The tall raven haired woman and petite blond were down below decks on the large ship. The boat was beginning to rock as bad weather was approaching. Gabrielle, the blond, was curled up in a hammock with a wooden bucket near her. Xena, the raven haired one, was pacing back and forth. It had only been three days since they had held off the horde with the depleted Athenian army and she was still wondering why she had reverted back to her old ways so easily.
Was it the bloodlust that the horde had stirred in her? Was it because she was once again in charge of an army? She paused in her pacing when she heard the distinct sound. Quickly the warrior made her way over to her soulmate and knelt down. Tired green eyes looked up at her and Xena knew right then that she had to do something to alleviate the suffering that her young consort was going through. There was the pressure point on the arm, but until they had a truly extended voyage she was loathe to pass that information along because of the other side-affects.
The ex-warlord's mind began to file through all the information she had at her disposal. With the oncoming storm, it might just be best if her lover was to sleep for a while. "Gabrielle?" Those sad soulful green eyes looked up at her once again. There was a pleading in the young eyes for help. Sometimes it was a lot to be the one that had to come up with the plans, the escapes routes and to take care of everyone. But when it came to taking care of the bard, it was different. The tough as nails warrior actually loved to take care of her young soulmate. "I'm going to help you to sleep. I have to use pressure points, all right?"
Gabrielle's hand was a little shaky as she reached out and touched Xena's worried cheek. The bard had been ill since they had gotten on the ship two days ago. In that time she had barely been able to keep water down let alone keep anything else down. Her new lover had, for the most part, sat by her side and kept her cool by keeping a damp cloth to her forehead and helped her to swallow small amounts of water. Her body felt weak but her soul felt strong knowing that the powerful warrior was the other half of it. "I trust you completely. Do what you have to and hopefully I'll feel better when I wake up."
The words had gotten to Xena. Oh she had known for quite some time that her little bard trusted her. She had to have seeing that she had allowed the most precious gift and that was making love. To be honored with that from the petite blond was something that the warrior still felt on so many levels that she was not worthy of. But she was not going to not accept it at the same time. "I'll be as gentle as I can." After a moment where their gaze held steady, the warrior's hands reached out. Instead of the pinch, she used another technique and Gabrielle was instantly asleep.
Xena remained kneeling next to the small prone figure. It was always a struggle traveling along with the thought that she could get hurt. It was easing watching as her battling bard could now hold her own in a fight. But that brought another worry out. What were to happen when the day came when Gabrielle lost her blood innocence? It would be, no matter the circumstances, the fault of the ex-warlord no questions asked. So what was a warrior to do?
The raven haired woman stood making sure that her better half was secure enough in the hammock not to go rocking out with one of the waves that were continually picking up in force. Xena decided it was all right to leave her lover below deck, making sure that Gabrielle's staff was nearby and also loosely secured. The door was almost ripped from her hands as she opened it up to the large deck. The rain was coming down even harder than it was before. The temperature had dropped and it was giving the warrior an itchy feeling like something was about to happen.
Shoving those thoughts aside, cautiously she made her way across the deck to the captain. The deck was a flurry of activity and the raven haired woman wasn't so sure that it was actually helping the situation. To her trained eye it truly looked like the crew was like a bunch of chickens with their heads cutoff. Once again, it was getting her senses tingling as if something horrible was about to happen. Again she was pushing those thoughts aside to see if she could help.
The captain took one look at the warrior princess and rolled his eyes. "Just what I need." Xena's attention went from the far off dark clouds that were looking angrier and angrier. "Some dumb woman to get in the way." He swayed with the boat and made his way over to where the tall woman was standing. "I thought I told all you women to stay in the hull." The man was about to put his hand on a strong arm when his wrist was roughly captured. His eyes grew at the strength in those hands.
"I'm no ordinary woman." Ice cold blue eyes bored down on the captain until he had no choice but to shrink away from the woman's glare. "I'm someone who knows just about as much if not more than you do about sailing this ship. If you want to get out of this with your ship still intact, you'll listen to me." The eyes grew cold that were looking into the warrior's. "Suit yourself…I'll go back down deck and wait it out until you get the sense the Gods gave a mule. If you're lucky that is."
Xena waited for no response instead turning and taking in the horizon once again. The clouds were looking angrier and the feeling she was having kept getting stronger. She sighed heavily wondering what she had gotten them into this time. It wasn't long before she was back in the hull and her shared space with Gabrielle. Quickly she was out of her wet leathers, dried off and into her dry shift. With care, she hung up her leathers and armor to dry.
Part of her wanted to do her usual which was to sharpen her sword or to clean her armor or repair anything that she was able to on her own. But something was drawing her to the petite blond still swaying at a pretty good clip but luckily sound asleep. Deciding that there was nothing more that she could really do on the rocking boat, she skillfully slipped behind the still dozing bard and nestled her body against her longer form. The warmth was welcome after being topside, but Xena would never admit to such a thing.
There were a lot of things that the warrior never thought she would admit to. But having met the other half of her soul, it made her look at things differently. That was why she was still, even with the impending storm and possible danger, focused on why she had disregarded what Gabrielle had wished while fighting the horde. It was not like her younger lover had not been through battles before. It was not like she was new to taking care of the injured. It sadly was a part of their lives.
Why had the warlord part of her come out so strongly? Why had it almost completely consumed her to the point where she had alienated the young bard? It was even more vexing because they were now lovers and had been for several moons. You would think as partners in everything, including sharing the physical side of love that Xena would have taken into consideration what Gabrielle had wished. After all, she was the heart part of their partnership. She used love and words whereas the warrior used force and intimidation.
And in the end, it was Gabrielle's faith in people to use love and understanding and common ground that was the way that the siege had been broken. And yet Xena had reverted back to her old ways. She had pushed the injured into fighting. She had refused to give the dying food and water. Instead of properly disposing of the dead, she had lined them up to make it look like there was a larger army. The warlord had refused to let those that had minor injuries help the bard take care of those that were in serious condition.
Gabrielle chose that moment to snuggle even closer and to wrap her arms even tighter around her soulmate. And in that moment, Xena got her answer. The fear that she had had over wondering if it had been because of a return to that darker time subsided slightly. There would always be a pull of sorts to cross that line. But as long as she had the bard in her life, the pull of her former life could not compare to the pull of wanting to make her proud and happy.
However, it was sadly because of Gabrielle that she had let loose the darker side and the fear of losing her. It was because of her overwhelming fear that one day because of her the bard would get seriously hurt. The path that they were both on could and had led to death. It was only a handful of moons since the warrior had faced death and somehow even overcome that. That too went back to the petite blond. Everything seemed to go back to her new lover.
War was never pretty but when you were faced with the odds and the style of fighting that they had been, you did anything you had to do to win, right? Xena sighed at the question knowing that even just two seasons ago the answer to that would have been easy. It would have been yes with no hesitation. But times were different. She was different. And most importantly, she had a very pure soul to protect. An amazing woman that meant everything to her.
All this soul searching and what did it boil down to? The bottom line was that Gabrielle was the warrior princess' one lone weakness. There was Cyrene, but for the most part it came down to her new lover that was her Achilles heel. Would it send her over the edge again should something happened to her soulmate? Xena sighed once again still not used to these emotions or having to think about how her choices affected someone that she loved more than her own live.
That wasn't exactly it either now was it? Xena knew that if it hadn't been for Gabrielle, she would have stayed crossed over that very thin line. Instinctively her arms tightened around the petite blond. Perhaps it wasn't just what would she have done if her soulmate wasn't there. What would have become of her had she not happen to come across her just such a short time ago. The warrior would have either been stoned to death or she would have turned back to a path that would lead her to an early grave. Either way, she would be dead of that the ex-warlord had no doubt.
After all the inner musings, the ex-warlord was still not sure why she had done what she had done. Fear was probably the biggest motivator. Not the fear of herself getting hurt or dying. Not even the fear of all those men getting hurt or worse. No, the fear that was motivating her was the fact that Gabrielle could have gotten hurt. A small whimper came out of the bard and Xena knew that soon she would once again be awake and suffering horribly.
Finally, Xena closed her eyes and remembered that day which only happened a couple of days ago. Would she do things differently if she had a chance? That was a difficult question. All she knew was that she would do whatever it took to protect her family. And Gabrielle was more family to her than almost anyone. There was only her son Solon and her mother Cyrene that were in that exclusive group. What would you do, warrior princess?
Anything I had to, to protect the woman I love. Xena knew that Gabrielle would not be happy with this answer. But it was who she was. Ever changing, at the core was the want and the need to protect the people that she loved. After all, that was how it all began so many years ago. Taking an army out of Amphipolis to attempt to defend it only to have to bring her brother's lifeless body back to her mother. That was the beginning of the end.
That was what had closed her heart so. Meeting Caesar just put the nail in the coffin almost literally. Hanging on that cross, she was certain that she was a dead woman. It took one woman to save her life, another to begin the healing process and finally finding the other half of her soul to fully become the woman that she was and wanted to be. So, now what would she do. A small smirk was upon the raven haired woman's face.
Whatever Gabrielle wants, Gabrielle gets. You made me promise a long time ago that if something should happen to her that I wouldn't lose myself. I should have known even back then that I had already lost myself to you. So, if anything happens to you, I won't be responsible for my actions and only an intervention of one of the Gods will stop me from getting my revenge before I join you. The last part gave her some measure of comfort for she knew that she would never make it in the known world without Gabrielle at her side.
At that moment, her soulmate decided that it was time to wake up. "Hey." Xena reached out and pushed a little bit of the sweaty long strawberry blond hair out of her lover's eyes. The hair had, the warrior noticed, taken on a lighter shade over the times of their travels together. Funny, before she met Gabrielle, she only half paid attention to things like that. Just enough details to know the person should she want revenge or needed information later on. But when it came her bard, she noticed almost everything.
"Hey." Gabrielle felt the rocking of the boat and noticed that it had gotten a bit worse than before. There was a look in the eyes of the woman she loved that she was not sure of. "Things are getting worse, aren't they?" There was no need for speech. The bard had noticed the ever so slight flinch in the warrior's eyes. She reached up and stroked a gentle cheek. "As long as we have each other, we'll be all right. Please don't worry."
If only you knew… Xena almost had to chuckle at the thought. Asking the warrior princess not to worry was just like asking her not to sharpen her sword each night or not to breathe or not to love the petite blond more than her own life. There were just some things that happened no matter what. "I am worried if only because the captain doesn't seem to want to listen to anyone but himself." Do I say it? Why not? She's seen you at your most vulnerable. "I saw the horizon. This storm is going to hit us full force. I want you to do something for me."
Gabrielle was taken aback at the thought. Normally Xena didn't ask her. Normally she just told her. Of course what had just happened with the fight against the horde could have something to do with it or it could be because they were lovers now. "I'll do whatever I can in my power for you." The bard's stomach made its presence known only not in a good way this time. The rocking had increased almost to a frantic space. "I just hope it doesn't involve food this time."
The warrior princess chuckled at the thought. The night before they left on ship had found them in an inn for once. Xena had taken advantage and found chocolate and strawberries. It had been quite the night. "No food." The raven haired woman began to absently rub the belly of the bard. It was something she had noticed about her soulmate. Over the short time they had traveled together, Gabrielle had lost that baby fat and was now quite muscular in her own right. "I want you to stay below until I say to come up. I have a feeling…"
That was when they heard the sound. Xena moved with stealth and speed carefully settling the bard in the hammock and getting her leathers and armor back on before she took off for the upper deck. It was as she had feared. The rough seas had run them to close to the shore. There was no escaping. It was just a matter of the ship going down or possibly be swept overboard. The warrior princess went below deck and hurriedly gathered up their things. Most likely it would all be lost but she had to try.
"We're about to go down." Xena helped her soulmate to her feet. She steadied Gabrielle and looked her right into the eyes which were the windows to her soul. "I know you're scared. So am I." The look on the bard's face said it all. "We've just become more than friends. I can't and won't lose you. So remember something…" Her voice faltered just a little, especially when the petite blond reached up and cupped her cheek. The other hand was tight to her waist. "I will always find you. Have faith in that. No matter what, all right?"
Gabrielle moved her hand so that it was intertwined in the damp dark tendrils. She put firm pressure behind the neck and pulled her into a long and passionate kiss. It was also a reassuring kiss as they were about to once again face the unknown together. "I trust you. I love you. And I'll always find you." They shared one more searing kiss before noise from the deck caught their attention. "I think we need to find out what is going on."
They made their way to the deck of the boat. If it had been chaos before, it was now a free for all. Xena scanned the deck and the horizon and the cliffs. The water and the lack of light hindered her evaluation of the situation but she decided it was for the best to get Gabrielle back down below. "Go back down!" the bard hesitated only a moment. The warrior princess started for the ship's wheel. That was when things went horribly wrong.
Xena's heart leapt to her throat making any sound impossible. For some reason she actually froze as she watched in horror. Finally her voice was found and she shouted with everything that her body could give her. "GABRIELLE!" The warrior's body finally was cooperating but it was too late. She watched in horror and utter helplessness as her soulmate was washed over the side of the ship. "GABRIELLE!" Without even thinking about it, the raven haired woman dove into the water.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Xena awoke with a jerk and it wasn't Joxer. The poor man had been gone for quite some time now and she still felt guilty that it was her daughter that was to have taken the man's life. But that was in the past and this was the present. But what present was it? It took the normally sure warrior a little time to get her bearings. She was in a tent so that really wasn't a help at all. It was hot as Tartarus and there was the familiar sound of sand whipping against the tent wall.
The warrior was naked which was a not unusual as normally when she traveled with an army and had the luxury of a tent she would take advantage of it. But she was alone. And that was when the dream came flooding back into her mind. The last thing she remembered was her Gabrielle going over the side of the boat and her jumping in after. Of course they had ended up with Cecrops and another adventure had played out. And what a shock, that one had included one of the Grecian Gods.
Slowly everything was coming back to her. It was only her second official day back in the land of the living. And things were still a little off in both her mind and her body. About the only thing that felt right was when she made love with Gabrielle or simply held her tight. Even her little time she spent with her daughter just wasn't exactly right. It worried her but when she remembered how long it took the last time she came back from the dead to readjust but that had been because of her broken chakrum, right?
Xena took a deep breath, smiling to herself as the scent of Gabrielle was still thick in the air. They had yet again shared another round of lovemaking. It was truly like they could not get enough of one another. But then that had been true since the first time that they had made love so many years ago. Keeping their relationship a secret had been nearly impossible as well. But they had managed it the first short while. After that, they always seemed to be giving one another little touches and saying that they loved one another all the time. If anyone hadn't a clue, they were either blind or an idiot.
Long elegant legs made their way over the edge of the cot that she and her soulmate shared. As she stretched she realized something. Her body felt different. Finally she was getting a chance to truly take stock of herself. Every other moment had been spent with either Gabrielle or Eve and for once the warrior needed time alone to really adjust to being alive again. Xena made her way over to the tall crate that held the water pitcher and the water basin. Of course she would have preferred a stream or a bathtub but a quick clean hopefully would get her senses more alert.
Next to the tall crate was a chest. It was something that Eve had taken with her wherever she had gone. It had a few mementos of her childhood that Joxer had saved along with of course taking care of Argo and then breeding her so that there was an Argo II. While he could be and was an irritating man, his heart was always in the right place. Xena opened the trunk to find her spare set of leathers. As she pulled on the undergarments first, the warrior noticed something. Her body was just how she remembered it.
That was a good thing in a way as she was proud of how she had developed her body over the years. She was proud of most of the scars that her body sported as well. Xena made quick work of putting on her leathers and her armor. The bracers were always a little more difficult and she suddenly was missing Gabrielle more than she could say. While they had traveled together, it had almost become routine for the bard to help her put them on or preferably take them off.
As if on cue, Gabrielle was making her way through the tent flap into the extremely small space. In her arms was a tray of cheese, fruits and bread. There was also a pitcher of something she was easily balancing as she made her way over to a small crate near the bed setting her burden there. Without a word, the battling bard made her way over to her soulmate. Their eyes met just for a second before she took first one arm and then the other tying the strings tight of her bracers.
"Thanks." Xena's voice was a tad husky. It could be that she was still fresh from sleep and a nightmare. It could be because she had yet so speak that morning. Or most likely it could be because she was once again finding herself so aroused by the petite blond that her body just naturally reacted. That would include her voice which took on a touch deeper ember when she was near the woman that she loved. Without even thinking, she reached up and caressed a cheek.
Gabrielle gladly leaned into the loving touch. She had vowed ever since losing Xena that if she ever got a chance to be with her again that she would make sure that whether it was with words or touch she would make sure that her warrior knew exactly how she felt. "You're welcome." They stood that way for a moment before the bard took a strong hand in her own and led her over to the tray of food. "We've got a busy day ahead of us and I think your body is still refueling. So please eat for me."
That got a raised eyebrow out of the warrior. That got a swat on the butt from the bard. The couple made their way to the makeshift table and sat on the pile of furs that was their only real furniture other than the small cot that they somehow both slept on. Well, did more than sleep. Xena sat down first and pulled Gabrielle so that she was sitting between the long outstretched legs of the warrior. It felt good to hold the petite blond. It felt blessed.
Xena made quick of the meal by feeding both herself and her soulmate. She knew that the small army of around fifty was waiting for them to let them know what the plan was for the day but at the moment, all she cared about was spending a little more time alone with her bard. Whether they spoke or not, it seemed they could hold conversations with one another just by a touch or a look. It helped when in battle or attempting to right a wrong but also in just everyday life.
"You were tossing and turning last night." Gabrielle took another healthy swallow of the fruit juice. She was rediscovering just how decadent a place that Egypt could be. Of course before her warrior had returned to her, she really hadn't noticed the taste of anything. Just barely had she tasted the fruits and the cheeses that were similar and yet so different than what they had back in Greece. Then there was the authentic food that had a little bit of spice to it. "Is there something we need to talk about?"
That caused the warrior to almost spit her fruit juice across the tent. There were so many things that they needed to speak about was last night's nightmare one of them? Xena sighed heavily debating whether or not to open this discussion knowing full well that Eve was about to come into the tent at any moment to check on her. "It was just a memory of a long time ago." Gabrielle turned in her arms and gave her 'the look'. The one that said 'that might work on others but I know you better. Spill warrior princess'.
Another sigh escaped her as she knew that she would not win this battle. In fact, it had been a long time since she had won any battles when it came to Gabrielle. And for the most part that was a good thing. While Xena had taught her soulmate everything that she knew, she was still the seasoned veteran of fighting. But her bard would and always would be the queen of the warrior's heart because of the way she still believed in love and words.
"It was the time we were on the ship." A blond eyebrow rose causing the raven haired beauty to softly chuckle. "I know, which ship?" Xena chuckled softly trying to help alleviate some unease she was feeling as the memories were assaulting her once again. "It was after we faced the horde for the first time and just before we were stuck with Cecrops." The warrior felt the petite body in her arms stiffen. It was more likely from recalling the events of the horde than the time with Cecrops. "I think I'm worried…"
The words failed the warrior. What was it that she was worried about? Both of those times were ones that could have very easily led to losing one another. The fight with the horde could have cost the other their life. But more importantly, they could have lost one another on an emotional level. As far as Cecrops, it was as usual the warrior princess doing the unthinkable. As she had told Gabrielle once it was the bard that gave her the ability to reach down deep inside and do those impossible feats. That was truer today than it was then.
"My worries are two-fold." Xena pulled the bard closer and gently rested her head upon the soft blond locks. The activity of the soldiers was getting louder and they both knew they should be joining them. But some things were just more important. "I worry about leading an army again and having that dark side take over me. I know I've done it many times since we've been together but that is always a fear of mine. But…"
She trailed off grateful when she felt the tiny squeeze of her knee. Even more grateful when she felt nimble fingers begin to massage her leg. It gave her the strength to speak of emotions that she needed to so that they both knew what was in her head. "The greater fear…the one that I don't think either of us could survive…is the what if…" For a moment, Xena had to stop as her mouth had gone dry just at the thought. "The very real possibility that either of us could get hurt…or worse."
Gabrielle quickly turned in the arms of the woman she loved. That her warrior would ever allow herself to fall back into that dark past was surely still at least a little bit of a worry. But after having gone through what they had, that was barely even a remote thought in her mind. But the fact that either of them could be killed, that was a very real fear that she had and always would have. "I think…" The bard took a deep breath and released it. "I think that after we are done with this battle and the Gods that we need to find someplace where the only weapons we'll need are my pen and your sexy brains."
That got a dark eyebrow raised. It was not like the warrior had not been thinking along those lines. Even before she had gone to Japa and once again unfairly sacrificed herself, her happiness and the love of her bard, she had been thinking along those same lines. To her, the only question would be where would they live? Potadeia still held Lila and Sarah. Amphipolis, last she knew, was still in the process of rebuilding after the haunting and the battle she'd had over not going to Hell to rule.
"So you have need of my sexy brains but not my body." Xena began to mock pout. "I think I should be insulted or..." The thought was left off there as suddenly the warrior found herself with an armful of bard. The petite blond had her pushed all the way back to the pillows and she was straddling her. The heat from Gabrielle's womanhood penetrated the thick leather causing the warrior's body to shudder. It is definitely going to be a very long day. Long time until it is just the two of us. Too long.
Gabrielle's darkened green eyes capture violet eyes with just a subtle glance. "You, warrior princess, will always be sexy to me." The bard closed the gap between the soulmates and feasted on the ex-warlord's lips like she had not tasted them in a lifetime. Finally she pulled away when breathing became an issue and when she heard the footfalls coming steadily closer. "If our daughter was not on the way, I'd finish that thought. Just know that I will always desire you, now and forever more." Another quick kiss before she repositioned herself beside her lover.
The tent flap opened and Eve walked in. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit living area when her eyes finally fell upon her parents. A smile was upon her face as she realized instantly that she had interrupted an intimate moment. Of course there were going to be a lot of intimate moments as her two extremely loving parents were getting reacquainted with one another. "I'm sorry to interrupt so early it's just that we just received word. The master wishes to speak one on one with the infamous warrior princess of Amphipolis and the battling bard of Potadeia."
Xena skillfully got to her feet bringing her soulmate with her. As much as she wanted nothing more than for it to remain just the two of them for at least a couple hours, she knew that they had to go and do what they had always done. A smile was on her face as she felt Gabrielle still clinging to her side and her head on her shoulder. "I wonder if this 'master' knows what exactly he is asking for. I mean, your mother is one tough woman."
That got the warrior a swat on her leather clad stomach. "It must because a certain warrior princess has rubbed off on me over the years." Gabrielle reluctantly let go of her grip on her soulmate and made her way over to the chest. She twisted the lock and opened the trunk Xena had claimed her leathers and armor from. Once opened, she reached in and took out the cloth covered chakrum and the sword of her warrior still in its sheath. At the same time she also pulled out her sias. She turned and handed the proper weapons to the warrior princess. "Guess we need to suit up as it were."
Already Xena was going into warrior mode. She claimed the chakrum and placed it in its rightful spot. Gabrielle took the sword and put it in its proper place as well upon her back. Once again the bard returned to the chest and took the sias that she had set aside and twirling them before placing them in her boots. For good measure, she made her way over to the front of the cot and took possession of her staff. The weight felt familiar and yet odd in her hands as she was now more accustomed to her metal weapons.
"Lead the way." Xena was by the tent flap waiting for Eve to lead them to wherever it was this meeting was to take place. Not even having to look, the warrior felt the presence of Gabrielle right at her back. As soon as they cleared the narrow doorway, the bard was right by her side. They halted for a moment allowing their eyes to adjust to the bright morning sunshine. "Is he coming to the camp or are we going to him?"
Eve simply pointed to the huge caravan of horses that were being held just at the entrance to their camp. Xena took this in. There were at least five times more soldiers then her meager army of around fifty. The warrior chuckled at the overkill of trying to say that his was bigger than hers was. It was Gabrielle that spoke first. "Xena, do you think it's just in a guy's nature to want to try and prove that his is bigger and better than anyone else's?"
That got a laugh out of the warrior. "It's not just men, but you are right. It's mostly men." They slowly started to make their way to where their latest enemy was standing. "Are you sure that this is only over religious views?" Xena never turned her head but everyone knew that the question was pointed towards her daughter. "I mean even for a foreign man, this seems to be overkill." The raven haired beauty could feel the twitching in her fingers meaning she wanted to have her sword in her hand. It was the typical beginning of battle fever.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Gabrielle was also flexing both her hands. It was interesting just how much alike they were now. In the beginning of their relationship, the bard was so close to the light that she burned like a bonfire. The warrior princess was so far in the dark that it took all that light of her soulmate to even touch the darkness. Now, they were almost equal parts of light and dark. And where they were personally not balanced, they as a couple balanced the other.
"I've sent out men." Eve could feel the tension coming from her parents. They were about halfway to their newest tormentor. "My men are not warriors such as you, Gabrielle and I used to be, Mom. But they do know how to do simple scouting. From what Intel they have brought back, I would say that there is more than just a conflict of religious beliefs. My group has been taking over some territory just to the south of the city. So far we haven't found anything of value there…"
"But that could change or they know more than we do." Xena finished the thought for her daughter. "All right. Let's just see what he has to say." It was an odd feeling as she felt not one but two sets of arms interlink with hers. Her body was still not feeling exactly right still but her mind seemed to be regaining its focus now that a potential battle was upon them. For the moment, having a clear head was more important than being able to hold her own in a fight. The three separated as they closed to within fifty feet of the large army.
At the lead of the army was a man dressed in bright red silken robes. He had a sword strapped to both his hips. They were curved instead of straight ones. That set off a bunch of alarms in the warrior's mind. There was just something not right about this man other than the obvious fact that he was after her daughter for some reason. The man stood and made his way down the steps. He was instantly surrounded by three men. His cold black eyes took in first Eve, then Gabrielle before resting on Xena's. "I take it you are the warrior princess."
"I'm called a lot of things." That got a barely hidden snort out of the bard to which Xena only smiled. She had had trouble maintaining her stoic face with that comment. "But some do call me warrior princess." She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned slightly to her right. "I'm not one for long chit chats. You can ask Gabrielle. She's the talker in our relationship." There was an instant look of disgust on the man's face that was quickly covered up. "So speak."
It seemed the stranger was taking a moment to recover. Whether it was from Xena's usual warrior tone or if it was because of the revelation of their relationship that had caused the man to stumble slightly it was unclear. Once again it came down to a blind person or an idiot that hadn't heard or realized about their relationship. So perhaps it was the military type speak that the raven haired woman had went with. "You and your people are on sacred land. We wish you to leave at once."
Gabrielle took a step forward. While she had been in Egypt this time, not only had she used the time to recover both mentally and physically, she had done some research. While not an expert, she knew every square inch of the surrounding area. "There are no scared lands outside the city that aren't at least a day and a half's ride away. We are just outside the city." Now she crossed her arms over her chest mirroring the one that her partner still maintained her staff at her feet waiting for her to kick it up to her should she need it. "So want to try again?"
Xena could not help the little smile that was on her face. It stayed there longer than it should but seeing her soulmate in charge and so confident, well, it just did something to her that was akin to pride and to physically turning her on. The warrior princess quickly pushed those thoughts out of her mind as this was serious and deadly and lethal. And yet her eyes kept drifting slightly to the well-formed back muscles of her partner.
Black eyes attempted to stare down green ones thinking that the petite woman was not very strong. When she would not break the gaze after several moments, the man finally turned his attention back to the warrior princess. "Xena, you are in a foreign land. You have just, from what I've been told, have come back from the dead. So why would you want to fight me and my army and put yourself, your partner and your daughter in danger."
It used to be so easy to say. But fighting for the greater good had lost its meaning. The handful of times that she had said the hell with the greater good, she was almost certain in the back of her mind that she could win even with putting Gabrielle ahead of everything else. This time there was sadly not that feeling. There was something that was here that if this man got a hold of, could and would change the course of the known world forever. Xena was not about to do that.
"We've been met with danger everywhere we go." Xena took several steps towards the man, Gabrielle and Eve moving right along with them yet staying just a step behind. The messenger had her own weapons hidden under her robes. Not wanting to fight in general, she knew that at the end of the day if you couldn't or wouldn't fight then peace would never be achieved. It just should always be the last resort. "And it's true that I have a lot to lose with my girls fighting right by my side." She watched as his facial expression changed. "But I have a feeling you have more to lose."
"Get them!" The mystery man pulled both his swords. His aim was for Xena but before he could take four steps he found both swords held by sias. "You let your woman fight for you? Are you that much of a weakling?" In a smooth twist of both her wrists, Gabrielle managed to dislodge both swords. There was now a point of one of the metal weapons to his neck and another to his chest. "Call off your dog, Warrior Princess. Or the rest of your men get slaughtered."