Gabrielle walked outside as she looked over the letter she received, trying to make sense of what it meant. She decided that if anyone in the village knew it would probably be either Ephiny or Valassca. So she went off to find where either of the two were. Gabrielle looked around the village and eventually found Velasca reading under a tree. Gabrielle walked over to her. She didn't even get to say anything, when without looking up Velasca made it clear that she wasn't all to happy with her presence.
VELASCA
(Slightly annoyed tone) What do you want Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
I don't mean to bother you but I thought you'd be able to help me with something.
VELASCA
(Slightly annoyed tone) You're queen, you shouldn't need my help.
GABRIELLE
Yes well even a ruler could use assistance from time to time.
For the first time Velasca glanced up from her paper at Gabrielle.
VELASCA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Obviously some more than others.
EPHINY
Oh stop giving her a hard time already.
Velasca and Gabrielle looked and saw Ephiny walking over. Velasca then returned to her reading.
VELASCA
Why don't you help her then?
While she wasn't exactly happy with Velasca attitude towards their queen, Ephiny decided not to get into an argument with her about it right then. Plus it was no secret that Velasca didn't really like Gabrielle and only tolerated her because of her being queen. Though that was also the reason behind her unwelcoming attitude towards her in the first place. So Ephiny just figured she'd handle whatever it was that Gabrielle wanted.
EPHINY
Fine.
She looked at Gabrielle.
EPHINY
Okay Gabrielle what did you need?
Gabrielle handed Ephiny the scroll that she had received.
GABRIELLE
I got this message and I not really sure what it means. I asked Xena and she didn't know either.
Ephiny opened and read the message. Afterwards she gave Gabrielle back the paper.
EPHINY
You've been officially been summoned to an Amazon summit.
GABRIELLE
I get that part, but what does it mean? I've never heard of an Amazon summit.
VELASCA
Why does that not surprise me?
Gabrielle gave Velasca a brief disapproving look.
GABRIELLE
(Annoyed tone) Hey I haven't been queen or even an Amazon for all that long you know.
VELASCA
Trust me I'm very much aware of your overly hastened rise to power.
EPHINY
(Angry tone) You're out of line Valassca. You may not like it but Gabrielle is your queen and you'll treat her with the respect she deserves.
VELASCA
How have I been disrespectful. I'm merely stating facts. Gabrielle knows far too little to be in the position she's in.
EPHINY
I know full well what you meant.
Ephiny sighed as she returned her attention to Gabrielle.
EPHINY
As much as I hate to admit it, she does kind of have a point though. You do need to learn more about some of the more political aspects of how things are done.
GABRIELLE
It's kinda hard to do that when I haven't gotten to spend a ton of time with the Amazon's since becoming queen.
EPHINY
I'm not saying it's your fault. If anything it's mine for not telling you this stuff sooner.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry about it. There's nothing we can do about that now. I'll just work on doing better with this sort of thing going forward.
EPHINY
Fair enough. And we can start with the Amazonian summit.
GABRIELLE
Okay so what is it.
XENA
I'm actually curious to know that too.
Gabrielle looked ov her shoulder and saw Xena standing behind her.
EPHINY
(Joking tone) Nice of you to join us Xena.
VELASCA
(Annoyed/ Sarcasm) My day just keeps getting better.
Xena smirked knowing full well that Velasca disliked her almost as much as Gabrielle, due to her closeness to Gabrielle. She felt that if it weren't for Xena's involvement, Gabrielle probably would've been ousted as queen a while ago for incompetence. Not to mention that Xena was the only reason that Velasca hadn't directly challenged Gabrielle for her throne. According to Amazon law if a challenge to the throne was made, the current queen had the right to choose a champion to fight in her place. And while Velasca was confident that she could easily beat Gabrielle, she knew that Xena would more than likely choose to fight in Gabrielle's place as her champion. And defeating Xena was a whole different story. She didn't like it but as good as Velasca was, she was aware that Xena could easily out fight her on any day.
EPHINY
Getting back to the point. The Amazonian summit is actually a fairly rare event where leaders and other higher ups from various tribes gather together. It's really only held in extraordinary circumstances.
GABRIELLE
Like what?
EPHINY
Usually it's for dealing anything that could have an impact on the entire Amazon nation.
GABRIELLE
According to this letter it says that it's because of what happened here and the ramifications it could cause. We stopped the slavers. How does that effect the rest of the Amazons?
XENA
I think a better question is how did they even find out about this village and what happened. We killed everyone who came here for that exact reason.
Gabrielle lowered her eyes as she remembered making the call for the the surrendered slavers to be executed. Dispite knowing that it needed to be done to protect the village, it was still a difficult decision to have to make and live with. Xena realized Gabrielle's reaction and put her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders to comfort her.
XENA
Sorry. I know that was hard on you.
Gabrielle reached up and put a hand over Xena's as she looked back at her.
GABRIELLE
It's okay Xena. It had to be done to protect the village.
She looked back at everyone else as she continued.
GABRIELLE
But Xena's right. They shouldn't even know about this place at all. So how do they?
EPHINY
No clue. But I suggest you get ready to leave for it soon. You only have a week to get there.
GABRIELLE
Is that even enough time?
EPHINY
If you make good time, yes.
GABRIELLE
We better get ready then Xena.
XENA
Agreed.
Xena looked at Valassca and Ephiny.
XENA
Ephiny, Velasca I think it would be a good idea for you and a couple other's to come with us. Since neither Gabrielle or myself know what to expect from this sort of thing.
EPHINY
I've never been to one either but if you think it'll help I'll join you.
VELASCA
I suppose I'll come. I've got nothing better to do around here anyway.
GABRIELLE
Good. I'll start packing and Xena you go round up a couple more people you think should come with us.
XENA
Guess it'll be good to be back on the road again for a bit.
So the four women parted ways with Xena going to select others she thought would be the most suited to come along. And Gabrielle, Velasca and Ephiny each respectively gathered what they needed for the trip. That night Gabrielle sat on the bed and looked out the window as her mind wondered about what the coming days might hold. She was pulled from her thoughts as she felt the bed shift as Xena layed on the other side.
XENA
You okay?
Gabrielle turned to face Xena.
GABRIELLE
I was just thinking about this whole summit thing. Valassca's right Xena. As queen I don't know nearly what I should. I have no idea what to expect when we get there. What am I supposed to say? I don't even know what they really want.
Xena reached over and took Gabrielle's hand in hers.
XENA
Hey, come here.
Xena invited Gabrielle to lay down next to her as she held her.
XENA
You are going to be just fine. If you can handle the leader of an army of slavers, I'm sure dealing with some stuffy dignitaries for a few days is gonna be a breeze. Especially for you. You could probably talk circles around anyone there for days.
Gabrielle laughed a little.
GABRIELLE
Hey.
Xena smiled seeing that she had managed to lighten Gabrielle's mood a bit. She kissed Gabrielle as they settled down for the night.
XENA
Now let's get some sleep. We'll be leaving early tomorrow morning.
GABRIELLE
Goodnight Xena.
Morning came and the group of Xena, Gabrielle, Ephiny, Velasca, Fauna and Kai were ready and prepared to set out for the summit. Fauna had been picked because of her being knowledgeable about a wide number of subjects and Ephiny thoght she might be good to have with them for anything that they might need information on. And Velasca selected Kai just because she happened to walk by while she was looking for someone else to bring. Plus another decent fighter on the trip in case they ran into trouble wasn't a bad idea to have around. Especially since Gabrielle and Fauna's fighting abilities were lacking compared to her, Xena and Ephiiy's.
XENA
Up you go.
Xena helped pull Gabrielle up into Argo's saddle behind her. As everyone else mounted their horses as well.
FAUNA
Don't you have your own horse Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
Nah I just ride with Xena.
FAUNA
You're welcome to take one from the field to use if you'd like.
Gabrielle smiled as she held on to Xena's midsection.
GABRIELLE
Thanks but I'm fine right where I am.
Fauna understood Gabrielle's sentiment and smiled back.
FAUNA
Then I suppose we're all set.
XENA
Yup. Let's move out.
Xena got Argo moving and the rest followed suite. Everyone in the group made their way out of the village and rode towards the location given in the letter for where the summit was being held. It took a number of days to get there, but luckily trip actually went smoothly for Xena and Gabrielle' for a change. Which Gabrielle commented on as the group finally arrived. As everyone dismounted, Gabrielle looked up at the enormous tree that sat in the middle of a big, dense forest.
GABRIELLE
Are you sure we're in the right place?
Ephiny walked over holding the reigns of her horse.
EPHINY
Pretty sure. I've heard that summits take place in some giant, old tree.
Fauna came over next.
FAUNA
According to what I've read, it's supposed to be one of the oldest trees in the world.
Gabrielle looked at the tree in awe.
GABRIELLE
Wow.
XENA
Are we gonna stand here gawking at a tree all day or are we going inside?
Gabrielle looked at Xena who stood next to her and sighed.
GABRIELLE
Can't you just take a moment to stop and appreciate the beauty of things around you?
Xena looked at the tree for a few seconds.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Sorry are we gonna stand here gawking at a really big tree all day or go inside?
Gabrielle rolled her eyes and smiled.
GABRIELLE
I should know better.
Once everyone was off their horses, they looked for a way inside. As the group walked around the tree that was far bigger than any one of them could actually climb. Even Xena wouldn't be able to scale the mountainous trunk without getting exhausted before even getting a quarter of the way up. In all honesty no one had ever seen such a large tree and didn't think that they could actually grow to be that size. While walking Xena heard a noise and stopped the group as she drew her sword.
GABRIELLE
What's wrong?
XENA
I heard something.
FAUNA
What?
Before Xena had time to answer a number of mystery women in masks popped up from various hiding places around Xena, Gabrielle and the others. Some emerging from tall grass and piles of leaves. Other's dropped down from vines that hung from the trees branches high above. They quickly surrounded the group with weapons ready and aimed at them. One of the masked women spoke.
MASKED WOMAN
You're trespassing on sacred amazon land. State your business or be prepared to be sent to your afterlive's.
TO BE CONTINUED...