Chapter 4

Disclaimer: still don't own Xena, Ares, Hercules or any characters related to their shows. Wish I did, though.

When Xena woke up the next morning, she was in an unfamiliar clearing. I don't even get to say farewell? I guess I don't really deserve that after what happened. Still it would have made this at least a little easier, and I could possibly fool myself into thinking this is just like any time I am about to leave on an extended campaign. Make that was about to leave. Now to try and figure out where I am and make my way to Potedeia. She thought as a tear slid down her cheek.

My heart broke as I watched my wife through a portal from my temple in Sparta. I HATED seeing her cry. Even though I can't bring myself to be in your presence at present, Pricness, I will be watching you and helping you when and where I can. I made a small scroll appear next to her bed roll, along with a small amount of food. Can't have you poisoning yourself with your cooking, that would ruin my planned punishment, I thought to myself with a small smirk. How someone who grew up in a tavern like her mother's, and failed to learn any decent cooking skills, was a long running joke between the two of us. The one time I asked her to cook for me, I had to have Apollo give me a special house call so that I didn't end up in Tartarus. Forget hind's blood, or the Dagger of Helios, my wife's lack of cooking skills could kill any mortal or immortal much more painfully, no doubt about it! I thought to myself with a wry chuckle.

Turning my attention back to the portal in front of me, I saw a small smile appear as Xena noticed the food, followed by a slightly intrigued expression as she reached for the scroll. Unrolling, the scroll, I saw her reading my message. You're welcome for the breakfast, Princess. Don't want you dying before your punishment can even start. I saw her snort with very unladylike laughter at the first line. As far as your location, you are a mile and a half outside of Potedeia. Once you are done there I will send Argo to you, so you can get to Amphipolis. Even though I won't be around, I will be keeping an eye on you, can't have you getting into too much trouble, now can I?

Rolling her eyes at the fact that I would be keeping an eye on her, and perhaps making things a little more interesting for her if I called in a few favors from my annoying siblings, I watched as Xena grabbed a honey and butter flavored roll and slathered some blueberry jelly on before eating it. Chasing that down with an apple and grape juice, she packed up the few belongings I had sent with her, her travel armor, breast dagger, boot dagger, specially made sword, and chakram, before making her way toward the town.

She suddenly perked up as she heard what sounded like screams from up ahead. I guess that's my cue. Time to get started on this stupid atonement kick, the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over and I can go back to my home and husband, if he will still have me. Xena couldn't help thinking, with a heavy sigh. I could always hear her thoughts when watching her through the portal, one of the many benefits of being her husband and the god she had chosen to pledge herself to.

"What do we have here? Looks like some of Draco's lackeys trying to kidnap and enslave some innocent townswomen, I gue…."

"Let the others go. Take me instead!" Xnea was interrupted by a redheaded teen. Well this is an interesting change to my plans. Who is this uppity peasant girl? I couldn't help wondering.

"Gabrielle, no!" one of the other women said

"Quiet, all of you! You will be coming with us!" One of the guards spat, giving a hard yank on the rope binding the women.

"No, they will not. The only place they will be going, is back to their families." Xena said pulling out her sword, an eager expression appearing on her face. "Let's see if Draco's lackeys have gotten any better since the last time I encountered them." A derisive chuckle followed this statement, making it obvious how likely she thought it was that they might have any chance of defeating her.

"You don't know how big of a mistake you've just made, lady." The one who appeared to be in charge said, as he pulled out his sword, signaling the others to stay back while he dealt with what he thought was a minor inconvenience. He was flabbergasted when not even two minutes into the fight, he was disarmed and had both his sword, and his opponent's, swords pointed at his neck.

"Would anyone else like to have a go? Or will you agree to let these women go back to their families before I humiliate the rest of you the way I did your leader?" Xena sneared, as she watched the men look at each other, then at their leader, before turning and running toward where she figured their camp was. "Oh, tell Draco Xena says hello, and that his latest actions have greatly displeased Ares, God of War and Prince of Olympus." Xena called after the men, making them run even faster on hearing just who had defeated them. "I guess he got some new recruits since the last time we fought. I see his training methods haven't improved any, nor has his ability to instill loyalty in his pathetic excuse for troops." She muttered to herself with an annoyed shake of her head.

"We can't thank you enough for rescuing us."

"Are you really Xena, the Warrior Princess?" This last came from the redhead, who was apparently named Gabrielle, who looked awestruck.

"That's what some call me. Come on let's get you all back to your families." Xena said with a slight roll of her eyes, as she led them in the direction they indicated was the way back to their town, Gabrielle chattering nonstop.

Does she ever stop?! This is worse than having to listen to Discord and Strife trying to explain why they failed at some task or other that Ares gave them.

"I can't believe Xena, the Warrior Princess of Kalamai and sacker of Corinth just rescued us! I have so many questions! What was the battle of Kalamai really like? I heard you killed 30 warriors in one go, with some special weapon that had been given to you by the God of War, because you were his Chosen Warrior. Is it true that you are his Chosen? How does one even become the chosen of one of the gods? How did you come up with the ideas you used during the Battle of Corinth?" the girl she knew now was named Gabrielle, hounded her. "if you are the Chosen of one of the gods, that must mean you have interacted with him. What was that like? Have you met other gods and goddesses?"

Xena kept silent during this interrogation. Silently rolling her eyes at each question, and how ridiculous each one seemed. Did she know gods? Of course, I knew gods! Tartarus, I have even married one of the twelve, and the heir to Olympus no less! Was I ever this naïve? As soon as I get these peasants back to their village I will make my way to Amphipolis, and see what fresh torment awaits me there.

Upon reaching Potedeia, Xena was relieved to be free of the women.

"Where are you headed next." Gabrielle asked as Xena headed back for the road they just left.

"Wherever my feet take me."

"Would you care for some company? This small-town life is not for me. I want to be a bard! The man my family wants me to marry is a real bore, and refuses to have anything to do with me being a bard. I hear there is an amazing academy in Athens for people who want to be bards."

"A gentle person like that is very rare to find. And I travel alone." Xena said walking further down the tree lined path. "Go back to your village, become a bard, marry that gentle farmer. Your life will be something to be proud of."

With that last bit of advice, Xena rounded the corner and did the special whistle for Argo. Hearing the pounding hooves of her mare, Xena couldn't help a small smile forming on her face. As Argo reached her, a happy whinny greeted the dark haired female warrior.

"I know, I've missed you too. Are you ready to see where my journey began?" Xena asked her mare, with some trepidation.