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.

The Conqueror & Ri,

A Twist of Destiny,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 23: Xena

Ri laid on her cot, writing on parchment inside the second tier cabin of the massive warship that was travelling to a country she hasn't seen. The storyteller had heard of Japa from her Lord in her world. It's where she saved Akemi, bringing her along to Corinth to become the Conqueror's Chambermaid. Ri pushed the thought aside. Akemi only caused her anger and grief before she got teleported away from the Conqueror's Realm to this strange world.

Since being brought here, by the magic shard on her necklace, Ri fretted the loss of Iona, Minya, Meleager, Tessa, even Lyceus, although they had a huge confrontation the last night she was in her chamber. Ri thought fondly of them, but she deeply missed the Conqueror most of all. Ri hadn't seen the Lord of the Grecian Empire for two moons, but it felt like forever. Solace came in the form of the Conqueror's younger twin, who was a skilled fighter, extremely beautiful, but distant as well. The pure raven-haired woman didn't spend much Cronus in Ri's company, because of her appearance to another. She would only make sure Ri was comfortable and that the petite strawberry blonde had a good meal in her stomach each day.

Still, the distance was palpable. The bronze warrior shared information with Ri, but it was only in accord of defeating a daemon that would hopefully make everything go back to normal. Ri would always nod in agreement, though she didn't have full comprehension of what was going on. Everything on this world was a mystery to her and she wanted to go home, back to Corinth, her friends, her tedious tutor, her Lord.

Then, a small part of her wanted to stay in this world. She desired to learn about the woman, whom was enigmatic, dark, and amazing. Ri wondered what could she do to get closer to her. Saying hello would get her a simple wave, and besides the monk doting on her, Ri had grown tired of the constant matriarchal ways of the Conqueror's younger counterpart. She wished to have a profound conversation with her, not broken chats here and there about everyday necessities, or the journey to Japa. Ri knew the voyage was imperative to return her back to the Conqueror's Realm, but for unknown reasons she feared the outcome of this trip would splinter her from the young blue-eyed beauty permanently.

After writing the final word on her scroll, greenish blue irises gazed at her cabin door. Arising to her feet, Ri tied the sash to her emerald-colored kimono before answering it. The monk stood in the archway, informing Ri of something. She began shaking her head in the negative and he bowed in acquiescence. As the monk started to walk away, Ri grasped his attention by speaking. The bald man smiled while replying to her. Next, he walked off and Ri slipped on her sandals to exit the cabin also.

Traversing through the hull of the enormous vessel, Ri saw a lot of men armed with swords, roaming the tiers as well. Once she got to the first tier, she bumped into a man adorned in blue armor. He reached out to steady her from losing balance. His handsome face was mired with concern, but it vanished after Ri laughed at the mishap. They both chatted for a few moments before Ri and the dark-haired man went their separate ways.

When Ri arrived on the main deck, she gazed at another ship of equal size as it aligned with the warship. Many men, including the man in sunfire armor, whose conduct reminded Ri of General Draco, awaited the other ship's occupants to come aboard. Taking her sight from the scene, Ri looked to the top platform and found the person of interest leaning on the railings overhead. Ascending the stairs, the storyteller traipsed towards the lady that was dressed in a red kimono and resembled the Conqueror.

Standing beside her, sapphire orbs turned to Ri in puzzlement. The strawberry blonde spoke some words, causing the puzzled features to become replaced with a facial expression of indifference that Ri disliked.

Ri continued to talk and it begun to frustrate the listener as she tried to focus on what was happening on the bottom deck. Ri pressed on, finally coaxing the tall woman's stoic mask to falter. Quickly, she seized Ri by the shoulders, placing the trim frame in front of her, taking her assiduousness from below.

Her face was full of anger as she fussed, making Ri feel castigated. Ri wished she could retract what was said. She had no intentions on angering the Conqueror's doppelganger. No longer able to take the rage in the cerulean eyes, Ri turned hers to the main deck. She watched the men from the adjoined ship greet the sunfire armored man. After that, they seemed to be conversing over something, but when the armored man turned his back, the man behind him withdrew his weapon and decapitated him, spilling blood everywhere, similar to how Tessa described when she severed the wooden dummy in Clydmus' class.

Ri's heart sank and dread circulated within her. She panicked more once the Conqueror's twin gripped her jaw, forcing their eyes to meet. As she began her declaration anew, Ri tried to get the powerful warrior to understand the dire situation by pointing to the main platform where the combatants of their vessel were unprepared for the onslaught from the men that boarded. But the woman's grip got tighter and it encumbered Ri's actions to relay what was going on.

With a strained plea, Ri gained the dark-haired woman's attention, causing her to turn around and see the horrific sight. Pulling Ri down to conceal themselves behind the railing, she gave the storyteller instructions before she unsheathed her sword. Nodding, Ri acceded to what was stated and glanced fearfully as the fearless warrior flipped over the wooden rail to land on the bottom deck.

The long-haired strawberry blonde covered her ears in a useless attempt to block out the sounds of battle. Tears escaped her eyes while listening to the fray unfold below. Curiosity overpowered her fright and Ri peeked from her hiding spot to view the carnage. She was astonished by the female, who had the resemblance of her Lord, as she killed the belligerents that challenged her. Nonetheless, the platform was littered with dead bodies belonging mostly to the members of this ship, instead of their opposition. Still, the blue-eyed warrior continued to battle, but when arrows flew in the air to hit anyone on the main deck indiscriminately, Ri nearly cried out watching her evade and swap incoming projectiles.

Soon the arrows became overbearing, penetrating not just the skin of the raven warrior, but the other men that came on the deck to aid her too. The skillful woman's evasiveness slowed and more arrowheads entered her.

When one pierced her chest, Ri arose, screaming the dying warrior's name.

{C&R}

Eramus walked into his classroom after being gone for almost a candle-mark. "I'm back. I take it you've completed your test."

Seeing Ri slumped in her chair, evidently resting, Eramus became disappointed. Trekking to the young woman, the tutor glimpsed her scrolls and saw she hadn't written anything on either of them.

He shook Ri to wake her. "You get up this instant, young lady. You've failed my expectations terribly."

Shaking her by the shoulders, Eramus was confounded that she wouldn't awaken. Studying her appearance, he noticed beads of sweat on Ri's forehead.

"Ri?" He questioned, rocking her vigorously.

She remained sleeping, slouching in her seat more. Growing alarmed, Eramus laid Ri's head gently on the desk and rushed out the door to call for help from a couple of Corinthian Guards patrolling the corridors.

Entering inside the class with the two sentinels in tow, Eramus asserted, "She's unwell and won't wake up."

One of the guards commenced his palpation of Ri. "Her pulse is erratic, does she have a fever?"

"Ri was well when she came to my session today." Eramus answered.

The guard examined Ri further, realizing she was the storyteller of the castle. "Hey, it's the girl who tells awesome tales!"

The other agreed while noting the jade gem on Ri's gleaming necklace was glowing. When he touched the pendent it burnt his fingers.

"Ouch!" He growled.

"What happened?" Eramus asked.

"I don't know. Damn thing burned me." The man looked at his digits, happy to see no visible marks.

"Y'all should take her to the infirmary." Eramus insisted.

The two guards went to lift Ri as she awoken.

"Xena!" She shouted.

All three observers were surprised by Ri's sudden wakefulness.

"Are you alright?" Ri heard somebody ask her.

She nodded dumbly, trying to gain prospective of her frightening dream. 'It was real... It's real... It's real!'

"Thanks for all y'all have done." Eramus showed his gratitude to the sentinels.

"No problem." One replied. "We couldn't allow the best storyteller in Corinth go unaided."

"You mean, the greatest on Terra." His companion protested.

The men took their leave bantering, while Eramus gazed at his student with relief. "I'm glad you are okay. What happened?"

Ri didn't respond, her mind was preoccupied by what occurred. 'We were wrong. Me and Joxer were so wrong. I knew it... I knew it...'

"Ri." Eramus was getting impatient. "I demand you tell me something after scaring the Tartarus out of me."

"I have to go." Ri said, rising from the chair.

Eramus surmised she was healthy. "Sit back down. You haven't finished your test, so you aren't going anywhere."

Ri ignored him, heading towards the door, until her teacher hindered Ri's progress by grabbing her arm.

"Did you not hear me?" He inquired. "Sit back down at your-"

"No!" Ri interjected. "I can't stay here. I must speak with someone."

She began walking to the exit when Eramus threatened, "Perhaps you've forgotten what I declared before I left. If you fail this test, I'll report directly to the Chancellor and inform him of it. You will lose your apprenticeship under Aristotle."

Ri's judgment was impaired by the vision. "You are a horrendous tutor, Master Eramus. Do you want me to recite over and over repeatedly: 'When you have the crowds' ear, you must have the finesse to maintain it. You have to utilize your body and hands as if you are speaking with them also, other than your mouth. The spectators will marvel at your yarn, even if it isn't an amazing story'. If you'd ever been present at any of my performances, you would have seen me using those skills. So, tell the Chancellor whatever you want. If he confronts me about it, I'll make him privy to the fact you are a dried up hack."

Her elucidation over, Ri stormed out of the classroom, leaving Eramus disconcerted and confused.

{C&R}

"The Tribute to the Conqueror of the Realm is not far away." Meleager affirmed to the Generals inside the War Room. "Besides Alexander II, the castle will be filled with other guests. Queen Boadicea of Brittania will be here in a matter of days. Including King Antigonus II, King Leonidas, Ming Tien, and Cassander as well."

"Cassander?" Vercinix echoed. "Alexander is already enough. Does his Governor have to come too?"

"Alexander is bad by himself. When he gets with Cassander, they are a terrible twosome." General Palaemon conceded.

"I'm aware of that, but we will show them all respect and genuine courtesy, unless proven otherwise." Meleager proclaimed.

"Let's just throw Alexander II out. He's really annoying. All he says is: 'Macedonia is better than this, Macedonia is better than that'. It's irritating." Darnelle mocked.

General Nale smirked. "He likes to be called Alex now."

"And it's that too. I don't care if he changes his name. He's still an asshole." Draco professed.

Nale wanted to defend the Macedonian, but he usually added to the advocation of Alex's vain character. To take up his offense would bring unwanted attention to him, and the General of the First Army did not want anyone discovering his secret nightly affairs. Nale swore Alexander just craved to get him in bed, but, even though they haven't slept with each other, Alexander's sweetness hadn't disappeared. Nale began to cherish him for it, however, he stayed wary of Alexander.

"His ways may aggravate, but it's not sufficient to banish Alexander nor kick him out the castle." The Chancellor chuckled. "We must all endure."

Draco rolled his eyes in annoyance as the War room door opened and the Prince entered.

"Forgive me for my tardiness, Chancellor." Lyceus stated.

"Prince Lyceus." All five Generals, including the Regent gave their greetings with a bow while he sat down closer to Meleager.

Once they were all seated, Meleager responded, "No need to apologise, Prince. The Agora can be Cronus consuming. We were actually wrapping our meeting up. Come to the Conqueror's chambers this evening for dinner. I will update you on the transpiration that's to take place then."

"I'll be there, Chancellor." Lyceus assented.

"That concludes of conference. Dismiss." Meleager announced.

The men arose, giving their Regent a salute before exiting the War room. As the other Generals, plus the Prince went in different locations of the castle, Palaemon strolled to the place he and his Lieutenant arranged to meet after the War room's assembly was ended. Once he got there, Palaemon's attitude shifted when he didn't see him.

After several candle-drips, the General of the Third Army was beginning to lose patience while awaiting Batius. The irritation subsided with his arrival.

"By the Gods, you should have already been here, Batius."

"Pardon, General." Batius placed his right fist over his chest. "I couldn't get free from the army right away."

"Never mind. What information do you have for me?" Palaemon queried.

"Everything is moving along as planned. Only a slight problem, though."

"What's that?" Palaemon inquired.

"Because of his removal from the palace, it'll postpone the execution." Batius pronounced.

"No big deal. It will give us enough Cronus to set up." Another rumination plagued Palaemon. "What of General Draco?"

"I'm not certain, General. Not yet."

"We must find out what he plans on doing, before-"

"General Palaemon?" Eramus interrupted.

Palaemon released a frustrated sigh. "Master Eramus, how may I be of service?"

"I don't mean to disrupt anything. I require an audience with the Chancellor of the Realm."

"Sure." Palaemon said. "Lieutenant Batius, if he's not busy, apprise the Regent that Master Eramus will be waiting in the Throne room to address him. Then, meet me in my chambers to finish up our discussion."

The Lieutenant of the Third Army bowed to Palaemon and departed to carry out his assignment.

"Thank you, General Palaemon." The rotund man said.

He smiled. "No thanks is needed. I'll escort you to the Throne room."

Master Eramus gave a nod of approval. Next, the two men travelled together through the halls of the Corinthian castle.

To Be Continued...