Xena, Gabrielle and the rest of their group found themselves surrounded by a number of masked women with weapons aimed directly at them. Xena held her sword ready as Ephiny and Velasca were prepared to draw their weapons as well. Gabrielle could see how tense the situation was and didn't want things to escalate.

GABRIELLE

Hold on we don't want any trouble. I received a message to come here.

MASKED WOMAN

Is that so?

GABRIELLE

Yes. Just let me get it.

Gabrielle hastily went back to Argo and retrieved her pack. She came back and knelt on the ground as she looked through the bag for the scroll. The masked women looked at each other after a few moments of Gabrielle searching.

GABRIELLE

It's in here somewhere.

Gabrielle dumped out the contents of the pack on the ground as she tried to find the letter. Valassca leaned close to Ephiny and whispered.

VALASSCA

(Whisper) You know we're in trouble if Gabrielle lost that scroll right?

Ephiny sighed as she looked at Gabrielle just praying to Artemis that she had the letter. After a few moments the masked women began to get impatient and everyone could tell. Finally they heard Gabrielle yell in triumph.

GABRIELLE

Ah ha!

EPHINY

Did you find it?

GABRIELLE

Technically no. But I know exactly where it is.

Gabrielle stood up and walked over to Xena. She reached up and slipped her hand down the front of Xena's armor and fished around between Xena's cleavage for a moment. Ephiny put her face in her hand and sighed in embarrassment. Velasca looked on unamused. Fauna blushed and Kai snickered. Meanwhile Xena stood there looking down at Gabrielle with a slightly amused expression on her face.

GABRIELLE

There it is.

Gabrielle pulled her hand out of Xena's top turned around as she unfolded the paper and walked back over to the masked women.

XENA

Oh yeah, forgot I put that there.

Ephiny arched her eyebrow as she looked at Xena who shrugged.

XENA

What it's a safe place to keep things.

GABRIELLE

Here you go.

Two masked women looked at each other and one shrugged as the other took the parchment from Gabrielle and read it.

MASKED WOMAN

Ah queen Gabrielle, we welcome you and you're party.

The woman motioned for the others surrounding Gabrielle and the rest of the group to lower their weapons.

MASKED WOMAN

You'll have to excuse the less then friendly reception. Can't take chances of unwelcomed intruders just barging into sacred amazon land.

GABRIELLE

Don't worry. We understand.

MASKED WOMAN

It seems your kind reputation precedes you. I'm sure you and the others are tired from your trip. So if you'd please come with us and we'll show you to your rooms.

GABRIELLE

I hope it's okay that I brought so many with me.

MASKED WOMEN

Of course. We have more than enough room to accommodate all of you. Now if you'll all follow me.

The masked amazon turned around and lead Gabrielle, Xena and everyone else around the side of the tree. Gabrielle saw as the woman placed her hand on the truck of the giant tree and a hidden door began sliding up as it opened up a secret passageway. The woman began walking up stairs that sat just inside the doorway.

XENA

Huh you don't see that everyday.

The group followed the masked Amazon up the stairway as the door slid closed behind them. Everyone quietly followed behind the woman as she lead them up the long spiral staircase which was lit up by torches that hung on the walls. As they walked Gabrielle could feel her nerves about the whole situation begin to really sink in. She took hold of Xena's hand and arm for a little comfort. Xena could tell that Gabrielle was more than a little nervous and gave her hand a light squeeze to reassure her that she was going to be right by her side through whatever this summit had in store. Finally the masked amazon lead the group to a pair of large doors that had four masked and armed guards standing in front of it. The woman announced Gabrielle as queen and the others as those accompanying her. The guards bowed their heads in respect for their queen and moved to open the doors. As the doors opened Gabrielle let out a small gasp of amazement.

GABRIELLE

(Quietly) Woah.

Everyone else in the group was just as impressed by the sight as Gabrielle as they all were lead inside. They looked around as they followed the guards. It was as if there was a whole enormous building like interior carved right into the inside of the tree. Gabrielle looked up, seeing that it went further up then she could see and wondered if it went all the way up the tree. Xena noted to herself that the craftsmanship of the wood carving was exquisite. There was a large staircase that was carved into the wood and wrapped around a thick piece of the trunk which spiraled all the way up with platforms that stuck out in various directions and levels that connected to different floors that were built into the tree. The whole area had Amazon's all over doing various things. Ephiny noticed that they seemed to be from a multitude of different tribes. Some she recognized by the type of clothing they wore, while others were unfamiliar to her. The others in the group had their own similar thoughts on their surroundings and just how incredible this place truly was. After leading the group up a few levels their guide showed everyone to their own rooms. Except Xena and Gabrielle. While they did each have their own rooms, Gabrielle had asked if she and Xena could share a room. Her request was wasn't seen as a problem so the two decided to stay in the room that Gabrielle had been given. Mostly because it was the biggest one due to her being queen. Gabrielle looked at the "room" she and Xena would be staying in as Xena opened a couple doors that were inside.

GABRIELLE

I think this place is actually bigger than our house back in the village.

XENA

Oh it's definitely bigger. I think there's a pool in that back room.

GABRIELLE

You mean a tub right?

XENA

No.

Gabrielle walked over and plopped down on a large pile of cushions and pillows that sat in front of an extra large bed and sighed.

GABRIELLE

Sure this is nice but it doesn't really make feel better about this whole thing.

Xena walked over and sat next to Gabrielle as she sunk into the pile a bit.

XENA

I know. But don't forget that whatever happens you're an amazing queen who would do anything you could for your people. And I'm sure that everyone will see that.

Gabrielle smiled a little as she layed her head on Xena's shoulder.

GABRIELLE

I hope so. I just wish I knew what to expect.

Xena kissed the top of Gabrielle's head as she held her.

XENA

Everything will be just fine Gabrielle. You'll see.

Some time later there was a knock at the door to their room. Xena answered and saw a couple masked guards standing there.

GUARD

The summit will begin shortly. We've come to escort the queen to the meeting. You and the others are welcome to join her if you wish.

XENA

Thank you I'll go get her.

Xena went into the bedroom and saw Gabrielle adjusting her skirt nervously. She walked over and put her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders as she smiled at her.

XENA

You look beautiful.

Xena gave her a little kiss.

XENA

Come on, it's time.

Gabrielle took a deep breath to try and calm her nerves that were just sent through the roof.

GABRIELLE

Okay let's get this over with.

Xena followed Gabrielle out of the bedroom and the two left their assigned room. After asking if it was okay Xena got the others from their rooms and everyone followed the guards to where the actual summit was being held. Everyone was lead to a pair of large doors that the guards opened and held for the group to enter. As Gabrielle, Xena, Ephiny, Valassca, Fauna and Kai walked inside they saw a huge room that was lined with benches that were put in rows which circled the room and came down steps that stopped in the center of the room. Where a large circle was left bare . Just beyond that circle was a platform that had a long table that sat across the platform and five chairs sitting on one side facing everyone. The whole room was filled with Amazons seated on the benches. The chairs on the platform were also filled. But Xena, Gabrielle and the others knew that they clearly weren't just ordinary Amazon's. Gabrielle looked at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE

(Whisper) Who are they?

EPHINY

(Whisper) Based on what I could guess I'm almost certain that they are the members of the Great Amazonian Council.

XENA

(Whisper) Care to elaborate?

Ephiny shrugged as Fauna decided it was her time to chime in.

FAUNA

(Whisper) If I may, to put it simply I've read they're some of the most powerful and respected Amazon's in all the lands. Some say that they've been around for centuries and were blessed by Artemis herself with everlasting youth and wisdom. Some think that they're actually daughters of the goddess. But that's only if you believe those sorts of stories.

GABRIELLE

(Whisper/ Sarcasm) Oh great I might be going up there in front of a bunch of immortals that probably know more than all of us combined and I'm exspected to do gods know what. Hey Xena you wouldn't mind just running your sword through me right now would you?

Xena smiled as she placed her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders as she stood behind her.

XENA

(Whisper) Don't listen to that. You're gonna be fine. I believe in you.

Gabrielle jumped a little when she heard her title and name called to come forward. She sighed as she moved from Xena's grasp and began slowly walking to the center of the room. Xena and the others followed and found that there were seats left open for them in the front row. As everyone sat down, Gabrielle stopped and stood in the middle of the room as she looked up at the Great Amazonian Council. She swallowed hard as she did her best to hide how terrified she actually was. Most in the room didn't notice, but since Xena knew her so well, she could instantly tell how truly scared Gabrielle was. She wanted nothing more than to run over and hold Gabrielle in her arms to comfort her but she knew that Gabrielle needed to be strong.

XENA

(Talking quietly) Come on Gabrielle you've got this.

Once the room settled down a member of the council stood up from her seat and signaled for the summit to officially begin. As that happened, Gabrielle began to get a very bad feeling about the whole situation that went beyond the extreme nervousness she had been experiencing up until that point. She couldn't figure out why but she couldn't shake the thoughts that told her that nothing good was going to come from this summit. And if Gabrielle was smart, she and the others should leave right then. But Gabrielle pushed aside that thought and stayed. Which was a decision that she would soon come to regret in the very near future.

TO BE CONTINUED...