Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, Xena & Gabrielle: A Turn of Fate. If you haven't read both story's chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. Special thanks to all my adored readers, including Jedi Caro. She's been using her unique mind tricks to make me post quickly. Happy New Year to you Bards and Readers! Enjoy! :-)

The Conqueror & Ri,

A Twist of Destiny,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 21: Implication

The corridors of Corinth's castle bristled with life during a new morning brought forth by Apollo and his chariot that carried Helios through the blue sky. Denizens, nobles, along with Corinthian guards, roamed and patrolled its hallways. Ri was amongst them, dressed in a velvet-black chiton, wearing identical sandals, and traversing her way to Master Eramus' class.

"Ri!" Iona called out, spotting her in the crowd of people.

The petite storyteller twirled on her heels, waiting for Iona so they could walk together.

"Morning. You're looking wonderful today." The younger teen stated, following in step with Ri.

"Good morning, Iona. You look like a soldier in training." She replied, taking in the blonde's apparel, consisting of a brown tunic and matching trousers.

"You said you'd stop teasing." Iona reminded.

"I'm not being a tease. I was only pointing out the obvious." Ri grinned. "Where are you on your way to, Clydmus' class?"

"Yes, then off to practice. Lieutenant Tessa arranged for the warriors on the training field to be minimal."

"No longer shy are we?" Ri jokingly asked.

"I wish. The last couple of nights we'd trained has been fruitful for me, but I don't think I'm ready to be around others. Lieutenant Tessa wants to break me in slowly." Iona explained. "She says hello again, by the way."

"Give her my greetings as well. Tell Lieutenant Tessa I miss her and she better not be too rough on you or we are gonna have problems." Ri jived.

Iona giggled. "You're in a goofy mood today."

"I gotta be. I'm about to sit through another repetitious lesson with Master Eramus."

"Is he still dogmatic concerning you branching out, Ri?" Iona inquired.

"Yeah." She sighs. "I'm working on writing my own stories anyway, so it doesn't bother me anymore. It's his entire study that crawls under my skin. At first, learning from him when I was younger, he taught me well and I'd grown to love his teachings. Now, it's the same phrases, tedious lessons over and over again. I'm beginning to believe he has nothing more to teach me."

"Maybe that's why the Conqueror is sending you to be apprenticed by Aristotle." Iona affirmed.

"And the Academy of Performing Bards." Ri averred.

"What?" Iona nearly shouted.

"I forgot to mention that." Ri pronounced.

"I'm sure there's many of things you haven't told me." Iona smirked. "Damn, Ri. You're so lucky to have our Lord's favor."

"Iona, you shouldn't be copying such language from Tessa." Ri chided.

"I know, but I'm not using the really bad words. The small ones slipped during our training and she didn't mind. Lieutenant Tessa doesn't encourage it, but she don't reprimand it either."

Ri remembered the brown-haired Lieutenant using profane words when they'd hung out with each other. However, the strawberry-blonde requested she forbear the profanity in her company and Tessa acquiesced to it.

"She does have a vulgar vocabulary. She's changing you into a warrior, don't let her change your personality, too. Okay, Iona." Ri was worried.

"I won't, Ri. I'll leave the obscene words on the field." Iona concurred. "Speaking of leaving, I plan on giving you something special for your travel to Athens. It requires you to be free for a few candle-marks."

"Really!" Ri became jovial. "Today?"

"Not this day." Iona blushed. "Tomorrow."

"I can't tomorrow." Ri's mood shifted a bit.

"Why not?"

"I'm telling a few tales to the children and their parents in the Audience Chamber in the morning. I'm committed to three, but you know how that can go. I'll probably be reciting five more stories if I'm unfortunate, before I can get out of there. Then, I have an afternoon class with Master Eramus and he says he'll be testing me on what I'd learned overall. I may have to study his notes of tedium tonight because I might not get an opportunity once my storytelling is done.

I've also assented to Minya that I'll help her in the kitchen after she'd asked me. She's been short on staff lately, and with Milady gone, no one's hired any new additions. I'm unsure why the Chancellor hasn't corrected the problem." Ri elucidated.

Iona beamed inwardly. Ri had no idea Minya's insistence on her aid was actually a ruse to get her to the surprise party.

'Nice job, Minya. You beat me to it and came up with a smooth plan for getting Ri there unaware.' Iona thought.

"I will have much free Cronus when my session is over today. Can't we do it after that?" Ri queried.

Iona's visage had reddened once more. "I have a date later once me and Lieutenant Tessa's sparring practice ends."

Ri couldn't hold back the smile. "You and Lieutenant Oris? Is he courting you?"

Iona nodded, causing Ri to hug her.

"Congratulations. Don't let him talk you into something you aren't ready for." Ri warned.

"You don't have to be a mother hen, Ri." Iona admonished with a grin, whilst they resumed walking. "My father already gave me and him a stern talk about my chastity."

"General Darnelle is alright with you being courted by him?" Ri questioned.

"Yes." Iona responded. "He did apprise me that when my mother returned it would be up to her for us to continue our courtship, though."

Ri started ruminating on the Conqueror. Pondering when she and her entourage would be back in Corinth. It's almost been a full moon and soon the future bard will be gone to Athens. She feared that seeing the Lord of the Realm was increasingly unlikely.

'Perhaps, the Conqueror counted on it being this way. That's why she explicated that she'll visit me in Athens after her return here.' Ri cogitated.

Drawing closer to Eramus' classroom, Iona chose to part from Ri and head to her destination. "Have a wonderful day, sis. Don't let that mean tutor of yours dampen your spirit. I'll see you tomorrow while you're helping Minya, and we'll make arrangements for what I have planned for ya."

"Thanks, Iona." Ri expressed. "Also, I want to hear everything about your date with Lieutenant Oris. And no kissing on the first outing."

The teenager turned down another hallway, disappearing from sight, yelling. "I'm not making any promises!"

Ri's smile remained on her features as she continued her walk. She was excited for Iona, hoping her and Lieutenant Oris' courtship would last even with General Glaphyra returning back to the Corinthian castle. It would be a shame if Iona's mother ended their relationship before it had a chance to begin. If age played a hand in the decision, Ri was sure General Darnelle would have declared his disapproval over the matter.

'I wonder how old is Oris?' Ri chuckled at the consternation.

The Lieutenant of the First Army couldn't be too much older than Iona. He did look young, probably just several years her senior, unlike the Conqueror and herself. She was twenty-five years older than Ri. However, the long-haired former Handmaiden didn't care. She looked forward to being courted by the aged ruler, whom was magnificent to her eyes and conscience. During the past two days after speaking with Joxer, Ri's confidence was fortified in knowing her Lord had full intentions of being with her romantically. No one could persuade her into thinking otherwise again. Not the Chancellor, nor the Prince of the Realm.

All thanks to the Jester, Ri became positive that the vision she had about the younger looking Conqueror and her own short-cropped blonde appearance was nothing but a dream she'd fretted over.

'I should visit Joxer when my...' Ri's rumination was cut off whilst she bumped into a larger body, knocking her on the stone floor.

Gazing upwards, she saw the dark-skinned man adorned in his golden armor.

"Watch where you are walking, little girl." Draco sneered.

Next, he trotted forward without offering an apology or helping Ri to her feet as if nothing happened. Ri picked herself up from the floor and was contented she wasn't pained by the fall. Nevertheless, she was angry at the General of the Second Army and his remark.

"I'm not some little girl, General Draco." She voiced loudly, wanting him to hear.

Draco halted for a moment, astonished by Ri's retort. Ri became afraid he'd possibly hurt her for mouthing off. She was merely a peasant while he was a general. If their ranks collided, his would overpower hers any day. General Draco only turned his head very slowly, noting the fear seething from her, although she tried to cover it. Trekking towards the terrified woman, he wouldn't waste a candle-drip with her.

Draco whispered concisely. "I know you're not, whore."

Other than Ri's rapidly beating heart, she had mixtures of feelings pounding through her when the General walked away. She felt relieved that the disrespectful man who antagonized her had chosen not to assault her physically, but was disconcerted, too for being referred to as a harlot. Was Ri's past the main provenance for General Draco's implication? What else could it be to associate her with such an insult. Did others see her that way as well; believing her virtue was taken by the slavers long ago?

Ri tried to focus on Iona's parting words. Albeit, it was meant for Eramus, she wouldn't let the General's snide comment ruin her jolly attitude. Forcing a calm demeanor with every step, she couldn't stop the haunting thoughts.

'I'm not a whore, either.' She mused with disdain.

{C&R}

Many candle-marks later inside Alexander II's guest chambers during the evening, he sat at his dining table with General Nale. The Macedonian was donned in clothes to impress, wearing an immaculate white tunic with a silk, red toga, gold sandals on his feet, jewels of different gems decorating the necklace encircling his neck and the rings on his fingers. Nale only wore a plain burgundy tunic with dark trousers, waiting for the slaves to serve him and his host.

"So grateful you've finally found the Cronus to have dinner with me." Alexander grinned, while his plate was being piled with food, and wine filled his ornate cup.

"I am a general." Nale answered as a slave did the same for his plate and cup. "My duties are expanded. More now, than when you were here last."

"You was Lieutenant of the First Army then. I remember." Alex took a bite from his roasted chicken and swallowed. "How did you feel when Meleager made you general?"

"I was thrilled once the Chancellor announced my elevation." Nale sipped from his cup, enjoying the tasty wine. "I plan to live up to his expectations."

Alex's bluish orbs lit with amusement. "Don't live up to his expectancy, Nale. Surpass them."

"That's your problem, Alexander. You should learn to be satisfied with what you have accomplished."

"And what's wrong with being irrepressible, instead of compliant with what others deem fitting for you?" He countered.

"Some may ascertain certain views more than you do." Nale parried. "It's not to hold you back, but to aid you from making mistakes by adding pressure on yourself, which is a huge drawback, coaxing failure. That is what Chancellor Meleager has taught me under his tutelage."

"Many tutors can be useless. Only wanting to control your actions as if you're a type of pet for keeping. Never choosing to let you be free and make your own choices. One has to rise from such restraints." Alexander sounded bitter, draining his wine. "More!"

A slave quickly did what was ordered to General Nale's chagrin. "You don't have to speak to them like that. They are human after all."

"They're slaves." Alex said simply.

"That's why slavery is outlawed here and in Athens. All slaves should one day be emancipated everywhere." Nale declared.

"Perhaps." Alexander was nonchalant. "But I like Macedon the way it is."

"You feel they shouldn't have freedom or the will to make their own decisions? That another human has the right over the other?" Nale asked, confounded.

"Like you have just went on explaining recently." The cropped blonde smiled. "Some may ascertain more than others."

"Touche, Alexander. Withal, didn't you say people should rise above being treated like pets?"

"Those in bondage are similar to pets. Most must be domesticated for them to live and think for themselves. If they had from the beginning, they wouldn't be in subjection." Alex professed.

"You're a jerk." Nale muttered, wondering why he agreed to dinner with the arrogant man.

"Ha! No countering argument?" Alexander gloated, smirking.

"Hm, I guess I'm seeing your point. Maybe that's why you're not king of Macedonia. The Conqueror's probably trying to domesticate you."

Alex's smirk vanished, taking offense to what the General implied. "I am Alexander the Great's son. It is in my blood to be king. My blood!"

Understanding what he had done, Nale decided to take his leave. "I will go."

"Out! All of you!" Alexander II blared, causing the slaves to make hasty exits, Nale included. "Not you, General. Don't run away now. You will sit there and listen to what I have to say!"

Nale remained in his seat, prepared to listen to a boring speech, mentally proclaiming, 'Then I am out of here.'

"I'm born from royalty. My mother, Roxana, was a Bactrian Princess when she married my father. It's true he took Hephaistion as his lover and was in love with him, but my father loved my mother also. After my great father died on progress in Babylon, civil war tore apart what he had conquered and built as his generals seeked to establish their own empires over the remnants of his work. All except one man stayed loyal to him after his death and that was Cassander. The war didn't just snuff the lives from most of my father's former lieutenants and generals. The life of my grandmother, Olympias, and my mother were lost, too. Cassander raised me, defending me from those whom roused for my death."

Alexander drank more of his wine, gathering his emotions from losing control.

"While Ptolemy seized Egypt, Antigonus grabbed Babylon, and Cassander had chosen to remain in Macedon to raise me there, keeping it from falling in outsiders' hands. He brought me up as a prince. Protecting me from assassination attempts committed by foolish people who felt I wasn't worthy to be called Alexander the Great's heir. Governor Cassander defended my claim, stating I was bound for glory once I came of age to be king. That all ended when the Conqueror came and destroyed our forces, making Cassander submit to her rule. She has never acknowledged me, thus Macedonia became hers."

Nale was drawn into his story. "You aren't the sole individual. The Lord of the Realm dominates nearly all of Terra."

"But they still have their prestige!" He shouted. "And what am I? A lowly fucking satrap! A petty fucking prince! I should be king! Instead, I have to wait for the Conqueror's return before a decision can be made for a title I should already obtain!"

Nale got up from his chair to kneel beside the emotional Macedonian. "In Chin, a man of royal blood should be emperor due to his lineage, howbeit he isn't either."

"To Tartarus with Ming Tien." Alex cursed. "He's a satrap as well. He has always been when he sold out his family to align with that warlord, Borias, before his country got annexed by the Conqueror. I've heard the tale; got his mother, Empress Lao 'Ma executed and her lover exiled."

"Once the Conqueror returns, it will be worked out. If not, at least you can still call yourself Prince." Nale averred with a grin, desperately aiming to lighten the air.

"Are you making digs at my expense?"

Nale caressed Alexander's beautiful bronzed face. "If I am?"

"I'd kill you." Alex joked harshly.

The General of the First Army released a sigh. "Venus only knows why I'm attracted to you."

"I knew it." Alex was getting his arrogance back.

"I liked you moping better than-"

With a deep kiss, Nale's declaration was ceased.

{C&R}

Echoing footfalls resonated throughout the castle's halls as Ri happily travelled to her chamber. She spent more than several candle-marks with Joxer and Virgil, cheering up immensely.

'General Draco is foolhardy, including whoever believes I have been unchaste by those horrible men. My discernment of the truth is all that matters.' Ri cogitated.

In the torchlight that illuminated the dark, nightly corridors, Ri saw somebody standing outside her lodging. Her steps stopped as she came to recognize the figure of the person.

"Lieutenant Tessa, what are you doing here?"

"Hello, Ri." She responded. "A little birdy told me you missed me."

"I did... I do. What are you doing here?" Ri repeated. "I thought Prince Lyceus demanded you stay away from me?"

"Funny thing." Tessa leaned on the stone wall. "I should've gave you the news days ago, but better late than never right?"

Ri moved to stand next to the Lieutenant. "What happened?"

"He said I can hang out with you again and he shouldn't have enforced me to stop in the first place. I don't understand why he banned me away from you either. I began to think y'all were lovers or something."

"We aren't, which you did accuse me of." Ri hid her flushed appearance. "He assumed you were plotting to bed me."

'Damn it.' Tessa was aghast. "Did he tell you that?"

"Someone whom cares about my well-being informed me." She answered tactfully.

'Fuck!' The Lieutenant didn't want Ri to have knowledge of that. "It's not my intent, I assure you."

"I trust you don't. I'd inquired if you liked me the last night we shared dinner in my chamber and you said no." Ri replied.

Tessa begun to feel guilty, deciding it was now or never to tell her the truth. "Well, to be honest, I-"

"I'm aware of your... Reputation, Tessa." Ri hesitantly interrupted. "I am okay with it. You're my friend."

Tessa became baffled and embarrassed, lifting her body off the wall. If Ri was alluding to her sexual preference for sex with numerous partners, it would be another thing she never wanted the pretty storyteller to learn about her.

"I'm glad we can be friends again." Ri hugged her.

Tessa accepted it, but disengaged from Ri's embrace fast, feeling strangely uncomfortable in her presence all the sudden.

"I have some studying to do, but would you like to come in?" Ri questioned. "We can talk and catch up if you want."

The only thing Tessa wanted to do more than anything at the moment, was get away from the woman whom caused her to feel awkward. "Not tonight. I just... Uh... Wanted to deliver the good news. I have Iona's... Um..."

"Training?" Ri assisted the usually articulate brunette. "Are you alright, Tessa?"

"Yes. Just tired. I'm sorry for presuming you and the Prince were lovers. I have to go." She spun on her feet and zoomed down the hall with a quickened walk.

'Odd.' Ri was perplexed, opening her chamber door. 'Very odd indeed.'

To Be Continued...