DOING THE THING THAT IS TRULY JUST AND RIGHT

Gabrielle looked at the long garden in front of her it was huge with many trees, statues and paths, there were four sideways chairs in the room that over looking it. The whole villa was beautiful it wasn't over decent instead it was laid out simply with beautiful furniture. It seemed to be about comfort and calm rather than shouting out wealth. Inside the room was a hoplite armour which was on a stand in the corner, she could tell it had seen battle by the denting in the bronze helmet and Aspis shield, the sword at the foot of the amour also had a few nicks in it. It was clear though that it hadn't been used for a very long time and was now just a centre piece but a centre piece which clearly mattered. As it was on display for everyone to see when they walked in to this room. She heard a light chirping sounds she turned watching as blue rose-ringed parakeet came in to view, he was seated on a tall wooden stand which he could climb up and down.

The stand also had material toys hanging off it for him to play with his foot was ringed but he was a clearly a pet who had the freedom to fly around the garden and come back when ever he pleased as there was no cage present. She stepped closer watching as the medium sized blue bird black eyes shifted as he looked at her with curiosity. She eased her hand out very gently watching as he opened his beak in a threat display. She stopped putting her hand down on the wooden stand opposite him watching as he moved closer to it looking it over with curiosity. She eased up her thumb gently running it up his leg then eased it up to his chest stroking gently watching as the parakeet became calm. She carried on stroking he was clearly just a bit nervous, hence his aggression she moved her finger a little higher seeing the bird relax as he ruffled his feathers.

"Careful he…bites."

Gabrielle turned watching as Ilithyia appeared close by the surprise in her face as she spoke again. "It seems you have a way with birds." Gabrielle felt a smile form as she carried on stroking the bird's chest. "I own a Collard Dove I think it's all about being gentle and kind." She eyed the parakeet. "What's his name?" Ilithyia felt a smile form as the other woman stepped away from her pet she walked over stroking him under his neck. "He's called Omega and I like him to be free hence why he can fly around the garden when ever he pleases." Gabrielle sat down on a sideways sofa staying up right on it rather than laying on it. "No bird should ever be in a cage, they should be free to come and go." Ilithyia smiled inwardly. "Clearly we think alike in that notion." She moved over to the sofa which was facing Gabrielle's lying on it. "Would you like a drink?" Gabrielle shook her head. "No thank you." Ilithyia raised her filled goblet of wine drinking from it. "Please I insist." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "I don't drink alcohol."

Ilithyia raised her hand. "That's not a problem we have fruit juices." She nodded to the servant near by who nodded back. "So you don't drink, then what is your poison? Everyone's got one." Gabrielle eased out her pipe looking at it. "I smoke." Ilithyia raised her hand. "Ah well feel free, I'm not a prude my husband smokes so I don't mind." Gabrielle put the pipe in her mouth lighting it she breathed in deeply before breathing out the smoke. "Thank you." Ilithyia looked up. "Abraxas will be joining us soon he just has a few miner matters to deal with." She smiled as the servant put down a goblet of orange juice in front of the other woman, who eased off her coat putting it to one side. "This place must seem small to you, I mean you live in a palace which is filled with rooms." Gabrielle looked around her. "The palace is big yes but your villa is very beautiful its feels homely." Ilithyia raised an eyebrow. "Thank you I appreciate that, I know as a royal you may be used to large rooms and expensive things."

Gabrielle shook her head. "I don't care for decadence, the rooms I've spent time in weren't huge in fact one was about the tenth the size of this room, the Empress's palace is the biggest place I've ever lived in." Ilithyia blinked as she looked up. "I'm surprised I mean you're a royal." Gabrielle shook her head breathing in her pipe. "I wasn't always a royal, I was a warrior at first, when my predecessor the Crescent Hind died I grew horns in werewolf form and became the Golden Hind. Kings in my race are not picked by royal line they are chosen by the gods and only the gods they worship understand why." Ilithyia looked at her for a long moment Gabrielle's attitude and character now made more sense after her saying this. She wasn't a royal by blood line but a warrior who had become powerful just like the Empress. She looked up as Abraxas entered the room he gave her a smile as he sat down on the sofa opposite hers his calm voice hitting the air. "My apologises, I didn't mean to be rude to our guest, I was just sending out some scrolls."

Ilithyia looked up slowly giving him a warm smile watching as he poured a goblet of wine. "Gabrielle was telling me how kings in her race are picked by the gods and grows horns not by royal blood line and that she was a warrior before she became a royal, much like the Empress." Abraxas watched as Gabrielle breathed out the smoke from her pipe clearly she liked to smoke just like him. "The Empress thinks highly of you Gabrielle and it makes sense as you're a warrior at heart just like her." He paused putting a hand on his beard. "My apologises for the sexual comments regarding you and her the last time we met, it was very rude of me and I should have shown you more respect and not called you her conquest." Gabrielle eyed him for a long moment. "Its fine really, I've been called much worse in my time." She breathed out her pipes smoke meeting his curious gaze. "I also understand that you and the Empress have had a difficult time due to what happened with your younger brother." Abraxas looked at the ring on his finger for a long moment. "My brother was foolish and I don't believe we should have to suffer for his mistakes."

Gabrielle looked up sharply. "That's your political view but I know it's not your personal one." Abraxas eyed her for a long moment feeling unsure as he spoke his next words. "If I were to say my personal one would it go against me?" Gabrielle shook her head as she leaned back. "No it won't, I prefer it when people speak from the heart I don't care for politics." Abraxas eased up his hand giving a signal which caused the two servants in the room to leave closing the door behind them. This was not for their ears and despite their loyalty he didn't want any risks when it came to talking about the Empress of Greece. He turned back to the golden haired woman. "Personally I think the Empress isn't strong, oh she's strong as a warrior and as a leader but in terms of punishment she is soft, too soft." Gabrielle took in a deep breath strangely she could see where he was coming from here. She had seen another side to Xena though the cruel, vindictive side and the angry unkind side and after seeing it she would much rather have the softer side. "You would not like her harder side believe me, its very brutal, she maybe be soft and kind hearted but that is what makes her who she is, she extends kindness and warmth to those who need it."

Abraxas raised an eyebrow. "She has a brutal side, I had no idea." Gabrielle picked up her goblet taking a long drink. "You do not want to see that side of the Empress, believe me I have been stood in the face of it. We were not friends at first and she saw me as an animal and she wasn't very kind to me but we got past this and became friends. You don't want that side of her ruling the Greek Empire, she should always be told that she's kind, loving and caring and she should be loved for who she is." Abraxas put down his goblet. "I know you wouldn't lie about this I can see it in your eyes and if you say that her unkind side is this way then I will take your word for it. I'm just surprised clearly I had forgotten that those who are calm sometimes have the most brutal tempers, because they can not control their rage. Where as those who are always slightly on edge control that darkness with in them better." Gabrielle felt a sad smile form. "If only it was that way for me, I always feel like my angers there even when I'm not mad it's like a pressing dagger in the back of my mind waiting to break free, I think some days that I've spent to long on the battle field."

Abraxas nodded in understanding. "War taints us all in some way, I was a hoplite in the Spartan uprising there are things I wish I could forget, maybe that's why when I came back after two terms in the army I felt that it was time to quit and go in to politics. I don't want to wear that armour again as long as I live." Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "You may not be wearing it on your body but it'll always be in your mind and your heart and it will always be a part of you." Abraxas eased up his hand. "You make a good point tell me though, why are you wearing your swords I mean you sound unsure of yourself?" Gabrielle eyed her sword hilt. "I have always been a warrior I can't stop being a warrior my heart won't let me, I only feel whole when I have a sword in my hand and when I'm fighting other warriors on the battle field. I don't believe in harming and killing innocents it is the worst of all sins." Ilithyia shuffled feeling the need to change the subject, it was clear though that Abraxas and Gabrielle had an understanding but she didn't like the dark silence that was now clinging to the air. "So Gabrielle, tell us, do you think you and the Empress will ever be more than friends?"

Abraxas turned sharply. "Ilithyia!" Ilithyia shrugged as she turned to him. "What it's a fair question, just because you won't ask it does not mean that I won't." Gabrielle breathed in her pipe for a long moment as the question slowly sunk in and the world around her, slowly come to a stand still. More than friends, they had both gone so far beyond that point and it was clear from this walk that everyone, even those among her own race could see Xena's love for her. She wouldn't lie she had enjoyed their kiss and she had wanted more, it had been a pure kiss filled with pure love. The kind that she wished she could hold on to but she knew she couldn't. When she was around the other woman the emptiness she felt in her life vanished it was the only time she felt whole as a person. She could talk to her about anything and not feel scared or concerned over the subject. Xena could also calm her anger which was something that no other person could do and she had felt at sense of peace in her presence. Despite what she had suffered in the beginning in Xena's presence she could not deny that the palace had become the first place she'd ever called home, and in it she was surrounded by friends and family.

No to say that it was just them who made it her home would not be honest it was Xena who had truly made it her home. She breathed out the smoke in her mouth, it was always said that home was where the heart is but she needed to stop denying that one solid truth which she'd been running from because she was in denial, which was that she loved Xena. She had loved her for a long time she had just had problems admitting it because she'd feared that if she had a relationship with her that it would end in tragedy like her last few relationships. She didn't want to loose another lover. Loosing Damokles had been heart breaking and being abused and used by Adrienne had been crippling to her soul. That was why every time Xena had touched her she had ignored seeing it as friendship despite that it had clearly always been more. That pressing fear had always kept her from letting the other woman in fully but when they had kissed she knew she could no longer hide from that truth. Xena had also said that despite her past actions in the androphonomania massacre, she had no intention of getting rid of her or punishing her. Clearly she had to love deeply to put her past actions aside and say that.

There was another element of this she knew that if they ever got to together there would cause blinding and reckless hated from the Imperial Council. Who would see this as a truly traitorous act on her part, it would be the leverage that they needed pull in all their loyal follows and start a war. What ever their master plan was it would probably start the moment she openly confessed her love for Xena and that had caused her to ignore the truth because she feared the consciences because every one who was against her wouldn't just attack her they would also target Xena. She was so tired and so sick of being afraid she didn't want to be afraid anymore it felt like a cage which was suffocating her. She wanted freedom from it she wanted to make her own choices and no longer care about the consequences. She could end up loosing but she'd rather loose by her own choice than be forced in to a corner once more, where no discussion was ever her own. That was what love was though it had risks but there was so much to gain. She hated being alone she just wanted to be happy, she wanted to feel the other woman's love again and to melt in to it and no longer care about her troubles.

She knew though that she would have to do something she had never done before in the hopes of gaining Xena's approval once more. The older woman had said that she had dishonoured her sword, if she had dishonoured it then she had to regain her honour what ever it took. She would kneel to the other woman and surrendered her sword to her to redeem her soul. She would pledge her loyalty completely to her and hope that Xena would still love her and give the chance to do what was right. She would never kneel to anyone else but in her heart she knew she'd kneel to Xena because she respected her and ultimately she loved her. She wanted to show her that love and devotion even it meant that she had her sword taken away so that she could regain it later, through an act of honour. She couldn't run from her love any longer and hiding it was only making things worse between them. In truth she now regretted not doing this sooner but she knew she had to tell the truth about the androphonomania massacre. It had been destroying her and now that it was out there she could at least move on with her life and try to correct the mistake she'd made through doing noble acts.

"Gabrielle?"

Gabrielle looked up sharply snapping out of her thoughts looking at Abraxas and Ilithyia who both looked confused. She shook her head realizing that she'd been so caught up in her own thoughts that she'd forgotten what the question was that they had asked. "I'm sorry, what was the question?" Ilithyia looked up she had no idea what had happened here it was like Gabrielle had just become lost in her own thoughts, it was clearly deep thought because she had become obvious to everything and everyone. She turned to Abraxas who raised an eyebrow before turning back to Gabrielle. "I asked if you think that you and the Empress will ever become more than friends?" Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "Perhaps." Ilithyia refilled her goblet. "Perhaps, so it could happen then?" Gabrielle looked up slightly. "That depends on if my goddess is kind." Ilithyia narrowed her gaze that was a cryptic statement but she understood why the other woman had used these words as she sounded uncertain herself. She felt a smile form. "Well I'd just like to say that I think you'd make a good couple, I mean you clearly have chemistry."

Abraxas rolled his eyes. "You know you shouldn't do that match maker thing Ilithyia, you don't know if Gabrielle cares for women, I mean we all know that the Empress likes both genders but not every woman in Greece is like that. You can't force someone to love a gender that they have no interest in." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "That is true Abraxas you can't but I have always like both genders I've had both male and female lovers, but only ever have one partner at a time. I also don't share well with others hence why I don't care for orgy parties or threesomes." Abraxas watched as Gabrielle finished her goblet. "I can relate to that I don't care for sharing ether, my idiot of a brother was the opposite though he couldn't get enough of that kind of thing but then again each to his own. Everyone has their poison and everyone has a weakness under the sheets." Gabrielle put her goblet down taking in a deep breath from her pipe before blowing out the smoke. "That is true I won't deny it as I've heard that it is the Greek gods who believe the sex drive can not be controlled and though I don't believe in the Greek gods I respect that notion."

Abraxas felt a smile form. "It's nice to meet someone who has no fear of saying what they feel." He was about to say more only to stop as a knock sounded on the door. "Come in." He watched as one of the servants came in closing the door behind her he gave her a smile. "Yes." The servant shuffled nervously before looking up. "I'm sorry Dominus I know you're busy…and." Abraxas stood up slowly looking at the nervous girl she was new here to his staff and a former Roman slave who was getting used to a life of freedom once more. His wife had a soft spot for ill treated people and she always tried to help them out, her deep rooted view on slavery being immoral deeply influenced her actions. At first he'd disliked her over helpfulness but over the years he'd come to understand her reasoning. Helping those who needed it gained their loyalty and their trust in such a powerful way, normal servants could be brought out or manipulated but not those who had been helped or given a better life had passionate loyalty.

More than once the servants in his villa had revealed plotting against him by the other diplomats who were trying to sell him and Ilithyia out. When he'd asked them why they'd not taken the gold they said it was because both he and Ilithyia had been kind to them and understanding and given them a better life. Loyalty like that was priceless and he now shared his wife's view on both slavery and helping those in need. He leaned over putting a hand gently on the young girls shoulder. "Easy now just relax little one, take in a deep breath and tell me what's wrong." He paused. "Also its Abraxas not Dominus, you are not my slave and I am not your master, you're a free young woman who can come and go as she pleases." The young girl nodded as he eased her hand away she spoke keeping her hands together. "There's a city guard at the door to see you, he's seems very annoyed." Abraxas put his hands behind his back. "Thank you I'll go and have a word with him, you go back to your duties." He watched as she nodded going up to the table and refilling the goblets. "Please excuse me I'll be back in a moment."

Ilithyia gave him a smile. "I will be back soon." Abraxas smiled back as he walked through the door closing it behind him. It was time he got a loyal ex warrior to guard the door, he was sick of the city guards scaring his servants. He walked up to the door opening it watching as a rough looking man came in to view who had a patch on his left eye. The man spoke not bothering to hide his disgust. "You need to get better servants the one who answered the door cringed like some pathetic deer in arrow sight." Abraxas closed the door behind him eyeing the man in front of him. He didn't think as he grabbed him by his shirt violently pulling him forward. "You were talking to a forma slave you unfeeling bastard and you are to treat her and the rest of my servants with more respect and not act like an arse in front of them." He let go forcing the man back violently. "Is that understood?" The man adjusted his armour looking up as he realized his mistake. "Yes." Abraxas leaned against the pillar opposite the door eyeing him. "What did you want?"

The man looked down adjusting his armour. "The Empress is looking for someone by the name of Gabrielle, some important figure long blonde hair, green eyes not very tall, fair skinned." Abraxas eased up his hand stopping him mid sentence. "Wait you say she's missing?" The gruff looking man nodded. "She has been missing since last night the Empress will reward anyone very highly who finds her. She's also in the area searching for her personally. I saw her myself she's not far away from here you can't miss her, the light blue eyes are a give away along with the black hair." He paused. "So have you seen her or not?" Abraxas looked up sharply he wanted to tell the truth that Gabrielle was here but he didn't want this dishonourable looking idiot to get the reward. He'd rather someone else more deserving get it he opened the door to his house turning sharply eyeing him. "No I haven't seen her, now get lost." He ignoring the dirty look the man gave him as shut the door on him, he moved over to his desk picking up a piece of scroll writing on it then rolled it up putting his wax seal on it. He then walked in to another room catching sight of an older man who was dressed in amour whose job was to protect his servants.

There were in fact three ex warriors in his villa and they all protected his servants and guarded them when they went to the market. He eyed the older man. "I have a job for you." The older man took the scroll eyeing it. "What do you command of me Abraxas?" He smiled looking up at him. "You've always been loyal to me I want to see that your well rewarded. I need you to take this scroll and give it to a woman she will stand out she'll be very tall with long black hair, tanned bronze skinned and piecing blue eyes. You may have seen her in my villa she's been her once or twice before." The older man raised an eyebrow. "You are refereeing of cause to the Empress are you not?" Abraxas patted his shoulder. "Yes I am and she's very close to the villa but I'm entertaining at present and it would be rude for me to leave my guest, so I need you to do this for me." The older man nodded. "I'll see it done Abraxas, I know this area well enough it won't take me very long to find her not if she's as close as you say." Abraxas nodded watching as he moved towards the door. "Thank you."

End of part 83

Silvermoonlight

The ancient Greeks believed sexual desire could not be controlled the Greek symbol for sexual desire is in fact the hydra, as no matter how many times you cut off its head a new one will always grow back in its place. When the heroes of Greek myths killed a hydra it was symbolism of them being able to control there sexual desires better than normal men and women.