Callisto

"Be nice to each other," Xena said as she left Daniel with Solan and Xenon in front of Kaleipus's hut. She got on Argo and rode off with Kaleipus and a scouting party.

"I'm not sorry about your nose," Daniel said.

"I'm not sorry about your head," Solan said.

"You two are bad and Solan you should be punished for what you said to Aunt Xena," Xenon said before galloping off to play kick ball with his friends. He offered an invite to Daniel who reminded him he was grounded. Monkey ran up and sat on Daniel's shoulder.

"Come on Monkey let's go."

"No, Xena said we had to stay here, and you're not getting me in trouble again."

"Yes, I am, I'm telling mommy you made me get lost and hit me."

"No, you're not." Daniel tried to go, but Solan grabbed him. They ended up wrestling. Daniel landed some punches and Solan hit back. They didn't notice Nalani take off and signal Xena. She came back at a gallop. She flipped off and landed a foot away. Monkey waved at her. Everyone went about their business because it was a common sight for boys to be wrestling. She pulled Solan off Daniel. Daniel started crying.

"I warned you two about fighting," Xena took them both by their shirt collars and took them inside.

"Well what was it this time?" Xena asked. They both talked at the same time. She held up her hand and they stopped." Solan you go first."

"He was going to leave and say that I made him get lost so I'd get in trouble I tried to stop him and we ended up fighting."

"Is that true Daniel?" Xena asked. Daniel looked down.

"He wanted to make me get lost, but I wouldn't let him and we started fighting." Xena looked at them both and she knew Daniel was lying. She shook her head.

"Solan, watch your brother he's not to leave this corner unless he has to pee. Understand?"

"He's not my brother." Xena stared at him with a blank face.

"Just watch him or you'll be in just as much trouble and you Daniel are in a lot of trouble when I return." She put him in a corner and left. Daniel did his time in the corner while Solan gloated.

"Solan you just added another week to your punishment," Kaleipus said. Solan stopped grinning and looked at his uncle in disbelief. "Daniel, Xena is waiting for you." Daniel walked out and put his head down when he saw his mother. She did not look pleased with him. After dinner he was taken straight to bed after a bath for them both.

"Mommy…" Daniel started. Xena stopped him.

"Look Daniel I understand why your upset with Solan, but you hurt me just as bad every time you fight with him. It breaks my heart to see you two fight."

"I'm sorry Mommy." He was genuinely ashamed of himself for hurting her.

"I'm glad, but you must let Solan and I work out our problem. He's upset because I didn't run away with him like I did with you."

"I don't like to see you cry and Solan needs to be punished for that."

"I know you think that, but Solan has to work out his feelings for me on his own. While I will never stop loving him once we help them defeat the army attacking the village we will respect his decision. Understand?" Daniel nodded. "Okay no more plans to get him in trouble, no more lies, and no more fighting." Daniel nodded. As he lay in bed thankful he didn't get a spanking he watched Xena clean her sword, dagger, and chakram until they shined.

"Mommy, why is the army attacking the village?" Daniel asked.

"I don't know yet honey, but I have a good feeling we'll find out soon." Xena walked to the window and watched the skies and she could see Nalani flying over head back and forth watching a camp fire, but not going anywhere near it. The fire was in the surrounding meadows. Xena knew without a doubt it was Callisto. She wanted her to know she knew she was in the village and that she was waiting for her.

"That answers that question."

"What question mommy?" Daniel asked.

"If Callisto and I are still bitter enemies."

"I thought Callisto died mommy." Xena turned and walked back over to him.

"I thought so too, but it she is very much a live." Daniel's eyes lit up with fear. The stories she told of Callisto made him fear her, she was his boogyman. "Don't worry, you have nothing to fear, don't I always win in the end?" Daniel nodded. She pulled the covers up a little higher and kissed his forehead. She went over to the bedside table and wrote a letter to Gabrielle.

Dear Gabrielle,

I know I left you so suddenly six years ago and for that I am sorry for anything you went through at my expense. My plan was to surprise you, but that is no longer possible. I have stopped to see Solan first because he was on the way and my heart could stay away no longer. He knows I am his mother now, but that is not why my plans have changed in surprising you. Callisto is attacking the Centaur village. She has them trapped and they could not get a messenger out to your village to ask for help, so I am using the only means I can to contact you. Nalani, the falcon, she will warn you of dangers before they see you approaching the centaur village. Listen to her voice. I am deeply sorry and once this is all over I will answer all your questions in a place I deem safe enough for the important part of my explanation. Just know that I didn't leave you because I didn't trust you with my problem. For the first time in my life I fled in fear and that I regret because it has kept you away from me and everyone else I love.

You're friend,

Xena

P.S. Tell Ephiny that Xenon is well and that I am protecting him as if he were my own son. He doesn't seem to be affected by the war, just misses his mother.

Xena rolled it up. She picked up some string and went to the window. She whistled and Nalani flew over to her. She attached the letter around her neck.

"Nalani, take this important message to Queen Gabrielle of the Amazons. Make her read it do not take no for an answer." She went as far as to give Nalani complete directions and a description of Gabrielle, Ephiny, Eponin, and Solari. "Fly higher than the arrows that may come your way." Nalani seemed to nod her head before she took off into the dark at top speed and higher than any arrow could reach.

"XXEEEEENNNNAAAA!!" Callisto yelled in that annoying scream of hers." I'M COMING FOR YOU XENA, I'M COMING!" The wind blew fiercely and the fire illuminated Callisto's figure for a few moments. She was staring at the village as if waiting and hoping for some sign, but Xena had the candles out by now and could not be spotted amongst the darkness of the village to give the appearance that it wasn't well guarded when in fact it was.

"Mommy, she does scream like a banshee," Daniel said grabbing her leg. She patted his head feeling as if something was wrong.

"Get dressed hurry up." Daniel did as he was told. He put his cloak on and gathered Monkey up into his arms." Wake Monkey up, you're going to need your arms to carry your staff." A little food had Monkey up as Daniel grabbed his staff tightly. He was scared. Xena had already hooked her dagger and chakram back in their proper places, but her sword was out. He followed her a long with Monkey.

"Mommy…" Daniel started.

"Shh…be quiet, remember what I said about listening to your surroundings?" Xena asked. Daniel nodded and listened hard, but couldn't hear anything. Xena heard the wind though and it was screaming that something was a amiss. They went downstairs and found it empty except the tavern keeper. He took one look at her and drew his sword as he stepped closer to the bell that would wake the whole tavern.

"Not yet, but trust me you'll know when to ring that bell." He nodded. They went outside and walked to Kaleipus's hut. She knocked on the door and Kaleipus answered.

"What…" He started but Xena pushed passed him with Daniel. "What's going on?"

"Something isn't quite right, do whatever you have to, to gather the warriors, they should all be up and alert. If nothing happens tonight than good, but tomorrow morning we need to get the children somewhere safe. She knows I'm here and she will stop at nothing to get at me. Whatever reason she had before for coming here will be discarded unless it'll help her defeat me."

"Well it isn't the Ixion stone and even that can't defeat you." Xena nodded as a sleepy Solan and Xenon walked out of their rooms.

"Get your staff there may be trouble tonight." Solan dressed and did as he was told as well as Xenon.

"Solan you'll be in charge of leading the children to safety." Solan nodded at Xena's words. They left Kaleipus's hut knocking on doors and alerting people quietly especially as torches lit up near the trees and came towards them.

"Solan run ahead," Kaleipus ordered. Solan did so. Women rounded up the children and by the time everybody got to the back of the village where all the weapons lay Callisto's army had reached the edge of the village.

"XXXEEEENNNNAAAA!" Callisto screamed like a banshee.

"We have to hold them off until Gabrielle's forces get here, but that won't be until morning at least," Xena whispered to Kaleipus. He nodded his agreement as their torches went out. Xena looked around and spotted Daniel a few feet behind them.

"Go with the others," Xena ordered. He shook his head. She wanted to argue, but they would be heard. A lot of younger boys appeared with their weapons. They were ordered to go back, but all refused even Solan. Xena was very annoyed with them all. She moved off to the side in the darkness until she was behind the army. She let loose her chakram and killed several members of the army before she caught her chakram in a different place. Callisto turned around and saw Xena standing before her army or at least part of it really.

"Xena, you thought I would never find you."

"What are you doing here Callisto?" Xena asked.

"You know I really must thank you for leaving Xena or I never would have been able to trick your little friend into giving me Ambrosia."

"Ambrosia?" Xena asked. Callisto nodded.

"Oh yes, to defeat her little friend, but oh she was smart locking me in lava, but as you can see I have escaped."

"How?" Xena asked. Callisto laughed.

"That's my business Xena, now its time for you to die."

"Fine we'll fight, but answer me this," Xena replied as she walked towards her.

"What?" Callisto asked.

"Why here, why this village?" Xena asked.

"Well I had to start somewhere and well when I found out about Solan, I knew this place was perfect." Xena remained silent.

"Well you're going to have to come through me first."

"Fine by me." She ran at her and they fought." You can't kill me Xena," she taunted. Xena kicked her ass though.

"I'll be back Xena." Callisto declared when a rain of arrows started to take out her soldiers. Archers kept her army at bay, but Xena had a feeling the archers were not why she was holding back. The women and children stayed away. Xena and Kaleipus to get the young boys to go protect the children hiding in the caves.