BENDING YOUR WILL BACK AND FORTH

Joxer eyed the smith who was putting the final touches to the armour which was in essence a perfect copy of the Empress's royal armour. It had taken months to get this ready, just getting the design had been hard work. The spy inside the palace had been sending sketch after sketch on its parts and how it looked but copying these parts had been even harder due to there intricate designs. All that left was to combine the metal sections all together which were on the table close by in pieces. Then put them together with the leather bodice and boots which were almost complete. He watched as the female smith breathed in her pipe as she carried on smashing the red hot metal she was working on with a heavy hammer. He smiled sadly she was the woman who Talus had raped and beaten to with in an inch of her life, he still felt terrible about it happening as he tried so hard to protect the men and women in his army. Since the event this woman had stayed out of battle preferring to work with the male werewolf smith on armour where she could heal emotionally. He felt it only right that Talus should die for his actions and now that, that was done he felt it only right to tell her, he looked up as he spoke calmly. "How are you doing?"

The woman didn't look up as she carried on hitting the metal with her hammer speaking in an emotionless tone. "The same as I feel every day Joxer." Joxer moved closer to her. "I came to speak to you, Talus is dead I saw to it personally." The woman looked up before shaking her head. "Joxer…" Joxer raised his hand. "I had to do it, it was a matter of honour he had to pay for what he did to you." The woman looked at the red hot metal before dunking it in the water opposite watching as the steam rose. "You killed that man just because of what happened to me?" Joxer folded her arms. "Yes I did I would do it for any man or woman in my army, if someone goes out of there way to cause them harm." He lowered his gaze feeling the need to change the subject. "Soon you'll be out side once more enjoying the feel battle." The woman pulled out the metal from the water looking at it. "I don't know Joxer I'm trying to take this day to day but it's hard." Joxer breathed in deeply. "Well you know if you need anything just say and I'll get it for you." The woman smiled sadly. "If you can stop my nightmares I'd be grateful." Joxer shook his head sadly. "If I could make it so I would." The woman looked at the metal breast plate before placing it next to the other finished pieces. "You a good man Joxer one day you're going to make some one very happy." Joxer felt a warm smile form. "Maybe but who knows."

He paused eyeing the armour parts on the table close by. "How much do you both have left to complete?" The woman eyed the finished parts. "The leather bodice is ready and they are now completing the sleeves as we speak. All we have to do now is combine the sections but unlike the original they not silver plated. We have had to use bronze which had been highly polished to a point that it shines like silver. You do realize that it won't be perfect?" Joxer put a hand on his chin. "It doesn't need to perfect it just has to fool all those stupid hoplites." The woman eyed the piece had been working on looking it over carefully. "You have a plan don't you? I know that look." Joxer felt a wide smile form. "Oh something like that, tomorrow I would like to do the first fit and make sure that it fits Leah. Once the fit is perfect I need to start working on her mannerisms so that the illusion is perfect, after all this is not about starting a war I just want to rattle the Empress's cage." The woman eyed the finished piece on the table, most were in the process of being polished to a high shine. "It sounds risky regardless." Joxer took in a deep breath. "All things in life come with risk but as I said I'm doing this to start a war I just want to draw the Empress out in to open. I want to battle her face to face, sword to sword I don't even want to kill her I just want to defeat her in fair combat, she is un-defeated in battle or so they say."

He looked up about to speak only to stop as Leah walked in to the forge, she had come a long way in these past few months from an angry forma slave with ambition, to a vicious and dedicated warrior who really drank in the kill. She still had a lot to learn but her loyalty was unquestionable, it was strange he felt a lot more for her than any other woman in his army. Despite that she was almost the mirror image of the Empress it did nothing to take away the feelings he felt for her. Maybe he had these feelings because despite her looks it was clear to him that she was not the Empress her hair colour and her attitude always broke that illusion. He had also seen that despite her hard warrior edge she did have a very calm and gentle side and lately she had been spending time with the woman opposite him helping her to get through this difficult period in her life. Leah had, had the same experience though much more extreme and she knew just how to help and what to say. He was always grateful when warriors did this for each other in his army as it strengthened bonds and helped those who were having difficulty to get through their problems. He turned picking up a piece of the armour from the table as he turned to her. "It would appear that we are close to finishing the armour you'll need to wear." Leah moved over to the table eyeing the gleaming pieces. "You really think this is going to work?" Joxer put a hand on his chin. "Yes it will work but you need to come here tomorrow for the fitting." Leah picked up the newly finished breast plate studying it for a moment. "You're very sure of yourself what if it's not perfect, what if they realize I'm not the Empress?" Joxer looked at her for a long moment. "My farther once said to me as a boy that you only need to make something ninety percent right to ensure and illusion as a persons mind creates the other ten percent. It was one of things he said to me before he and my mother were killed and I was sold in to slavery with my brothers."

Leah breathed in deeply. "I just hope your right." She looked up slightly. "I have a question though I know this isn't just about fighting the Empress in battle, what if the Golden Hind is more than friends with her, your spy did mention that things were changing between them?" Joxer looked at his gloved hand for a long moment. "I doubt the Golden Hind would sleep with the Empress that woman after all did march her around in front of the royals and that's unforgivable and because of this I feel that she will be okay with this. As I said before this is not about killing the Empress I just want to face her in battle, it's not about the revenge of my brother ether, I have to lure her out of the palace and away from Corinth." Leah looked down feeling the uncertainty take over. "But what if she defeats you and then kills you?" Joxer felt a smile form. "She won't kill me she'll want me alive, she never kills ring leaders." Leah folded her arms. "I just hope your right it's just…I'd hate for anything to happen to you." Joxer moved a step closer to her putting a hand on her arm. "Worried about me Leah?" Leah breathed in deeply before meeting his dark gaze. "You are a great warrior Joxer, it's why they call you the Warrior King but still, I don't want you to over step the mark and get hurt." Joxer eased up his hand running it through her hair as he met her concerned gaze. "Do not concern yourself with me Leah. I always think things through I want the one thing that every warriors graves that one battle that will cement their name in history regardless of the outcome. I will not be a true king of warriors until I have fought the Empress."

8

I'm finally out side the gates of my palace and yet I don't quite feel like the same person I was when I left. It's hard to describe maybe I feel this way because I kissed Gabrielle again but this time it was different as she wanted it as much as I did but I'm still afraid. I know deep down in my soul that I want this to go right. It's been so long since I've been with someone but this time is going to be different, my past lovers have always been confident in knowing just what they want. With Gabrielle I feel that she has a difficult time saying what she wants and I know I'm going to have to pace myself and take things slower than I normally do. I do not want to be Adrienne, I don't want Gabrielle to do as I want intimately, I want her to do what she wants and have no guilt about saying no if she doesn't like something. I know she's become very open at saying what she wants when it's about her position as Horn Hind but I get the feeling that in terms of relationships she's still shy. I realized that today when I was kissing her and Abraxas showed up and interrupting us. She looked embarrassed as if she's not used to being seen doing intimate things with her partner, which is the opposite of me, as my relationships have always been open. Through out my life I've never hid my partners from the palace or the public. I have always wanted people to see me with my partner because I wanted in instil calm and show them that I am like them in that I need to feel love.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised by Gabrielle's actions as she has had all her relationships behinds closed doors and out of sight of the public. In fact her whole life has been led out of site of others. Six months ago I thought werewolves were monsters and yet now I'm in a relationship with Gabrielle, who is the monster everyone feared but she is anything but a monster. There's more humanity in her than there is in most human beings though I know that she has had a lot of difficultly embracing that truth. She hasn't said much we have just held hands as we walked back. I think she's been very caught up in her own thoughts. She is now in a relationship and I realize that she's probably thinking about things and I can understand that as I've been doing the same thing, this is going to be a very changing time for the both of us. It has been nice though to just walk up the morning streets in the sunlight and take in the busy hustle and bustle of my city which is now very much alive, as everyone is awake and going about their daily business. There's a cold chill is the air and soon it will start to snow as winter truly sets in but strangely I'm looking forward to it. Maybe because I know I'm not alone anymore and that's such a liberating feeling, because I know I have someone who I love and who loves me in return and that changes everything.

Xena eyed he guards who signalled to the others above causing the huge gates to open very slowly. She watched as the other guards on the other side lowered there heads out of respect as she walked in followed by Gabrielle, Demetrius and Thaleia. The gates were closed behind them and the huge bolting mechanism was slid across. She turned catching sight of Iona and Fedora, who were waiting in the courtyard opposite the stables clearly they'd both gotten word that they were returning. She blinked realizing that Iona had something in her hands which looked like Gabrielle's pet which surprised her. She turned to Gabrielle whose face was filled with shock clearly she hadn't expected to see Iona with her pet at all. She felt a warm smile form. "Welcome home Gabrielle." Gabrielle turned to meet the other woman's soft gaze feeling unsure as what to say, she took in a deep breath before speaking. "Thank you." Xena eased took hold of the younger woman's hand she raised it gently kissing it. "Looks like Iona's brought you, your pet." She turned as she came to stop in front of Iona who lowered her head nodding respectfully as she spoke. "Empress." She let go of Gabrielle's hand as she moved a step closer pulling her cloak off, gods she needed to get a bath but it could wait. "I trust in my absence and Demetrius's you didn't have any trouble taking care of the palace?" Iona looked up slightly. "No Empress I didn't, the palace ran very smoothly."

She paused eyeing the dove in her arm, which blinked before turning to Gabrielle. "Your pet was lonely it kept on making nose in your room so I took him in to mine and looked after him in your absence." Gabrielle eased out her hands gently taking the dove from hers, which sprang to life flying on to her shoulder flapping its wings. She eased up her hand stroking Icos's chest gently. "Thank you Iona." Iona put her hands behind her back. "It was the least I could do and I confess I sort of enjoyed it, I think I understand now why you like birds." Fedora moved forward ignoring everyone as she wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Next time you're going to leave the palace for this long, please tell me, I was so worried about you." Thaleia breathed in deeply. "I'm sorry mother it was a spur of the moment thing." She pulled away. "I was well protected Demetrius was with me." Fedora turned to the tall man who gave her a smile. "Well regardless next time you go away, send me a message so I know where you are." She turned to Gabrielle who suddenly looked uneasy. "You know I understand you wanting to take a walk outside of the palace but next time you need to tell us all where you're going, everyone in the palace was concerned about you its not every day that a royal goes missing."

Gabrielle raised her hands about to protest only stop herself, Fedora was the closest thing she had to a mother and she had not meant to worry her or anyone else in the palace. "I'm sorry Fedora." Fedora eyed the Empress who was trying to hide her smirk. "I trust the Empress won't let you out of her sights again." Gabrielle turned watching as Xena coughed clearing her throat. "I'm sure she won't." She turned back to Fedora. "We've talked things though." Fedora put her arms around her. "I'm glad to hear that, the last thing any one wants is for you two to be at odds again you're like a daughter to me." Gabrielle stepped back stroking her doves head. "I was fine, I have weapons." Fedora shook her head. "Regardless of your weapons you can still get hurt and the last thing I want is for something to happen to you." Gabrielle looked at her for a long moment realising that there no getting out of this. "I'll be sure to leave a note of some kind in the future if I leave the palace." Fedora felt her smile widen as she used her hands to dust down the blonde woman's shirt sleeves. "Are you hungry at all because I can have Fedoras cook you something up?" Gabrielle raised her hand shaking her head. "No I'm fine." Fedora paused before speaking. "The letters are mounting up from your people Chara has put them in your bedroom on your desk so you can go through them."

Xena turned eyeing the wagon opposite which was mounted up high with werewolf parts she turned slowly to Gabrielle. "Maybe later we can talk about what to do with these wagons, once you've gone through your letters." She breathed in deeply hopefully she could help Gabrielle in the running of her people, she hadn't done much as late but it was clear that things were now starting to mount up on the younger woman's side. Maybe once she got in to a more active role it would help her in other ways such as her confidence as well as help her in taking control of what was rightfully hers. Gabrielle turned to the taller woman eyeing the wagons. "Yes we need to talk about them." She turned to Fedora. "I'll go through my letters its sounds as though their important." Xena put a hand on her chin. "I'm going to get a bath I'll see you in your room later." She turned to Demetrius raising her hand. "I don't want any interruptions tonight apart from our food is that understood?" Demetrius nodded feeling a smile form. "I'll see it done Empress." He adjusted his shirt eyeing the others. "Excuse me I need to get some sleep and change my clothes."

He paused turning to Iona who looked uncertain. "Clearly you've come a long way in these past few months." He turned to Empress. "Would it be fair to consider Iona off the hook and no longer in need of my help?" Xena folded her arms as she nodded. "I agree it would." Demetrius patted Iona's shoulder. "Thank you for looking after the palace in my absence, you're clearly ready to take charge of anything." Iona watched as he pulled away. "Look I respect that you'd let me off the hook and I appreciate that but." Demetrius raised his eyebrow. "But?" Iona lowered her head as she spoke. "I learnt a lot, that is to say I enjoyed your company and I would still prefer to be by your side, than by myself." Demetrius nodded as understanding dawned on him he felt a smile form. "Then we'll work something out, I'm sure we can make an agreement that suits us both and our positions in the palace." He pulled away from her. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to get back in to my real armour." Iona looked up slightly. "You could look worse believe me." Demetrius eyed her for a long moment. "I'll take your word for that." Iona watched as he vanished from slight she turned to the Empress. "Excuse me I need to go back to my duties."

Gabrielle eyed her back pack watching as Iona vanished from site. "I need to go and unpack." Xena didn't think as she took hold of her arm keeping a gentle hold of it. "I'll be with you very soon I promise." She leaned forward giving her a gentle kiss on the lips she watched as the younger woman looked at her then nervously adjusted her collar as she stepped away her voice hitting the air. "I'll be in my room." Xena raised an eyebrow watching as she walked away there was something very sweet and charming about her shy behaviour. Fedora blinked eyeing the Empress. "Well clearly you two did work things out." Xena turned to her feeling her smile widen. "Yes we did." Fedora folded her arms. "She deserves to be loved it's clear that she's not had a good time when it comes to love, I hope you'll do me proud and make her very happy." Xena looked at her for a long moment, the woman sounded like Gabrielle's mother but even she couldn't deny that she was in essence her mother until she saw her real family again. Even if she saw them again she doubted that Gabrielle would call on her real mother first, as Fedora had become her rock and support and the mother figure in life. Thaleia was like a sister and they both made up her surrogate family who had come about due to her circumstances in the palace. "I intend to make her happy in every way I can I promise you that."

She turned looking up at the sky for a long moment. "It's not fair that she's been denied so much love first with the loss of Damokles and Adrienne didn't deserve her she did nothing but abuse her. I won't allow any more harm to come to her and I will see that she's well protected in side these walls." Fedora shook her head. "I believe you but you know a day will come when the Imperial Council will act everything up to now has been no more than games and when they do act I don't think any of us will be able to get out of the wave that coming. When you have two forces colliding over a single throne it can become very brutal." Xena nodded before looking up. "I know its coming and I agree this has only been them testing the waters. I know that they have a master plan but it's clear that they have not set it in to motion yet, I can only hope that their holding back for a reason." Thaleia breathed in sharply. "Empress you know though that Gabrielle will fight them, you won't be able to stop her. She will see it as dishonourable if she doesn't fight them to the very end." Xena eased up her hand putting it on her shoulder. "I know she will and you and your mother shouldn't worry, what ever happens I'll be by her side all the way where ever it may take us."

End of part 87

Silvermoonlight