Disclaimer: In chapter 1.
Author's Notes: Just a small update before my holiday. Thank you to everyone reading, reviewing, favouriting and following "Hero".
Kurzon stood at the head of the table, his top enforcers in the remaining chairs. "Find out who sent the amulet!' He ordered. "The messenger said it was a gift, but so was the Trojan Horse."
He rubbed his hand self-consciously; the raised emblem could be felt through his glove. "I want answers and I want them now!" He slammed his good hand down on the table. His men rose to their feet and hurried out.
Kurzon made his way to the window and looked out over the small village where his base was situated. He could see slim lines of firelight between closed shutters. It was a cool night. He glanced towards the town limits where he thought he saw movement, but nothing was clear in the darkness. An animal cry was heard, but something about it sent chills down his spine. It sounded again, much closer this time. The source of the wail couldn't have been more than 5 meters away.
Kurzon stepped back and drew his sword. With another screech a dark beast crashed through the window, scattering glass at Kurzon's feet. He tried to retreat but the beast had him in some form of paralysis. He felt a deep coldness as his breath and life was drained from him.
Following Joxer's birthday, and the unexpected murder mystery, the women spent an uneventful day around town. During that time they replenished suppliers and got extra for the two Storybrooke visitors. Barold was grateful for them not assuming his guilt, as many would do, so he gave them a sizeable bundle of bread for their journey north.
The next morning they all set off just after dawn. They hadn't been travelling long when they heard screams up ahead. Xena reacted instantly; she leapt onto Argo and galloped ahead. Gabrielle, Emma and Joxer followed as fast as they could. Joxer's armour clattered with each stride.
Regina bristled, "Queens do not run." However, she did quicken her pace, lest Emma be in danger. She swore to herself it was purely for Henry's sake.
Xena hurried on foot through the open doors of a temple. Debris littered the floor; broken vases, splintered chairs, unconscious priests. As Regina walked in the group heard a grief stricken wail from another room. At the back of the hall, to the right the right of the alter they discovered a door to a chamber, inside was a robed man collapsed in a heap with an open and empty box cradled in his hands.
"It's gone," he cried.
"What is?" Gabrielle knelt down beside him and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"They took it," tears streamed down his face. "May the Gods save us from certain doom."
Xena and Regina rolled their eyes in unison. They put no stock in the Gods and their help.
"What did they take?" Emma asked more powerfully.
Finally realising he wasn't alone, the man raised his eyes and stared in desperation, "They stole the North Star."
Author's notes: I hope my fellow Xenites are squealing with joy when you realised what is coming up next.