Chapter 16 – Losses

Back at the tavern, the group was gathered around a table picking at a lunch that Cyrene had prepared. The news of the stolen Hind's Blood had not been received well. They all recognized the implications of this, there was no need to talk about it. Xena had started lunch by sharing this news as well as their limited battle plans. As she mentioned the possibility of retreat, she noted the bleak expressions around her. They attempted to use reassuring words, but their worries were written on each of their faces. Xena understood how they felt. She felt as if she could be leading them all to their deaths, and this wasn't sitting well with her.

The personal worries that each comrade was plagued by, was only half of the reason that lunch was such a quiet event today. The other was that Ares had joined them, sitting at the table next to Xena Just by chance, this put him directly across the table from his half-brother. The two worked hard to avoid looking up at the same time and making eye contact. They spend a lot of time looking at their own plates. Xena knew this was awkward for everyone involved, but they were all about to risk their lives for the same cause. They needed to get used to him being around, and sharing a meal with Ares seemed like a simple starting point. Of course, it would be if Ares were mortal. As a god, he didn't actually need to indulge in mortal foods, but for the sake of trying to make everyone else feel more at ease, he pushed the vegetables and rice around on his plate just like everyone else. A few bites told him that it wasn't so bad after all.

Finally, Hercules looked up at Xena and broke the silence. "Iolas and I are building a defense wall around the tavern. Unfortunately, we really don't know how much time we have, so hopefully it will be done in time."

Xena nodded her acknowledgement of this. "Sounds like a good plan," she replied.

"Not to be a thorn in the side… but the wall won't really keep them out… gods, you know?" Ares added.

Hercules reined in his anger at the response. "Yes well, with gods it's hard to know what to expect."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ares asked.

"Nothing… just that it can be difficult to trust the actions of any Olympian."

"So, you don't trust me… is that what it is?" Ares' voice rose and Xena quickly placed a hand on his forearm, a signal to him to remain calm. He clenched his fists tightly but didn't make another move.

"It doesn't matter if I trust you… only if Xena does," Hercules replied.

"Which I do," Xena quickly added. "Remember, we're all on the same team here. Past differences need to be put aside."

"Xena's right," Gabrielle chimed in. Xena looked at her with a bit of surprise. "I know that I'm not Ares' biggest fan… but we are all fighting for the same thing. Remember, even if we haven't all trusted Ares' intentions in the past, this is the life of his child that we're talking about."

"Thanks, Blondie," Ares said with sincerity but was met with a sour look from her. "I mean Gabrielle."

"So… we continue with the wall?" Iolas was tentative to ask.

"Whatever makes everyone feel more secure is worth it," Xena added with a glance at Ares. He didn't argue.

"You know that's funny," Autolycus started. "There is this barmaid at a tavern down the road. I think having her around would make me feel very secure."

Amarice kicked Autolycus under the table.

"Hey! What was that for?" he asked.

"For being a pig-headed man," she replied.

"No rendezvous here. Take your entertainment somewhere else. We don't need more innocents around here to worry about," Xena cut them off.

"That… wasn't exactly a no," Autolycus commented.

"I think what she means is -" Gabrielle started to say but stopped when a shower of pink and gold glitter fell around her and Aphrodite appeared behind her chair.

"You have a point Gabrielle, I should stay here," Autolycus said as he gazed at the goddess.

Gabrielle glared at him and Amarice kicked him under the table again.

"Oh good! You're all still here!" Aphrodite seemed a bit out of breath, panicked even, which was unusual for her. Instantly both her brothers were on high alert.

"What's wrong?" Hercules asked her at the same time Ares' question "What happened?" came out. They each threw a glance at the other, but ignored the coincidence otherwise.

"Well… I have good news and bad news for you," Aphrodite started. She ignored both her brothers and made eye contact with Xena.

"I've had enough bad news for the day. Give me the good news first," Xena told her.

"Great! I know where the Hind's Blood is!" Aphrodite blurted out immediately.

"That is great!" Ares added.

"Where?" Hercules asked suspiciously.

"That's the bad news… in some kind of booby trap that I can't get through. It's in Athena's temple a few miles out of town… the one that Joxer and Lila are being kept captive in."

"What?!" Gabrielle was instantly on her feet and facing the goddess.

"Oh yeah… that's the other bad news. Athena kidnapped your sister and Joxer." Aphrodite gave Gabrielle a look of empathy.

Gabrielle started heading toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Aphrodite asked.

"Where do you think? To get my sister back!" Gabrielle shouted.

"Just wait, Gabrielle," Xena tried to calm her down. "Let's think of a plan."

"I agree… it could be a trap," Ares added.

"We don't even know what we're dealing with there," Hercules agreed.

"Oh! I do!" Aphrodite said gleefully.

"You do?" Iolas asked as they all looked at her in surprise.

"Yes! I was just there. I thought I should get all the information I could before I brought this to you."

"That's… surprising…" Ares commented.

"Good thinking, Aphrodite," Hercules complimented her, though he looked just as surprised.

"That will teach you both to underestimate your sister," she responded to them.

"Aphrodite…" Gabrielle attempted to urge her along.

"Right… so the temple is on the main road out of Amphipolis. It's closed to the public right now; the door is guarded by two of Athena's warriors. Joxer and Lila are being kept inside. There are two more warriors in there… one is that one that Athena's always hanging around with… what's her name…"

"Ilainus," Ares offered.

"Yeah! That's the one. She'll likely be the most trouble. She's Athena's favorite. There's only one other person there. The priestess of the temple. She seemed to be keeping her distance from it all though. I wouldn't imagine her to be too much trouble."

"That's great, Aphrodite," Hercules praised her.

"And the Hind's Blood?" Xena asked.

"It's on the altar. I'm not able to get through the barrier around it with my powers. A mortal wouldn't likely be kept out by that barrier, but it would still be next to impossible. It's protected by little light beams that are made from Athena's powers. They're sure to be hard to get through. It would take a magician."

"Magician… or thief?" Iolas offered subtly.

"Perhaps… the King of Thieves?" Hercules added.

"Now I'm stealing from gods?" Autolycus feigned surprise.

"Is that a problem?" Xena asked coyly.

"No, no… I'm quite flattered actually. This will be a heist to go down in history." Autolycus spoke with arrogance.

"Wait…" Amarice cut in. "How can we be sure this isn't a set up? What if we get there and all the gods are there waiting for us?"

The others looked around at each other considering this.

"Because they're planning to attack here," Cupid appeared standing next to her.

Amarice jumped in surprise of the god's sudden appearance.

"Cupid?" Xena asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping… I hope," he added.

"I couldn't be in two places at once. So, I went to the temple and Cupid spied on Athena's meeting in the Grand Hall," Aphrodite explained.

"Aren't you just full of surprises today," Ares commented. "I'm thankful though," he quickly added.

"What did you find out then?" Xena asked, directing her question to the new-comer.

"It's not good. They're preparing now and planning to attack here before sundown. I'd say only a few hours from now at the most. Including Zeus and Athena, you're looking at seven gods. Powers aside, your fairly evenly numbered, but those powers mean a lot."

The group of friends let the gravity of the situation wash over them. The knowledge of the upcoming attack had been on all of their minds for several days, but this news brought it into a definite reality.

"We need to come up with a plan here," Ares gently said as he placed his hand over Xena's.

"We have to rescue Lila and Joxer," Gabrielle added as she came back to the table to join the others.

"We have to get the Hind's Blood," Cyrene spoke up for the first time.

Xena sighed and looked at the Goddess of Love. "You've done so much for us already, Aphrodite, so I hate to ask you for this favor… can you take Autolycus and Amarice to Athena's temple? I'm not asking you to do anything besides transport them back and forth."

"Me? Why?" Amarice asked. "I should stay here to help you prepare."

"I have a lot of faith in Autolycus to do his job… but there are four guards there. He'd be too outnumbered to get the Hind's Blood, and Lila and Joxer, and get back here in time."

Amarice accepted this reluctantly. There was no point to argue. She wanted to stay by Xena and Gabrielle to help, but also saw the importance of her helping Autolycus.

Xena turned her attention back to Aphrodite who consented immediately to help with this. Xena addressed the rest of the group then. "As for everyone else… gather your weapons and be prepared. High alert at all times. Everyone stays here from now forward until this is over. The wall was a good thought but let's use it to try to keep this contained within here rather than destroying the rest of town." The friends nodded their understanding, before Xena continued.

"Cupid, I appreciate all you've done for us. I suggest you get out of here before the others show up and find you here though." Cupid shared a sad look with Ares and Aphrodite before he left.

There was general quiet in the group. The feeling was surreal as they reflected on the real threat coming their way and the possibility of things that could go wrong.

"Well… there's no time to lose. Let's get going," Autolycus said as he stood and motioned for Amarice to join him. They joined Aphrodite, about to leave, but Xena stopped them first. She gave each of her three friends a sincere hug and wished them good luck.

"We'll do better in large numbers," Ares was the first to speak after they left. "Let's all gather what we can and meet back here. We don't have much to work with but if we want to keep this contained here, let's set up barricades as much as possible."

Hercules patted Iolas on the back, "Help me start turning over these tables so see what we can come up with for some cover."

"I best clean all this out of the way then," Cyrene commented and started to bring pots of food and unfinished plates into the kitchen.

Everyone else got up to start preparing. Xena grabbed a few plates to help her mom. They pushed through the kitchen door, and sitting on the counter was a small bag of grain with Cyrene's necklace laying on top. Cyrene quickly emptied the contents of her hands into a wash basin. She gently picked up the necklace, contemplating the meaning of Hera returning it to her. Could this be a message of her agreeing to help? Best not to get anyone's hopes up, Cyrene thought to herself. She decided to continue to keep this to herself.

Xena noticed the piece of jewelry in her mom's hands. "Oh mom, I didn't even realize you had taken that off. You probably shouldn't just leave it lying around though. I know you'd hate to lose it." Xena took it from her hands and placed it around Cyrene's neck, fastening it in the back.

"You're right…" was all Cyrene could say as a response.