Chapter 20 –Beneath The Mask
Belach stumbled upon his brother's room and saw Solan packing very little of his belongings to leave for Alexandria with Alexander. He saw the sadness in his eyes and wondered if Solan truly wanted to leave despite his mother's wishes.
"Hey," he said and Solan turned around swiftly.
"Oh hey," the blonde answered softly and sighed.
Belach pursed his lips and walked further into the room, looking at his bag filled with some clothes and letters from his mother of course. He always kept Xena's letters, even when he was a kid. "Packing to go to school, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess," Solan grumbled and folded his arms, leaning against the bed. "I don't understand why I can't just stay here. There are schools here, right?"
Belach smiled softly and sat down next to his brother. "Only in Antioch and Edessa. There are schools in Athens and Thebes too."
Solan's eyes widened. "Then why doesn't she send us there?!" he yelled and stood, flaying his arms in the air.
"She probably doesn't want you and Alexander really close to her just in case, you know..." he trailed off.
"Just in case what?" Solan grimaced and Belach lowered his eyes. "In case those Crusaders come back?" he scoffed and added, "Alexandria is so far! I've never even been to Egypt!"
Belach rolled his eyes. "I think you will be fine in Egypt, Solan. Your mother obviously is sending you both there for a good reason. It's pretty much a neutral territory," he smirked.
Alexander ran inside the yurt and breathed heavily from running across the camp. Belach frowned and the boy smiled at him. "A letter for you, Belach!" he took the scroll from his belt and handed it over.
Belach snatched the scroll from his hands and unrolled it quickly. "A letter from...your mother?" he eyed his brother and Alexander shrugged his shoulders.
Solan folded his arms upon seeing Alexander with a black eye. "What happened to your eye?"
Alexander sheepishly grinned and shied away. "Um, nothing," he said softly and Solan marched over to him and cupped his cheeks. "Ah, come on!" he griped.
"Alexander! Who did this to you?" Solan grazed his fingers across his brother's eye and he squirmed.
"Nobody!" he shoved Solan out of the way and sat down on the bed, sulking. "I did it to myself."
Belach chuckled in the middle of reading the letter, listening to the conversation. "Nice going."
"I fell on my sword, okay," Alexander groaned and felt embarrassed just saying it especially hearing Belach's laughter and Solan's audible sneer of disappointment. "It was an accident...won't happen again."
Solan nodded. "That's right, it won't because you aren't going to continue training with swords anymore."
Alexander gasped. "But, Solan! I want to learn!"
"Forget it."
Belach stood up in a fit of rage and threw the letter onto the ground. Both younger brothers' eyes grew wide and immediately ceased conversation. "Hell no!" he growled.
"What did she say?" Solan asked.
"She wants me to take you two to Alexandria," Belach grumbled and folded his arms, brooding. Alexander's eyes lit up at the sound of that and he grasped his arms around Belach's waist, hugging him tightly. "Get off me!"
Solan smirked seeing Belach so upset, as always. "You better do as she says, or face the consequences," he teased.
"Yeah, Belach! Do as mother says or else!" Alexander grinned and Belach tried walking away and Alexander wrapped himself around his brother's leg, hanging on like a monkey.
Belach grunted as he exited the yurt with Alexander strapped to his leg. "There is no way in hell I am going to be your babysitter!" he groaned and shook his brother off. He saw his father not too far from the area and shouted, "father!" he frowned down at Alexander. "Get off of me you little twerp! Father!"
Borias rolled his eyes and made his way over to Belach and saw Alexander glued to his leg, unwilling to move. He folded his arms and smirked, sort of amused by his youngest son's agility and persistence.
"What do you want, Belach?" he asked with a smile.
"This is not funny!" Belach kicked his brother off his leg and Alexander fell on his back, groaning. "Father, Xena wants me to take these twerps to Alexandria."
Borias nodded. "And you will."
Belach gasped. "But father! You knew about this? And why didn't you say something?!"
His father smiled softly. "Xena wanted to tell you personally. You will take them, end of discussion." He began walking off and Belach caught up to him and grabbed his arm. "Belach!" he growled.
"I don't want to take them! She is not my mother, she can't tell me what to do. I draw the line there," the ruthless teenager shook his head.
"I don't think you are in a position to argue, Belach. Xena trusts you that's why she asked you to do this. Osman has not forgotten about what you did to his niece so I suggest you be on your best behavior and do what Xena asked of you, understand?" he eyed his son and Belach nodded his head.
Alexander seized the opportunity and took off running then jumped onto Belach's back, wrapping his arms around his brother's neck. "We are going to have lots of fun together in Egypt!"
Belach huffed and walked off with Alexander attached to his back, refusing to even bother to slump him off. "We'll see about that." He grumbled.
Gabrielle fell onto her back and looked up at the sunny sky above her. She had been knocked down by Xena several times this morning and was getting tired of being bested by her. She slowly rose up and saw Xena with a smug grin on her face, twirling the sword in her hand, a practice sword, but still quite deadly apparently.
These last few weeks in Thebes had been a lot different than the time she spent in Persia. Everything was different here, even the architecture of course. Xena's palace in Thebes was definitely a lot larger than her palace in Persia, although Gabrielle knew that the palace in Jerusalem belonged to the previous Sultan, but this palace here in Thebes, was built by Xena herself long ago. She wondered where Xena lived before she built this place.
But for now, she focused herself on fighting and that was obviously very important to Xena. She rose to her feet and spat some sand out of her mouth. She felt her body aching with every move she made and her wrists were very sore. She definitely knew that Xena was going easy on them in Persia after what she witnessed in Thebes during training sessions. Xena was determined to make every single one of these young women into warriors, just like her. But could it be possible? Gabrielle didn't know.
She shook her head and held the wooden sword tightly and gripped the shield, ready for Xena to attack her again. Meanwhile, Xena had a smile ready to kill and she had an advantage, well, many advantages. She wielded two swords and had years of practice to go along with it.
Gabrielle ran forward and swung her sword around and Xena leaned backwards then swung her leg around, knocking Gabrielle off her feet for the third time in a row. Xena chuckled as she heard the young blonde groan.
"You leave yourself open every single time, Gabrielle! You are beginning to amuse me."
Amuse you, huh? Gabrielle growled and stood to her feet quickly. She eyed Xena holding her swords, ready for another attack again. I'll show you amusing. She ran forward and thrust her sword into Xena's midsection, which was easily dodged. Xena spun around and elbowed Gabrielle in her neck and she hissed, nearly falling face forward into the sand.
Not again, I'm not going to fall yet again! She huffed and turned around swiftly then jutted forward, blocking Xena's attack with her shield, then swung her leg around to kick Xena off her feet, which obviously didn't work because Xena jumped, missing the attack entirely.
Damnit, Gabrielle cursed inwardly. Seeing that smile on Xena's face was enough to entice her to be better. Not again, not today. I will not fall again. She remembered what Xena said about attacking the enemy. Know your enemy and you will know yourself. You must know every move your enemy will make or you will die.
That's it, I am not thinking of Xena as an enemy. I'm thinking of her as my friend, as my ally. Xena is my enemy right now, not my ally, and even allies can be enemies too, right? Gabrielle grinned and then charged forward and Xena ducked as Gabrielle swung her sword around.
She then hit Xena in the face with her shield and knocked her back a few paces. She ran forward and flipped her shield over on its side and rammed it into Xena's chest. Xena gasped for air and stumbled backwards, wrapping her arm around herself, trying to breathe.
Gabrielle grinned with satisfaction once she saw Xena's footing was off for once. She took the opportunity and dropped her shield then grabbed Xena by her hair and head butted her. Xena fell backwards and Gabrielle's eyes widened, as if everything stopped in slow motion, watching Xena fall backwards onto her backside and crash onto the hard sandy ground.
All the girls outside stopped their training once they saw Xena laying on the ground, motionless. Gabrielle swallowed and stepped forward cautiously, leaning over to see Xena lie there like a defeated warrior.
"You knocked out the empress..." Helena said and lowered her practice sword.
No, I didn't meant to do that. "But, I..." Gabrielle breathed heavily and dropped to her knees, leaning over Xena. She touched her face and she was unresponsive. "Xena?" she whispered. A hand came to her mouth and she shook her head. That was not supposed to happen, she thought.
Xena's eyes shot open and she clutched onto Gabrielle's throat and flipped her over onto her back. Now she was sitting on top of her and held her wooden sword to Gabrielle's neck. She saw the surprise in her trainee's eyes and she grinned deviously.
"Never believe your enemy is dead unless you have proof," Xena winked and then got off the terrified blonde. She stretched out her hand to aid her trainee up off the ground.
Gabrielle grinned and grabbed hold of Xena's hand and hopped to her feet. "You scared me. I thought I really hurt you."
Xena nodded and looked over to the shield on the ground a few paces away. "Never drop your shield, Gabrielle. It will get you killed and never let your guard down. I could have killed you if that was a real sword, don't do that again."
Gabrielle sighed heavily. "I know, I was stupid. I should have been more careful!"
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Xena grinned and grabbed Gabrielle's chin to examine the large sum of cuts and bruises on her cheeks. "You are improving and I think you may have bruised my rib." She said teasingly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean –"
"Don't apologize, Gabrielle. You have been paying attention in my sessions. I'm proud of you, but..." she stepped closer, dangerously close. "I will have to get you back later," she whispered.
Gabrielle's face flushed and she folded her arms, avoiding eye contact with Xena. Get me back later? What does that even mean?
Xena turned to face the rest of the girls and she handed off her practice swords to one of the male servants. "You are free to go for the rest of the day. But!" she held up her finger as the girls began to rush back into the palace, they halted in step. "No sleeping. Sleep is a reward, which you haven't earned yet. Which is why I have assigned each of you to a job in my palace." She heard all of the girls moaning and groaning under their breaths. "I don't want to hear complaints."
Xena sat in her room, hours after training with Gabrielle, she looked at herself in the mirror and saw a huge purple bruise on her rib cage. She touched it with fingertips and flinched at the touch. Yes, I will definitely have to get you back for this, Gabrielle.
She sat in her chair and wrapped her breasts with a bandeau carefully. She gathered her hair and then turned to look at the giant scar on her shoulder blade and frowned. Something she would never forget, a sweet reminder of a Templar that attacked her in Persia a long time ago. Sighing, she grazed her fingers along her neck, also another reminder of someone she hated –Sidon.
A knock came to the door and she jumped. Hiding the scar on her shoulder with her hair, she adjusted in her chair, wrapping her body with a black shawl to hide her bruises. "Come in," she ruffled her hair.
Dajan entered the room and she frowned, somewhat disappointed to see her adviser standing in the doorway. She had secretly hoped that it would be a little blonde that she had grown quite fond of as of late.
"Empress," he pulled out a scroll and she slowly stood from her chair and walked over, snatching the letter from his hands. He sighed, lowering his head. "Commander Saladin sent this to you, but it was lost in the mail."
Her eyes widened when she read the letter. "He wants to come here to see me?" she questioned and Dajan nodded. "I do not know this man, who is he?" she rolled up the scroll and handed it back to him.
"He is the Commander of Egypt, empress. He plans to make himself the Sultan of Egypt now that Sidon has been taken care of..." he tread carefully with his words, almost afraid to anger Xena. She had such hatred for the Syrian.
She chuckled lowly and circled around the chair. "And why should I meet with this man? He is just another Saracen that is going to get on my nerves!"
Dajan clenched his jaw. "Empress, Saladin is a highly esteemed commander. He has kept the Crusaders out of Egypt for more than a decade."
She sat down in the chair and bit her fingernail, thinking this over. Saladin obviously wanted to meet with her for whatever reason and of course it had something either to do with the Crusaders or he wanted a piece of her empire. Either or, she wasn't going to let him trample all over her like Sidon tried to do years ago.
"I should care of his accomplishments why?" she sneered. She picked up her sword and lifted it into the air, examining the sharp blade. She frowned upon seeing her reflection, a reflection of a woman –she knew Saladin would not be fond of.
"Does he know who I am?" she asked.
"Yes, Xena," Dajan nodded.
A sweet smile crossed her lips. "Oh goodie," she set the sword down on the table and eyed her adviser. "Fetch my turban and robes. I would make an impression upon this Saladin."
He frowned and nodded confusedly. Her turban and robes were normally worn in Persia when she was a sultan, but here, everyone knew who she was now. He didn't quite understand. "I'll have one of the maids bring it to you."
She gave a curt nod and tapped her fingers on the desk. "When is he supposed to come here?"
That was another thing he probably should have mentioned. "Well, empress, since the letter was lost for quite some time, I believe –"
"When?!" she hissed.
"This evening, Xena," he said and cleared his throat.
She grinned, nodding her head, already formulating a plan in her mind. "And my girls? Where are they now?"
"They're in their sleeping quarters, resting."
She sighed and stood, stripping herself of her shawl. Dajan averted his eyes and turned around, slightly embarrassed. "Have veils and turbans sent to them. Tell them to dress quickly and be ready within the hour in the west entrance." She instructed. "And have Gabrielle sent to my room when she is done dressing."
Dajan raised his eyebrow. "Of course, Xena..." he then took his leave and Xena smirked, staring at herself in the mirror once more. A woman inside, a man on the outside.
Astremia threw her veil onto her bed and grumbled. "I don't see why we have to wear these things again. I thought we were finished with them!"
Penelope nodded, agreeing with her friend. "Seriously, I hate wearing these veils. They're so itchy."
Gabrielle frowned, listening to the girls quarrel with each other. She too, didn't understand why Xena commanded that everyone don the veils again. We were free from Persia, free from everything and most of all, Xena free from her alternate persona, but perhaps she wasn't?
She pulled her hair back into a tight bun and secured the turban atop her head and held the veil in her lap, gawking at it. It was forever a reminder of what happened in Persia. Too many things happened there and that was the first time she met Xena, but not as Xena, but as Xenophon. She hid herself well, but not well enough apparently. It was only a matter of time before people found out, but she realized Xena knew this long ago that day would come. She only suspected that Xena didn't know it would come so soon.
This donning of the veils and turbans was most odd and all the girls were baffled by it. Nonetheless, Gabrielle strapped the veil onto her ears and sighed heavily. Xena, what are you doing? What is going on inside that head of yours? What are you planning?
Dajan opened the wide double doors and looked straight to the requested blonde. "Gabrielle, the empress wishes to see you." He announced and all the girls turned their heads to the summoned one.
Gabrielle's eyes widened and she felt like she was being targeted again by all of these girls. Although, they didn't look angry or upset, but confused. She slowly rose off her bed and began making her way to Dajan.
Helena grabbed her hand and whispered, "ask the empress what is going on, Gabrielle. I know she trusts you."
Right, trusts me. I'm not too sure of that anymore. "I'll try my best," she smiled softly.
Dajan looked to the rest of the girls once Gabrielle was by his side. "The empress wants you in the west entrance. Be sure to be there within the hour." He said and closed the doors. All the girls raised their eyebrows and shared bemused looks with one another.
Gabrielle exhaled harshly as she stood outside of Xena's bedroom. It was definitely more ominous than her bedroom in Persia. This palace was far larger, more intimidating and screamed the essence of the empress herself. Even the doors leading into her quarters were threatening. The large doors, the gold arches above, the statues of great Greek leaders beside each post. So extravagant, she mused.
She finally got up the courage to knock on the door, listening closely. "Come in..." Xena called out and Gabrielle held her breath, opening the doors.
Upon entering she saw two maids adjusting the black robes on Xena, the same ones she thought Xena got rid of Xena, but apparently not. One of the girls slipped on a long black glove onto one arm and Xena stretched out her other arm as the other glove was being put on for her. The veil attached to her turban was fluffed out and hung low, almost to her waist.
Gabrielle frowned and unveiled her face once Xena finally turned around, donned in her black sultan garb. "What is going on?" she asked hesitantly as she continued to gawk at Xena, as if seeing her for the first time, unveiled as Sultan Xenophon. It was a déjà vu moment for sure.
Xena smiled and wiggled her fingers in the fresh black leather gloves. She nodded to the female maids and they quickly took their leave. "I have a visitor coming by tonight."
"And...he knows not who you are?" Gabrielle guessed and saw Xena's smile widen.
"He knows about me as a woman and a man, but he wishes to meet with me," Xena walked around Gabrielle, tracing her fingers along the blonde's shoulders. "I do not trust him. He does not know what I look like. I want to play a game with this man."
Gabrielle raised an eyebrow, unsure of the empress's intentions. "So, you are playing the role of sultan again? Why?"
"Do not forget what I've taught you. Not all wars are fought on the battlefield, Gabrielle," she whispered in her ear and Gabrielle stiffened. "You tense at my voice. Have I come to frighten you again?" she hissed.
Gabrielle held her breath and turned around to look into Xena's bright blue eyes. "Seeing you dressed like this again only brings back memories of seeing you for the first time." She said and heard Xena hum softly, leaving her side. Finally, I can breathe again.
"I couldn't figure you out then and just when I thought I have, I seem to be wrong. I don't understand this game you're playing, Xena," Gabrielle folded her arms.
"Do not act so defensive, Gabrielle. This attire is only a mask, a facade. I am not Xenophon. That title has been stripped from me," she frowned deeply, thinking of all her plans ruined. "I have never met this man before. He goes by the name of Saladin. I do not know his intentions by coming here to meet me. I must make him earn my trust so then he will see my face."
Gabrielle nodded, not understanding still. "But if he knows who you are, why are you hiding?"
Xena laughed and bit into a piece of fruit. "Gabrielle, I am not hiding. I am engaging in this man's fantasies! He knows about me, yet he does not know nor I him. He is nothing to me until I know why he has come all the way from Egypt."
"Egypt?"
"Yes, he arrives tonight. A rather impromptu meeting due to some complications with the mail..." she griped and threw the fruit down onto the plate. She sauntered over to the blonde and rest her hands upon her shoulders. "Do not mistake me for hiding who I really am. You trust me, don't you?"
Gabrielle nodded her head, staring up into the empress's eerie gaze. "Good," Xena smiled and pat Gabrielle's shoulders. "I want you to accompany me into my private office during my meeting with Saladin."
She gasped, "why me?"
Xena grabbed a black mask instead of a veil and strapped it over her face. Gabrielle's grew in fear. She'd rather see Xena's wild eyes than see nothing at all. She truly wanted to scare this man to death, Gabrielle thought.
"You wanted me to teach you everything I know, right?" she asked and Gabrielle stood frozen. "I will teach you the way of political warfare and fine conversation in my company." She stretched out her hand. "So, won't you join me?" she smiled underneath the black mask concealing her face.
Gabrielle reluctantly grabbed hold of Xena's hand and the two left the bedroom, descending down the staircase. "Welcome to my reality, Gabrielle."
All of the girls waited in two rows within the west entrance. Gabrielle stood directly behind Xena as she was centered in front of all the girls, patiently waiting for Saladin to make his entrance. Gabrielle lowered her eyes and felt like this idea was not good and something might go awry. Xena was playing a dangerous game, a game to a unknown person. Whether an enemy or not, Gabrielle was sure to find out what happens tonight.
Helena nudged Gabrielle. "What is happening?" she whispered.
"Be quiet!" Xena yelled and Helena's eyes widened and adjusted the veil around her face.
"Gabrielle..." Helena whispered again.
"Quiet, Helena. Now is not the time!" Gabrielle hissed.
Xena spun around and stared directly at Helena, instantly recognizing her frightened eyes. She walked over to her and towered over the small girl. "If you utter another word I will work you to death in the field tomorrow, understand me?"
"Yes ma'am," Helena said, feeling sweat drip down her face.
"A new troublemaker arises. So the powers have shifted," Xena mused and looked over to Gabrielle, whom didn't even make eye contact with her.
The doors opened and Xena turned to walk back to her spot. Saladin, commander of Egypt walked in and raised his eyebrow upon seeing the horde of soldiers behind Xena. He also saw the esteemed Greek ruler wearing a black mask and garb, completely concealing her face and body. Something he was not expecting.
He halted a few paces from her and bowed his head. "Xena, Empress of Greece, Valide Sultan of Persia. What an honor it is to finally be in your presence."
Xena gave him a curt nod. "Wish I could say the same about you."
Saladin grinned, hearing her muffled voice, eager to see the face hidden beneath. "Forgive me, I heard word that you were able to put an end to Sidon. I commend you for your triumph against the heathen."
"I was not without help," she said and Gabrielle smiled softly beneath her veil. "Why have you come here?"
He bowed his head with an eager grin. "I wish to talk of alliance with you. Your empire forever grows stronger against the Crusaders of Rome and I too have the same desire to push the knights out of my soon established empire."
Established, interesting choice of words, she thought. "We will talk in a more private setting of course," she said and he nodded. "But, forgive me, I do not trust people that unknown to me to come into my home." She presented the girls behind her. "My students in training will go through your belongings outside, if you don't mind."
Saladin's smile faded and he took a good look at the so-called students. "Not a problem, empress. I have nothing to hide from you."
Xena pursed her lips and waved her hands at the girls. "Do not speak so soon, Saladin. You must understand I cannot trust you."
"Of course, I understand. I too, would do the same if you graced my home." He bowed his head and then Xena's girls ran outside to his elite guard waiting outside these very walls, all but one.
"I'm sure," Xena said and walked off with Gabrielle right behind her. Saladin frowned and raised a suspicious eyebrow.
Inside the office, Xena sat down opposite of Saladin and Gabrielle stood beside her, watching her closely. Saladin smiled and presented a bottle of wine. "For you empress," he lowered his gaze.
Xena furrowed her eyebrows beneath the mask. The thought of wine only churned her stomach. "A kind offer most appreciated." She said calmly and Gabrielle sighed softly.
He nodded and set the bottle down on the table. "You yet hide your face still, empress..." he mused.
"A precaution I must take in your presence," she said and tapped her gloved fingers on the armrests of the chair. "Now that we are alone, you can tell me of your true intentions. You wish for alliance. Why?"
Saladin's jaw clenched and he adjusted in his seat, eyeing the young soldier beside the empress suspiciously. "You and I share the same goal. We both despise the Templars and I wish to rid them from Egypt. You have already tried to do so in Persia, but they will strike again. Recently, I got rid of a horde of knights from the Nile. I feel...we could work together, as partners."
She nodded. "I don't have partners, Saladin. I run this empire alone and I don't plan to change that."
"But you have allies do you not? The Anatolians perhaps? They are loyal to you. Allow me to show the same loyalty, empress." He grinned.
"Why should I ally with you? You have offered me nothing and I had no idea who you were until today." She crossed one leg over the other and saw his eyes linger, almost waiting for a glimpse of her bare skin, something he would not see, not tonight anyway.
Saladin chuckled lightly. "Empress, I am the finest commander in Egypt. My empire will rise. We could work together, create an empire that rivals the Church. I am at your feet," he bowed his head slowly.
Xena eyed the man and felt something was a bit strange about him. He was willing to risk everything to join her in defeating the Templars. "If you have a rising empire, why bother to ask for my alliance? Won't you rise up and fight against me if circumstances are right? Sidon did the same to me."
"Sidon is a kafar. He is not the man who was destined to rule. You seized Damascus before I had the chance to. I am forever grateful to you for ridding the earth of his treachery. God willing, we will get rid of the Crusaders together, if you permit it so...?" he hinted. It was difficult to see her reaction to such propositions, but he tried to corner her and engage with her. The time was short, he thought.
She snickered softly. "And what's to stop me from ransacking your supposed 'established empire', Saladin? I wiped out Damascus in one day. I could wipe out Cairo in hours, if I wished it so..."
He felt like he was losing a battle here and realized he may have underestimated this woman. He thought this would be easy to sway her, but perhaps not. He was out of his league. "Perhaps, I could convince you of my worth then, empress?"
"Oh? Enlighten me," she grinned and adjusted in her seat. Gabrielle listened to Xena's tone. She was most enticing, almost seducing, using her womanly skills this time. Perhaps, something Xena never relied on before, until now. Her voice was soothing, not frightening as a sultan, but maybe she was using the ways of a woman and a man all in one. I think I understand, Gabrielle thought to herself.
"I give you my entire army," he said and her eyes widened beneath the mask.
"Such a bold offer, Saladin. I do not know anyone so willing to be on my side that they would give me their entire army," she chuckled. "I certainly wouldn't do that."
Saladin grinned hearing the soft laughter from the empress. He was unsure if she was making a mockery of him or not. But he went on, "I will be loyal to you, empress, if you allow me to ally with you. I wish to be rid of the Templars and claim an empire for myself. I have almost completed the necessary actions. Your alliance would be of utmost importance to me and my rising power against the Church."
Xena sighed, "power is a dangerous thing, Saladin."
"But you know of such victories," he implied.
She nodded, "I do not have hatred for the Templars, but to those who wronged me. They made themselves my enemy. And while we sit in this room, in my palace, they are recruiting every knight across Europe to overthrow me. They've made it their mission and so now I have a mission of my own. They chose this path and I intend to put an end to it."
Saladin's smile widened upon hearing that. "So, does this mean we have an alliance, empress?"
"Only a fool would supply me their entire army which means you're either very smart or very eager to die." She stood and he along with her. Gabrielle eyed the two as Xena stared into the man's dark brown almond eyes.
"An alliance is nothing without an offering on my end..." she stepped closer and she saw his eyes tremble. "I offer you my finest battleships to combat the Crusaders if they choose to invade Egypt." She stretched out her arm and he eyed her hand. "Do we have a deal?"
He shook her hand and nodded. "Of course, empress. Gratitude for your alliance and your protection. My empire will thrive greatly under your rule," he bowed his head and sighed. "I must be going, but this meeting has been...most rewarding."
"Oh, you may stay here in the comfort of my home." She offered and Gabrielle's eyes widened. Is she serious?
"Empress, what a kind offer, but I wouldn't want to impose..." he held his hand over his heart.
"I insist."
He nodded with a subtle grin. "God shines on you, empress. Thank you," he bowed his head then took his leave.
Xena frowned and lifted the mask from her face once the doors were closed. "Saracen bastard," she griped.
Gabrielle ripped the veil from her face and frowned. "What was that about? You allow him to stay here and you give him your alliance?"
Xena took off the gloves from her sweaty hands and smacked them against her palm. "You must keep your enemies close, Gabrielle. A lesson that I have learned long ago when I made many alliances with the European monarchs. Saladin is so eager to get rid of the Templars, he is willing to risk everything to do it, even allying with an unknown person. He wants power, but it will only destroy him in the end if he is not wise."
"You gave him your word that you'd send ships to Egypt to aid him. Why would you do that?"
The empress grinned. "My sons are going to Egypt, Gabrielle. I will not see Egypt ransacked by the Templars if they so choose to attack again. I'd rather lose my entire empire than have that happen. I will keep a close eye on Saladin."
Belach walked head with his two brothers trailing behind after the ship docked at Alexandria's port. He wiped the sweat off his brow, not used to such immense heat. He huffed and placed his hands on his hips, surveying the city.
Solan carried Alexander's bag and caught up with Belach. "Where to now?" he huffed, breathing heavily at the dry heat.
"I'm supposed to take you to the school. Apparently, your mother made arrangements with the teachers for you to stay in the housing," he groaned, not used to a city so large and busy. He saw so many different kinds of people around him, also something he was not used to. Every person was of a different color, shape and size. Nothing like Ankara or Anatolia as a whole.
After asking around they were finally heading in the right direction towards the school. They had been wandering around for hours if not for Solan's suggestion to stop and ask for guidance. Alexander moaned as they walked up a large hill.
"It's so hot!" he complained.
"Better get used to it," Solan said and slung the bags over his shoulders. "It's not so bad," he smirked.
Alexander shot him a menacing glare. "Yeah right. Are we there yet?" he called out to his elder brother.
Belach raised his eyebrow and saw a huge white building, recognizing that architecture. It was Greek, so that must mean they were in the right place. "You're in luck, Alexander," he smiled and ran up the hill and Solan grumbled, trying to keep up, he grabbed Alexander's hand, helping him along.
Upon arriving to the large Grecian school, Belach saw a couple of boys his age and maybe as young as Solan, camping out in front, joking around, speaking a foreign tongue he was not familiar with.
"Hey," Belach said. "This is the school of Alexandria, right?"
The two boys grinned and hopped off the benches and approached the trio. "Why, yes it is. Who are you?"
Belach folded his arms, eyeing the dark eyes of these teenagers, not entirely sure to trust them or not. "Belach and my brothers, Solan and Alexander. Their mother has arrangements for them to stay here. Where are the teachers?"
The light skinned, dark haired teenager eyed the boys behind Belach and smirked. "Greek boys, huh?" he snickered and the other boy grinned.
"The teachers?" Belach insisted, growing annoyed with these two.
"My name is Al-Aziz Uthman, but Aziz for short," the dark haired teen introduced himself. "My brother, Ishaq Saladin," he said and Belach nodded.
"Yeah, nice to meet you both, anyway, I really need to make sure my brothers see to their rooms." Belach folded his arms, not allowing the two boys to pass.
Aziz nodded and eyed Alexander hiding behind his brother, Solan. "Oh yeah, well the teachers left for the day but my brother and I can show them around." He went around and Belach grabbed his shoulder.
"I don't think so," he warned. "I'll come with you."
Aziz sneered. "Yeah, hey, hands off. I'm not going to hurt your brothers, relax." He walked over to the blonde boy and folded his arms. "Solan, huh? Where are you from?"
"A lot of places," Solan frowned and Alexander clutched to his leg.
"And your brother? He doesn't look like you. You must be from the Steppes, am I right?" Aziz knelt down, eyeing the dark haired small boy. Alexander frowned and hid behind Solan. "Shy little guy, isn't he?" he mused and Ishaq shook his head.
Belach rolled his eyes and pulled Aziz away from his brothers. "Enough of this. Show us to the rooms or –"
"Or what?" Ishaq asked and Aziz folded his arms, glaring at Belach. "I wouldn't put a hand on my brother if I were you. We know people in high places."
Belach smirked, "so do I and trust me, you don't want to find out who that is," he winked. "So, the rooms?"
Aziz and his brother frowned and told them to follow up the hill to a separate building not too far from the school. Belach stayed behind them, watching them closely. Alexander grasped Solan's hand tightly as they tread behind their elder brother.
"Solan, I don't like them," he whispered.
Solan nodded, "let's try not to start any trouble with anyone while we're here."
"I am really beginning to hate this place already," Alexander grumbled.
Belach turned around and saw his brothers falling behind. He groaned and walked over and picked up Alexander, carrying him on his back. "Come on, Solan."
"I'm coming..." Solan sighed and ran up the hill to join Belach. "Who are those boys?" he whispered.
Belach shrugged and Alexander wrapped his arms around his brother's neck. "Will you stay here with us?" he asked.
The eldest brother sighed heavily. "Your mother so owes me for this, but I'd rather stay here until I know you are both in good hands or she will kill me. Literally."