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After going over various maps of the next territory she was going to conquer and going through all her journals and updating some she sat down in her chair, lost in thought. Absently watching and soldiers walked around her tent removing and packing things to be moved along. For how long she sat there, she didn't know until one soldier interrupted her. Xena looked up at this soldier whom knelt upon getting her attention and waited for her to give him permission to rise. Xena sighed then spoke, "What is it?" The soldier still kneeling answered, "Everything is packed up, Conqueror. We just need to pack up your tent and it's done. We have saddled your horse and is waiting outside, pending your approval of everything." Xena nodded and told the soldier to rise then began to walk towards the tent entrance. Just before she left the tent she felt Ares' presence, she stopped and turned around then spoke to the soldier, "Go ahead and take the chair from here and wait outside with a few soldiers. I'll let you know when you can take the tent. I have some business to discuss with the God of War." The soldier saluted her, grabbed the chair and left her alone.
Xena walked back to the middle of the tent, looked around before staring at one spot in particular. "You can come out now. What do you need? I'm about to head out towards Amazon territory." Ares appeared in a flash of blue and white light in front of her. "I had seen that you are on your way there. As always, My Chosen, you have my favor for this battle." Xena nodded once then a thought came to her, "What does your sister want with me?" She raised a single eyebrow at him. Ares rolled his eyes and walked around her till he was behind her and put his hands on her shoulders before replying. "She's being her usual ditzy self. Her and her job you know, Goddess of Love and all. Nothing to worry about. I've got her off your case though." Xena watched him till he was out of her sight, then just listened to his words.
They stayed silent for a few moments before Xena spoke up again, "Well, I must put the army in motion if we want to reach Amazon territory in three days time." Ares nodded once then turned her around, "Alright. I wish to speak with you tonight though. After camp is set up and before you sleep for the night." Xena nodded and was about to turn away when Ares grabbed her shoulders and brought her to him, gave her a kiss and then disappeared without a word. Xena stood there a moment, shook her head and walked out the tent giving the soldiers the order to take it down. Xena walked over to her horse and mounted then moved to the head of the army and spoke to them. "In three days time we'll conquer the Amazons. And not long after their fall we take on the Centaurs!" The soldiers cheered loudly, once they were calmed down enough she spoke again, "And soon after that, Corinth will fall at our hands and no one will be able to stop us then!" The soldiers cheered again and started chanting Xena's name. Xena let it go on for a moment then held up a hand to stop them. "Alright, let's move out!" with that she turned her horse around and began the march towards Amazon territory.
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Ares stood on the outskirts of the field where Xena was motivating her troops. After he left her in the tent he moved to the field, out of range of Xena being able to sense him. Nodding at her words, he knew she spoke truth to them. He's seen to it that she'll rule the known world. Peace through power was always his motto. He was slightly concerned about the whole bringing in a new line of gods, but he was sure they could surpass that. There had to be a way out of it. Once he saw her go on the move, he felt another presence before he actually saw who it was. Without turning to the other person, he spoke. "Do you have the scroll, Aphrodite?" Aphrodite appeared in her usual flash of pink and rose petals. "The scroll, yeah I have that. But there's another two I have yet to find." She handed over the scroll to him and waited for him to throw a temper tantrum. 3 … 2 … 1 … "WHAT?!" Ares didn't fail to show it and rounded on Aphrodite pinning her with a dark look. "What do you mean there's more scrolls?! I thought you said this was it!" Aphrodite backed away a bit while holding up her hands, "That's what I thought too. And I've been trying to find these scrolls. Do you have any idea how many scrolls Zeus has in that library?" Ares sighed, looked away for a moment before turning back to her. "Alright. You find these scrolls and get them to me when you can. I have something I have to prepare for right now." With that he disappeared in his usual flash, leaving Aphrodite there. Aphrodite threw her hands up in the air exasperated and disappeared as well.
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Ares appeared in the throne room in one of his favorite temples. This one was along the Aegean coast. One would be able to hear the faint sounds of the water hitting the rocks down below. Ares went straight to the throne and sat there for a minute trying to think of what he could to do prepare for tonight. After a few moments of coming up with nothing he decided to visit Aphrodite to see what she thought would be nice. Ares started to walk down the steps to the bottom and disappeared mid-step.
Ares found Aphrodite getting a manicure, as he was about to come out of the aether, when he saw Cupid appear next to her. Cupid look around for a minute then produced two scrolls and handed them over to Aphrodite. "These are the two scrolls you're searchin' for isn't it? Had to talk to Zeus down so he don't get mad at me for taking off with his scrolls." Aphrodite put the scrolls down for a second then turned back to him. "Good, I'll need to go over these before handing them off to Ares."
When Ares heard that he stayed in the aether for a bit longer to hear what she wanted to tell Cupid. Aphrodite looked around to make sure no one else was around. She then gestured Cupid to come a bit closer then she spoke, "What Ares doesn't know, and what the Fates told me after he left was that Xena and him will bring about a new era of Gods. But they either will be good or evil depending on how strong their love is. These scrolls are supposed to tell me when this is to happen." She looked around again before continuing on, "You know Zeus won't be happy to hear that." Ares having enough of what was going on spoke up and came out of the aether, "And neither will I." Ares stood there arms crossed looking between Aphrodite and Cupid. Both of them looked up startled to see Ares there. Aphrodite was the one to speak up, "Cupid go on about your duties and I'll see you later." Cupid nodded once at Aphrodite then at Ares and disappeared. Aphrodite turned to Ares, "You weren't supposed to know that just yet. I need to read up on it some more." Ares sighed walked around a bit then turned back to her, "That may be the case, but you should have told me these other problems regarding it. I have a right to know. Alright, you go over these two while I'm looking at the first one. But aside from that. I need your help a bit. I want to do something special for Xena tonight but I don't know what I can do."
Aphrodite got up while shooing off the priestess who was giving her the manicure. "So you're taking my advice and courting her, huh? Alright. How about a candle lit dinner for just the two of you. You should know what she likes to eat. And then just talk to yourselves in front of a warm fire or out on the beach someplace?" Ares thought about that. "Yeah, that sounds great. You got some great ideas. Ok, I work with that and read up on that scroll. While you find out when that stuff is supposed to come down and then get back to me when you have the information. I'll see you around, I got a dinner to prepare for." Ares winked at her then left in his trademark flash. Aphrodite nodded then set about to read up on the two scrolls that Cupid brought her.
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Xena marched on with her army, riding at the head of everyone. She seemed to be lost in thought but alert just the same. Xena was going over the last few days in her head, wondering what interest the Goddess of Love had with her. She was unlike most who fell to their knees upon seeing a God or Goddess, there wasn't much of a difference with them. All they wanted was people to fear them and all they did was mess with people for their own amusement. She suspected that of even Ares, but he was the God of War and she knew that he had many warlords. Then there was that dream of hers that she had the other night. That confused her the most, who was that peasant girl and what kind of armor was she wearing? She remembered it being bronze in color and black leather underneath like always, but bronze armor? Not only that but a single sword? She glanced down unconsciously at her twin blades at her sides, she couldn't imagine being without these two. The only things she actually carried on herself that were from her home.
It seemed so long ago now that she's been there. After the attack from Cortese, everyone shunned her. Even her own mother refused to speak to her after she had seen what happened to Lyceus. She had no one to turn to at the time, all she had was her small group of villagers that helped her defeat Cortese. Now there was only her and a few others that are still alive and with her army now. For a long time she had said to herself it was to put a barrier around Amphipolis, but down the line that had changed to making herself supreme ruler. Or as Ares liked to state: 'Peace Through Force'. She mentally shook her head then looked around the area and noticed it was approaching dusk. She held up a hand to halt the army, then turned around a spoke to them. "Alright, we'll rest here for the night. Get camp set up while a few others will come with me to scout out the area." She looked to her second in command, Darphus, and gestured him over to her. "Make sure the men get everything organized for when I return." Once said she picked out a few soldiers and rode off. Darphus watched after her for a few moments before speaking quietly to himself, "One day, this army will be under my command. Not some… woman…with no real desire for war. Ares should have favored me over that broad." He shook his head as he saw one of the soldiers coming up to him. The soldier saluted him and waited for permission to speak. Darphus looked down on him from his horse, "What do you want soldier?" "The camp is set up, per orders. Is there anything that is requested of us to do?" Darphus looked around barely now realizing how long he was actually sitting there musing over how Ares should have chosen him. Darphus shook his head and waved the soldier away. Making his way to his tent on the opposite side of camp.
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When Ares appeared back in his throne room he started setting up for the evening, setting up a table with two place settings and started a fire in the fireplace with a thought. He didn't want to get the food just yet until it was close to time to bring Xena here. He walked to his throne and sat down making a portal appear. At first he went through several battles happening around Greece changing some things and just overlooking others. Ares stopped on Xena and watched her ride of with her small group of soldiers. Just as he was about to close it he saw the dark look that crossed her second in commands face and automatically transported himself there in time to hear what he had said about Xena. He was about to turn him to ashes for his thoughts when the soldier walked up. Instead Ares waited inside his tent, still in the aether. Once he heard him coming around and enter the tent Ares appeared standing in his usually position. Darphus having seen this as well didn't bow or anything just stared at this stranger.
Darphus finally spoke up, "To what do I owe to the pleasure of a visit from the Gods?" He then walked to the table and began to pour himself a chalice of wine. Ares stood silent for a moment and just as Darphus was going to take a drink Ares smacked it away, then held Darphus by the throat. "If I were you I'd watch what I said about my commander, especially if this commander was the chosen of the God of War. If anything goes wrong with her plans to rule the known world and I've seen that you're behind it, I'll torture you beyond your imagination. You don't know what pain is." With that he dropped him, making him land on his rear. Darphus took in gulps of air, while rubbing his throat and giving dark looks at his intruder. He stood up after a moment finally realizing just who was in his tent. He mock bowed then spoke while his head was turned down, "I wouldn't dream of betraying her." Once he stood back up, Ares patted him condescendingly on his cheek, "Good boy. Make sure it don't happen." With that Ares disappeared leaving an angry Darphus looking on.
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Xena arrived back at camp just after sunset and went straight to her tent. Ignoring the soldiers who were saluting her as she past them. Once at her tent she gave orders to the guard there and went in. She looked over the maps spread out on the table for her marking down their position and what she scouted out. Making small notes in journals, then she went to the basin wiping off any dust that was on her face and arms. Once finished she went back to her chair at the head of the table. Just as she was about to get up and go check out the army, she felt his presence. She sat back down and just waited for him to show himself. Ares appeared behind her and with a thought made her armor disappear along with her weapons then began to massage her shoulders. Xena stayed quiet for a moment allowing him to relieve the tension there. After a few minutes Ares pulled her to her feet, "Are you ready, my Dear? I have dinner waiting for you at my temple." Xena looked around for a moment, "I'll be ready in just a second. I need to alert the guards that I'll be leaving that way if anything happens Darphus can handle things." Xena walked away from him and went to the tent entrance, spoke quietly with the guard there and came back to Ares. "Now I'm ready." Ares nodded once and took her hand. When then appeared at his temple Ares made the dinner appear on the table and then changed Xena into a beautiful blood red dress that he had especially made for her.
Xena looked around in surprise at everything on the table, then noticed her change of clothes. She looked back to Ares to see him smiling waiting for her approval of everything. She walked up to him kissing him lightly on the cheek then spoke, "This is very nice. What's the occasion? Not that I'm ungrateful or anything but I wasn't aware there was something of importance to merit this." Ares walked her over to her seat and then sat down himself. "No occasion, my dear. I just wanted you to feel comfortable so I can bask in your beauty and presence. This is just the beginning of the many ways that I will show to you that I am devoted to only you." He took her hand a placed a kiss upon it, then filled her plate with the food around the table with a thought.
She gave him a slight smile, "How are things on your end? Anything interesting going on with the battles around Greece?" Ares watched her for a minute then spoke, "Nothing really interesting. Always the same stuff. Warlords thinking they are worthy of being my number one. And you know family is always a drag. Blaming me for all the wrongs on Olympus. But no more shop talk. Tonight is just about you and me." Xena smiled at 'shop talk'. "So what should we talk about then?" She looked at him waiting for an answer. "How about you finish you meal first. And then we'll go for a stroll on the beach or something." Xena nodded and continued to eat.
Soon after when she was finished Ares transported them to the beach shore, moon was shining brightly with the waves splashing against the sand. After walking around for awhile Ares had music playing from somewhere then grabbed Xena and began to dance with her. Xena looked around for the music for a moment before just focusing on Ares. Ares brought her closer to him then spoke softly in her ear, "I want you to know that you are the only one I want. There'll be no one else but you. Very slowly I've come to realize that you are the one for me." Xena pulled back in shock at what he said, "Ares, I…I really don't know what to say. I like you right now, but if this is another game I want no part of it. Over the years I've been betrayed one too many times. I don't want to go through it again." Ares put a finger over her lips silencing her, "I'm not playing any game with you. What can I do to prove to you that what I speak is truth?" Xena looked at him for a moment then kissed him. After a few minutes she broke away then spoke, "There's nothing you can do or say, I can see it in your eyes. I want you to know, it will take some time for me to come around to trust again." Ares nodded, "I know and I understand that. I'd wait an eternity for you." He kissed her again then they continued to dance on in silence. Xena rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his head lightly upon her own.
After awhile just as they were going to leave, Ares moved Xena out of the way as a fireball came out of thin air straight past where Xena stood. Ares looked in the direction it came, seeing Discord standing there looking pissed. Ares let go of Xena and turned to face Discord, "You had better have a good explanation or I will fry you to ashes on the spot!" Discord growled looking past Ares at Xena, "You harlot! That's my man! No one steals Ares from me!" She was getting ready to throw another fireball when Ares went into her view again grabbing Discord by the throat and holding her in the air, "You and I were over a very long time ago, Discord! You need to realize that. Zeus will hear of you trying to kill my chosen, I'll make sure of that. Try and attack her again and I will kill you myself without a thought. Now get out of here!" He then dropped Discord, wrapped an arm around Xena's waist and disappeared with her.
Discord got up, shook her head. "What does he see in that harlot that I don't have? I'm twice the woman that she is. I'll just have to find another way to knock her off, then Ares and I will be together again." With that she disappeared in an angry flare.
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Ares appeared back in his temple with Xena, leading her over to some divans that were placed in front of the fire. Once seated she watched him pace back and forth muttering to himself about what he would do to Discord if she ever showed up again. After a few minutes of this though she stood in his path, "Stop this, who cares what she's done. Zeus'll know what she's done, right?" Ares nodded, then sighed. "I guess this wasn't the ending to this night that I was hoping for." At this he grinned, then continued, "Well there'll be many more nights to come. Well, I'll take you back to your army now. You can finish off any plans that you have to prepare for." Ares took her hand and both disappeared.
Ares appeared in her tent, Xena stepped away and notice that her leathers were back in place. Ares turned to face her, "I've added that dress to your wardrobe that I have set up for you. And there's also more there as well." Xena stepped closer to him, "Tonight was great. Well except almost being fried. I'll see you soon?" Ares looked to her, "Of course, you can't get rid of me that easily, my Chosen." He leaned down and kissed her. After a minute he stepped away. "Till later then, my dear." He mock saluted her and disappeared in his usual flash. Xena stood there a moment then left the tent to find Darphus.
Xena walked into his tent not bothering to announce her presence. Darphus stood up and saluted her. "What can I do for you Conqueror?" Xena just waved him away, "I just want to know if everything is alright. Nothing major happened while I was away?" Darphus shook his head, "Of course not, Conqueror. No peasant would dare defy us now. Although if I may say, I don't think it's wise for you to be leaving the troops like that." Xena looked at him, trying to figure out what he was getting at. "Whether I leave or stay is my choice, not the army's. I'm still the commander of this army. You get your rest, I want to be on the move early in the morning we still have two days ride to our next battle." Xena left the tent then without looking back. Darphus mutter to himself, "For now you're still the commander, that will change if things go my way."
To Be Continued...