. "As well as some amazons, who shall we say, have had disagreements with their queens."
"It's a coup," said Aella, appalled.
"Well done, dear. Brains too. Not just Ephiny's pet then?" said Marpe, joining Aida.
"You're not having the tribe," said Gabrielle through gritted teeth. "We stood up to Valasca before and we'll stand up to you."
"Oh how sweet," said Aida. "But it's not just us you have to fight."
"Alti." Gabrielle laughed heartily, and for a moment Aida and Marpe showed confusion. "Do you honestly think she would share power with you? She wants it all for herself. She's using you."
There were cries and yells and the noise of horses' hooves filled the village. The amazons rode in, several to where Gabrielle and the others were facing each other.
"Queen Gabrielle." The name was said with venom.
"Derinoe. Not a pleasure, sadly," retorted Gabrielle.
"It is for me," Derinoe purred. "I imagine Aida and Marpe have filled you in. We're taking the village."
"Not without a fight," said Epinon.
Derinoe gave her a look of hatred. "I think you would be surprised at how many side with us. And of course we have other accomplices. Whereas Xena seems to have deserted you."
Gabrielle looked momentarily upset, but then a smile crept onto her face, and it gradually broadened. "You are pinning all your hopes on a witch who was banished from the Amazons. Who wanted the leaders dead? Who lusts after power? Derinoe you are as stupid as you look."
The Amazon moved menacingly forward. The exchange was watched by the whole village who had first been woken by Epinon and Solari's cries and then drawn out of their beds and huts by the arrival of the uninvited army.
"ATTACK!" yelled Derinoe and she pulled her sword out of her holder and brought it down towards Gabrielle. Instinctively Gabrielle raised her staff and blocked it. Before Epinon or Aella could dart forward to assist her, a horse cut across their route.
"Doris," hissed Epinon.
"Oh yes, I'm back," she replied, and jumped off her horse and immediately started to engage Epinon.
"AMAZONS DEFEND THE VILLAGE!" Yelled Aella.
Within moments the women who had been aghast watching the situation were fighting to preserve their tribe. Aella looked around. The rogue amazons had been joined by some of the tribe; Marpe, Okyale, Protis, Thermodosa, Aida and Teles. She should have known. But Charope was fighting the rogue amazons. She saw that Thea was cut in the shoulder and had fallen so Aella ran across and gave the opponent a shove off balance before she could deal the killing blow.
Gabrielle was managing to defend herself against Derinoe but was tiring rapidly, her lack of ractice and pregnancy exposing her. Her hand was aching and she had been hit by the side of the blade on her arm. She raised the staff again to fend off the attack, but left her legs exposed and Derinoe swept them away. She fell awkwardly, more winded than hurt but lost hold of the staff. Derinoe stood over her and leered.
"I have dreamt of this for so long," she said. "Since you and your warrior bitch killed Valasca." She raised her sword, and then brought it down quickly towards Gabrielle's chest.