Title: It Begins...
Author: Cat
Rating: T (Possible Language and Situations)
Status: In Progress
Summary: Events following A Friend In Need...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Xena Warrior Princess show or Hercules the Legendary Adventures. I do however own the story line.
Queen Cyane stared in disbelief at the woman before her. "Xena" she began "I have always known Alti to be evil and questioned , even encouraged you to be rid of her" she paused before locking eyes with Xena "but if you what you say is true, then you are admitting guilt for plotting the assassination of the Amazon High Council" reaching out she took the younger woman's hand "is this what you are doing?"
Xena dropped her gaze and shook her head yes "Yes Cyane" she looked up again "I have plotted to betray all that you have offered and stand before you now with the truth and a warning of her evil. She must be stopped and her soul bound to her bones, otherwise she will continue through the spirit realm to accomplish her goals." Taking a deep breath "we must send her soul to oblivion so that she can never walk this plane again."
Cyane let go her hand and stepped back. She could see the honesty, for perhaps the first time, in Xena's eyes "With this admission, we will put an end to Alti, but" she paused "I cannot allow you become a sister of the tribe, you must understand that ?"
Xena agreed with a nod of her head "I only ask, that in the future, should I call upon you, may I do so as an ally if not a sister?"
Cyane smiled "Of course" she replied. She turned to show Xena out of her tent "now let us prepare a welcoming for Alti."
Alti never knew what hit her that fall morning. She followed Xena to the ceremonial burial of a fallen Amazon and would take their powers as Xena eliminated them one by one. Smiling, she closed in as Xena argued with Cyane. The snap of a twig behind her caused her smile to drop suddenly, as chains fell down around her and a gag shoved in her mouth before a blow of pain to the back of her head left the world black.
When she came to, she was chained to a stake, wood for a fire surrounding her as well as the Amazons in full numbers, Xena next Cyane. Alti's mouth was on fire with pain as she struggled to speak, to find not only the gag removed, but her tongue as well. Xena's voice rang clear to "No chances to be taken, you evil tongue will spill no more curses upon the living or the dead" and she stepped back.
Cyane read the crimes against the Amazons that Alti was guilty of, the witch desperately tried to call her master through her thoughts, with no success. She watched in silence as the kindling at her feet was lit with flame and listened as the binding curse was placed upon her soul, binding her to her bones for all eternity. She locked eyes with Xena across the flame and smoke, what she would have given to curse that woman again. Pain enveloped her as she gave into the darkness. Instead of feeling her spirit separate and move on, she was trapped, watching the fire consume her mortal form until only bones and dust remained. She watched as the Amazons gathered her bones, crushed the remaining to dust . She felt her spirit fading, as the last of her mortal bones were destroyed and she faded from existence never to hear from her master again.
When Xena arrived back to camp, she had one last thing to deal with, Borias. But, the camp looked off, over half the men and their gear were gone. She passed through the silent camp and entered her tent to find Borias and his things gone. Her heart was torn with his sudden departure, she knew he would have to go or face death. Her attention was drawn to a scroll laying upon the remaining bed furs. With a heavy breath, she settled down and pulled the scroll to her.
Xena,
With your final act of betrayal complete, I take my leave of you and the madness that envelopes you and your witch. I have taken the men loyal to me and plan to return home, the place where my heart truly lies and I should never have left. I pray to whatever Gods will hear me, that my life there is not too late to claim. Word came to me this morning, that you sacrificed my child at the altar of Ares, begging the God to remove it from your body. Your witch was very useful to me for once sharing this with me. I have watched to you transform into a monster, and fear your soul is corrupt beyond saving with her and her evil. I pray you find your way back to the light.
Borias
Getting up, she dropped the scroll into the dying flames of the warming fire. She felt Ares as he appeared behind her "Was it hard for you to appear as a woman, much less a witch?" she turned and faced him.
He did not flinch at her accusation "We needed him gone, and unfortunately to get him to leave, he needed to hate you" he closed the space between them "I should have told you my plan, but you were otherwise occupied and I thought it easier if he were gone then for you to face him."
She shook her head to agree "no you were right to handle it" she paused looking up to search his eyes "it just I wasn't expecting him to give up so easily."
"Ah my Princess's vanity is injured" he smiled as he pulled her close " we have much to accomplish my dear and time is short it was necessary to move quickly" his handing falling to her slightly swollen stomach "our son will be here sooner than later and we have a demon to track down and eliminate."