HEARTS OF BLOOD AND ICE

Manaia didn't think as he broke the surface of the sea sending water in all directions he slowly raised his huge wings outwards. He looked down slightly seeing the Mexican beach in front of him. His golden eyes drifted as he caught sight of a number of warriors fighting on the beach not far away. Their savage axes swung as the war raged on causing red blood to spill across the sands. He could tell instantly that one of these armies belonged to Tezcatlipoca, the other was Quetzalcoatl's his unholy warriors were the ones with the upper hand as they tore through the lines spilling more blood as they fought the un-dead skeletons warriors. Another violent battle like so many he had seen here, which happened on an almost constant basis.

They paid no notice to him as they carried on fighting it was so shameful that this was what mortals got used for in these lands. It was like a game of toy soldiers but on a grand scale. Not in all the lands he'd been too had he ever witnessed such cruel brutality or seen mortals used with such little regard for there well being. To most of these gods here mortals were seen as no more than cattle that did just what they were told and with out question because they were so terrified of their gods and their wraiths which could destroy whole cities. It was also a true show of how incredible power could be used so irresponsibly, nearly all the god's here only cared about was them selves which sickened him even more.

He watched sadly as the warriors carried on fighting, more dead bodies fell as the serpent's god's army finally broke the line. Peace and order wouldn't come to these shores until Quetzalcoatl was ousted from his throne as king of the Aztec gods. He was not the right god to lead the other gods he didn't care for mortals in general, he was also power hungry and vile on every level, and he ruled through pure fear and brutality. He shook his feathers winged of their water as he pulled himself on to the shore he eased his claws down using them to grip. He hadn't liked the idea of coming back here, but he was willing to risk it for Zeus. The King of the Greek gods had saved his life when he'd been attacked by Egyptian sun god Ra and the other Egyptian gods

Ironically they had mistaken him for Quetzalcoatl who had been forced out after his attack on Egypt some centuries before. It was a bad case of him being in the wrong place and at the wrong time. He was just been grateful that someone had been there to save him he couldn't fight all the Egyptian gods at once. At the time had just been passing through and exploring different lands. He had to been too young and innocent to realize that there were gods out there who were evil and that his appearance from under the sea could be very misleading. He also didn't understand about the boarder others god's had and that it was dangerous to swim around countries whose gods had these borders.

He had been almost at deaths door before the fireballs had stopped hitting him underwater. It was just before the final blow that Zeus had intervened stopping Ra from finishing him off and pointing out the terrible mistake the Egyptian gods had made. Zeus had taken him back to the Olympus and slowly helped him heal. It had taken him months to heal fully but when he had he'd been nothing but grateful to Zeus. He'd then set about teaching him to calm his inner fire which had been blazing. He had become his friend and in return Zeus had taught him about borders and other gods as well as countries he could visit and other gods he could speak to. He moved slowly forward he was glad that he could now return that favour to his old friend. He hated Mexica but he knew that somewhere in this place was Zeus's son Ares. The young god was in real danger and unlike him he probably had no idea how to get his way with the Aztec gods something he knew how to do all to well.

8

Itzpapalotl slowly leaned against Tezcatlipoca's throne she'd never really liked his keep but she was going to have put up with his blood stained badly colour coordinated temple keep until this deal was done with. On the bright side his bed chamber wasn't so bad in fact she could get used to it. He was just as she'd heard, a very forceful good lover the type she'd always liked. Xochiquetzal was a fool to ever turn her back on him she moved her finger running it down his fury chest in a circular motion. "Tell me how do you plan to kill the Blood Jaguar?" Tezcatlipoca grabbed her hand pulling it away from his chest. "Very slowly…I want to be witness every moment of her pain." He ran his claws across his thrones arm in a violent motion.

Itzpapalotl moved her hand up to his ear playing with his gold loop earring. "You know what your problem is Tezcatlipoca? It's that you're always to bold and direct." She raised her hand slightly. "You think too one dimensionally there is after all more than one way to hurt someone you hate." Tezcatlipoca narrowed his gaze. "What do you mean? Stop talking in riddles it disgusts me!" Itzpapalotl smiled slightly. "You know its little wonder your ex wife hated you, your always so tense you need to relax." Tezcatlipoca snarled aloud eyeing her. "I don't need advice from you." Itzpapalotl smiled slightly. "No you don't but you should listen to me…after all we are in this partner ship together now. You also went through with the deal in your bed chamber which makes the deal binding."

Tezcatlipoca sneered slightly as he sat back he wasn't going to say he didn't enjoy himself earlier in his bedroom, but he wasn't going say that he liked Itzpapalotl at all. If anything she was sarcastic and annoying something which he was just going to have to put up with, despite how much he loathed it. He looked up slightly watching as Ehecatl walked in to the room nervously. He eyed his head warrior. "What is it?!" Ehecatl breathed in deeply as he lowered his head. "The Star Coyote wishes an audience with you." Tezcatlipoca looked up sharply. "Tell that annoying little bitch to go back to her master!" Ehecatl raised his skeleton hand. "Please great Jaguar god it's important. She has a prisoner with her…she says this prisoner knows the Blood Jaguar."

Itzpapalotl leaned over slightly. "Why not show her in…she may be useful in her own way." Tezcatlipoca tapped his clawed hand against the thrones arm. "Fine…show her in…." Ehecatl moved aside watching as the Star Coyote moved past him, she pulling along an un-dead llama who had a man lying over his back. The llama's white cloudy eyes moved as it hissed showing of it razor sharp teeth. Tezcatlipoca eyed the small woman. "How dare you bring your un-dead beast in here?" The Star Coyote ignored him as she un-strapped the dark haired man from the animals back, watching as he hit the floor hard on his side. Her brown eyes narrowed as she pushed the animal aside so both gods could see the man at her feet who was still passed out. "This man is called Baldomero."

She looked up slightly seeing the underworld goddess look up sharply. "The same Baldomero, whose been stealing from your temples Itzpapalotl." She pulled up a bag turning it watching as rings and chains fell out hitting the floor. "I found him stealing from the Xiuhcoatl shore." She used her foot to turn the man on to his back. "As you can see he's wearing one of your protection pendants…it's the reason he hasn't gone insane." Itzpapalotl slowly moved away from the throne she came to a stop looking at the man in disgust. "I've been after this little bastard for a very long time…." She leaned down pulling the pendent free from his neck in a swift motion. "What's your price?" The Star Coyote smiled slightly. "I would like to join you in the capture of the Blood Jaguar."

She looked at the mortal man at her feet. "I've heard your not doing to well." Itzpapalotl turned sharply. "My men are searching." The Star Coyote raised her hand slightly. "You mean the rotting corpses I just saw some hours ago making their way up to this keep. Forgive me but I thought they failed in their attempt to capture her when the accidentally ran in to her." She ignored the goddess's scowl as she turned to Tezcatlipoca. "This man at my feet told me that the Blood Jaguar isn't alone. He told me she was travelling with someone." Tezcatlipoca roared aloud as he stood up. "Don't mock our intelligence we know the Blood Jaguar is always with her slave. His name is Itzli he was a warrior of Huitzilopochtli."

The Star Coyote leaned down pulling up Baldomero. "No I was referring to her partner, I'm sure when he wakes up he'll tell you all about it. She's the Blood Jaguars lover." Tezcatlipoca turned sharply. "Her lover…she has a lover!" Itzpapalotl took a step forward. "Who is he?" The Star Coyote smiled slightly as she stepped away from Baldomero who hit the floor again. "She's a she actuality and her name is Xena." Tezcatlipoca growled aloud. "I loath weaklings who fall for their own gender…." Itzpapalotl smiled slightly. "You mean like your ex wife?" She ignored his snarl of anger as she turned back to the Star Coyote. "So the Blood Jaguar was foolish enough to bring along her partner and here I was thinking that she was smart."

She pulled up her skeleton hand moving the fingers. "At least that was always the one and only compliment the feathered serpent ever gave her." Her gaze drifted back to meet Tezcatlipoca's. "We will first find out if you speak the truth by torturing this mortal." The Star Coyote slowly took hold of the un-dead llama's reins. "As you wish I'm sure he won't disappoint you." Tezcatlipoca watched as the Star Coyote left closely followed by Ehecatl the doors were slowly closed behind them. "We don't need her." Itzpapalotl walked over to the mortal. She grabbed she pulled him up so his feet were hanging in mid air. "She may be useful though after all she is the servant who always has her ear closest to the ground."

Tezcatlipoca sneered slightly. "I would tear her apart piece by piece if it weren't for her master!" Itzpapalotl eyed the captain in disgust. "Save your energy for more useful things." She didn't think as she threw the mortal watching as he hit the floor back first. "Don't waste it on the Star Coyote." Tezcatlipoca sat down slowly on his throne he slashed his tail violently. Itzpapalotl slowly walked over to him running her hand along his chest again. "Use it on those more deserving like this captain." She moved her hand playing with his earring again. "Why don't you give me a demonstration of what you're going to do to the Blood Jaguar on this vile little man first? I've always loved how you terrify mortals and how they beg for mercy from you."

8

Xena looked down slightly looking at the younger woman who was still unconscious as she got more comfortable in her kneeling position. She turned watching as Itzli sat down next to her, she eyed the warrior who was looking at her strangely. "What?" Itzli put his hands together. "You know you're as crazy as the Blood Jaguar." He paused slightly. "You understand what I'm saying now right, because I can understand you?" Xena stopped looking up sharply. "Yes I do." She felt her gaze dart. "Why is that?" Itzli breathed in deeply. "The gods can give you the voice of Mexica, it mean's you'll understand the language as if it were your own and speak it just as clearly."

Xena looked down slightly. "I remember now Gabrielle said it was Quetzalcoatl who gave her the ability to speak in your language." Itzli narrowed his gaze. "Yes and now Xochiquetzal has done the same for you." Xena looked up slightly the two gods had gone in to another room obviously to discuss something between themselves. Frankly she didn't want to look at the fertility goddess right now the woman had hurt her lover. Despite that she'd come here so willingly and that had disgusted her as had seeing what had happened previously in Mexica. She moved her hand looking at the bleeding wound on her lovers shoulder and the red marking on her neck.

She leaned over pulling the small purple bag of healing herbs free from her lover's belt. "Get me some water…." Itzli sneered slightly. "I only take orders from the Blood Jaguar I'm not taking orders from you!" Xena didn't think as she grabbed his neck with her free hand she snarled aloud as she met his gaze. "Get me some water now!" Itzli felt the force as he was shoved back he sneered in disgust as he rubbed his neck. He got up he moved over to one of the water bowl he grabbed a jug filling the nearest clay bowl. He slowly passed the water bowl to the dark haired woman. "Here…." Xena grabbed the bowl she turned the herb packet upside down watching as some of it spilled in to the water causing to steam as it turned to red.

She gabbed one of the fallen clothes near by not caring what it actual use was, and dipped it in the red water. Itzli watched as she began to use it to heal the Blood Jaguars wounds which bubbles and hissed as they disappeared. "You know she must really like you…I've never heard her beg to any god for anything…yet she begged that you be spared of any hurt or pain." Xena slowly put the herb bag back on the younger woman's belt she looked down as she pushed the water bowl and cloth over to Itzli. "Your bleeding you should fix that." Itzli eyed his arms he could see a few bleeding cut were the other warriors weapons had scratched him. He used the cloth slowly watching as they healed. "It's not in the Blood Jaguar's nature to save she likes to destroy."

Xena narrowed her gaze. "You don't know the real Blood Jaguar." Itzli raised an eyebrow. "Let me tell you about your lover the Blood Jaguar she has no fear, no compassion and she doesn't care about anyone. She has a selfish one track mind and because of that she's a legend here in Mexica." Xena narrowed her gaze. "Why don't you make yourself Itzli useful and get our things from the horses?!" Itzli sneered as he stood up walking towards the keeps entrance. Xena ignored his cold look as she watched him leave the keep she breathed in sharply watching as her lovers body suddenly twitched. Gabrielle groaned painfully as she opened both her eyes only to close them again due the harsh light. She tried to sit up only to feel her body rebel painfully against her wishes.

Xena pulled her up gently so she was in a sitting position leaning against her. "Easy now…" Gabrielle leaned forward feeling the pain in her skull. "I feel awful." She turned keeping her eyes slightly closed. "How long have I been out?" Xena looked up slowly. "Two hours maybe more…where does it hurt?" Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "It's my lower back and my head." Xena moved her hands slowly across the younger woman's back she stopped feeling one of the muscles which was still ridged and no doubt causing the younger woman pain. "Hold still." Gabrielle winced as she felt her lover push hard against her lower back she breathed in slowly feeling the pain slowly subside. "Thank you…."

Xena moved her hands up to the younger woman's head. "Where's the pain?" Gabrielle raised her hand. "It's on the left side I think it was where I hit the wall." Xena moved her fingers slowly up. "You did hit the wall on that side." Gabrielle winced as her lovers fingers moved in slow motions. "I don't remember…the last thing I remember was the lightning hitting me and my feet leaving the floor." She breathed in painfully as she tried to think. "What happened?" Xena moved her fingers again. "A god called Xochipilli stopped Xochiquetzal and she set us free. I used your Aztec herbs to heal your shoulder wound and your neck." Gabrielle groaned painfully. "Xochipilli is Xochiquetzal's older twin brother and he's the god of love." Xena carried on her circler finger movements. "Have you two met?"

Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "No…I've heard about him though, he's the kindest of all the gods." Xena breathed in slowly. "Well he saved us both so I guess the kind part is true." Gabrielle closed her eyes feeling the pain in head slowly subside she moved up her hand taking the taller woman's. "That's much better now." She stopped in mid motion. "I guess she showed you everything…." Xena turned slightly. "She showed me how she stole your tattoo and how you stole her pendent." Gabrielle breathed in painfully. "I'm sorry…I never meant to kiss her…I thought she was you." Xena slowly put her arms around the younger woman. "You have nothing to be sorry for…she tricked you, just watching it sickened me."

Gabrielle blinked in surprise that was the last thing she'd expected to hear she lowered her gaze. "Her husband was cruel and she was missing her lover." Xena narrowed her gaze. "I agree but that was still no excuse to play with your emotions like that. I felt everything even how you were feeling you thought it was me…her imitation was perfect she even had my voice, even how I felt to you." Gabrielle put her hand on her face. "I wanted it to be you…I wasn't thinking straight." Xena slowly moved her hand through the long blonde hair. "Why didn't you tell me about Akemi's tattoo being stolen?" Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "I was glad to see it go…I hated it, it was a constant reminder that you'd died and that she had you between worlds where I couldn't reach you."

She breathed in painfully trying to hold back her sadness. "I wanted to die so I could join you…and it was the thing that was keeping me alive." Xena breathed in painfully. "Oh Gabrielle…." Gabrielle breathed in feeling the tears as they started to run down her face. "I just wanted it to end." Xena pulled the younger woman deeper in to her embrace. "I wanted it to end as well when I was stuck between worlds." Gabrielle felt her lover wipe her tears away. "Ironic ha…." She looked down feeling her lover's hands move through her hair. "Like I said before I'm a disappointment to you. Nothing I did in this place was noble or honourable." Xena breathed in deeply as she tightened her embrace. "Stop saying that Gabrielle."

Gabrielle felt her gaze dart as she met her lover's. "Why aren't you angry with me?" Xena gently kissed the side of the younger woman's face. "This wasn't your fault Gabrielle Xochiquetzal took advantage of you." She breathed in deeply. "Your not a disappointment to me ether…I failed you remember I was the one who left you on your own to suffer." Gabrielle wiped her remaining tears away feeling the taller woman's arms around her waist tighten. She looked down slightly as she closed her eyes as she leaned against the taller woman putting her head under her chin. She couldn't go on like this anymore…she had to tell her lover that she'd killed the feathered serpent elite warriors in cold blood and accept the consciences.

8

Amoxtli stared at the girl who was passed out on the floor no doubt from drinking she could see the empty jug and the empty goblet which was lying near her hand. She sighed aloud she would've stayed but she had to think she had spent the whole night just walking the city. She'd walked from street to street aimlessly. She'd ignored the people as they'd stepped aside not really caring for their expressions or even that they were there. She took hold of a wooden bowl as she came to sit down next to the passed out woman she calmly put the bowl by her side. She slowly put the pillow under the other woman head no doubt her hang over was going to hurt.

She lay back on the nearest pillow her gaze moved sharply as she watched a lesser warrior run in to the keep. She looked up slightly half ignoring him as he came to a stop close to her. She looked up slightly meeting his gaze as he eyed her. "What is it…?" The lesser warrior folded his arms eyeing her. "Aren't you meant to kneel to me?" Amoxtli eyed him sneering slightly. "I'm one of the head warrior's you're meant to get on your knees and address me." The lesser warrior raised his scroll smirking slightly. "I'm sorry I won't kneel to a peasant girl." Amoxtli turned slightly not really caring for his words, what was the point of raising the bait? She was too deep in her own thoughts to care anyway.

"Get on your knees boy!"

Amoxtli turned sharply watching as Tlaloc walked forward his heavy axe swinging his eyes narrowed as he eyed the young man. "I said on your knees now!" The young man smiled slightly as the huge man came to a stop behind him. "You know the rule no peasants head is higher than a warriors." Tlaloc didn't think as he brought his fist down on the boy back. He watched as he hit the floor flat on his front crying out in pain. "That rule doesn't apply in the head warriors keep!" He watched as the young boy shivered in panic as he stayed flat on the floor. "I don't care what it was when the twelve were in charge, we are in change and that means you get on your knees in any head warriors presence from now on!"

He slammed his foot down hard on the young mans back. "Is that understood or do I have to rip out your lower intestine and wrap it around your scrawny little neck!" He watched as the young man shivered as he shook his head. "Good now what did you have to say?" The young man swallowed. "We failed against the sun gods warriors they ambushed us!" Tlaloc narrowed his gaze as he leaned down ripping the scroll from his hands. "Do have anything positive to report?" The young man swallowed. "We killed the jaguar god's troops who breached our border, all of them!" Tlaloc moved his foot slowly off the young mans back. "Get out of my sight." He watched as the young man broke in to a run leaving the keep in panic.

He turned looking at Amoxtli who had her head lowered. "There you are do you know how long I've spent looking for you?" Amoxtli looked up slightly. "You were looking for me…why would you want to look for me?" Tlaloc shifted his gaze as he sat down next to her. "Because I was concerned about what had happed to you." Amoxtli smiled slightly but she knew it was a fake smile. "Why because if I had die, you would have no one to mock?" Tlaloc breathed in deeply the bitterness in her voice was to be expected, he had given her the same treatment everyday since they'd met. "No…because I would have no one to talk to and no who would listen."

Amoxtli turned sharply she breathed in deeply. "Just stop it! You think I buy kindness from you…no one cares for me and no one loves me. I've lived long enough to understand that on every level so please don't play this game with me." She turned sharply. "Also I'm a peasant girl no one kneels to me and that's how it is!" Tlaloc grabbed her arm pulling her down gently as she tried to get up. "Can't you just trust me?" Amoxtli eyed him. "Why should I?" Tlaloc kept his hand on her arm. "Because I want to get to know you." He raised his hand. "Can't you just give me one chance? If I blow it then we never have to speak again and you can rest knowing that you were right."

Amoxtli eyed him she sneered slightly. "Are you doing this out of pity? Because if you are I don't want your pity!" Tlaloc breathed in deeply. "I'm not doing this out of pity I'm doing this because I want to talk to someone who listens." Amoxtli breathed in deeply as she lowered her gaze. "Fine then we'll talk say what ever it is you want to…." Tlaloc breathed in deeply. "Amoxtli…what's wrong with the Greek girl?" Amoxtli eyed the empty jug and goblet which she'd placed upright. "She's had far too much to drink. I doubt she'll wake up till this after noon." She turned sharply. "You addressed me by my name…you didn't call me peasant girl." Tlaloc smiled inwardly as she failed hide her confusion. "It's your name isn't it?" Amoxtli blinked as she lowered her gaze. "Yes it is, it just feel like so long since anyway addressed me by it…."

End of part 26

Silvermoonlight.

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