A SAINTLY ACT HIDDEN WITH IN A HORRIFIC SIN

Xena sat back in her chair she was bored as soon as Chara had left she had gone to the throne room and now she was waiting for the Ladon. She looked at the scroll again eyeing his writing, so this was a boy who had survived the massacre and one of the ones Gabrielle had saved. She wanted to hear his story and see what he looked like now that he was a young man. She breathed in she was glad that she hadn't drunken anymore because she wanted to do this right by seeing things with crystal clarity and not be foggy in any way shape or form. She looked up sharply as the double doors were opened and Demetrius walked in closely followed by two hoplites in full armour. He looked slightly confused as he spoke. "At your request Empress I bring you Ladon and his trainer Milo." Xena sat up slightly in her throne watching as both men went down on one knee remaining there as they put there shields forward in the formal position. She turned to Demetrius who looked at them in amusement she understood why he used to do this all the time when they had first met.

He didn't do it any longer though as she considered him a close friend who no longer had to bow in her presence. She raised her hand. "Thank you Demetrius." Demetrius nodded as he stepped back taking his position close by as both hoplites eased them selves up on to their feet and took of their helmets. She knew Demetrius would hear this conversation but she didn't really care as she'd explain everything to him later. She raised the scroll in her other hand eyeing the young hoplite. He was about nineteen years old and had short curly blonde hair and grey eyes. On his neck was a faded claw mark though it was slightly hidden by his armour. He was not nearly as well muscled as the burly man next to him who was in his late thirties and blind in one eye he was also smiled smugly showing of two bronze teeth. It didn't take a genius to see that he was the type with occupations and he clearly saw the younger man being here as a means to go up in rank or pull some sort of deal. She leaned back in her throne eyeing the young man who looked nervous. "Ladon is it?"

The young man was about to speak only to stop as he was interrupted by his trainer. "Yes Empress this is Ladon, he's one of my best and I'm sure he will make a welcome addition to your palace staff." Xena breathed in deeply as she turned back to the Ladon. "I have a note you wrote here during the androphonomania massacre, would I be right?" Ladon eyed the note in her hand he wouldn't lie was scared right now, the woman sitting on this throne in front of him looked very formidable. He'd seen her face on coins but to see her in person was something completely different all together she looked like a goddess with her ice blue eyes and long black hair. He had no idea why he'd been called to the palace he wasn't sure if he was in trouble or if it was something more. He watched as his trainer Milo gave him a cold look no one in barracks liked him talking about the androphonomania massacre despite that he'd been there. He had also just gone with the Minotaur story because no one had ever believed his real story, he swallowed before speaking. "Yes Empress I was there and that is my journal but what I put in that piece was a mistake I was a child trying to rationalize my situation."

Xena nodded clearly he was playing on the story that he'd been forced to use by others, she eased up the scroll. "The Minotaur story, tell me about that story I'm curious." Ladon stepped forward he knew this story was a lie and that he was lying to the ruler of the Greek Empire but he knew the Empress would never believe the truth no one ever had. "The werewolves attacked us and one killed my father, I was saved because a Minotaur broke in to the house and saved me from the werewolf then hid me away, he was the savour of three children including myself in my village." Milo stepped closer eyeing the dark haired woman whose face was unreadable. "You can't blame the boy for putting these things down in that scroll he wrote I mean werewolves are disgusting, vile monsters and though I don't understand your reasons for stopping us hunting them Empress I understand that the androphonomania massacre was a difficult time." Xena looked up sharply feeling her hand form a fist as she met his dark gaze. "I will say this only once, do not interrupt again while Ladon is speaking Milo, or I will have you removed from my throne room."

She watched as Milo stepped back looking out of his depth as he lowered his head speaking quietly. "As you command Empress." She turned back to Ladon after hearing his thoughts on werewolves she wanted to keep him in the throne room just to hear the young man's story so he would be forced to stomach the truth. She eyed the scroll again looking at Ladon as she spoke in a softer voice. "That's a very interesting story but I know it's not the real story. I understand why you're not telling me the truth I'm sure you have been laughed at for a long time and you have been told that your story wasn't real as it was a contradiction. Even the hoplites I sent to your village as a child told you that it didn't happen and that you identified your savour wrongly." She leaned over picking up the object which had been hidden behind her chair she raised it watching as the shock spread across his face as he stared at the crooked horn in her hand. It was one of Gabrielle's from when her horns had fallen out. She'd kept them both and had them cleaned of blood and dried. "Do you recognise this?"

Ladon breathed in feeling his body tense as he looked up. "Yes I recognise it…I never thought I'd see it again, no one ever believed me." Xena felt a warm smile form. "It's funny how it looks, I understand why a lot of the children including yourself would say crooked it does look like a tormented tree, doesn't it?" Ladon nodded. "Yes it does Empress." Xena felt her smile widen. "Before you get concerned the owner of these horns is not dead or hurt, she's is in fact a close friend of mine and a royal in her own right. Her horns though do fall out just a deer's, it would seem though that a brand new set is now growing in their place though they look nothing like this, there's no twisting in the points and they are both strong and well defined." She put the horn down on the table next to her throne turning to young man. "So tell me what really happened that night Ladon, the truth the one that the whole of the Greek Empire deserves to hear." Ladon lowered his shield putting it on the floor as he moved a step closer. "Here's the truth."

He paused it had been such a long time since he'd been able to tell this story and now to tell it to the Empress of Greece really meant something. It meant that when he had been younger he had not just made up a story to make sense of his horrific situation, to him it had all been real. "I woke up to screaming in the middle of the night, it was the type of screaming you never forget because it was chilling to the bone. I got out of my bed and walked to the window I could see people outside being ripped to pieces, there was blood everywhere. I ran to my door only for it to be smashed apart by werewolf who threw me to the floor the moment he saw me. I watched through the broken door as another one tour my fathers throat out in the kitchen, he'd been trying to protect me I could see a sword in his hand." Xena eyed him for a long moment. "The werewolves they weren't unclothed though were they?" Ladon shook his head. "No they weren't Empress they wore bronze armour on their chests which had shifting plates and they wore clothing to cover their privates and some even had helmets on to protect their faces."

He ignored the shock in Milo's face. "They even had their own language though it didn't sound Greek it wasn't like language I'd ever heard before." Xena nodded. "So they weren't mindless monsters to you, they came across as cultured?" Ladon nodded. "Yes Empress they had culture despite the horrible things which they were doing. I would have looked up on them as we do any Satyr, Minotaur or Centaur intelligent and with human thought but unlike those other races they were brutal and violent at least that's what I thought at first, what followed was strange beyond words." He lowered his gaze. "The two werewolves came towards me they were going to rip me apart like my father but then this strange looking werewolf entered the house. She had dark golden fur and crooked velvet covered horns she was wearing bronze chest armour and gauntlets and had a thick decorated hanging cloth as well as a thick black leather belt which had silver symbols on it."

Xena leaned on her elbow. "What did this golden werewolf do next, hurt you?" Ladon shook his head. "No she did nothing of the sort, she saved me she spoke to the two other werewolves in that strange language and they left the house, they weren't happy about it but they did as they were told. Then she came towards me and I thought I was going to die so I started to cry but then this golden werewolf spoke to me in normal Greek in a soothing female voice. She put her clawed hand on my head and told me not to cry and that everything was going to be okay, she calmed me down. I'll never forget her face though she had green eyes which reflected in the darkness and on her right eye was a deep diagonal scar. It's always perplexed me that something that can be so dangerous can also look very beautiful in the right light" Xena put her finger to her lip. "I understand what you mean by that, tell me what was the expression in her eyes?" Ladon breathed in as he spoke. "It was a sad expression the look of someone who was dying inside."

Xena put her hands together eyeing the faded scar on his neck. "I know that scar on your neck was made by claws did the golden werewolf give you that scar?" Ladon eyed the scar. "Yes but it wasn't intentional she tour up the floor boards and then carefully put me down under them so I was in the gap inside the foundations but when she let me go her claws dug in by mistake leaving a bleeding wound. It wasn't that deep but she looked horrified that she'd done it, even though it was done by mistake, I saw it in her eyes. She then put the floor boards back in to place and told me to be very quite until the noise has stopped outside then she dragged my father's body over the floorboards so no one would see what she'd done. Then she was gone and I never saw her again, I hold no ill will towards her the other werewolves were trying to kill me but she was trying to save me. I wouldn't be standing here today if not for her actions also the wound on my neck has healed and I see it as very meaningful scar." Xena leaned back in her throne. "Tell me why did you become a hoplite was it to get revenge for what happened with the werewolves?"

Ladon shook his head. "No I've became a hoplite to save people, because I know what it means to be saved by someone even if that someone isn't human." Xena leaned forward hearing Gabrielle's words repeat in her head from so long ago. "I would never harm a child it goes against everything I believe in." She looked up meeting his gaze. "I'm going to give an offer that will change your life Ladon." Milo blinked in shock. "Hey where he goes I go!" Xena turned sharply. "Quite, unless Ladon wants you to be here you are not going anywhere!" She turned back to young man. "How would you like the opportunity to be a hoplite here in the palace? My head of the royal guard Demetrius will finish your training and you'll join the royal guard." Ladon turned eyeing the older man who was the closest thing he had to a father even if he was a grouchy old man at times he had always taken care of him and been there when he needed someone to talk to. "Please I apologise for Milo's behaviour he has become a father to me and I would only take this position if he could join me."

Milo looked down. "The boy speaks the truth I have no children of my own and though he may not be my blood I do see him as my son, his being in the barracks is the only thing that makes me happy." Xena eyed the older man clearly she had misjudged him quite a lot she had assumed that he was trying to move up the ladder or escape his boring position but he was here because he saw this boy as his son. She turned to Ladon. "I grant you your wish you're father can come with you, I'm sure my staff can find a place for him here." Ladon breathed in deeply. "Why would my being here matter so much to you Empress, why offer me this position?" Xena looked up meeting his uncertain gaze. "The events of the androphonomania massacre have always been hated by the Corinthian diplomats, I intend to change that and you are going to be my voice. You were there and you will free the very werewolf who saved you from being blamed as in the eyes of some, she could be seen as the person who brought about that massacre."

She sat up in her throne "Yet her actions are of someone who clearly wanted to save lives and not take them and her actions were going against that of her people." Ladon raised an eyebrow. "If it will free her from persecution then I will do as you have asked Empress." Xena stood up walking over to him putting her hand on his shoulder. "You're a fine warrior your father has clearly brought you up well." She felt a smile form. "You'll also get the chance to meet the werewolf who saved again, she's alive and well and living here inside the palace and I'll make sure that you two are introduced some time in the future." Ladon nodded as she stepped away. "I would like that a lot Empress." She turned to Demetrius who was taking in everything which had been said. "Please escort these two to their new rooms." Demetrius nodded his head before looking up. "I'll see it done Empress and I'll put them in their new positions in the palace tomorrow morning."

8

Gabrielle walked slowly down the long cobble path she could see the palace gates in the distance looming over her. They were as high as the walls themselves and very heavily guarded. No one had seen her leaving as she had avoided them by taking the corridors which weren't used that often. This was the final leg of the trip and no one would stop her once the gates were opened. She ignored the statues which lined the courtyard all around her. Not far back she could see three wagons filled to the brim with werewolf parts clearly everyone had been taking notice of the law and were handing in their werewolf trophies. She had no heart to look in side them she knew it was only make her feel even worse. She didn't want to see anymore dead bodies of her own people, seeing Damokles's mounted body had been hard enough. These bodies also showed her failings as a leader because she hadn't had the power to stop any of these people from dying. She wiped away her tears painfully as she took in a deep breath from her pipe before breathing out the smoke.

"Don't cry little one."

Gabrielle's stopped still turning slowly around watching as a middle aged small woman came in to view. She was about her height and had long wavy black hair which was loosely tied back. Her eyes were a piecing light blue colour and she was dressed in white chiton robes which had a woven gold edges. Around her waist was a cream belt which had decorated golden designs. She wore simple red earrings and beautiful bronze bracelets on both wrists while on her feet were pure white sandals. She had soft features and was smiling warmly, it was odd because her clothes didn't quite match those of the staff but then she knew that sometimes the staff went out in the evenings and this could be this woman's evening dress. She blinked she was sure that no one had been near by but then she hadn't been paying attention. This woman could have followed her down from the stables which were just opposite the courtyard. She took in a deep breath from her pipe again before breathing out the smoke. She was unable to keep the pain out of her voice as she spoke. "I wasn't crying."

The woman moved a step closer to her, her smile widening. "Still a beautiful young woman like you shouldn't be shedding tears." Gabrielle eyed her for a long moment realizing that it was cold and that this woman wasn't even wearing a coat. She had to be very cold, and truth was that she could handle this kind of weather. She put down her bag as she pulled off her coat easing it towards her. "Would you like my coat? It's very cold and your clothes don't look warm." The woman raised her hand. "Your very kind but I don't need a coat." Gabrielle moved her coat closer to her. "Please I insist." The woman shook her head. "No I do not need it I am as warm as I can ever be." Gabrielle eased her coat back on followed by her bag. She looked up noticing that the male and female guard in front of the gates were both looking at her strangely. She turned away from them she didn't care about their feelings on her actions there was nothing wrong with giving someone else your coat.

She turned back to the woman who was still smiling. "What's your name? I've never seen you before." The woman smoothed down her robes in a gentle motion before speaking in her soft kind voice. "My name is Cyrene." Gabrielle folded her arms leaning against one of the statues opposite. "Pleased to meet you, my name is Gabrielle." The woman smile widened. "I know." Gabrielle felt as sad smile form as spoke in a half hearted tone. "It must be my winning personality." The woman moved a step closer to her. "You say that like your personality is a bad thing." Gabrielle breathed in her pipe. "Maybe it is, I'm not good with my emotions." She paused realizing that she was speaking openly to this older woman and she wasn't being guarded. She was talking to her in the way she used to talk to her father when she had been a little girl. Despite realizing this she felt no need to close up emotionally the woman in front of her seemed so kind and her presence was calming in a way she couldn't describe.

The woman put her hands together as she looked up. "I don't think any person is perfect with their emotions we all make mistakes." Gabrielle breathed out the smoke from her pipe. "Yes but I just can't fix the problems I make with mine, no matter what I do or how hard I try, I just screw things up." The woman gently put her hand on her face running it down her cheek in a gentle and soothing motion. "You're being too hard yourself, you should have more faith things are never as bad as they appear everything can be fixed in time." Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't think I can fix this." The woman shook her head. "You're just going through a hard patch that's all and your inner wounds will heal in time." Gabrielle watched as the woman eased her hand away. "Your very kind and I don't even know you." She watched as the woman gave her a very knowing smile before speaking. "I know you I see you in the royal gardens from time to time I know that you're a good person, I think that you forget that at times."

Gabrielle looked up. "Perhaps but it doesn't change what I have done." The woman turned to look at the palace. "You shouldn't leave the palace tonight you should go back to your room because things will always work out." Gabrielle took in a deep breath from her pipe before blowing the smoke in another direction. "No I need to take this walk I'm not running away I just need to clear my head." The woman nodded as look of understanding appeared on her face. "I think once in a while we all need to take a walk to find out who we really are, so long as we return to the place we belong then that's all that really matters." Gabrielle nodded as she looked up. "This is my home it's the only real home I've ever known, I would never leave it for good." She watched as the woman raised an eyebrow. "Then I'm sure you'll find a way to fix things in the end." Gabrielle looked up as she took a step back. "You're a very kind woman I hope we get the chance to speak again."

The woman stepped back further. "I'm sure we will." Gabrielle turned raising her hand. "If you've lost your way you just need to carry on walking up the path when you will reach the courtyard the guards will be able to help you find who ever it is you are waiting for." The older woman smiled as she shook her head. "There's no need for that, this is my home everything that matters to me is here." Gabrielle nodded respectfully. "Then I'll let you get on with your night." She walked towards the gates seeing that the two guards were still looking at her strangely, she felt a sneer form. "What?" The male guard's eyes darted as he looked at the female guard before speaking. "Nothing Horn Hind." Gabrielle eyed him for a long moment. "Open the gates." The male guard nodded. "As you wish Horn Hind." He raised his sword giving the signal causing the guards on top of the wall to grab the turning mechanisms on both sides of the gate.

Both of the guards in front of her stood aside as the huge gate slowly opened she took in a deep breath as she walked through them watching as they slowly closed behind her and the huge city of Corinth came in to view in front of her. All that separated the palace from the city was a long path which had guards on both sides she could hear the noise even from this distance. The sounds of talking, people walking and horses moving through the streets, it was the sounds of life and chaos and the distant normality of every day life. The last time she'd gone outside these walls she'd been dragged back in chains and then punched in a dark room. The difference now was that she knew no one would do that to her she was free to come and go as she pleased, her life had changed so much that she didn't even recognise it at times. Even though it was dusk she knew that the stalls would still open and that she could look at them and buy from them. She walked forward very slowly taking in every sight and sound she wanted to breath it all in and feel the experience in every way she could.

End of part 78

Silvermoonlight

Hi guys a few of you're brought up something really interesting in the last chapter which was Xena going back to drink and Gabrielle refusing opium, my reason for this was that Xena never had a broken home, her childhood was always solid and her dad was always around and her mother was always proud of her so in her youth she never fell in to bad habits like the classic warlord counterpart. So she does not have the discipline to control these bad habits and she goes overboard. Where as Gabrielle is always fighting her inner self and sees opium as a weakness rather than a pleasure.