ROTTING DESIRES FOR GOLD AND GLORY

Xena walked in to the huge study watching as the man in thick velvet red and purple robes along with brown leather boots and decorative leather wrists gauntlets looked up. He was slightly older than her and had red hair and a goitre beard which was just as red. He wasn't well built though and was rather scrawny. She had heard that he'd always wanted to be a marks man with a crossbow but he had none of the skill. Frankly she couldn't imagine him holding any weapon. He was an aristocrat through and through and not pleasant company, hence why he was still single, his so called brilliant mind made him unbearable to be around. She had heard that he only got on with Chara because they were from the same village in Crete a place called Vryses. They had been childhood friends before their lives had taken them in very different directions, despite this though they still remained friends despite their very different positions. She took in a deep breath watching as his eyes fell up on her, gods give her strength she really wasn't in the mood for his rude comments today.

She slowly sat herself on one of the sideways sofa's watching as he gave her an ice cold look as he eyed the document he was reading. "Good morning Theodore." Theodore eyed the document watching as the Empress began to eat her breakfast which the personal maid had left close to her chair. "Is it?" Xena carried on eating ignoring his cold tone watching as Ceto breathed in deeply behind her from her standing position she didn't want to be here ether. "Well it's a beautiful day outside despite the cold." Theodore eyed the document again not bothering to look at her as he rolled his eyes over the figures. "You're over spending these past months have been ridiculous." Xena raised an eyebrow. "Oh really I am, how is that?" Theodore eyed the document un-amused by her playful tone. "As amusing as you find this Empress, I'm not amused you've spent money replacing whole rooms you brought new furniture for two whole rooms along with lots of clothes and wood tools for the gods only know what! Oh and new throne room doors, new furniture for one of the games room and the guests dinning room as well as a new glass window which wasn't cheap." He eyed her in disgust. "Forgive me but what are you doing to break these rooms that they need to be replaced so often?"

Xena looked at him for a long moment realizing that the spending he was referring to was her early time with Gabrielle when the younger woman had lost her temper and had destroyed her room and the corridor along with the throne room door. The other spending had been her ensuring that her lover was happy by buying her clothes and all the things she desired which she had no regrets about doing, since Gabrielle had been denied so much during her life. While the other destroyed rooms and the window had been Gabrielle fighting against those who were against her and wanted to end her life. "I can explain this." Theodore lowered the document meeting her gaze for the first time during their meeting. "Please do, I'd be so interested to know you managed to break the solid oak throne doors, among other things." Xena breathed in deeply. "I amuse you have not heard the news." Theodore looked up slightly. "What news would that be?" Xena picked up her goblet taking a sip of the water inside. "That I have a consort, she's very beautiful." Theodore blinked before taking in a deep breath. "Oh see and I assume that now you have some girl sharing your bed that you like to show off to her by breaking furniture? Or did you just have an argument and trash the rooms in question?"

Xena breathed in feeling the frustration take over. "I did not trash those rooms and I can explain in detail what happened." Theodore looked up breathing in deeply. "Well for what ever reason you trashed them I hope your fling with this piece of ass ends soon because this spending needs to end." Xena didn't think as she stood up unable to stop the rage as it burnt up in her stomach. Gabrielle was not some piece of ass she was her lover and her consort and one day in the future when she was ready she would marry her. She felt her hand form a fist as she spoke unable to keep the venom out of her tone. "How dare you talk about my lover like she's a common whore, her name is Gabrielle and I'm in love with her and you will not speak about her again in this way!" She raised her hand feeling her anger rise in her chest. "I put up with a lot from you Theodore more than I should and you may not like me but that gives you no excuse to speak about the one I love in this manner! Is that understood?" Theodore blinked in shock feeling himself tense. He had never once seen the Empress get mad not like this, he breathed in steadying himself he had obviously made a critical error and he needed to apologise quickly. "My deepest apologises Empress that was a poor choice of words on my part."

Xena turned sitting back down not bothering to hide her disgust as she spoke. "I hope for your sake that its last or we have nothing more to talk about." Theodore look in a deep breath he had never been threatened by the Empress before let alone seen her loose her temper. He breathed in choosing his next words carefully. "You will forgive me its just your last two relationships were flings which lasted about two weeks." Xena bit in to her food not bothering to look at him as she spoke. "Yes they were flings but this is not a fling, this is serious Gabrielle has been here for just over six months and I consider her my equal." Theodore looked up slightly. "I see and who is this Gabrielle might I ask, I assume she is off good breeding?" Xena carried on eating. "She's a royal is that good enough for you?" Theodore looked up sharply. "A royal what did you one of the Greek royals spit up?" Xena took in a deep breath slowly calming her self down. "No she isn't, I don't make a habit of stealing others peoples husbands or wives. Gabrielle is the werewolf king or Horn Hind if you prefer a title." Theodore blinked in shock as he spoke. "Werewolf king, as in werewolf that's walks up right and tears peoples head off?"

Xena paused before swallowing her mouth full eyeing him she should have known that this was the reaction she'd get. "No as in werewolf who is a sentient being and who can speak and feel pain just like anyone else and who can change forms." Theodore looked at the dark haired woman clearly she'd lost her mind, she was having sex with an over sized dog which could rip her head off at any given moment but he wasn't going to say this aloud. "What do you mean change forms?" Xena finished her breakfast plate watching as Ceto picked it up putting it to one side. "As in she has human form during the day and can change in to a werewolf at night." Theodore breathed in deeply okay well that was news to him he had no idea that werewolves had a human form but it explained a few things. He put a hand on his beard. "So can you please tell me how the rooms got wrecked then?" He had to confess a part of him really didn't want to know. Xena looked up meeting his confused gaze. "Gabrielle had some disputes with her people it resulted in games room being destroyed along with the guest dinner room and the glass window."

She breathed in painful, sadly she had to be honest with this man, despite that she wanted to keep this to herself. "In the beginning I also had a dispute with her this resulted in her destroying one of the lower floors room's as well as the items in the hall ways and the throne rooms oak doors." She took hold of her goblet finishing the water in it. "She was not to blame for what happened I was as my treatment of her was very poor and I pushed her too far, I made it up to her by giving her all that she desired." She paused taking in a deep breath. "I later fell in love with her and that has attributed to the extra spending." Theodore looked at the scroll in his hand. "I see…" He paused feeling unsure of his next words. "I amuse this is two of the rooms having brand new furniture and such?" Xena breathed in deeply. "Yes it was but don't expect me to spend any less on her." Theodore raised an eyebrow. "So does Gabrielle have any gold she can give to your treasury, if she's going to marry you she does need a dowry?" Xena eased up her hand the truth was that her lover had no gold right now but she had no intention of telling him that. "Yes we have an agreement but it will only come in to play once we are married."

Theodore took in a deep breath. "Well I hope it brings coin to the coffers and gold to the treasury." Xena felt her body tense, how greedy of him to think about Gabrielle's gold and nothing more, he wasn't even interested in her marriage plans or congratulating her. "Did you wish to meet my consort at all?" Theodore took a sip from his wine goblet. "No I'm just here to ensure your books are balanced." Xena shifted forward on the sofa feeling a cold smile form. "Oh no I insist you clearly have preconceptions about my new lover, so I want to put them to rest before we carry on." Theodore swallowed watching as she stood up. "Oh no really it would be rude." Xena turned watching as Ceto gave her a very knowing smile, she turned slowly to him. "It's not a request Theodore it's an order." Theodore stood up slowly oh gods he was going to die, this werewolf would probably rip his head off and use his insides for a jump rope. He breathed in deeply as he looked at the Empress who had raised an eyebrow. "As you wish Empress."

8

Thera leaned against the wall of the barracks her shift would be over soon and she could go home to her children and her lover. Yet time always felt like it was moving slower now for some reason. She preferred to be out on petrol in the city yet she was stuck here doing bounty duty, she hated bounty duty. It wasn't so much handing over the coin over for murders, rapists and vile criminals who were brought in ether alive or dead it was the altitude of the mercenaries and assassins who brought them in. They all had inflated egos and delusions of grandeur, yet most were no better than murders. It was all about the money to them not about the honour of doing something worth while which helped others. It was just a sad fact though that these people were necessary, if a criminal ran or got away from the city guard they were there to stop them in there tracks. The big game though had always been dealt with by Iona and her men they were criminals and warlords with real power that no common mercenary no matter how good could get to.

Saying that though a couple had slipped through Iona's fingers through out the years one was Joxer the Warrior King who had always been just out of her reach he was wanted for crimes of pillaging food and supplies from cities and temples. Talus was next in line he had criminal list of slavery charges as long as her arm ranging from rape, assault and murder. There was also a warlord Glaphyra who was an utter tyrant, apparently she loved to skin people alive and then put their bodies out to dry just to send a message of her dominance, she was a complete psychopath. All these three had very good contacts which made them hard as Tartarus to kill because they always had an escape plan or people who could help them. These three were the most wanted with the highest prices on their heads anyone who killed any one of these three or brought them in alive would not only get a lot of coin but an audience with the Empress herself. Many had tried but they had never come back alive because the target they were trying to kill was just so out of their league.

She looked up feeling her smile fade as she caught sight of the Red Griffin walking towards the barracks she was unmistakable with her Trojan shield and colours she wore. She breathed in deeply she was another with an inflated ego and she did nothing but kill slave traders, normally most mercenaries were dynamic. They liked to bring in all types of criminal but she really specialized, true she did a good service in getting rid of them before they even got started but it was all small time criminals and only the ones who slipped through the Empress's net from time to time. She had never liked her attitude ether but then that was the reason that the Red Griffin had been dismissed from the army because she just couldn't follow orders and she didn't respect those above her, who were her commanders. Now she was hanging around with a satyr who was just as obnoxious as she was, he was another throw away from the main army, who just couldn't take orders. She forced a smile as the woman who was about her age walked in to the barracks closely followed by the black furred satyr who looked smug. "Hello Red Griffin."

Lila eyed the woman who was one of the city guards who clearly didn't like her, not that she really cared a lot of people didn't like her. She smiled frankly she could wait to rub it in that she had killed one of the top three most wanted who had slipped out of even Iona's grasp and she was meant to be the best of the best. "It's a wonderful day isn't it?" Thera eyed her for a long moment. "Yes a lovely day was there something you wanted, because I'm busy right now." Lila felt her smile widen. "We killed a slave trader." Thera eyed her. "Wonderful I'll pay your fifty coins per head and then you can both go away." Lila narrowed her gaze. "Oh no I think this one is worth much more than fifty coin." Thera eyed her in disgust. "I doubt it." Lila raised her bag shoving it in to her chest. "This is one of the most wanted we are owed over a thousand in coin and an audience with the Empress."

Thera eyed the small bloody bag feeling her sneer form. "You killed one of the three? I don't think so people who are at your skill level don't get to kill the top three." Korudon raised his clawed hand. "You don't believe us open the bag and see for yourself, that's the hand of Talus!" Thera breathed in deeply they were both delusional and this was another reason she hated bounty duty she loathed looking at rotting limbs. She opened the bag trying to ignore the vile smell as she caught sight of the rotting hand complete with its signet ring. She felt the shock hit home as she eyed it there was no denying it, it was Talus's ring she knew the insignia well enough but how these two had managed to kill him was beyond her. She closed the bag shoving it back in to the dark haired woman's chest. "I don't know how you both did this but this is his ring, clearly the gods sometimes grace idiots from time to time." Lila closed the bag tight. "Well that means you have to be the idiot who brings us both up to the palace doesn't it?"

Thera felt a sneer form well this had now ruined her day she would have to take these two the palace gates personally which meant it would be a long while before she got home. She turned eyeing the dark haired woman whose sea blue eyes could be seen even through her helmet sockets. "Believe me when I say Iona won't take any crap from you." She breathed in deeply. "Step out of line there and Iona will kill you both herself and don't think for a second that she's a push over because she protects the Empress. I've met her in person more than once she has no patience for smart ass remarks." She pulled up her hand. "Oh and one other thing before I forget, your permitted to be on your best behaviour the Empress now has a consort and should you meet her you are to be well behaved and polite." Lila smirked this was the first time she'd heard this news she had no idea that the Empress had found a new lover.

Though it being a woman didn't really surprise her much the Empress had, had other lovers in the past which had been both men and women. They had been very short lived flings and none of them had ever lasting more than two weeks for some reason. Clearly this one had though, which was a surprise. "Should I be scared of this queen to be?" Thera felt an inward smile form the city guard and the hoplites had been the first people to reserve the news about the Empress's new consort who was the same woman that the Empress had been looking for in the city not long ago. Frankly though she had no intention of letting this woman or her friend, know that this blonde woman was not to be toyed with, she was a royal in her own right and a warrior through and through. The Empress would not tolerate anyone being rude to her and those who were didn't get away with it as she was clearly very much in love with this woman. She felt a smile form as she eyed the Red Griffin. "Well let's just say it would be very foolish on your part."

8

Gabrielle looked down at the document written in werewolf hand for a second time, there was no denying it now she had to talk to Xena regarding the issue of a werewolf diplomat to join the Corinthian council as just about all of these letters were requests for one. She knew why those who were on her side wanted this. It was clear that the moment it got out that she was Xena's consort the Imperial Council would loose it completely as she'd be breaking the most scared law and they'd throw everything they had at her. The Corinthian werewolves wanted protection and having a diplomat among the Corinthians would give them a feeling of equality and protection as they'd be deemed as being on Xena's side. She looked down at the written piece again. If she couldn't secure a diplomat then she would have to think off something else but she was hoping it wouldn't come to that. She breathed in deeply eyeing the remaining letters which were letters from werewolves who were concerned about the Imperial Council and asking for protection from them. She needed to send out a letter stating that every werewolf in Corinth was under her protection and that she'd do everything in her power to ensure their safety.

She looked up as the double doors to her room were opened by Ceto she was about to speak only to stop as Xena walked through closely followed by a red haired man who looked very nervous. She felt her eyes dart as Ceto gave her a sly smile before closed the doors behind her disappearing from sight. She breathed in deeply meeting her lovers gaze. "Is everything okay?" Xena didn't think as she used her arm to push Theodore forward so he was in the room she let go off his shoulder then walked over to the other woman putting her hand on the table as she leaned down speaking in a calm tone. "Gabrielle this is Theodore." Gabrielle looked at her for a long moment. "Theodore… you mean the Theodore you had a meeting with?" Xena leaned over gently kissing the side of her face. "Yes, he wanted to come in and say hello to you." She eased herself up slowly. "I have some paperwork to finish so I'll be in my study." Gabrielle looked at the taller woman for a long moment. "Why do I need to talk to him?" Xena turned as she opened the central door between their rooms. "Because he has some preconceptions about werewolves, you should put his mind at rest." Gabrielle watched as her lover gave her a sly smile before closing the door behind her.

She turned slowly to the red haired man who looked even more nervous as he looked around him. "Please take a seat." Theodore looked at her for a long moment. "So you're Gabrielle and you're a werewolf?" Gabrielle breathed in deeply suddenly she could see why her lover had pushed this man in here because he was clearly afraid of her and the concept of what she was. "Yes I'm a werewolf." Theodore carefully pulled up a chair sitting down in front of her. "This is your human form?" Gabrielle put her hands together. "If it makes you feel any better, I can't transform until it gets dark, so you have nothing to fear from me." Theodore eyed the scrolls she was reading which were in another language which he had never seen before he looked at her for a long moment. She was the complete opposite in appearance to the Empress he could also see a deep diagonal scar above her right eye though it was very old and had long healed. She was also dressed in a long sleeve shirt, trousers and knee high boots, he had expected her to be in a dress. He had not expected the Empress's lover to look this way at all and he had assumed that she would be some noble snotty up tight bitch, that was what the Greek royals were normally like, he had once had to endure a meeting Queen Diana.

That was meeting he would prefer to forget the royal bitch had done nothing but brag about her brilliance even though she had not done anything worthy of the name of royal. Most of the Greek royals didn't even grasp that the only reason they had any power at all was because the Empress allowed it, she ruled them and she could take away their power in a heart beat. They were just under the dilution that she wouldn't because she was nice, which was very foolish. The woman before him though was no snob, he turned catching sight of a sword lying near by she was a warrior? Well suddenly the Empress's interest in her made much more sense she was a warrior despite being a royal. He paused before speaking unsure of his next words. "You're not what I expected." Gabrielle looked up slightly. "What were you expecting?" Theodore breathed in deeply. "A royal snob…" Gabrielle felt a slight smile form as she looked at him clearly this was going to be very interesting for her. "I don't care for royal snobs myself…I met a few once, it wasn't a very present experience." Theodore breathed in feeling himself relax in the chair. "So tell me how did you and the Empress meet?"

End of part 97

Silvermoonlight

A few of you might recognise Theodore as he was in Up On The Reaches Of The Darkest Moonlight.